Oscars: 10 best nominees all worth seeing
Natalie Portman stars in "Black Swan," a psychological thriller set in the world of New York City ballet. It's about a dancer who finds herself locked in a web of competitive intrigue with a new rival at the company, played by Mila Kunis. Credit: Niko Tavernise
Even if you haven't seen every nominee for the best picture Oscar this year, chances are you know a little something about each one.
You probably know that "Black Swan" is the weird movie with a dancing Natalie Portman, that "The Kids Are All Right" is about lesbian moms, that "The Social Network" is this year's Important Work of Art and that "The King's Speech" will probably beat it, anyway.
All of which is good news for the Oscars, which recently expanded the best-picture list to 10 nominees in hopes of including more mainstream films and, in turn, attracting more television viewers. What's more, the close race between "Speech" and "Network" has become a water-cooler topic, making the 83rd Academy Awards a little more interesting than past ceremonies.
Here are the 10 best picture hopefuls, with a few reasons why you should see them all:
THE MOVIE "The King's Speech"
THE DEAL A calculated crowd-pleaser that also has real heart. It's a winning combination and seems to be a shoo-in for the best picture Oscar on Sunday.
THE MOVIE "The Social Network"
THE DEAL A heady mix of new themes (technology, communication) and old (ambition, money), it's still the year's must-see movie.
THE MOVIE "True Grit"
THE DEAL The usually odd Coen brothers took the straightforward approach with this western, and it worked: The film has earned more than $160 million at the box-office.
THE MOVIE "The Fighter"
THE DEAL The biopic seemed all but dead until this live-wire entry, with an electrifying Christian Bale, gave it a jolt of energy.
THE MOVIE "Black Swan"
THE DEAL Director Darren Aronofsky didn't intend this psychological horror film to be fun or funny - but it is! Maybe that explains why it's become an unlikely $100-million hit.
THE MOVIE "The Kids Are All Right"
THE DEAL The right movie at the right time, about lesbian mothers and shifting sexuality, told with an exquisite balance of humor and sensitivity.
THE MOVIE "127 Hours"
THE DEAL Yes, it's the one where James Franco cuts off his arm. But it's also an insightful look at what it means, and costs, to be alive.
THE MOVIE "Toy Story 3"
THE DEAL The third installment of Pixar's animated franchise, in which Andy grows up, couldn't be more poignant or more perfect.
THE MOVIE "Inception"
THE DEAL Anyone who claimed to understand this multilayered sci-fi thriller is probably lying, and anyone who didn't enjoy its sheer visual bravado wasn't paying attention.
THE MOVIE "Winter's Bone"
THE DEAL This gripping, gritty indie earned four well-deserved nominations, including best actress for 20-year-old Jennifer Lawrence as a backwoods girl looking for her father.
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