Best Picture Nominees 2011

Black Swan
From its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, Darren Aronofsky's ultra-intense, super-goofy psychological thriller had industry swamis predicting a Best Actress Oscar for Natalie Portman as a troubled ballerina cast in Swan Lake. Portman, Aronofsky and the film's editor and cinematographer all received Oscar nominations; the film did even better. Made for just $13 million, it should easily crack the $100 million box-office ceiling before Oscar night, Feb. 27. That is also when the Best Picture dreams for this All About Eve in tutus will end: Portman will win her statuette, then the dance will be over.

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