Best Visual Effects
Guaranteed nomination and likely win
1. Gravity (Warner Bros.) - Visually, Gravity is unlike any other film I've seen. The space sequences are dazzling, mystical and beautiful and most importantly, realistic. Gravity is a film where the visual effects helped carried the story and for that it will probably end up winning.
2. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (Warner Bros.) - The Academy loves Peter Jackson's Middle-Earth series with the Lord of the Rings trilogy sweeping the Oscar ceremonies they received nominations at and the first Hobbit film earning 3 nominations at last year's ceremony. While the second Hobbit adventure will likely lose out to Gravity, the visual effects in this franchise have never disappointed and if any film could beat Gravity in this category it would be The Hobbit.
Strong chances at getting nominated
3. Pacific Rim (Warner Bros.) - Pacific Rim is the definition of a fun summer blockbuster and Guillermo del Toro's visionary imagination gave what could have been a generic sci-fi action film an epic scope and unique visual design that serves as a sort of homage to Japanese anime. The robots and the monsters looked fantastic in the film and it is likely Pacific Rim will earn a nomination for its VFX.
4. Man of Steel (Warner Bros.) - While critical reception for the Superman reboot was mixed to positive, most people agreed that visually Man of Steel was a treat. The opening on Krypton looked fantastic and while some argue that the latter half of the film is filled with nearly nonstop CGI action, the CGI looked good. The Transformers series (despite generic and bloated CGI action) has earned nominations for VFX, and Man of Steel had more than just that. There was a sense of realism and awe when Superman displayed his powers of flight and heat vision and the various environments such as Krypton, the liquid-style robots and various spaceships mixed with the usual fights and explosions will likely earn Superman's return to the big screen a VFX nomination.
Not completely sure bets
5. Iron Man 3 (Disney/Marvel) - Usually the highest grossing film of the year ends up with at least one nomination at the Academy Awards and it seems likely Marvel's Iron Man 3 could end up with one for its visual effects. The previous two Iron Man films and Marvel's the Avengers all received nominations in this category and Iron Man 3 features some dazzling visuals including the Extremis villains and Iron Man's robot army along with set-pieces such as attacks on Tony Stark's home and Air Force One. While the visual aren't as unique looking as the other films mentioned, this superhero sequel's status as the biggest film of 2013 could earn it a nod for visual effects.
6. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Fox) - Ben Stiller's adventure dramedy may not seem like a film filled with too many visual effects, but you are wrong. The dream-sequences included in the film look visually dazzling including an epic fight sequence across a metropolis and other set-pieces around the world.
7. Star Trek Into Darkness (Paramount) - The first Star Trek earned 4 Academy Award nominations, a win for makeup and nomination for visual effects. The second film has a strong chance at earning a nomination for its visual effects, but it may not break out due to the immense competition provided by other films. However, the Academy has shown some love to Trek in the technical categories before, so don't be surprised if Into Darkness earns a nod.
8. Elysium (Sony) - Neill Blomkamp's sci-fi action thriller features some really great visual effects, specifically the various robots, which look very realistic compared to other bots seen in films. District 9 earned a nod for its realistic blend of CGI and special effects and Elysium has a solid chance to do the same.
Dark horses
9. Oblivion (Universal) - Tom Cruise's sci-fi epic rather generic and forgetabble, but if one thing can be said about it, it is that Oblivion had a great sense of visual style. It remains to be seen if this early April release will be remembered when compared to summer epics such as Man of Steel and holiday treats such as The Hobbit.
10. World War Z (Paramount) - Brad Pitt's zombie thriller broke out this year as a critical and commercial success, and despite some strong visual style, it probably won't earn a nomination considering zombies aren't as much of a visual treat compared to dragons, superheroes and giant robots.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
86th Academy Award predictions - Best Picture
In this series, I will go through and analyze the contenders that might get nominated and possibly win in various categories for the upcoming 86th Academy Awards.
Best Picture
Guaranteed to get nominated (and likely to win)
1. 12 Years A Slave (Fox Searchlight) - Steve McQueen's historical drama has received near universal acclaim in nearly every category. Audiences who have seen it have praised it as a landmark film and masterpiece, and with all the recognition it is getting, it would be shocking if this wasn't nominated. And if it is nominated, expect 12 Years A Slave to be the winner in this category.
2. Gravity (Warner Bros.) - Alfonso Cuaron's sci-fi thriller has received excellent reviews and has become a box office blockbuster (as of October 20, the film's domestic total stands at $170 million) and a favorite among audiences. Gravity is pretty much a lock to sweep all the technical categories and it has a good chance of stealing the Oscar gold. The battle will be primarily between 12 Years A Slave and Gravity for the big prize, and there is a high chance that Gravity could end up a big winner come Oscar night.
Stand very good chances at getting nominated
3. Inside Llewyn Davis (CBS Films) - The Academy loves the Coen Brothers and has honored them and many of their films over the years. It seems "ILD" will be no exception, with strong word of mouth from various film festivals and growing buzz, ILD will is a likely a lock to be nominated, even though it probably won't end up winning Best Picture.
4. Captain Phillips (Sony) - This reality based action thriller has received stellar reviews, won over audiences and become a box office success. Tom Hanks is a lock for Best Actor and director Paul Greengrass and writer Billy Ray's script seem to stand very strong chances at getting nominated, so it expected that Captain Phillips will earn a nomination as well.
5. American Hustle (Sony) - This 1970's based crime flick has an all-star cast full of Oscar favorites Christian Bale, Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner and Amy Adams, along with Academy favorite David O. Russell taking the directing reigns. Marketing seems to play up that while this crime flick will be more lighthearted, it will feature fantastic performances and that nice balance between comedy and drama that the Academy loves (i.e. Argo).
6. The Monuments Men (Sony/Fox) - George Clooney's star-studded war drama is like an Academy dream come true. It features an all-star cast including Clooney himself, Matt Damon, Jean Dujardin, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett and John Goodman, a story based on true events revolving arts and cultures and plenty of humor and drama in between action-packed battle sequences.
Likely to get nominated
7. The Wolf of Wall Street (Paramount) - Martin Scorsese's all-star crime drama would be higher on the list if it wasn't for the fact that Paramount is not even sure if the film will be prepared on time. But based on the first trailer, Scorsese has a funny, stylish and smart look at the excessive 90's lifestyle of Jordan Belfort.
8. August: Osage County (Weinstein) - Critical reception for John Wells' adaptation of the hit play has been mixed so far. However, with an all-star cast featuring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts, this might just grab the Academy's attention.
9. Nebraska (Paramount Vantage) - Filled with great performances from Bruce Dern and Will Forte, lots of festival buzz and Academy love for Alexander Payne, this small yet effective film may end up getting a nomination for Best Picture.
10. Blue Jasmine (Sony) - Woody Allen's latest film has received excellent reviews and with a near guaranteed lock for Cate Blanchett, a Best Picture nomination should be expected as well.
Dark horses that may sneak in
11. Fruitvale Station (Fox Searchlight) - Ryan Coogler's debut film opened this summer and won over film critics everywhere and has been praised by many to be the year's best. However, will the Academy forget about Fruitvale (an early summer release) by early next year after premieres of other strong fall contenders?
12. Lee Daniels' the Butler - This ensemble drama received mostly positive reviews and became a box office hit, but it remains to be seen if it will earn a Best Picture nomination. While many have criticized the film for being sappy and clichéd, it seems that this Oscar bait drama could actually get a nomination.
13. Prisoners (Warner Bros.) - Denis Villeneuve's dark and edgy kidnapping drama has received critical praise and buzz for several performances, but it remains to be seen if this can translate to a Best Picture nomination.
14. Her (Warner Bros.) - Spike Jonze's relevant love story has received universal acclaim out of festivals and while it is too early to say, this film could definitely move up on the list as it comes closer to its release.
15. Rush (Universal) - Ron Howard's thrilling racing drama will probably earn a couple technical nominations and possibly a supporting actor nod for Daniel Bruhl, and with the critical acclaim it has received, it remains to be seen if Rush can earn a Best Picture nod.
Best Picture
Guaranteed to get nominated (and likely to win)
1. 12 Years A Slave (Fox Searchlight) - Steve McQueen's historical drama has received near universal acclaim in nearly every category. Audiences who have seen it have praised it as a landmark film and masterpiece, and with all the recognition it is getting, it would be shocking if this wasn't nominated. And if it is nominated, expect 12 Years A Slave to be the winner in this category.
2. Gravity (Warner Bros.) - Alfonso Cuaron's sci-fi thriller has received excellent reviews and has become a box office blockbuster (as of October 20, the film's domestic total stands at $170 million) and a favorite among audiences. Gravity is pretty much a lock to sweep all the technical categories and it has a good chance of stealing the Oscar gold. The battle will be primarily between 12 Years A Slave and Gravity for the big prize, and there is a high chance that Gravity could end up a big winner come Oscar night.
Stand very good chances at getting nominated
3. Inside Llewyn Davis (CBS Films) - The Academy loves the Coen Brothers and has honored them and many of their films over the years. It seems "ILD" will be no exception, with strong word of mouth from various film festivals and growing buzz, ILD will is a likely a lock to be nominated, even though it probably won't end up winning Best Picture.
4. Captain Phillips (Sony) - This reality based action thriller has received stellar reviews, won over audiences and become a box office success. Tom Hanks is a lock for Best Actor and director Paul Greengrass and writer Billy Ray's script seem to stand very strong chances at getting nominated, so it expected that Captain Phillips will earn a nomination as well.
5. American Hustle (Sony) - This 1970's based crime flick has an all-star cast full of Oscar favorites Christian Bale, Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner and Amy Adams, along with Academy favorite David O. Russell taking the directing reigns. Marketing seems to play up that while this crime flick will be more lighthearted, it will feature fantastic performances and that nice balance between comedy and drama that the Academy loves (i.e. Argo).
6. The Monuments Men (Sony/Fox) - George Clooney's star-studded war drama is like an Academy dream come true. It features an all-star cast including Clooney himself, Matt Damon, Jean Dujardin, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett and John Goodman, a story based on true events revolving arts and cultures and plenty of humor and drama in between action-packed battle sequences.
Likely to get nominated
7. The Wolf of Wall Street (Paramount) - Martin Scorsese's all-star crime drama would be higher on the list if it wasn't for the fact that Paramount is not even sure if the film will be prepared on time. But based on the first trailer, Scorsese has a funny, stylish and smart look at the excessive 90's lifestyle of Jordan Belfort.
8. August: Osage County (Weinstein) - Critical reception for John Wells' adaptation of the hit play has been mixed so far. However, with an all-star cast featuring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts, this might just grab the Academy's attention.
9. Nebraska (Paramount Vantage) - Filled with great performances from Bruce Dern and Will Forte, lots of festival buzz and Academy love for Alexander Payne, this small yet effective film may end up getting a nomination for Best Picture.
10. Blue Jasmine (Sony) - Woody Allen's latest film has received excellent reviews and with a near guaranteed lock for Cate Blanchett, a Best Picture nomination should be expected as well.
Dark horses that may sneak in
11. Fruitvale Station (Fox Searchlight) - Ryan Coogler's debut film opened this summer and won over film critics everywhere and has been praised by many to be the year's best. However, will the Academy forget about Fruitvale (an early summer release) by early next year after premieres of other strong fall contenders?
12. Lee Daniels' the Butler - This ensemble drama received mostly positive reviews and became a box office hit, but it remains to be seen if it will earn a Best Picture nomination. While many have criticized the film for being sappy and clichéd, it seems that this Oscar bait drama could actually get a nomination.
13. Prisoners (Warner Bros.) - Denis Villeneuve's dark and edgy kidnapping drama has received critical praise and buzz for several performances, but it remains to be seen if this can translate to a Best Picture nomination.
14. Her (Warner Bros.) - Spike Jonze's relevant love story has received universal acclaim out of festivals and while it is too early to say, this film could definitely move up on the list as it comes closer to its release.
15. Rush (Universal) - Ron Howard's thrilling racing drama will probably earn a couple technical nominations and possibly a supporting actor nod for Daniel Bruhl, and with the critical acclaim it has received, it remains to be seen if Rush can earn a Best Picture nod.
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