Wednesday Oscar Watch

Welcome to the first 2013 edition of this returning 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 4th, 2013

Gravity
I have yet to see this extremely well-reviewed space drama, but I hear only good things. It’s not typically Oscar’s cup of tea, but they’ll likely make an exception given the players involved. A Best Picture bid seems likely, and Alfonso Cuaron might earn his first Best Director nomination after mentions for his screenwriting in the past. George Clooney and Sandra Bullock, both Oscar winners, aren’t as likely to earn acting nominations, but it’s possible. I’d expect a handful of technical nominations to be sure.

A.C.O.D.
I loved this comedy from Sundance, and it would be really wonderful to see a fresh and original screenplay earn some well-deserved recognition. Adam Scott is a popular actor but seems far away from any Oscar attention, and this feels much more like a Golden Globe hopeful than a true Oscar contender. Richard Jenkins, Catherine O’Hara, and especially Amy Poehler would all be great choices.

Films released January and February 2013

Gangster Squad (January 11)
This movie has plenty of Oscar pedigree going for it, namely two-time Oscar-winner Sean Penn, nominees Nick Nolte, Josh Brolin, and Ryan Gosling, and eventual nominee Emma Stone. Its release date and mostly unenthusiastic reviews all but prohibit a warm Oscar reception, but an art direction or costume design nomination isn’t out of the question.

Warm Bodies (February 1)
It would be wonderful to see this very funny genre parody net a nomination for its adapted screenplay, but I suspect that’s far from reality. I also think that Nicholas Hoult was terrific, though I understand if Oscar voters don’t want to endorse an untraditional film like this one.

Side Effects (February 8)
Director Steven Soderbergh’s rumored last film is unsurprisingly not that, but I think that it was a more intelligent film than many might have expected. Rooney Mara is fresh off an Oscar nomination, Jude Law is a past nominee, and Catherine Zeta-Jones a past winner. If this film had picked up more buzz when it was released, it might have been a contender.