What a year it is when we’re talking about a Martin Scorsese film being “unlikely” to win Best Picture. Top that off with a film that’s garnering ten nominations, at least as far as my projections, is “unlikely” to win all ten. I expect “The Irishman” to be completely shut out this year and that’s absolutely bonkers when you think of how prestigious Scorsese is. But it just goes to show you what kind of year we’ve had for movies.
Heading into the awards season this year, it felt like “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood” might end up being the film to beat. However, then “1917” and “Parasite” came on the scene and started winning everything. Now, “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood” is still apart of the Big Three, remaining in the conversation, but being overshadowed by those other two films, which have been sweeping the season thus far.
Chances are, it’s not going to win Best Picture, as three other film (“1917,” “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood,” and “Parasite”) seem to have a bigger claim to it, but it’s definitely in the range of possibilities for Joaquin Phoenix to win for Best Leading Actor and Hildur Guðnadóttir to win for Best Original Score.
Many were surprised that “The Lighthouse” didn’t garner any other attention from the Academy, especially with Willem Dafoe being a favorite of theirs. The cinematography, though stepping outside the box and deliviering something different, does not seem like Academy Award winning material, especially when you have Roger Deakins breaking ground with “1917.” The experts place “The Lighthouse” at the very bottom of the pack and although I do not necessarily agree with that, it does not have a very good chance of winning.
“A STAR IS BORN”Bill Gerber, Bradley Cooper and Lynette Howell Taylor Director: Bradley CooperProducers: Ceci Dempsey, Ed Guiney, Lee Magiday and Yorgos LanthimosWriters: Deborah Davis and Tony McNamaraCinematography: Robbie RyanEditor: Yorgos MavropsaridisComposer: Komeil S. HosseiniDistributor: Fox Searchlight PicturesRelease Date: November 23, 2018Budget: $15 millionRun-time: 120 minutes FILM SYNOPSIS: When rock star Jackson Maine meets struggling singer Ally, he is impressed by her talent and … Read More 2019 Oscars Challenge: [33] “A Star Is Born” – Eight Nominations
“NEVER LOOK AWAY”Germany; Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck Director: Florian Henckel von DonnersmarckProducers: Quirin Berg, Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, Jan Mojto, and Max WiedemannWriter: Florian Henckel von DonnersmarckCinematography: Caleb DeschanelEditor: Anne McCabeComposer: Max RichterDistributors: Sony Pictures ClassicsRelease Date: September 4, 2018Run-time: 189 minutes FILM SYNOPSIS: Growing up in Nazi Germany and then in Soviet-occupied Dresden, art student Kurt chafes at the restrictions imposed on him … Read More 2019 Oscars Challenge: [27] “Never Look Away” – Two Nominations
“THE FAVOURITE”Ceci Dempsey, Ed Guiney, Lee Magiday and Yorgos Lanthimos Director: Yorgos LanthimosProducers: Ceci Dempsey, Ed Guiney, Lee Magiday and Yorgos LanthimosWriters: Deborah Davis and Tony McNamaraCinematography: Robbie RyanEditor: Yorgos MavropsaridisComposer: Komeil S. HosseiniDistributor: Fox Searchlight PicturesRelease Date: November 23, 2018Budget: $15 millionRun-time: 120 minutes FILM SYNOPSIS: In the early 1700s, Queen Anne, in poor health and emotionally unstable, allows her most trusted confidante, … Read More 2019 Oscars Challenge: [15] “The Favourite” – Ten Nominations
“ROMA”Gabriela Rodríguez and Alfonso Cuarón Director: Alfonso CuarónProducers: Alfonso Cuarón, Gabriela Rodríguez, and Nicolas CelisWriters: Alfonso CuarónCinematography: Alfonso CuarónEditors: Alfonso Cuarón and Adam GoughComposer: Steven PriceDistributor: NetflixRelease Date: November 21, 2018Budget: $15 millionRun-time: 135 minutes FILM SYNOPSIS: In Mexico City in the early 1970s, Cleo is a maid in the household of a middle-class doctor. She takes on increasing responsibility caring for the family’s … Read More 2019 Oscars Challenge: [12] “Roma” – Ten Nominations
“COLD WAR”Poland; Paweł Pawlikowski Director: Paweł PawlikowskiProducers: Tanya Seghatchian and Ewa PuszczyńskaWriters: Paweł Pawlikowski, Janusz Głowacki, and Piotr BorkowskiCinematography: Łukasz ŻalEditor: Jaroslaw KaminskiComposer: Marcin MaseckiDistributor: Amazon StudiosBudget: $4.8 millionRelease Date: December 21, 2018Run-time: 89 minutes FILM SYNOPSIS: In 1949, pianist Wiktor scouts for talent for a musical ensemble and begins a romance with Zula, the singer and dancer he discovers. Over the next decade, … Read More 2019 Oscars Challenge: [6] “Cold War” – Three Nominations
“DARKEST HOUR” Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce, Anthony McCarten and Douglas Urbanski Director: Joe Wright Producers: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce, Anthony McCarten and Douglas Urbanski Cinematography: Bruno Delbonnel Editor: Dylan Tichenor Composer: Valerio Bonelli Distributor: Focus Features Release Date: November 22, 2017 Run-time: 125 minutes FILM SYNOPSIS: Controversial politician Winston Churchill is appointed prime minister during the early days of World War … Read More 2018 Oscars Challenge: [42] “Darkest Hour” – 6 Nominations
“THE SHAPE OF WATER” Guillermo del Toro and J. Miles Dale Director: Guillermo del Toro Producers: Guillermo del Toro and J. Miles Dale Cinematography: Dan Laustsen Editor: Sidney Wolinsky Composer: Alexandre Desplat Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures Release Date: December 1, 2017 Run-time: 123 minutes FILM SYNOPSIS: In 1962, janitor Elisa Esposito works at a classified government laboratory that tests new technology to help defeat the … Read More 2018 Oscars Challenge: [39] “The Shape Of Water” – 13 Nominations
“DUNKIRK” Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan Director & Writer: Christopher Nolan Producers: Emma Thomas & Christopher Nolan Cinematography: Hoyte van Hoytema Editor: Lee Smith Composer: Hans Zimmer Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures Release Date: July 21, 2017 Run-time: 106 minutes FILM SYNOPSIS: In the Spring of 1940, hundreds of thousands of British and Allied troops are trapped by German forces on the beaches of Dunkirk in … Read More 2018 Oscars Challenge: [38] “Dunkirk” – 8 Nominations
