"wings" won the equivalent of best picture at the first academy awards in 1929. for the first time since then, silence could again be golden. >> everybody has fallen in love with "the artist" eight others are best contenders including "the help" "the descendents" and "hugo" but it's the "artist" that's expected to charm academy voters. >> it is a story about old hollywood, about the ups and downs of a career in the movie industry, and it's also a great romance. >> reporter: "the artist" star dujardin is a cofavorite for best actor along with "the descendents" george clooney. >> i have to say, i love dujardin, i love clooney, i'm happy. >> reporter: best actress another duel between viola davis and meryl streep, a two-time oscar winner. >> it does sound weird to say that meryl streep winning an