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This Year's Oscar Contenders

This Year's Oscar Contenders

Academy of Motion Picture Sciences

Academy of Motion Picture Sciences

Last year I sincerely tried to watch all the contenders I could, before the Oscar race began, in a bid to be ahead of rental and DVD releases of the winners and nominees. It was tough, and I failed miserably. This year, I am once again looking towards the future with these contenders for the 2017 Oscars, and try as hard as I can to really suss out who will be nominated. Below are probable nominees for this year’s Oscar nominations, in the biggest categories, like Actress, Actor, Best Picture etc. The race is pretty tight, and there is a lot of competition for these coveted nominations.  Without further ado, here are the main contenders for Oscar gold:

 20th Century Women

 Annette Bening has always been a larger than life actress who takes on often unsympathetic female characters and earns tons of praise (including four Oscar noms.) If she won this year it would mirror the similar win of Julianne Moore for 2014’s “Still Alice,” another long overdue win. The film follows Bening’s eccentric, warm, closed off, dormant, reject of a mother as she enlists other women to help her raise her teenaged son in the cultural tipping point that was 1979. Looks to be a great coming of age tale and familial comedy.

La La Land

 This is the newest film from “Whiplash,” director Damien Chazelle and it looks exceptional. Taking inspiration from the musical traditions of the Hollywood system of old, and owning the sleek, crisp look of modern filmmaking, Chazelle’s film is getting sufficient buzz with Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling favored for Best Actor and Actress, respectively.

 Loving

Aimed to just break your heart clean in two, this true story follows the lives of the Lovings, a mixed race couple who had to fight, all the way to the Supreme Court, in order for their marriage to be recognized in Virginia. The fact that this film is a period piece almost guarantees some Oscar interest, but it’s the heartbreaking, traumatic subject matter that insists on award show glory. The film stars solid character actor Joel Edgerton, and newcomer Ruth Negga, who better get a Best Actress nomination, or else the Academy will be officially deemed a “Whites Only” institution and lose all credibility in my, and the public’s, eyes.

 Jackie

 It would surprise me greatly if Natalie Portman was not at least nominated for Best Actress for her turn as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. This film is a prime example of the right star attached to the right film, and could be a defining moment in Natalie Portman’s career. Portman looks and sounds like the former first lady, and Jackie O has a life story that begs to be told. The glamour, the horror of her husband’s assassination, the aftermath of what the United States became, what she became. This is a film that may also get a nomination for costuming, but it’s clear that it will be best known for Portman’s performance. I would hope that Viola Davis or Ruth Negga would be better recognized or even win for their work, but Portman aptly deserves a nomination as well.

 Fences

 Based on the 1983 play of the same name, “Fences” features a heavyweight cast, including the amazingly talented Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. The story follows the lives of an African American family in 1950s Pittsburgh, as its miserly father figure deals with his past as a Negro league baseball player, and his present as a trash collector. There is serious family drama in this film and it packs a punch with stellar performances, which hopefully translate to some nominations for Best Actor and Actress. Denzel Washington also directs.

 Hacksaw Ridge

Could this film be Mel Gibson’s grand return to the world of critical acclaim? Only time will tell, but there’s at least a partial chance that the disgraced celebrity could gain a coveted Best Director nomination, or in the very least nab some noms for the effects, sound design, or costuming. The film follows a soldier who believes in non-violence and goes on to save multiple soldiers during a battle during World War II. Starring Andrew Garfield, the film had a 10 minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival and looks to be heart wrenching and beautiful in scope.

 Sully

 Hero worship is always interesting, and makes for a fundamentally entertaining film, especially with Tom Hanks in the lead. Following in the footsteps of “Flight,” this film medals with a captain at the helm of a problematic journey, and the aftermath of his heroism. This film promises an in-depth look at the aftermath of the Miracle on the Hudson, and the serious problems that Sullenberger faced after the crash landing, which was some seven years ago. The film could be up for Best Actor, Best Director, and possibly even some special effects noms as well.

 Rules Don’t Apply

 While this is a sillier edition to the list, and probably won’t be nominated in leiu of  more serious contenders, there could be something said for a Best Actor or Director nomination. Howard Hughes is a hugely inspirational and interesting character who has made his way into large biopics and supporting roles at length. Many have tried to make a film that completely encompasses his aura and subterfuge, but it’s mostly fallen to the wayside. Warren Beatty is a heavy hitter and a man that really has a hold of the Hughes role. There at least could be a costuming nomination for the period dress, if anything.

 Arrival

 Science fiction has become a serious contender in many Oscar categories (“Interstellar,” “The Martian.”) and there might be a chance that Amy Adams can snag another nom, which would be her sixth overall. It was also directed by Denis Villeneuve, who directed the critically acclaimed “Incendies,” and “Sicario.” It looks to be high concept and inspired by many other science fiction films that include alien intervention at its crux. This could be yet another big year for sci-fi, ushering in a whole new outlook to the generally cut and paste dramatic films of the past.

 Manchester by the Sea

 Unprecedented in its strangeness, Amazon Studios is a distributor on this Kenneth Lonegran helmed film, and if they win it will be the first time that an online streaming service takes home an Academy Award. Casey Affleck stars in a critically acclaimed performance as Lee, a janitor who has to move back home and deal with his orphaned nephew and estranged wife (Williams). Everyone associated with this film has garnered some kind of praise, and the film looks to be heartwarming and generous with what we get as an audience. This could be a Best Actor nomination for Affleck, who has starred in acclaimed vehicles in the past.

 The Birth of a Nation

 The problem with films about slavery, is that they are often watched by sympathetic white audiences, and the films center on the pain and strife of being a slave. While these films get awards, financing, and big enough box office, anything dealing with retaliation or the Restoration, doesn’t get made at all. Apparently showing black people getting whipped especially hard, demoralized, and dehumanized is fine, but watching slaves enact violence against white people is far too gruesome for audiences’ sensibilities. Nate Parker wrote, directed, and starred in this film as Nat Turner, a legendary slave and preacher who led a slave and free blacks rebellion in 1831. It has been reported as a difficult film to watch, but that just reinforces why it needed to be made. The film has come under controversy for its director having an alleged 1999 rape charge against him, though he was absolved of those charges some time ago. Why I hope that the film can stand on its own, controversy has already plagued Parker this awards season.

 Snowden

 Though the film received a mixed response from critics, there is still a good chance that Gordon-Levitt could receive a nomination for Best Actor. The film was directed by Oliver Stone, who is a beloved icon of the Academy. On the negative side of that, Stone is a truther (“JFK”, 9/11) and continually tries to push the envelope in his films. “Snowden” may be a film about the true facts of what happened to the NSA employee, but it could just as easily be a trumped up narrative made to create tension and hearsay.

@allocine.fr

@allocine.fr

 Silence

 Scorsese’s newest passion project takes place in 17th century feudal Japan, and stars Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver as two Jesuit priests looking for their mentor, Liam Neeson. This film is 25 years in the making and heralds three huge names as its cast. It promises to be spiritual, moving, huge in its cinematic scope, and worth the long wait, as the film was finished over a year ago and took 25 years to get made. The film only got its release date of December 23rd, recently, and is huge competition compared to other possible nominees this awards season. This film is also an adaptation of a 1966 Japanese novel, which already has a Japanese adaptation that was shown at Cannes in 1972. Overall this is a tremendous looking film with enough accolades to put it in the running for every major award.

 Allied

 This is another long shot as the film hasn’t generated much buzz besides being the starring vehicle of Brad Pitt, who is in the middle of a messy divorced. Still, the film was directed by Robert Zemekis, who has a great track record with the Academy, as does Pitt and Cotillard. The action looks realistic, it’s a period piece film, and it involves wartime angst. There’s a lot going for it, and though it may not win out in any of the major awards, it could nab something in costuming, effects, or cinematography.

 Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk

 Directed by Ang Lee, this wartime drama tells the story of specialist Billy Lynn, who gets caught in a firefight on camera and becomes a war hero. He becomes a featured part of the Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving half-time show, and his story is commercialized for the masses. The film explores themes relating to war including PTSD, trying to reconnect to family after going through severe trauma, and citizens’ ability to celebrate veterans without fully realizing what sacrifices they make so that we are protected domestically. The film has come under fire, as it holds the record of having the highest frame rate in a film, which has been seen as too distracting and unneeded. Overall this film probably will get nominated for its effects, and maybe a performance award as well.

 Lion

 This Australian-British-American production follows the true story of Saroo Brierly, an Indian Australian man who re-remembers his family in India and tries to find them. Separated as a child and left on a train for three days, Brierly was adopted by a loving family in Australia. Saroo struggles to find his family and comes to terms with his heritage and familial life. The film boasts Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman as Saroo and his adoptive mother. Besides being sweet and based in truth, it is also a fundamentally fascinating story that really pulls on the old heart strings. This film could easily be nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay.

 Passengers

 This is another science fiction frontrunner which stars Academy favorite Jennifer Lawrence and newbie Chris Pratt as stranded occupants on a spaceship heading for a colony 90 years away. The film follows their exploits as they panic, and yet fall in love as they discover there are more problems with the ship than previously expected. There’s so much to love about this film, including a twisty turny plot, off the chart chemistry, awesome effects, and great performances from its leads. Director Morten Tyldum (“The Imitation Game”) helms an impressive film which definitely will garner an effects nom, as well as sound design, and possibly some performance noms.

 Moonlight

 This is poised to be one of the most award garnering indie films of the year, because of its beauty, inelegant elegance, tragedy, and pure innovation. Based on In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue, director Barry Jenkins is poised to be one of the newest and most interesting voices to gain recognition this awards season. Critics have already begun to fear that this will be the token black film of the awards season, thanks to “The Birth of Nation’s” fall from grace, and many other contenders receiving less buzz than white starring counterparts. This film is deserving not just because it features an all-black cast and director, but because it tells a common yet tragic tale of living your life when society forces you to submit to its whims. If there’s any film to watch to ensure you have ahead of the game this awards season, this is it.

 A Monster Calls

 While fantasy films have only recently won out at the Oscars (LOTR) there may be a chance for this Spanish low fantasy film starring Felicity Jones and Sigourney Weaver. Most of the acclaim has been for Jones, who plays a cancer ridden mother who tries to make life better for her son by letting him explore his imagination. The son creates a monster from a yew tree, who seems to come to life and help solve his problems. Jones could get a Best Supporting Actress nom, and the film could get some effects nominations as well.

 There are many other possible nominees, but these are the films I think could make a big impact this awards season. Other contenders include “Deepwater Horizon,” starring Mark Wahlberg, “Gold” starring Matthew McConaughey, “Nocturnal Animals,” directed by Tom Ford, and many others. In past years there have been films that come out of nowhere and change the game altogether, and I really wouldn’t mind more of a shake-up. As long as there is a decent amount of diversity, (even though only white and black nominees seem to matter when in reality our country is much more diverse) I will be happy enough to get through this awards season unscathed.

Hollywood Needs Even More Diversity, and More Black Female Biopics Would Be a Good Start

Hollywood Needs Even More Diversity, and More Black Female Biopics Would Be a Good Start

Joy

Joy