If we could nominate a tenth film...

This year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences changed the way it nominates films for Best Picture. The idea was to give films with fewer votes but more enthusiastic support a better chance of being nominated, while films with wide but tepid support might not make the cut. This means that there is no guarantee that ten films will be nominated in any given year, although there is a minimum number of nominees: five.

This year, the Academy nominated nine films for Best Picture, leaving one spot free. Here are some films that CoyoteMoon Films staffers (and founder) believe deserved consideration for the tenth slot.


Drive demonstrates that the best chase scenes are not necessarily full-speed-ahead at all times—the best chase scenes are smart. Ryan Gosling plays the unnamed driver who anticipates the moves of his pursuers, sometimes hiding in the shadows just long enough for the police helicopter to be called away. Tension builds as the driver waits to make his move. Drive may have the best car chase sequence since Bullitt, and some might argue that this one improves upon its iconic predecessor. – LR Simon


My Week With Marilyn works spectacularly on many more levels than the obvious biographical moment in Marilyn Monroe's life. The movie says more about the destructive and the intoxicating power of celebrity than any recent movie. Its look behind the scenes at dramatic storytelling is every bit as good as Shakespeare In Love even if the story they are working on is The Prince and The Showgirl instead of Romeo And Juliet. The period is 1960s England instead of the 1580s. Michelle Williams and the script let us into a life with life-threatening issues just as Gwyneth Paltrow did in the other Best Picture worthy movie. – Howard Allen


Sucker Punch:
I was skeptical before watching this movie thinking it would be just another action flick with a soulless female lead. Quite the opposite! This movie not only showcases female characters with heart and soul, it tells a unique story through alternate reality sequences keeping you glued to your seat. It reminds me vaguely of Chicago, though a bit more violent. With stunning visuals and a stellar cast, Sucker Punch deserves a nomination. –Cassie Zweig


Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a rare spy thriller that concerns itself with the reality of espionage – paper trails and quiet observation. George Smiley (Gary Oldman) is called out of retirement to ferret out a mole in the Circus (the nickname for MI-6, Britain’s version of the CIA). He must operate outside his former place of employment, so he uses Peter Guillam (Benedict Cumberbatch) to acquire inside information. With four main suspects and at least as many subplots providing both information and disinformation, the film seems to take its time introducing us to its many characters, but the pace is deceptively slow. The filmmakers assume the audience is intelligent, not merely intelligent enough – scenes that seem to take a long time have so much information that if you miss something, you might end up losing the thread of the plot. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy easily deserved a nomination for Best Picture. –LR Simon

WATCH the trailers:

Drive

My Week with Marilyn

Sucker Punch

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

This article is part of our ongoing series on the 84th Academy Awards.