Cine2100: Oscar Predictions 2015: Best Picture

Well, we're well enough into the year, that it warrants an early bird prediction of what next year's Best Picture Oscar nominees are going to be. This will properly document any desire for bragging rights later and/or be used against me by others to point out the egg on my face. On a general glance, this year's race seems to suggest we'll have another 2011 or 2014-type year, where we don't have a lot of huge undeniable critical/commercial hits from trustworthy filmmakers backed by big studios. Additionally, the more dependable filmmakers who know how to deliver award-friendly fare aren't matched up with the strongest studios. Focus and Disney have the best prospects thus far, but not the reliable track records of Fox Searchlight, SPC, and WB (and those studios don't exactly have the best lineups, either). That's going to leave a lot of room for surprises and quieter films to creep into the fold as the year presses on. Oddly, my predictions are very top-heavy with female and/or LGBT-focused stories right now. And, we know it's rare for that to ever happen. Let's just pretend it's going to be the Year of The Woman for now, and watch the narrative slowly crumble as we proceed with 2015. And, it seems kind of ridiculous that eight of my Top 10 are from only four studios (two of which fall under the same umbrella). But, there you have it. Hedging my bets, I guess. Barring any unforeseen changes in Academy rules--there have been rumors the AMPAS may be returning to a maximum field of five nominees for the first time since 2008--I give you my predictions for Oscars 2015:

Anne-Marie Duff, Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham-Carter,
and Romola Garai in Suffragette

Suffragette (Focus). Focus, who had a resurgence over the last couple of years with Dallas Buyers Club and The Theory of Everything, scooped this up and announced a release date after a recent screening, even with having announced the late-year release date for The Danish Girl just weeks earlier. The film starring Carey Mulligan in the central role is about women earning the right to vote in Britain mixing real and fictional characters. Best Picture winners are tough to call this far ahead, and there isn't any reason why the AMPAS would be inspired to celebrate women. However, with so many possible projects coming out about women, and few other options right now which seem to have a chance at Oscar recognition, this film may encapsulate this very unusual year. The supporting cast includes Meryl Streep, Helena Bonham Carter, Ben Whishaw, Brendan Gleeson, Romola Garai, Anne-Marie Duff, and Natalie Press. BAFTA winner Sarah Gavron on her second feature directed. The original script is from Abi Morgan (Shame, The Iron Lady, and an Emmy winner). Editor: Barney Pilling (The Grand Budapest Hotel). Composer: Alexandre Desplat (The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Imitation Game). Cinematographer: Eduard Grau (A Single Man). Production Designer: Alice Normington. Costume Designer: Jane Petrie. US release date: 23. October 2015.

Inside Out (Disney). From 2001 to 2010, there were considerable animated feature contenders which either hit in above-the-line categories or scored a nice haul of nominations: Monsters, Inc (Peter Docter, David Silverman, & Lee Unkrich); Shrek (DreamWorks); Finding Nemo (Andrew Stanton & Unkrich); The Incredibles (Brad Bird); Ratatouille (Bird). The decade reached a crescendo with Wall*E (Stanton & Unkrich), whose snub in 2008 (along with The Dark Knight) changed the rules which allowed Up (Docter & Peterson) and Toy Story 3 (Unkrich) to land in an expanded Best Picture field. The combination of undeniable reviews and box-office that most if not all of these films enjoyed soon ended and animated features were then regulated to only their own category (it didn't help that Brave [MC: 69] has been their only "original" work until now, and they didn't even put out a film in 2014). Peter Docter has now teamed up with Ronaldo Del Carmen to bring us an animated feature dealing with more mature issues from an original screenplay written by Docter, Josh Cooley, and Meg LeFauve. They're hoping to return to Pixar's heyday in the 2000s. It's quite possible this will be more than just an animated feature winner. The movie features voice work from the likes of Diane Lane, Mindy Kaling, Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, and Kyle MacLachlan. The music was written by Michael Giacchino (Up, Ratatouille). The production designer Ralph Eggleston also was invovled with Wall*E, and Finding Nemo. US release date: 19. June 2015.

Eddie Redmayne as Lili Elbe, The Danish Girl

The Danish Girl (Focus). Early in March, it was reported that Focus Features acquired The Danish Girl and planned to begin a limited release in November. Eddie Redmayne plays Einar Wegener, an artist and pioneering transgendered person in the early 20th-century who makes the transition from male to female with the support of wife Gerda (Alicia Vikander). The subject matter is super-baity, and under the direction of Tom Hooper (The King's Speech, Les Misérables), it's hard to imagine that Redmayne won't be in contention for another lead win, despite having just gotten an Oscar and still being a relative "unknown" amongst your average moviegoer. With its intriguing and sympathetic storyline and high chance at snagging nominations in a variety of categories (as well as wins), this seems like one of the surest bet for a Best Picture nomination this year. The film also stars Amber Heard (Johnny Depp's better half), Ben Whishaw, and Matthias Schoenaerts. David Ebershoff provided the adaptation from the Lucinda Coxon novel. Editor: Melanie Oliver (Les Misérables). Cinematographer: Danny Cohen (The King's Speech). Production Designer: Eve Stewart (Topsy-Turvy, The King's Speech, Les Misérables). Costume Designer: Paco Delgado (Les Misérables). US release date: 27. November 2015.

Jennifer Lawrence as Joy

Joy (20th-Century Fox). From an original screenplay by Annie Mumolo (Bridesmaids) retooled by David O. Russell, Jennifer Lawrence stars as real-life Long Island entrepreneur Joy Mangano. Lightning rarely strikes twice, but it has already hit three times for Russell with his last three films (The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle). His voice definitely has the ear of AMPAS members (and audiences), but, at some point, they will have to grow tired of his filmmaking style (especially as it churns them out so quickly, comparatively speaking) and turn a blind eye towards showering his movies with nominations. Will it be this time? Next time? The project itself sounds like Working Girl crossed with Erin Brockovich with a little Goodfellas and Russell family hijinks mixed in; not a bad formula. 20th-Century Fox isn't the strongest award campaigner, but it doesn't hurt to have box-office magnet Jennifer Lawrence as your headlining star. However, this will be her first test in opening a film with her name at the top where she will be playing someone other than Katniss Everdeen. Also stars: Robert DeNiro, Bradley Cooper, Diane Ladd, Virginia Madsen, Édgar Ramírez, Elisabeth Röhm, Isabella Rossellini, and Dascha Polanco. Megan Ellison (The Master, Zero Dark Thirty, Her, American Hustle, Foxcatcher) is producing. Editor: Jay Cassidy (American Hustle, Silver Linings Playbook, Into the Wild). Cinematographer: Linus Sandgren (American Hustle). Production Designer: Judy Becker (American Hustle). Michael Wilkinson (American Hustle). US release date: 25. December 2015.

Kyle Chandler and Cate Blanchett in Carol

Carol (TWC). This film is sure to be pushed as the "female Brokeback Mountain" as it emerges on the cultural landscape. It'll take some time to see if the label sticks or not. The conventional thinking here is that this being from director Todd Haynes, its award trajectory will follow that of his 2002 film Far From Heaven. Both were set in the 1950s dealing with social minorities struggling within the confines defined by the white heterosexual mainstream (with at least some focus on gay relationships). The technical and exquisitely executed Heaven was embraced by critics and took off with the arthouse crowd. It attracted some Oscar attention, but ultimately fell short, in part to Haynes' cool, detached style. His objectivity and unwillingness to pander to his audience was a turnoff for some Oscar voters. A recent test screening suggests history will repeat itself. Still, this is a more romantically-focused film with a happier resolution. Haynes has gathered a great deal more respect in the industry in the last thirteen years, and Cate Blanchett is on track to raising her commercial profile like never before. So, this film's award performance may mirror Heaven's, but that could be the baseline at this point. A Cannes debut could help clarify matters. But, examining the separate parts, this film could rake in the nominations. Carol also stars Rooney Mara, Kyle Chandler, and Sarah Paulson. Phyllis Nagy wrote the adaptation from the Patricia Highsmith novel The Price of Salt. Editor: Affonso Gonçalves (True Detective, Mildred Pierce). Cinematographer: Edward Lachman (Far From Heaven). Composer: Carter Burwell (Gods and Monsters, as well as his several memorable collaborations with the Coen brothers). Production Designer: Judy Becker (American Hustle). Costume Designer: Sandy Powell (three-time AMPAS-award winner and icon).

Steven Spielberg directing Tom Hanks in Bridge of Spies

Bridge of Spies (Disney). My highest ranking testosterone-fueled movie at this point. What this film has going for it is Steven Spielberg, of course. If anyone knows how to make a movie that will grab the AMPAS' attention, it is him. In fact, the last non-popcorn film he directed which failed to nab any Oscar nods was The Terminal in 2004 (which, granted was lighter fare than what Spielberg usually tackles when it comes to non-action films). Betting against him isn't the smartest choice, especially because he's tackling a Cold War film. Tom Hanks plays attorney James B. Donovan, who, in the early 1960s, negotiated the release of pilot Frances Gary Powers (Austin Stowell), downed in the U.S.S.R during a spy mission. Generally speaking, Disney isn't the best at the Oscar game, and considering the potential it has with Pixar's Inside Out, it's difficult to imagine them achieving major success with two movies in one year. I imagine it will be one or the other, with a some chance Disney will hit pay-dirt. Also stars: Alan Alda, Amy Ryan, and Billy Magnussen. The screenplay from Matt Charman was retooled by the Coen brothers. The last time they revised someone else's period war drama, it was just this past year with Unbroken. Editor: Michael Kahn (three-time Oscar winner and longtime Spielberg collaborator). Composer: Thomas Neman (twelve-time Oscar nominee). Cinematographer: Janusz Kaminski (two-time winner and longtime Spielberg collaborator). Production Designer: Adam Stockhausen (12 Years a Slave, The Grand Budapest Hotel). Costume Designer: Kasia Walicka-Maimone (Moonrise Kingdom, Capote). US release date: 16. October 2015.

RJ Cyler and Thomas Mann in Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (Fox Searchlight). Alfonso Gomez-Rejon made a huge splash this year at Sundance with his coming-of-age comedy-drama. It won both the Audience Award and Gray Jury Prize in the dramatic competition. This rare feat sometimes pays off with Oscar (Precious, Whiplash), and sometimes it doesn't (Fruitvale Station). Previous Grand Jury Prize winners include: Beasts of the Southern Wild, Winter's Bone, Frozen River. The reviews for this film trumpeted its praises, more often then not claiming what a unique filmgoing experience this was, as well as how much people will be talking about this movie when it finally releases. The commercial potential is huge. But, then previous Audience Award winner Hustle & Flow was a big hit too and "only" landed a Best Actor nomination and a Best Song win for the infamously titled "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp." But, then, Hustle & Flow didn't have 3/7 perfect MetaCritic coming right out of the gate. Still, many are thinking this is just a money play this Summer. The logic is that this is too "Sundancey" for Oscar, and its award potential is inhibited by young unknowns (Thomas Mann, Olivia Cooke, RJ Cyler) playing all three of the principal roles. That may be the case, as the odds are against this being another Little Miss Sunshine or Juno. We should have a better idea in a few months once it comes out. The cast is rounded off by Nick Offerman, Jon Bernthal, Connie Britton, and Molly Shannon. Jesse Andrews wrote the adaptation from his own novel. Editor: David Trachtenberg. Composer: music icon Brian Eno. Cinematographer: Chung-hoon Chung (Stoker, Oldboy). Production Designer: Gerald Sullivan. Costume Designer: Jennifer Eve. US release date: 12. June 2015.

Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant

The Revenant (20th-Century Fox). With recent Oscar winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu (Birdman) directing, and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, the potential for this film doing well is extremely high. But, it's also a man vs. wilderness revenge flic. And, despite everything going for it, this isn't a story that screams Oscar. As well, it's rare for director to get nominated immediately after winning, especially so soon after his win. That isn't to say it can't happen. And that isn't to say this film can still do well, even if Iñárritu ends up missing. But, this studio, again, doesn't have the best track record. It already has Joy, and its junior division (Fox Searchlight) is the studio that makes all the Oscar magic happen. Right now, the backstage gossip behind the production is all the rage. This seems like one of the likeliest to be nominated on paper that could fall short somewhat. Also stars Tom Hardy, and Domhnall Gleeson. Iñárritu cowrote the adaptation with Mark L. Smith. Its main crew is to die for. Editor: Stephen Mirrione (Traffic, Babel). Cinematographer: Emmanuel Lubezki (Gravity, Birdman). Production Designer: Jack Fisk (There Will Be Blood). Costume Designer: Jacqueline West (Quills, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button). US release date: 25. December 2015 (which, incidentally, is also Joy's opening date).

Tom Hiddleston and Elizabeth Olsen
in I Saw the Light

I Saw the Light (Sony Picture Classics). After scooping up some Sundance acquisitions that didn't immediately spell out award attention (Grandma, The Diary of a Teenage Girl), SPC recently announced it will be handling the Hank Williams biography starring Tom Hiddleston. Producer Marc Abraham (Children of Men) wrote his first feature film adaptation based on the Colin Escott biography. This is his directorial followup to the Greg Kinnear windshield wiper movie Flash of Genius from 2008. Elizabeth Olsen plays Audrey Mae Williams. Dante Spinotti (L.A. Confidential, The Insider) is the D.P. Aaron Zigman is the composer of the original score, and Lahly Poore is doing costumes. Notably, for better or worse, this is also produced by Brett Ratner. Also notable: between its four award contending films for 2014, the studio collected fifteen nominations and four wins. Not too shabby. For them to miss out completely the following year would be unusual.

Saoirse Ronan in Brooklyn

Brooklyn (Fox Searchlight). The reviews coming out of Sundance were strong, if not mixed (2/7 were in the yellow on MC, and two were perfect scores). A repeat performance of An Education from six years ago would not be the least bit surprising, especially if this film emerges as the studios' #1 push. Yet, knowing the AMPAS aversion to an overflow of estrogen still makes one skeptical of this movie's chances. Might its Irish themes compete with The Secret Scripture? Stars Saoirse Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent, and Julie Waters. BAFTA and Berlin winner John Crowley directed. Nick Hornby (An Education, Wild) provided the adaptation. Editor: Jake Roberts. Composer: Michael Brook (Into the Wild). Cinematographer: Yves Bélanger (Laurence Anyways). Production Designer: François Séguin. Costume Designer: Odile Dicks-Mireaux. US release date: 6. November 2015.

Michael Fassbender & Seth Rogen in Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs (Universal). Director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours) is returning to award fodder after the disappointing Trance with screenwriter Aaron Sorkin who wrote the adaptation from Walter Isaacson's biography and is more hit (A Few Good Men, The Social Network, Moneyball) than miss. Sorkin's two major ventures which failed to meet expectations the most obviously were Charlie Wilson's War and The American President. Yet, the reviews for those films were still decent (and they both still did well with The Globes), and one could even argue their weaker award performances were partly due to their lighter nature in tone. Still, this project has a lot of bad mojo attached to it. Most of those Sorkin films were headlined by big stars at the time of their release, outside of Social Network, where one could argue its director was a huge draw for his legion of fans. The actor playing the title character, Michael Fassbender, isn't the most media-savvy campaigner, which isn't going to help the project. And, of course, this movie was at the center of the fallout following the Sony computer hack scandal late in 2014 for all the wrong reasons. This could mean nothing, but it's never a good sign when: 1) You end up with stars and director who are generally viewed as less popular talent than the originals attached to the project (David Fincher, Christian Bale, Natalie Portman), and 2) It treads on subject matter that was already recently explored, for better or worse (the poorly reviewed Ashton Kutcher film Jobs). Of course, this could all be for naught, and the movie may end up clicking with audiences and critics. But, the circumstantial evidence is ominous. And the fact that Universal Studio isn't the best Oscar campaigner, and its junior division (Focus Features) has two projects that look like red-hot players doesn't help either. Also stars: Seth Rogen, Kate Winslet, Katherine Waterston, Jeff Daniels, and Michael Stuhlbarg. Editor: Elliot Graham (Milk). Cinematographer: Alwin H. Küchler. Production Designer: Guy Hendrix Dyas (Inception, Elizabeth: The Golden Age).

Scott Rudin, who now infamously insisted on doing this film over a Cleopatra remake starring Angelina Jolie, is producing. His recent credits include: The Grand Budapest Hotel, Captain Phillips, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Moneyball, True Grit, The Social Network, Doubt, No Country for Old Men, Notes on a Scandal, The Hours. He basically helped put Sony back on the map. He seldom fails to meet expectations (Inside Llewyn Davis, Revolutionary Road). But, the dubious circumstances behind this production does give one pause. US release date: 9. October 2015.

The Hateful Eight (TWC). The combination of Harvey Weinstein and Quentin Tarantino is a formidable one. The former has been responsible for producing the entire oeuvre of the latter. They've had unprecedented box-office success. Award-wise, they've had an excellent track record, especially with Tarantino's last two outings: Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained. Both films were reimagined histories served up as popcorn flics. And, after passing over Jackie Brown and the Kill Bill films post-Pulp Fiction, the AMPAS bit in a sizable way. They completely ate up these valentines to the ugly past. Hateful Eight, however, doesn't exactly fit in this milieu. The original script--which infamously leaked over a year ago--is a shoot-em-up western set basically in one room and echoes Tarantino's film debut Reservoir Dogs. The AMPAS could most definitely bite, as this will be a hit and will be in the conversation for script and acting nods in the time-being. But, this less ambitious flic may also fall short. Stars Samuel L. Jackson, Jennifer Jason-Leigh, Kurt Russell, Bruce Dern, Demian Bichir, Tim Roth, and Michael Madsen. Cinematographer: Robert Richardson (Django, Basterds, Hugo, The Aviator, JFK). Editor: Fred Raskin (Django, Guardians of the Galaxy). Production Designer: Yohei Taneda (Kill Bill Vol. 1, Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale). Costume Designer: Courtney Hoffman.

Julianne Moore in Freeheld

Freeheld (Lionsgate). Based on the Oscar-winning documentary short (what is it with Hollywood remaking documentaries this year? See The Walk, Our Brand Is Crisis), this would be the third of three major LGBT movies coming out this year. It focuses on the relationship between two women and the trouble which ensues for them when one of them is hit by illness. As we saw recently with The Theory of Everything, complete dramatic schmaltz that reaches solid, if not unimpressive reviews can still catch the attention of the AMPAS. But, like Focus' Dallas Buyers Club, Everything eventually won at least one major Oscar (and they were both male-focused). Scraping up a win in a very weak year, recent Oscar winner Julianne Moore probably isn't looking at any wins anytime soon unless the sizzle reel that exhibited for buyers over a month ago is betraying its overall quality. Perhaps this is Ellen Page's year?

Nonetheless, the film did start a huge bidding war which resulted in being acquired by Lionsgate. The studio has had Oscar success before with commercial hits Fahrenheit 9/11, Crash, Precious, Monster's Ball, and even Gods and Monsters, and Away From Her. In a pinch, they can always eke out a few nominations (Sicko, The Impossible, Warrior, Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Red Violin, Shadow of the Vampire, Affliction, Rabbit Hole). They have also had their share of missteps as far as grabbing AMPAS attention: 3:10 to Yuma, For Colored Girls, W., Akeelah and the Bee, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and Shattered Glass. This feels more like a North Country, which scraped by two acting nominations in a weak year, but the emotional content and gay rights themes could make all the difference with Freeheld.

LGBT films generally do very well with the Oscars. In fact, outside of a few genre exercises (The Talented Mr. Ripley could count here I suppose), the more earnest dramatic fare have usually won something over the years (The Imitation Game, Brokeback Mountain, Philadelphia, The Crying Game, The Hours, Monster, Milk, Capote, Dallas Buyers Club, Frida, Boys Don't Cry, Gods and Monsters). Films like The Kids Are All Right, and Far From Heaven managed their nomination haul partly because of their strong reviews (something that will be likelier for The Danish Girl and Carol). But, then, there are movies like Kinsey and A Single Man which, granted, were more subdued, barely hit for whatever reason. Still, I imagine Freeheld's commercial prospects are somewhere around and/or north of Moore's recent Still Alice, which almost hit a very impressive $20M domestically. Mix in the call for equality, and subpar reviews may factor in very little. Michael Shannon and Steve Carell also star. This film has enough producers to choke a horse. Director: Peter Sollett (Cannes and Sundance winner; Raising Victor Vargas [MC: 83], Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist [MC: 64]). Screenwriter: Ron Nyswaner (Philadelphia). Editor: Andrew Mondshein (The Sixth Sense). Cinematographer: Maryse Alberti (The Wrestler, Crumb). Production Designer: Jane Musky. Costume Designer: Stacey Battat (who has already worked twice very recently with Julianne Moore, and often collaborates with Sofia Coppola).

The Lady in the Van (Sony). This doesn't have the appearance of awards fodder, though there are echoes of Philomena, which, in the hands of TWC, managed to carve out its share of award attention. Sony generally handles much higher-profile projects when it comes to Oscars, so that it isn't being handled under the banner of their specialty division, SPC, suggests that this is will be a non-starter with award bodies. However, it solidified its December opening date pretty early. The movie is also a reunion between Maggie Smith, director Nicholas Hytner, and screenwriter Alan Bennett (doing his own adaptation), who were all involved in the hit West End play from 1999 (Bennett and Smith were both nominated for Laurence Olivier awards). While Hytner and Bennett working on The History Boys didn't produce much award season acclaim, The Madness of King George certainly did. This feel-good autobiographical film about Bennett's relationship with a destitute woman will surely resonate with audiences and may even carry over somewhat with critics. Alex Jennings plays Bennett. The film is edited by Tariq Anwar (American Beauty, The King's Speech). Cinematographer: Andrew Dunn. Costume Designer: Natalie Ward. US release date: 11. December 2015.

Zoe Kazan and Sandra Bullock in Our Brand Is Crisis

Our Brand Is Crisis (Warner Bros). Remake of the ISA-nominated documentary of the same name, this comedy-drama details two competing American spin doctors (Sandra Bullock, Billy Bob Thornton) wrecking havoc on a South American country in disarray during an election year. WB is the best big studio in the awards game. Since 2003, they've had incredible success with three BP winners (Million Dollar Baby, The Departed, Argo). In 2013, they had two major successes with Gravity and Her. And, when the chips are down, like they appeared to be most of 2014, they play the Clint Eastwood card and rake in the nominations (American Sniper was the highest grossing film of the year). Even in a year like 2011, they still scored a BP nominee with the poorly reviewed box-office flop Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. This studio just knows how to make something happen every year. Despite how political campaign satire can easily resonate with the AMPAS to some degree (Primary Colors, Wag the Dog) and the luck they've had with Bullock (Gravity, The Blind Side), perhaps they're not quite confident now that they moved the release date for In the Heart of the Sea all the way to December. Yet, on paper, the Berlin/Venice/Sundance winner David Gordon Green and a script by Peter Straughan (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) suggests they have something good on their hands, no? Green's movies have had mostly solid reviews. The few blemishes he has had (Your Highness, The Sitter) were both broad comedies, following his biggest hit to date Pineapple Express. The film also stars Zoe Kazan, Anthony Mackie, Scoot McNairy, Joaquim de Almeida, and Ann Dowd. George Clooney is producing along with Grant Heslov and Bullock. Editor: Colin Patton. Composer: David Wingo. Cinematographer: Tim Orr. Costume Designer: Jenny Eagan.

The Walk (Sony). Based on the biography of acrobat Philippe Petit, Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Back to the Future) directs Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the first and only man who will ever have traversed the top of the World Trade Center towers on a rope. It's an astonishing story that was captured quite nostalgically in the AMPAS-winning documentary Man on Wire. I'm not sure how the movie will match or even top it, and I'm still trying to wrap my head around how justified the use of 3D will be. The script itself is rather straight-forward (it surely will be a showy role for Gordon-Levitt who will be doing a French accent, as well as showing off his linguistic skills), and it was difficult to imagine there being many opportunities where 3D would accentuate the story. Avatar, Toy Story 3, and Life of Pi had animated elements. Gravity was set in outer space. And, Hugo with its rich period production values was like a children's pop-up book come to life. Last year, that 3D "slot" in the BP field remained empty, as there weren't any feasible contenders. However, Sony and Zemeckis perhaps expect to restart that trend. And perhaps they will. This is the first live-action feature screenplay he has cowritten (with Christopher Browne) in over twenty years. Editor: Jeremiah O'Driscoll (Flight). Composer: Alan Silvestri (Forrest Gump, The Polar Express). Cinematographer: Dariusz Wolski. Costume Designer: Suttirat Anne Larlarb. US release date: 2. October 2015.

Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller
in Adam Jones

Adam Jones (TWC). Bradley Cooper stars in this original drama about a chef dealing with a drug and alcohol addiction. The star vehicle sounds like a showcase for his acting chops, and has the potential to be a sizable hit for the American Sniper star. The original script is from Steven Knight (Dirty Pretty Things, Eastern Promises, Locke) and is directed by John Wells (The Company Men). Wells' last outing was August: Osage County with Harvey Weinstein, which had a big stumble after lofty expectations. Perhaps the second time will be the charm? Also stars Sienna Miller, Jamie Dornan, Alicia Vikander, Uma Thurman, Emma Thompson, and Daniel Brühl. Editor: Nick Moore (The Full Monty). Cinematographer: Adriano Goldman (Sin Nombre). Production Designer: David Gropman (The Cider House Rules, Life of Pi). Costume Designer: Lyn Paolo. US release date: 2. October 2015.

Rooney Mara in The Secret Scripture

The Secret Scripture (Relativity). This still new studio hasn't established themselves as an awards player in any capacity. But, there is a first-time for everything, correct? And star Rooney Mara has been on a role lately. Jim Sheridan, once an AMPAS-stalwart of sorts (My Left Foot, The Field, In the Name of the Father, In America), has been a fledgling filmmaker the last decade. His last three films have been exercises outside of his comfort zone in genre studio pics. All three films have also been flops of varying degrees. This will be his first film since The Boxer in 1997 to film in Ireland and touch on Irish history. He also cowrote the adaptation with Johnny Ferguson from the award-winning Sebastian Barry novel that deals with mental illness in the context of religious/political themes of the 1920s - 1930s. The film is told in flashbacks, with Vanessa Redgrave and Eric Bana starring in the more present day scenes. Cinematographer: Mikhail Krichman (Leviafan). Composer: Brian Byrne (Albert Nobbs). Production Designer: Derek Wallace (early on in his career he worked in props for Sheridan). Costume Designer: Joan Bergin (The Tudors).

Jake Gyllenhaal and
Naomi Watts in Demolition

Demolition (Fox Searchlight). This adult contemporary drama will be a tough sell as it touches on certain truths about the human condition without being too sentimental. The script is sturdy, but not overly designed. The movie could be lightning rod, or it might just be a quirky also-ran. It doesn't strike me as a project that will go very far unless it's in the hunt for some wins. The cast includes Naomi Watts, and Chris Cooper. Director Jean-Marc Vallée has had an exceptional showing with his last two films (Dallas Buyers Club, Wild), but Bryan Sipe's script isn't particularly baity. Cinematographer: Yves Bélanger (Laurence Anyways). Production Designer: Jon Paino. Costume Designer: Leah Katznelson.

Will Smith in Concussion

Concussion (Sony). Will Smith plays a doctor in this movie about devastating physical issues stemming from head injuries suffered by National Football League players. Incidentally, Smith is one of the few non-white adult leads in a movie this year that is remotely awards-friendly. Peter Landesman (Parkland) directed the film which was inspired by a magazine article. Also starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Alec Baldwin, Luke Wilson, and Albert Brooks. Editor: William Goldenberg (Argo, The Imitation Game). Composer: James Newton Howard (The Prince of Tides, The Village, Defiance). Cinematographer: Salvatore Totino. Production Designer: David Crank. Costume Designer: Dayna Pink. US release date: 25. December 2015.

Under the Radar?

(These films probably aren't coming out this year or

don't seem like BP contenders, but may score nominations here and there)

21
Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk (Sony). Based on Ben Fountain's novel about a war hero who falls in love after learning he'd have to return to Iraq. Many years in the awards race, there are late entries. This probably won't be one of them. But, Scorsese aside, Ang Lee is the only Oscar-winning director working on a motion picture for 2016 who could end up having a 2015 release. And, his Sense & Sensibility actually wrapped filming the Summer before it released (lensing commenced on the 19th of April, 1995. Starring: Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Stewart, Chris Tucker, Steve Martin, and Vin Diesel. Screenwriters: Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire, The Full Monty, 127 Hours), Jean-Christophe Castelli. Editor: Tim Squyres (Life of Pi; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). Cinematographer: John Toll (Legends of the Fall, Braveheart, The Thin Red Line). Production Designer: Mark Friedberg. Costume Designer: Joseph G. Aulisi.

In the Heart of the Sea (Warner Bros). The "origins" story of one of the most famous maritime tales was shifted to release in December from the Spring, so that may signify confidence in the studio that they have an award contender on their hands. And Ron Howard has a great track record with the AMPAS. The test screenings supposedly went well too, though I know of three people who thought the cut they saw was a hot mess. Warner Bros. does like its Oscar nominations. Perhaps this is its best foot forward in what may essentially be a weak slate. Or perhaps it's just vying for tech recognition. Heart stars Chris Hemsworth and Cillian Murphy. Charles Leavitt is just one of the listed credits on the screenplay adaptation of Nathaniel Philbrick's riveting non-fiction piece. Editors: Daniel P. Hanley & Mike Hill (Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, Cinderella Man, Frost/Nixon). Composer: Roque Baños. Cinematographer: Anthony Dod Mantle (Slumdog Millionaire). Production Designer: Mark Tildesley. Costume Designer: Julian Day. Is this WB's #1 this year, or a technical contender? Perhaps only Sue Kroll knows. US release date: 11. December 2015.

The Free State of Jones (STX Entertainment). Currently, this film about a renegade Southerner during the Civil War is slated for a March 2016 release which is suggestive of it not being award fodder. However, in this sea of pretty white stories, a story like this could really stand out. The cast is still pretty Caucasian here, but there is supposed to be at least one meaty role for a black female (played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw) who plays the second wife of anti-Confederate Newton Knight (Matthew McConaughey). This is writer/director Gary Ross' (Pleasantville, Seabiscuit) first film since the extremely successful The Hunger Games. Editor: Pamela Martin (The Fighter). Cinematographer: Benoit Delhomme (The Theory of Everything). Production Designer: Philip Messina. Costume Designer: Louise Frogley. US release date: 11. March 2016.

24
The Big Short (Paramount). Adam McKay (Anchorman movies, et al) directed his adaptation from the Michael Lewis book about the housing and credit bubble of the 2000s. It stars Brad Pitt, Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, and Steve Carell. And, so far, it appears to be Paramount's #1 push after crashing and burning in 2014 with Selma, Interstellar, and Top Five. Had they delayed Selma a year, they could have been the big winner this year. Hindsight is 20/20. This will be McKay's first film not starring Will Ferrell. Editor: Brent White. Production Designer: Clayton Hartley. Costume Designer: Susan Matheson.

25

Mr. Holmes (Roadside Attractions). Bill Condon, who had a major hiccup with The Fifth Estate has bounced back in a big way with Mr. Holmes. He reunites with Ian McKellen (Gods and Monsters) in a more intimate film about the famed detective. It premiered at Berlin to a glowing reception. Also stars Laurie Linney. From an adaptation by Jeffrey Hatcher. Composer: Carter Burwell. Cinematographer: Tobias A. Schliessler (Dreamgirls). Production Designer: Martin Childs (Shakespeare in Love, Quills). Costume Designer: Keith Madden. US release date: 17. July 2015.

26
Silence (Paramount). There is a minuscule chance that Martin Scorsese's epic drama about two 17th-century Jesuit priests (Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver) searching for another (Liam Neeson) in Japan will come out this year, as he is notoriously known for a long post-production schedule and this gargantuan undertaking is still filming and it's already April. Screenplay: Jay Cocks (Gangs of New York, The Age of Innocence). Editor: Thelma Schoonmaker. Composer: Howard Shore (The Lord of the Rings, Hugo). Cinematographer: Rodrigo Prieto (Brokeback Mountain). Production Designer: Dante Ferretti (The Aviator, Hugo, Sweeney Todd).

Sean Penn directing Charlize Theron in The Last Face

27
The Last Face (Currently no US distributor). Two Caucasians (Charlize Theron, Javier Bardem) find themselves caught in the middle of political turmoil in an African nation. Also starring two more Caucasians: Adèle Exarchopoulos (Blue Is the Warmest Color) and Jean Reno. This is Sean Penn's (Into the Wild) fifth directorial effort. He and Theron may be competing with Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander for hottest awards couple on the red carpet this year. Screenwriter: Erin Dignam. Editor: Jay Cassidy (Into the Wild, Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle). Composer: Joseph Vitarelli. Cinematographer: Barry Ackroyd (The Hurt Locker, Captain Phillips). Production Designer: Andrew Laws (Down with Love). Costume Designer: Diana Cilliers.

That's What I'm Talking About (Paramount). Richard Linklater's followup to the critical darling Boyhood is a comedic film about baseball players (and probably their girlfriends) starring a slate full of mostly fresh white faces and a little nepotism (kids from Lea Thompson, Goldie Hawn). A lot of the returning crew are from Boyhood. Editor: Sandra Adair (Boyhood). Cinematographer: Shane F. Kelly. Production Designer: Bruce Curtis. Costume Designer: Kai Perkins.

29
Money Monster (Sony). Jodie Foster has hired Jack O'Connell, George Clooney, and Julia Roberts for her fourth directing effort that sounds like a cross between Dog Day Afternoon, Network, and Margin Call. The script is from Alan DiFiore and Jim Kour with a rewrite by Jamie Linden. Clooney and Grant Heslov are producing. Foster's last film, The Beaver, was actually pretty good. Editor: Matt Cheese (Finding Neverland). Cinematographer: Matthew Libatique (Black Swan). Production Designer: Kevin Thompson (Birdman). Costume Designer: Susan Lyall.

30
Ricki and the Flash (Sony). Jonathan Demme directs Meryl Streep in an original script by Diablo Cody. It sounds extremely promising on paper. Too bad there are countless other female-driven projects this year. Still, this movie should make lots of money, and the reviews should be pretty strong. Streep will most certainly be in contention for her 20th nomination, but the competition appears to be fierce. It also stars Kevin Kline, Mamie Gummer, and Rick Springfield. Editor: Wyatt Smith. Cinematographer: Declan Quinn. US release date: 7. August 2015.

31
45 Years (Sundance Selects). This Berlin International Film Festival winner stars Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay as a married couple who suddenly must deal with some skeletons in the closet during a milestone of their longtime marriage. The reviews have been pretty strong thus far. I'm not sure if there is a difference between Sundance Selects and IFC, but the former tends to specialize in documentaries. Andrew Haigh (Weekend) wrote the adaptation from the David Constantine short story. Editor: Jonathan Alberts. Cinematographer: Lol Crawley. Production Designer: Sarah Finlay. Costume Designer: Suzie Harman.

Idris Elba in Beasts of No Nation

32
Beasts of No Nation (Netflix). This film about a band of militants in an anonymous African country without laws once appeared to be the crown jewel of Focus' 2015 award bid, but has since been supplanted by both The Danish Girl and Suffragette, as well as having got picked up by new-to-feature-film distribution, Netflix. One of the few award-contending films this year to feature a cast mostly of minorities. Cary Fukunaga (Sin Nombre, Jane Eyre, True Detective) directed his own adaptation of the novella by Uzodinma Iweala. It stars Idris Elba and Abraham Attah. Editor: Mikkel E.G. Nielsen. Production Designer: Inbal Weinberg. Costume Designer: Jenny Eagan.

33
Genius (Currently no US distributor). From a script adaptation by John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator, Hugo), this will mark the film debut of theatrical director Michael Grandage. The story details book editor Max Perkins' (Colin Firth) interactions with various famous authors including Thomas Wolfe (Jude Law), Ernest Hemingway (Dominic West), and F. Scott Fitzgerald (Guy Pearce). Also stars Nicole Kidman. Editor: Chris Dickens (Slumdog Millionaire). Composer: Adam Cork. Cinematographer: Ben Davis. Production Designer: Mark Digby. Costume Designer: Jane Petrie.

34
Miles Ahead (Currently no US distributor). Don Cheadle directs himself as Miles Davis as well as a cast which includes Ewan McGregor, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Emayatzy Corinealdi. This film marks the first feature narrative Herbie Hancock ('Round Midnight) has scored in over two decades. Screenplay: Cheadle, Steven Baigelman, Stephen J. Rivele (Nixon), Christopher Wilkinson (Nixon). Editors: John Axelrad, Kayla Emter. Cinematographer: Roberto Schaefer. Production Designer: Hannah Beachler. Costume Designer: Gersha Phillips.

35
The Good Dinosaur (Disney). An Apatosaurus befriends a boy in the animated feature debut of Peter Sohn. This could switch places with Inside Out. Who knows? Thanksgiving weekend is a great time to release a family film. The original script is from Bob Peterson (Finding Nemo, Up) and Enrico Casarosa. Voice work by Judy Greer, Neil Patrick Harris, John Lithgow, Bill Hader, and Frances McDormand. US release date: 25. November 2015.

36
Spotlight (Open Road Films). Thomas McCarthy (The Station Agent, The Visitor, Win Win, The Cobbler) cowrote with Josh Singer (The Fifth Estate) and directed this original story about about a team of news people exposing the cover up behind the Boston Catholic Church sex abuse scandal. The movie stars Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Stanley Tucci, Liev Schreiber, Billy Crudup, and John Slattery. Editor: Tom McArdle. Cinematographer: Masanobu Takayanagi. Production Designer: Stephen H. Carter. Costume Designer: Wendy Chuck.

Unlikely Contenders, But Who Knows?

(This is the slate of movies that don't seem to have much of a chance at all, unless they're being underestimated)

37
Irrational Man (SPC). One never really knows much about a Woody Allen film ahead of time. Best case scenario: It's another Crimes & Misdemeanors. Or, it's a Scoop. Wikipedia says "mystery comedy-drama" and involves "a philosophy professor (Joaquin Phoenix) in existential crisis" who has an affair with a student. It also stars Emma Stone, and Parker Posey. I'm gonna go Scoop for now. Cinematographer: Darius Khondji (Seven, Evita, Woody Allen's D.P. since Midnight in Paris). US release date: 24. July 2015.

38

The Light Between Oceans (Currently no US distributor). A couple raise a child on the west coast of Australia. Stars: Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, and Rachel Weisz. Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine) directed his adaptation of the M.L. Stedman novel. Editor: Ron Patane (Blue Valentine, A Most Violent Year). Composer: Alexandre Desplat (The Grand Budapest Hotel). Cinematographer: Adam Arkapaw. Production Designer: Karen Murphy. Costume Designer: Erin Benach.

39
Icon (Currently no US distributor). Stephen Frears details the Lance Armstrong scandal from a script by John Hodge (Trainspotting), starring Lee Pace, Ben Foster, Chris O'Dowd, and Dustin Hoffman. Editor: Valerio Bonelli. Composer: Alex Heffes (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom). Cinematographer: Danny Cohen (The King's Speech, Les Misérables). Production Designer: Alan MacDonald. Costume Designer: Jane Petrie.

The Sea of Trees (Currently no US distributor). Somber, yet uplifting tale about depression and dealing with loss. Directed by Gus Van Sant from a script by Chris Sparling. Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Ken Watanabe, and Naomi Watts. Editor: Pietro Scalia (JFK, Good Will Hunting, Black Hawk Down). Composer: Mason Bates (Buried). Cinematographer: Kasper Tuxen. Production Designer: Alex DiGerlando (Beasts of the Southern Wild). Costume Designer: Danny Glicker (Milk).

Untitled Howard Hughes Film (Fox or Fox Searchlight?). Hollywood legend Warren Beatty's return to movies as a producer, writer, director, and star since 1998's Bulworth (if you don't count his appearance in the flop Town & Country). He tackles Howard Hughes' relationship with a young woman (Lily Collins). Also stars: Alec Baldwin, Annette Bening, and Matthew Broderick. Cinematographer: Caleb Deschanel (The Right Stuff, The Passion of the Christ). Production Designer: Jeannine Oppewall (L.A. Confidential, The Good Shepherd). Costume Designer: Albert Wolsky (All That Jazz, Bugsy, Revolutionary Road).

42
Mistress America (Fox Searchlight). This whimsical R-rated comedy was snatched by Fox Searchlight way before it even premiered at Sundance. Noah Baumbach wrote and directed, and the film's reviews are off to a great start. In a weak year, this sounds like an original screenplay contender. Starring Greta Gerwig. Editor: Jennifer Lame (Frances Ha). Cinematographer: Sam Levy (Frances Ha). Production Designer: Sam Lisenco. Costume Designer: Sarah Mae Burton.

43
By the Sea (Universal). Angelina Jolie directs herself and her husband Brad Pitt from her own script in her third directorial effort (both of them are producers on this project). The first two of Jolie's forays into directing haven't fared well critically. And the subject matter of sexed-up marital tension doesn't sound particularly up the AMPAS' alley. Editor: Patricia Rommel. Cinematographer: Christian Berger (The White Ribbon). Production Designer: Jon Hutman. Costume Designer: Ellen Mirojnick.

44
Snowden (Open Road Films). Oliver Stone has been out of touch with AMPAS taste for nearly two decades now. But this examination of the government whistle blower played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt is timely. Stone wrote the adaptation with Kieran Fitzgerald (The Homesman). Also stars: Shailene Woodley, Scott Eastwood, Timothy Olyphant, Nicolas Cage, Zachary Quinto, and Joely Richardson. Editor: Alex Marquez. Cinematographer: Anthony Dod Mantle (Slumdog Millionaire). Production Designer: Mark Tildesley (The Constant Gardener). Costume Designer: Bina Daigeler. US release date: 25. December 2015.

45
Trumbo (Bleecker Street Media). The early word on the screenings for this film about the blacklist didn't muster much word-of-mouth. Dir: Jay Roach (Austin Powers, Meet the Parents, Recount, Game Change). Stars: Bryan Cranston, Helen Mirren, Elle Fanning, and Diane Lane. Screenplay Adaptation: John McNamara. Editor: Alan Baumgarten (American Hustle). Composer: Theodore Shapiro. Cinematographer: Jim Denault. Production Designer: Mark Ricker. Costume Designer: Daniel Orlandi (Saving Mr. Banks). US release date: 6. November 2015.

46
The End of the Tour (A24). Sundance film about the relationship between magazine editor David Lipsky (Jesse Eisenberg) and author David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel). The film received a 76 MC score out of six reviews. Also starring Anna Chlumsky, and Joan Cusack. Editor: Darrin Navarro. Composer: Danny Elfman. Cinematographer: Jakob Ihre (Oslo, 31. august). Production Designer: Gerald Sullivan. Costume Designer: Emma Potter.

47
Lion (TWC). Garth Davis (Top of the Lake) makes his feature film debut from an adaptation written by Luke Davies (Candy) about a Calcutta boy adopted by Australians. Stars: Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel, and Rooney Mara. Editor: Alexandre de Franceschi. Cinematographer: Greig Fraser (Zero Dark Thirty). Costume Designer: Cappi Ireland.

48

Cate Blanchett as Mary Mapes in Truth

Truth (Currently no US distributor). James Vanderbilt, who wrote Zodiac and the second generation Spider-Man movies, makes his directorial debut in his adaptation of Mary Mapes' memoir regarding the Killian documents controversy back in 2004. Cate Blanchett will play the news producer and Robert Redford will play Dan Rather. The CBS News anchor infamously had to step down after decades at his desk when it came to light that he was unwittingly using forgeries as evidence against President Bush's military involvement claims. Editor: Richard Francis-Bruce (The Shawshank Redemption, Seven, Air Force One). Cinematographer: Mandy Walker. Production Designer: Fiona Crombie.

49
Triple 9 (Open Road Films). Crime drama about a bunch of cops and thugs (same difference?) who plot the murder of another cop. John Hillcoat (Lawless, The Road) directed script from suddenly prolific screenwriter Matt Cook. Starring Woody Harrelson, Casey Affleck, Aaron Paul, Anthony Mackie, Kate Winslet, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Editor: Dylan Tichenor (Zero Dark Thirty, There Will Be Blood). Cinematographer: Nicolas Karakatsanis. Production Designer: Tim Grimes. Costume Designer: Margot Wilson.

50
Southpaw (TWC). Jake Gyllenhaal in another white boxer movie also starring Rachel McAdams, Rita Ora, Naomie Harris, 50 Cent, and Forest Whitaker. This could become something if it turns out to be a big hit. Dir: Antoine Fuqua (Training Day). Screenwriter: Kurt Sutter and Richard Wenk. Editor: John Fefoua (Avatar). Composer: James Horner (winner for Titanic and multiple nominee). Cinematographer: Mauro Fiore (Avatar). Production Designer: Derek R. Hill. US release date: 24. July 2015.

Technical Contenders?

(These may score a nomination or two for sound, visual effects, costume/production design, etc)

51
Pan (Warner Bros). Reimagining of Peter Pan is Joe Wrights's (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, Hanna) latest. It stars Hugh Jackman as Blackbeard, as well as Amanda Seyfried, Rooney Mara, Garrett Hedlund, and Levi Miller. Jason Fuchs wrote the adaptation. Editor: Paul Tothill (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, Hanna). Composer: Dario Marianelli (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, Anna Karenina). Cinematographer: Seamus McGarvey (Atonement, Anna Karenina) & John Mathieson (Gladiator, The Phantom of the Opera). Production Designer: Aline Bonetto (Amélie, A Very Long Engagement). Costume Designer: Jacqueline Durran (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, Anna Karenina, Mr. Turner). US release date: 24. July 2015.

52
Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens (Disney). Writer/Director J.J. Abrams hopes to reinvigorate this fabled franchise like he did with Star Trek with the first "stand alone" installment under the Disney banner. It stands a good chance at being a technical contender. The last three at least scored one each. Stars Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Domhnall Gleeson, and Lupita Nyong'o. Editors: Maryann Brandon, Mary Jo Markey. Composer: John Williams (of course). Cinematographer: Daniel Mindel. Production Designer: Rick Carter (legend), Darren Gilford. Costume Designer: Michael Kaplan (Blade Runner). US release date: 15. December 2015.

53
Cinderella (Disney). Kenneth Branagh's latest from the Chris Weitz (About a Boy) adaptation managed to get 11 points higher than Maleficent on MC. While it won't quite match its gross, Cate Blanchett's drawing power certainly exceeded expectations compared to the more marketable Angelina Jolie. Barring a competitive field, a nomination for costumer Sandy Powell (who could quite possibly be cited for Carol) seems quite likely here. Editor: Martin Walsh (Chicago). Composer: Patrick Doyle (Sense and Sensibility, Hamlet). Cinematographer: Haris Zambarloukos. Production Designer: Dante Ferretti (three-time winner and Martin Scorsese stalwart). Released.

Cressida Bonas dressed up by
Michael O'Connor in Tulip Fever

54
Tulip Fever (TWC). Tom Stoppard (Brazil, Shakespeare in Love) adaptation of the Deborah Moggach novel about a 17th-century romance directed by Justin Chadwick. It stars Alicia Vikander, Jack O'Connell, Cara Delevingne, Christoph Waltz, Judi Dench, Zach Galifianakis, Cressida Bonas, and Dane DeHaan. Editor: Rick Russell. Composer: Danny Elfman. Cinematographer: Eigil Bryld. Production Designer: Simon Elliott. Costume Designer: Michael O'Connor (The Duchess, Jane Eyre, The Invisible Woman).

55
Far From the Madding Crowd (Fox Searchlight). Thomas Vinterberg (The Hunt) rendition of Thomas Hardy novel adapted by David Nicholls. Mixed reviews out of early screenings. Starring Carey Mulligan, Matthias Schoenarts, Michael Sheen, and Tom Sturridge. Editor: Claire Simpson (Platoon, The Constant Gardener). Composer: Craig Armstrong. Cinematographer: Charlotte Bruus Christensen. Production Designer: Kave Quinn. Costume Designer: Janet Patterson (The Piano, The Portrait of a Lady, Oscar and Lucinda, Bright Star).

56
Spectre (Sony). The last James Bond was incredibly layered and the most successful installment with the Oscars. A lot of the top tier talent involved are coming back, but what is the likelihood that they can match or surpass the event that was Skyfall? Much of that team is returning including screenwriter John Logan (whose script was rewritten). Starring, of course, Daniel Craig, as well as Monica Bellucci, Léa Seydoux, and Christoph Waltz. Editor: Lee Smith (Master and Commander, The Dark Knight). Composer: Thomas Newman (Skyfall, et al). Cinematographer: Hoyte Van Hoytema (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Interstellar). Production Designer: Dennis Gassner (Skyfall, and Oscar-winner). Costume Designer: Jany Temime (Skyfall). Along with the sound mixing and editing teams, Newman is the only returning nominee. US release date: 6. November 2015.

57
Avengers: Age of Ultron (Disney). Joss Wedon is once again taking the reigns in this sequel to the comic book blockbuster which was nominated for best visual effects. Marvel dominated the category last year with Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain America: Winter Soldier, X-Men: Days of Future Past. All three Iron Man's have also been nominated. Editors: Jeffrey Ford (The Avengers, Iron Man 3, the two Captain America's), Lisa Lassek (The Avengers). Composers: Danny Elfman (Big Fish, Milk), Brian Tyler (Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World). Cinematographer: Ben Davis (Guardians of the Galaxy). Production Designer: Charles Wood (Guardians of the Galaxy: Thor: The Dark World). Costume Designer: Alexandra Byrne (Elizabeth: The Golden Age; The Avengers). US release date: 1. May 2015.

58
Tomorrowland (Disney). Predicting two Disney films in the Top 10 is already a precarious situation, which makes this film the odd one out. The movie's latest trailer plays like Disneyland holds all of the smartest minds in this world. Stars Britt Robertson, Judy Greer, Hugh Laurie, Tim McGraw, and George Clooney. Brad Bird (The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, Ratatouille) makes his live-action followup to the successful Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol. He wrote the script with Lost writer Damon Lindelof. Editor: Walter Murch (Apocalypse Now, The English Patient) and Craig Wood (Guardians of the Galaxy). Composer: Michael Giacchino (Ratatouille, Up). Cinematographer: Claudio Miranda (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Life of Pi). Production Designer: Scott Chambliss (Star Trek, Star Trek into Darkness). Costume Designer: Jeffrey Kurland (Bullets Over Broadway). US release date: 22. May 2015.

Macbeth (TWC). Justin Kurzel (The Snowtown Murders) rendition of The Scottish Play starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard. Editor: Chris Dicken (Slumdog Millionaire). Composer: Jed Kurzel. Cinematographer: Adam Arkapaw. Production Designer: Fiona Crombie. Costume Designer: Jacqueline Durran (known for her work with Joe Wright, as well as most recently with Mr. Turner).

The Sharpe manor in Crimson Peak

60
Crimson Peak (Universal). Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth) returns with this gothic horror starring Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston, and Jessica Chastain. While the production values are sumptuous, no money went into the script, written by del Toro with Matthew Robbins. I've heard it's awful from an early screening report. Editor: Bernat Vilaplana. Composer: Fernando Velázquez. Cinematographer: Dan Laustsen. Production Designer: Thomas E. Sanders (Dracula, Saving Private Ryan). Costume Designer: Kate Hawley. US release date: 16. October 2015.

61
Last Days in the Desert (Currently no US distributor). Writer/director Rodrigo Garcia (Mother and Child, Albert Nobbs) directed this reimagining of the last five weeks of Jesus' (Ewan McGregor) life. It received an MC 73 out of five reviews coming out of Sundance. Editor: Matt Maddox. Composers: Danny Bensi, Saunder Jurriaans. Cinematographer: Emmanuel Lubezki. Production Designer: Jeannine Oppewall (L.A. Confidential, Pleasantville, Seabiscuit, The Good Shepherd). Costume Designer: Judianna Makovsky (Pleasantville, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Seabiscuit).

62
Jurassic World (Universal). We return to the island of genetically engineered dinosaurs seen through the eyes of Colin Trevorrow (Safety Not Guaranteed). And business is booming. Tevorrow wrote the script with Derek Connolly. The first two installments, helmed by Steven Spielberg, were both nominated for visual effects. The movie also stars Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Judy Greer, and Vincent D'Onofrio. Editor: Kevin Stitt. Composer: Michael Giacchino (Up, Ratatouille). Cinematographer: John Schwartzman (Seabiscuit). Production Designer: Ed Verreaux (Jurassic Park III). Costume Designers: April Ferry (Maverick), Daniel Orlandi. US release date: 12. June 2015.

Midnight Special (Warner Bros). Action-fantasy from Jeff Nichols, who is slowly building a name for himself with critics (Take Shelter, Mud) by directing his own original scripts. He's the kind of talent who will probably eventually click with the AMPAS. The story concerns a young prophet of sorts (Jaeden Lieberher) whose father (Michael Shannon) rescues him from a cult as the boy learns to master his special gift. The pensive film doesn't seem like Academy fare, but you never know. Also stars Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, Sam Shepard, and Adam Driver. Editor: Julie Monroe. Composer: David Wingo. Cinematographer: Adam Stone. Production Designer: Chad Keith. Costume Designer: Erin Benach. US release date: 25. November 2015.

Non-Award Contenders?

(I'd be surprised if any of these films gained any kind of traction)

Black Mass (Warner Bros). Scott Cooper's Whitey Bulger film about the gangster's years as an FBI informant starring Johnny Depp. Cooper followed up Crazy Heart with Out of the Furnace. Also stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Dakota Johnson, Juno Temple, Joel Edgerton, Sienna Miller, Adam Scott, Corey Stoll, Peter Sarsgaard, Julianne Nicholson, and Kevin Bacon. The adaptation is from Jez Butterworth (Fair Game) and Mark Mallouk. Editor: David Rosenbloom (The Insider). Cinematographer: Masanobu Takayanagi. Production Designer: Stefania Cella. Costume Designer: Kasia Walicka-Maimone (Moonrise Kingdom, Capote). US release date: 18. September 2015.

Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes in
A Bigger Splash

65
A Bigger Splash (Fox Searchlight). The studio grabbed this mystery drama involving marital infidelity in February and it's rumored to be a selection at Cannes. Luca Guadagnino (I Am Love) directed David Kajganich's script, starring Tilda Swinton, Ralph Fiennes, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Dakota Johnson. Editor: Walter Fasano. Cinematographer: Yorick Le Saux (I Am Love). Production Designer: Maria Djurkovic (The Imitation Game).

66
Straight Outta Compton (Universal). This music drama details the early days of N.W.A. Starring Keith Stanfield, O'Shea Jackson, Jr, Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Aldis Hodge, and Paul Giamatti. Director: F. Gary Gray (Friday, The Italian Job). Screenplay: Andrea Berloff, Jonathan Herman. Editor: Billy Fox. Composer: Joseph Trapanese. Cinematographer: Matthew Libatique (Black Swan). Production Designer: Shane Valentino. Costume Designer: Kelli Jones.

67
Fun House (Paramount). War comedy starring Tina Fey and Martin Freeman, as well as Margot Robbie, Billy Bob Thornton, Alfred Molina, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. The script is by Robert Carlock (The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, SNL, 30 Rock) and Kim Barker and directed by the team of Glenn Ficarra and John Requa (Crazy, Stupid, Love.). Editor: Jan Kovac. Cinematographer: Xavier Grobet. Production Designer: Beth Mickle. Costume Designer: Lisa Lovaas.

The Secret in Their Eyes (STX Entertainment). Remake of the Argentinian Oscar-winning dramatic thriller starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Julia Roberts, and Nicole Kidman. Writer/Director: Billy Ray (Shattered Glass, and screenwriter of Captain Phillips). Cinematographer: Daniel Moder. Production Designer: Nelson Coates. Costume Designer: Shay Cunliffe. US release date: 23. October 2015.

69
Gold (TWC). Stephen Gaghan (Syriana) directs this film about two males played by Matthew McConaughey and Édga Ramirez looking for gold in the Indonesian jungle. Gaghan wrote the script along with Friday Night Lights scribes Patrick Massett and John Zinman.

70
Mad Max: Fury Road (Warner Bros). George Miller returns to his roots in a big-budget sort of way. He cowrote the apocalyptic revisiting with Brendan McCarthy and Nick Lathouris. The movie stars Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron. Editors: Jason, Ballantine, Margaret Sixel. Composer: Junkie XL. Cinematographer: John Seal (The English Patient, Witness, Rainman). Production Designer: Colin Gibson. Costume Designer: Jenny Beavan (9 nominations including The King's Speech, 1 win for A Room with a View). US release date: 15. May 2015.

71
Fantastic Four (20th-Century Fox). Josh Trank (Chronicle) directs this comic book reboot from a script he wrote with Simon Kinberg (the second generation X-Men films) and Jeremy Slater. Starring Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell, Michael B. Jordan, and Tim Blake Nelson. Editor: Elliot Greenberg. Composers: Marco Beltrami (3:10 to Yuma, The Hurt Locker), Philip Glass (Kundun, The Hours, Notes on a Scandal). Cinematographer: Matthew Jensen. Production Designer: Chris Seagers. Costume Designer: George L. Little.

72
Slow West (A24). Western starring Michael Fassbender, and Australians Kodi Smit-McPhee and Ben Mendelsohn, which earned a MC 76 score out of six reviews out of Sundance. Writer/Director: John Maclean. Editors: Roland Gallois, Jon Gregory. Composer: Jed Kurzel. Cinematographer: Robbie Ryan. Production Designer: Kim Sinclair (Avatar). Costume Designer: Kirsty Cameron.

73
Weightless (Broad Green Picture). Terrence Malick directed his own script set in Austin, Texas, focused on intermingling relationships. It stars a bunch of white people: Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Natalie Portman, Ryan Gosling, and Rooney Mara. It has a similar technical team to Malick's other film this year, Knight of Cups.

74
The 33 (Currently no US distributor). Patricia Riggen (Under the Same Moon) directs the screenplay about the Chilean miners trapped underground for over two months. Starring Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro, Gabriel Byrne, James Brolin, Juliette Binoche, Adriana Barraza, and Paulina García (who out of these names is the only actual Chilean). Editor: Michael Tronick. Composer: James Horner (Titanic). Cinematographer: Checco Varese. Production Designer: Marco Niro. Costume Designer: Paco Delgado (Les Misérables).

75
The Martian (20th Century Fox). Gravity meets Saving Private Ryan. Ridley Scott's latest will probably fall in the shadow of Joy and The Revenant as far as awards are concerned. Stars Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan, Jeff Daniels, Michael Peña, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Drew Goddard wrote the adaptation from the Andy Weir book. Editor: Pietro Scalia (JFK, Gladiator, Black Hawk Down). Cinematographer: Dariusz Wolski (Crimson Tide). Production Designer: Arthur Max (Gladiator, American Gangster). Costume Designer: Janty Yates (Gladiator). US release date: 25. November 2015.

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Everest (Universal). Baltasar Kormákur directed this script from several screenwriters, an adaptation of the Jon Krakauer bestseller Into Thin Air. Stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Robin Wright, Keira Knightley, Sam Worthington, Emily Watson, Jason Clarke, and Josh Brolin. Editor: Mick Audsley. Composer: Dario Marianelli (nominated for three Joe Wright films). Cinematographer: Salvatore Totino. Production Designer: Gary Freeman. Costume Designer: Guy Speranza. US release date: 18. September 2015.

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Terminator: Genisys (Paramount). Arnold Schwarzenegger is back. Also starring Emilia Clarke, Jason Clarke, and J.K. Simmons. Alan Taylor (Thor: The Dark World) is directing the script from Laeta Kalogridis and Patrick Lussier. Editor: Roger Barton. Composer: Lorne Balfe. Cinematographer: Kramer Mogenthau. Production Designer: Neil Spisak. Costume Designer: Susan Matheson. 1. July 2015.

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Sicario (Lionsgate). Emily Blunt gets her biggest starring vehicle to date as an FBI agent in this action drama about the Mexican drug cartel. It also stars Benicio Del Toro, Josh Brolin, and Jon Bernthal. Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners, Incendies) directed from a Taylor Sheridan original script. Editor: Joe Walker (12 Years a Slave). Composer: Jóhann Jóhannsson (The Theory of Everything). Cinematographer: Roger Deakins (legend). Production Designer: Patrice Vermette (The Young Victoria). Costume Designer: Renée April. US release date: 18. September 2015.

The Diary of a Teenage Girl (SPC). This period coming-of-age film did well with the Sundance crowd back in January. Sundance recognized its cinematography, and then Berlin cited its director. But it doesn't hold the promise that Me and Earl does. Writer/Director: Marielle Heller. Stars: Alexander Skarsgård, Bel Powley, and Kristen Wiig. Editors: Marie-Hélène Dozo, Koen Timmerman. Composer: Nate Heller. Cinematographer: Brandon Trost. Production Designer: Jonah Markowitz. Costume Designer: Carmen Grande.

Lily Tomlin in Grandma

Grandma (SPC). This Lily Tomlin vehicle got strong reviews out of Sundance, but is unfortunately too small to gain any traction this year. Writer/Director: Paul Weitz (About a Boy). Also stars: Marcia Gay Harden, Judy Greer, Laverne Cox, Elizabeth Peña. Editor: Jon Corn. Composer: Joel P. West. Cinematographer: Tobias Datum. Production Designers: Cindy Chao, Michele Yu. Costume Designer: Molly Grundman.

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The Whole Truth (Currently no US distributor). Courtroom thriller directed by Courtney Hunt (Frozen River), from a script by Nicholas Kazan (Reversal of Fortune), starring Keanu Reeves, Renée Zellweger, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Gabriel Basso. Composers: Evgueni & Sacha Galperine. Cinematographer: Jules O'Loughlin. Production Designer: Mara LePere-Schloop. Costume Designer: Abby O'Sullivan.

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Mississippi Grind (A24). Roadtrip gambling drama starring Ben Mendelsohn and Ryan Reynolds, which earned a MC 73 score out of six reviews out of Sundance. Writer/Directors: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck (Half Nelson). Composer: Scott Bomar. Cinematographer: Andrij Parekh. Production Designer: Jade Healy. Costume Designer: Abby O'Sullivan.

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Dope (Open Road). This summer release came out with an MC 76 out of Sundance with little critical passion behind it (though it did get an award for its editing). If Me and Earl doesn't get much award footing, this will certainly get even less. Writer/director: Rick Famuyiwa. Stars: Zoë Kravitz, Forest Whitaker. Composer: Germaine Franco. Cinematographer: Rachel Morrison. Production Designer: Scott Falconer. Costume Designer: Patrik Milani. US release date: 19. June 2015.

Aloha (Sony). Cameron Crowe, once a Hollywood darling, is struggling to get his mojo back in this romantic comedy set in Hawaii starring Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, and Rachel McAdams. From early screening reports, he fell short somewhat. The Descendants by way of Men, Women, & Children. Editor: Joe Hutshing (JFK, Born on the 4th of July, Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous). Cinematographer: Eric Gautier (The Motorcycle Diaries). Production Designer: Clay A. Griffith (Almost Famous). Costume Designer: Deborah Lynn Scott (Titanic). US release date: 22. May 2015.

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Knight of Cups (Broad Green Pictures). Terrence Malick's latest debuted in Berlin to middling reviews. Not even the critics who liked it were passionate about it. Stars Cate Blanchett, Christian Bale, and Natalie Portman. There is some technical overlap between this project and The Revenant. Editors: (there are four of them). Composer: Hanan Townshend. Cinematographer: Emmanuel Lubezki. Production Designer: Jack Fisk. Costume Designer: Jacqueline West.

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Wednesday

Oscar Predictions 2015: Best Picture

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