The first Academy Awards were held in 1927. Movie buffs have been fascinated ever since to see and hear about who the winners — and losers — are each year. Across the world, billions of people tune in to their TVs to watch the blockbuster show. This year’s ceremony is Sunday, March 7. A nomination is a wonderful thing, but being a winner is better. Stand-up comic Mo’Nique, getting a Best Supporting Actress nod for her turn as a vicious mother in “Precious,” said, “What an honor to be nominated for this prestigious award. God bless us.” Her fellow actress Gabourney Sidibe in the same movie said of her Best Actress kudo, “I am so excited and honored to be recognized by the Academy and included in such a remarkable group of actors.” One of the classic actresses to receive more than one nomination is Katharine Hepburn, with 12 nominations and four wins. Screen icon Bette Davis swept the boards with 11 nominations and two wins. Today’s Meryl Streep has surpassed them with 16 nominations and, so far, two wins. She is nominated this year for “Julie & Julia.” Streep is seemingly nominated for every role she plays. This year’s Oscar race is a good one, with a variety of roles and actresses to tickle the Academy’s voters. Other actresses nominated include Sandra Bullock for “The Blind Side.” Some are touting her as the winner because “it’s her time.” Helen Mirren, who is so good in everything, was nominated for “The Last Station.” Youngster Carey Mulligan is getting shouts for her role in “An Education.” The San Diego Film Critics Society went off the deep end and chose Michelle Monaghan for her role in the unknown “Trucker” film, something that came straight out of the blue. My personal choice is Meryl Streep. Leading men this year were also diversified. Top Best Actor favorite is Colin Firth, who played a gay man who is suffering the loss of his companion. He won the British Academy Award, and is a leading favorite for the Oscar. Jeff Bridges has done well for the small film “Crazy Heart,” playing a broken down country singer. George Clooney may do well for ‘Up In The Air” because of his own personal popularity with voters. Morgan Freeman, one of my personal favorites, did a stellar job impersonating Nelson Mandela in “Invictus.” The surprise in this category is newcomer Jeremy Renner for “The Hurt Locker.” Relatively unknown, the actor is relishing his first starring role. I’d like to see Firth win, but Bridges will take home the Oscar for sentimental reasons. Youngster Anna Kendrick was nominated as Best Supporting Actress in “Up In The Air.” She said, “I am thrilled beyond words to be nominated with these talented and inspiring women.” Vera Farmiga, her fellow nominee in the same film, was equally enthusiastic. “I am deeply honored and humbled by this recognition and truly grateful to the Academy for their support of ‘Up In The Air.’” Other than the aforementioned ladies, Penelope Cruz was nominated for “Nine,” and Maggie Gyllenhaal won recognition for “Crazy Heart.” The Best Supporting Actor category this year is a good one. Stanley Tucci did a chilling job as a creepy neighbor in “The Lovely Bones.” But I preferred his delightful performance in “Julie & Julia.” Woody Harrelson did his best work in “The Messenger,” and Matt Damon perfectly captured the South Afrikaan accent in “Invictus.” Christopher Plummer, long-time stage star, was at his zenith in “The Last Station.” But the man who played the vicious and charming Nazi in “Inglourious Basterds” was Christolph Waltz, and he deserves the Oscar. Nominating ten films for Best Picture is not new. Way back in the 1930s it was standard practice. This year’s list includes a battle between a former man and wife for both Best Picture and Best Director. James Cameron and Kathryn Bigelow duke it out for “Avatar” and “The Hurt Locker,” respectively. “The Blind Side” was a fluke as was “A Serious Man.” The sci-fi hit from South Africa, “District 9,” was an audience favorite as was Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds.” Although a depressing film, “Precious” has won some fans. The breezy but serious “Up In The Air” had George Clooney fans swooning. “An Education” pleased the Academy, as did the animated film “Up,” also nominated as Best Animated Feature. My choice for the best film of the year is “The Hurt Locker.”