The 85th Academy Awards ceremony airs Sunday night on ABC, and the crew at Studio 602 has rounded up their bets for Oscar night glory. Read on, then share your Oscar bets in the comments!

Ann Mazzaferro, Writer

I’m an Oscar realist; while I may love certain films or performances, I also know that some of my personal favorites, like Midnight in Paris, don’t stand a chance. Here are my bets on who will take it all come Oscar night.

Best Picture – “The Artist”

The critical buzz surrounding this silent valentine to the silver screen has been stellar since “The Artist” first unspooled at Cannes. It also has an air of novelty and creativity lacking in most other Best Picture nominees; films like “Moneyball,” and “War Horse” were certainly well-made, but groundbreaking? Hardly. Between that and an Oscar campaign that can’t be beat, it’s safe to bet that “The Artist” will take home the night’s top prize.

Best Actress – Meryl Streep, “The Iron Lady”

It comes down between Meryl Streep for “The Iron Lady” and Viola Davis for “The Help” – two stellar performances that could not be more different if they tried. Earlier in the season, the consensus seemed to be that this was the definitive role of Streep’s career, and that everyone else could prepare to remain seated come Oscar night. But Viola Davis has been steadily gaining momentum as the front-runner, with the ladies evenly splitting top honors at major award ceremonies throughout the season. I’m breaking with most oddsmakers and saying that Streep is going to take it, but I wouldn’t be surprised at all if it goes to Davis.

Best Actor – Jean Dujardin, “The Artist”

Dujardin is regarded as the clear frontrunner, but I wouldn’t be shocked if George Clooney or Brad Pitt (who’s rumored to have been campaigning big-time) takes it. However, given Dujardin’s track record for scooping up hardware for his portrayal of George Valentin, and the fact that “The Artist” hinges on his performance, I say the award is his come Oscar night. Bonus points if he brings Augie the dog up with him!

Best Supporting Actor – Christopher Plummer, “Beginners”

Dear Academy: You landed on my list earlier this month for your hair-brained online ballot plan. If I have to live in a world of “Oscar-winner Jonah Hill,” while Christopher Plummer goes unacknowledged YET AGAIN, things are going to get ugly.

(I don’t think I need to worry, though – Plummer has won every major award for supporting actors throughout this entire award season. It looks like he is finally poised to clinch the first Academy Award win of his prolific career.)

Best Supporting Actress – Octavia Spencer, “The Help”

This one belongs to Octavia Spencer, hands-down. While there has been some discussion that she might split the votes with her co-star Jessica Chastain, who is nominated as well, Octavia Butler has swept every major award in her category for her fierce performance. Octavia Butler and Christopher Plummer are shoo-ins for their respective awards.

Best Directing – Michel Hazanavicius, “The Artist”

In a category full of heavyweights, look for first-time nominee Hazanavicius to take top honors in his category. His struggle in putting “The Artist” together makes for a great story, and I’ve got no doubt  that the Academy will honor both his hard work and stunning achievement come Oscar night.

Best Screenplay, Orginal and Adapted

Look for “The Descendants” to take the Oscar for best adapted screenplay, from Kaui Hart Hemmings 2007 novel of the same name. If there’s an upset, which I doubt, it’ll go to “Hugo,” based on Brian Selznick’s “The Invention of Hugo Cabret.” My pick for Best Original Screenplay goes to Woody Allen for “Midnight in Paris,” in one of the few awards that “The Artist” will not take.

Alexander Poirier, Writer

Unlike Ann, I’m not much of an Oscar realist. Instead of going with the logical unbiased prediction, I’ll be holding onto the hope that my favorites will win come Oscar night, regardless of what precedents or trends might say otherwise. That being said, I’m prepared to be completely wrong in every category and I reserve the right to change my predictions after the fact.

Best Picture – “Tree of Life”

The first one out of the gate, and I’m already reaching. I’ve been a fan of Terrence Malick’s vision ever since “Days of Heaven,” and “Tree of Life” only reenforced my fandom. Pensive and masterfully put together, “Tree of Life” confronts viewers with difficult questions and doesn’t deliver many answers. There’s a reason Malick has only done five films in thirty-eight years. Now it’s up to the Academy to realize that.

Best Actress – Viola Davis, “The Help”

Unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance to see many of the performances that earned a nomination for Best Actress. I did, however, see “The Help,” and I’m not sure another performance would be able to top Viola Davis’ role as Aibileen Clark.

Best Actor – Brad Pitt, “Moneyball”

Call me crazy, but I think Brad Pitt is one of most underrated actors in Hollywood. Everyone gives Brad props for his looks, but he deserves some props for his acting skills too. Most people can hardly sit through a game of baseball, let alone a film about the work that goes on behind the scenes. Pitt’s performance not only made the film watchable, it allowed the film’s compelling story to shine.

Best Supporting Actor – Jonah Hill, “Moneyball”

I completely understand where Ann is coming from, but I have to go with Jonah on this one. Maybe its just because I remember him as the chubby kid in “Superbad,” but his performance in “Moneyball” blew me away. I had no idea he had that kind of acting in him.

Best Supporting Actress – Octavia Spencer, “The Help”

I have to agree with Ann on this one. I found Octavia Spencer’s performance to be on par with, if not better than, Viola Davis’ performance, making her the easy pick for Best Supporting Actress.

Best Directing – Terrence Malick, “Tree of Life”

Again, something about Terrence Malick’s directorial style strikes a chord with me. I recognize the accomplishment that “The Artist” represents and directorial skill behind it (I also realize its chances of winning are better), but I have to go with what I believe, and I believe in Terrence Malick as a director.