Its time for the Movie Ninja's second annual way too far in advance Oscar preview. Last year I just did straight predictions, but this year, since there are so many contenders, I am breaking this post into two. The first will breakdown all the films I think could be contending next year, and the second will have my actual predictions. Last year's long term predictions were very successful, while many went wrong, I did correctly predict winners Christoph Waltz, Jennifer, Lawrence, and Daniel Day-Lewis. In Best Picture I also picked Les Miserables, Life of Pi, Argo, Django Unchained, and Lincoln. My biggest mistakes were having too much faith in The Hobbit, Lawless (formerly The Wettest County), and both Gangster Squad and The Great Gatsby which were delayed until this year. I have a feeling I'll be way farther off this year, as it appears to be an embarrassment of riches in the film department. So lets take a look at what we think we'll be talking about next January.
August: Osage County- The sophomore effort from director John Wells. Meryl Streep plays the alcoholic matriarch of a troubled family. The cast includes Benedict Cumberbatch, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Chris Cooper, and Sam Shepard. The film is produced by George Clooney. Released 11/8.
Serena- The 2nd of 3 team ups between Bradley Cooper and Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence. The film is about a couple who owns a lumber company during the depression, and how it is complicated when they find out the wife cannot bear children. Toby Jones and Rhys Ifans co-star. Released 9/27.
The Monuments Men- A film by George Clooney about a team who goes into Nazi Germany during WWII to recover lost art. An amazing cast including George Clooney, John Goodman, Bill Murray, Daniel Craig, and Oscar winners Jean Dujardin, Matt Damon, and Cate Blanchett. Released 12/18.
The Great Gatsby- One that I thought would contend last year, although now its summer release date hurts its chances. Based on the classic story, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey McGuire, and Joel Edgerton. Directed by Baz Luhrman. Released 5/10.
World War Z- Another that got delayed from last Oscar season. A dramatic zombie moving starring Brad Pitt and directed by Finding Neverland's Marc Forster. Although the reason this one was delayed is because the studio apparently is not liking what they are seeing, and the chances of this one being a contender are slim. Released 6/21.
Saving Mr. Banks- The triumphant return of Tom Hanks. Here Hanks plays Walt Disney, and Emma Thompson plays Mary Poppins author PL Travers. Co-starring Colin Farrell, Paul Giamatti, and Jason Swartzman. Released 12/20.
Captain Phillips- Or is this the triumphant return? Here Hanks plays the ship Captain who was kidnapped by Somali pirates. Directed by Paul Greengrass and co-starring Catherine Keener. Released 10/11.
Grace of Monaco- Nicole Kidman plays a Princess, and its one of Harvey Weinstein's entries this year. Probably a contender for Acting awards only if I had to guess. Co-stars Tim Roth and Frank Langella. Released 12/27.
Wolf of Wall Street- Martin Scorsese's next film, and it re-teams him with his Aviator, Gangs of New York, and Departed star Leonardo DiCaprio. The story is about a Wall street banker who gets in over his head. Co-stars Matthew McConaughey, Jonah Hill, Kyle Chandler, and Jean Dujardin. Released 11/15.
Rush- A formula 1 racing film starring Chris Hemsworth. Normally wouldn't think about this one, but its directed by Ron Howard. Released 9/20.
Foxcatcher- Director Bennett Miller tells the true story of a mentally handicapped man (Steve Carrell) who works with the Olympic wrestling team, and the crime that followed. Co-stars Mark Ruffalo and Channing Tatum. Release date unknown.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug- Based off how mediocre part 1 was and how poorly it was received by the Academy, its doubtful this one makes much of an impact. Released 12/13.
Gravity- A very interesting film, directed by Alfonso Cuaron, this long delayed film stars George Clooney and Sandra Bullock as two astronauts on a space walk when their ship is disabled and drifts away, leaving them stranded in the blackness of space. Released 10/4.
Fruitvale- The story of one man's journey on the last day of 2008. This one is making an Indie splash, so I felt it was worth noting here. Oscar winner Octavia Spencer has a supporting performance. Release date unknown.
The Grand Budapest Hotel- Wes Anderson's next film. These usually only get recognized in the Screenplay category, but this may be an exception, as the cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Saoirse Ronan, Edward Norton, Jude Law, Owen Wilson, Bill Murray, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Harvey Keitel, and Jason Swartzman. Release date unknown.
Dallas Buyer's Club- This is the film Matthew McConaughey lost all the weight for. Here he plays a gay man with AIDS in the 1980's trying to smuggle banned prescription drugs across the border, along with his transvestite friend who is played by Jared Leto. Release date unknown.
Untitled David O'Russell Film- The next film starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, re teaming with their Silver Lining's director David O'Russell. This one is about scam artists and their latest heist, co-stars Amy Adams and Christian Bale. Releae date unknown.
Diana- Naomi Watts plays Princess Diana in this biography film. Release date 8/29.
Labor Day- Director Jason Reitman's follow up to Up in the Air, starring Kate Winslet as a mother kidnapped along with her son by a mysterious stranger played by Josh Brolin. Release date unknown.
Inside Llewyn Davis- The Coen Bros return to the big screen in this film starring Oscar Isaac (Bourne Legacy) as the character surrounded by normal Coen Bros shenanigans. Co-stars John Goodman, Justin Timberlake, and Carey Mulligan. Released 12/4.
Nebraska- The Descendants director Alexander Payne returns with this film about a father and son reuniting on the fathers ranch. stars Bruce Dern and McGruber himself Will Forte. Release date unknown.
Twelve Years a Slave- Shame Director Steve McQueen re-teams with Michael Fassbender in this film along with Brad Pitt, Chiwetol Ejiofor, Michael Kenneth Williams, Paul Dano, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Giamatti, and Oscar Nominee Quvenzhane Wallis. Plot details are hard to come by but it does involve slavery. Release date unknown.
Out of the Furnace- This film is about two brothers who live in the depression era Midwest, when one is wrongfully sent to prison, the other must join a violent crime ring to try to free his brother. Stars Christian Bale, Zoe Saldana, Woody Harrelson, Willem Dafoe, Forest Whitaker, and Casey Affleck. Release date unknown.
The Fifth Estate- Director Bill Condon directs this film about the wiki leaks controversy. Stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Laura Linney. Release date 11/15.
The Bling Ring- Doesn't sound like normal Oscar material, but since Sophia Coppola has been quiet for a while, I felt her newest film should be included. Stars Emma Watson as the ring leader of the gang of young women who burglarized Hollywood homes in the 90's, based on a true story. Released 6/14.
The Counselor- Director Ridley Scott directs this star studded cast including Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, Cameron Diaz, Javier Bardem, and Penelope Cruz. The film is about a Lawyer who gets involved in drug trafficking. Release Date 11/15.
Blue Jasmine- Woody Allen will attempt again to fool everyone he is a good director in this film with no plot starring Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin, Peter Saarsgard, Louis CK, and Michael Stuhlbarg. Released 7/26.
The Butler- Tells the true story of the butler (Forest Whitaker) who served for many years in the White House. Co-stars Oprah Winfrey, Alan Rickman, James Mardsen, John Cusack, Terrence Howard, Jane Fonda, Melissa Leo, Vanessa Redgrave, and Nelsan Ellis. Directed by Precious' Lee Daniels. Release date unknown.
A Place Beyond the Pines- Ryan Gosling reunites with his Blue Valentine director for this film about a stuntman who turns to robbery. Co-stars Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, and Ray Liotta. Released 3/29.
Only God Forgives- Ryan Gosling reunites with his Drive director for this film with an unknown plot, all we have received is a poster showing Gosling with a face mashed to pulp. Released 5/23.
Her- Directed by Spike Jonze, this film is about the power of women. Starring Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, Amy Adams, and Joaquin Phoenix. Released 10/17.
The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby- Not sure what to make of this. This film is split into two parts, "His" and "Hers" telling the story of a relationship from both the husband and wives perspective. Stars Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, and Viola Davis. Release date(s) unknown.
Don Jon's Addiction- The directorial debut of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, this film stars Levitt as a porn obsessed sex addict trying to straighten his life out. Co-stars Julianne Moore and Scarlet Johannsson. Released 9/19.
Mandela- Another Weinstein produced film. This stars the fantastic Idris Elba as Nelson Mandela, and is about his long walk to freedom. Released 11/29.
42-The story of Jackie Robinson. Doubtful it draws the Academy's attention, but Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey might. Released 4/12.
To The Wonder- Ben Affleck and Rachel McAdams star in this film by Terrence Malick, which means plot is optional. Release date 4/12.
Prisoners- This film stars Hugh Jackman as a man whose daughter is kidnapped. The man than kidnaps the person he suspects to be behind the kidnapping to try to learn the truth. Co-stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Paul Dano, and Terrence Howard. Released 9/20.
Old Boy- This remake of the classic Japanese film tells the story of a man (Josh Brolin) kidnapped and left alone in a room for 20 years until he is released without reason or warning. Directed by Spike Lee. Released 10/11.
Untitled Terrence Malick Film- Malick has another film scheduled this year, starring Ryan Gosling, Michael Fassbender, Christian Bale, Rooney Mara, Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett, Benicio Del Toro, and Val Kilmer. Release date unknown.
Wow, that is a list. Many of these will flop and be out of mind quicky, but one of these films will be our Best Picture a year from now. Check back later for Part 2 where I will make my official predictions.
-Maximus
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