Oscar nominations were announced today.  I've seen a few of the contenders but by no means all of them so I'm in no position to give you any tips for a winning bet.

One I haven't seen is The Descendants.  I've seen the trailer several times and have decided that it's too schmaltzy even for me so I'll abstain on that one.  I did see The Artist and enjoyed it.  I think it stands a good chance of Best Picture because of its hommage to the very industry whose practitioners form the electorate.  The only other one of the nine nominations for Best Picture that I've seen is Midnight in Paris  which I very much liked and since I can't see myself getting through the others I'll give it my vote (virtual of course).