Top Best Picture Nominated Films to See Before the Oscars!

By now, after reading my review, everyone knows that Avatar is my favorite film of all time.  With all of the years of perfecting the film and hard work that went into it, it totally deserves to win Best Picture.  If you haven't seen the the film 

Avatar is also nominated for eight other Academy Awards which include Art Direction, Cinematography, Directing, Film Editing, Music (Original Score; James Horner), Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Visual Effects.
See the full review, "The Greatest Science Fiction Epic of All Time!".

If I could put two films at number 2, I would and they would be Inglourious Basterds and The Hurt Locker.  Both films deserve the number two spot, but since I am a huge Quentin Tarantino fan, I'm putting Basterds at number 2.  Along with Pulp Fiction, Basterds is Tarantino's second masterpiece and definitely deserves the Oscar Nod.  You can also check out my Blu-ray review of the film.

Inglourious Basterds is nominated for seven other Academy Awards including Actor in a Supporting Role (Christoph Waltz), Cinematography, Directing (Quentin Tarantino), Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Writing (Original Screenplay; Quentin Tarantino).
See the full review, ""We're in the Business...of Killin' Nazis!" and That's Exactly What the "Basterds" Did!".

The Hurt Locker was critiqued as being "A near perfect war movie" and that truly is the case.  The Hurt Locker goes deep into the minds of an EOD teams shows how soldiers during wartime get a high/rush when faced with life or death situation.  Director Kathryn Bigelow did an outstanding job making this movie and is definitely a front runner for best picture.

The Hurt Locker is available on Blu-ray and DVD now and has been nominated for eight other Academy Awards including Actor In a Leading Role (Jeremy Renner; an OScar he should definitely win), Cinematography, Directing (Kathryn Bigelow; a favorite to win as well), Film Editing, Music (Original Score; Marco Beltrami and Buck Sander), Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Writing (Original Screenplay; Mark Boal).
See the full review, "Brilliant! An Honest and Suspenseful Look Into the Thrill of War!".

Up in the Air is nominated for five other Academy Awards including Actor in a Leading Role (George Clooney), two nominations for Actress in a Supporting Role (Vara Farmiga and Anna Kendrick), Directing (Jason Reitman), and Writing (Adapted Screenplay; Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner).

UPDATE ON FILM SOON

This is another film that doesn't belong on the Best Picture list, but is anyway.  While A Serious Man is really good for about the first 45 minutes, the film takes a large nose dive shortly after.  I'm leaving it at number five only because of the Jewish aspect of Hollywood, which unfortunately gives this film a chance to win.  (Disclaimer:  I was born and raised Jewish, if you don't like the above comments, I'm sorry, but it's kind of true).

A Serious Man is nominated for one other Academy Award in Writing (Original Screenplay; The Cohen Brothers).

UPDATE SOON
See the full review, "The Coen Brothers Show Their Versatility, But Leave More to be Desired...".

Precious is nominated for five other Academy Awards including Actress in a Leading Role (Gabourey Sidibe), Actress in a Supporting Role (Mo'Nique), Directing (Lee Daniels), Film Editing and Writing (Adapted Screenplay; Geoffrey Fletcher).

UPDATE SOON

An Education is up for two other Academy Awards including Actress in a Leading Role (Carey Mulligan) and Writing (Adapted Screenplay; Nick Hornby).

UPDATE SOON

The Blind Side is up for one other Academy Award for Actress in a Leading Role (Sandra Bullock).

UPDATE SOON

I think that it is truly amazing that the Academy has finally nominated an animated film like UP for Best Picture again.  In all honesty, Wall-E Should have been nominated last year, but oh well.  While UP was fantastic, its chances of winning best picture are slim.  There is no doubt in my mind however that it will win Best Animated Picture.  If you haven't seen UP yet, you need to.

Up is nominated for four other Academy Awards including Best Animated Feature, Music (Original Score; Michael Giacchino), Sound Editing and Writing (Original Screenplay; Screenplay by Bob Peterson, Pete Doctor.  Story by Pete Doctor Bob Peterson and Tom McCarthy).
See the full review, "UP is a Tearjearker that Will Leave You Seeking Adventure From the Word... UP!".