Oliver Stone, who directed a previous Oscar best picture ("Platoon"), is cheering on "The Road" as it jockeys for a spot in the top 10 of the current derby — plus top five in other categories. He says, "Although terrifying, 'The Road' transcends its sorrow, and raises the hope that humanity can prevail … a stunning performance from Viggo Mortenson and Kodi Smit-McPhee. Incredible production design by Chris Kennedy, and direction by John Hillcoat, as well as a powerful story from Cormac McCarthy."

There are five locks for best picture nominations: "Avatar," "The Hurt Locker," "Inglourious Basterds," "Precious," "Up in the Air". Beyond that, "The Road" faces a fierce smackdown with 10 rivals for one of the other five spots: "District 9," "An Education," "(500) Days of Summer," "Invictus," "It's Complicated," "Julie & Julia," "The Messenger," "A Serious Man," "Star Trek" and "Up."

Left photo: Oliver Stone. Credit: Lionsgate

Right photo: A scene from The Road." Credit: The Weinstein Co.

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