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Many were surprised that "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" made the best-picture nominee list.
There are nine Academy Award best-picture nominees this year thanks to a rule change requiring films to receive a certain number of first-place votes. Seven of them were completely expected. "War Horse" surprised some, and "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" more than surprised many.
Here's a look at the nine nominees.
"War Horse"
It's Spielberg. It's sweeping. It takes on the Big Events and how they affect the Little People. How could it not be on the list?
"The Artist"
The novelty of it being black-and-white and silent aside, it's actually a really enjoyable film. You leave the theater happy. You tell your friends about this crazy silent movie you saw. Good chance of winning.
"Moneyball"
May be the most simply enjoyable film on the list. You've got a big star (Brad Pitt), comic relief (Jonah Hill), baseball that's accessible for even non sports fans, a snappy Aaron Sorkin script and a little guy who triumphs over big money.
"The Descendants"
Perpetual bachelor Clooney is not that believable as a dad, but this is a smart film that goes where viewers don't expect. Will be right up there competing for the trophy.
"Tree of Life"
In the same vein as "2001: A Space Odyssey," it's the film whose meaning keeps being dissected and discussed even months after you saw it.
"Midnight in Paris"
Woody Allen's back, and he's accessible! May be Allen's best in years, he's up for director, too.
"The Help"
Sneer if you want, movie snobs, but this movie has been taken to viewers' hearts. Good buzz counts for plenty.
"Hugo"
Presented as a kids' film, but not really. It's a film for film lovers.
"Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close"
The biggest stunner on the list. Even those who enjoyed it didn't see this coming. It won't win.
Vote for the film you'd like to see win Best Picture on Feb. 26, and tell us why in the comments.
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War Horse should do well. It was a very unique and touching story and a great movie overall.
-Igor Purlantov
MONEYBALL was my favorite movie of 2011, but the race here is between THE ARTIST and THE DESCENDANTS.
Having read the book Moneyball, I thought the movie was actually disappointing, good, but disappointing. War Horse was exactly what you expect a Speilberg movie to be. The real jewel was the Artist - an adorable little picture.
That is always the case when you're making a movie about actual historical events. It is hard to sqeeze life into 2 hours. Something important is always left on the cutting room floor. The War Horse type genre, on the other hand, has been done many many times over. I don't know about you but I've seen Black Beauty before. This time the only difference...it was Black Beauty with Bullets!
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy has been my favorite movie so far. Have to admit, I haven't seen many of the Best Picture nominees. But the biggest snub of all this year is not giving Michael Fassbender a best actor nomination for Shame.
Is anyone surprised my vote is for "Warhorse"..lol
I loved War Horse and was happy to see it up as best picture. Unfortunately it probably won't win with Spielberg's snub.
Spielberg is in a class by himself and can thumb his nose at them.
That's why I don't watch the Oscar's and don't give any credence to Best Picture crap. As the song said, I knoooooowwww what I like!!!!!!!"
For sheer enjoyment and creativity, NONE of the other films could touch MIDNIGHT IN PARIS. I went to see it twice in the same week, which I never do. Even better the second time.
Go, Woody!
Very pleased with the Best Picture nominations with the exception of War Horse, which severely disappointed me. Speilberg has proven himself a masterful filmmaker, however he has a history of too much schmaltz in his film endings and War Horse was no different.
Both The Artist and Midnight in Paris left lasting impressions for their originality and share favorite billing on my llist of best films. Moneyball and Hugo share second. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for one of the four to take home the Oscar...each are deserving.
Midnight in Paris was witty, literary, gloriously scenic, and brought many literary legends to life. Moneyball and The Help were overblown TV movies. War Horse is better on stage.
After watching some recent films liberally sprinkled with f**k, s**t, and a**hole, it was a real treat to watch "The Artist." A great film, well acted, even though it was mostly silent, in black and white. No car chases, no CGI effects, just a good story conveyed with heart and soul. Sometimes the best lines are best left unspoken.
I was surprised that Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy wasn't nominated. It really was a brilliantly done film. Hope Gary Oldman gets a Oscar...he deserves it.
I like "War Horse" & "Moneyball" & "Midnight in Paris" as great films. However, "Hugo" & "The Artist" & "Extremely Loud . . . " were very different. The nudge goes to "Extremely Loud . . ." because everyone said it did not belong in the running. I like the underdog and for that reason I hope the film wins.
I have seen most of the nominated best pictures. I didn't like Tree of Life. Moneyball was good but not Oscar worthy. The Artist is a one of a kind experience, but it probably won't win. I saw War Horse as a play and I loved it; if the film is as good, it is a strong contender. Midnight in Paris was great, but Woody Allen will never win in Hollywood.The Descendents was good, but again not Oscar worthy. The Help is a popular favorite and I bet viola Davis wins. My personal favorite is Hugo. I was drawn into the film's gorgeous cinematography. The story is compelling, and the fact that Scorcese directed is mind-blowing. Extremely Loud hasn't opened here yet, but I hear it is a major tear-jerker. So I am pulling for Hugo.
Woody Allen already won Best Picture in the 70s when he won for Annie Hall, which is still probably his most famous film (and one of his best too). I thought Midnight in Paris was pretty good compared to his recent stuff. His recent films have interesting stores, but he just doesn't write characters well anymore. His characters come off as flat stereotypes now, especially the Rachel McAdams character in Midnight in Paris and both Spaniards in Vicky Christina Barcelona (and some other recent films too). I think he's done great films in every decade he's worked, except the past 10-11 years or so he's done, for him, pretty middling stuff.
I hope the Oscars flop because of Billy Crystal, who I can't stand.
War Horse! Simply an amazing movie!
War Horse is far and away the worst of the nominees: a steaming pile of schmaltz, and certainly Spielberg's laziest film ever (steal the opening from The Sound of Music; steal the charge on the German camp from Doctor Zhivago; steal the finale from Gone with the Wind). I'm torn between The Artist and Hugo; the latter is a dazzling, jaw-dropping achievement, but the former is so inventive, and such an uplifting film, that it gets my vote by a sliver.
War Horse was good. I really liked Moneyball too. I never like Woody Allen movies, but Midnight in Paris was very good - what a nice surprise! I didn't see the George Clooney movie - lately his movies aren't good, I now call him Loonie Clooney. I also enjoyed the Help and Hugo. If I had to pick one - Moneyball or Midnight in Paris. OK - I didn't pick one!
Pitt is deserving and has been through his career. Clooney, a close second on this one. It's time.
If you think that motion picture is an art you may be love "The Artist"
A tribute to the american motion picture like Chaplin's movies, Marx Brother's movies, ...
Note to the "Academy" ...... Quit nominating George Clooney for everything! He is the most overrated "actor" of the last 10 years. He has no range, he plays the same predictable character every time, he sucks.