The Oscars 2009: Best Picture Nominees

The momentum behind the Mumbai-based Brit flick of late has been nothing short of extraordinary. After getting dumped by Warner Bros, there looked little chance of the film getting a US release let alone become an Oscar favourite. Fox Searchlight, though, saw the potential in the movie.

Danny Boyle's wonderfully shot underdog tale, starring raw youngsters Dev Patel and Freida Pinto, has captured the world's heart and is odds on to take the crown. If the Golden Globe and Bafta judges are anything to go by, it looks set to make it a magical three for three come Sunday evening.

It may have hoovered up the most nominations for Oscar night, with 13, however David Fincher's epic time warping love story is on the outside looking in when it comes to the big kahuna. It has received a mixed reception in the UK critically, despite its box-office strength, much like that of the States over Christmas.

Warner Bros are obviously hoping for a Forrest Gump style march to victory on Sunday, however Slumdog's awesome ascension could see it miss out. There's no denying the excellence of the cast and crew, though, with visionary Fincher's guiding hand very much at the tiller of the impressive celluloid boat.

Let's be honest, if any of the three other films outside of Slumdog and Benjamin Button win this year it will rival Crash's win over Brokeback Mountain for the biggest recent Oscar upset in the blue riband category. That's not to say this moving biopic from Gus Van Sant is mediocre, because it's an excellent dramatic movie.

It's hard to recapture any era authentically, especially with audiences becoming ever more savvy, but the San Francisco 70s vibe jumps off the screen while the cast from Sean Penn down to the bit-part players are superb. Add in a fantastic script and assured direction for a big contender in any other year than 2009.

The general consensus from critics and audiences around the world is that Stephen Daldry's Nazi drama is a class act. A riveting central performance by Kate Winslet, which looks set to net her a first Oscar, is complimented by two top turns from David Kross and Ralph Fiennes.

With the likes of The Pianist receiving golden guy love in recent years, David Hare's adaptation of the moving Bernhard Schlink book would have a shout if the race wasn't a two-horse one like now. Still it's another strong showing from the Brits and a return to form and the perfect vehicle for Kate to shine.

Ron Howard's play to film transition looked to have hit Oscar pay dirt when everyone was falling over themselves to hail it at last year's London Film Festival. However, it looks like the tightly coiled political drama ran out of steam way too soon to give it a chance against late rivals Slumdog and Button.

Much like Milk and The Reader, that's not to say this doesn't deserve to be considered because it is a compelling take on the amazing televised chats between Michael Sheen's slick presenter David Frost and Frank Langella's wily president Dick Nixon. Kudos to Howard for stepping off the Tom Hanks summer blockbuster treadmill.