Brad Pitt in 'Moneyball'

Odds for a nomination: Pretty much a lock. The film was a modest hit, and Pitt earns points not just for his thoughtful portrayal of game-changing baseball general manager Billy Beane but also for spending years shepherding this seemingly unfilmable story toward the big screen. If there's one thing that the Academy's actors like, it's actors who create vivid opportunities for themselves.