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SALT LAKE CITY -- Awards season is underway and the Academy Awards' nominations are right around the corner. To get ready I've compiled a list of the frontrunners in the major categories as well as a dark horse. I need your input, however.
Post your nominees for each category on the comment boards and on Facebook and you can also email me. It doesn't matter if the film or actor/actress you vote for has any chance at winning; I just want to know your opinion of the best of 2011. Share with me your thoughts and I'll share them here on this story and retweet them as well.
So, let's get started.
Best Picture
The Help - This film took the box office by storm and the strong performances and equality message will influence the voters.
The Tree of Life - The Terrence Malick film didn't land with all audiences, but critics ate it up.
Drive - The slow-burn thriller dazzled critics and audiences. The film is artsy, super indy and extremely brutal. Voters will love it.
Moneyball - This sports flick surprised a lot of people and it's just a well done film that has caught the attention of Hollywood.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close - Just watching the trailer makes you want to cry and cheer. The film had a limited release late in December which is obvious Oscar bait, but despite its intentions, the film is still supposed to be very good.
The Descendants - This film has been nominated in almost every awards ceremony and don't expect the Oscars to be any different.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - David Fincher's film has caught a lot of people's attention and the academy is sure to be a big fan.
The Artist - The modern-day silent film has taken the film world by storm and voters will fall in love with the nostalgia and overall quality of the film.
Dark Horse
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 - Harry Potter was a world-wide phenomenon and the final chapter was a crowd pleaser and possibly the best of the series. Voters will appreciate the quality of the film and could very well be nominated and even run away with the prize much like "The lord of the Rings: Return of the King" did in 2004.
Best Director
Alexander Payne - The Descendants
Michel Hazanavicius - The Artist
Steven Spielberg - War Horse
Bennett Miller - Moneyball
Nicolas Winding Refn - Drive
Dark Horse
Woody Allen - Midnight in Paris
Best Actor
Jean Dujardin - The Artist
George Clooney - The Descendants
Brad Pitt - Moneyball
Dark Horse
Ryan Gossling - Drive, The Ides of March
Best Actress
Viola Davis - The Help
Rooney Mara - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Michelle Williams - My Week with Marilyn
Dark Horse
Elizabeth Olsen - Martha Marcy May Marlene
Best Supporting Actor
Christopher Plummer - Beginners
Albert Brooks - Drive
Jonah Hill - Moneyball
Armie Hammer - J. Edgar
Dark Horse
Andy Serkis - Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Best Supporting Actress
Berenice Bejo - The Artist
Octavia Spencer - The Help
Jessica Chastain - The Help
Shailene Woodley - The Descendants
Carey Mulligan - Shame
Dark Horse
Melissa McCarthy - Bridesmaids
Best Adapted Screenplay
The Descendants
Moneyball
War Horse
Drive
The Help
Dark Horse
Best Original Screenplay
The Artist
Midnight in Paris
Bridesmaids
Beginners
Dark Horse
Best Animated Feature
Dark Horse
Cars 2. I know, but Pixar really would be the dark horse this year. Cars 2 was one of the weaker animated films this year.
Best Original Score
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Dark Horse
So, there's my list. I may get torn apart when the Academy releases their nominees, but I think these are solid contenders. Be sure to give me your nominees and keep an eye out for your picks on Twitter, Facebook and here in the story.
Academy Award nominees will be announced January 24 and the awards ceremony will be February 26.
