Academy Awards Predictions

Best Picture: "Argo"

This action-packed drama, directed by, produced by and starring Ben Affleck, reenacts the secret CIA operation to rescue American fugitives out of revolutionary Iran. While political thrillers can often be controversial, "Argo" is decidedly phenomenal, and will most likely take the Oscar home.

Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence

Though she just recently has been deemed an A-list star, Jennifer Lawrence blew audiences away with her performance in "Silver Linings Playbook." The 22 year old can consider Jessica Chastain her biggest competition, but Lawrence's engaging performance will likely earn her a win.

Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis 

The star of the historical drama "Lincoln," Daniel Day-Lewis plays the former president with an emotional yet impressive performance. He is expected to win even over Hugh Jackman in "Les Miserables," a feat which would certainly attest to Day-Lewis' talent.

Best Director: Ang Lee

Taiwanese-born Ang Lee is known for his directing of "Brokeback Mountain," "Taking Woodstock," and now "Life of Pi." His use of spectacular CGI-laden action scenes makes for sensational films, and his third nomination for Best Director might well be a successful one.

Eight Things You Didn't Know About the Awards

1.) "Silver Linings Playbook" is the first film with nominations for best picture, director, screenplay and all four acting categories since Warren Beatty's 1981 epic "Reds."

2.) Number of "thank yous" in Gwyneth Paltrow's 1998 Oscar speech: 23.

3.) The Oscar statuette weighs 6.75 pounds, and stands 13.5 inches high.

4.) The actress with the most Academy Awards for "Best Actress" is Katharine Hepburn, who won four of the golden statuettes (in 1932, 1967, 1968 and 1981).

5.) The three movies that won the most Oscars were "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King," "Titanic" and "Ben-Hur." Each of those movies won 11 statuettes.

6.) The only sequel to have won Best Picture is "The Godfather: Part II."

7.) Due to metal shortages, Oscars during World War II were made from painter plaster. These were replaced with the proper kind after the war's end.

8.) The phrase "And the winner is..." was discontinued

in 1989, replaced with the phrase "And the Oscar goes to..."