12. A Most Violent Year
A24 Films
COMMENTARY:
SYNOPSIS: A thriller set in New York City during the winter of 1981, statistically one of the most violent years in the city's history, and centered on a the lives of an immigrant and his family trying to expand their business and capitalize on opportunities as the rampant violence, decay, and corruption of the day drag them in and threaten to destroy all they have built.
FOR IT: Late into the race with a New Year's eve release but the buzz surrounding it seems to be high. This could be a last minute entry that takes it all.
AGAINST IT: Think of films like "Blue Valentine" with a similar release date and didn't crack too much. By that point, AMPAS could have their minds made up.
13. Wild (Not out yet)
Fox Searchlight Pictures
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COMMENTARY:
SYNOPSIS: A chronicle of one woman's 1,100-mile solo hike undertaken as a way to recover from a recent catastrophe.
FOR IT: Jean Marc Vallee's "Dallas Buyers Club" was well-received. Telluride word was positive.
AGAINST IT: The reviews were good, not great.
14. Inherent Vice
Paramount Pictures
COMMENTARY:
SYNOPSIS: A look at the relationship between the famous physicist Stephen Hawking and his wife.
FOR IT: Focus Features is on a roll following "Dallas Buyers Club." This biopic has many excited and could be more of sure thing than many think.
AGAINST IT: In a year of many biopics, will this one stand out?
15. Big Eyes
The Weinstein Company
COMMENTARY:
SYNOPSIS: A drama centered on the awakening of the painter Margaret Keane, her phenomenal success in the 1950s, and the subsequent legal difficulties she had with her husband, who claimed credit for her works in the 1960s.
FOR IT: Looks like something that will get the big push from Harvey Weinstein. Tim Burton is due for some Oscar love especially in Director. There will be many pushing for this.
AGAINST IT: We've believed in a Burton project before and have been disappointed. This is a potential bomb.
16. Mr. Turner
Sony Pictures Classics
COMMENTARY:
SYNOPSIS: An exploration of the last quarter century of the great, if eccentric, British painter J.M.W. Turner's life.
FOR IT: Cannes praise was very loud with Timothy Spall winning Best Actor. Leigh is beloved in the Academy.
AGAINST IT: Mike Leigh is surefire in screenplay but in Picture, he usually comes up short.