Best Picture 2016 Pros Cons

Pros: It went from being a dark horse, to an actual nominee, which is no small feat. The film has been praised for it's smart and quick illustration of very complex issues.

Cons: However, it probably doesn't have the stamina to go all the way. Also, the Academy generally stays away from more comedic films, even ones about poignant topics; though as Birdman proved, it's not impossible.

Verdict: Very slim, but possible.

Cons: Spielberg's snatched the top prize before, and for better films. While critics certainly found the film to be great, it didn't get the universal love it would need to push it to be a winner.

Verdict: Very slim, but possible.

Cons: Nobody's really talking about this one. While the film has the feel it could win Best Picture, it's been overshadowed by other better films. The nomination is as far it goes for this film.

Verdict: Almost no chance.

Pros: This film has been doing much stronger at awards shows than expected, and appears to be picking up steam. It was also voted the best reviewed film of the year by MetaCritic, by a large margin. The Academy, may also use this film as a way to spread their wings on genres they've been neglecting.

Cons: However, it's a straight up action film, and those generally do very poorly at the Oscars, other than the technical categories. In all honesty, the fact that it got nominated at all is astounding. It was also not nominated for best screenplay, and a film that hasn't been nominated in that category, hasn't won since "Titanic" 18 years ago.

Verdict: Quite possible, but unlikely.

Cons: Sci-Fi has always done remarkably poorly at the Academy Awards, especially straight forward adventures like this one. There's a chance it could sneak in, if enough people are split, but of all the real potential winners, this one has the weakest chances.

Verdict: Quite possible, but unlikely.

Pros: It's on a roll right now. It has been picking up best picture at many award shows, including the Golden Globes. It also has the most nominations out of any other film, so the Academy clearly paid attention to it and liked it. The film was clearly a visual marvel, artistic, but still told a straight forward story, with fantastic acting, so it has a lot of what the Academy loves.

Cons: For starters, Alejandro G. Iñárritu just won last year for "Birdman," and that may scare potential votes away from it. It also has not been nominated for best Screenplay (in this case Adapted), and a film has not won Best Picture without being at least nominated for that, hasn't won since "Titanic," 18 years ago. Also, when compared to other films on this list, the critical response for this film was slightly more mixed.

Verdict: Frontrunner. Potentially the winner.

Cons: Nobody's really talking about this film. The nomination itself was probably the award, and as such, has almost no chance of snatching the big prize.

Verdict: Almost no chance.

Pros: It has the feel of a Best Picture film, is based on a real event, was universally loved by critics, was powerfully acted and gives the Academy a chance to honor director Tom McCarthy for the first time.

Cons: The film is not really picking up steam. It had a strong start, but has faltered slightly since. At other awards shows, they appear to be passing this film up for "The Revenant" instead. We'll see if the Academy follows suit.

Verdict: Frontrunner. Potentially the winner.