Best Picture Predictions Oscar 2013

Best Picture  Predictions Oscar 2013

 

Lincoln

Here's our take on the best picture category, which ended up with 9 nominees this year and not too many surprises (though "Moonrise Kingdom," "Skyfall" and "The Master" didn't make cut despite outside chances of doing so).  From these nominees comes what is definitely the tightest best picture race in years, with Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" and Ben Affleck's "Argo" seemingly duking it out (with outside chances for "Silver Linings Playbook" and "Life of Pi").
The chances for "Argo" are hurt by the fact that it was snubbed in the best director category. Only 3 films in Oscars 85 year history have won best picture without a best director nomination -- the last back in 1989 with "Driving Miss Daisy." This suggests the prize is "Lincoln"'s to lose, given it has the director nod. However, "Argo" has now won top prizes from the Critics Choice, Golden Globes, SAGs, DGAs and PGAs, which is a pretty remarkable feat. And perhaps Affleck's director snub is actually helpful in getting sentimental votes for "Argo" in the best picture category? Either way, this will be a very interesting final moment on Oscar night.

Lincoln Indiewire will provide regular updates of our predictions for the 85th Academy Awards through February 24th, when the winners are announced.