Tag: Documentaries

Oscar Predictions: Riefenstahl

Andres Veiel’s documentary Reifenstahl has premiered at Venice as it seeks U.S. distribution. Focused on the German filmmaker known for producing Nazi propaganda, the seven reviews currently up are all fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

The doc’s subject (who lived to age 101, passing in 2003), actually won a Gold Medal award for Triumph of the Will (commissioned by Hitler) at the Venice festival in 1935. Some of the early notices for this exploration of Riefenstahl are effusive in their praise while others are more measured.

The Academy’s branch for documentaries are more unpredictable than any other. If this manages to make the shortlist of 15 later this year, it could contend. I certainly don’t think it automatically will. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions: War Game

From Tony Gerber and Jesse Moss (who co-directed the acclaimed Boys State) comes War Game in limited release this weekend. The documentary casts real-life officials from previous Presidential administrations in a mock exercise where democracy is threatened. It is set on January 6, 2025.

Not to be confused with 1983’s techie thriller WarGames with Matthew Broderick, Ally Sheedy, and Dabney Coleman, War Game first hit the festival circuit at Sundance in January. Reviews are not overwhelmingly positive as it sports a 73% RT rating.

That is probably not enough for this to enter the Documentary Feature conversation for the 97th Academy Awards. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions – Skywalkers: A Love Story

No, Skywalkers: A Love Story is not a movie that advances the in hindsight uncomfortable smooch between Luke (Mark Hamill) and Leia (Carrie Fisher) in The Empire Strikes Back. Instead this documentary, which premiered on Netflix over the weekend, covers a Russian daredevil couple and their exploits atop a skyscraper. Jeff Zimbalist (whose 2005 environmental doc Favela Rising was shortlisted for Best Feature in its genre at the Oscars) and Maria Bukhonina co-direct. The pic originally premiered at Sundance back in January.

The Tomato meter currently sits at 73%. That mixed reaction is unlikely to put it in contention with the Academy. I didn’t have Skywalkers listed in my 10 possibilities for Doc Feature in my initial projections last weekend and wouldn’t count on it climbing up. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions: Dahomey

Mati Diop’s documentary Dahomey has won the Golden Bear, the top prize at the Berlin Film Festival. Focusing on the theft and return of ancient African artifacts, it marks the filmmaker’s follow-up to 2019’s Atlantics. That fictional work was Senegal’s International Feature Film submission. It made the shortlist but not the final cut of five.

The French release date for Dahomey isn’t until September and U.S. distribution is TBD. Clocking in at just 67 minutes, the early RT score is a clean 100%. The length is enough to contend for Documentary Feature and it has a solid shot at doing just that. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions: Porcelain War

Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev’s documentary Porcelain War focuses on three artists turned Ukrainian soldiers following the Russian invasion. After its debut at Sundance, it proceeded to win the Grand Jury prize for its genre at the Utah festival.

War looks to follow 20 Days in Mariupol (also covering the war) in generating awards attention. With an 89% RT rating, it might need a shrewd distributor to mount an effective campaign. Considering the subject matter, it stands a solid shot at breaking through with voters a year from now. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions: Gaucho Gaucho

Gaucho is the seventh studio offering by the great Steely Dan (it’s got “Hey Nineteen” on it)! Gaucho Gaucho, on the other hand, is Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw’s follow-up to their acclaimed 2021 documentary The Truffle Hunters. Focused on the title character community of Argentine cowboys, it has been unveiled at Sundance.

With an 86% RT score, the lions share of the praise is going to the B & W cinematography. Truffle, which received stronger reviews, didn’t make the Academy’s cut in Doc Feature. I’m skeptical this will be able to rustle up a nomination. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions – Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story

In 2018, Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui’s documentary McQueen focused on British fashion director Alexander McQueen. It earned strong reviews, but wasn’t much of an awards player. The filmmakers are back with a higher profile doc six years later in Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story. It recounts the performer’s career and life following his paralysis resulting from a horse riding accident.

Early reaction from its Sundance screening is that it’s an emotionally stirring watch. The RT score is 100%. Like Will & Harper (my previous Oscar Predictions write-up), Super/Man should be subject to a bidding war by studios and streamers. This appears destined to be one of the most watched docs of 2024.

That doesn’t always translate to the Academy taking notice. In the just announced Oscar noms, Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (also acclaimed and with similar themes) made the Documentary Feature shortlist. It did not make the final five. This story should have at least an equal shot at the ultimate quintet. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions: Will & Harper

Will & Harper seems to be quite a crowd favorite at Sundance. The documentary follows Will Ferrell and best friend Harper Steele on a road trip following Harper’s recent gender transition. Josh Greenbaum, who made Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar and Strays, chronicles the journey.

Not all the reviews are raves, but it does have a 100% RT score. Obviously Ferrell’s star power and the subject matter could result in lots of eyeballs on this doc. It should be scooped by a streamer or studio in short order and there’s already rumors it might land the largest doc deal in Sundance history.

Just because this appears bound to be one of the highest profile pics in its genre doesn’t mean it’ll generate awards attention. Yet if viewers respond the way the Park City group is (multiple standing O’s), it could be in the conversation. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions: Power

In 2017, Yance Ford’s true crime doc Strong Island (centered on the murder of the filmmaker’s brother) contended for Documentary Feature at the Oscars, ultimately losing to Icarus. Island first screened at Sundance seven years ago. His follow-up is Power and it has also been unveiled at the Utah fest.

Focusing on American policing tactics, the handful of reviews out are a bit mixed. The RT score is 83% (Island had a clean 100%). Power might have a tougher road to make the Academy’s ultimate quintet, but I wouldn’t discount it if it manages to make the shortlisted 15. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions: Frida

Salma Hayek received her sole Oscar nomination in Actress for the title role of 2002’s Frida. Over two decades later, Mexican painter Frida Kahlo is the subject of Carla Gutierrez’s documentary. Premiering at Sundance, it is slated for Amazon streaming in March. The filmmaker makes her directorial debut though she’s served as editor on high profile docs like RBG and Julia.

Reviews out of Utah thus far are a bit on the mixed side. In recent years, we’ve seen a slew of movies in this genre focused on artists of the painting and musical variety. They rarely run through the gauntlet and make it to the Academy’s final five in Documentary Feature. I question Frida‘s chances as well. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…