Parsing the Surprises and the Snubs Few predicted that there would be a field of nine best picture contenders, and fewer still - hardly anyone - expected that one of those would be "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close," Stephen Daldry's adaptation of Jonathan Safran Foer's post-9/11 novel. The film also earned a best supporting actor nod for its 82-year-old star, Max von Sydow. Gasps were heard from the press and others assembled in the announcement room when the poorly reviewed film was called. There were other surprises: Leonardo DiCaprio, the star of "J. Edgar," was left off the list for best actor; his presumptive spot went instead to Demian Bichir, the Mexican-born star of "A Better Life," in which he plays an immigrant gardener. The best supporting actor category included Jonah Hill for "Moneyball," but not Albert Brooks for "Drive" - both against-type performances. Melissa McCarthy became a best supporting actress nominee for her scene-stealing turn in "Bridesmaids." "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," which had fared well with the precursor groups that typically predict the Oscars - it earned nominations from the Producers Guild and the Directors Guild - did not make it to best picture or best director, though it did get spots for best cinematography and best editing, usually harbingers of a leading film, and its star, Rooney Mara, made the grade as a best actress nominee. Left out of that category: Tilda Swinton, for "We Need to Talk About Kevin." "The Tree of Life" became a passion pick for Academy voters, with nods for best picture and best director, for Terrence Malick; two of its stars, Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain, were also nominees, for other movies. "Midnight in Paris" did well, with best picture, best director and best original screenplay nominations for its writer-director, Woody Allen. But Oscar watchers who give a close read to the Academy's choices will ascertain that the films in top competition are the ones who made the grade in the best picture, best director and best editing categories. They are "Hugo," "The Artist" and "The Descendants." Correction: Jan. 24, 2012 An earlier version of this post and a caption misspelled the last name of the actor nominated for "A Better Life." He is Demian Bichir. The film "We Need to Talk About Kevin" was mistitled.