Wednesday Oscar Watch

Welcome to a newly-restarted feature here at Movies with Abe, Wednesday Oscar Watch with Abe. It’s a bit early to be able to accurately predict the eventual Oscar nominees, but around this time, plenty of likely contenders are being released. I’ll be looking every Wednesday at the awards chances for all of the films released the previous week. Additionally, to make up for lost time, I’ll also be taking a look at the films released earlier in the year, one or two months at a time. Chime in with your thoughts on the Oscar chances for these films in the comments section. Also, if I’ve missed any films from the previous months, please say so!

Films released September 30th, 2011

Take Shelter
This film may contend for two of its actors, though I’d argue that it deserves a cinematography or editing nomination as well. Michael Shannon received an Oscar nomination for a far less prominent part in “Revolutionary Road,” so he’s definitely a dark horse for his portrayal of a man losing his grip on reality. This is Jessica Chastain’s big year, and she’ll definitely end up in the supporting race here, where she may compete against herself in “The Help” and “The Tree of Life.”

Films released June 2011

Beginners (June 3)
It took the only Oscar nominee in this cast over fifty years in the business to earn his first nomination, but Christopher Plummer may well be in line for a second if voters recognize his alternately warm and heartbreaking performance is remembered come Oscar time. I’d hope that Ewan McGregor, Mélanie Laurent, and screenwriter Mike Mills could also drum up some favor, but I think that’s asking too much.

X-Men: First Class (June 3)
Don’t count on future Oscar nominees Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy or last year’s nominee Jennifer Lawrence earning accolades for this film. Instead, check it off in the technical categories, like Best Visual Effects, Best Sound, Best Sound Editing, and maybe Best Makeup as well.

Super 8 (June 10)
This summer, this looked like a surefire hit, but I think it will be long forgotten by the time Oscar season swings into full force. That’s not to say that it won’t still earn a decent nominations total, likely appearing in the Best Visual Effects, Best Sound, and Best Sound Editing categories, in addition to possibly making it into Best Original Score, Best Makeup, Best Film Editing, Best Art Direction, and Best Cinematography as well.

Cars 2 (June 24)
I can’t understand why this sequel was so seemingly poorly-received. It’s still possible that it will get a Best Animated Feature nomination, and if there ends up being an eligible original song in there, it’s a good bet too.