Expected contenders are `` The Artist , '' ` A Star Is Born'and the new film from director Darren Aronofsky. `` The Tree of Life '' is no longer a sure thing for a Best Picture nomination .
Expected contenders are `` The Artist , '' `` War Horse , '' `` The Descendants , '' `` The Help '' Left off the list , meanwhile , were `` Drive , '' `` Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close '' `` The Tree of Life '' is no longer a sure thing for a Best Picture nomination .