By Gabriela Resto-Montero
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — The Harlem-based movie "Precious" expects to get its name mentioned Tuesday morning as the nominations for the 2010 Academy Awards are announced in Los Angeles.
"Precious," based on the novel "Push" by Sapphire, has already amassed an impressive amount of nominations and some hardware during the movie awards season.
Actress Mo'Nique earned a Golden Globe and a Screen Actor's Guild award in the supporting actress category for her portrayal as Precious' abusive mother.
A gritty film dealing with the traumas of an obese, illiterate and abused Harlem teen, "Precious" scored box-office success partly because of Executive Producer Oprah Winfrey's publicity and good word of mouth.
The film was also nominated for the Best Picture award at the Golden Globes, but lost to James Cameron's "Avatar."
"Precious" was not nominated for best picture at the SAG awards, but should garner an Oscar nod, especially since the category has been expanded from five to 10 nominees this year. The expansion opens the door up for popular movies like "District 9" and "The Hangover" to sneak into the picture.
"Precious" star Gabourey Sidibe, who was nominated for Best Actress at the Golden Globes, has a good chance to earn an Oscar nomination. She would be considered a long shot behind perennial nominee Meryl Streep ("Julie & Julia) and favorite Sandra Bullock. Bullock took home Golden Globe and SAG honors for her portrayal of a teacher in the movie "The Blind Side."
"Precious" Director Lee Daniels was shut out of the Best Director category at the Golden Globes, but he could sneak into the picture with an Oscar nomination on Tuesday.
Daniels would face some enormous competition if form holds and Cameron ("Avatar"), Quentin Taratino ("Inglourious Basterds"), Jason Reitman ("Up in the Air") and Katheryn Bigelow ("The Hurt Locker") earn Academy Award nominations.
Actress Anne Hathaway will announce the Oscar nominations Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m.
The 82nd Annual Academy Awards will air on ABC on March 7 and will be co-hosted by Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin.
