The Academy Awards are almost here and with it comes some of the most exciting times in the entertainment industry. Not only will the glitz and glamour of all of those stars making their way down the red carpet outside of the Kodak Theater, a stop on many Los Angeles tours, make the night especially magical, but we’ll finally get to find out which movies win awards, which of our favorite actors, actresses, directors and more walk away with that coveted golden statue.

Among the most coveted trophies is Best Movie, which many consider to be race between  Avatar, The Hurt Locker and Up in the Air. Avatar, which has made more money than any movie outside of another James Cameron film, Titanic, is considered the favorite to win the award by many news outlets who think that the blue creature-laden film was the best that the industry had to offer this year. We’re not sure which movie should win, but they’re all worthy as this was a great year for film fans.

Another highly-competitive award is best director, which many consider to be a race between the aforementioned James Cameron for Avatar and Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker – two deserving directors whose films left a lasting impression on all of us and creations that will surely be treasured by movie buffs for years to come.

The Academy Awards will be held in The Kodak Theater, a locale that has been considered a favorite of many fans taking tours of Los Angeles since it was designated as the home of the Academy Awards ceremony since it first was moved there in 2002. Prior to this, the Academy Awards made their way on a tour of Los Angeles moving from location to location throughout Southern California.