Hot Stuff: The Tr3s Oscar Favorites (So Far)

By Michael Lopez

In case you haven't noticed, 2011 is almost on its way out. And, like every year, it's in the final weeks of November and December that the big Oscar-worthy movies start hitting theaters. Several of them (like Clint Eastwood's excellent J. Edgar) are already playing now. So we thought, why not share a few of our own suggestions for the gold statuette.

A Better Life: Yes, we know this movie is considered a major Academy Award long shot, but we loved it anyway. Lead Demián Bichir delivered a performance that would bring most grown men to tears. But beyond that, the story was striking, engaging, and one that really needed to be told. It's rare to see a movie about immigration get this much mainstream attention and frankly, we think it deserves more.

Moneyball: A great sports movie even for people who aren't into sports. We are always suckers for true stories and this was one almost anyone can relate to. A classic underdog tale set inside the world of Major League Baseball, it had the screenwriter from The Social Network, the director of Capote, and a powerhouse performance from Brad Pitt.

J. Edgar: Clint Eastwood has already won a ton of Oscars at this point, so we can kind of see him getting overlooked in the 2011 Best Director category. But Leonardo DiCaprio? Not a chance. His complicated performance as FBI honcho J. Edgar Hoover will most certainly earn him a Best Actor nom (and deservedly so). But it's also important to note that his co-star, Armie Hammer, delivers an exceptional performance as well and should have the odds in his favor when the Best Supporting Actor award is handed out.

The Ides Of March: Yes, we know we gave this movie a so/so review, but that was strictly for the plot. Many parts of Ides felt far-fetched and contrived, but the performances were amazing. And Ryan Gosling, in particular, stood out tremendously with his role as a shaky campaign manager. In the blink of an eye, he was able to jump from sympathetic, to angry, to calculated and cold-hearted, making him a shoo in for a Best Supporting Actor nod.

The Way: Definitely another long shot, but a well crafted film and certainly a centerpiece for Emilio Estevez' directorial talents. It's also interesting to note that in his 50 years as a professional actor, Martin Sheen has yet to win an Academy Award. And if there was ever an excuse to hand him a Best Actor statuette, it would be for his impassioned performance in The Way.

Which 2011 movies do you think deserve Oscars? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags A better life, Academy Awards, Armie Hammer, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Brad Pitt, Clint Eastwood, Demian Bichir, Emilio Estevez, Ides of March, J. Edgar, Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Sheen, Moneyball, Movies & CineMás, Oscars, Ryan Gosling, The Way