However, the unfortunate news is that some Oscar voters are questioning whether there are even 10 exceptional films to consider this year. While greatness is subjective, this year's group of Oscar contenders is diverse, including big-budget blockbusters, intimate foreign dramas, and a comedy about the end of the world with Meryl Streep as the president. If voters believe there are not enough worthy films to fill all 10 slots, it may be because they have not explored thoroughly enough. I have watched all of the major Oscar contenders for this year, except for Guillermo del Toro's "Nightmare Alley," and while there is some consensus forming about the top contenders, there is still a wide range of films that could make up the rest of the lineup. I have identified six movies with the strongest chances for best picture, as well as several other deserving films that voters will have plenty to choose from. One question on many minds is whether Steven Spielberg's new musical, "West Side Story," could replicate the success of the 1961 film and take home the best picture award at the Oscars. After receiving a positive reception with standing ovations this week, the film "West Side Story" has now been positioned as a frontrunner. Steven Spielberg's modern take on the classic story combines traditional grandeur with current issues, making it a favorite among Oscar voters. With last year's scaled-down Academy Awards, a large-scale musical from Spielberg released exclusively in theaters is likely to garner support from the movie industry and the Oscars. On the other hand, "Belfast" is a more modest film at 97 minutes long, never reaching too far and ending at the right moment. However, this same modesty may prevent it from securing the top spot at the Oscars. Kenneth Branagh's "Belfast" has received praise in the academy, but "West Side Story" is more grandiose. Despite its limited gross of about $5 million, "Belfast" has yet to attract the older art-house crowd that could make it a sleeper hit. Jane Campion's "The Power of the Dog" has generated buzz for performances by Benedict Cumberbatch and Kirsten Dunst, with potential for Campion to contend for a major Oscar. However, the film may have a better chance at winning the director race rather than best picture. The movie 'King Richard' tells the story of Richard Williams, father to tennis stars Venus and Serena, and is expected to be a strong contender for best picture at the Oscars due to Will Smith's performance. The film's weak opening weekend box office has caused some concern, but historically, best actor winners have come from movies nominated for best picture. In contrast, only six of the last 10 best actress winners have come from films in the top category, indicating a need for the voting body to take female-led films more seriously. Another film, 'Being the Ricardos', has faced criticism for its trailer's handling of Nicole Kidman's portrayal of Lucille Ball, with some suggesting the film may be in trouble. However, once the film began to be shown to enthusiastic guild audiences, Kidman's unexpected transformation into a smoky-voiced character brought her closer to a potential second Oscar win. With a strong supporting cast that includes Javier Bardem as Desi Arnaz, as well as J.K. Simmons and Nina Arianda, "Being the Ricardos" (set to open later this month) is poised to make a significant impact during award season. Additionally, "Don't Look Up" by Adam McKay, known for his successful issue-based comedies "The Big Short" and "Vice," features an ensemble cast of Oscar favorites such as Meryl Streep, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Mark Rylance, and Jonah Hill. The film, which addresses the threat of a comet and serves as a metaphor for the climate crisis, has gained even more relevance in the face of the ongoing pandemic. In the midst of many period-piece contenders, "Don't Look Up" stands out with its dark portrayal of a bleak future, making it a timely and impactful film. Which other movies are still in the running for the final four spots? It is advantageous to have a strong best-actor contender leading your film. “Cyrano” starring Peter Dinklage, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Tick, Tick ... Boom!” with Andrew Garfield, and Joel Coen’s “The Tragedy of Macbeth” with Denzel Washington are expected to receive a significant push. Additionally, Joaquin Phoenix’s “C’mon C’mon” should not be overlooked, despite being a small drama about child-rearing. Hopefully, voters will recognize the outstanding films contending in the best-actress category and consider them for best picture as well. The group of award contenders includes Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Licorice Pizza,” featuring musician Alana Haim in her film acting debut, and Pedro Almodóvar’s “Parallel Mothers,” which earned Penélope Cruz the Volpi Cup for best actress at the Venice Film Festival. Renate Reinsve won best actress at Cannes for her role in “The Worst Person in the World,” which is deserving of more awards attention. At the Gotham Awards, “The Lost Daughter” directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal won several trophies, including one for Olivia Colman’s lead performance. Kristen Stewart is a strong contender for an Oscar for her role as Princess Diana in “Spencer,” directed by Pablo Larraín. The academy has added more international members to diversify its voting base, which could benefit Asghar Farhadi, whose film “A Hero” may secure a best-picture nomination. Paolo Sorrentino’s “The Hand of God,” a coming-of-age film, could also put him in the running for a best-director nomination. I am interested in the movie "CODA," which is a dramedy about a hearing daughter in a deaf family. Despite a successful start at Sundance in 2021, it received less attention when it was released on Apple TV+ in the summer. The film is a traditional crowd-pleaser but has not gained a large audience, though winning two awards at the Gotham Awards may help boost its popularity. On the other hand, "Dune" is expected to be a strong contender in technical categories. The success of "West Side Story" may reduce the pressure to include "Dune" in the best picture category just to have a blockbuster film in the final 10, but I believe it still has a good chance due to its quality and the director's reputation for standing up against corporate decisions. And it must be admitted that the best-picture montage for this year will be much more impressive if it includes large sandworms.