The lovely ladies of "Nine" are making the Best Supporting Actress category quite complicated in 2010.

Credit: Weinstein Company

At this stage of the game, the question isn't "who" going to win the best supporting actress statue of 2010.  That's easily down to two of the year's best performances: Mo'Nique for her relevatory work in "Precious: Based on Push a Novel by Sapphire" or "Twilgiht" star Anna Kendrick who shines opposite George Clooney in the acclaimed dramedy "Up in the Air."  It wouldn't be a careless exaggeration to say that if one or neither of these two actresses weren't nominated it will be one of the biggest upsets in Oscar history.  The true drama this season surrounds who their competition will be in the remaining three slots.  And yes, there are questions aplenty.

So far in her career, Kendrick has been a second fiddle in the pop culture phenomenon that is "The Twilight Saga."  Can she handle the meet and greet pressure when almost the entire Oscar-winning cast of "Nine" is also eligible for her category?  And can "A Single Man's" Julianne Moore, long an unfortunate Academy Award bridesmaid sneak her way in past the fray for another well deserved nod? Or, will Susan Sarandon of Peter Jackson's "The Lovely Bones" be the respected peer who gets to be feted?  Needless to say, they'll all have to deal with "Nine's" Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Sophia Loren and Penelope Cruz.   No, thestars of the movie musical aren't all getting in (shoot, we don't even think Fergie stands a chance), but it would be stunning if at least one of them didn't.  And as for Mo'Nique, well it appears to be the best and worst of times for the categories frontrunner -- at least for now.  Want to find out more?

Click here to take a gander at the pros and cons of this year's pool of potential nominees and share your thoughts below.

Look for additional contenders breakdowns in the weeks to come.  For a rundown on the 2010 Best Picture contenders, click here.  For a look at the Best Actor field, click here, for Best Actress, click here and for Best Supporting Actor, click here.

For constant updates on awards season and entertainment news follow Gregory Ellwood on Twitter at Twitter.com/HitFixGregory