This year, there are three Best Picture nominees that took place in Paris: Midnight in Paris, Hugo and The Artist.

Midnight in Paris is a masterpiece by Woody Allen, blending the past and present days of Paris just like it’s a day and a night. Rich in reference for art and literature, only Woody Allen can come up with such brilliance to craft these historical chapters into a romance comedy. It’s an outstanding screenplay — very unfortunately played by Owen Wilson.

Hugo is a romantic take on the history of film that is presented in the latest technology today. In the first five minutes, I needed to convince myself that it’s not animation because the colors are so vivid. The cinematic quality is outstanding. The heartfelt plot follows an orphan boy who lives in a train station in the majestic Paris in its 30s. Unlike Mr. Allen’s Midnight, Paris in Hugo works as a setting. The whole film feels like a dream that every movie geek will fall for. Hugo showcases the best in film editing, production design and director of photography.

The Artist has its strongest value in its silence dialogue with very skilled actors on the line up. Best Actor 2012 has Jean Dujardin’s name written all over it, supposedly, definitely, or I don’t want to watch Oscars ever again. It’s no doubt the best among all nominees, simply because of the experience it has given to film spectators in this modern day. It’s a work of perfection between cast and crew, not just one way or another. I really hope Oscars isn’t playing dare-to-be-different by not choosing it as the Best Picture.