So once again it is Oscar time. Another year, Another mundane Academy Awards. Or is it? While the last few years have been less than fruitful movie-wise, the films of 2010 seemed like a bit of a resurrection for quality filmmaking. All are on the table for the 83^rd Academy Awards to be hosted by James Franco and Anne Hathaway. Who will be snubbed and who will take home the naked gold man? Here is who Buzzbin believes will make the cut and who will fall to the waste side. The Social Network Let”s begin with the obvious. There is no doubt in my mind that “The Social Network” will take home a lot of trophies come Oscar night. Already a Golden Globe winner, expect the film to not only take home Best Picture but also one for Best Adapted Screenplay. Aaron Sorkin, famous for his extremely well-written television shows like “The West Wing” and “Sports Night”, is a shoo-in for his fascinating and hypnotizing writing in The Social Network. While Jesse Eisenberg was stellar in his performance as Mark Zuckerberg, the inventor of Facebook, as was Andrew Garfield as his so-called best friend, I have a feeling the Academy is going to shut them out come award night. Fear not David Fincher should level things out by taking home the gold for Best Director. Likewise for Nine Inch Nails rocker Trent Reznor who can clear off his mantle as well for his beautiful work in the score for the blockbuster. Black Swan “Black Swan” also has a chance of running away with a handful of awards. No one can argue that Natalie Portman has got this one in the bag. As ballet dancer Nina Sayers on the verge of a breakdown, the actress turns in one of the most gut-wrenching performance I have seen by a female lead in quite sometime. Matthew Libatique’s cinematography is a wonder to watch and may very well be awarded for its excellence. Also expect director Darren Aronofsky to give Fincher a run for his money for both Best Director along with Best Picture come Oscar night. True Grit While the last few years have brought moviegoers a renewal of the more grittier western (i.e. “3:10 To Yuma”, “The Proposition” and “No Country For Old Men”), the Coen Brothers have now set their sight on the more old Hollywood style with “True Grit”. For their contribution to the genre, the quirky duo can expect to possibly take home a statue or two. Jeff Bridge, in a role originally played by John Wayne, could potentially take home the prize as well as Roger Deakins elegant camerawork. Even though the Coens Brothers will probably not grab the Director or Picture statues, they can at least cheer on their 14-year old Hailee Steinfeld scene-stealer who makes honestly the film with her performance as a daughter out t bring justice to the man that killed her father. The Fighter “The Fighter” is another one of the big guns with the most potential to take home a pocketful of awards. The standout here is Christian Bale as drug addicted boxing trainer Dickie Eklund  and if I was a betting man would play all my cards on a Best Supporting Actor win. Plan on Melissa Leo as Alice Ward, Micky’s take-no-shit mother, and Amy Adams, as his girlfriend, to duke it out for the Best Supporting Actress award. Though David O. Russell’s direction is most definitely noteworthy, don’t expect him to take home either of the top prizes. The King’s Speech While this stellar film originally flew way under the radar, it is now the most favored out of the entire bunch. “The King’s Speech” has picked up a plethora of awards so far and many believe that won’t stop until after Oscar night. While I honestly believe that director Tom Hooper will step aside in the Best Director category to one of the other big boys, the film may very well take home a few of the other prestigious awards. Nearly a given is Colin Firth for Best Actor, who has been collecting critics awards all season so expect the actor to be recognized for his work here. Finally look for the film to pick up Best Picture, unless the power of Facebook can pull on through to the end. Snubs So where do the snubs come in? Sadly, I have a bad feeling that the brilliant mindfuck that is “Inception” will not get credit where credit is due. The film’s hype has tamed a bit over the last six months and may hurt its chances.  Javier Bardem, who just a few years back took home Best Supporting Actor for “No Country For Old Men”, should also be recognized as the lead in the little seen “Biutiful”, but his performance has completely been overlooked by every other accolade this season so expect him to be snubbed as well. But that’s life. And that’s the Academy Awards. Let’s cross our fingers that at least there will be a handful of surprises come February 27^th.