How are people voting Argo?
Well, it's about Hollywood coming to the rescue and saving lives. Like voting yourself a Nobel Peace Prize. As opposed to "Zero Dark Thirty" which some think condones torture. Probably an easy decision for many members of the Academy.
I too would vote for "Zero Dark Thirty" followed by "Beasts of the Southern Wild". I thought "Argo" had a great premise, but was a cookie-cutter film.
"Silver Linings Playbook" does not belong on this list, I agree. Yes, Bradley Cooper showed something as an actor that I've never seen from him before. He shed that "pretty boy" demeanor for a convincing, troubled adult. But the movie completely wastes Jacki Weaver and De Niro makes the most out of a pretty silly character.
"Django Unchained" was the most fun to watch and Tarantino should get a Best Screenplay Oscar for just about everything he writes. Chrisoph Waltz is as entertaining as anything on screen, but unfortunately for him, any time D. Day Lewis finishes a project, the other actors might as well just sit back in their chairs, open up a box of JuJu Beans and watch him collect the statue.
Actress: Jennifer Lawrence, "Silver Linings Playbook"
Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway, "Les Miserables"
Supporting Actor: Tommy Lee Jones, "Lincoln"
Directors: "Spielberg", "Lincoln".