The Academy Awards of 2010 will likely go down as one of the most predictable in recent history. Of all the main categories, the only one which carried some tension attached to it was best picture. In the end the Oscar went to the little film that could, The Hurt Locker, which beat the still raking it in Avatar and claimed six Academy Awards on the night including best director, original screenplay, editing, sound mixing and sound editing. Although Avatar missed out in the major categories it picked up three technical awards for visual effects, cinematography and art direction.

Sandra Bullock and Jeff Bridges Take Top Acting Honours

Elsewhere on the awards front it was business as usual. Precious won a couple with Mo'Nique getting her never-in-doubt supporting actress gong, and Geoffrey Fletcher winning adapted screenplay. Christoph Waltz was guaranteed best supporting actor and he duly got it. Sandra Bullock picked up the best actress award for her Sarah Palin-like performance in The Blind Side, a day after she accepted a Razzie for worst actress for her role in All About Steve. Jeff Bridges was awarded the best actor Oscar for his portrayal of a washed-up country singer in Crazy Heart. His win continues the ridiculous Academy tradition of awards going to people as much, and sometimes more so, for their body of work rather than for their current film. Bridges is great though, and at the fifth time of asking he finally gets the award.