Wednesday Oscar Watch with Abe

Welcome to the latest edition of a seasonal weekly 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, 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 October 11th, 2013

Captain Phillips
This movie is on my list to see this coming weekend, and so as soon as I see it, I’ll be able to offer a better prediction of how it might fare. By most accounts, the film is terrific, as is star Tom Hanks. A Best Picture bid might happen, as might one for director Paul Greengrass, but I think that Hanks is the film’s best shot, especially since this will be a big year for him with “Saving Mr. Banks.” A Best Supporting Actor mention for Barkhad Abdi will only happen if the film finds itself very popular with Oscar voters and if it isn’t outshone by late December releases.

Romeo and Juliet
This latest adaptation of the most famous Shakespearean play isn’t going to nab any major awards, but, like the 1996 incarnation, might merit a nomination for Best Art Direction or Best Costumes.

Films released March and April 2013

Oz: The Great and Powerful (March 8)
This “Wizard of Oz” reimagining is a good bet to be nominated for Best Visual Effects, and Best Art Direction and Best Costumes bids are also possible.

42 (Apri1 12)
This well-received cinematic realization of the Jackie Robinson story was looking like it might be an Oscar contender back in April, and Harrison Ford, who has only ever been nominated once, was thrown around as a contender. It could happen, but I think he’ll be forgotten by year’s end.

Oblivion (Apri1 19)
This post-apocalyptic sci-fi film could net a nomination for Best Visual Effects, but I’m not sure that it’s likely.

Mud (April 26)
I’d love to see this film get recognized for all of its terrific components, but I don’t know where it might show up. Matthew McConaughey could be considered a supporting actor, I suppose, since the kids are really the leads, and roles in “Dallas Buyers Club” and “The Wolf of Wall Street” could help bolster him to his first-ever nomination this year. Best Original Screenplay is also a possibility, and, though I think it’s out of the question, a Best Picture bid would be awesome.