The Best and the Rest

Oscar picks and predictions from TIME's critics

BEST PICTURE

RICHARD CORLISS

Love trumps admiration at the Academy, which argues for Argo over Lincoln. My preference: Beasts of the Southern Wild, which just edges out Life of Pi as the year's most visionary film.

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

MARY POLS

Argo seems like a winner, and it's a glorious blast. But my vote would go to Lincoln; even with multiple endings, it slayed me.

BEST DIRECTOR

RC

Argo's Ben Affleck isn't a finalist, which leaves Lee and Spielberg as front runners. I...

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