Down In Front

WARNING: This list could be seen as a pre-conceived notion, jumping the gun, unfounded, or if you're feeling particularly like a sourpuss today, then you could call it premature. And guess what? It's probably all of those things--but that's not the point. The purpose of this list is to tell you who, at this stage in the game, appear to be the front runners for Best Picture for the 2011 Academy Awards.

Now, if you're an avid cinefile like myself, you're fully aware of the ridiculous situation with the Academy now allowing 10 Best Picture nominees. Of course they're doing it for ratings and to woo the masses, but it's a bad idea. Borderline blasphemy. And anyone who cites how they used to have 10 nominees back in the day--while you're right--that was back in the day--and you're a novice with a weak defense. Back in the day almost always, and especially in this case, means a free pass. It means liberties to make mistakes in the process of ironing out a sophisticated system. But since we had a sophisticated system until last awards season, there's really no excuse for relapsing into amateur territory, now is there?

There was a reason they eventually whittled it down to five. I have yet to figure out a qualified defense for why they would revert back to such a primitive idea. Having said all of that, I think we know where I stand on how many movies I'll throw out at this point.

Five. No more. No less.

And without further ado, the list:

(1) THE GHOST WRITER

Roman Polanski's literary and political thriller may be the best work he's ever done. With such an eclectic cast of Kim Catrall, Pierce Brosnan, Ewan McGregor, and Tom Wilkinson, he certainly has the posse to defend that notion. If you haven't seen it, then make sure you do when it comes out on DVD in Early August.

(2) NEVER LET ME GO

Kazuo Ishiguro's novel with the same title is being cited by many as the novel of the decade. Five years after its release, the author of REMAINS OF THE DAY gets to see another of his stories come to the big screen. Both the book and the buzz are phenomenal. So is the trailer for that matter: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/neverletmego/

(3) INCEPTION

It's far and away the best movie of the year--so far. It will literally blow your mind. Chris Nolan had a tough job following up THE DARK KNIGHT, what with it being the most socio-economic and philosophical commentary a superhero film has ever offered. And he didn't disappoint with this mind-boggling and extremely memorable movie. It will leave you speechless--and sleepless.

(4) THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT

Remember how good Annette Bening was in AMERICAN BEAUTY? Here it is again. She's would be in a league of her own--had it not been for her amazing co-stars. Mark Ruffalo and Julianne Moore both shine next to her and it's hard to imagine all of them without acting nods for this flick. Lesbians, a sperm donor, comedy, and deception. It's a pleasant a refreshing surprise.

(5) THE SOCIAL NETWORK

Last, and certainly not least, is David Fincher's contemporary tale about the creation and evolution of Facebook. From the looks of it, Aaron Sorkin (the movie's scribe) may have captured the life of the college student in the early 2000s to now. Having been a college student during that time, I'm getting the sense that this movie could be a cultural stamp on our legacy as a generation. Just from the trailer, it looks like both Fincher and Sorkin may have hit this one out of the park in terms of describing just who Generation Next and Y actually are. Up until now, I think that's been a pretty elusive tale to write (or portray). But with the epicenter of this film being one of the biggest websites in history, this one looks to be poignant, honest, and heartbreaking all at the same time: http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810128131/video/20889623

The thing about these movies is that when it comes to a piece of art asking you to examine yourself and everything you could be, watching them and forming your own opinion this time around...well, these movies..."they're exclusive, and fun, and they lead to a better life."