As the precursor awards continue unabated until Oscar night, I’m going to be providing a weekly update highlighting the films that have won and lost momentum through the precursor awards (and in some cases other outside influences).

With a small number of critics groups still to announce, this week we move into the real nitty gritty of the season: Oscar balloting opens followed by more guild nominations announcements and then the last of the big dog critics.

But, before we get into this week’s winners and losers, let’s take a look at what’s coming up this week:

Week 6

Monday, Dec. 29 – Academy Awards Voting Begins Nominations (Official)
Friday, Jan. 2 – Cinema Editors Nominations (Official)
Saturday, Jan. 3 – National Society Critics Awards (Unconfirmed)

Big Winners

Since there were no precursors last week, there’s nothing to say, though the box office for Unbroken and Into the Woods suggest both films may do well in the Oscar nominations without support from critics.