"The Artist."

That's my prediction for this Sunday's Academy Awards, the best sporting event between the Super Bowl and March Madness.

I haven't seen the movie, but it has the buzz of a big-time Oscar winner. It celebrates Hollywood history all while presenting its story in a way no one else has tried in recent decades. It's new, by using the old style of silent film.

Now how many it wins, I'm not sure, but it'll take the big ones, such as Best Picture and Best Director. It may even take best actor, though the acting awards seem to go in different directions. I think The Help, Moneyball, and War Horse get shut out, unless an acting nod and/or the adapted screenplay. goes to The Help. (And here, I wonder if Moneyball pulls some kind of super upset....hmmm....no.)

See the nominees here.

Also, I don't think this awards show dominates the ratings like the post-Whitney Grammy's did. Ratings will be up a bit, as times are a bit better and people like to be entertained with star power. But the only real super star power here is George Clooney, who may be giving a speech, unless The Artist sweeps through that category, too.