Oscars 2012: Best Actor Nominees

George Clooney could win another Oscar and Brad Pitt could win his first. Between the old A-list pals there is Demian Bichir, Jean Dujardin, and Gary Oldman to contend with. Oldman scored a long overdue nomination and its gearing up to be one of those races that could pull an upset.

Demian Bichir: Bichir as Carlos Galindo lead an almost all-Hispanic cast about a Mexican immigrant in America struggling to pursue a business and achieve the American dream in A Better Life. With the powerful gangs in the midst, Carlos must manage to stay alive and move ahead.

George Clooney: Golden Globe winner for the same role George Clooney is Honolulu lawyer Matt King in The Descendants. Matt must deal with the future of his family’s land while struggling with his comatose wife’s infidelity. Matt must make life and death decisions on his marriage and his family legacy while raising his two daughters.

Jean Dujardin: Tortured silent film star George Valentin came to life with Dujardin in The Artist. After losing it all when the stock market goes back, Valentin must find his way back from bankruptcy and find his way back on film with a speaking role.

Gary Oldman As espionage agent George Smiley, Oldman garnered a long awaited nomination. Set in 1973, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, a retired Smiley is brought out of retirement to catch a double agent.

Brad Pitt: Brad Pitt plays the real-life Oakland Athletics GM Billy Beane who uses a knack for numbers to turn around the losing streak of this team. When Beane meets Peter Brand the pair assemble a winning player roster using a valuation method devised by Brand.