The Olympics were great, with the good old U.S. of A. bringing home the most medals, but now it is time to turn our attention to something that really matters: The Oscars.

That's right, folks, the 82nd Academy Awards are set for Sunday evening with a newly expanded (but still lacking) Best Picture category as well as twice the number of hosts as normal (For their own sake, I hope no one heckles Alec Baldwin).

And now, without further adieu, who should win, who will win and a few random thoughts about it all:

Best Actor

Will win: Jeff Bridges, "Crazy Heart"

Should win: Bridges

I loved this movie, which inexplicably was left out of the Best Picture category, and the glue that holds the whole thing together is Bridges. Early on, I thought for certain this finally would be George Clooney's year, but it is not to be. Jeremy Renner was brilliant in "The Hurt Locker", but he won't win this time. I did not see gifted and steady Colin Firth in "A Single Man" or the endlessly graceful Morgan Freeman in "Invictus", but they both are afterthoughts here.

Best Actress

Will win: Sandra Bullock, "The Blind Side"

Should win: Gabourey Sidibe, "Precious"

I like Sandra Bullock as much as anyone, and I have no problem with her getting some love from the Academy, but this should not be the year. Sidibe and Carey Mulligan ("An Education") each put in stellar performances with much higher degrees of difficulty than Bullock's. That doesn't even take into account the fact that the two nominees I haven't yet seen, Meryl Streep ("Julie & Julia") and Helen Mirren ("The Last Station"), are verified Oscar royalty.

Best Supporting Actor

Will win: Christoph Waltz, "Inglourious Basterds"

Should win: Waltz

I have seen only one of the nominated films so far, but Waltz will win this award, and I'm not certain it's possible for anyone to deserve it more.

Best Supporting Actress

Will win: Mo'Nique

Should win: Mo'Nique

This is a very strong year in a category known for surprises, but I suspect anyone who saw "Precious" was as haunted by Mo'Nique's appallingly brilliant performance as I was. She also should make for an entertaining acceptance speech.

Best Original Screenplay

Will win: Quentin Tarantino, "Inglourious Basterds"

Should win: Tarantino or Mark Boal ("The Hurt Locker")

"Inglourious Basterds" is a terrific film that is not likely to take home any of the other major awards. "The Hurt Locker" has a good chance at the night's biggest prize. "Up" was surprisingly poignant, but cartoons have a natural disadvantage in this category. Not enough people saw "The Messenger" or "A Serious Man" (including me) for either to win.

Best Adapted Screenplay

Will win: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, "Up in the Air"

Should win: Reitman and Turner

"Up in the Air" will end Sunday night as the unluckiest great film of the last several years. There have been years in which it could have swept the Best Picture, Director, Actor, Supporting Actress and Screenplay categories, but this year is not one of them. Best Adapted Screenplay will be the consolation prize for an incredibly deserving movie.

Best Director

Will win: James Cameron, "Avatar"

Should win: Cameron

In a year in which Quentin Tarantino's stirring, resounding return to (mostly) serious filmmaking is the weakest performance in a loaded category, Cameron should be the last man standing. When you spend kazillions of dollars and 10 years advancing the art form and create a film that rakes in bajillions of dollars, the odds are in your favor.

Best Picture

Will win: "The Hurt Locker"

Should win: "The Hurt Locker", "Avatar" or "Up in the Air"

I think the spectacularly tense war drama will win, but "Avatar" would not be a surprise here, either. Both films are everything Best Picture winners should be: Moving, dynamic and memorable. "Up in the Air" also has all of the needed qualities, but not quite enough gravitas to beat out the other two.

For those of you who have asked, yes, I will keep my streak going once I knock out "A Serious Man" this week (it's already at my house).

On a related note, expanding the Best Picture category to 10 nominees was a great idea. Of the nine I have seen as of press time, I have no major quibbles. "Crazy Heart" was a ridiculous omission here, but all of the other deserving heavy hitters were nominated. Overall, a decent job by the voters.

"Life is a succession of moments. To live each one is to succeed."

Corita Kent

Jeremy A. Corley is the managing editor of The Anna-Melissa Tribune and the Van Alstyne Leader.