COLUMN: The 2012-2013 award season for movies is in full swing

From Clint Eastwood’s “Trouble With the Curve” to Steven Spielberg’s return to the director’s chair for “Lincoln,” this semester’s movies have given us some award-winners for sure.

At the end of every year, the members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences vote on what films to nominate for the Academy Awards.

This year’s Oscars may not have the most star-studded lineups, but there are many films biding for the coveted best picture: Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln,” Ben Affleck’s “Argo,” Ang Lee’s “Life of Pi,” Tom Hooper’s “Les Misérables” and Kathryn Bigelow’s “Zero Dark Thirty” are all poised to take home the most prized filmmaking award.

“Life of Pi” will give “Argo” and “Lincoln” a run for their money, but in the end the Academy has reputation for picking timeless films over modern marvels. “Lincoln” likely will follow in the footsteps of past winners “The King’s Speech” and “The Artist.”

The best actor award will either go to “Lincoln’s” Daniel Day-Lewis or “Flight’s” Denzel Washington.

Day-Lewis’ portrayal of president Abraham Lincoln was spot on, inspirational and could take home the gold statuette.

But not so fast, Washington’s performance in “Flight” as a drug and alcohol-addicted pilot was just as tremendous. Both actors really deserve Oscars, but personally, I’m pulling for the underdog: Denzel Washington.

The fight for winner of actress in a leading role will come down to “Zero Dark Thirty’s” Jessica Chastain or Jennifer Lawrence for her role in “Silver Linings Playbook.”

Although “Zero Dark Thirty” has not been released in the U.S., it has been awarded best film of 2012 by the National Board of Review.

Lawrence deserves the Oscar for her role in “Silver Linings Playbook” because she made that movie’s quirkiness into a great romantic comedy.

The Academy Award for best director will come down to two directors as well.

Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” was flawless, and his name will carry heavy influence with voters as well. Then there is Kathryn Bigelow, director of “Zero Dark Thirty.” Bigelow already has a best director Oscar for “The Hurt Locker” (2008), but she is looking to walk away with another.

It’s unlikely Spielberg will lose best director, but there have been surprises before, so we have to wait until February to see.

Brent Stenstrom is a broadcast and electronic media junior.

Brent Stenstrom

Brent is a former staff member of The Oklahoma Daily who worked as Life & Arts Reporter, Life & Arts Reporter and Copy Editor.