Column: Only one of these Oscar contenders is likely to land a best picture nom. Which will it be?

This is read by an automated voice.Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.

See more from the L.A.Times in Google Search.

Set us as preferred We tend to think of cinematic crowd-pleasers as movies that contain underdogs and uplift, a few tears, a little laughter, a cup of corn and an ending that melts your heart.These films rarely receive much love from Oscar voters.

But they have been nominated for best picture (“The Blind Side”) and, on occasion, even won (“CODA”).This year, we have a quartet of crowd-pleasing contenders vying for (most likely) one spot among the best picture nominees.

Will one of these underdogs go the distance? Grab a tissue box and let’s take a look.Struggling actor writes a movie and demands he play the lead.The actor: Sylvester Stallone.

The movie? “Rocky.”Oscar pedigree: Director Peter Farrelly made the 2019 best picture winner “Green Book.” And “Rocky,” of course, took the top prize in 1977.Forget the crowds.

Were the critics pleased? Sits at an OK 68 on review aggregator Metacritic.Sympathy for the hero? Anthony Ippolito plays Stallone as a cuddly, quixotic figure whose biggest flaw is that he believes in himself too much.

Secret weapon: As was the case half a century ago, Butkus the bullmastiff steals every scene he’s in.And Tracy Letts plays another glorious grump, in this case a studio exec none too happy with Stallone’s stubbornness.

Tears? Of joy, yes! But only if “Rocky” makes you misty-eyed.Cheers? [Spoiler alert] “Rocky” wins! Cue Bill Conti’s “Gonna Fly Now” one more time!Faith in humanity restored? As far as actors writing their own tickets, I’m more of a “Good Will Hunting” guy.

But the movie is a lesson on the value of determination.The next time my wife suggests we order out the bird on Thanksgiving, I’m now inspired to say, “I Cook Turkey.”Verdict: Hollywood loves scrappy self-mythology.

It could be a contender.Hard-partying queer club promoter sob...