Oscar Nominees: Best Picture

My predictions: 8/9, picking “Moonrise Kingdom” over “Amour”
My ballot: Come back next week!
The nominees: Amour, Argo, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Django Unchained, Les Miserables, Life of Pi, Lincoln, Silver Linings Playbook, Zero Dark Thirty

This category contains only one surprise omission and one surprise inclusion, and I just wish that the latter could have occurred without the former. It’s impressive to see “Amour” so well-received, and such a shame that “Moonrise Kingdom” couldn’t land a spot since I think it’s easily better than all but one of these films. That would be “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” whose superb performance has me delighted. I’m most curious about whether “Argo” or “Zero Dark Thirty,” two films horrifically snubbed for Best Director, can still win Best Picture now since I had them going head-to-head with “Lincoln” for the prize. For now, it’s worthwhile to digest a generally impressive list and hold off until the dust settles a bit.

My current bet to win: I guess I’ll change my prediction to Lincoln, though I’m still hopeful that it will be another film.