Five films are in the top ten of all “Oscar experts:” “Hurt Locker,” “Invictus,” “Nine,” “Precious” and “Up In The Air.”

More experts predict Oscars’ best-picture derby

Following up on the Oscar experts’ predix we published yesterday, here’s a new batch of best-picture prophesies from a new gang of seers: Brad Brevet (RopeOfSilicon), Edward Douglas (ComingSoon.net), Scott Feinberg (AndTheWinnerIs), Kevin Lewin (World Entertainment News Network), Steve Pond (TheWrap), Jeffrey Wells (Hollywood-Elsewhere). Curiously, there’s no love for “It’s Complicated” or “District 9,” but “Julie & Julia,” “A Single Man” and “The Last Station” get cited here after being snubbed in the previous rundown. Again, “Up in the Air” leads the best-pic derby, but “The Hurt Locker” leaps ahead of “Precious” here for the show position. ● More from: Gold Derby | Los Angeles Times

First reviews I have seen of Rob Marshall’s new musical . . .

Variety’s Analysis Of The Movie Nine

“Nine” is a savvy piece of musical filmmaking. Sophisticated, sexy and stylishly decked out, Rob Marshall’s disciplined, tightly focused film impresses and amuses as it extravagantly renders the creative crisis of a middle-aged Italian director, circa 1965. Given its basis in a 27-year-old Broadway show, which itself had its unlikely origins in Federico Fellini’s self-reflective 1963 classic “8½,” the Stateside Weinstein release will probably find a more receptive audience among culture vultures than with the masses. But a robust marketing push stressing the stellar cast, strong notices and the “another ‘Chicago’ ” vibe should still generate solid returns, especially in urban areas. ● More from: Read Variety’s Analysis Of The Movie Nine

Nine — THR Film Review

Bottom Line: “Nine” marks the number of terrific acting and singing talents poorly used in this flat rendition of the Broadway musical. ● More from: hollywoodreporter.com