Brad Pitt - Will Brad Pitt Finally Land An Oscar For 'Killing Them Softly'?

The movie wowed critics at its Cannes showing, with the Guardian's Peter Bradshaw commenting, "It is outstandingly watchable, superbly and casually pessimistic, a world of slot-mouthed professional and semi-professional criminals always complaining about cleaning up the mess made by other screw-ups". Though Time magazine's Richard Corliss felt the movie fell short of expectations, he still heaped praise on Pitt's performance, saying, "Despite enough pummelling to flatten Rocky Balboa in all six movies, the only thing that truly rewards your attendance is Pitt in another effortless star performance". The Hollywood star was probably unlucky to find himself against the likes of George Clooney and the eventual winner Jean Dujardin for this year's Best Actor Oscar, though 2013 could finally be his year. Should he be nominated, it's likely that Pitt will be up against Daniel Day-Lewis for his role in Spielberg's 'Lincoln', and Leonardo Dicaprio for 'The Great Gatsby'. Bill Murray's performance in the forthcoming 'Hype Park on Hudson' is said to be one of the finest of his career.

'Killing Them Softly' - also starring Ray Liotta and James Gandolfini - gets its full release on September 21, 2012.