OSCARS 2010 REPORT #2: BEST ACTOR

If early buzz were a true indicator then three, possibly four, of the Best Actor spots have already been filled. But the Oscars are still a way off and anything can happen between now and then. For mine, these are the 10 with a real shot. (*seen)

COLIN FIRTH – THE KING'S SPEECH*
Receiving his first nom last year and losing means Firth is in a good position to score a 'make-up' Oscar. But his performance as King George VI is arguably the best of his career. His to lose.

JAMES FRANCO – 127 HOURS
Predominantly the only actor on screen, Franco has to carry Danny Boyle's film and by all accounts done so impressively. Think Tom Hanks in Castaway without a volleyball or the ability to move. The likely spoiler.

JESSE EISENBERG – THE SOCIAL NETWORK*
As the lead in a possible BP contender, Eisenberg is hard to ignore. He breaks out of his geek typecasting by playing one of the most recognisable geeks in the world.

RYAN GOSLING – BLUE VALENTINE
Received his first Oscar nom in 2006 (Half Nelson) so is on the Academy's radar and is said to excel in the role of a man who sees his marriage falling apart despite his best efforts.

JEFF BRIDGES – TRUE GRIT
Finally winning last year may hurt Bridges' chances some but on the flipside, the role of Rooster Cogburn, which won John Wayne his only Oscar, may also be hard to ignore.

ROBERT DUVALL – GET LOW
I had Duvall in my picks last year following the good word from the 09 Toronto Film Fest. But Get Low was released mid-2010 in the US to good reviews, and the veteran factor could see him sneak in.

JAVIER BARDEM – BIUTIFUL
The latest by Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu (Babel) received mixed reviews at Cannes but most agreed Javier Bardem was excellent. A Foreign Language Film nod (for Mexico) could help.

LEONARDO DICAPRIO – INCEPTION*/SHUTTER ISLAND*
While he gives a more demanding perf in Shutter Island, Inception is the most likely BP contender. Then again, The Departed won BP but DiCaprio was nominated that year for Blood Diamond.

MARK WAHLBERG – THE FIGHTER
Was the surprise acting nominee for The Departed and here, playing a down and out boxer on the comeback trail, could well find himself in the Oscars ring once more.

MICHAEL DOUGLAS – SOLITARY MAN*
Probably his best performance since 2000's WonderBoys (which he should have been nom'd for). Call me cynical, but undergoing treatment for cancer only adds to his appeal. But more likely to be nom'd for Support in Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.