Some of the major Oscar contenders for the year have been announced and given release dates -- hoping a few of these make TIFF, though I am certain they will -- it is odd but we have already had one major film that could land in the race for Best Picture, the superb The Grand Budapest Hotel with a hysterically funny performance from Ralph Fiennes of all people -- not that he is not a fine actor, he most certainly is, but do we associate him with comedy?? Ever??? Anyway for fun, heres a look at what is coming, who directs and where it could land in the big race. INHERENT VICE...Paul Thomas Anderson directs this crime thriller with Joaquin Phoenix that is already among the years most awaited films. By now anything this gifted director helms is highly anticipated. Set in the seventies, it looks gritty and powerful as though Sidney Lumet had helmed the work. INTERSTELLAR...The great Christopher Nolan gives us this science fiction epic about humankind finding ways to travel through space via wormholes. An exceptional cast but the star of this is without question Nolan. After Inception (10) there is great excitement about what Nolan might bring us this time. EXODUS - GODS AND KINGS...Ridley Scott gives us his version of the Moses story, focusing on the fight to free the slaves from Egypt. Christian Bale is the lawgiver in a film that looks like a sprawling knockout. Kook for realism but scope as well. GONE GIRL...Based on the acclaimed and best selling novel, David Fincher directs Ben Affleck who may or may not have murdered his wife. Looks like sure fire Oscar bait. This could give Affleck a chance to flex those acting muscles he possesses, the man has gotten better with age. INTO THE WOODS...Rob Marshall directed Chicago (02) with a cinematic mind, and has done the same with everything since. Tapped to bring this popular Broadway hit to the screen, he does so with Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep, and an outstanding cast. FURY...This World War II drama comes to us from director David Ayer, with Brad Pitt in a major role. There is talk Pitt is so good he might finally get that long overdue Oscar for acting. Some tough competition but we will see. BIRDMAN...Michael Keaton tries for a major comeback with a performance as an actor trying to get his career back in this picture directed by Babel (06) master Inarritu. Will likely be a festival darling, which it will need for Oscar support. BIG EYES...Amy Adams will get her shot at a Best Actress Award and Tim Burton will be shooting for his first Best Director nod in this biography of artist Margaret Keane. Hard to believe Burton has yet to be a Best Director nominee. UNBROKEN...Could Angelina Jolie follow Bigelow as an Oscar winning director? She just might if this biography of an Olympic runner during the war is everything it is rumoured to be. THE HOMESMAN...This one gets a screening at Cannes, a strong looking picture about a tough old bird who helps a group of women to safety in the American western. Hilary Swank goes for a third Oscar with support from Streep and Tommy Lee himself, who also directs. ELEANOR RIGBY...Jessica Chastain...Jessica Chastain...Jessica Chastain...enough said. Im in. A MOST VIOLENT YEAR...JK Chandor directs the aforementioned Jessica Chastain...so of course, I am there. And of course there will be more and more announced as we near the fall, depending on sales and deals at the major festivals. You never know if a major film might come out of the blue in the last weeks of the year ala Million Dollar Baby (04) or Crazy Heart (09) to leap into the race.
Posted on: Thu, 15 May 2014 20:51:06 +0000
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