The Academy Awards are always an interesting time for film. The Oscars this year have been especially interesting, considering that there is no current front-runner. Today, my thoughts wondered to Oscars 2013 and what films would make it in next year. Right now, I decided that there are several contenders.
THE WOLF OF WALL STREET
NEBRASKA
GRAVITY
THE MONUMENTS MEN
OLDBOY
CAPTAIN PHILLIPS
SAVING MR. BANKS
ONLY GOD FORGIVES
42
LABOR DAY
ELYSIUM
RUSH
INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS
DIANA
THE COUNSELOR
This is already looking like a stacked field and I am excited for most of these films. There are a few that I am unsure about but I know that from looking at this list, that we are in for a stacked competition in 2013. Here are some reasons why I am excited for each film and a few predictions for each.
THE WOLF OF WALL STREET- A new Scorsese picture is always something to look forward to, especially with a cast that includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Matthew McCounaghey, Kyle Chandler, and Jean Dujardin. This film centers on a Wall Street broker who hits it big and lives the high life but eventually it all comes crashing down on him after refusing to cooperate in an investigation. This sounds like something that could be very exciting and from what I have heard from the book, definitely R-rated. Look for a sure best picture nomination along with a best supporting actor nomination for one of the four actors and a possible win for DiCaprio. TBA 2013
NEBRASKA- The Descendants was the best film of 2011 along with JJ Abrams Super 8, so it would be an understatement to say that I am excited for Alexander Payne's next film. Bruce Dern and Will Forte star in this father-son road trip film about Dern's drunken father attempting to reclaim a million dollar prize from Publisher's Clearing House. It sounds good and look for it to pick up a nomination for either Dern or Forte, along with original screenplay and best picture. TBA 2013
GRAVITY- A big time space epic that I have been anticipating for a while now, Gravity sounds like one of the most interesting films of the year. Starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, Gravity centers on two astronauts who go to space and get stuck in a damaged space station. The film was originally set for a prime 2012 release date on November 21 but ended up getting moved to 2013, where it now has an October 4 release date. What intrigues me about this film is all the buzz surrounding it. Some people say it has a 17-minute opening shot and in my mind sounds a lot like one of my favorite films, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Look for this film to get a visual effects win along with a nomination for Bullock and possibly mixture along with several technical categories. OCTOBER 4
THE MONUMENTS MEN- A film with an all-star cast about WWII directed by George Clooney. Nothing gets more Oscar-y than that. It sounds like a very intriguing premise and with the talent that is behind it, I think that there is little chance that The Monuments Men screws up and doesn't get nominated. Look for best picture, best director, and several acting categories. As of right now, this is the front-runner for best picture. DECEMBER 18
OLDBOY- Spike Lee's remake of a beloved classic sounds like a bad idea. But I think that Lee could do for Oldboy what Martin Scorsese did for The Departed. And I think that Josh Brolin fits into the lead role really well. I haven't seen the original and I don't think I will anytime soon. The one thing that I am unsure of is whether or not Film District will give it an Oscar push. That I don't know. OCTOBER 11
CAPTAIN PHILLIPS- If you asked me what the front-runner for the 2013 Oscars was right now, I would tell you that it is either The Monuments Men or Captain Phillips. The film, originally slated for a release date in March, was moved to October to get it closer to the awards season. Also, a recent historical event has proved to be a genre of interest (The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty) and this film stars Tom Hanks. The only issue might be Paul Greengrass. I am not a fan of his style of filmmaking and I don't know if that will make me dislike Phillips. But expect nominations for Hanks and best picture along with screenplay and sound nominations. OCTOBER 11
SAVING MR. BANKS- Another Tom Hanks-starred picture that could be a best picture contender, Saving Mr. Banks is an uncertainty right now. It is the type of film that Academy voters usually go for but it is a Disney film and they typically don't push too hard for Oscars. But this could mean another win for Tom Hanks because this is the kind of role that voters go for. He is playing Walt Disney and the Academy loves Disney so I think that it would be shocking if this film didn't get some attention come February. Look for a Tom Hanks nomination. DECEMBER 20
ONLY GOD FORGIVES- 2011's Drive has a lot of fans. I didn't see the film even though I am dying to, but I think that Nicolas Winding Refn now has enough clout in Hollywood that they will nominate his film. Then again, it isn't something that the Academy typically goes for. Like Drive, Only God Forgives is a stylish, brutal and bloody film that is hip and modern. Not something that attracts voters. But then again, if the year is weak enough, Only God Forgives could pick up nominations for Ryan Gosling and Refn. TBA 2013
42- A film that I would like to think is an Oscar contender but really isn't. 42 is an "Academy" film but it is coming out in April. I can't say the last time a non-blockbuster from a month earlier than August was nominated. I think that the drama just might be too small-scale for the Academy and not the sports movie that they want. It could be this year's Blind Side though. APRIL 2013
LABOR DAY- Jason Reitman has evolved from an indie favorite to an Oscar darling. With Labor Day, he jumps back into directing and tells the story of a 30-year old man who looks back on his fateful Labor Day weekend when he was thirteen. The film stars Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin, Tobey Maguire and Clark Gregg and sounds like something that will definitely be nominated despite my dislike for Juno. Look for picture, actor, actress and surely screenplay. TBA 2013
ELYSIUM- Neil Blomkamp makes smart science fiction movies. That is something that the Academy has grown to like. They apparently don't like the big, bombastic action movies like Skyfall and The Dark Knight Rises and seem to now go for more innovative science fiction and action films like District 9 and Inception. So to say that Elysium, with it's all-star cast of Matt Damon, Sharlto Copley and Jodie Foster won't have a shot at a nomination for best picture. I don't really know how the film will turn out but it sounds exciting. AUGUST 2013
RUSH- Ron Howard is an Oscar darling. Plain and simple. And his films typically get nominated, from Apollo 13 to A Beautiful Mind, he has won plenty of Oscars. So it seems like Ron Howard will be getting some attention for his Formula 1 drama Rush. Starring Chris Hemsworth, this film is sure to get Academy attention and could put Hemsworth on the map for good. Look for several nominations and even some technical stuff. SEPTEMBER 2013
INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS- The Coen brothers are also filmmakers that get a lot of attention and their newest film sounds like it will be no different. But from just the set photos, I can tell that this looks a little more comedic than their previous outings. But there are no true comedies in the running this year, so it looks like this might be a favorite. Looks like it will get several nominations. TBA 2013
DIANA- This year's Iron Lady. Naomi Watts is Princess Diana and I think that this could go two ways. It could either be the King's Speech or it could be The Iron Lady. I think that Watts' performance will win her best actress and I think that if it is a good picture, than it will be a serious best picture contender as well. TBA 2013
THE COUNSELOR- Ridley Scott's drug drama might get Michael Fassbender and Brad Pitt the Oscars they deserve. The actors are both stars in this drama and I think that this will also be a front-runner. The Counselor is written by Cormac McCarthy and he wrote No Country for Old Men so I think that we have to take this film seriously. And Scott has gotten Oscars before, including a best picture for Gladiator. Look for a serious contender here. TBA 2013
Well that is it. I mean, the race is far from over and odds are that a film that is not on this list will win. The Oscars are unpredictable.
THE WOLF OF WALL STREET
NEBRASKA
GRAVITY
THE MONUMENTS MEN
OLDBOY
CAPTAIN PHILLIPS
SAVING MR. BANKS
ONLY GOD FORGIVES
42
LABOR DAY
ELYSIUM
RUSH
INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS
DIANA
THE COUNSELOR
This is already looking like a stacked field and I am excited for most of these films. There are a few that I am unsure about but I know that from looking at this list, that we are in for a stacked competition in 2013. Here are some reasons why I am excited for each film and a few predictions for each.
THE WOLF OF WALL STREET- A new Scorsese picture is always something to look forward to, especially with a cast that includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Matthew McCounaghey, Kyle Chandler, and Jean Dujardin. This film centers on a Wall Street broker who hits it big and lives the high life but eventually it all comes crashing down on him after refusing to cooperate in an investigation. This sounds like something that could be very exciting and from what I have heard from the book, definitely R-rated. Look for a sure best picture nomination along with a best supporting actor nomination for one of the four actors and a possible win for DiCaprio. TBA 2013
NEBRASKA- The Descendants was the best film of 2011 along with JJ Abrams Super 8, so it would be an understatement to say that I am excited for Alexander Payne's next film. Bruce Dern and Will Forte star in this father-son road trip film about Dern's drunken father attempting to reclaim a million dollar prize from Publisher's Clearing House. It sounds good and look for it to pick up a nomination for either Dern or Forte, along with original screenplay and best picture. TBA 2013
GRAVITY- A big time space epic that I have been anticipating for a while now, Gravity sounds like one of the most interesting films of the year. Starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, Gravity centers on two astronauts who go to space and get stuck in a damaged space station. The film was originally set for a prime 2012 release date on November 21 but ended up getting moved to 2013, where it now has an October 4 release date. What intrigues me about this film is all the buzz surrounding it. Some people say it has a 17-minute opening shot and in my mind sounds a lot like one of my favorite films, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Look for this film to get a visual effects win along with a nomination for Bullock and possibly mixture along with several technical categories. OCTOBER 4
THE MONUMENTS MEN- A film with an all-star cast about WWII directed by George Clooney. Nothing gets more Oscar-y than that. It sounds like a very intriguing premise and with the talent that is behind it, I think that there is little chance that The Monuments Men screws up and doesn't get nominated. Look for best picture, best director, and several acting categories. As of right now, this is the front-runner for best picture. DECEMBER 18
OLDBOY- Spike Lee's remake of a beloved classic sounds like a bad idea. But I think that Lee could do for Oldboy what Martin Scorsese did for The Departed. And I think that Josh Brolin fits into the lead role really well. I haven't seen the original and I don't think I will anytime soon. The one thing that I am unsure of is whether or not Film District will give it an Oscar push. That I don't know. OCTOBER 11
CAPTAIN PHILLIPS- If you asked me what the front-runner for the 2013 Oscars was right now, I would tell you that it is either The Monuments Men or Captain Phillips. The film, originally slated for a release date in March, was moved to October to get it closer to the awards season. Also, a recent historical event has proved to be a genre of interest (The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty) and this film stars Tom Hanks. The only issue might be Paul Greengrass. I am not a fan of his style of filmmaking and I don't know if that will make me dislike Phillips. But expect nominations for Hanks and best picture along with screenplay and sound nominations. OCTOBER 11
SAVING MR. BANKS- Another Tom Hanks-starred picture that could be a best picture contender, Saving Mr. Banks is an uncertainty right now. It is the type of film that Academy voters usually go for but it is a Disney film and they typically don't push too hard for Oscars. But this could mean another win for Tom Hanks because this is the kind of role that voters go for. He is playing Walt Disney and the Academy loves Disney so I think that it would be shocking if this film didn't get some attention come February. Look for a Tom Hanks nomination. DECEMBER 20
ONLY GOD FORGIVES- 2011's Drive has a lot of fans. I didn't see the film even though I am dying to, but I think that Nicolas Winding Refn now has enough clout in Hollywood that they will nominate his film. Then again, it isn't something that the Academy typically goes for. Like Drive, Only God Forgives is a stylish, brutal and bloody film that is hip and modern. Not something that attracts voters. But then again, if the year is weak enough, Only God Forgives could pick up nominations for Ryan Gosling and Refn. TBA 2013
42- A film that I would like to think is an Oscar contender but really isn't. 42 is an "Academy" film but it is coming out in April. I can't say the last time a non-blockbuster from a month earlier than August was nominated. I think that the drama just might be too small-scale for the Academy and not the sports movie that they want. It could be this year's Blind Side though. APRIL 2013
LABOR DAY- Jason Reitman has evolved from an indie favorite to an Oscar darling. With Labor Day, he jumps back into directing and tells the story of a 30-year old man who looks back on his fateful Labor Day weekend when he was thirteen. The film stars Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin, Tobey Maguire and Clark Gregg and sounds like something that will definitely be nominated despite my dislike for Juno. Look for picture, actor, actress and surely screenplay. TBA 2013
ELYSIUM- Neil Blomkamp makes smart science fiction movies. That is something that the Academy has grown to like. They apparently don't like the big, bombastic action movies like Skyfall and The Dark Knight Rises and seem to now go for more innovative science fiction and action films like District 9 and Inception. So to say that Elysium, with it's all-star cast of Matt Damon, Sharlto Copley and Jodie Foster won't have a shot at a nomination for best picture. I don't really know how the film will turn out but it sounds exciting. AUGUST 2013
RUSH- Ron Howard is an Oscar darling. Plain and simple. And his films typically get nominated, from Apollo 13 to A Beautiful Mind, he has won plenty of Oscars. So it seems like Ron Howard will be getting some attention for his Formula 1 drama Rush. Starring Chris Hemsworth, this film is sure to get Academy attention and could put Hemsworth on the map for good. Look for several nominations and even some technical stuff. SEPTEMBER 2013
INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS- The Coen brothers are also filmmakers that get a lot of attention and their newest film sounds like it will be no different. But from just the set photos, I can tell that this looks a little more comedic than their previous outings. But there are no true comedies in the running this year, so it looks like this might be a favorite. Looks like it will get several nominations. TBA 2013
DIANA- This year's Iron Lady. Naomi Watts is Princess Diana and I think that this could go two ways. It could either be the King's Speech or it could be The Iron Lady. I think that Watts' performance will win her best actress and I think that if it is a good picture, than it will be a serious best picture contender as well. TBA 2013
THE COUNSELOR- Ridley Scott's drug drama might get Michael Fassbender and Brad Pitt the Oscars they deserve. The actors are both stars in this drama and I think that this will also be a front-runner. The Counselor is written by Cormac McCarthy and he wrote No Country for Old Men so I think that we have to take this film seriously. And Scott has gotten Oscars before, including a best picture for Gladiator. Look for a serious contender here. TBA 2013
Well that is it. I mean, the race is far from over and odds are that a film that is not on this list will win. The Oscars are unpredictable.
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