No brainer #2, considering Tom Hooper basically got right back on the horse after getting a taste for gold with his previous winner, The King's Speech. While the mixed critical reaction doesn't help sell the film's chances at nabbing the top prize (not to mention Russell Crowe's vocals have become the newest "cool thing to hate"), it's still an epic undertaking with plenty of period details, thematic elements: basically the kind of thing that the Academy eats up. Also, it's a musical. Those birds are so rare at this point that most of the ones that manage not to screw up massively (I'm looking at you, Rock of Ages) are at least rewarded with nominations. Also, Anne Hathaway is probably going to steal Best Supporting Actress for this one. You heard it here fifth!