BEST PICTURE 1. Argo COMMENT: Tense, intelligent, comic and about "how important a movie can be", Argo is that rare Oscar-worthy thriller that scores an impressive number at box-office ($106.4M in U.S.) and it estabilishes Ben Affleck as a respected director in Hollywood, proving Gone Baby Gone and The Town were fruit of a true directing talent. With a terrific cast and an "immaculated" awards season, Argo is the front-runner of the Best Picture race, from my point of view. 5 Golden Globe noms, 7 Critics' Choice Awards nominations, 2 SAG Awards nods (including Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Cast) and tons of recognition from critics groups, Argo may not be the best movie of the year (for me, the best picture of the year is Beasts of the Southern Wild , but it's a personal opionion), but it is a damn good one and a piece of cinema designed just for the AMPAS taste. A Best Picture nomination is locked, a Best Picture win is likely. ...