SEPT./MID OCT.: OSCAR SEASON...THUS FAR

Little has changed in the Oscar hunt since the Toronto Film Festival ended roughly a month ago. The films that played over Labor Day in Telluride, the week before Toronto, really set the stage. As I outlined previously 12 Years a Slave is definitely playing as a front runner, McQueen’s third feature has the performances and the script, amidst the fragile subject matter, that could carry the film to a slew of awards come 2014. Its limited release is October 18^th however and the question will be can it carry enough steam from September all the way to voting season in February to stay in front.

There were two films that showed in Telluride that I didn’t have the chance to screen which have been released: Prisoners and Gravity. Both were well received at both Telluride and Toronto and my viewing hasn’t changed the outlook for both. Gravity is a slam dunk for Cinematography, Screenplay, Sandra Bullock for Best Actress, and could get nods in Directing for Alfonso Cuaron and Supporting Actor for George Clooney (although an Academy favorite his screen time might not be extensive enough). Prisoners is one of those really good films that does everything well but might not do anything at an elite level. Jake Gyllenhaal and Hugh Jackman turn in great performances and the script moves the two hour plus film along quite well with tension to spare. If I thought it had a chance in one category Screenplay might be it, there might be more going for the film come January considering it won 2^nd runner up at Toronto but there’s not much discussion on its chances.

Amongst films that were released in the last four weeks or so, and didn’t play the festival circuit, Captain Phillips has stood out with chances in a few categories. Tom Hanks really does turn in his best performance in years (to quote all the TV trailers) and already is a virtual lock for a Best Actor nom. The Screenplay and Directing (Paul Greengrass United 93) are best bets as well. Barkhad Abdi, the Somalian-American actor who plays the lead Somalian hijacker, has received buzz for Best Supporting Actor but it will come down to how strong the field is.

Other notable releases that have had strong critical reviews but most likely have little chance of generating Oscar nominations are the Rom Com Don Jon (say that five times fast) written and directed by and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and The Ron Howard effort Rush. Don Jon is a good writing and directing debut for Gordon-Levitt and shows promise but the story is largely uneven, although Scarlett Johansson is hilarious and has a shot at Best Supporting Actress (again depending on field). I haven’t seen Rush but unless the Directing field is weak and Howard sneaks in I haven’t heard any Oscar worthy elements to the film.

Still to come in October is the Carrie reboot, Ridley Scott’s The Counselor, and the Cannes Film Fest winner Blue is the Warmest Color. Carrie doesn’t look too enticing but who knows, crazier things have happened, Blue will most likely compete in the Best Foreign Film category, and that leaves The Counselor as the last film this month that may catch Oscar’s eye. After month’s end we see Ender’s Game, The Wolf of Wall Street, Oldboy, Out of the Furnace, Her, The Monuments Men, Saving Mr. Banks, and American Hustle all being released in November and December. There’s still plenty of reel left on the spool, stay tuned.