2012

Best Picture Nominees:

Argo *
Amour
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Django Unchained
Les Miserables
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Silver Linings Playbook
Zero Dark Thirty

***

Argo - The story of saving hostages from Iran by using an elaborate Hollywood movie story.  It is a fun story, but a little overdramatic (airplane being chased by gunfire).

Amour - French art film about an old couple caring for each other.  It is slow moving and depressing but sweet in a way.  The lead actress won a nomination at age 85, the oldest ever.

Beasts of the Southern Wild - A funky drama-fantasy about a young girl dealing with her life in the swamps.  Amazing performance by 9 year-old Quvenzhane Wallis, who should have won the Best Actress Oscar (but I guess getting nominated was an honor enough... NOT!).

Django Unchained - Ultraviolent Quentin Tarantino film about a former slave taking revenge.  A run romp, but not Best Picture material.

Les Miserables - Based on the musical and performed "live," (as in while they acted it and not recorded afterwards).  Most of the roles were played by real singers, except the roles of the Thenardiers with tone-deaf Helena Bonham Carter and Sasha Baron Cohen.

Life of Pi - Based on the Yann Martel novel, it follows Pi Patel who is shipwrecked on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger, and a few other creatures.  I didn't like it as much as the book, but this did win the most Oscars (mostly technical) of any film this year.

Lincoln - Spielberg's take on part of the Lincoln presidency, following his last few months in office.  Tour-de-force by Daniel Day-Lewis (and I agree) resulting in an Actor Oscar.

Silver Linings Playbook - A quirky love story with Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper participating in a dance contest and getting over their many foibles. 

Zero Dark Thirty - The story of the tracking down and assassination of Osama bin Laden by US Forces.  Dramatically acted and astonishing that they had such a complete movie only about a year after the actual event.

***

My ranking of the Best Picture nominees:

1.  Les Miserables
2.  Zero Dark Thirty
3.  Beasts of the Southern Wild
4.  Life of Pi
5. Argo
6. Silver Linings Playbook
7. Lincoln
8. Amour
9. Django Unchained