King's Speech Academy Screening and other possible winners

Steve Pond from the wrap reported that on Saturday night AMPAS members screened The King's Speech. To not anyone surprise, the Academy members loved it. He goes on to say, "The audience loved the film … It played as well as anything I have seen this year,” reported one Academy member who attended the screening at the 1,000-seat Samuel Goldwyn theater, which the member estimated was 85 percent full.

Another person in attendance said that the credits brought “lots of applause” for director Hooper and stars Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce and others, plus “solid applause for the writer, cinematographer, costumes, all down the line.” And when the full cast scroll appeared onscreen, a second round of applause started up.

The turnout appears to be about the same as the attendance for “The Social Network,” which also drew a strong reaction when it screened at the Goldwyn in early October. Members who attended that screening told me that the film was very well received, albeit with some disclaimers that the characters weren’t likeable enough for the film to win."

Now you can look at this news from two perspectives, firstly The King's Speech has the best picture race in the bag. Or secondly you can take this news lightly as the academy screeners aren't always reliable. At this early in the race the frontrunners has been narrowed down to The Social Network and The King's Speech. But I still remain skeptical on how well either film will do at Oscars. I still have this feeling that another film will emerge and ultimately grab the best picture. What other films can you possibly see winning best picture?

The fighter -- Academy loves boxing movies from Rocky to Million Dollar Baby. Majority of the earlier reviews all seem to be wowed by the film. So don't underestimate this film.

Toy Story 3 --- Recently the head of Disney just announced that they will be throwing this film an all out campaign. Not for best animated film but for best picture. He made some good points as it is currently the highest grossing film of the year and the best reviewed. So don't be surprised if this film does make a close run for best picture, and ultimately wins.

True Grit -- At this point of the race this is a film that no one has seen yet, and many Oscar pundits are already predicting it as a major contender. It has the Coen Brothers directing it, Steven Speilberg and Scott Rudin producing the film and an ensemble cast. This film should not be ignored because of the many talented people involved.

Inception -- this is a film that everyone expects to be nominated but highly doubts that the film will win. But I believe otherwise, this is an original summer blockbuster that had a studio that took a chance on it. In the age of Hollywood where lack of original ideas and studio support, inception breaks that mold. Inception was a blockbuster hit that made over $800 million worldwide without 3D. Inception has a well-known cast and crew more than any other films likely to be nominated. And a director whose last film changed the academy best picture and many considers him overdue. Inception will be a huge competitor and quite possibly gain momentum and win the Oscar.

What other films can you see winning the Oscars other than the social network or the king's speech?