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Around the awards track: Cate Blanchett joins Oscar presenters | Anne Hathaway to croon and hoof | Was Nic Cage really robbed?

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Cate Blanchett joins the list of other stars — including Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman and Oprah Winfrey — who will be doling out trophies on Oscar night. See the most updated rundown of ceremony presenters and performers in our ENVELOPE FORUMS.

• ‘I’m terrified that Ernest Borgnine will come dressed as a Black Swan,’ confesses Oscarcast writer Bruce Vilanch when asked what we can expect to see at the ceremony. Producer Bruce Cohen reveals that Anne Hathaway will sing and dance in a big, splashy opening number that will include ‘a special guest star or two.’ What Cohen is most nervous about: ‘We have these highly complicated scenic transitions that we’re using to tell some of the great moments in film history and Oscar history. There are about six or seven times in the show when we’re going to metaphorically leave the stage of the Kodak today, and the stage is gonna transition through lighting, music, sound, and set back to an old movie, a classic performance, an event, a time period.’ ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

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Sasha Stone notes, ‘There has never been an Oscar year on record that had such strong opposing forces at play — when the critics stand in unison behind one movie, as they did with ‘No Country for Old Men,’ ‘The Hurt Locker’ and now, ‘The Social Network’ ’ and the industry awards lined up behind one rival (‘The King’s Speech’). The closest analogy was the year that ‘Chicago’ won best picture. AWARDS DAILY

Kris Tapley explains the Oscar race for best sound mixing — how it differs from sound editing and which contenders are ahead to win this year. Then he tunes into the big surprise among nominees: ‘The King’s Speech.’ IN CONTENTION

• Back in 1989, ‘Academy voters were way wrong in denying Nicolas Cage a best actor nomination — at least that! — for his hilarious landmark performance in ‘Vampire’s Kiss,’ insists Jeff Wells. HOLLYWOOD ELSEWHERE

Anne Thompson uses her trusty flipcam to chat with ‘Inception’ director of photography Wally Pfister, who just pulled off a shockeroo upset at the American Society of Cinematographers’ awards over Roger Deakins (‘True Grit’). Can Pfister beat Deakins at the Oscars next? INDIEWIRE

— Tom O’Neil

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