Since I have now seen all 9 nominations for best picture at the 85th Annual Academy Awards, I think it’s time to once again give my thoughts and predictions on the winners. For a full list, go here.

Best Motion Picture of the Year:

Lincoln is a safe bet, and Zero Dark Thirty and Argo also have chances. I think it’d be cooler if Amour or Django Unchained won, but it’s unlikely.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role:

Daniel Day-Lewis is pretty much sure to take this, and I have no problem with that. Denzel Washington may have a chance too. I think I’d like Joaquin Phoenix to win though.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role:

The Academy will probably give it to Jessica Chastain (which I support) or Naomi Watts (which I don’t support). I think it’d be cool if Emmanuelle Riva won.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role:

I think Philip Seymour Hoffman should take it, but it’ll more likely be Alan Arkin or Tommy Lee Jones.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role:

Anne Hathaway will almost definitely win this and I have no problem with that.

Best Achievement in Directing:

I suppose Steven Spielberg is the obvious choice here. I’d like it if Michael Haneke won, however.

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen:

While I don’t think it’s the best screenplay Tarantino has written, I’d like Django Unchained to win. I also wouldn’t mind if Moonrise Kingdom won. I think Zero Dark Thirty is the most likely though.

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published:

I think perhaps Argo will take it, but I’m not really sure.

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year:

Probably Wreck-It Ralph, but Brave certainly has a chance too.

Once again, I don’t have strong feelings one way or another about the other categories, except that I’m sure Adele will win for Skyfall.

This year’s awards are a bit more difficult to predict than other recent years, for sure. I can’t wait to find out who wins tomorrow!

To be clear, these are the top films I saw in 2012, not necessarily films released this year. They are, however, still recent films. They’re just in alphabetical order.

Amour (2012)

The Avengers (2012)

The Cabin in the Woods (2011)

The Descendants (2011)

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

The Hunt (2012)

Looper (2012)

The Tree of Life (2011)

We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011) 

Amour (2012)

Even though I’ve only seen a couple of his films, I feel pretty safe saying this one is rather different from Michael Haneke’s others. In short, it was very good. It was quite simple and slow-moving, and I’m sure a lot of people might find it boring. However, I found it to be an entrancing and beautifully tragic film. It felt very real. Most likely because the two lead actors were incredible. I definitely recommend it.