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■Critical Thinking: Film Critics Across the CountryName TheirTop Moviesand Actors

"TheArtist"? "The Descendants"? "Hugo"? Therewas no critical consensus following a day of intense voting yesterday when a gaggle of criticsgroups voted theirtop honors. These included the Los Angeles Film CriticsAssociation (LAFCA), the Boston Society of Film Critics (BSFC), and theNew York Film CriticsOnline (NYFCO),as well as critics inSan Francisco, Detroit and Indiana. The American Film Institute also announcedits annualtop 10, typically taking no risks.

Best Picture: "The Descendants" got a strongpush with awin at the LAFCA, but "TheArtist" took thetop prizeat the BSFC and the NYFCO. Both titles will make thefinal Academy shortlist. Fortifiedby nominations for their respective directors Martin Scorsese and Terrence Malick, "Hugo" and "TheTree ofLife" shouldget nominations. The criticsgroups didn'tget "The Help," anymore than "The Blind Side," but the Civic Rights-era drama didmake the American Film Institutetop ten this year, sodon't discountit yet.

Best Actor: Michael Fassbender is coming up fast with an LAFCAwin.Why should we care about that group in particular? They'reon a six-year roll predicting the Oscarwinner for Best Actor. Brad Pitt's also a contender for "Moneyball,"getting anart-house bump from "TheTree ofLife," with Gary Oldman coming upon theoutsidethanks to the critical andbox-office success of "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy"and a nod from theSan Francisco Film Critics. How about George Clooney for "The Descendants"? He'sstill in the race, but notat theforefront. Like going for long shots? Thenbet Michael Shannon for "Take Shelter," which won NYFCO. And if there's a sweep for "TheArtist,"add in Jean Dujardin.

Best Actress:Michelle Williams of "My Week With Marilyn," solidifies her spot with awin at the Boston Film CriticsAssociation. Los Angeles went wayout for Yung-Jun Hee in "Poetry" (what?) in their 'we'recool and uncorruptedby the Oscar race' vote. NYFCO went classic with Meryl Streep for "The Iron Lady."She's the Streep, but neithershe nor Williams will be helpedby an apparent lack of enthusiasm for their movesas awhole. Ditto Viola Davis ("The Help"),who will nonethelessmake thetop five Oscar nominees. EitherSF winner Tilda Swinton ("WeNeed to Talk About Kevin") or multiple-runner-up Kirsten Dunst ("Melancholia")may slip in or come in sixth or seventh. Keep an eyeout for Charlize Theron ("Young Adult"), Elizabeth Olsen ("MarthaMarcy May Marlene") and Felicity Jones ("Like Crazy)as wild-card entries.

Best Supporting Actor: This is atwo-man racebetween octogenarian Christopher Plummerand AlbertBrooks playing against typeas acold-blooded hands-on killer.On the fringes: Patton Oswalt ("Young Adult"), Kenneth Branagh ("My Week with Marilyn")and Andy Serkis ("Rise of thePlanet of the Apes").

Best Supporting Actress: Coming upon the inside is Melissa McCarthy for "Bridesmaids." Hurray for comedy! Bolsteredby a bestensemble award from the LAFCA, thismay push McCarthy into thefive Oscar nominees. The LAFCA got behindJessica Chastain, the NYFCO Breakthrough Performer,who was in every movie from "TheTree ofLife" to "The Help," whereshe'll be competing against her popular co-star Octavia Spencer. TheSan Francisco critics supported Vanessa Redgrave for "Coriolanus," and Janet McTeer ("Albert Nobbs")was an LAFCA runner up in the category.

Who'sout of the running in thesefive major categories? The Girl With theDragon Tattoo,War Horse, J. Edgar and Midnight inParis all underwhelmed. The X-Factor remains Scott Rudin's buzzy "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," whichhas not been screened widely after theNew Yorker's David Denby flagrantly broke embargo on Rudin's othermajor film, "The Girl with theDragon Tattoo." Pack the Kleenexbox for thisone.