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.
Just like Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best International Feature Film is basically locked as well, with “Parasite” being the absolute favorite, not only here but everywhere, so much so that it could translate into a Best Picture win. There’s no way there will be an upset but if by some miracle there is, I guess “Pain and Glory” would likely be the next in line.
In the Best Picture category, there are currently the “big three,” which are the films with the best shot at winning. “Marriage Story” is not one of them. They include “1917,” “Parasite,” and “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.” I would even say “The Irishman” falls in somewhere ahead of “Marriage Story” as well.
“The Two Popes” has no chance of winning Best Adapted Screenplay. “Jojo Rabbit” has been winning all the major awards, making it the current frontrunner, while “Little Women” and “The Irishman” both have better claims to a win.
“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
“VICE”Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Adam McKay and Kevin Messick Director: Adam McKayProducers: Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Kevin J. Messick, Will Ferrell, and Adam McKayWriter: Adam McKayCinematography: Greig FraserEditor: Hank CorwinComposer: Nicholas BritellDistributor: Annapurna PicturesRelease Date: December 25, 2018Budget: $60 millionRun-time: 132 minutes FILM SYNOPSIS: Dick Cheney rises from humble beginnings to the heights of politics, serving in cabinet positions, in the White … Read More 2019 Oscars Challenge: [32] “Vice” – Eight Nominations
“GREEN BOOK”Jim Burke, Charles B. Wessler, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly and Nick Vallelonga Director: Peter FarrellyProducers: Jim Burke, Charles B. Wessler, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly and Nick VallelongaWriters: Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie, Peter FarrellyCinematography: Sean PorterEditor: Patrick J. Don VitoComposer: Kris BowersDistributors: Universal PicturesRelease Date: November 16, 2018Budget: $23 millionRun-time: 130 minutes FILM SYNOPSIS: Dr. Donald Shirley, an accomplished concert pianist, hires Italian-American bouncer … Read More 2019 Oscars Challenge: [26] “Green Book” – Five Nominations
WILLEM DAFOE“At Eternity’s Gate” Director: Julian SchnabelProducer: Jon KilikWriters: Jean-Claude Carrière, Julian Schnabel, and Louise KugelbergCinematography: Benoît DelhommeEditors: Louise Kugelberg and Julian SchnabelComposer: Tatiana LisovskayaDistributors: CBS FilmsRelease Date: November 16, 2018Run-time: 110 minutes CHARACTER SYNOPSIS: Willem Dafoe portrays artist Vincent Van Gogh, who experiences breakthroughs in his creative process while living at Arles, despite the anguish caused by his mental instability. Analysis coming soon … Read More 2019 Oscars Challenge: [21] “At Eternity’s Gate” – Best Actor in a Leading Role
“BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY”Graham King Directors: Bryan Singer & Dexter Fletcher Producers: Graham King & Jim BeachWriters: Anthony McCarten and Peter MorganCinematography: Newton Thomas SigelEditor: John OttmanComposer: John OttmanDistributor: 20th Century FoxRelease Date: November 2, 2018Budget: $55 millionRun-time: 134 minutes FILM SYNOPSIS: As he seeks to fulfill his dream of becoming a famous singer, art student Freddie rebels against his traditional Parsi family and joins the … Read More 2019 Oscars Challenge: [19] “Bohemian Rhapsody” – Five Nominations
“CALL ME BY YOUR NAME” Peter Spears, Luca Guadagnino, Emilie Georges and Marco Morabito Director: Luca Guadagnino Producers: Peter Spears, Luca Guadagnino, Emilie Georges and Marco Morabito Writer: James Ivory Cinematography: Sayombhu Mukdeeprom Editor: Walter Fasano Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics Release Date: November 24, 2017 Run-time: 132 minutes FILM SYNOPSIS: Seventeen-year-old Elio Perlman lives in Northern Italy with his translator mother and professor father, who … Read More 2018 Oscars Challenge: [43] “Call Me By Your Name” – 4 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
“PHANTOM THREAD” JoAnne Sellar, Paul Thomas Anderson, Megan Ellison and Daniel Lupi Director & Writer: Paul Thomas Anderson Producers: JoAnne Sellar, Paul Thomas Anderson, Megan Ellison and Daniel Lupi Cinematography: Paul Thomas Anderson Editor: Dylan Tichenor Composer: Jonny Greenwood Distributor: Focus Features Release Date: December 25, 2017 Run-time: 130 minutes FILM SYNOPSIS: In 1950s London, middle-aged couturier Reynolds Woodcock is at the height of his … Read More 2018 Oscars Challenge: [21] “Phantom Thread” – 6 Nominations
DENZEL WASHINGTON “Roman J. Israel, Esq” Director & Writer: Dan Gilroy Producers: Todd Black, Jennifer Fox, and Denzel Washington Cinematography: Robert Elswit Editor: John Gilroy Composer: James Newton Howard Distributors: Columbia Pictures Release Date: November 17, 2017 Run-time: 122 minutes CHARACTER SYNOPSIS: As Roman J. Israel, Esq., Denzel Washington plays an idiosyncratic lawyer who finds his idealism tested after years of making sacrifices and eschewing … Read More 2018 Oscars Challenge: [20] “Roman J. Israel, Esq” – Best Actor in a Leading Role
“GET OUT” Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, Edward H. Hamm Jr. and Jordan Peele Director & Writer: Jordan Peele Producers: Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, Edward H. Hamm Jr. and Jordan Peele Cinematography: Toby Oliver Editor: Nick Houy Composer: Michael Abels Distributor: Universal Pictures Release Date: February 24, 2017 Run-time: 103 minutes FILM SYNOPSIS: Photographer Chris Washington is nervous about meeting his girlfriend Rose’s parents for the … Read More 2018 Oscars Challenge: [19] “Get Out” – 4 Nominations
BRYAN CRANSTON “Trumbo” OscarsⓇ Nominated Role: Bryan Cranston portrays Dalton Trumbo, a successful Hollywood screenwriter who struggles to survive professionally after being blacklisted in the late 1940s. Coming off his performance on one of the most talked about television series of all-time, “Breaking Bad,” the voting bodies that be were just waiting for any reason to commemorate Bryan Cranston and his continued impressive work as … Read More 2016 Oscars Challenge: [34] “Trumbo” – Best Leading Actor
MICHAEL FASSBENDER “Steve Jobs” OscarsⓇ Nominated Role: Michael Fassbender plays Steve Jobs, a technology innovator whose personal relationships are marred by discord while his career is filled with both groundbreaking achievements and shattering losses. Even though Danny Boyle’s “Steve Jobs” was not a commercial success, Michael Fassbender’s performance still stood out as one of the best of the year. Playing the title character, Fassbender plays … Read More 2016 Oscars Challenge: [33] “Steve Jobs” – Best Leading Actor
MATT DAMON “The Martian” OscarsⓇ Nominated Role: Matt Damon plays Mark Watney, an astronaut stranded on Mars who must engineer the means to survive the planet’s harsh environment long enough to be rescued. Before reading a book, I generally hate knowing who’s been cast in the film adaptations because picturing a certain person as any particular character can be detrimental to the imagination process. If … Read More 2016 Oscars Challenge: [24] “The Martian” – Best Leading Actor
“STEVE JOBS” {click each category for individual look} // Produced by Danny Boyle, Guymon Casady, Christian Colson, Mark Gordon, and Scott Rudin // Directed by Danny Boyle // // Dated Viewed: Tuesday, February 16th, 2016 // BLU-RAY // 9 films – 13 days //
“THE MARTIAN” {click each category for individual look} // Produced by Simon Kinberg, Ridley Scott, Aditya Sood, Michael Schaefer, and Mark Huffam // Directed by Ridley Scott // // Dated Viewed: Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016 // BLU-RAY // 18 films – 26 days //
“THE DANISH GIRL” {click each category for individual look} // Produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Anne Harrison, Tom Hooper, and Gail Mutrux //Directed by Tom Hooper // // Dated Viewed: Saturday, January 23rd, 2016 // LAEMMLE NOHO // 31 films – 37 days //
LEONARDO DICAPRIO “The Revenant” OscarsⓇ Nominated Role: Leonardo DiCaprio portrays Hugh Glass, a 19th-century American frontiersman who is left for dead by his comrades after being mauled by a bear during a winter expedition. During the 2013-2014 Oscar season, many thought it was Leonardo DiCaprio’s year to win, for his leading performance in “The Wolf Of Wall Street.” It was such a different role … Read More 2016 Oscars Challenge: [5] “The Revenant” – Best Leading Actor
Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio, Joey McFarland and Emma Tillinger Koskoff Martin Scorsese is no stranger to the Best Picture category and with “The Wolf Of Wall Street” becoming one of his best films in an illustrious career, it’s no question that it deserves all the recognition that it’s receiving. Yes, the film is not about nice people and most of the main characters are … Read More 2014 Oscars Challenge: [40] The Wolf Of Wall Street – Five Nominations
Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa “Nebraska”, a black-and-white jaunt into the lives of a family residing in Montana, the entire film follows lead Bruce Dern playing an aging man named Woody Grant that believes he’s won $1,000,000 from a sweepstakes, all he has to do is make it to Lincoln, Nebraska to accept the money. Heartwarming and laced with a dark comedic element that … Read More 2014 Oscars Challenge: [39] Nebraska – Six Nominations
Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Steve McQueen and Anthony Katagas “12 Years A Slave” is the film that will be remembered from 2013. It does matter if this wins or “Gravity” wins or even “American Hustle”. What matters is that this film explored the nature of history and of slavery unlike any film before its time, from a black director who makes an … Read More 2014 Oscars Challenge: [36] 12 Years A Slave – Nine Nominations
Robbie Brenner and Rachel Winter With likely two acting awards coming from the film, “Dallas Buyers Club” is a forced to be reckoned with. Even without a Best Directing nomination, the film likely lands into the top 5 with chances of the winning the Oscar for Best Picture. And even though it is entirely unlikely that it will win, this film will not go … Read More 2014 Oscars Challenge: [21] Dallas Buyers Club – Six Nominations
Charles Roven, Richard Suckle, Megan Ellison, and Jonathan Gordon There are three big contenders in the Best Picture category this year: “Gravity”, “12 Years A Slave”, and “American Hustle”. Now, “Gravity” and “12 Years A Slave” are the odds-on favorites to win, both vying for the Best Directing category and leaving David O. Russell out of the mix, but the steam that is building … Read More 2014 Oscars Challenge: [20] American Hustle – Ten Nominations
[29 OUT OF 46 FILMS REMAINING]-[23 DAYS TO OSCARS] It’s going to be a tough year in the Best Adapted Screenplay category, not just because they are all worthy contenders, but because I really enjoyed them all and cannot pick a favorite. That being said, “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” seems like one of the trickier concepts to get across when adapting the long form … Read More 2012 Oscars Challenge: [17] Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy & 3 Nominations
[41 OUT OF 46 FILMS REMAINING]-[32 DAYS TO OSCARS] Just the fact that Demian Bichir was nominated was enough for me. Though I suppose I would have rather seen Michael Shannon or Michael Fassbender in this category for their amazing performances this year, the recognition of Bichir in such a small film is still justified and is what makes the Academy Awards interesting. Bichir … Read More 2012 Oscars Challenge: [5] A Better Life & Demián Bichir
2011 Oscar Challenge: “Blue Valentine” (2010)
>>>>(1 OF 41 FILMS REMAINING)-(1 DAY TO OSCARS)<<<<
2011 Oscar Challenge: “Biutiful” (2010)
>>>>(7 OF 41 FILMS REMAINING)-(2 DAYS TO OSCARS)<<<<
2011 Oscar Challenge: “The King’s Speech” (2010)
>>>>(14 OF 41 FILMS REMAINING)-(6 DAYS TO OSCARS)<<<<
2011 Oscar Challenge: “The Social Network” (2010)
>>>>(15 OF 41 FILMS REMAINING)-(6 DAYS TO OSCARS)<<<<
2011 Oscar Challenge: “True Grit” (2010)
>>>>(27 OF 41 FILMS REMAINING)-(21 DAYS TO OSCARS)<<<<
2011 Oscar Challenge: “127 Hours” (2010)
>>>>38 of 41 Films Remaining = 29 Days to Oscars<<<<
INVICTUS Up For: Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role Invictus started off the night of the triple header at the Safari theater. As the longest film of the night, we planned on getting it out of the way. Invictus did not disappoint. Morgan Freeman was a solid choice for Leading Actor. Put … Read More 2010 Oscars Challenge: Invictus
A SINGLE MAN Up For: Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role Watching the trailer for this film does not prepare you for what you are stepping into. Here is what I knew about this film when I stepped in: Tom Ford, a fashion designer, is a first time director. Colin Firth is nominated for Best Lead Actor. Julianne Moore had Oscar … Read More 2010 Oscars Challenge: A Single Man
CRAZY HEART Up For: Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song Where in God’s name is the Best Picture nomination? Crazy Heart was absolutely amazing. By far the best film viewed throughout this journey (Sorry Up In The Air, Thank you Marcus Theaters … Read More 2010 Oscars Challenge: Crazy Heart
UP IN THE AIR Up For: Best Motion Picture of the Year Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role Two Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Best Achievement in Directing Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published Made my first set-back in the Oscar challenge… I enjoyed Up In The Air so much, I went to … Read More 2010 Oscars Challenge: Up In The Air
THE HURT LOCKER Up For: Best Motion Picture of the Year Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role Best Achievement in Directing Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen Best Achievement in Cinematography Best Achievement in Editing Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score Best Achievement in Sound Mixing Best Achievement in Sound Editing In the lead for … Read More 2010 Oscars Challenge: The Hurt Locker
