Early Oscar buzz

[:eek:]

An Oscar for Amidala?

Check out the latest Academy Awards buzz coming out of TIFF.

September 16, 2010


With the Toronto International Film Festival beginning to wind down, industry pundits have been clamoring about which films screened there -- and which performances -- might be the biggest contenders for this year's Academy Awards.

The consensus on Oscar buzz right now seems to be that the Best Picture race front runners are The Social Network and Rabbit Hole, which Lionsgate reportedly just acquired. The Social Network, which recounts the controversial founding of Facebook and the subsequent legal fallout, was directed by David Fincher and scripted by Aaron Sorkin. Fincher's got some Best Director buzz, perhaps as compensation for getting passed over for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

The Social Network was widely deemed the film to beat for Best Picture until critics saw Rabbit Hole and now the pundits have become enamored with that rave-reviewed drama instead. Rabbit Hole is based on David Lindsay-Abaire's Pulitzer prize-winning and is directed by John Cameron Mitchell. Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart play a happily married couple whose perfect world is forever changed when their young son is killed in an accident

Kidman, a previous Oscar winner, has been getting Best Actress buzz for the film, but she faces fierce competition from Natalie Portman for her tour de force as a ballerina slowing losing her mind in Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan.

The front runners in the Best Actor race appear to be Colin Firth for The King's Speech and James Franco for 127 Hours. In the fact-based The King's Speech, Firth plays King George VI who is helped to overcome his speech impediment by Dr. Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). Helena Bonham Carter and Guy Pearce co-star. 127 Hours, on the other hand, recounts the true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston's (Franco) remarkable adventure to save himself after a fallen boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolated canyon in Utah. Oscar winner Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, Sunshine) directed it.

In the animated film category, the only real competition sure thing Toy Story 3 faces is from another Disney release, Tangled, which is garnering strong buzz after early screenings.

 

[Carmine Falcone]

That last paragraph made me chuckle. Toy Story 3 has no competition.

 

[Laderlappen]

The Social Network and Rabbit Hole are NOT frontrunners. The Social Network MIGHT get nominated. Portman's big competition for Best Actress is Annette Bening who'll probably win it.

 

[FaT_tONle]

Yeah I haven't even heard of most of these projects. Guess we will find out when they come out.

 

[dark_b]

can you imagine Fincher getting an oscar for the Facebook movie?

they guy is a groundbreaking director that always did something new and the Academy ignored him.

 

[lime]

For what I know (but I need a trailer to confirm) Peter Weir's return with ''The Way Back'' might be the big Oscar contender.

 

[matrix_ghost]

The Social Network and Rabbit Hole are NOT frontrunners. The Social Network MIGHT get nominated. Portman's big competition for Best Actress is Annette Bening who'll probably win it.

And Kidman. Her movie "Rabbithole" is actually getting great reviews . The reviews i read say that the movie is lock for Best Actor/Actress and Supporting actress nominations.

 

[Carmine Falcone]

Which movie with Annette Bening are you talking about? The Kids are allright?

 

[redhawk23]

can you imagine Fincher getting an oscar for the Facebook movie?

they guy is a groundbreaking director that always did something new and the Academy ignored him.

I agree, but its also possible that he did just as fine work on this film. Its possible he's managed to craft a great directorial work and pull the elements he worked with to make a good film. Just because you are HARDHEADILLY BIASED against making a film based on the subject matter, it doesn't make it less legitimate than his other films. In fact from what I hear he's applied some of the things from his earlier films in new ways. If none of the other films this year stack up directorally then I fully welcome Fincher winning.

 

[Laderlappen]

And Kidman. Her movie "Rabbithole" is actually getting great reviews . The reviews i read say that the movie is lock for Best Actor/Actress and Supporting actress nominations.

Yeah I mean Im predicting her for a nomination. But Bening is this years Jeff Bridges.

Which movie with Annette Bening are you talking about? The Kids are allright?

Yeah.

 

[Figs]

So this means members of the Academy already saw these films and this is where the rumoured nominations are coming from or are these people in the article just talking out of their asses with wild guesses?

 

[Project862006]

all the movies have been screened to my recollection

 

[Tacit Ronin]

can you imagine Fincher getting an oscar for the Facebook movie?

they guy is a groundbreaking director that always did something new and the Academy ignored him.

How do you know he didn't do groundbreaking work for this movie?

 

[DACrowe]

Maybe it's my bias from finding The Kids Are All Right severely overrated with a terrible third act, but I hope Benning does not win for Best Actress. Besides Juilianne Moore was the better of the two in that movie.

The lead actress (her name escapes me) in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Who Played With Fire deserves a nomination for Best Actress. I really want to see The Social Network, Black Swan, and The Town. Something tells me they're going to be incredibly good films. AT least I'm hopeful.

127 Hours, I am not so sure about. We'll see. The King's Speech also looks intriguing. I hope Inception garners at least one of the 10 nomination spots, as well as Toy Story 3 and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, even if it is a foreign film (which normally don't get best pic nods). In a perfect world Chloe Moretz would be nominated for Best Supporting Actress in Kick-Ass. But that obviously won't happen.

 

[Harry_Lime02]

This film is getting all the early buzz. Anyone seen it? Everyone who's seen it so far loves it. Jennifer Lawrence is the first real contender for best actress. You heard it here first if it happens!

 

[night0205]

Inception deserves oscars.
So does Toy Story 3.
Both Masterpieces.

 

[lime]

Right now this movies looks like a lock nominations for BP:

The Social Network
Another Year
Inception
Toy Story 3
The Way Back
The King's Speech

Strong chances:

127 Hours
The Fighter
Kids Are All Right

 

[Catman]

http://www.deadline.com/2010/09/big-fall-fest-whos-up-or-down-for-oscar/

THE SOCIAL NETWORK (Sony) - Ironically, the one movie that perhaps generated the biggest buzz this week wasn’t at any of the Big Three. The Social Network stole the thunder from Toronto by beginning screenings for onliners in New York and Los Angeles before it opens the New York Film Festival on September 24th. Oscar Chance: It instantly became anointed a frontrunner for Best Picture.

BLACK SWAN (Fox Searchlight) - It took Venice by storm with one of the most enthusiastic opening night ovations in years. But at award time on the Lido it was virtually overlooked (except for a breakthrough honor for Mila Kunis). Top reviews and lots of awards talk followed at Telluride and Toronto, especially for Natalie Portman. Oscar Chance: Very much alive in key races including newfound frontrunner status for Portman in Best Actress. Big question is how will older voters react to film’s kinkier aspects?

SOMEWHERE (Focus Features) - Sofia Coppola’s quiet character study won the top prize in Venice despite mixed reviews and some cries that jury president and Coppola intimate Quentin Tarantino played favorites. (Tarantino vehemently dismissed the criticism.) The film sat out Telluride and Toronto by design and will likely be held back from screenings until closer to its late December release. Oscar Chance: Still a bit of a mystery but may be too soft to make a dent. Coppola though is well-liked by her fellow writers and directors and Stephen Dorff is said to be quite good in it.

127 HOURS (Fox Searchlight) - Danny Boyle’s first effort since sweeping the Oscars with Slumdog Millionaire two years ago was generally met with favorable reviews and good buzz in Telluride followed by at least one standing ovation in Toronto. Oscar Chance: Strongest bet in Best Actor for James Franco. A longer shot in Best Picture as "Farewell to Arm" scene may be too much for some at the Academy.

CONVICTION (Fox Searchlight) - Middling reviews and lack of strong buzz in Toronto make this true story a long shot. Oscar Chance: Hillary Swank has a shot in Best Actress but she’s down the list in an exceptionally tough field. Sam Rockwell has film’s best shot in Supporting Actor. Juliette Lewis is also possible but role may be too small.

THE KING’S SPEECH (Weinstein Co) - Strong outstanding period piece puts Harvey Weinstein back in the Oscar game big-time. Triumphed over all comers in Telluride with subsequent buzz seeing hundreds turned away in Toronto. Great reviews and a real crowd pleaser. Oscar Chance: A slam dunk for major nominations across the board and an instant frontrunner that should play right into Academy’s lap.

MADE IN DAGENHAM (Sony Pictures Classics) - Another British period piece that debuted in Toronto to good results and sweet reviews. Story about a group of female factory workers fighting for equal pay is very accessible entertainment. Oscar Chance: This may be Sony Classics' best shot to get into Best Picture, very Academy friendly film with acting noms possible for star Sally Hawkins and supporters Miranda Richardson and Bob Hoskins.

ANOTHER YEAR (Sony Pictures Classics) - Mike Leigh’s best film since Secrets And Lies didn’t win anything in Cannes in May and seemed to get mixed to excellent reactions in North American premieres in Telluride and Toronto. Those who like it love it. Oscar Chance: Leigh films usually go over well with the Academy but surest thing is the acclaimed performance of Lesley Manville. She should go for supporting where she'd have a better chance than in the overcrowded lead actress category.

THE TOWN (Warner Bros) - Ben Affleck drew pretty good reviews as an actor and especially director out of Venice and Toronto. Depending on how it does at the box office starting this weekend, it could follow a similar trajectory as its producer Graham King’s Oscar winning The Departed. Or not. Oscar Chance: Pedigree is fine but may be too much in the violent action genre. Strong performances could crack one of the acting categories, with Jeremy Renner the most likely possibility in support.

HEREAFTER (Warner Bros) - Clint Eastwood ‘s latest got mixed reviews out of Toronto. But Ebert and Corliss dug it and this likely will play better with the older-skewing Academy members who may relate to its themes of afterlife. The 4-time Oscar winner and Acad favorite is now 80 and, even though his most recent two films Gran Torino and Invictus got a grand total of just two noms between them, you can never count Clint out. Oscar Chance: Clint is still a force. May have an ‘afterlife’ following Toronto and upcoming closing night spot at the New York Film Festival.

RABBIT HOLE (Lionsgate) - Glowing reviews, especially for its three main actors -- Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart and Dianne Wiest. Thursday’s news of Lionsgate’s quick pickup following Monday night’s Toronto World Premiere, and a planned 2010 Oscar campaign, make this biggest award season news to come out of Toronto. Oscar Chance: With a savvy push by Lionsgate and top notch performances and writing, this is suddenly a player in the marquee categories.

BURIED (Lionsgate) - Ryan Reynolds' tour-de-force turn as a man-trapped-in-a-coffin has been overshadowed by James Franco’s similar guy-trapped-in-a-cave in 127 Hours. But look for Ryan to catch up when this opens next week. Oscar Chance: Funny guy Reynolds going dramatic could be irresistible to his fellow actors if Lionsgate decides to spend some money campaigning for him.

CASINO JACK (ATO) - Its on-again/off-again release is now on again courtesy of an ATO pickup at Toronto. Two-time winner Kevin Spacey has a new opportunity for top honors playing disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff with flair and humor. Oscar Chance: Indie film needs to grab attention against higher profile competition in December if Spacey is to squeeze into the race.

LET ME IN (Overture/Relativity) - Superb gloriously reviewed American remake of Sweden’s 2008 cult vampire coming-of-age flick Let The Right One In, this is actually better than the original. Oscar Chance: Reviews could help. But good as it is, this type of movie is not really Oscar fodder and Relativity probably knows that.

MIRAL (Weinstein Co) - In its Venice and Toronto screenings, Julian Schnabel’s first film since his award magnet, The Diving Bell And The Butterfly, failed to excite. Oscar Chance: Dimming since Venice.

STONE (Overture/Relativity) - Entertaining but odd mix of styles make this movie difficult to peg. But the actors are enormously watchable. Oscar Chance: Long shot even though Milla Jovovich is seductively appealing. Robert DeNiro turns in his best work in a while but probably has as much chance of a Best Actor nod for this as he does for Machete and Little Fockers.

NEVER LET ME GO (Fox Searchlight) - Audiences in Telluride and Toronto liked this one better the more they thought about it. So all that lingering in the mind could improve it awards prospects. Oscar Chance: If it were a weaker year for actresses, Carey Mulligan would be way up there again. Andrew Garfield will likely be recognized for The Social Network instead of his equally fine work here. Rachel Portman’s haunting score should be a shoo-in nominee though.

BARNEY’S VERSION (Sony Pictures Classics) - SPC's Toronto pickup of this Venice hit is a smart move and could result in some nominations. Oscar Chance: With a decent campaign, Paul Giamatti can make a Best Actor play and Dustin Hoffman is possible in support.

BIUTIFUL (Roadside) - Javier Bardem’s Cannes Festival-winning performance lost none of its power in Telluride or Toronto where the American reviews improved from their mixed bag status on the Riviera. Oscar Chance: Bardem for sure. Foreign film if Mexico submits it. Dark horse in Best Picture if voters don’t turn it off because its “too depressing”.

JACK GOES BOATING (Overture/Relativity) - Philip Seymour Hoffman makes his directorial debut and stars as a plain lonely guy who hooks up with a plain lonely girl in this quirkly comedy/drama reminiscent of 1955’s Best Picture and Actor winner, Marty. Oscar Chance: This isn’t 1955 and sorry Jack, but you’re no Marty. Strictly indie (as in Spirit Awards).

BLUE VALENTINE (Weinstein Co) - Continuing its marathon festival journey from Sundance to Cannes (where it was 7 minutes shorter) to Toronto, Blue Valentine and its lead actors are still generating plenty of awards heat. Oscar Chance: Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams are definite contenders.

TAMARA DREWE (Sony Pictures Classics) - SPC would love this in-house production to get some traction. But no matter how you slice it, it’s pure comedy and that usually has its best shot at the limelight at the Globes. Oscar Chance: Writers like to laugh, so maybe screenplay.

THE WAY BACK (Newmarket) - Newmarket picked up this classically made Peter Weir adventure just as it hit its one and only festival, Telluride. They still haven’t announced an Oscar qualifying run for December. But it would seem a no-brainer for this January 21st pretty wide release. Oscar Chance: Fellow directors could go for overdue 4-time nominee Weir. And the cinematography is right up there with anything released this year.

 

[Donut]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[hugekent]

At this point I'd say The Social Network is extremely likely to get a nomination and is some sort of chance to win Best Picture. It's all been highly positive for 127 Hours as well.

 

[matrix_ghost]

The oscars are about promoting and campaining . That is why several actors also wind uo winning their oscars. Look at Bullock last year. She really was out there constantly promoting the heck out of THe Blind Side. The academy awarded her with an oscar.

IMO is is a pretty sad thing if you're out there promoting yourself because i feel that an award should be about the quality of the individual performances against each other and not who was on all the tv shows , giving interviews etc.

Which is also why i think Inception might not get the awards.

 

[Project862006]

awards for what CGI thats about it

 

[Doctor Jones]

If Bale's performance proves to be as great as the trailer for The Fighter lets on, let's hope he finally gets recognized for Best Supporting Actor.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

That last paragraph made me chuckle. Toy Story 3 has no competition.

Although...if I hear Tangled is even mentioned in the same breath I'll have to go see it.

 

[Tacit Ronin]

Fincher deserves some gold.