Bonus Episode: Oscars 2012

Continuing the tradition, Highbrow! Lowbrow? is bringing you a special bonus episode on the 2012 Oscars. Just to reiterate for new listeners, Highrbow! Lowbrow? is a podcast where Jesse and Shaun review the top box office earner and Best Picture Academy Award Winner of the same year to see who was right: the critics or the masses. However, since this is Oscar time, we take a look at the nine Oscar nominees for Best Picture to determine who we think should get the Oscar and who will.

The Artist, directed by Michel Hazanavicius, stars Jean Dujardin as a popular silent film star who begins to see his livelihood threatened by the coming of the talkies. This film succeeds on multiple levels using the silent film formula at its best with its fantastic physicality and its heart warming story. This film was a joy to watch and a unique movie going experience that few films have equaled this year.

The Descendants, directed by Alexander Payne, stars George Clooney as Matt King, a land baron whose wife has recently fallen into a coma, trying to keep himself and his daughters together. This movie has a very serene and earthy tone being set in Hawaii and the story is very layered mixing sadness and love in a very touching way. With a strong performance by Clooney and thoughtful direction from Payne, this movie is a frontrunner for the Oscars and deservedly so.

Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close, directed by Stephen Daldry, tells the story of young Oskar Schell, played by Thomas Horn, as he goes on a quest through New York trying to find the meaning behind a key his father left. This film really depends on the strength of Thomas Horn and his character, some found him cloying but Shaun thought his mixture of preciousness and autistic sensibility made him relatable and fun to watch. Though this film received fairly poor reviews overall and has a small likelihood of winning the top prize, consider giving it a watch, it's better than it is credited.

The Help, directed by Tate Taylor, stars Emma Stone as a reporter who is trying to get the real story on how the black maids and servants of the south are really treated. This is a heart warming and female empowering movie with strong performances by Emma stone and Viola Davis as the leading black maid. Although this film feels a little bit like filler on the Oscar nominee list, it's a decently strong tale of fighting racism and taking back your dignity.

Hugo, directed by Martin Scorsese, is the tale of Hugo Cabret as he tries to find the meaning behind his father's last finding, a robot that harkens a forgotten past. There's a lot of heart and warmth to the story, that Martin Scorsese really tells in a grand cinematic scale. This film has some momentum behind it, but doesn't have that extra something to really make it a Best Picture film.

Midnight In Paris, directed by Woody Allen, stars Owen Wilson as a screenwriter trying to find inspiration in Paris but ends up finding magic and more. This film was a really magical experience that introduced some fantastic characters that were brought to life by Woody Allen's direction. This film may not be the Best Picture, but it's a magnificent piece that showcases Woody Allen direction in a fresh yet familiar way.

Moneyball, directed by Bennett Miller, is the story of Billy Beane, played by Brad Pitt, as he tries to make reinvigorate the Oakland A's team despite it's fledgling budget. For fans of the game, the wheeling and dealing of Billy and Peter Brand (played by Jonah Hill) does show an exciting bit of underdog spirit, but some could argue that the film lacked an emotional core. The first of two Brad Pitt films in the nominees, this film has a lot of fans, but it remains to be seen how this will fair with the other contenders.

The Tree Of Life, directed by Terence Malick, is a spiritual and ambigious film that examines life through the eyes of a 1950's midwestern family and the roles of father and mother in one's life. This film is expansive and sprawling maybe almost to a fault, addressing issues of existence and morality in a uniquely artistic manner and with strong religious overtones. This is the indie/artsy hit that fills a role in the Oscar nominees, but with winning the Palm d'Or at Cannes, this could take home the top prize.

War Horse, directed by Steven Spielberg, is the story of a boy and his horse as they endure the tumultuous landscape of England in the First World War. Though this film is shot beautifully and the story is heartwarming, it tends to try one's disbelief as to the length of what people will do to help the horse. It may not seem like this is a frontrunner in the Oscar race, this could be a treat for someone looking for a sincere and hopeful story.

So what Oscar nominee did Jesse and Shaun ultimately pick as their favorite and what movie do they think will win? Check out the latest Highbrow! Lowbrow? to find out.