Last week on another blog I gave my picks for the Oscars this year. I’ll re-post some of those choices below to give you an idea of who might win. But I wanted to talk about my favorite thing about the Academy Awards — the dresses. Well, and then there’s the shoes. I know, shallow much? But I love clothes.

I can sit for hours before the awards begin and watch the red carpet coverage. I like knowing how an actress decides on the dress she is going to wear. How it makes her feel. Why she likes a particular designer over others. Clothes can tell you a great deal about the person, and on Oscar night that is highlighted more than ever. I expect to see a lot of color this year. It’s almost as if people feel the need to make things look better than they are, and color does that.

Have you ever dreamed of walking the red carpet? I have. Maybe one of my books will be made into a film. Or I’ll write an adaptation and it will get nominated. (I said I was dreaming.) I already have the idea for my dress in my head. It’s simple, long sleeves, v-neck and it’s royal blue. The heels would be sparkly and my hair would be long and curly. Yes, I really have thought about this. And I think perhaps George Clooney or Gerard Butler would be my arm candy. (H)

Now on to the Awards…

The Awards: I thought I’d go through the list and talk about some of the folks I’d like to see win. This isn’t necessarily who will win, though I’ll try to help you with that too. We’ll go through the Best Picture and Acting categories.

Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz, “Nine”; Vera Farmiga, “Up in the Air”; Maggie Gyllenhaal, “Crazy Heart”; Anna Kendrick, “Up in the Air”; Mo’Nique, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire.” I think the woman to beat here is Mo’Nique, even though I’m not fond of the film, I get why people are so into this performance. Mo’Nique has a way of making this truly evil woman, pathetic and sad at the same time. It’s a raw performance and the Oscar folks like that. My pick would be Anna Kendrick, she was an absolute revelation in “Up in the Air.” A truly standout performance, but unfortunately she doesn’t have a chance.

Supporting Actor: Matt Damon, “Invictus”; Woody Harrelson, “The Messenger”; Christopher Plummer, “The Last Station”; Stanley Tucci, “The Lovely Bones”; Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds.” Waltz is the man to beat here. This is a category filled with amazing performances. Waltz picked up the Screen Actors Guild Award, and I believe he’ll be the winner here too.

Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart”; George Clooney, “Up in the Air”; Colin Firth, “A Single Man”; Morgan Freeman, “Invictus”; Jeremy Renner, “The Hurt Locker.” This is another tough category filled with incredible performances. Jeff Bridges won the SAG award, and I’m pretty sure he’ll pick up the Oscar. Hollywood considers him one of their under appreciated, and I think they think it’s time to honor him. It was an honest performance and I don’t have a problem with Bridges winning, but Firth would be my choice. He’s in almost every frame of “The Single Man” and he doesn’t disappoint. He can say so much with just a look. It was one of my favorite performances of the year.

Best Actress: Sandra Bullock, “The Blind Side”; Helen Mirren, “The Last Station”; Carey Mulligan, “An Education”; Gabourey Sidibe, “Precious: Based on the Novel `Push’ by Sapphire”; Meryl Streep, “Julie & Julia.” Don’t get me wrong, I love Sandra Bullock, and “Blind Side” was one of my favorite films of the year. But was her performances better than her fellow nominees? The answer is, no. Still, I think she’s a safe bet to take home the big prize. This is the toughest category for me. I know you’ve never heard of her, but Carey Mulligan gives such an amazing performance in “An Education.” For me, Meryl Streep became Julia Child. Sidibe is good in “Precious,” but she basically has one expression through the entire film, and even though she is supposed to be shy, it would help if she hadn’t mumbled. Helen Mirren is a bit over the top in “The Last Station,” but she’s absolutely believable. That said, I’m pretty sure Bullock is a shoe-in.

Best Picture: “Avatar,” “The Blind Side,” “District 9,” “An Education,” “The Hurt Locker,” “Inglourious Basterds,” “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire,” “A Serious Man,” “Up,” “Up in the Air.” I don’t believe “Precious” or “A Serious Man” deserve to be in the category. I get that “Precious” deals with horrific subject matter and we are supposed to believe that it is an important film, but if you break it down, it’s not a very well made movie. The editing is choppy, the lighting ridiculous, and the acting is over the top or non-existent, especially in many of the scenes at the school. I just don’t get the love for the film beyond Mo’Nique’s performance. “A Serious Man” is a movie that just didn’t do it for me. I’m a big fan of the Coen brothers and usually enjoy their dark humor, but this movie was a self-indulgent mess.

So let’s talk about some of the films I do like. No one can deny that James Cameron hasn’t done something quite wonderful with “Avatar,” while it’s slow at times, it’s a visual gem. In “An Education” director Lone Scherfig had a deft hand with her actors performances and it’s a great coming of age film. “The Blind Side” and “UP” are both great stories, I’m not so sure they are Best Picture material, but I enjoyed both of the films. “Up in the Air” is movie that I had to think about for a while before I decided I liked it. In the end I decided I love it. My only real problem with that film was the pacing, but the performances by the actors made up for any shortfalls.

That said, for me this year’s two best pictures are “The Hurt Locker” and “Inglourious Basterds.” Director Kathryn Bigelow picked up the Directors Guild Award for “The Hurt Locker,” and this makes me hopeful that perhaps Hollywood is coming around to understanding that this one incredible film. Most people know Bigelow as James Cameron’s ex, but she’s obviously so much more. He even says so. “The Hurt Locker” is a tightly wound film, with intense performance. It’s one you shouldn’t miss. And even though he often gets the cold shoulder from Hollywood, no one is doing more for the film than Quentin Tarantino. The man has such respect for the art of film making and though he’s turned out some winners and some stinkers, this is his best film yet.

That said, I hope “The Hurt Locker” wins. If you haven’t seen it, you need to.

So tell me about some of your favorite movies of the year. They don’t have to be up for Oscars! AND what would you wear if you could walk the red carpet?