Adam's Academy Ballot

There is no shortage of great films and performances this year, and unfortunately, some of the best probably won't be nominated, so I am going to make my list of the most deserving for the big categories.

Keep in mind, I haven't seen Hobbit or Zero Dark Thirty yet, but I'm confident that they will make my cut given my mercurial taste in film (sarcasm). Additionally, I don't believe that foreign films should cross over from foreign film categories, as that would be double-dipping, ergo, no nomination for Amour.

I also tend to shy away from period pieces for the most part (I did love Atonement), so Les Miserables, and Anna Karenina are off my radar. That said, here is my ballot.

These are the best of the best this past year.

Best Picture Nominees

Argo
Zero Dark Thirty
Cabin in the Woods
Lincoln
Life of Pi
Silver Linings Playbook
The Dark Knight Rises
The Hobbit
Looper
Skyfall

Who should win? Despite my affinity for realistic military films, and I'm sure Zero Dark Thirty will make Hurt Locker look like Rambo, I have to say that Argo was the most well done all-around film of the year. Affleck did a wonderful job packaging a stellar cast in a too crazy to be true story with suspense and a satisfying ending. I felt the same way about Moneyball last year, and although it didn't win, it should have. That's Argo. Who will win? Lincoln. Possible spoiler? Zero Dark Thirty.

Best Director Nominees

Ang Lee
Steven Spielberg
Ben Affleck
Kathryn Bigelow
Christopher Nolan

Who should win? Ang Lee. He took a clever and original story and did the unthinkable; he translated it to the screen. Despite the sea-sickness effect, you felt that Suraj Sharma was actually in a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. beautiful direction and cinematography worthy of an award. Who will win? Steven Spielberg. Possible spoiler? Kathryn Bigelow.

Best Actor Nominees

Daniel Day-Lewis
Joaquin Phoenix
Bradley Cooper
John Hawkes
Denzel Washington

Who should win? Daniel Day-Lewis. His portrayal of Lincoln was nothing short of breath-taking. Who will win? Day-Lewis. Possible spoiler? Joaquin Phoenix. If buzz builds back up for his outstanding performance in the Master, he might blindside Day-Lewis.

Best Actress Nominees

Jennifer Lawrence
Quvenzhane Wallis
Jessica Chastain
Marion Cotillard
Naomi Watts

Who should win? Jennifer Lawrence. Who will win? Jennifer Lawrence. Possible spoiler? Jessica Chastain.

Best Supporting Actor

Philip Seymour Hoffman
Alan Arkin
Tommy Lee Jones
Andy Serkis
Leonardo DiCaprio

Who should win? Tommy Lee Jones. Who will win? Tommy Lee Jones. Possible spoiler? Philip Seymour Hoffman. Should be a tighter race than it will be.

Best Supporting Actress

Anne Hathaway
Helen Hunt
Sally Field
Amy Adams
Judi Dench

Who should win? Anne Hathaway. Who will win? Anne Hathaway. Possible spoiler? Helen Hunt. Too bad the Sessions was released to such a small audience.

Original Screenplay

Zero Dark Thirty
The Master
Django Unchained
Moonrise Kingdom
Looper

Who should win? Zero Dark Thirty. Who will win? Zero Dark Thirty. Possible spoiler? Moonrise Kingdom. The academy has a soft spot for the quirky Wes Anderson.

Adapted Screenplay

Lincoln
Argo
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Hobbit
Silver Linings Playbook

Who should win? Argo. Great ending, great cast. You can't write a better story. Who will win? Lincoln. Possible spoiler? Silver Linings Playbook.

Recap for my picks for Oscar gold:

Picture - Argo
Director - Ang Lee
Actor - Daniel Day-Lewis
Actress - Jennifer Lawrence
Supporting Actor - Tommy Lee Jones
Supporting Actress - Anne Hathaway
Original Screenplay - Zero Dark Thirty
Adapted Screenplay - Argo

There you have it, feel free to comment away.