Who is going to win Best Actress? It's a three-horse race.

Winning Best Actress would
not be... 'Impossible' *groan*

I've passionately supported Jessica Chastain to win Best Actress. The Golden Globes will not tell us anything, since Jennifer Lawrence is in the comedy category, and Chastain is in the drama category. Lawrence has an easy win, and I initially thought Chastain had another easy race, but as the Navy SEALS say- 'No Easy Day'. I never realized how much of a boost Watts was getting by SAG and Golden Globes, and she is quite popular in the industry. Do not be surprised if Watts surprises with a Globes win, so SAG might truly be the best way to determine the winner.

Consider that last year's SAG winner Viola Davis lost in Streep sympathy vote, and Watts just might win in a 'sorry we forgot to nominate you for Fair Game and whatever else' surprise. Lawrence is just still too young to win, by voters standards. Chastain is uber-popular and hopefully wins. I honestly don't know who will win. It's a three-horse race, and anyone can win.

Speaking of horse races, here is a video of a horse that began last and strode up to first. ARRRRRR!

James Berardinelli's (ReelViews) Top 10.

Honorable mentions:
The Avengers
End of Watch
Ruby Sparks
Moonrise Kingdom

10 (tie): The Dark Knight Rises
             Les Miserables
9: Argo
8: Skyfall
7: Silver Linings Playbook
6: Django Unchained
5: Amour
4: A Separation (A 2011 holdover)
3: Lincoln
2: Zero Dark Thirty
1: Looper

You can read his thoughts on each film here.

Best Original Screenplay predictions (12/31/12)

Last time I did screenplay predictions, both Zero Dark Thirty and Django were sights unseen. Let's get to it.

1. Mark Boal, Zero Dark Thirty
The second political thriller of the year has been widely praised and slightly controversial, but less so than another contender. The film has passionate supporters, but the only thing hurting Boal is that he won so recently.

2. Quentin Tarantino, Django Unchained
Tarantino is the epitome of the 21st century pop culture, and his latest is one of his best. It is funny, witty, entertaining, and a wonderful homage to Spaghetti Westerns. A cloud of controversy looms above this one, though.

3/4. Wes Anderson, Moonrise Kingdom/Paul Thomas Anderson, The Master
Both directors are named Anderson, both are contenders, and both have wildly different screenplays that are both within passionate support. Both will be nominated, both won't win, but still.

5. Michael Haneke, Amour
The film is going to miss WGA, and it missed SAG. It's still in the conversation, and last year's A Separation got nominated in the Original slot. There's a free-for-all space, and this one's gonna get it.

Les Miserables (2012)- The pillars of a body are ignored (2 Stars)

Les Miserables has been in the Oscar conversation ever since the idea of a movie adaptation has ever been though of. Once Tom Hooper signed on, the buzz got as fierce as a bumblebee. But after viewing the film, I was puzzled. Why does this even exist as a movie?

Django Unchained (2012)- That's entertainment! (3.5/4 Stars)

In one of the best movies of all time, Raging Bull, the old Jake LaMotta recalls his boxing life. He says, about his standup gig, "That's entertainment." The scene flashes back as he repeats "That's entertainment.", and you (the audience) see the young Jake in a boxing match.

What does this have to do with Tarantino's Django Unchained? Halfway through the movie, we (the audience, again) meet Calvin Candie, a despicable plantation owner who finds brutal and always fatal 'mandango fighting' as 'entertaining'. A similar mindset to the young Jake LaMotta. "THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT!"

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)- A crazy great time at the movies (3.5/4 Stars)

David O'Russell might be the most versatile director I've heard of. In 2004, he made I Heart Huckabees, a comedy of sorts. 2010 brought The Fighter a boxing-and-drug drama. 2012 has graced us with Silver Linings Playbook, a humorous film that handles its subject matter (mental illness) very well.

Amour (2012)- The most intense movie of the year (Yes Argo, more intense than you). [SPOILERS]

Amour, by Michael Haneke, is a poignant film that mainly takes place in one apartment. Is that a problem? No, since Jean-Louis Tritignant, Emanuelle Riva, and a pigeon make it all work.

Trailer for 'To the Wonder'

This is everything I wanted it to be... and then some.

Best Supporting Actress predictions (12/17/12)

Last time I did this, Hitchcock was a sight unseen, and Scarlett Johansson occupied one of the slots. Currently there are three locks, one almost lock, and a free-for-all.

1. Anne Hathaway, Les Misérables
She's been nominated before (almost won!), and she's quite popular in a popular film. This is a sure thing for a win.

2. Sally Field, Lincoln
Sally Field's performance has been captivating critics groups and has redefined Mary Lincoln as a nut. It's great work.

3. Amy Adams, The Master
Because I am doing this on my phone, I am frankly to lazy to check how many times Amy has been nominated. I believe this could be her 5th/6th nomination. The performance has been well-embraced by critics, and got a Globe nomination, but no SAG can hurt.

4. Helen Hunt, The Sessions
This is the third lock. Amy is a near lock, but she has a higher chance (but not too high) of winning. The Sessions, I think, will be a difficult film for the Academy because of SEX.

5. Maggie Smith, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Fox Searchlight could potentially have two supporting actress contenders. I think Dame Maggie will boot out Nicole Kidman's Paperboy because Fox can easily distribute Marigold quicker than Paperboy's little distributor can. Also, SAG gave Marigold a Best Cast nomination.

Check back for some more Oscar predictions

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)- A short story, longly told

The Hobbit was one of this year's most anticipated films, and it might be considered one of the most disappointing. Do I agree with the disappointment? Slightly. Is it still worth a watch? Definitely. 

First and foremost, the film is a visual wonder. The CGI is slightly excessive, but places like Rivendell have never looked so vibrant. Gollum's scenes look scarily realistic, and the 3D is bold and effective. See it for the sake of visual entertainment.