Here is my complete 2014 Oscar Preview in one complete list, with all 40 Oscar Contenders and my thoughts on each over the course of a massive 13-page spread and over 8,500 words. Trust me, I don't blame you if you take your time, but I think it may serve as a helpful list to look back at throughout the year.
And, if you missed Parts 1-4 in which I featured each of these films, ten per installment, and just because it's fun to see them all in one place, here's a list of all 40 films included in this preview: The Great Gatsby, 12 Years a Slave, A Most Wanted Man, The Place Beyond the Pines, August: Osage County, Before Midnight, Blue Jasmine, Captain Phillips, Dallas Buyers Club, Diana, Elysium, The Fifth Estate, Foxcatcher, Frozen, Fruitvale, Grace of Monaco, Gravity, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, Inside Llewyn Davis, Labor Day, Lowlife, Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, Monuments Men, Mud, Nebraska, Oldboy, Out of the Furnace, Parkland, Runner, Runner, Rush, Saving Mr. Banks, Serena, The Spectacular Now, The Butler, The Counselor, Prisoners, The Wolf of Wall Street, Untitled David O. Russell Abscam Project, The Way, Way Back and Winter's Tale. Got that?
I also took the teaser images I've used for each installment and put together a little poster for the 2014 Oscar Preview:
Dig in, and I hope you've enjoyed this preview. Early 2014 Oscar predictions are coming up next, so stay tuned.
Twelve Years a Slave
DIR. Steve McQueen /TBA 2013
There have already been test screenings for Steve McQueen's follow-up to Shame, a relentless and unflinching look at slavery that will likely draw comparisons to Django Unchained even though we're talking about polar opposite films that just happen to take place amid one of the worst times in America's history.
Odds on Twelve Years a Slave getting a Best Picture nomination are slim and from what I have heard from a few people that attended press screenings, their reactions seem to mirror those recapped by Shadow & Act. From what it sounds like this one will likely have a better chance in the acting categories than anywhere else, but it would also be nice to see McQueen get some love in the Director category and maybe Sean Bobbitt can get the Cinematography nom he was wrongly overlooked for with Shame.
STUDIO: No Distributer Yet
CAST: Michael Fassbender, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Brad Pitt, Adepero Oduye, Paul Dano, Taran Killam, Benedict Cumberbatch, Garret Dillahunt, Paul Giamatti, Sarah Paulson, Alfre Woodard, Michael Kenneth Williams, Quvenzhané Wallis
SYNOPSIS: Tells the true story of Solomon Northrup, a New York citizen who was kidnapped in Washington in 1841 and rescued from a cotton plantation in Louisiana in 1853.
August: Osage County
DIR. John Wells /November 8
Let's see, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Tracy Letts play adapted by Letts, starring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts and distributed by The Weinstein Co. I think the Oscar chances for August: Osage County speak for themselves.
STUDIO: The Weinstein Co.
CAST: Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Chris Cooper, Abigail Breslin, Dermot Mulroney, Sam Shepard, Ewan McGregor and Julianne Nicholson
SYNOPSIS: Meet the Westons. Dad's disappeared. Mom's (Streep) popping pills. One daughter's (Roberts) bound for divorce. And that's just the start. The film is based on Tracy Letts' award-winning play.
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Great work on this, once again, Brad! Looking forward to revisiting this list in November/December.
Brad - don't have much faith in Aint Them Bodies Saints?
It will be included in my predictions, but IFC doesn't have the budget to mount a big awards campaign. Rooney Mara is probably the film's best bet from what I've heard.
Brad do you think Vincent cassel as a shot for best actor nomination for the monk?
Highly unlikely.
I don't know a thing about that film, but it's sad IFC's campaign budget comes into play there. I realize it's a fact of the industry, but it's still disappointing.
I just wanna notice you that Julie Andrews isn't in The Wolf of Wall Street, Joanna Lumley got that part. It also has got a release date now, the 15th of November.
Looking forward to Place Beyond the Pines this month, hope Gosling delivers yet again. But his Oscar chances will also be hurt by the early release as you mentioned. Hopefully at least a critics choice best actor in an action movie nomination (if category is kept).
Thanks for this list, Brad. I'll keep it handy in anticipation of some good films. Sorry so many release dates are so far away.
No predictions for 'Kill Your Darlings'?
What about To the Wonder?
Ain't Them Body Saints is missing. I think Rooney and Casey will steal the show.
The year of Bale. Excited to see the man back out of the bat suit.
What about Chavez? Some possible nominations include Best Actor (Michael Pena), Best Actress (America Ferrera), Best Supporting Actor (John Malkovich), Best Picture, and Best director (Diego Luna)
Hey, Brad. Nice list, but you forgot to put Witherspoon for Mud. I know her role is very small, but do you have any faith in her that she'll get a nomination?
It may not be released in time but "Untitled Elmore Leonard Project" sounds quite promising. I never thought I'd write this but, Jennifer Aniston is being touted as an award contender for her role - Not that I'd be adverse to her being nominated.
What about Jared Leto for Supporting Actor in Dallas Buyer's Club?
David Michôd has a film coming out this year, too I believe.
What about "42"? I just saw that movie and I think it has real potential for a few Oscar nods. The movie was great, the cinematography was great and Harrison Ford could get a best supporting actor nod.