With film festival season in full swing, there are plenty of movies being released that are already receiving Oscar buzz. Most nominated films tend to be released in October through December. There are exceptions though, like "Get Out" being released in February of 2017 and then going on to have a Best Picture nomination the following year. Or with Toni Collette's performance in "Hereditary" which was released in June, has the potential to put her in the Best Actress race. Or "Black Panther" is predicted to score a Best Picture nomination. Other summer action and superhero movies also tend to rank in nominations, but usually in editing or visual effects, rather than in one of the "Big Five" categories; Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor, and Best Screenplay.
With so many films to keep up with here is a guide to keep you up to date on what to see based on what is most to be nominated come March.
October Releases
October 5: "A Star Is Born" Starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, this is the fourth time this film is being remade but with new original music and with Bradley Cooper in his directorial debut.
October 12: "Beautiful Boy" Starring Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet based on the best-selling memoirs of a father and son.
October 12: "First Man" Starring Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy in this Neil Armstrong biopic, this film opened the Venice Film Festival. Director Damien Chazelle also worked with Gosling on "La La Land".
October 19: "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" Starring Melissa McCarthy based on the true story of an author who begins forging letters to sell from famous authors.
October 19: "Wildlife" Starring Carey Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal, this story follows the story of a struggling couple and their son.
October 19: "Mid90s" Written and directed by Jonah Hill, this film tells the story of how a 13-year-old spends his summer with friends he meets at a skate park.
October 21: "Stan & Ollie" Starring Steve Coogan Laurel and John C. Reilly, this biopic tells the story of a comedic pair.
November Releases
November 2: "Bohemian Rhapsody" Starring Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury, this film tells the story of Mercury and his journey as the lead singer of Queen.
November 2: "Boy Erased" Starring Nicole Kidman, Joel Edgerton, and Lucas Hedges, this film tells the true story of Baptist parents who made their 19-year-old son attend gay conversion therapy or be shunned by them and their church forever.
November 16: "At Eternity's Gate" Starring Academy Award nominee Willem Dafoe, this film tells of how Vincent van Gogh spent the last few years of his life.
November 21: "Creed II" Starring Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan, this film continues the story of Rocky Balboa and Adonis Creed. Stallone received an Oscar nomination for "Creed" in 2016.
November 21: "Green Book" Starring Viggo Mortensen and Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali, this film tells the story of two men in the 1960s, one a bouncer, the other a pianist, and the dangers they face on a road trip through the south.
November 23: "The Favourite" Starring Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz, and Olivia Colman, this dark comedy tells the story of two cousins trying to become the favorite of the queen. This film also premiered at the Venice Film Festival and received excellent reviews.
November 30: "If Beale Street Could Talk" from the writer and director of Best Picture winner "Moonlight", Barry Jenkins, this film tells the story of a couple and how their plans for marriage fall apart when the woman's fiancé is arrested for a crime she didn't commit.
December Releases
December 7: "Mary Queen of Scots" Starring two of the Best Actress nominees from last year, Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie, this film tells the story of Mary Stuart and Queen Elizabeth I.
December 14: "Vice" From the writer and director of "The Big Short", Adam McKay, this film tells the story of Dick Cheney. Starring Christian Bale, Amy Adams, and recent Oscar winner, Sam Rockwell.
December 19: "Mary Poppins Returns" Starring Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda, this modern remake includes new music and Dick Van Dyke.
December 25: "On the Basis of Sex" Starring Felicity Jones and Armie Hammer, this film tells the story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second female justice of the Supreme Court.
Many more films have the potential to and will be nominated or win, but this is a list based upon what I want to see or believe will prove to be good! Many other films not released in October, November, or December have also generated buzz, but this is what is coming up to see.
