|
Will These Films Be The Leaders?
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
LES MISERABLES
Tom Hooper
Universal
December
Why?
If it does justice to the source material, this could be the epic to beat.
But...
Musicals are always tricky. Audiences are so finicky about them.
|
HYDE PARK ON HUDSON
Roger Michell
Focus
December
Why?
Characters Oscar will like in a time period they love and a fine under-Oscared team.
But...
At some point warm British royalty movies will fail right?
|
Wild Card
GRAVITY
Alfonso Cúaron
Warner Bros
November
Why?
Cúaron can make amazing films and this one sounds interesting and risky and epic with intimacy. Intriguing.
But...
Even if it's superb, Oscar sometimes ignores sci-fi
|
LINCOLN
Steven Spielberg
Touchstone
December
Why?
Oscar loves a biopic and Lincoln has been a hot topic in recent years. Tony Kushner's involvement suggests it won't be just a stodgy bio.
But...
"Sure things" don't always pan out.
|
ARGO
Ben Affleck
Warner Bros
September
Why?
The Town was probably thisclose to a Best Picture nomination and with respect for Affleck growing it's only a matter of time.
But...
The thriller will have to really thrill.
|
|
Second Tier... Nearly as Likely To Reign?
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
THE MASTER
Paul Thomas Anderson
Weinstein Co.
October
Why?
It took AMPAS some time to recognize his genius but he may have entered his own Fincher-zone where his genius is no longer inaccessible to them.
But...
the film will surely annoy the Scientologists in AMPAS
|
THE SILVER LINING PLAYBOOK
Ps
Weinstein Co
TBA
Why?
Another Fincher-Zone possibility. Might David O. Russell's quirky idiosyncratic heart and funnybone finally be understood by Oscar? Good casting. Possibly moving and funny.
But...
This type of contemporary dramedy is usually ignored unless it really pops.
|
Wild Card
LIFE OF PI
Ang Lee
Fox
December
Why?
It won't have any trouble standing out from the crowd and people are crazy for the book.
But...
This, like Gravity, is a huge risk both financially and artistically. Can Ang Lee return to Oscar glory.
|
KILLING THEM SOFTLY
Andrew Dominick
Weinstein Co
September
Why?
Brad Pitt picks quality projects and his last effort with Dominick was the terrific Jesse James. Will they win more widespread love this time?
But...
There are so many crime dramas this year. Which will stand out?
|
ANNA KARENINA
Joe Wright
Focus Features
November
Why?
The last time Wright & Keira went the costume drama route, Oscar noms flowed.
But...
They don't always go for experimentation and supposedly he's doing that with the setting.
|
|
Other Possible Biggies
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
THE GREAT GATSBY
Baz Luhrmann
Warner Bros
December
Why?
Oscar even doled out some nominations to the disliked 70s version. And Oscar loves a classic book.
But...
The book -my personal favorite - doesn't lend itself easily to film. And 3D? Could be a huge flop.
|
THE TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE
Robert Lorenz
Warner Bros
September
Why?
A father/daughter drama with a romance (for the daughter) and a sports plot for the father. Could be an across the board dramatic hit.
But...
it might have to be in order to join the big race.
|
Wild Card
DJANGO UNCHAINED
Quentin Tarantino
Weinstein Co
December
Why?
Oscar went for Tarantino's last controversial effort and if he has another success d'estime he could repeat.
But...
this will be much harder for Oscar to stomach than Nazi hunting.
|
THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY
Peter Jackson
Warner Bros
December
Why?
The Lord of the Rings finale was Oscar's last "clean sweep" and Jackson could refind his groove returning to Middle Earth
But...
Oscar isn't the Emmys. They may have had enough. The moment may have passed.
|
BRAVE
Mark Andrews & Brenda Chapman
Disney•Pixar
June
Why?
It looks great from here and if "Merida" and her adventures thrill and move, who knows?
But...
Cars 2 might have signalled the end of Pixar's long reign of universally beloved movies.
|
|
It's Foolish To Predict in April. Anything Can Happen!
|
|
Other Films That Will Undoubtedly Be Discussed...
BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD (Fox Searchlight -June), THE SURROGATE (Fox Searchlight -TBA), THE HUNGER GAMES (Lionsgate - March), ZERO DARK THIRTY (Columbia - December), THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (Warner Bros - July), SONG FOR MARION (Weinstein - tba), THE SILVER LINING PLAYBOOK (Weinstein -Nov), QUARTET (TBA - tba), INSIDE LWELYN DAVIS (TBA -Tba), LOW LIFE (TBA -Tba), THE GANGSTER SQUAD (Warner Bros - October) COSMOPOLIS (TBA - tba), PROMETHEUS (Fox - June), EFFIE (TBA - tba), STOKER (Fox Searchlight - tba), and THE GREY (Open Road Films - January)
Will we see them released in 2012 or will there be delays?
THE BURIAL (romantic drama from Terence Malick), THE RAILWAY MAN (WW II film from Jonathan Teplitzky)
|
84th Oscars. The Oscar Contenders of 2012