The Artist

It is the late 1920's silent films are at their peak and silent film star George Valentin is the most successful silent film actor in Hollywood. But with the introduction of talking films, George wonders where he will fit in with this advancing industry.
The Artist is a black and white silent film, and perhaps is one of the funniest films of the year. It is a charming film about trying to find a new dream while fighting inner turmoils of pride and denial.
There is so much to love about this film; the acting, the cinematography, the music, the homage to the beginnings of Hollywood.
Audiences may be turned away at the thought of a black and white silent film, but The Artist is the best film of the past year. It will hopefully take the top award at the Academy Awards, being forever shelved as a masterpiece.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Super intelligent nine year old Oskar tries to deal with the death of his father (Tom Hanks) on the 'worst day,' the 9/11 Terrorist attacks. A year after the event, Oskar finds a key in his late father's possession and decides it is a clue left behind for him. Oskar goes on an adventure, meeting an array of colourful New Yorkers, in hope of finding what the key opens and thus finding a meaning in his father's death. All the while Oskar becomes further isolated from his mother played by Sandra Bullock.
This film could have failed terribly with the poor casting of Oskar, but fortunately Thomas Schell brings such a mature, captivating and heartbreaking performance to this pivotal role. The film has some beautiful drama elements, exploring such a terrible moment in recent history, through the eyes of a young boy. The one issue with the film is that it is too long and the ending wasn't the most cleanest.
This film is also nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards and while it is not touted to win, it still is an interesting and relevant film.

The Descendants

Set in Haiwaii, The Descendants follows a family in crisis after the mother is in a boating accident and won't wake from a coma. Husband George Clooney has to step in as the leader of the family to his two teenge daughters.
The trailer may not sell the film very well but this is actually a solid drama. George Clonney stars in a very un-George Clooney role and successfully pulls off the portrayal of a father in crisis, who is getting to know his daughters for the first time. George Clooney may very well win Best Actor at the Academy Awards due to his truthful role.
The greatest strength of the film is the fact that it feels like a real family. The family dynamic and truthful connections, sets this film apart from so many other average dramas. This is of course the reason why it is nominated for Best Picture at the Acaemdy Awards and while it may not win against The Artist, it still deserves the recgonition.