It’s too early to know much of anything about the race for Best Picture at the 2015 Oscars, but that being said, two of the films in my list of early predicted nominees have already been seen, one is even in theaters. So, is it really all that early? Also, isn’t it about time we start seeing more Oscar contenders at the beginning of the year rather than the back-loaded log jam at the end of the year that seems to continually prove opening your film in December isn’t exactly the best way to find Oscar glory?
However, for those of you that are likely to rush to the comments saying, “This is ridiculous! Wait until later in the year.” All I can say is you ought to reevaluate your definition of the word “ridiculous” for more important matters, this is about fun and about getting excited for what are likely the best films 2014 will have to offer. That said, here’s a run down of the nine films I’m currently targeting as Best Picture nominees as well as mentioning a few others on my list of 27 overall contenders so far.
1.) Angelina Jolie‘s Unbroken – Look at that, just as I say how opening in December isn’t the smartest thing nowadays I go and pick the film set to hit theaters on December 25 as my pre-season #1. Yet, this one has all the trappings of a major Oscar contender from Jolie at the helm to the fact it’s a true story, not to mention it’s a World War II film. Not only that, it appears the marketing of the film will heavily include the story’s protagonist, 97-year-old Louis Zamperini.
2.) Bennett Miller‘s Foxcatcher – Originally expected to hit theaters in 2013, this film is now among the chief contenders for a Cannes Film Festival premiere after which Sony Classics will have to sort out a release plan. The biggest problem this one faces is Sony Classics doesn’t seem to do a very good job promoting its contenders… Hopefully they’ll get a good PR firm behind this one if the film turns out to be any good.
3.) J.C. Chandor‘s A Most Violent Year – So Chandor’s All is Lost followed the ways of its lead in last year’s Oscar race, but perhaps this year will be his time. Not only is his film based on a true story, it’s also a period piece and features a strong cast that includes Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain, Albert Brooks and Alfred Molina. Perhaps Isaac will get some attention this year and right another wrong from last year’s Oscar race.
4.) Richard Linklater‘s Boyhood – It had a loving premiere at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and earlier today I speculated it might be best for IFC to get this one in the Un Certain Regard selection at the Cannes Film Festival as there has already been talk of a May 2014 release. The biggest problem this one faces is that it’s going to need a lot of support from the audience and Oscar bloggers as IFC’s pockets aren’t exactly fat enough to give this one a huge Oscar push. Perhaps an end of year Criterion release will help keep the buzz alive?
5.) Stephen Daldry‘s Trash – Daldry’s last three films — The Hours, The Reader and Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close — all received Best Picture nominations, what’s to think Trash will be any different? With a cast that includes Rooney Mara, Martin Sheen and Wagner Moura and a story centered on three boys in a third world country who scrape a living by picking through trash, I’d say he’s got the makings of an easy Oscar contender.
6.) Paul Thomas Anderson‘s Inherent Vice – I don’t feel as confident in this one, but I’m not counting out PTA, especially as he reteams with Joaquin Phoenix. This doesn’t seem like a film that will likely win Best Picture, but it does seem like one that could be one of those contenders everyone loves, but knows the Academy would never support for a win.
7.) Wes Anderson‘s The Grand Budapest Hotel – For whatever reason I still find myself thinking Moonrise Kingdom was nominated for Best Picture. It wasn’t, of course, but it’s almost impossible to fathom that being the case. Nevertheless, I think this may be the year Anderson finally cracks more than just the Best Original Screenplay category.
8.) Christopher Nolan‘s Interstellar – Can Nolan find a second one of his films in the Best Picture race? Is it possible this could be the year he actually has a shot at Best Picture? The Academy isn’t exactly the first to shower a sci-fi film with its top prize, but Gravity proved they are willing to make it the top Oscar winner so perhaps the winds are shifting. It also doesn’t hurt this one stars one of the hottest actors of the moment, Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey.
9.) Jean-Marc Vallée‘s Wild – Speaking of McConaughey, his Dallas Buyers Club director returns this year with Wild starring Reese Witherspoon as the lead in this adaptation of Cheryl Strayad’s memoir. Yes, another “based on a true story”, this one telling the story of Strayad’s 1,100-mile solo hike undertaken as a way to recover from a recent catastrophe. Will likely comparisons to 127 Hours hurt its chances or maybe help?
Below my bubble line I have films that include Woody Allen‘s Magic in the Moonlight and Mike Leigh‘s Mr. Turner, but again, Sony Classics isn’t exactly the best studio to mount a major Oscar campaign.
I’m curious to see how Clint Eastwood‘s Jersey Boys turns out as well as Rob Marshall‘s Into the Woods, though both will likely be duking it out in the Best Comedy/Musical category at the Golden Globes.
I’ve seen a lot of Oscar pundits going with Alejandro González Iñárritu‘s Birdman as an early 2014 favorite, but before I get too excited about this one I’m going to have to see more from this story of a former actor (Michael Keaton) who must overcome his ego and family trouble as he mounts a Broadway play in a bid to reclaim his past glory. The fact it has Fox Searchlight behind it is definitely a plus however.
Sarah Gavron‘s Suffragate boasts an impressive cast — Meryl Streep, Carey Mulligan and Helena Bonham Carter to name only three — and a screenplay from Abi Morgan (Shame) and Tate Taylor (The Help) is back with Get On Up, but it seemed early reaction to the trailer might not be all that favorable?
Finally, I’ve also seen people climbing on board Tim Burton‘s Big Eyes as a major contender and with Weinstein backing and a cast lead by Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz there is definitely a strong possibility, but I’m going to have to see a trailer before I figure out just what kind of movie this plans on being.
I have more listed, including David Fincher‘s Gone Girl and Michel Hazanavicius‘s The Search and you can find my complete list of 27 contenders right here.
It’s a long road to Oscar and we have to start somewhere and for now I’d say this list of 27 films gives us a lot to look forward to, but what’s most exciting is I know it’s not complete. Here’s to hoping for plenty of surprises this year.
