Image Credit: Jaap Buitendijk/Paramount Pictures
This morning’s Critics’ Choice nominations from the Broadcast Film Critics Association provide the most definitive sharpening of the Oscar race so far. Last year, nine of the BFCA’s 10 Best Pictures were nominated by the Academy, while 18 of the 20 eventual Oscar nominees in the acting categories were recognized by the BFCA first. The Artist and Hugo have dominated the early critics prizes so far — the question in my mind at this point is, Can Hugo actually win? It certainly has a lot going for it: a prestige director, a lovely screenplay, gorgeous technical attributes. But will it have enough support from the actors’ branch, the largest unit in the Academy? No film in the last 15 years has won Best Picture without at least scoring a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Best Cast, so I’ll be looking closely at tomorrow’s SAG Award announcement. If Hugo makes the cut, then it’s within striking distance for the win.
BEST PICTURE
1. The Artist (last week: 1)
2. The Descendants (last week: 2)
3. War Horse (last week: 3)
4. Hugo (last week: 7)
5. The Help (last week: 6) READ FULL STORY »
