Countdown to the Oscars: Bullock v. Streep

Based on the preliminary awards, there won't be many surprises in the acting categories at the upcoming Academy Awards. Jeff Bridges (lead actor), Mo'Nique (supporting actress) and Christoph Waltz (supporting actor) look like locks to pick up Oscars.

The one exception might be best actress. The race is on between Sandra Bullock for "The Blind Side" and Meryl Streep for "Julie & Julia." Though Bullock did win the Screen Actors Guild Award last night, she tied with Streep at the Film Critics Association Awards. And both won Golden Globes. Though Bullock has to be considered the favorite after winning the SAG, it's not definite. Just last year, Streep lost her Oscar after winning the SAG two weeks prior. (SAG wins are powerful because actors makeup the largest voting bloc of the Academy.)

Nominations for the 82nd annual Academy Awards will be announced February 2; the ceremony is March 7.