I have real doubts about this one. It's one of my most anticipated movies of the year but the gay content might really turn the more conservative members off. And the October release is not that good. But I trust Mr. Ang Lee.

Do we really need another boxing movie nominated for Best Picture? But at this point, CM is the clear frontrunner. It's Oscar-Bait at its best and it has Universal (already campaigning) and the Oscae due Howard/Grazer behind it.

This is mere speculation. We all know that usually a non-period/comedy movies makes into the mix but usually they only appear later in the year. Curtis Hanson's latest movie was a big hit among Academy members. What will happen to this one?

Many are already calling this one, the frontrunner for this year's Oscars but I don't even feel that comfortable putting it in the top five. Rob Marshall did hit big with the Academy with "Chicago". Can he really do the same thing with his second directing achievement?

I don't feel very comfortable putting this one here since it hasn't even started filming. But hey it's Steven Spielberg? Despite the fact that his latest movies didn't hit the right chords with the Academy, this epic about the Munich Olympic Games might do the trick.

Other Contenders

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First - Columbia. Second - Remake. These two things make me doubt this movies chances. But with such a wonderful cast how can anyone resist? (Sean Penn, Kate Winslet, Mark Rufalo, Patricia Clarkson, Jude Law).

In a year with so many high-profile movies, this one might get lost. However small, intimate and courtroom dramas usually do well with Academy. And with such a stellar cast (Theron, Spacek, McDormand, Penn) everything is possible. 

Another dramedy that could hit big at this year's Oscars. The October release date and having Paramount behind it troubles me. 

Same as "The New World" - epic fatigue. However we can't forget that this is being directed by the man that re-alived the epic genre ("Gladiator").

Sam Mendes first movie swept. His second movie was nominated for 6 categories but failed the major ones. What will happen with his third? This time he returns with the genre that gave him the Oscar (dramedy). Will Universal go for this one or for Cinderella?

After last year's disastrous epics (Troy, Alexander, King Arthur) I lost most of the faith I once had in Hollywood epics. Although this one is directed by the master Terrence Malick, I still think this might get shut-out in this category.

Another character comedy that can come from nowhere, grab critical applause and become a major contender. Having Uma Thurman and Meryl Streep in the cast helps.

After "Phantom of the Opera", it's no longer safe to predict a musical for a BP nomination.

After last year's love for biopics, will Academy embrace another one? Early word is stellar.

Could this be a return to form from James Ivory? It certainly looks so. Let's wait until we hear more about it.