Ten of the these 17 pictures likely will get Best Picture nomination, now that the field is wider and includes more films. It's almost irrelevant whether there were ten really good pictures in 2009; the slots must be filled. But be prepared for major surprises—It's called Oscar.
Frontrunners
Avatar
Up in the Air
The Hurt Locker
Strong Contenders
Invictus
Up
Precious
Serious Men
An Education
Also Competing
District 9
Inglourious Basterds
The Blind Side
The Hangover
Nine
Long Shots
Julie & Julia
Star Trek
The Last Station
The Messenger





