And here’s another category that I don’t care too much about, but we should probably get out of the way. Plus, there seems to be a pretty clear winner here. This post will include plot summaries for those not familiar with the films.

5th Most Likely To Win: Timbuktu

“A look at the brief occupation of Timbuktu by militant Islamic rebels.” Wow. Exciting. Not really. This was a surprise nomination, it hans’t won any critics awards… all signs point to NO OSCAR FOR YOU.

4th Most Likely To Win: Tangerines

War in Georgia, Apkhazeti region in 1990. An Estonian man Ivo has stayed behind to harvest his crops of tangerines. In a bloody conflict at his door, a wounded man is left behind, and Ivo is forced to take him in.” The only reason this is higher than Timbuktu is because it has a Globe nomination. Which means more people are aware of it.

3rd Most Likely To Win: Wild Tales

“A story about love, deception, the return of the past, a tragedy, or even the violence contained in an everyday detail, appear themselves to push them towards the abyss, into the undeniable pleasure of losing control.” And the award for the vaguest IMDB plot summary goes to Wild Tales! In all seriousness, this has been getting somewhat mixed reviews, and there is some pretty big competition.

2nd Most Likely To Win: Leviathan

“In a Russian coastal town, Nikolai is forced to fight the corrupt mayor when he is told that his house will be demolished. He recruits his old Army friend to help, but the man’s arrival brings further misfortune for Kolya and his family.” Leviathan. Sounds like a Harry Potter spell. Also, the film has been getting some good reviews. This might be a surprise win if the Academy wants to throw us for a loop.

MY PREDICTED WINNER: Ida

“Anna, a young novitiate nun in 1960s Poland, is on the verge of taking her vows when she discovers a dark family secret dating back to the years of the Nazi occupation.” For one, it’s got an extra nomination. Which proves that the cinematographers loved it, at least. The film does seem to be well-liked in the circuit, and on top of that, it’s on Netflix. Which means that it’s available for pretty much everybody to see. It just seems like the clear winner here. Plus, take a look at the image on the top of the page. That’s what I call flawless cinematography.

I’ve only seen one of these, so no personal ranking from me.