Oscar Movie Preview
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Oscar Movie Preview

What's big and what's just bait?

11
Oscar Movie Preview
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences website

If you remember from last week, I looked at a few potential winners and losers on the blockbuster front in the upcoming months. This week, we'll look at the inverse: Oscar movies! The Toronto International Film Festival has wrapped up, and this year's winner of their People's Choice Award is the musical La La Land. Also mentioned last week, the People's Choice Award winner has (off-and-on) had a history of being big at the Academy Awards. Without further ado, let's get cracking!

WINNERS

La La Land: It's not just winning big at Toronto. Just watching one of the trailers is enough to win you over. The color washes alone, reminiscent of any of the classic Technicolor films of Hollywood, are enchanting. Plus, not only have stars Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling worked together in the past, Stone has proven that she can sing as well as Gosling. This will be sure to melt even the hardest of Oscar voter hearts.

Loving: Well, this is timely: In an era where massive protests arise when black people are continuously killed by police, and same-sex marriage is the new normal, here arrives a biopic involving the Lovings, a white man and a black woman who got married at a time when such marriages were illegal in the state of Virginia, leading to a landmark Supreme Court case. If the reviews are anything to go by, we might be looking at a highlight with this one.

The Founder: Another biopic, this time about Ray Kroc and he turned McDonald's into...well, you know. Will it be an awards favorite? We'll see. That said, given how Michael Keaton made the comeback of a lifetime with Birdman, it wouldn't be too far of a stretch to consider that he'll make the waves in the Best Actor category.

LOSERS

American Pastoral: Never heard of it? By the end of this year, you probably won't remember it existed. Given its credentials (including a cast with star power, source material from noted author Philip Roth, and the directorial debut of Ewan McGregor), you'd think there'd be more promise, but the reviews so far are saying otherwise.

Allied: Again, some major credentials: the newest film by Robert Zemeckis, Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard as the stars, a WWII film. The one major thing going against it, perhaps, is timing. It has yet to be seen whether or not the reviews can separate the film from all the developments the divorce heard 'round the world (though, as this Salon piece correctly points out, it's wrong to point fingers at Cotillard for instigating this divorce; at this point, we should let the divorce unfold before us and see what happens). Time will tell.

Fences: Again, credentials: star power, Denzel Washignton directing, a biopic set in the 1950s with Washington as the star. Everything you just read should have Oscar voters drooling. However, given that Washington's previous efforts with directing were both films that fell short as far as the Academy is concerned, it remains to be seen if this one will prove Washington is a director to watch.

Again, this list is brief. You can add your objections and suggestions in the comments. Until then, let Oscar season commence!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

98515
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments