The nominees for Best Adapted Screenplay include films that are different from their previously produced material – such as adding a new character (Up in the Air), expanding a short film (District 9), or playing off a TV show (In the Loop). Jeremy Martin says Jason Reitman is the favorite for “Up in the Air.”

The Best Film Editing Oscar has a high correlation with the Best Picture winner, so it’s no surprise that the favorites are Best Picture contenders Avatar, The Hurt Locker, and Inglourious Basterds. While Avatar is favored in this category, Steve Neumann says an Inglourious upset is possible.

With the Academy expanding the field of Best Picture nominees to 10 films, Adam Spunberg asks if the move was worth it. The change allowed mainstream movies like “The Blind Side”, “Up”, and “District 9″ to get nominated, but Spunberg questions the value of having them there.

Two films featuring aliens could be nominated for Best Picture in “District 9″ and “Avatar.” Both action movies have surprising similarities despite a dramatic difference in production costs. Christa Youngpeter examines both movies and analyzes their Oscar chances.