A Look At: Best Actress

What is shaping up to be the most competetive and interesting categories is the Best Actress category, one that, in recent years, has been less interesting. Annette Bening and Natalie Portman are coming in as the frontrunners, but other than that, the race is really a toss up. We have plenty of former winners and nominees, and some new faces all looking for a shot at the glory. Here is a look at the biggest contenders:

Top Contenders:

1. Annette Bening "The Kids Are All Right"
2. Natalie Portman "Black Swan"

Looking Good:

3. Nicole Kidman "Rabbit Hole"
4. Leslie Manville "Another Year"
5. Diane Lane "Secretariat"

6. Sally Hawkins "Made in Dagenham"

7. Jennifer Lawrence "Winter's Bone"

8. Julianne Moore "The Kids Are All Right"

Possibilities:

9. Anne Hathaway "Love and Other Drugs"

10. Carey Mulligan "Never Let Me Go"

11. Hilary Swank "Conviction"

12. Naomi Watts "Fair Game"
13. Michelle Williams "Blue Valentine"

Other Contenders:

14. Gwyneth Paltrow "Country Strong"
15. Rachel Weisz "The Whistleblower"
16. Rachel McAdams "Morning Glory"
17. Emma Stone "Easy A"

18. Helen Mirren "The Debt"

Those are the 18 right now, although you never know who may emerge as the season goes on. This is a really packed field and all of the top 13 are legitimate contenders for five spots. Right now, here are my predictions:

Annette Bening "The Kids Are All Right"

Nicole Kidman "Rabbit Hole"

Diane Lane "Secretariat"
Leslie Manville "Another Year"
Natalie Portman "Black Swan"