Here we go again! The Oscar nominations were announced only a few hours ago. Take a look at the list of the five we're all really the most interested in (let's be honest) and then scroll down for the low down on what we reckon really should and shouldn't be there.

Best Film

Avatar (2009): James Cameron, Jon Landau

The Blind Side (2009): Nominees to be determined

District 9 (2009): Peter Jackson, Carolynne Cunningham

An Education (2009): Finola Dwyer, Amanda Posey

The Hurt Locker (2008): Nominees to be determined

Inglourious Basterds (2009): Lawrence Bender

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009): Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness, Gary Magness

A Serious Man (2009): Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Up (2009): Jonas Rivera

Up in the Air (2009/I): Daniel Dubiecki, Ivan Reitman, Jason Reitman

Best Actor

Jeff Bridges for Crazy Heart (2009)

George Clooney for Up in the Air (2009/I)

Colin Firth for A Single Man (2009)

Morgan Freeman for Invictus (2009)

Jeremy Renner for The Hurt Locker (2008)

Best Actress

Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side (2009)

Helen Mirren for The Last Station (2009)

Carey Mulligan for An Education (2009)

Gabourey Sidibe for Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009)

Meryl Streep for Julie & Julia (2009)

Supporting Actor

Matt Damon for Invictus (2009)

Woody Harrelson for The Messenger (2009/I)

Christopher Plummer for The Last Station (2009)

Stanley Tucci for The Lovely Bones (2009)

Christoph Waltz for Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Supporting Actress

Penélope Cruz for Nine (2009)

Vera Farmiga for Up in the Air (2009/I)

Maggie Gyllenhaal for Crazy Heart (2009)

Anna Kendrick for Up in the Air (2009/I)

Mo'Nique for Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009)

Director

Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker (2008)

James Cameron for Avatar (2009)

Lee Daniels for Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009)

Jason Reitman for Up in the Air (2009/I)

Quentin Tarantino for Inglourious Basterds (2009)

So that was that then. For all of the months of debate on a thousand different movie and awards sites, these happy few are what we are led to believe by them that know as being the cream of the previous years' efforts.

Avatar and The Hurt Locker both racked up a total of nine (yes, really) nominations, squeezing out Inglourious Basterds by a mere one. Marketing momentum and a touch of, dare I say it, nepotism, has got everyone frothing at the mouth about The Hurt Locker. So much so that not only did it make Oscar nominations out of Kathryn Bigelow for Direction (James Cameron's ex-wife) but also, inexplicably for some, (alright, me) there was even a nod for Jeremy Renner as the death defying bomb disposal hero. If you have read my review of the film, you will know my reaction to the film wasn't as gushing as most of the critics lining up to pat themselves on the back. Nevertheless, I still stand by my review and am surprised at least that Renner made the final five for Best Actor. Would it really have been so incredibly surprising to see Sam Rockwell (Moon) in there in his place?

Everything else in the Best Film list is pretty much as expected and by the numbers, though I still fail to understand why 'Up' is in there, having watched Coraline. If an animated film deserved a place, then Coraline was the one.

A myriad of male leads could have easily found themselves in the frame, but all told, the list is pretty respectable, though I expect Brad Pitt and Sharlto Copley might be feeling quietly aggrieved about their lack of appearance.

In the female lead category, I am delighted to see Carey Mulligan in the final five and will be willing her to victory on the night. A truly lovely performance from Mulligan in An Education makes her an outside chance. Helen Mirren is unlikely to win for The Last Station as she has won all too recently and the buzz for the film is nowhere at present, though this may change. Meryl will be a bridesmaid once more as Julie & Julia is less deserving than Doubt last year and she couldn't pull it off then either. Recognition is fine, but definitely not her best work, or even close. I would have much preferred a more deserving nod for Diane Kruger in Inglourious as the stunning Bridget von Hammersmark, who without seemingly trying too hard, is slowly becoming Tarantino's best female character to date.

Supporting actor is a shoe-in and Damon, Harrelson and Tucci must all be cursing Christoph Waltz. Waltz has been picking up awards all over the planet for his portryal of Nazi Colonel Hans Lander. This is as sure as we were certain of Heath Ledger winning last year. They may as well just give it to him now.

Supporting actress is a bit of a tricky one to call with both Farmiga and Kendrick getting nods for Up In The Air. There may be trouble caused there with some split voting, and Mo'Nique might just nick it when nobody is looking.

Finally, for Direction we have what I think is going to be the greatest one horse race since Christoph Waltz won the Oscar fo.... (wait a minute). You get my drift though. It is going to be another James Cameron 'King Of The World' night, I feel. If only because of the amount of effort, ground breaking technology and determination Cameron had to display to get his dream picture made. It may not yet win Best Picture, but Cameron deserves his moment in the limelight once more. Maybe next time Quentin, maybe next time...