Academy Awards 2014 Preview: Best Picture race is likely battle between ...

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Though 'American Hustle' has a shot if vote is split between two powerhouses; as for 'The Wolf of Wall Street,' 'Philomena,' 'Her,' 'Nebraska,' 'Captain Phillips' and 'Dallas Buyers Club'? Well, it's an honor just to have been nominated.

Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

'Gravity' is our critic's pick to win Best Picture in a very crowded race...

Oscar aficionados complain too often that the Academy Awards for Best Picture are 'predictable,' 'unexciting,' or 'decided months or weeks in advance.'

That sure isn't the case this year.

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The three front-runners - 'Gravity,' '12 Years a Slave' and 'American Hustle' - have all claimed some ownership to the top prize since they were first seen by critics and audiences. All three have won or been lauded by guild groups, critics or at award shows.

And all three, frankly, are deserving of the Academy's top honor.

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The reality is that as we enter the weekend of the 86th Academy Awards, the Best Picture and Best Director categories will likely split. And if that's the case, will older Academy voters get over their reported reticence about watching the intense '12 Years,' or will the sheer exhilaration of 'Gravity' keep it aloft no matter what? And will the goodwill generated by 'American Hustle' be enough to scoot in if those other two contenders polarize the vote?

For my money, 'Gravity' - a film which I love - is the one to bet on, but '12 Years a Slave' is the one that should win.

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Among the other (mostly worthy) nominees, 'The Wolf of Wall Street' has fans, 'Her' has lovers, 'Nebraska' and 'Philomena' have traveling pals and 'Dallas Buyers Club' has respect.

But this is a year when the race comes down to three and only three potential winners.

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And in subsequent years, we can recall how we didn't know which one would win until the envelope was opened.