Hand over those Oscars and let's get it over with!

Oscar buffs around the world are uttering those very words now that Jeff Bridges, Sandra Bullock and James Cameron's "Avatar" have scored key wins at this year's Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Oscar speculators have good reason to feel this way.

For years, back-to-back wins at prestigious awards ceremonies like the Globes and SAG have usually led to big sweeps at the Academy Awards.

But, Hollywood loves drama, particularly on Oscar night.

Long shots though they may be, this year's feisty crop of underdog contenders could snatch wins away from Bridges, Bullock, Cameron, "Avatar" and other front runners.

From young film ingénues to lauded Oscar winners, these dark horses have their work cut out for them. If anyone can topple 2010's Oscar favourites these bets are the ones to do it.

Best actress underdogs

Six months ago critics plopped Sandra Bullock at the bottom of Oscar's underdog pile. Now this front runner has the last laugh and these Oscar upstarts clipping at her heels.

Gabourey Sidibe, "Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire"

"Precious" goes against everything Hollywood loves. Its heroine, Gabourey Sidibe, is no beauty queen. Her world in this film is far from Beverly Hills perfection. Yet, Sidibe, a former office temp, rocked critics as a misfit teen abused by fate and family. She's no Angelina. But, ace acting could push Sidibe straight to the Oscar podium.

Carey Mulligan, "An Education"

Among "An Education's" many charms, none surpasses Carey Mulligan's breakout performance as a 16-year-old girl learning about love in 1960's London. The English actress steals the show from older, on-screen beau, Peter Sarsgaard. Together they give this wise coming-of-age tale the right stuff for Best Picture contention.

Helen Mirren, "The Last Station"

Underdog and Helen Mirren ("The Queen") are seldom used in the same sentence. Now it is thanks to Oscar contenders Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep. In other years, Mirren would have breezed off with a win for her blistering portrayal of Leo Tolstoy's wife in "The Last Station." Not so in 2010!

Best actor underdogs

Jeff Bridges turned "Crazy Heart" into a one-way ticket to award-show gold in 2010. But, these bad boys could give him a run for the money.

Jeremy Renner, "The Hurt Locker"

Director Kathryn Bigelow delivered a tough, scary, realistic film about the lives of U.S. soldiers in Iraq in "The Hurt Locker." What sold the story, however, was Jeremy Renner's superb performance as bomb specialist Sergeant William. Topping 2010's underdog list for Best Actor, Renner's shooting for the biggest upset on Oscar night.

Colin Firth, "A Single Man"

There is so much to love about Colin Firth in "A Single Man." As a gay professor who loses his lover Firth is the epitome of class come undone. From his Tom Ford attire (supplied by director/fashion designer Ford), to his pained stares, Firth's performance could kick Jeff Bridges to the curb!

Morgan Freeman, "Invictus"

In other years, Morgan Freeman's portrayal of Nelson Mandela would have assured him an Oscar win. Not so in 2010. Watching Freeman in "Invictus" is like seeing one venerable icon play another titan of equal measure. It's seamless. It's mesmerizing. It's just the stuff to pull off a surprise win on Oscar night.

Best film underdogs

Despite the millions it has made at the box office, James Cameron's "Avatar" might be too much of a good thing for some Oscar voters. That leaves room for these underdog films to race to victory.

"District 9"

Sailing past "Star Trek," the sci-fi flick "District 9" could pull off the upset of the century if it topples "Avatar" or "The Hurt Locker" in this year's Best Picture race. Tentacle creatures and flying-saucer mayhem got "District 9" this far with Oscar voters. Whether its steel-plated aliens can crush its Oscar competition remains to be seen.

"The Blind Side"

"The Blind Side" came out of nowhere in 2009 to earn Golden Globe and SAG awards for Sandra Bullock. Now this pleasing, mainstream underdog entry into 2010's race for Best Picture proves that real movies for real people are worthy of Oscar nods -- and wins!

"A Serious Man"

Joel and Ethan Coen's black-humoured flick was golden enough to earn a surprise Best Picture nod. Reflecting their own Jewish upbringing in Minnesota, "A Serious Man" looks for solace in religious and community leaders. Even they cannot fathom God's greater plan in today's nutty world. That Coen cachet could pull off a surprise victory.

"An Education"

This British coming-of-age drama boasts a dream cast (Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Emma Thompson) and a fabulous screenplay by Nick Hornby. "An Education" may lack "Avatar's" size. But, this film makes up for it with its depth of emotion. Watch out "Avatar."

Best supporting actor

Like Jeff Bridges, Christoph Waltz ("Inglourious Basterds") came out of nowhere to become Oscar's supporting-actor front runner. If anyone can topple Waltz's brilliant portrayal of a Nazi Jew hunter, these actors could do it.

Stanley Tucci, "The Lovely Bones"

"The Lovely Bones" is hardly the stuff of big, box-office bonanzas. But Stanley Tucci's performance as the creepy teen murderer pulls out all the acting stops. Tucci delivers everything it takes for a killer win on Oscar night.

Matt Damon, "Invictus"

Overshadowed by other, buzz-worthy performances, Matt Damon has his work cut out for him to win Oscar gold. His portrayal of the captain of South Africa's rugby team is crisp and subtle. If the stars align just so, Damon could cause the biggest upset of the 2010 Academy Awards.

Woody Harrelson, "The Messenger"

Woody Harrelson was the wild card of the 2010 Golden Globes thanks to his arresting portrayal of Capt. Tony Stone. It's tough to ignore this hard-living military man who shows up at the homes of fallen soldiers to deliver bad news. Oscar voters felt the same way. But, will they send more good news Harrelson's way on Oscar night?

Best supporting actress

Oh Mo'Nique! Every bookie worth their salt says "Get that Oscar speech ready girlfriend!" These underdogs could steal her thunder.

Maggie Gyllenhaal

A surprise nominee for Best Supporting Actress, Maggie Gyllenhaal is poised to bring on a huge upset on Oscar night. Gyllenhaal's got the stuff to do it. With every sinewy move she makes, this blue-eyed beauty put unmistakable heart and vulnerability into her scenes with co-star, Jeff Bridges. Watch out, Mo'Nique!

Anna Kendrick, "Up in the Air"

As "Up in the Air's" upwardly mobile office girl, Anna Kendrick stylishly puts George Clooney in his place. She's sharp. She's fast on her feet. An upstart through and through, Kendrick's performance is solid enough to fly first class to the Oscar podium.

Vera Farmiga, "Up in the Air"

Another "Up in the Air" treasure, Vera Farmiga kept George Clooney (and us) interested throughout Jason Reitman's delightful comedy. Farmiga's not your ordinary Hollywood bombshell. But, she is hot enough to fire up this race for an unexpected Oscar win.

Best director

Jason Reitman, "Up in the Air"

Jason Reitman has pushed forward with "Up in the Air" the way Alexander the Great stormed through India and the rest of the unconquered world. His pop-culture smarts turned this comedy about corporate downsizing into a huge audience favourite. Reitman's surprise win in this prestigious Oscar category would clearly signal that Hollywood's new guard is here to stay.

Lee Daniels, "Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire"

Lee Daniels took a tough, gut-wrenching story about a downtrodden African-American teen and turned it into movie magic in 2009. Oscar nominations for Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique could help propel  underdog Daniels to a "Precious" win on Oscar night.