Wednesday Oscar Watch with Abe

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Wednesday Oscar Watch with Abe. Every Wednesday, I’m taking a look at the awards chances for all of the films released the previous week. Chime in with your thoughts on the Oscar chances for these films in the comments section. Also, don't forget to check out the Golden Globe nominations, announced yesterday.

Invictus
Clint Eastwood making a film about Nelson Mandela starring Morgan Freeman is a good way to drum up Oscar buzz. The Golden Globes yesterday snubbed the film for their top prize but still nominated Eastwood, Freeman, and supporting actor Matt Damon. They all seem quite likely to earn Oscar nominations, and the film should be able to get in with an expanded field of ten nominees which likely won’t include some of the Globe comedy nominees, like “It’s Complicated” and “Julie & Julia.” Eastwood has had three films nominated for Best Picture this decade – “Mystic River,” “Million Dollar Baby” (winner), and “Letters from Iwo Jima.” Expect him to add another film to the list this year. He also directed Angelina Jolie to an Oscar nomination for “Changeling” last year. It helps that “Invictus” is truly terrific as a film, and should also contend for Best Film Editing and Best Adapted Screenplay.

A Single Man
One of the only solid “A” films I’ve seen this year should be set for at least one category at the Oscars, and that’s Best Actor, where a completely reinvented Colin Firth should have no problem getting nominated and maybe even winning. Hopes are high for costar Julianne Moore, whose flawless British accent should impress voters. I’m rooting for composer Abel Krozeniowski, and his Golden Globe nomination should help him along. The film should hopefully also earn nominations for Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction, and maybe even Best Makeup or Best Film Editing. Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture are probably long shots, in descending order of likelihood. I’d love to see it everywhere, though I’m very confident that it will get several technical nominations and recognition for its two fabulous leads.

The Lovely Bones
This film is no longer a serious Best Picture contender after receiving generally negative reviews, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of the race completely. Never-nominated Stanley Tucci earned a Golden Globe nomination for his performance as a cold-blooded killer, and should be able to establish himself as the best part of the film and get nominated. Young lead actress Saoirse Ronan is an Oscar nominee already, and may well earn a second nomination if voters really like her performance. The film’s stunning visuals annoy as many as they astonish, and therefore the movie might be able to get nominations for Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction, but don’t bet on either one too much.

Don’t expect any kudos for The Slammin’ Salmon or a film starring Russell Crowe that you’ve never heard of, Tenderness. That’s it for notable films released this past week. There are only a couple of weeks in the year left! Come back every Wednesday for an analysis of the previous Friday’s theatrical releases and their Oscar chances. Thanks for reading!