Which blockbuster should win Best Picture: 'La La Land' or 'Arrival'? | The Tylt

We're almost at the end of movie awards season, and 2016 was one hell of a year for motion pictures. But before the season passes us by—the Tylt is facing off eight of the nine praised films nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars! (Sorry, but western-crime-drama "Hell or High Water" isn't part of the bracket.) But which film should the Academy honor as Best Picture on Sunday night, Feb. 26?

Take a look at the rest of our bracket:

Which heroic biopic should win Best Picture: 'Hidden Figures' or 'Hacksaw Ridge'?

Which lauded drama should win Best Picture: 'Moonlight' or 'Manchester by the Sea'?

Which adapted story should win Best Picture: 'Fences' or 'Lion'?

"La La Land" has been sweeping its way through awards season—but will it win the Oscar in the end? Other blockbusters like "Arrival" are tap dancing ever closer to the frontrunner.

So many moviegoers love "La La Land." The romantic, chipper film pays tribute to classic Hollywood musicals. It's going to be hard to upset a critical darling about a struggling jazz musician and aspiring actress who fall in love. 

And let us not forget, "La La Land" swept the Golden Globes! It also tied the record for most nominations at the Oscars with a total of 14! It'll be impressive if any of the other films can try and beat that. Good luck.

Let's be honest—no sci-fi movie has ever won Best Picture at the Oscars. But "Arrival" might be the kind of sci-fi movie the Oscars might want to show some love. Yes, the film is about aliens, but it's really a political thriller about geopolitics and isolationism. 

Amy Adams plays a linguistic professor who is tasked with interpreting aliens for the U.S., but the film also deals with international politics and relations. "Arrival" tackles how isolationism might not be the answer at the time of a world crisis—but with aliens at the center of the narrative. How cool is that?!

Although "Hidden Figures" and "La La Land" are slightly bigger hits, "Arrival" still has box office charm. And fans and critics alike admire the film for mixing politics with sci-fi, and unconventionally bringing something new to the "alien invasion" genre.

Adams leads a star cast. Although she was snubbed for Best Actress, "Arrival" is tied with "Moonlight" with eight nominations. Hence—"La La Land" probably won't win all 14 nominations. Plus, there are always surprises with the biggest award. Remember when "The Hurt Locker" upset the favored "Avatar"?

"Arrival" is part of an elite club of sci-fi dramas nominated at the Oscars! The Oscars love to make history—and maybe "Arrival" will be that major breakthrough.

But "La La Land" continues to slay. And what film can really stop it?

"Arrival" was an unconventional sci-fi drama that both audiences and critics love! 

"La La Land" is overrated. Not everyone loves it! Some have critiqued the singing and dancing. Others have criticized the film's white-savior complex. Really—a privileged white man is going to save jazz?! But don't dare argue this to "La La Land" lovers (it's a conversation killer).

Yet—it's easy to predict that "La La Land" will win.