Awards -- Directors Guild (DGA)

The nominees for the DGA have long since been one of the best predictors for what films make the cut for Best Picture nominees at the Oscars, along with of course, Best Director. This year, 4 expected showings, a Spielberg snub, and a BIG ASS SURPRISE in the likes of David Fincher scoring the nod. Maybe a backlash vote for his Oscar snub last year for Social Network? Regardless, here are your nominees for the Directors Guild of America top prize...

WOODY ALLEN
Midnight in Paris
(Sony Pictures Classics)

***5th career feature nomination (Annie Hall; Manhattan; Hannah and Her Sisters; Crimes and Misdemeanors)

DAVID FINCHER
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
(Columbia Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures)

***3rd career feature nomination (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button; The Social Network)

MICHEL HAZANAVICIUS
The Artist
(The Weinstein Company)

***1st career feature nomination

ALEXANDER PAYNE
The Descendants
(Fox Searchlight Pictures)

***2nd career feature nomination (Sideways)

MARTIN SCORSESE
Hugo
(Paramount Pictures)

***8th career feature nomination (Taxi Driver; Raging Bull; GoodFellas; The Age of Innocence; Gangs of New York; The Aviator; The Departed)