The Academy recently released their list of Oscar nominees. With a number of massively high-grossing films this year, it promises to be interesting. The notable standout this year has been James Cameron’s “Avatar.” How will it fare at these awards? Juniata students weigh in on the topic.

Jimmy Dulaney ’13, Towanda, Pa. – “I think Avatar will win Best Picture, it’s the highest grossing movie of all time and money talks. Sandra Bullock and Morgan Freeman will get Best Actress and Actor and ‘Up’ will get Best Animated.”

Pam Heinrichs ’12, Spring Mills, Pa. – “’Avatar’ will win best picture because it has broken so many records in the theaters and used new technologies for the graphics.”

Alden Hiller ’12, Du Bois, Pa. – “’Avatar’ has been nominated in nine categories… That’s an astonishing feat, and I hope that Avatar will win most. I’m disappointed that ‘The Hangover’ is nowhere to be seen on their nominations, it such a great comedy, and I believe that I heard its the highest grossing R-rated comedy; so for the Oscars to snub it after raising their nomination for best picture to 10 nominations… Well that just sucks. There are a few movies on there that I haven’t had a chance to see and a few that I haven’t heard of; but, from what I know, they are all deserving of their nominations. “

Ed Sinnes ’12, Waldorf, Md. – “First, I’ll go with ‘Avatar’ because it’s the only one I saw for best picture. Morgan Freeman for best actor in a leading role, Christopher Plummer for supporting role, and for art direction I think ‘Avatar.’”

Nick Talisman ’12, Bethesda, Md. – “’Avatar’ was absolutely amazing, I’d put my money on that. There are only four real contestants: ‘Avatar,’ ‘Hurt Locker,’ ‘Up in the Air,’ and ‘Inglourious Basterds.’ I haven’t seen ‘Hurt Locker,’ but Bigelow seems to be the favorite for Best Director.”

-Joe Aultman-Moore ’12, Juniata Online Journalist