The Hurt Locker vs. Avatar (2010)

Does the Academy favour edgy, artistic films or comforting fare when it comes time to vote on best picture? Take a look at these battles from past years to find out.

2010's Best Picture battle was between "The Hurt Locker," an edgy look at a U.S. bomb squad operating in Iraq, and "Avatar," a soothing look at a harmonious alien race and the humans who arrive to muck up their environment. Strangely enough, the edgy picture won. "The Hurt Locker" centres on a maverick whose need to be in a death-defying job triumphed over his wife and child's need for him to be home with them. That makes the film far less comforting than "Avatar," which follows a maverick choosing to leave his aggressive compatriots so he can join a race of gentler beings. We suspect plain old quality of storytelling is the main reason behind the Academy's pick, and that's a refreshing thought.