King's Speech faces fight to finish for Oscars

LOS ANGELES - British historical drama The King's Speech enters the home straight as frontrunner to take the Oscars crown this week, but The Social Network is poking all its friends for last-minute help.

Colin Firth, who plays a stammering George VI, is considered all but unbeatable for the best actor Oscar next Sunday, when the multi-billion dollar movie industry gathers for the climax to Hollywood's annual awards season.

But the Facebook movie's David Fincher could yet be named best director, and it remains the joint frontrunner for best picture along with The King's Speech, which topped the nominations haul with nods in 12 categories.