Early 2011 Oscar Predictions: Best Actor

With Oscar nominations not too far off, it's time to start thinking about the best performances of the year. 2010 was a great year for movies and acting, and while the "Best Actor" category doesn't have some of the tremendous depth of the others, it is still full of contenders. Here's my predictions for this year's award...

The Nominations

Jesse Eisenberg, "The Social Network"
No matter how you feel about Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg, Eisenberg draws you in in his compelling portrayal. He didn't over think it or dumb it down, he gave the part layers and it shows in the movie's success.

Colin Firth, "The King's Speech"
Firth is due to win, like Anette Bening, he has had a plethera of meaty, great roles and lost the Oscar to Jeff Bridges in "A Single Man". His portrayal of King George VI is brilliant and definitely deserves the nod, if not the win.

James Franco, "127 Hours"
Franco crossed over into a 'serious actor' with his role in "127 Hours" the story of trapped climber Aron Ralston. Much like the Tom Hanks role in 'Cast Away" much of the movie is Franco acting with himself. That takes a lot of talent.

Jeff Bridges, "True Grit"
The winner last year with "Crazy Heart" reprises an iconic role in the Coen Brother's adaptation of "True Grit" as Rooster Cogburn, originally played by John Wayne in 1969. Bridges gives another award worthy performance in his role, making it his own and not a John Wayne throwback or imitation. Not to mention, he's pretty darn intimidating in this movie too.

Leonardo DiCaprio, "Inception"
DiCaprio's Cobb is the perfect lead to this movie. He's a great actor that has the ability to bring you not only in to a story, but to also feel everything along the way. "Inception" wouldn't have had the buzz it did without this wonderful performance.

And the winner is...

Colin Firth, "The King's Speech"

It's brilliantly acted without being over the top or too minimalistic, and it's just Colin Firth's time to be recognized as the fine actor he is.