Oscar Predictions 2013: Best Picture

It's that time of year again when everyone and their mum is making their opinions on what should be nominated, what will get nominated and what will win at this years Oscars. So I thought I'd throw my hat into the ring. Over the next week, I shall be taking a look at the categories and the potential film nominees, starting today with Best Picture, an award previously won by The Kings Speech, The Hurt Locker and Titanic.

There has been a lot of early buzz for Ben Affleck's Argo this year. This political thriller/comedy ticks all the right boxes; based on a true story, critical darling, box office smash, come back kid story and happy Hollywood ending. Rodger Ebert has already predicted that Argo is this years Best Picture winner. It's a sure thing to get nominated but a win?

Silver Linings Playbook, the follow up to David O Russell's The Fighter, has been given universal praise but might suffer the same fate as his previous film. It's a great vehicle for it's cast and is sure to see them pick up several nominations. Silver Linings Playbook is a wonderfully subverted take on the boy meets girl story and while I'd love to see it win, I'm not sure if it's the kind of film that wins best picture.  

Steven Spielberg is looking to extend his Oscar collection with Lincoln, which is getting loads of love. It's the kind of thing that the Academy loves; a biopic about America directed by the great Spielberg. It has a very good shot at winning but as Spielberg is a multiple previous winner, the Academy might feel the need to give the award to someone else.

Then of course there's Les Miserables, which has been on the top of most peoples lists all year despite no one actually seeing it. Again, it ticks all the right boxes; stage adaponion of classic musical by previous Oscar winner Tom Hooper. It has an excellent cast and has been winning rave reviews. Les Miserables is sure to get nominated, but to win? I'm just not sure.

Then there is Kathryn Bigelow's follow up to The Hurt Locker, a film I felt didn't deserve to win this award the year it was released. Zero Dark Thirty seems to have came out of nowhere in the eleventh hour to shoot to the top of most crictis and bloggers lists. These five films seem to be the front runners currently and at the moment it seems we have a race on our hands, making this one of the most exciting Oscars in years.

In the following potential spaces, it's harder to predict, but I think Ang Lee has a pretty good shot with Life of Pi, making the difficult transition fromm page to screen to much acclaim, even being compared to Avatar for it's stunning visuals.

Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master, which started off strong has lost almost all of it's momentum but still could get a nomination, as well as Tarantino's Django Unchained and the directorial debut of Benh Zeitlin, Beasts Of The Southern Wild. And maybe a long over due nomination in this catogree for Wes Anderson with Moonrise Kingdom, but only if the nomintions extend past five.

So, here are my predictions for Best Picture 2013:

1. Les Miesrables.

2. Lincoln.

3. Zero Dark Thirty.

4. Argo.

5. Silver Linings Playbook.

6. Life of Pi.

7. Django Unchained.

8. The Master.

9. Beasts of the Southern Wild.

10. Moonrise Kingdom.

What do you think? Do you agree or disagree? Or have I forgotten something you think should be nominated? Let me know.