With the 2013 Oscars over, it’s time to immediately start thinking about the 2014 Oscars! This is more the norm after Toronto and almost never before Cannes. Still today here we try to see which films currently under production might grab a spot on the most coveted nominations list, to be announced in January 2015.
PROBABALE BEST PICTURE NOMINEES OF 2015-
1. FOXCATCHER(Sony Pictures Classics, TBA)
Bennett Miller, whose previous two films "Capote" and "Moneyball" were both nominated for best picture is back with "Foxcatcher.
This was supposed to come out last year but got pushed back to 2014. Steve Carrell gained weight and caked on makeup to play psychotic millionaire/convicted murder John du Pont, & Channing Tatum called his role of Mark Shultz his “hardest acting challenge,” and the trailer is pretty moving.
Chances of Nomination- 8/10
2. GONE GIRL(20th Century Fox, October)
After Argo, every film with Ben Affleck is Oscar material(No, not Batman vs Superman). And Two-time best director nominee David Fincher ("The Social Network" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") is directing this Gillian Flynn's extremely popular novel of the same name. No one does a dark crime thriller like Fincher, and the hype is just going to grow as more and more people make sure they read the book before the movie comes out.
Chances of Nomination- 9/10
3. INHERENT VICE(Warner Bros., December)
Paul Thomas Anderson's the director of "There will be Blood" and "The Master" is directing Inherent Vice. Jaquin Phoenix, with 2 back to back multiple nominees films(The Master and Her)is donning the 70s look as you can see in the picture. And releasing it in December means the producers are sure that this is Oscar worthy.
Chances of Nomination- 9/10
4. THE SEARCH
Anyone who says that they saw the awards success of "The Artist" coming a year in advance is a liar: even the filmmakers were probably a bit shocked it went as far as it did. So the follow-up from director Michel Hazanavicius, and star Bérénice Bejo, probably doesn't have the same element of surprise on its side.
Chances of Nomination- 6/10
5. BIG EYES
No Tim Burton movie has ever earned a Best Picture nomination, or indeed Best Director. But maybe 2014 is his year. Big Eyes narrates the true-life tale of Walter Keane, who became a celebrity for his paintings of large-eyed children, only for it to emerge that his wife Margaret was the real artist behind them. With a lot of Oscar-friendly names involved including five-time nominee Amy Adams as Margaret and two-time winner Christoph Waltz as Walter and The Weinstein Company backing it, I don't see it not getting a nomination.
Chances of Nomination- 6/10
6. A MOST VIOLENT YEAR
This latest from JC Chandor, who was snubbed this past year for "All Is Lost" in the 2013 ceremony is a 1981-set crime tale involving an immigrant (Oscar Isaac) and his wife (Jessica Chastain) trying to create opportunities for their family during the most crime-ridden year in New York. While I am sure Jessica CHastain will get her Best actress nomination for this, if this manages to get best picture nod is something to wait and watch.
Chances of Nomination- 6/10
7. INTERSTELLAR(Paramount, November)
Do I really need to tell you why it's here. Probably the most awaited film of 2014 this also has an awards-friendly cast: recent winners Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway are the leads, with Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine, Matt Damon, Casey Affleck and Ellen Burstyn among those supporting. It might be that its sci-fi origins prove a problem, but "Gravity" certainly helped to break down some of those barriers. But among Nolan's films only "Inception" has managed a Best Picture slot, and the filmmaker himself
has never picked up a Best Director nod. Still this looks promising.
Chances of Nomination- 7/10
8. THE IMITATION GAME (Weinstein Company, Late 2014)
Based on a Black List-winning script, it tells the story of Alan Turing, who helped to crack the Enigma code and invent the modern computer before being hounded by the British government for his homosexuality—it's the stuff that Oscar glory is often made of. Benedict Cumberbatch has the lead role, with Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode and Mark Strong among those in support. The Weinstein Company hopes to revenge their shameful year at oscars 2013 with this. Hope this doesn't turn out to be a Fifth Estate.
Chances of Nomination- 6/10
9. WILD
Dallas Buyers Club was no where in the scene for best picture race and it got 6 nominations and 2 major wins, so its wise to keep track of director Jean-Marc Vallée's next. Reese WItherspoon hoping to reinvent her career like Matthew McConaghay plays a woman who, after the death of her mother and break-up of her marriage, decides to trek her way along 1,000 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. It promises the kind of mix of stunning landscapes and a powerful central performance that can be very awards-friendly
Chances of Nomination- 5/10
10.UNBROKEN
Angleina Jolie as the director means the film will be in the news for the full year. But just a year after Brad Pitt wins best producer, I can't see Angelina being nominated. And this is trying too hard as we saw at the Oscars this year. Still patriotic real stories are always Oscar worthy.
Chances of Nomination- 6/10
11. TRASH
Stephen Daldry has only made 4 films. "Billy Elliot" "The Hours" "The Reader" and "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close". And these 4 films have seen 6 nominations(3 times best Director, 3 times Best Film). So it is obvious why his latest film is here. Story of three children in Rio De Janeiro who discover a mysterious object in the rubbish mounds of the city with a sprinkling of star power in the shape of co-stars Rooney Mara and Martin Sheen this is all set if it turns good.
Chances of Nomination- 6/10
OTHERS
This category includes those films which might not make the cut due to various reasons. Still chances are some of these might exceeds expectations and get into the awards buzz despite their shortcomings. So better keep track of these.
1. INTO THE WOODS
Although releasing on Christmas as Wolf of Wall Street this year, it might not make the cut being perceived as too mainstream. With a cast that boasts of Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp and Emily Blunt, it's still capable of landing itself good acting nominations. Sure to get Nomination no. 19 for Meryl.
Chances of Nomination- 2/10
2. THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
None of the previous films of Wes Anderson have managed a nod. Not even Moonrise Kingdom. That is why I don't see this getting either. And a film releasing just after the awards season has ended must not have high hopes for next year. But with impeccable reviews and a spot of 127 on IMDB top 250 this film will be the underdog for next year.
Chances of Nomination- 3/10
3. SUFFRAGETTE
A film about the early feminist movement in the UK that is written and directed by women starring an almost all-female cast including the likes of Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter and Meryl Streep. But this might not be able to release by 2014.
Chances of Nomination- Might not release in 2014
4. Suite Franchise
Michelle williams always does critically acclaimed films(with the exception of Oz). This film set during the early years of German occupation of France, romance blooms between Lucile Angellier, a French villager and Bruno von Falk, a German soldier. A best actress nod is sure.
Chances of Nomination- 3/10
5. Exodus
Christian Bale plays Moses. Will it make the cut? Mostly No. Unless it is the next Gladiator. But one thing is certain. It will earn huge money.
Chance of Nomination- 2/10
6. Mr Turner
Mike Leigh who almost always seems to get a screenplay nomination(7 time Oscar nominee) could finally win with this film, a biographical account of the British artist of the same name. But best picture looks hard.
Chance of Nomination- 2/10
7. Get On Up
The director of The Help "Tate Taylor" is reteaming with his former cast members Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer for James Brown-adaptation "Get On Up" that stars "42" breakout Chadwick Boseman as Brown. The film will give a fearless look inside the music, moves and moods of James Brown, taking audiences on the journey from his impoverished childhood to his evolution into one of the most influential figures of the 20th century.
Chance of Nomination- 4/10
8. Jersey Boys
Clint Eastwood is directing again. And trailer looks good. Mostly will find audience but not awards.
Obviously this is not an exhaustive list. There will be smaller films, indies like Beasts of the Southern Wild which might get the buzz for the awards. Also there will be some foreign films like The Amour which might surprise even their own country with a Best Picture Nomination. We might end up with a winner like 2009's The Hurt Locker or 2011's Artist, both of which no one could predict a year ago even as nominees. But then maybe 2014 might be one of those years like 2012's Argo or last year's 12 Years a slave which was Oscar material, the day they were announced. We will have to wait and watch. See you at the Oscars 2015.
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