Last year the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences expanded the Best Picture race from five nominees to 10, opening up spots for more films in an effort to award movies that might have shown up in other categories but not earned a spot in the Best Picture category. Or, they expanded it in order to widen the TV audience for the Academy Awards. That's the cynical explanation for the decision to open up the category. Whatever the reason, the Academy's decision made it slightly easier to figure out which films might earn a Best Picture nod.
The following films, listed in alphabetical order, are considered to be in the hunt for the Best Picture Oscar. If there's specific buzz about possible nominations in the directing and/or acting categories, that's also listed with each film.
The following films, listed in alphabetical order, are considered to be in the hunt for the Best Picture Oscar. If there's specific buzz about possible nominations in the directing and/or acting categories, that's also listed with each film.
'127 Hours'
© Fox Searchlight
Starring: James Franco, Kate Mara, Amber Tamblyn, and Clémence Poésy
What It's About: 127 Hours is the true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston's (Franco) remarkable adventure to save himself after a fallen boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolated canyon in Utah. Over the next five days Ralston examines his life and survives the elements to finally discover he has the courage and the wherewithal to extricate himself by any means necessary, scale a 65 foot wall and hike over eight miles before he is finally rescued. Throughout his journey, Ralston recalls friends, lovers (Poésy), family, and the last two people he ever had the chance to meet?
The Buzz: Writer/director Danny Boyle, winner of the Best Director Oscar in 2008 for Slumdog Millionaire, could repeat as a director nominee based on the difficulty of bringing to life such an intimate yet disturbing story. And James Franco might earn his first Oscar nomination displaying an amazing range in what's basically a one-man show. If there's anything working against 127 Hours it's that the arm amputation scene may turn off some voters.
Release Date: November 5, 2010
What It's About: 127 Hours is the true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston's (Franco) remarkable adventure to save himself after a fallen boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolated canyon in Utah. Over the next five days Ralston examines his life and survives the elements to finally discover he has the courage and the wherewithal to extricate himself by any means necessary, scale a 65 foot wall and hike over eight miles before he is finally rescued. Throughout his journey, Ralston recalls friends, lovers (Poésy), family, and the last two people he ever had the chance to meet?
The Buzz: Writer/director Danny Boyle, winner of the Best Director Oscar in 2008 for Slumdog Millionaire, could repeat as a director nominee based on the difficulty of bringing to life such an intimate yet disturbing story. And James Franco might earn his first Oscar nomination displaying an amazing range in what's basically a one-man show. If there's anything working against 127 Hours it's that the arm amputation scene may turn off some voters.
Release Date: November 5, 2010
'Black Swan'
© Fox Searchlight
Starring: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, and Winona Ryder
What It's About: Nina (Portman) is a ballerina in a New York City ballet company whose life, like all those in her profession, is completely consumed with dance. She lives with her obsessive former ballerina mother Erica (Barbara Hershey) who exerts a suffocating control over her. When artistic director Thomas Leroy (Cassel) decides to replace prima ballerina Beth MacIntyre (Ryder) for the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake, Nina is his first choice. But Nina has competition: a new dancer, Lily (Kunis), who impresses Leroy as well. Swan Lake requires a dancer who can play both the White Swan with innocence and grace, and the Black Swan, who represents guile and sensuality. Nina fits the White Swan role perfectly but Lily is the personification of the Black Swan. As the two young dancers expand their rivalry into a twisted friendship, Nina begins to get more in touch with her dark side - a recklessness that threatens to destroy her.
The Buzz: Director Darren Aronofsky's never been nominated for an Academy Award (an argument can be made he deserved at the very least a nomination for Requiem for a Dream), but with the buzz building up over Black Swan this could be his year. Natalie Portman's also been earning rave reviews for her daring performance and could find herself picking up her second Oscar nomination (her first was in the supporting category for Closer. There's really no valid reason Black Swan shouldn't be frequently mentioned during awards season, but Aronofsky seems to polarize audiences with every film he creates.
Release Date: December 3, 2010
What It's About: Nina (Portman) is a ballerina in a New York City ballet company whose life, like all those in her profession, is completely consumed with dance. She lives with her obsessive former ballerina mother Erica (Barbara Hershey) who exerts a suffocating control over her. When artistic director Thomas Leroy (Cassel) decides to replace prima ballerina Beth MacIntyre (Ryder) for the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake, Nina is his first choice. But Nina has competition: a new dancer, Lily (Kunis), who impresses Leroy as well. Swan Lake requires a dancer who can play both the White Swan with innocence and grace, and the Black Swan, who represents guile and sensuality. Nina fits the White Swan role perfectly but Lily is the personification of the Black Swan. As the two young dancers expand their rivalry into a twisted friendship, Nina begins to get more in touch with her dark side - a recklessness that threatens to destroy her.
The Buzz: Director Darren Aronofsky's never been nominated for an Academy Award (an argument can be made he deserved at the very least a nomination for Requiem for a Dream), but with the buzz building up over Black Swan this could be his year. Natalie Portman's also been earning rave reviews for her daring performance and could find herself picking up her second Oscar nomination (her first was in the supporting category for Closer. There's really no valid reason Black Swan shouldn't be frequently mentioned during awards season, but Aronofsky seems to polarize audiences with every film he creates.
Release Date: December 3, 2010
'Blue Valentine'
© The Weinstein Company
Starring: Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams
What It's About: On the far side of a once-passionate romance, Cindy (Williams) and Dean (Gosling) are married with a young daughter. Hoping to save their marriage, they steal away to a theme hotel. We then encounter them years earlier, when they met and fell in love—full of life and hope.
The Buzz: Blue Valentine is a romantic drama with an attractive cast (both positive attributes in the minds of voters), and it earned a Grand Jury Prize nomination at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. However, the MPAA gave it a NC-17 rating (The Weinstein Company is fighting their decision), which usually kills a film's chances of reaching a wide audience as some theater chains refuse to screen movies with that adult content rating. Academy members may overlook that detail due to the positive advance reviews and acclaim for the film's actors.
Release Date: December 31, 2010
What It's About: On the far side of a once-passionate romance, Cindy (Williams) and Dean (Gosling) are married with a young daughter. Hoping to save their marriage, they steal away to a theme hotel. We then encounter them years earlier, when they met and fell in love—full of life and hope.
The Buzz: Blue Valentine is a romantic drama with an attractive cast (both positive attributes in the minds of voters), and it earned a Grand Jury Prize nomination at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. However, the MPAA gave it a NC-17 rating (The Weinstein Company is fighting their decision), which usually kills a film's chances of reaching a wide audience as some theater chains refuse to screen movies with that adult content rating. Academy members may overlook that detail due to the positive advance reviews and acclaim for the film's actors.
Release Date: December 31, 2010
'The Fighter'
© Paramount Pictures
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, and Melissa Leo
What It's About: The story unfolds on the gritty, blue-collar streets of Lowell, Mass, where Dicky was once known as “The Pride of Lowell” having gone the distance with the world champion Sugar Ray Leonard. However, after losing that fight, like the town of Lowell, Dicky’s fallen on hard times. His boxing days are behind him and his life has become shattered by drug abuse.
Younger brother Micky, meanwhile, has become the family’s fighter and fading hope for a champion. But despite all of his work, Micky’s career is failing and he loses fight after punishing fight. Dicky and Micky’s tougher-than-nails mother, Alice, manages his career and Dicky serves as his highly unreliable trainer. When Micky’s latest fight nearly kills him, it looks like it could all be over – until his iron-willed new girlfriend, Charlene, convinces him to do the unthinkable: split with his family, pursue his own interests and train without his increasingly volatile and criminal brother.
Now Micky has the chance of a lifetime as he earns a shot at the World Championship. But when his brother and dysfunctional family reenter his life, they must all reconcile their pasts and become more than just a family in name. With Micky and Dicky reunited, this becomes more than just a fight – it’s an all-out comeback for these brothers, their family, and their city. When it’s over, Micky will have become a World Champion, a Hall of Fame legend, and the new “Pride of Lowell”.
The Buzz: It's based on a true story, features buzz-worthy performances, and is the sort of film voters always seem to support. Bale's performance in particular has been repeatedly mentioned as one of the best of the year. If he earns an Oscar nod, it would be his first - and it's about time he was recognized for his body of work.
Release Date: December 10, 2010
What It's About: The story unfolds on the gritty, blue-collar streets of Lowell, Mass, where Dicky was once known as “The Pride of Lowell” having gone the distance with the world champion Sugar Ray Leonard. However, after losing that fight, like the town of Lowell, Dicky’s fallen on hard times. His boxing days are behind him and his life has become shattered by drug abuse.
Younger brother Micky, meanwhile, has become the family’s fighter and fading hope for a champion. But despite all of his work, Micky’s career is failing and he loses fight after punishing fight. Dicky and Micky’s tougher-than-nails mother, Alice, manages his career and Dicky serves as his highly unreliable trainer. When Micky’s latest fight nearly kills him, it looks like it could all be over – until his iron-willed new girlfriend, Charlene, convinces him to do the unthinkable: split with his family, pursue his own interests and train without his increasingly volatile and criminal brother.
Now Micky has the chance of a lifetime as he earns a shot at the World Championship. But when his brother and dysfunctional family reenter his life, they must all reconcile their pasts and become more than just a family in name. With Micky and Dicky reunited, this becomes more than just a fight – it’s an all-out comeback for these brothers, their family, and their city. When it’s over, Micky will have become a World Champion, a Hall of Fame legend, and the new “Pride of Lowell”.
The Buzz: It's based on a true story, features buzz-worthy performances, and is the sort of film voters always seem to support. Bale's performance in particular has been repeatedly mentioned as one of the best of the year. If he earns an Oscar nod, it would be his first - and it's about time he was recognized for his body of work.
Release Date: December 10, 2010
'Inception'
© Warner Bros Pictures
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, and Marion Cotillard
What It's About: Dom Cobb (DiCaprio) is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb's rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible--inception. Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse: their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one. If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime. But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team for the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming. This summer, your mind is the scene of the crime.
The Buzz: Inception had audiences talking and occasionally engaging in heated arguments over the film's ending. Christopher Nolan's trippy drama was one of the rare 2010 releases that won over critics and was a huge success at the box office. Inception should be the film that earns Nolan his first Oscar nomination in the director category.
Release Date: July 16, 2010
What It's About: Dom Cobb (DiCaprio) is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb's rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible--inception. Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse: their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one. If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime. But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team for the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming. This summer, your mind is the scene of the crime.
The Buzz: Inception had audiences talking and occasionally engaging in heated arguments over the film's ending. Christopher Nolan's trippy drama was one of the rare 2010 releases that won over critics and was a huge success at the box office. Inception should be the film that earns Nolan his first Oscar nomination in the director category.
Release Date: July 16, 2010
'The Kids Are All Right'
© Focus Features
Starring: Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Josh Hutcherson and Mia Wasikowska
What It's About: Two teenaged children (Wasikowska and Hutcherson) conceived by artificial insemination get the notion to seek out their birth father and introduce him into the family life that their two mothers (Bening and Moore) have built for them. Once the donor (Ruffalo) is found, the household will never be the same, as family ties are defined re-defined, and re-re-defined.
The Buzz: The Kids Are All Right features strong female characters and strong female performances which, in a year where the actresses are once again getting the short end of the stick, could help its chances during awards season. That said, I thought The Kids Are All Right was just all right, though the performances - for the most part - were outstanding. This one's a longshot in opinion as the anticipated buzz that would fuel an awards season run comes and goes.
Release Date: July 9, 2010
What It's About: Two teenaged children (Wasikowska and Hutcherson) conceived by artificial insemination get the notion to seek out their birth father and introduce him into the family life that their two mothers (Bening and Moore) have built for them. Once the donor (Ruffalo) is found, the household will never be the same, as family ties are defined re-defined, and re-re-defined.
The Buzz: The Kids Are All Right features strong female characters and strong female performances which, in a year where the actresses are once again getting the short end of the stick, could help its chances during awards season. That said, I thought The Kids Are All Right was just all right, though the performances - for the most part - were outstanding. This one's a longshot in opinion as the anticipated buzz that would fuel an awards season run comes and goes.
Release Date: July 9, 2010
'The King's Speech'
© The Weinstein Company
Starring: Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush
What It's About: Based on the true story of the Queen of England's father and his remarkable friendship with maverick Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue. The King's Speech stars Firth as King George VI, who unexpectedly becomes King when his brother Edward abdicates the throne. Rush stars as Logue, the man who helps the King find a voice with which to lead the nation into war.
The Buzz: A period piece based on a true story about British royals featuring a critically acclaimed cast...The King's Speech appears to be tailor made for Oscar consideration. So what if there's more than a little swearing involved, it's unlikely that will be enough to distract voters from bestowing multiple Oscar nominations (including a nod for Colin Firth as best actor) on The King's Speech.
Release Date: November 24, 2010
What It's About: Based on the true story of the Queen of England's father and his remarkable friendship with maverick Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue. The King's Speech stars Firth as King George VI, who unexpectedly becomes King when his brother Edward abdicates the throne. Rush stars as Logue, the man who helps the King find a voice with which to lead the nation into war.
The Buzz: A period piece based on a true story about British royals featuring a critically acclaimed cast...The King's Speech appears to be tailor made for Oscar consideration. So what if there's more than a little swearing involved, it's unlikely that will be enough to distract voters from bestowing multiple Oscar nominations (including a nod for Colin Firth as best actor) on The King's Speech.
Release Date: November 24, 2010
'Love and Other Drugs'
© 20th Century Fox
Starring: Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal
What It's About: Anne Hathaway portrays Maggie, an alluring free spirit who won’t let anyone or anything tie her down. But she meets her match in Jamie (Gyllenhaal), whose relentless and nearly infallible charm serve him well with the ladies and in the cutthroat world of pharmaceutical sales. Maggie and Jamie’s evolving relationship takes them both by surprise, as they find themselves under the influence of the ultimate drug: love.
The Buzz: Anne Hathaway gives a career-defining performance playing a young woman faced with going through life with a debilitating disease. Working against Love and Other Drugs is the fact it's a romantic comedy with lots of nudity. It also hasn't had the pre-release hype surrounding it the way almost every other film on this list has. Like Shutter Island, this one's a real longshot.
Release Date: November 24, 2010
What It's About: Anne Hathaway portrays Maggie, an alluring free spirit who won’t let anyone or anything tie her down. But she meets her match in Jamie (Gyllenhaal), whose relentless and nearly infallible charm serve him well with the ladies and in the cutthroat world of pharmaceutical sales. Maggie and Jamie’s evolving relationship takes them both by surprise, as they find themselves under the influence of the ultimate drug: love.
The Buzz: Anne Hathaway gives a career-defining performance playing a young woman faced with going through life with a debilitating disease. Working against Love and Other Drugs is the fact it's a romantic comedy with lots of nudity. It also hasn't had the pre-release hype surrounding it the way almost every other film on this list has. Like Shutter Island, this one's a real longshot.
Release Date: November 24, 2010
'Rabbit Hole'
© Lionsgate Films
Starring: Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart
What It's About: Becca and Howie Corbett are a happily married couple whose perfect world is forever changed when their young son, Danny, is killed in an accident. Becca, an executive-turned-stay-at- home mom, tries to redefine her existence in a surreal landscape of well- meaning family and friends. Becca's experiences lead her to find solace in a mysterious relationship with a troubled young comic-book artist, Jason. Becca's fixation with Jason pulls her away from memories of Danny, while Howie immerses himself in the past, seeking refuge in outsiders who offer him something Becca is unable to give. The Corbetts, both adrift, make surprising and dangerous choices as they choose the path that will determine their fate.
The Buzz: Critics have praised Nicole Kidman as being the best she's been since The Hours, and the Aussie actress' popularity amongst Academy voters may be strong enough to earn Rabbit Hole a place on the best picture nominee list. However The Hollywood Reporter says the writing is "too self-aware," and if other critics agree that could seriously hurt its Oscar chances.
Release Date: December 17, 2010
What It's About: Becca and Howie Corbett are a happily married couple whose perfect world is forever changed when their young son, Danny, is killed in an accident. Becca, an executive-turned-stay-at- home mom, tries to redefine her existence in a surreal landscape of well- meaning family and friends. Becca's experiences lead her to find solace in a mysterious relationship with a troubled young comic-book artist, Jason. Becca's fixation with Jason pulls her away from memories of Danny, while Howie immerses himself in the past, seeking refuge in outsiders who offer him something Becca is unable to give. The Corbetts, both adrift, make surprising and dangerous choices as they choose the path that will determine their fate.
The Buzz: Critics have praised Nicole Kidman as being the best she's been since The Hours, and the Aussie actress' popularity amongst Academy voters may be strong enough to earn Rabbit Hole a place on the best picture nominee list. However The Hollywood Reporter says the writing is "too self-aware," and if other critics agree that could seriously hurt its Oscar chances.
Release Date: December 17, 2010
'Shutter Island'
© Paramount Pictures
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Kingsley, and Mark Ruffalo
What It's About: The year is 1954, at the height of the Cold War, when U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) and his new partner Chuck Aule (Ruffalo) are summoned to Shutter Island to investigate the implausible disappearance of a brilliant multiple murderess from a locked room within the impenetrable Ashecliffe Hospital. Surrounded by probing psychiatrists and dangerously psychopathic patients on the remote, windswept isle, they arrive into an eerie, volatile atmosphere that suggests nothing is quite what it seems.
With a hurricane bearing down on them, the investigation moves rapidly. Yet, as it mounts, the mysteries multiply. There are hints and rumors of dark conspiracies, sordid experimentation, repressive mind control and secret wards, but elusive proof. Moving in the shadows of a hospital haunted by the terrible deeds of its slippery inhabitants and the unknown agendas of its equally ingenious doctors, Teddy begins to realize that the deeper he pursues the investigation, the more he will be forced to confront some profound and devastating fears.
The Buzz: Eight-time Oscar nominee and one-time Oscar winner Martin Scorsese reunites with three-time Oscar nominee Leonardo DiCaprio for a film that was generally well reviewed. But Shutter Island was released way back in early 2010 and Academy voters tend to have short memories and choose year-end releases. Also working against it is the fact Paramount Pictures is the studio behind other potential nominees: The Fighter and True Grit.
Release Date: February 19, 2010
What It's About: The year is 1954, at the height of the Cold War, when U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) and his new partner Chuck Aule (Ruffalo) are summoned to Shutter Island to investigate the implausible disappearance of a brilliant multiple murderess from a locked room within the impenetrable Ashecliffe Hospital. Surrounded by probing psychiatrists and dangerously psychopathic patients on the remote, windswept isle, they arrive into an eerie, volatile atmosphere that suggests nothing is quite what it seems.
With a hurricane bearing down on them, the investigation moves rapidly. Yet, as it mounts, the mysteries multiply. There are hints and rumors of dark conspiracies, sordid experimentation, repressive mind control and secret wards, but elusive proof. Moving in the shadows of a hospital haunted by the terrible deeds of its slippery inhabitants and the unknown agendas of its equally ingenious doctors, Teddy begins to realize that the deeper he pursues the investigation, the more he will be forced to confront some profound and devastating fears.
The Buzz: Eight-time Oscar nominee and one-time Oscar winner Martin Scorsese reunites with three-time Oscar nominee Leonardo DiCaprio for a film that was generally well reviewed. But Shutter Island was released way back in early 2010 and Academy voters tend to have short memories and choose year-end releases. Also working against it is the fact Paramount Pictures is the studio behind other potential nominees: The Fighter and True Grit.
Release Date: February 19, 2010
