Oscar Basic Training

The Hurt Locker triumphed at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards and now appears to be coasting to glory. But might Inglourious Basterds be sneaking up behind it? And what about James Cameron, who was presumably too busy counting his money to execute an effective awards campaign? The big night draws nearer, and there's still plenty to be done to get ready. Here are this week's list of Oscar must-dos.

1) Give the Best Documentary category some love

Ready for your annual dose of reality? This year's nominees for Best Documentary might not be the most upbeat lot, but they are all attuned to recent history and current events -- and, in a couple of cases, they challenge you to make the world a better place. Start with The Cove, currently available on DVD and the rightful favorite for the prize: It's a surprisingly absorbing investigation into ritual dolphin slaughter in Japan, executed with bravery and passion. The possible upset victor is Food, Inc., also on DVD. It's a tough sit, especially during its stomach-churning scenes that take you inside slaughterhouses and chicken factories. But its portrait of how a handful of corporations control all of the food we eat will likely make you angry -- and then make you want to plant an organic garden and eat nothing but tofu for a year. We haven't seen any of the other three nominees, but we've heard nothing but terrific things about Burma VJ, which follows a group of citizen journalists in Burma (it arrives on DVD in May); The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers, which will open at the Magnolia in Dallas on April 30; and Which Way Home, about U.S.-Mexico immigration, which premiered last year on HBO. (Set the DVR; it turns up again on HBO Latino on Saturday.)

2) See who the experts think will win

We've never been very good at the whole Oscar-prediction business: It's too hard to separate our personal feelings from the process. (To wit: Is Sandra Bullock really going to win for a dopey, racially insensitive football movie? We simply can't accept this, and thus predict an upset for Meryl Streep.) But if you're interested in hearing who cooler-headed critics think will take the top prize, get yourself to the Magnolia Theater on Monday for the annual Oscar Predictions Panel. Actor Ken Freehill will play host to critic and romance novelist Candace Havens (who's also a former DFW.com Ink cover subject), retired Dallas Morning News critic Philip Wuntch, and Chase Whale of GordonandtheWhale.com. Admission is free. The talk begins at 7 p.m.

3) Bet the farm on Lee Daniels

Yeah, laying down your hard-earned cash money on the long shot doesn't always pay off. But when it does, you can earn yourself a bundle. Presently, you can secure 66-1 odds for Precious director Lee Daniels to win the Best Director Oscar -- this according to the famed British betting firm Ladbrokes. Even bigger long shots are Best Picture nominees A Serious Man, The Blind Side, District 9, Precious and An Education, all of which come in at 100-1. Less risky but still eccentric bets include Helen Mirren for Best Actress (50-1); Matt Damon for Best Supporting Actor (40-1); and Maggie Gyllenhaal for Best Supporting Actress (33-1). Of course, betting on the Oscars isn't actual legal, but sifting through the odds on Ladbrokes.com always makes for a good time. The site presently gives The Hurt Locker the slight edge over Avatar in the Best Picture race, with Sandra Bullock pulling away from Meryl Streep for Best Actress. Oh, yeah, and Jeff Bridges, Christoph Waltz and Mo'Nique are all expected to win -- but you probably knew that already.