Here we are in this magical moment in the race - all of the contenders have premiered. And no I do not include Ridley Scott's "Exodus: Gods & Kings", which to me, is obviously not a major threat. So all of the have premiered, but some are still embargoed. The Unbroken distributors are playing this game with us where some people see the movie, and we're supposed to be excited and await the verdict. Only nobody seems to care about it that much. No leaks, no discussion. The word is that there was applause, no standing ovation. In other words "Good". That's it. Do we really need another "good" movie? And is "good" good enough? When we have phenomenal pictures like Birdman, Boyhood and Foxcatcher? "Unbroken" will, of course, have a major campaign, but i dare to say that the quality of the film itself, would have to be overwhelming. And the word is - it's not. These kind of Oscary films need another factor to push them onwards. Something that definitely helped the "good" Titanic. Acting noms. And I just don't see those applying for "Unbroken". Actors' race is packed and Jack O'Connel will have a nearly impossible task, while Miyavi... well when you think about it, will they really embrace a Japanese popstar? Or whatever kind of music he does?
Now, don't get me wrong, the movie might be legitimately good and touching, but I'm writing about the Oscar season, and I only see it as a big nomination led picture. I wouldn't put my money on it as far as wins are concerned. Perhaps the heightened expectations as "the kind of film that is the winner" damaged its run so far.
The other embargoed film is "Into the Woods". That one is interesting enough thanks to have been rejected by many as a legitimate contender. I mean, "Unbroken" still has a better shot at BP than "Into the Woods", but the latter never was going to go for the win, right? It's about production design, costumes and other sure thing technical categories. But also acting. They have a great ensemble, Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine to name a few. And there is a lot of talking about it. Twitter is singing Streep's praises, but also the three others I mentioned above, and others. Many have called the song "Stay With Me", sung by Streep, the most powerful moment in the film, and it is "the killer scene" that gets you a nomination. It would be a (her own) record-breaking 19th nomination for Meryl Streep. Some have even called her a frontrunner. And while I wouldn't be to fast with my excitement, I think she looks strong.
Also since the last time I posted predictions, 3 films premiered to great reception. "Selma" (Ava DuVernay), "American Sniper" (Clint Eastwood) and "A Most Violent Year" (J.C. Chandor). Personally I think that "Selma" might make a run for the money, but there's something odd about it. I can't figure it out, but I think it's awards season story has something to surprise us with. There will be something unexpected about it. As for "American Sniper" I feel the momentum, but I'm not sure if it's universally acclaimed enough. Chandor's picture looks like the quiet sneaker, the one that will be pushed by its quality.
Next time I write we will be entering the Critics' awards. NYFC, LAFCC, NBR all in the beginning of December. But for now, let's take a look at the Oscar race:
BEST PICTURE:
1. Boyhood (Richard Linklater)
2. Birdman (Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu)
3. Selma (Ava DuVernay)
4. The Imitation Game (Morten Tyldum)
5. Unbroken (Angelina Jolie)
6. Interstellar (Christopher Nolan)
7. Into the Woods (Rob Marshall)
8. Still Alice (Wash Westmoreland & Richard Glatzer)
9. Foxcatcher (Bennet Miller)
BEST DIRECTOR:
1. Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu (Birdman)
2. Richard Linklater (Boyhood)
3. Ava DuVernay (Selma)
4. Angelina Jolie (Unbroken)
5. Christopher Nolan (Interstellar)
BEST ACTOR:
1. Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything)
2. Michael Keaton (Birdman)
3. David Oyelowo (Selma)
4. Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game)
5. Steve Carell (Foxcatcher)
BEST ACTRESS:
1. Julianne Moore (Still Alice)
2. Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything)
3. Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl)
4. Reese Witherspoon (Wild)
5. Emily Blunt (Into the Woods)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
1. J.K. Simmons (Whiplash)
2. Edward Norton (Birdman)
3. Ethan Hawke (Boyhood)
4. Mark Ruffalo (Birdman)
5. Josh Brolin (Inherent Vice)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
1. Patricia Arquette (Boyhood)
2. Jessica Chastain (A Most Violent Year)
3. Meryl Streep (Into the Woods)
4. Emma Stone (Birdman)
5. Carmen Ejogo (Selma)
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
1. Birdman (Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu, Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Armando Bo)
2. Boyhood (Richard Linklater)
3. Foxcatcher (E. Max Frye, Dan Futterman)
4. Whiplash (Damien Chazelle)
5. Interstellar (Christopher Nolan & Jonathan Nolan)
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:
1. The Imitation Game (Graham Moore)
2. Unbroken (Joel & Ethan Coen, Richard LaGravanese, William Nicholson)
3. The Theory of Everything (Anthony McCarten)
4. Into the Woods (James Lapine)
5. Gone Girl (Gillian Flynn)
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY:
1. Birdman (Emmanuel Lubezki)
2. Interstellar (Hoyte van Hoytema)'
3. Unbroken (Roger Deakins)
4. Mr. Turner (Dick Pope)
5. Bradford Young (Selma)
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE:
1. Interstellar (Hans Zimmer)
2. The Imitation Game (Alexandre Desplat)
3. The Theory of Everything (Johann Johannsson)
4. Gone Girl (Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross)
5. Unbroken (Alexandre Desplat)
That's it for now, check out the OSCAR RACE page on the right to see the complete leaderboard.
BURT MIZAKI
