February is my favorite month because my birthday is the 26th, and this year I get one of the best presents ever: the Oscars!  I have seen every movie nominated for best picture this year, but because I had to study a bit, I was unable to view enough movies in some categories to make a prediction.  So, drum roll please: Nathan’s Partial Oscar Picks for the year are:

Best Actor:  Very tough choice between George Clooney in “The Descendants” and Jean Dujardin in “The Artist.”  Although Clooney’s performance was outstanding, the voiceless Dujardin blew me away and gets my vote. Acting within the confines of a black and white silent movie, Dujardin effortlessly filled his character with emotion and passion.

Best Supporting Actress:  Tough choice here because this category had the most talented actors.  Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain from “The Help” were superb, but Spencer will probably sweep this award.  Bérénice Bejo also deserves to be mentioned for her peppy performance in “The Artist.” My vote goes to Chastain.

Best Supporting Actor:  I NEVER imagined that Jonah Hill would even be nominated for any Oscar, but he gets my vote for his comedic, number cruncher performance in “Moneyball.” Hill, slimmed down, cleaned up and wearing collared shirts and ties, gave a great understated performance and truly supported the big guy, Brad Pitt. Max von Sydow, the mute with “Yes” and “No” written on his hand in “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” was a very close second.

Best Original Song:  Hands down, “Man or Muppet” from “The Muppets.”  I cannot be objective in this category because I am a sucker for The Muppets, and have listened to this song hundreds of times since I got the soundtrack for Christmas.

Best Picture:  This category is the hardest decision because I loved all nine movies.  After hours of going back and forth, watching and then re-watching, “The Artist” gets my vote because of how it shocked my senses.  I have never walked out of a theater in such awe.  A black and white silent movie probably won’t win the real award, but it gets my vote.

Now, go out and watch all these great movies, and you be the judge. Don’t forget to watch The Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26!