American Hustle
The story: FBI man (Bradley Cooper) cons con artists (Christian Bale, Amy Adams) into conning a Jersey politico (Jeremy Renner). Bale's nutty wife (Jennifer Lawrence) throws bombs from the sidelines.
In its favor: Acting! This is the most deliriously histrionic movie of the year. Director David O. Russell doesn't say "Action," he fires a starting gun.
Then again: At its heart it's "Ocean's Eleven" with wide lapels and epic bad hair. As good as Russell is with actors, that's how bad his script is with story structure.
Our review: ⋆⋆⋆⋆
Captain Phillips
The story: An American-crewed merchant ship is hijacked off Somalia. The skipper (Tom Hanks) strives to outwit the lead pirate (Barkhad Abdi).
In its favor: A nail-biter with rounded characters (no plaster saints or cardboard villains) and intelligence to spare. Director Paul Greengrass creates newsreel-style immediacy.
Then again: Is it too similar in style and content to last year's much-nominated, little-winning "Zero Dark Thirty"?
Our review: ⋆⋆⋆⋆
Dallas Buyers Club
The story: Texas homophobe (Matthew McConaughey) contracts AIDS in the early 1980s, becomes evangelist/entrepreneur for alternative treatments.
In its favor: Two terrific characters and performances, McConaughey as the emaciated but tough survivor-businessman and Jared Leto as his unlikely ally, a fragile, courageous HIV-positive cross-dresser.
Then again: The micro-budgeted indie's strengths are all in its lead actors. Awards for them would be recognition enough.
Our review: ⋆⋆⋆½
Gravity
The story: Earth-orbiting astronauts (Sandra Bullock and George Clooney) get marooned in space with only the oxygen in their space suits.
In its favor: An engrossing story, likable characters, walloping star power and eye-popping special effects, intelligently deployed.
Then again: No science-fiction film ever has won the best picture Oscar. Even "2001" lost to "Oliver!" Dumb, but that's how they roll.
Our review: ⋆⋆⋆⋆
Her
The story: Dweeby writer (Joaquin Phoenix) loses his heart to his computer's emotionally astute voice-activated operating system (voiced by Scarlett Johansson).
In its favor: Invincible charm, a fresh, non-apocalyptic vision of the future, and a novel take on the age-old boy-meets-girl story. Director Spike Jonze is universally admired.
Then again: Sci-fi = no-go.
Our review: ⋆⋆⋆½
Nebraska
The story: A codger (Bruce Dern) thinks he's won a $1 million lottery. His hapless son (Will Forte) babysits him on a trip to the prize headquarters.
In its favor: An unsparing but affectionate portrait of working-class life in flyover land. Superb performances. Dern, 77, fits the Academy's demographics.
Then again: A shutout at the Golden Globes, despite multiple nominations. There is a bumper crop of fine movies in competition this year.
Our review: ⋆⋆⋆⋆
PHILOMENA
The story: An Irish woman searches for the son she was coerced by the Catholic church into giving up for adoption 50 years earlier.
In its favor: Superb performances by Judi Dench and Steve Coogan as an unlikely comic-dramatic team. Coogan's bracingly intelligent script.
Then again: A small film, it's consistently been a runner-up to "12 Years a Slave" since they both screened at the Toronto film fest last September.
Our review: ⋆⋆⋆⋆
12 Years a Slave
The story: Harrowing dramatization of the memoir of kidnapped black freeman Solomon Northup, rendering slavery's horrors in soul-searing detail.
In its favor: Historical importance as the first star vehicle to tackle the subject seriously. Unforgettable performances. Producer/co-star Brad Pitt is a hometown favorite.
Then again: How many voters will turn off their DVD screeners, appalled at the unflinching vision of the era's brutality? It's "Schindler" without the release of an uplifting ending.
Our review: ⋆⋆⋆⋆
The Wolf of Wall Street
The story: The exuberantly corrupt, stunningly hedonistic life of stock fraudster Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio), who lived like Caligula in pinstripes.
In its favor: This is Martin ScorÂsese in overdrive, serving up charismatic crooks, shady schemes, lives out of control and movie moments that jolt like mainlining adrenaline.
Then again: Who knows what the very, very staid Academy will make of this near NC-17-rated sex and drugs extravaganza? Scorsese doesn't do sermons, so deal with it.
Our review: ⋆⋆⋆⋆
COLIN COVERT
