Final predictions - 2012 Academy Award nominations

Here are my final predictions in the major six categories.  It's one of those weird years where I wouldn't be shocked to see a few surprises in the nominations and things not matching up with Globe, SAG or Critic's Choice.  In categories I haven't predicted, I am rooting on Bill Cunningham New York and We Were Here in documentary and Winnie the Pooh in animated.  How has Pooh not been nominated so far this year?  Just sad.  :-)  I'm also hoping 50/50 gets in for Best Screenplay like it did with the Writer's Guild.  This year there can be anywhere from 5-10 nominees for Best Picture.  I am currently predicting 7 but have put down my other three guesses in case there are more.  Here we go!  Nomination morning is in mere hours.  

Best Picture
'The Artist
'The Descendants
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Help
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
(If there are 8-10 nominees:  War Horse followed byBridesmaids and Ides of March)
Should have been a contender:  Drive

Best Director
Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
David Fincher, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Alexander Payne, The Descendants
Martin Scorsese, Hugo
(alt.  Tate Taylor, The Help)
Should have been a contender:  Nicolas Winding Refn, Drive

Best Actor
George Clooney, The Descendants
Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Leonardo DiCaprio, J. Edgar
Michael Fassbender, Shame
Brad Pitt, Moneyball
(alt. Michael Shannon, Take Shelter)
Should have been a contender: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, 50/50

Best Actress
Viola Davis, The Help
Rooney Mara, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Tilda Swinton, We Need to Talk About Kevin
Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn
(alt. Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs or Charlize Theron, Young Adult)
Should have been a contender:  Mia Wasikowska, Jane Eyre

Best Supporting Actor
Kenneth Branagh, My Week With Marilyn
Albert Brooks, Drive
Nick Nolte, Warrior
Patton Oswalt, Young Adult
Christopher Plummer, Beginners
(alt. Jonah Hill, Moneyball)
Should have been a contender:  Ezra Miller, We Need to Talk About Kevin

Best Supporting Actress
Bérénice Bejo, The Artist
Jessica Chastain, The Help
Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer, The Help
(alt. Shailene Woodley, The Descendants)
Should have been a contender:  Carey Mulligan, Shame