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Stars arriving for Oscar ceremony Stars arriving for Oscar ceremony
(20 minutes later)
Stars have begun arriving at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles for the 82nd Academy Awards, with best actress nominee Sandra Bullock among them.Stars have begun arriving at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles for the 82nd Academy Awards, with best actress nominee Sandra Bullock among them.
First-time nominee Bullock, 45, is the favourite for the Oscar for her role in The Blind Side. Jeff Bridges is tipped to take best actor for Crazy Heart.First-time nominee Bullock, 45, is the favourite for the Oscar for her role in The Blind Side. Jeff Bridges is tipped to take best actor for Crazy Heart.
Leading the nominations, The Hurt Locker and Avatar will go head-to-head for the coveted best picture Oscar.Leading the nominations, The Hurt Locker and Avatar will go head-to-head for the coveted best picture Oscar.
The Hurt Locker's Kathryn Bigelow is expected to take best director.The Hurt Locker's Kathryn Bigelow is expected to take best director.
If she is named best director, she would become the first female to win the award - only four women have ever been nominated.If she is named best director, she would become the first female to win the award - only four women have ever been nominated.
Jeremy Renner - who is nominated for best actor for his role in Bigelow's Iraq war drama - described the unexpected success of the film as "like the top of Everest".Jeremy Renner - who is nominated for best actor for his role in Bigelow's Iraq war drama - described the unexpected success of the film as "like the top of Everest".
The low-budget film, which has made just $15m (£9.9m) at the box office, is battling James Cameron's 3D sci-fi juggernaut Avatar, which has taken more than $2bn (£1.32bn).The low-budget film, which has made just $15m (£9.9m) at the box office, is battling James Cameron's 3D sci-fi juggernaut Avatar, which has taken more than $2bn (£1.32bn).
Cameron was married to Bigelow between 1989 and 1991
Speaking on the red carpet, Cameron paid tribute to his best director rival Bigelow, to whom he was briefly married, and with whom he has made a number of films.
"I've extolled her virtues to the world and supported her as a filmmaker. I'd be tremendously proud if she won."
"We feel we've already been sufficiently celebrated," he added, referring to Avatar's "tremendous box office and the nine nominations".
British hopes
British hopeful Carey Mulligan, who is nominated for her breakthrough performance in An Education, was among the early arrivals.British hopeful Carey Mulligan, who is nominated for her breakthrough performance in An Education, was among the early arrivals.
"Everything has been building to this - it's massive," said Mulligan, 24."Everything has been building to this - it's massive," said Mulligan, 24.
She was closely followed by director Quentin Tarantino with Inglourious Basterds star Diane Kruger.She was closely followed by director Quentin Tarantino with Inglourious Basterds star Diane Kruger.
Tarantino's World War II fantasy, which has eight nominations including best director and best picture, is seen as the only film that could cause an upset in the race for evening's top award.Tarantino's World War II fantasy, which has eight nominations including best director and best picture, is seen as the only film that could cause an upset in the race for evening's top award.
It is the first time since 1966 that 10 films have competed for best picture, prompting a major shake-up to the voting system, and paving the way for a possible surprise win.It is the first time since 1966 that 10 films have competed for best picture, prompting a major shake-up to the voting system, and paving the way for a possible surprise win.
The Hurt Locker is tipped to win the best picture OscarThe Hurt Locker is tipped to win the best picture Oscar
Bridges, 60, has swept the awards season this year, winning Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards for his portrayal of an alcoholic country singer.Bridges, 60, has swept the awards season this year, winning Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards for his portrayal of an alcoholic country singer.
'In the bag'
The best supporting actor and actress awards seem to be already in the bag for Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds) and Mo'Nique.The best supporting actor and actress awards seem to be already in the bag for Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds) and Mo'Nique.
The comedienne, nominated for her debut film role in Lee Daniels' harrowing drama, has dominated awards season for her devastating performance as abusive mother Mary.The comedienne, nominated for her debut film role in Lee Daniels' harrowing drama, has dominated awards season for her devastating performance as abusive mother Mary.
Fellow best supporting actress Anna Kendrick - nominated for her role opposite George Clooney in Up In The Air - agreed it was "Mo'Nique's year".Fellow best supporting actress Anna Kendrick - nominated for her role opposite George Clooney in Up In The Air - agreed it was "Mo'Nique's year".
Asked about his rivals to the best director trophy, Precious' Daniels said: "I hate them all... I'm here to win."Asked about his rivals to the best director trophy, Precious' Daniels said: "I hate them all... I'm here to win."
He joked: "I'm stabbing whoever goes up there on that stage."He joked: "I'm stabbing whoever goes up there on that stage."
Britain's best hopes lie with Nick Park, nominated in the short animated film category for the Wallace and Gromit film A Matter Of Loaf And Death. Should he prove successful, it will be his fifth win at the Academy Awards. Arguably Britain's best hopes lie with Nick Park, nominated in the short animated film category for the Wallace and Gromit film A Matter Of Loaf And Death. Should he prove successful, it will be his fifth win at the Academy Awards.