James Cameron (Avatar)

No one can dispute that James Cameron is indeed “king of the world.” The Canadian-born director has done it again, topping all expectations with his 3-D masterpiece, Avatar. Just three weeks into release Avatar, one of the most expensive movies of all time, is now officially one of the highest grossing movies. The visually stunning film is set in the future in a world called Pandora and centers around a crippled marine and his love interest, an alien native. It’s been 12 years since Cameron won a record 11 Oscars (including best director) for Titanic. Will history repeat itself with Avatar? Judging by the overwhelming response and awards won, Cameron might have to make room for another trophy.

Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds)

How do you even begin to explain a movie as warped yet brilliant as Inglourious Basterds? Quentin Tarantino’s bastardized version of World War II history became a crowd pleaser from the minute it hit theaters. The movie has it all: violence, comedy, romance, action and drama, in a way only Tarantino can deliver. From his brilliant casting, whether it’s a big name like Brad Pitt or a virtual unknown such as Christopher Waltz (who frankly steals the movie and rightfully has nabbed himself a Best Supporting Actor nod for his turn as Nazi Col. Hans Landa, aka The Jew Hunter), Tarantino has hit his stride. Time will only tell if Academy voters feel the same way.

Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker)

Kathryn Bigelow almost passed up the chance to direct The Hurt Locker, until her ex-husband James Cameron convinced her to take on the project. Ironically Cameron, also nominated in the Best Director category for Avatar, now has some serious competition. Bigelow has been getting nothing but praise for her hard-hitting, nerve-rattling drama about an elite army bomb squad operating in Iraq. It’s not often that we get to see females get nominated for best director, and given The Hurt Locker’s many accolades, Bigelow stands a very good chance of walking away with her very first Oscar.

Jason Reitman (Up in the Air)

Jason Reitman has a God- Given talent. As a gifted writer and director, the son of famed Canadian director Ivan Reitman has proven time and time again, that he makes quality movies. In Up in the Air, he cast the terminally handsome George Clooney as Ryan Bingham, a business executive who has racked up millions of frequent flyer miles firing people for a living. This is Reitman’s third movie and they say three times a charm. Let’s see if Up In the Air is Reitman’s good luck charm for obtaining the highest praise he can get from his colleagues.

Lee Daniels (Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire)

It never hurts when Oprah Winfrey decides she’s going to back your movie. When Precious premiered at Sundance earlier this year, Winfrey was immediately captivated with the gritty film. It tells the story of 16-year-old Precious, an overweight, inarticulate teenage mother with another child on the way. Determined to make something of her life she goes to a unique school and finds her voice in a struggle against sexual abuse and the bleakness of ghetto life. Although Precious has received critical acclaim it may be too dark and hard to swallow for many voters.

By Bonnie Laufer-Krebs