Pro: The two-time Oscar winner has one of the best character arcs in John Madden's global smash "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel."  Academy members are said to be fond of the AARP drama and you could easily argue Dame Maggie deserves to be on the three-win list. More importantly, Smith gets to deliver a number of memorable zingers in "Exotic" which is eerily similar to what she does on a popular little show called "Downton Abbey" (for which she won her second Emmy in a row this past September).

Con: While "Exotic Marigold" was one of the first screeners sent to members, it was released way back in May. Academy members memories are sometimes long and sometimes conveniently short. Still, it's a mix of comedy and dramatic notes that many times fits perfectly in this category.

- Gregory Ellwood