That darn Academy. It was hard enough for Oscar fans when there were five nominees for Best Picture to see all the films in the category before the awards ceremony.

Now there are 10.

But it isn't impossible. Even if you haven't seen a single movie yet on the list, there's still time. It's all about pacing yourself. We've come up with a plan for people in the Fresno area: Ten movies in 10 days, starting today.

By the time you stagger through your last Sunday matinee and settle down in front of your TV that night to catch the ceremony you might be in rough shape: your eyes blurry from so much intensity, your teeth aching from those monster Cokes, your wardrobe permanently infused with the smell of popcorn, your behind sore from sitting on your couch in front of the DVD player. But what an insider you'll feel like when the winner is announced.

AVATAR

The venue: Sierra Vista Cinemas, Edwards Fresno Stadium & IMAX, UA Broadway Faire, Regal Manchester Stadium, Galaxy Tulare, Regal Visalia Stadium, Mainplace Stadium Cinema (Merced), Galaxy Porterville.

The merits: Amazing visuals, sweet if a bit predictable storyline, sexy blue aliens, killer 3-D.

The strategy: Start off your quest with the eye-popper of the bunch. Plus, if you get hit by a train on Day 2 and have to watch the Oscars from a hospital bed, you'll still have seen the front-runner.

Rick Bentley's movie review

DISTRICT 9

The venue: Your living room (on DVD).

The merits: If "Avatar" gives you a taste of social commentary, the superior "District 9" really delivers on issues of race relations and homelessness. Plus it's a sharp sci-fi flick.

The strategy: After starting with a blockbuster, you continue with a more thoughtful science-fiction outing.

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS

The venue: Your living room (on DVD).

The merits: Brad Pitt is a comic plum in this wildly revisionist tale of Jewish soldiers tracking down Nazis in World War II.

The strategy: You'll ease into the war-film segment of your journey with this ambitious, visually charged Quentin Tarantino treat.

THE HURT LOCKER

The venue: Your living room (on DVD).

The merits: The big daddy of recent war flicks: Palpably tense, grim, provocative, enveloping. A lot of people are thinking it might sneak up and take the prize from "Avatar."

The strategy: It's a good thing not all the films on this list are as intense as this one. You'd never make it through.

Donald Munro's Movie Review

UP IN THE AIR

The venue: UA Clovis Towne Center

The merits: Subtly humorous, surprisingly romantic, achingly relevant.

The strategy: After "Hurt Locker," you're probably still a little numb. And even though the topic is corporate layoffs, a dose of George Clooney can be soothing.

Rick Bentley's movie review

UP

The venue: Your living room (on DVD).

The merits: Pixar does it again.

The strategy: Not that it's completely a light-hearted romp. There's a real emotional tug to this storyline. But it's warm and uplifting -- and at least you don't have to worry about getting blown to smithereens by a roadside bomb.

Rick Bentley's movie review

PRECIOUS

The venue: This one's going to require a road trip. It isn't playing anywhere in the Fresno area. One option is a Bay Area road trip. Try the UA Emery Bay Stadium in Emeryville.

The merits: Fierce, hard-hitting, featuring a no-nonsense performance from Best Actress nominee Mo'Nique.

The strategy: We're trying to give you a balance between lighter and heavier material here, if you haven't noticed, and this film certainly ranks in the heavy category. Be prepared for an emotional wallop.

Rick Bentley's movie review

AN EDUCATION

The venue: Let's make this road-trip a two-day affair. This film isn't playing in the Fresno area anymore, either. To continue your Bay Area excursion, we suggest CineArts@Marin in Sausalito.

The merits: Creepy, superbly acted (with an Oscar-nominated performance by Carey Mulligan), deftly directed, light and atmospheric.

The strategy: Go do something outside and touristy between your two road-trip movies. You need the exercise.

A SERIOUS MAN

The venue: Back to the comfort of your couch (on DVD).

The merits: This Job-like tale about a physics professor facing one trying life event after another is the work of the Coen brothers -- so there are elements of farce but also trauma.

The strategy: Make no mistake: This is one of the heavier nominees. Get a good nap before pondering its philosophical conundrums.

THE BLIND SIDE

The venue: Regal Sequoia Mall 12 in Visalia. (It isn't playing anymore in the Fresno-Clovis area.)

The merits: Heartwarming, well-acted, not too mentally taxing. A sit-back-and-feel-good experience.

The strategy: We tried to wind down your movie-going binge with a glossy, big-budget flick. And what better way to get in the mood for Hollywood's most glamorous night? You'll have to catch an early matinee performance to make it home in time to watch the Oscars on TV.

Rick Bentley's movie review