Pro: Roadside Attractions has spun some magic in the past one performance campaigns, and though Richard Gere is getting the bulk of the attention for the smartly wrought drama "Arbitrage," Susan
Sarandon is a bit of an unsung element. She also pops up in "Jeff Who Lives at Home" and "Cloud Atlas" this year.

Con: But if "Arbitrage" is to get any traction this season, it seems screenplay and lead actor are the most likely beneficiaries. And the indie distributor would be lucky to drum up interest there as it is,
with an Oscar field competitive as ever amongst the big studios.

- Kristopher Tapley