I love to watch the Academy Awards, even if I seem to see fewer of the movies every year. I’m looking forward to this Sunday’s ceremony, although the only nominated movie I’ve seen is War Horse, which I loved.

Now that I’ve turned in my book, I feel free to think about going to movies. I’d like to see The Help, The Artist, and The Descendants, although I’ll probably wait until they come on Cable.

My favorites are, therefore, not based upon seeing the movies, but here they are:

Best Picture: War Horse, because it is the one movie I’ve seen and I did love it. I knew I would from the first time I saw the trailer

Best Actor in a Leading Role: George Clooney. From the trailer of the film, it looks like he does a wonderful job.

Best Actress in a Leading Role: This is a hard one!!!! I’ll go for Viola Davis, because I think the role she played must have been a personally emotional one for her. If not Viola, then Michelle Williams or Rooney Mara.

Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer. I always like Christopher Plummer.

Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer. I love it when African American actors are recognized.

Best Cinematography: War Horse. The scene in which the horse breaks away and runs through the battle is amazing!

Best Animated: any of the ones with cats in them

Art Direction: War Horse (but I’m biased)

Costume: Jane Eyre. Not that I’ve seen the costumes, but it is an historical piece near to “my” time period.

Directing: The Artist. It must have been a great challenge to make a silent movie in today’s world.

I don’t have any other preferences for the other categories.

Who are you rooting for? If you’ve seen more movies than I have, which ones do you recommend to me?