Article updated: 10/2/2012 7:00 AM

Jockeying begins for Oscar contenders

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Martin Freeman plays Bilbo Baggins in the fantasy adventure "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey."

Daniel Day-Lewis portrays Abraham Lincoln in the upcoming Steven Spielberg film "Lincoln."

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Joaquin Phoenix, left, and Philip Seymour Hoffman in a scene from "The Master."

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Hollywood is in its usual hazy head space when it comes to the Academy Awards race. The dilemma: Handicapping the players when so many of the potential front-runners have yet to show their game face. Films such as Ben Affleck's "Argo" and Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman's "The Master" already are proven contenders through rapturous reactions from festival crowds or early theatrical audiences. A handful of summer releases have a shot at best-picture slots — but that depends on the movies still to come.