Consider: Mark Ruffalo for Best Actor in Infinitely Polar Bear

Buffalo gives one of the year's best performances.

Consider: Jason Statham for Best Supporting Actor in Spy

Statham is relentlessly funny,  but he won't be part of the awards race.

Consider: Lost River for Best Original Song

Saoirse Ronan appears (and sings) in Lost River.

Consider: Chappie for Best Original Score

Consider: 10 Scores That the Academy Will Overlook

Under the Skin is eligible, but it will be ignored.

Consider: The Fault in Our Stars for Best Original Song

Consider: The Amazing Spider-Man 2 for Best Original Score

Consider: Short Term 12 for Best Original Song

Consider: Elysium for Best Original Score

Neill Blomkamp's second feature film has elements of a great one, such as an engrossing story, a good cast, and first-rate production values. Arguably, it's biggest flaw is its thin running time of 109 minutes.

Consider: The Blue Umbrella for Best Animated Short Film

Consider: Spring Breakers for Best Cinematography

Here's a new feature in which I'll briefly highlight an aspect of a new film that I feel deserves more awards consideration. (It's still early, but this movie probably won't be recognized anyway.)