Let the games begin!

By Diana Nollen

My Super Bowl just got a whole lot deeper! Ten "best picture" nominees vying to bring home the gold March 7 from Hollywood's Kodak Theatre.

Why double the field from five to 10? Journalist Robert W. Butler says it's because the field had become "too high-falutin'," honoring obscure films no one had seen. This way, he says, the scope can be broadened to include more popular fare. That's supposed to lure more of us to turn on the awards ceremony, giving Oscars a ratings boost.

I don't know. The 2008 nominees weren't obsure: "Atonement," a marvelous romantic drama set against World War II; "Juno," hip family times written by a former UI student; "Michael Clayton," business drama starring my boy George (Clooney); "No Country for Old Men," chilling crime drama; and "There Will be Blood," over-the-top race for oil drama. Romance, comedy, drama, crime. Pretty much something for everyone.

The 2009 nominees also reflected box office popularity: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," a most interesting look at aging and relationships in reverse; "Frost/Nixon," a snapshot in history of a presidential unraveling; "Milk," another snapshot in history of the fight for gay rights; "The Reader," a gut-wrenching coming-of-age tale during the Nazi reign of terror; and "Slumdog Millionaire," a triumphant look at the resilience of the human spirit.

This year, our nominees are: "Avatar," the most beautiful sci-fi 3D experience ever; "The Blind Side," a slightly sappy but happy look at paying it forward; "District 9," which I haven't seen; "An Education," which I haven't seen; "The Hurt locker," a tense, intense, bloody look at war in the Middle East; "Inglourious Basterds," which is how WWII should have ended; "Precious," which I haven't seen; "A Serious Man," which I haven't seen; "Up," a sweet, sad, uplifting bridge between the generations; and "Up in the Air," a wel-written, well-acted arrow to the heart of anyone who has experienced corporate downsizing.

What do you think of this new expanded field of contenders? Good or bad? And which of the nominees have you seen?

My money's on "Avatar," even though I'd really like to see "Up" or "Inglourious Basterds" get Oscar's love. Talk about your yin and yang!

Let the games begin!