However, there is some disappointing news as many Oscar voters seem to be questioning whether there are even 10 outstanding films to choose from this year. While greatness is subjective, this year's Oscar contenders offer a diverse range of options including big-budget blockbusters, international dramas, and a unique comedy featuring Meryl Streep as the president. If voters are struggling to fill out their ballots, it may be because they have not explored all the available options. I have watched all the major Oscar contenders this year except for "Nightmare Alley," and while there is some consensus forming around the front-runners, there are still many exciting films that could make it into the best picture category. In addition to my predictions for the top six contenders, there are several other deserving films that should give voters plenty to consider. One question on everyone's minds is whether Steven Spielberg's new musical "West Side Story" could follow in the footsteps of the 1961 version and take home the best picture award at the Oscars. After receiving standing ovations this week, the film "West Side Story" has been elevated to the top spot. Steven Spielberg's clever re-imagining of the original material combines classic grandeur with modern issues, making it a favorite among Oscar voters. Following last year's more intimate Academy Awards ceremony, a large-scale musical by Spielberg hitting theaters only is just the kind of project that the film industry and the Oscars will likely support. In comparison, "Belfast" is a modest film with a runtime of 97 minutes, never reaching too far and ending at the perfect moment. However, this same modesty could prevent it from taking the top spot at the Oscars. Many in the academic community will appreciate Kenneth Branagh's film about an Irish family during the Troubles, but "West Side Story" has more grandeur and "Belfast" has only made about $5 million so far. The older art-house audience that could have made the film a sleeper hit has not returned to theaters yet, so awards recognition may have to come solely from admiration for the movie itself. Jane Campion's "The Power of the Dog," a western with standout performances from Benedict Cumberbatch and Kirsten Dunst, has been well-received at top fall film festivals, similar to last year's winner, "Nomadland." Campion, who was only the second woman ever nominated for best director in 1994, could potentially be in the running for a major Oscar. However, the film may have a better chance of winning in the director category rather than for best picture. The movie 'King Richard' is an inspiring drama centered around Richard Williams, the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena, and is expected to be a front-runner for best actor at this year's Oscars, with Will Smith in the lead role. The film's strong performance in the best actor category typically secures a best picture nomination as well. On the other hand, 'Being the Ricardos' directed by Aaron Sorkin, received criticism for its trailer that seemed to downplay Nicole Kidman's performance as Lucille Ball, hinting at possible issues with the film. However, once the film started showing to enthusiastic guild audiences, Kidman's unexpected transformation into a smoky-voiced character brought her closer to a potential second Oscar win. With a talented supporting cast that includes Javier Bardem, J.K. Simmons, and Nina Arianda, "Being the Ricardos" (set to release later this month) is poised to be a strong contender in the upcoming awards season. Another highly anticipated film is Adam McKay's "Don't Look Up", following the success of his previous issue-based comedies "The Big Short" and "Vice". Starring Oscar favorites Meryl Streep, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Mark Rylance, and Jonah Hill, this ensemble comedy about a comet threatening the world serves as a metaphor for the climate crisis, made even more relevant in the midst of the global pandemic. Amidst a crowded field of period-piece films, "Don't Look Up" stands out with its darkly comedic take on a doomed future, capturing the current zeitgeist. These two films are expected to be strong contenders in the upcoming awards season. Which other movies are still in the running for the final four spots? It is important to have a strong best-actor candidate leading your film. "Cyrano," starring Peter Dinklage, "Tick, Tick ... Boom!" with Andrew Garfield, and "The Tragedy of Macbeth" with Denzel Washington are all expected to receive a major push. Additionally, Joaquin Phoenix's "C'mon C'mon" and Mike Mills' drama about child-raising should not be discounted. Hopefully, voters will recognize that some of the best films of the year are in the best-actress category and deserve a best-picture nomination as well. The group of potential Oscar contenders this year 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's performance in "The Worst Person in the World" at Cannes deserves more awards attention, while Maggie Gyllenhaal's "The Lost Daughter" won big at the Gotham Awards, including a trophy for Olivia Colman's lead role. Kristen Stewart's portrayal of Princess Diana in "Spencer" is generating Oscar buzz, with hopes that the film could also crack the best picture category. As the academy diversifies its membership, there is optimism for Asghar Farhadi's "A Hero" to secure a best-picture nomination, and Paolo Sorrentino's "The Hand of God" to be in the running for best director. I am interested in the movie "CODA," which is a dramedy about a hearing daughter of deaf parents. Despite having a successful premiere at Sundance in 2021, the film did not receive much attention when it was released on Apple TV+ in the summer. However, it recently won two awards at the Gotham Awards, which may help boost its popularity. On the other hand, "Dune," a sci-fi epic, is expected to do well in technical categories. The success of "West Side Story" may alleviate the pressure to nominate "Dune" for best picture just for the sake of having a blockbuster in the final 10, but I believe the film still has a good chance due to its quality and the director Denis Villeneuve's efforts to fight against corporate interference. This year's best-picture montage will appear more impressive with the addition of huge sandworms.