Twenty years ago, Halle Berry made history as the first (and still only) African-American performer to win Best Actress at the Oscars for Monster’s Ball. It remains her only nomination from the Academy. On November 24 via Netflix, Berry stars in and makes her directorial debut with the sports drama Bruised. She plays a former MMA fighter who decides to step back in the ring. Costars include Shamier Anderson, Adan Canto, Sheila Atim, and Stephen McKinley Henderson.
Bruised held a screening this weekend at AFI Fest after a rough cut was shown last year at Toronto. Early reviews are of the so-so variety and any thoughts of it garnering nods behind Berry are a moot point. The question is: could Berry enter the Oscar ring again?
It would appear the answer is no. The word-of-mouth is simply not strong enough for her to have a puncher’s chance in an Actress race where several contenders will be duking it out. My Oscar Prediction posts for the films of 2021 will continue…
The Oscar race for Best Actress takes center stage in my latest rundown of where the major competitions stand in early November. If you missed my posts covering lead actor and the supporting categories, they can accessed right here:
As I have with the others, let’s start with my track record during the same time period from 2019 and 2020. Two years ago, I somehow had all five nominated actresses forecasted correctly with two months to go: winner Renee Zellweger as Judy in addition to Cynthia Erivo (Harriet), Scarlett Johansson (Marriage Story), Saoirse Ronan (Little Women), and Charlize Theron (Bombshell). For 2020, it was three: gold recipient Frances McDormand for Nomadland and Viola Davis (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) and Vanessa Kirby (Pieces of a Woman). Both Andra Day (The United States vs. Billie Holiday) and Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman) were listed in Other Possibilities.
In 2021, we already have a strong frontrunner and that’s Kristin Stewart in Spencer. Playing the high profile role of Princess Diana, Ms. Stewart is practically guaranteed to nab her first nod after plenty of critically appreciated post Twilight turns. She’s a serious threat to win and Stewart has been atop my chart ever since the picture screened back in September at the Venice Film Festival.
Her biggest competition could come from an as yet unseen performance – Lady Gaga in House of Gucci. Judging from the trailers alone, her part seems like the kind of bait that would cause Academy voters to bite. If so, the pop superstar would receive her second nomination three years after her breakout cinematic role with A Star Is Born.
After that, there’s a lengthy list of hopefuls for the three remaining slots. When The Eyes of Tammy Faye premiered on the festival circuit, it was a given that Jessica Chastain would make the cut. I still think she will, but the pic’s barely existent box office numbers are reason for some uncertainty.
Screenings were also kind to Olivia Colman in The Lost Daughter and that momentum could result in her third inclusion in the last four years after a 2018 Actress victory for The Favourite and a supporting nod for last year’s The Father.
Colman isn’t the only actress from a Netflix offering eyeing the prize. There’s Tessa Thompson in Passing, Jennifer Lawrence in Don’t Look Up, Sandra Bullock for The Unforgivable, and Halle Berry with Bruised. All could factor in. Other than Thompson (her costar Ruth Negga stands a greater chance in supporting), the three others have yet to be unveiled. The streamer may have to pick and choose whose campaigns they go all in with.
There’s other possibilities in the unseen column where the buzz will shortly materialize: Cate Blanchett for Nightmare Alley, Alana Haim in Licorice Pizza, Nicole Kidman as Lucille Ball with Being the Ricardos, and Rachel Zegler (West Side Story). At press time, I only have Kidman in the top ten but that could change as soon as reviews start posting.
As for pictures that have been available for awhile, I feel Marlee Matlin and Troy Kotsur’s supporting parts in CODA are more likely to be recognized than lead Emilia Jones. Renate Reinsve will have her share of supporters for The Worst Person in the World, but its best chance lies with an International Feature Film nomination. Bad financial returns could negatively impact Jodie Comer for The Last Duel, though I will note that a number of prognosticators have her in.
For the fifth spot, I currently see three performances with roughly equal chances. Frances McDormand took the prize last year and that might make the Academy think twice about putting her up again for The Tragedy of Macbeth. Penelope Cruz is just on the outside looking in for Parallel Mothers. That leaves me with Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin in Respect. Even though the film received mixed reviews and so-so box office, praise for the Supporting Actress winner in 2006’s Dreamgirls was universal. Voters may have to think all the way back to summer to include her but I do believe it’s feasible.
And with that, here’s my standings:
Best Actress
Predicted Nominees:
1. Kristen Stewart, Spencer (Previous Ranking: 1)
2. Lady Gaga, House of Gucci (PR: 3)
3. Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye (PR: 2)
4. Olivia Colman, The Lost Daughter (PR: 4)
5. Jennifer Hudson, Respect (PR: 5)
Other Possibilities:
6. Penelope Cruz, Parallel Mothers (PR: 7)
7. Frances McDormand, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 6)
8. Jodie Comer, The Last Duel (PR: 8)
9. Nicole Kidman, Being the Ricardos (PR: 10)
10. Tessa Thompson, Passing (PR: Not Ranked)
Dropped Out:
Rachel Zegler, West Side Story
Now that the acting derbies are wrapped, I’ll have Best Director up next!
My weekly Oscar predictions has at last expanded to all categories covering feature films! That means we have counts on how each picture will fare and I have Dune and Nightmare Alley leading the way to 10 nods apiece.
There are changes to ponder as Don’t Look Up takes the biggest fall. I have been toying with removing the Netflix disaster drama from Best Picture contention for a couple of weeks. A clip from the pic circulated yesterday and drew some criticism, but I wouldn’t judge it from that brief glimpse. This is more of a hunch that Up might not going for a BP vibe. So it’s out with Up and in with Spencer. Additionally, C’Mon C’Mon rises in Original Screenplay over Adam McKay’s latest.
In other developments:
The Tragedy of Macbeth premiered at the New York Film Festival Friday and solidified its BP viability. Same goes for Denzel Washington. There’s still a question mark as to whether Frances McDormand will be placed in lead or supporting (sounds like a case could be made for both). For now, I’m putting her back in Best Actress and saying she gets in. Same goes for Jennifer Hudson in Respect. Their inclusion knocks out Penelope Cruz (Parallel Mothers) and Olivia Colman (The Lost Daughter).
I’m back to projecting Bradley Cooper as a double nominee. His placement in Actor for Nightmare Alley removes Joaquin Phoenix (C’Mon C’Mon).
The Supporting Actress derby seems to be getting a new #1 each week. This time it’s Caitriona Balfe for Belfast.
Lots more to peruse in the inaugural expanded listings below!
Best Picture
Predicted Nominees:
1. Belfast (Previous Ranking: 1) (E)
2. Nightmare Alley (PR: 3) (+1)
3. The Power of the Dog (PR: 2) (-1)
4. Dune (PR: 4) (E)
5. House of Gucci (PR: 5) (E)
6. The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 7) (+1)
7. Licorice Pizza (PR: 6) (-1)
8. West Side Story (PR: 8) (E)
9. King Richard (PR: 10) (+1)
10. Spencer (PR: 12) (+2)
Other Possibilities:
11. Don’t Look Up (PR: 9) (-2)
12. Flee (PR: 16) (+4)
13. CODA (PR: 13) (E)
14. Mass (PR: 14) (E)
15. The Humans (PR: 11) (-4)
Dropped Out:
The Hand of God
The French Dispatch
Tick, Tick… Boom!
A Hero
The Lost Daughter
C’Mon C’Mon
Being the Ricardos
Cyrano
Passing
Parallel Mothers
Best Director
Predicted Nominees:
1. Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog (PR: 1) (E)
2. Guillermo del Toro, Nightmare Alley (PR: 2) (E)
3. Kenneth Branagh, Belfast (PR: 3) (E)
4. Denis Villeneuve, Dune (PR: 4) (E)
5. Paul Thomas Anderson, Licorice Pizza (PR: 5) (E)
Other Possibilities:
6. Joel Coen, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 7) (+1)
7. Ridley Scott, House of Gucci (PR: 6) (-1)
8. Steven Spielberg, West Side Story (PR: 8) (E)
9. Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Flee (PR: 12)
10. Pablo Larrain, Spencer (PR: 10)
Dropped Out:
Adam McKay, Don’t Look Up
Paolo Sorrentino, The Hand of God
Reinaldo Marcus Green, King Richard
Asghar Farhadi, A Hero
Stephen Karam, The Humans
Best Actress
Predicted Nominees:
1. Kristen Stewart, Spencer (PR: 1) (E)
2. Lady Gaga, House of Gucci (PR: 3) (+1)
3. Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye (PR: 2) (-1)
4. Frances McDormand, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: Not Ranked) – moved from supporting
5. Jennifer Hudson, Respect (PR: 6) (+1)
Other Possibilities:
6. Penelope Cruz, Parallel Mothers (PR: 4) (-2)
7. Olivia Colman, The Lost Daughter (PR: 5) (-2)
8. Rachel Zegler, West Side Story (PR: 8)
9. Jodie Comer, The Last Duel (PR: 13) (+4)
10. Cate Blanchett, Nightmare Alley (PR: 7) (-3)
Dropped Out:
Nicole Kidman, Being the Ricardos
Renate Reinsve, The Worst Person in the World
Jennifer Lawrence, Don’t Look Up
Emilia Jones, CODA
Halle Berry, Bruised
Tessa Thompson, Passing
Best Actor
Predicted Nominees:
1. Will Smith, King Richard (PR: 1) (E)
2. Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog (PR: 2) (E)
3. Denzel Washington, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 3) (E)
4. Peter Dinklage, Cyrano (PR: 4) (E)
5. Bradley Cooper, Nightmare Alley (PR: 6) (+1)
Other Possibilities:
6. Joaquin Phoenix, C’Mon C’Mon (PR: 5) (-1)
7. Adam Driver, House of Gucci (PR: 7) (E)
8. Nicolas Cage, Pig (PR: 11( (+3)
9. Clifton Collins, Jr., Jockey (PR: 10) (+1)
10. Leonardo DiCaprio, Don’t Look Up (PR: 8) (-2)
Dropped Out:
Andrew Garfield, Tick, Tick… Boom!
Ben Foster, The Survivor
Jude Hill, Belfast
Cooper Hoffman, Licorice Pizza
Amir Jadidi, A Hero
Best Supporting Actress
Predicted Nominees:
1. Caitriona Balfe, Belfast (PR: 2) (+1)
2. Kirsten Dunst, The Power of the Dog (PR: 3) (+1)
3. Ann Dowd, Mass (PR: 1) (-2)
4. Ariana DeBose, West Side Story (PR: 4) (E)
5. Jayne Houdyshell, The Humans (PR: 5) (E)
Other Possibilities:
6. Aunjanue Ellis, King Richard (PR: 7) (+1)
7. Marlee Matlin, CODA (PR: 11) (+4)
8. Ruth Negga, Passing (PR: 14) (+6)
9. Toni Collette, Nightmare Alley (PR: 9) (E)
10. Meryl Streep, Don’t Look Up (PR: 12) (+2)
Dropped Out:
Frances McDormand, The Tragedy of Macbeth – moved to lead
Rooney Mara, Nightmare Alley
Judi Dench, Belfast
Martha Plimpton, Mass
Dakota Johnson, The Lost Daughter
Best Supporting Actor
Predicted Nominees:
1. Bradley Cooper, Licorice Pizza (PR: 1) (E)
2. Richard Jenkins, The Humans (PR: 2) (E)
3. Jamie Dornan, Belfast (PR: 3) (E)
4. Jason Isaacs, Mass (PR: 4) (E)
5. Jared Leto, House of Gucci (PR: 5) (E)
Other Possibilities:
6. Kodi Smit-McPhee, The Power of the Dog (PR: 6) (E)
7. Jesse Plemons, The Power of the Dog (PR: 10) (+3)
8. Corey Hawkins, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 7) (-1)
9. Jon Bernthal, King Richard (PR: Not Ranked)
10. Andrew Garfield, The Eyes of Tammy Faye (PR: 14) (+4)
Dropped Out:
Mark Rylance, Don’t Look Up
Ciaran Hinds, Belfast
Willem Dafoe, Nightmare Alley
David Alvarez, West Side Story
Troy Kotsur, CODA
Reed Birney, Mass
Best Original Screenplay
Predicted Nominees:
1. Belfast (PR: 1) (E)
2. Licorice Pizza (PR: 2) (E)
3. Mass (PR: 4) (+1))
4. King Richard (PR: 5) (+1)
5. C’Mon C’Mon (PR: 6) (+1)
Other Possibilities:
6. Don’t Look Up (PR: 3) (-3)
7. Spencer (PR: 7) (E)
8. A Hero (PR: 10) (+2)
9. The Hand of God (PR: 8) (-1)
10. The Worst Person in the World (PR: 12) (+2)
Dropped Out:
The French Dispatch
Parallel Mothers
Being the Ricardos
Last Night in Soho
Annette
Best Adapted Screenplay
Predicted Nominees:
1. The Power of the Dog (PR: 1) (E)
2. Nightmare Alley (PR: 2) (E)
3. House of Gucci (PR: 4) (+1)
4. The Humans (PR: 3) (-1)
5. The Lost Daughter (PR: 5) (E)
Other Possibilities:
6. The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 6) (E)
7. Dune (PR: 7) (E)
8. CODA (PR: 8) (E)
9. West Side Story (PR: 9) (E)
10. Passing (PR: 10) (E)
Dropped Out:
Cyrano
Tick, Tick… Boom!
The Last Duel
The Green Knight
In the Heights
Best Animated Feature
Predicted Nominees:
1. Flee
2. Luca
3. Encanto
4. The Mitchells vs. the Machines
5. Belle
Other Possibilities:
6. Vivo
7. Raya and the Last Dragon
8. Charlotte
9. Ron’s Gone Wrong
10. Where Is Anne Frank
Best International Feature Film
Predicted Nominees:
1. A Hero
2. Flee
3. The Hand of God
4. Petite Maman
5. The Worst Person in the World
Other Possibilities:
6. Parallel Mothers
7. Drive My Car
8. Compartment No. 6
9. 7 Prisoners
10. I’m Your Man
Best Documentary Feature
Predicted Nominees:
1. The Rescue
2. Flee
3. Attica
4. President
5. The Lost Leonardo
Other Possibilities:
6. Summer of Soul
7. Julia
8. The Sparks Brothers
9. The First Wave
10. Becoming Cousteau
Best Cinematography
Predicted Nominees:
1. Dune
2. The Tragedy of Macbeth
3. Nightmare Alley
4. Belfast
5. The Power of the Dog
Other Possibilities:
6. West Side Story
7. Spencer
8. Licorice Pizza
9. The French Dispatch
10. The Hand of God
Best Costume Design
Predicted Nominees:
1. Spencer
2. House of Gucci
3. Dune
4. Cruella
5. Nightmare Alley
Other Possibilities:
6. The Tragedy of Macbeth
7. West Side Story
8. Licorice Pizza
9. The French Dispatch
10. Cyrano
Best Film Editing
Predicted Nominees:
1. Dune
2. Belfast
3. Nightmare Alley
4. Licorice Pizza
5. West Side Story
Other Possibilities:
6. The Power of the Dog
7. Don’t Look Up
8. House of Gucci
9. King Richard
10. Spencer
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Predicted Nominees:
1. House of Gucci
2. Dune
3. Spencer
4. The Eyes of Tammy Faye
5. Nightmare Alley
Other Possibilities:
6. Cruella
7. Cyrano
8. West Side Story
9. Licorice Pizza
10. The French Dispatch
Best Original Score
Predicted Nominees:
1. Dune
2. Spencer
3. The Power of the Dog
4. The Tragedy of Macbeth
5. The French Dispatch
Other Possibilities:
6. Nightmare Alley
7. Licorice Pizza
8. Cyrano
9. Don’t Look Up
10. King Richard
Best Original Song
Predicted Nominees:
1. “Be Alive” from King Richard
2. “No Time to Die” from No Time to Die
3. “Down to Joy” from Belfast
4. “Colombia, Mi Encanto” from Encanto
5. “Here I Am” from Respect
Other Possibilities:
6. “So May We Start” from Annette
7. “Every Letter” from Cyrano
8. “Believe” from The Rescue
9. “Don’t Look Up” from Don’t Look Up
10. “At the Automat” from The Automat
Best Production Design
Predicted Nominees:
1. Nightmare Alley
2. Dune
3. West Side Story
4. The French Dispatch
5. Spencer
Other Possibilities:
6. House of Gucci
7. Belfast
8. Licorice Pizza
9. The Tragedy of Macbeth
10. Cyrano
Best Sound
Predicted Nominees:
1. Dune
2. West Side Story
3. The Matrix Resurrections
4. Nightmare Alley
5. The Tragedy of Macbeth
Other Possibilities:
6. Belfast
7. Don’t Look Up
8. No Time to Die
9. A Quiet Place Part II
10. King Richard
Best Visual Effects
Predicted Nominees:
1. Dune
2. The Matrix Resurrections
3. Eternals
4. Godzilla vs. Kong
5. Don’t Look Up
Other Possibilities:
6. Spider-Man: No Way Home
7. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
8. The Suicide Squad
9. Free Guy
10. Jungle Cruise
And that gives us the first take on how many nominations the various pictures will receive:
10 Nominations
Dune, Nightmare Alley
8 Nominations
Belfast
7 Nominations
The Power of the Dog
6 Nominations
House of Gucci, Spencer, The Tragedy of Macbeth
5 Nominations
Licorice Pizza, West Side Story
4 Nominations
King Richard
3 Nominations
Flee, The Humans, Mass
2 Nominations
Encanto, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, The French Dispatch, The Matrix Resurrections, Respect
1 Nomination
Attica, Belle, C’Mon C’Mon, Cruella, Cyrano, Don’t Look Up, Eternals, Godzilla vs. Kong, The Hand of God, A Hero, The Lost Daughter, The Lost Leonardo, Luca, The Mitchells vs. the Machines, No Time to Die, Petite Maman, President, The Rescue, The Worst Person in the World
Thanks to the Toronto Film Festival, we have a new #1 atop the charts in Best Picture and it’s Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast.
The coming-of-age drama won the festival’s People’s Choice Award and that is no minor development. 12 of the past 13 victors have received a BP nod. Five of them have won. And that’s enough to allow Belfast the designation of soft frontrunner (with lots of time to go and lots yet to be seen). However, the fact of the matter is, you have to go back to 2006’s The Departed to find a BP winner that didn’t screen at one of the higher profile festivals.
The Power of the Dog was a runner-up for the People’s Choice prize and it slides just one spot. Director Jane Campion maintains top billing in her category.
There are further developments to point out:
King Richard is back in my top 10 BP projections edging out The Humans. The Will Smith sports drama also enters Original Screenplay over C’Mon C’Mon.
Paul Thomas Anderson (Licorice Pizza) is in for Best Director over Ridley Scott for House of Gucci.
The praise for Jessica Chastain in The Eyes of Tammy Faye is enough to put her at #2 in Actress. It’s not enough to dislodge Kristen Stewart (Spencer) from her ruling perch. I will admit that the subpar box office grosses for Faye this weekend doesn’t help, but I’m relatively confident at this juncture that she’s in.
The revolving door that is slot #5 in Best Actor lands on Joaquin Phoenix (C’Mon C’Mon) over Bradley Cooper (Nightmare Alley).
Big changes in Supporting Actor as Jamie Dornan (Belfast) and Jared Leto (House of Gucci) are in. Dropping are Dornan’s costar Ciaran Hinds and Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog).
While the Supporting Actress five stays intact, I’ve vaulted Ann Dowd (Mass) back to the top spot.
By this time next Sunday, we will know the buzz for Joel Coen’s The Tragedy of Macbeth as it opens the New York Film Festival this Friday. Stay tuned for my Oscar Predictions post on that next weekend.
You can peruse all the action below and the forecasts will be updated next Sunday!
Best Picture
Predicted Nominees:
1. Belfast (Previous Ranking: 4) (+3)
2. The Power of the Dog (PR: 1) (-1)
3. Nightmare Alley (PR: 2) (-1)
4. Dune (PR: 5) (+1)
5. House of Gucci (PR: 3) (-2)
6. Licorice Pizza (PR: 7) (+1)
7. The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 6) (-1)
8. West Side Story (PR: 8) (E)
9. Don’t Look Up (PR: 9) (E)
10. King Richard (PR: 12) (+2)
Other Possibilities:
11. The Humans (PR: 10) (-1)
12. Spencer (PR: 15) (+3)
13. CODA (PR: 11) (-2)
14. Mass (PR: 14) (E)
15. The Hand of God (PR: 13) (-2)
16. Flee (PR: 17) (+1)
17. The French Dispatch (PR: 16) (-1)
18. Tick, Tick… Boom! (PR: 19) (+1)
19. A Hero (PR: 18) (-1)
20. The Lost Daughter (PR: 20) (E)
21. C’Mon C’Mon (PR: 24) (+3)
22. Being the Ricardos (PR: 22) (E)
23. Cyrano (PR: 23) (E)
24. Passing (PR: 21) (-3)
25. Parallel Mothers (PR: 25) (E)
Best Director
Predicted Nominees:
1. Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog (PR: 1) (E)
2. Guillermo del Toro, Nightmare Alley (PR: 2) (E)
3. Kenneth Branagh, Belfast (PR: 4) (+1)
4. Denis Villeneuve, Dune (PR: 3) (-1)
5. Paul Thomas Anderson, Licorice Pizza (PR: 6) (+1)
Other Possibilities:
6. Ridley Scott, House of Gucci (PR: 5) (-1)
7. Joel Coen, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 7) (E)
8. Steven Spielberg, West Side Story (PR: 8) (E)
9. Adam McKay, Don’t Look Up (PR: 9) (E)
10. Pablo Larrain, Spencer (PR: 11) (+1)
11. Paolo Sorrentino, The Hand of God (PR: 10) (-1)
12. Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Flee (PR: 13) (+1)
13. Reinaldo Marcus Green, King Richard (PR: Not Ranked)
14. Asghar Farhadi, A Hero (PR: 14) (E)
15. Stephen Karam, The Humans (PR: 12) (-3)
Dropped Out:
Wes Anderson, The French Dispatch
Best Actress
Predicted Nominees:
1. Kristen Stewart, Spencer (PR: 1) (E)
2. Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye (PR: 3) (+1)
3. Lady Gaga, House of Gucci (PR: 2) (-1)
4. Penelope Cruz, Parallel Mothers (PR: 4) (E)
5. Olivia Colman, The Lost Daughter (PR: 5) (E)
Other Possibilities:
6. Jennifer Hudson, Respect (PR: 6) (E)
7. Cate Blanchett, Nightmare Alley (PR: 7) (E)
8. Rachel Zegler, West Side Story (PR: 9) (+1)
9. Nicole Kidman, Being the Ricardos (PR: 8) (-1)
10. Renate Reinsve, The Worst Person in the World (PR: 13) (+3)
11. Jennifer Lawrence, Don’t Look Up (PR: 12) (+1)
12. Emilia Jones, CODA (PR: 10) (-2)
13. Jodie Comer, The Last Duel (PR: 11) (-2)
14. Halle Berry, Bruised (PR: 15) (+1)
15. Tessa Thompson, Passing (PR: 14) (-1)
Best Actor
Predicted Nominees:
1. Will Smith, King Richard (PR: 1) (E)
2. Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog (PR: 2) (E)
3. Denzel Washington, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 3) (E)
4. Peter Dinklage, Cyrano (PR: 4) (E)
5. Joaquin Phoenix, C’Mon C’Mon (PR: 6) (+1)
Other Possibilities:
6. Bradley Cooper, Nightmare Alley (PR: 5) (-1)
7. Adam Driver, House of Gucci (PR: 7) (E)
8. Leonardo DiCaprio, Don’t Look Up (PR: 8) (E)
9. Andrew Garfield, Tick, Tick… Boom! (PR: 10) (+1)
10. Clifton Collins, Jr., Jockey (PR: 9) (-1)
11. Nicolas Cage, Pig (PR: 11) (E)
12. Ben Foster, The Survivor (PR: Not Ranked)
13. Jude Hill, Belfast (PR: Not Ranked)
14. Cooper Hoffman, Licorice Pizza (PR: Not Ranked)
15. Amir Jadidi, A Hero (PR: 12) (-3)
Dropped Out:
Adam Driver, Annette
Filippo Scott, The Hand of God
Simon Rex, Red Rocket
Best Supporting Actress
Predicted Nominees:
1. Ann Dowd, Mass (PR: 2) (+1)
2. Caitriona Balfe, Belfast (PR: 3) (+1)
3. Kirsten Dunst, The Power of the Dog (PR: 1) (-2)
4. Ariana DeBose, West Side Story (PR: 5) (+1)
5. Jayne Houdyshell, The Humans (PR: 4) (-1)
Other Possibilities:
6. Frances McDormand, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 6) (E)
7. Aunjanue Ellis, King Richard (PR: 8) (+1)
8. Rooney Mara, Nightmare Alley (PR: 10) (+2)
9. Toni Collette, Nightmare Alley (PR: 9) (E)
10. Judi Dench, Belfast (PR: 11) (+1)
11. Marlee Matlin, CODA (PR: 7) (-4)
12. Meryl Streep, Don’t Look Up (PR: 12) (E)
13. Martha Plimpton, Mass (PR: 14) (+1)
14. Ruth Negga, Passing (PR: 13) (-1)
15. Dakota Johnson, The Lost Daughter (PR: 15) (E)
Best Supporting Actor
Predicted Nominees:
1. Bradley Cooper, Licorice Pizza (PR: 1) (E)
2. Richard Jenkins, The Humans (PR: 2) (E)
3. Jamie Dornan, Belfast (PR: 7) (+4)
4. Jason Isaacs, Mass (PR: 5) (+1)
5. Jared Leto, House of Gucci (PR: 6) (+1)
Other Possibilities:
6. Kodi Smit-McPhee, The Power of the Dog (PR: 4) (-2)
7. Corey Hawkins, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 8) (+1)
8. Ciaran Hinds, Belfast (PR: 3) (-5)
9. Mark Rylance, Don’t Look Up (PR: 10) (+1)
10. Jesse Plemons, The Power of the Dog (PR: 9) (-1)
11. Willem Dafoe, Nightmare Alley (PR: 12) (+1)
12. David Alvarez, West Side Story (PR: 13) (+1)
13. Troy Kotsur, CODA (PR: 11) (-2)
14. Andrew Garfield, The Eyes of Tammy Faye (PR: Not Ranked)
With the Venice and Telluride Film Festivals having just wrapped and Toronto going strong, there are fresh updates to my Oscar predictions in every category but Director!
Of course, the big question from the past week might be: Will a movie with the word “pizza” in it finally get a Best Picture nomination? That’s more possible than ever since Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest (which had the working title Soggy Bottom) is now apparently called Licorice Pizza. It makes perfect sense if you research the setting.
It’ll be a while before we know how much of a contender that one actually is. There is some movement based on actual buzz and it starts with Stephen Karam’s The Humans, which has screened at Toronto. I believe it could make the BP cut and I’ve got it in. I’m also returning West Side Story to the top ten. Dropping out are CODA and King Richard, though either could certainly find themselves back in the mix.
In other developments:
Penelope Cruz’s Venice win for Best Actress gets her back in the top five. Falling out is Jennifer Hudson for Respect.
I now have Bradley Cooper as a double nominee. In addition to him maintaining the top spot in Supporting Actor for Pizza (that’s gonna take some getting used to), he’s listed in Actor for Nightmare Alley. He takes the place of Adam Driver in House of Gucci.
With category placement still in flux for certain pics, I’ve chosen to put the ensemble for Belfast all in supporting. That means Caitriona Balfe is in for Supporting Actress over her costar Judi Dench. I’m also elevating Jayne Houdyshell (The Humans) and dropping Marlee Matlin (CODA). Furthermore, I have Frances McDormand moved to supporting from lead and she sits just on the outside at #6. Kirsten Dunst takes over the #1 position over Ann Dowd in Mass.
Jamie Dornan (Belfast) also enters the competition in supporting instead of lead, but he’s not in my five. There is one change: Jason Isaacs (Mass) over Jared Leto (House of Gucci).
C’Mon C’Mon gets the 5th slot in Original Screenplay over Spencer. And Belfast is now listed first instead of Pizza.
In Adapted Screenplay, The Humans and The Lost Daughter make the cut over The Tragedy of Macbeth and CODA. The latter did not have a good week as you can see (dropping out of Picture, Supporting Actress, and here).
We are mere hours away from knowing whether Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye) deserves her #3 placement in Actress. Those developments and more will be available when I update next Sunday. Until then, you can peruse all the movement below!
Best Picture
Predicted Nominees:
1. The Power of the Dog (Previous Ranking: 1)
2. Nightmare Alley (PR: 3)
3. House of Gucci (PR: 2)
4. Belfast (PR: 4)
5. Dune (PR: 6)
6. The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 5)
7. Licorice Pizza (PR: 7) – formerly Soggy Bottom
8. West Side Story (PR: 11)
9. Don’t Look Up (PR: 8)
10. The Humans (PR: 14)
Other Possibilities:
11. CODA (PR: 10)
12. King Richard (PR: 9)
13. The Hand of God (PR: 17)
14. Mass (PR: 12)
15. Spencer (PR: 13)
16. The French Dispatch (PR: 19)
17. Flee (PR: 16)
18. A Hero (PR: 15)
19. Tick, Tick… Boom! (PR: 20)
20. The Lost Daughter (PR: Not Ranked)
21. Passing (PR: 24)
22. Being the Ricardos (PR: 22)
23. Cyrano (PR: 18)
24. C’Mon C’Mon (PR: 25)
25. Parallel Mothers (PR: 23)
Dropped Out:
The Last Duel
Best Director
Predicted Nominees:
1. Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog (PR: 1)
2. Guillermo del Toro, Nightmare Alley (PR: 2)
3. Denis Villeneuve, Dune (PR: 3)
4. Kenneth Branagh, Belfast (PR: 5)
5. Ridley Scott, House of Gucci (PR: 4)
Other Possibilities:
6. Paul Thomas Anderson, Licorice Pizza (PR: 6)
7. Joel Coen, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 7)
8. Steven Spielberg, West Side Story (PR: 10)
9. Adam McKay, Don’t Look Up (PR: 8)
10. Paolo Sorrentino, The Hand of God (PR: 15)
11. Pablo Larrain, Spencer (PR: 9)
12. Stephen Karam, The Humans (PR: Not Ranked)
13. Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Flee (PR: 13)
14. Asghar Farhadi, A Hero (PR: 11)
15. Wes Anderson, The French Dispatch (PR: Not Ranked)
Dropped Out:
Reinaldo Marcus Green, King Richard
Sian Heder, CODA
Best Actress
Predicted Nominees:
1. Kristin Stewart, Spencer (PR: 1)
2. Lady Gaga, House of Gucci (PR: 2)
3. Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye (PR: 3)
4. Penelope Cruz, Parallel Mothers (PR: 6)
5. Olivia Colman, The Lost Daughter (PR: 4)
Other Possibilities:
6. Jennifer Hudson, Respect (PR: 5)
7. Cate Blanchett, Nightmare Alley (PR: 11)
8. Nicole Kidman, Being the Ricardos (PR: 10)
9. Rachel Zegler, West Side Story (PR: 15)
10. Emilia Jones, CODA (PR: 13)
11. Jodie Comer, The Last Duel (PR: 8)
12. Jennifer Lawrence, Don’t Look Up (PR: 12)
13. Renate Reinsve, The Worst Person in the World (PR: 14)
14. Tessa Thompson, Passing (PR: Not Ranked)
15. Halle Berry, Bruised (PR: Not Ranked)
Dropped Out:
Frances McDormand, The Tragedy of Macbeth (moved to Supporting Actress)
Caitriona Balfe, Belfast (moved to Supporting Actress)
Best Actor
Predicted Nominees:
1. Will Smith, King Richard (PR: 1)
2. Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog (PR: 2)
3. Denzel Washington, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 3)
4. Peter Dinklage, Cyrano (PR: 5)
5. Bradley Cooper, Nightmare Alley (PR: 8)
Other Possibilities:
6. Joaquin Phoenix, C’Mon C’Mon (PR: 7)
7. Adam Driver, House of Gucci (PR: 4)
8. Leonardo DiCaprio, Don’t Look Up (PR: 6)
9. Clifton Collins, Jr., Jockey (PR: 9)
10. Andrew Garfield, Tick, Tick… Boom! (PR: 10)
11. Nicolas Cage, Pig (PR: 12)
12. Amir Jadidi, A Hero (PR: 13)
13. Filippo Scott, The Hand of God (PR: Not Ranked)
14. Simon Rex, Red Rocket (PR: Not Ranked)
15. Adam Driver, Annette (PR: 14)
Dropped Out:
Jamie Dornan, Belfast (moved to Supporting)
Javier Bardem, Being the Ricardos
Best Supporting Actress
Predicted Nominees:
1. Kirsten Dunst, The Power of the Dog (PR: 2)
2. Ann Dowd, Mass (PR: 1)
3. Caitriona Balfe, Belfast (PR: Not Ranked – moved from lead)
4. Jayne Houdyshell, The Humans (PR: 6)
5. Ariana DeBose, West Side Story (PR: 5)
Other Possibilities:
6. Frances McDormand, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: Not Ranked – moved from lead)
7. Marlee Matlin, CODA (PR: 4)
8. Aunjanue Ellis, King Richard (PR: 7)
9. Toni Collette, Nightmare Alley (PR: 8)
10. Rooney Mara, Nightmare Alley (PR: 12)
11. Judi Dench, Belfast (PR: 3)
12. Meryl Streep, Don’t Look Up (PR: 10)
13. Ruth Negga, Passing (PR: 9)
14. Martha Plimpton, Mass (PR: 11)
15. Dakota Johnson, The Lost Daughter (PR: Not Ranked)
Dropped Out:
Nina Arianda, Being the Ricardos
Olga Merediz, In the Heights
Jessie Buckley, The Lost Daughter
Best Supporting Actor
Predicted Nominees:
1. Bradley Cooper, Licorice Pizza (PR: 1)
2. Richard Jenkins, The Humans (PR: 4)
3. Ciaran Hinds, Belfast (PR: 3)
4. Kodi Smit-McPhee, The Power of the Dog (PR: 2)
5. Jason Isaacs, Mass (PR: 6)
Other Possibilities:
6. Jared Leto, House of Gucci (PR: 5)
7. Jamie Dornan, Belfast (PR: Not Ranked – moved from lead)
8. Corey Hawkins, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 7)
9. Jesse Plemons, The Power of the Dog (PR: 8)
10. Mark Rylance, Don’t Look Up (PR: 9)
11. Troy Kotsur, CODA (PR: 13)
12. Willem Dafoe, Nightmare Alley (PR: 10)
13. David Alvarez, West Side Story (PR: Not Ranked)
Where to even begin? It’s been 11 days since I updated my Oscar predictions (a longer break than normal) but there’s good reason. A lot has transpired since then. That would be the Venice and Telluride Film Festivals where numerous contenders have been unveiled.
That means there are significant changes in all of the 8 major races that I’m currently forecasting. Let us count the ways:
Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog was certainly one of the most awaited arrivals. Before Venice, I had it placed #1 in Picture, Director, and Actor (Benedict Cumberbatch). The reviews do not automatically indicate it will win the prize. However, they were enough raves that I have not moved it out of the top spot in Picture and Director. Yet there is a new #1 in Actor…
That would be Will Smith in King Richard. While Cumberbatch only slips to #2, the reaction to Smith’s work has me thinking a narrative could develop where he sweeps the season.
Richard also moves into the top ten in my Best Picture rankings. So does Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast, another major story of the past few days. I didn’t have the black and white period drama getting any nods a week and a half ago. It’s now listed in Picture, Director, Supporting Actress (Judi Dench), Supporting Actor (Ciaran Hinds), and Original Screenplay. There is a question with how the studio will figure out placement for its ensemble. I currently have Caitriona Balfe and Jamie Dornan as possibilities in the lead derbies with both falling short.
The two newcomers in Best Picture takes out West Side Story and The Hand of God. Branagh’s rise in Director removes Joel Coen (The Tragedy of Macbeth).
In Actress, the festival praise for Olivia Colman (The Lost Daughter) has me thinking she’s in at this juncture. Falling off the top five: Frances McDormand in The Tragedy of Macbeth. I nearly put McDormand in Supporting Actress and I wouldn’t be surprised if she contends there instead.
Another development in Actress is the vaulting of Kristen Stewart (Spencer) to the #1 slot over Lady Gaga (House of Gucci). The Venice love indicates she’s the strong frontrunner to win gold.
Peter Dinklage’s title role as Cyrano makes the top five in Actor to the detriment of Leonardo DiCaprio (Don’t Look Up).
Judi Dench’s inclusion in Belfast for Supporting Actress has Jayne Houdyshell (The Humans) on the outside looking in. I desperately wanted to put Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard) in the five and wouldn’t be surprised if she makes it in soon. I just couldn’t decide who to take out.
There are two changes in Supporting Actor. The Power of the Dog buzz provided a bit of a shocker. Kodi Smit-McPhee appears to hold a better chance at getting in over Jesse Plemons (who falls out of the mix). Also, the addition of Ciaran Hinds removes Corey Hawkins (The Tragedy of Macbeth). For those keeping score, that’s two Supporting Actor hopefuls in the five that weren’t even ranked 11 days ago.
In Original Screenplay, it’s Belfast and Spencer in and The French Dispatch (whose fortunes are falling in my opinion) and The Hand of God out. In Adapted Screenplay, I have put CODA back in (sorry to The Humans… which we’ll know more about when it debuts in days up in Toronto).
Whew. Got all that? You can peruse all the movement below. And you can bet that I’ll be posting about all the fresh updates from Toronto. Until then…
Best Picture
Predicted Nominees:
1. The Power of the Dog (Previous Ranking: 1)
2. House of Gucci (PR: 2)
3. Nightmare Alley (PR: 4)
4. Belfast (PR: 14)
5. The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 3)
6. Dune (PR: 7)
7. Soggy Bottom (PR: 5)
8. Don’t Look Up (PR: 6)
9. King Richard (PR: 21)
10. CODA (PR: 9)
Other Possibilities:
11. West Side Story (PR: 8)
12. Mass (PR: 13)
13. Spencer (PR: 17)
14. The Humans (PR: 11)
15. A Hero (PR: 15)
16. Flee (PR: 16)
17. The Hand of God (PR: 10)
18. Cyrano (PR: Not Ranked)
19. The French Dispatch (PR: 12)
20. Tick, Tick… Boom! (PR: 19)
21. The Last Duel (PR: 20)
22. Being the Ricardos (PR: 24)
23. Parallel Mothers (PR: 22)
24. Passing (PR: 23)
25. C’Mon C’Mon (PR: 25)
Dropped Out:
Last Night in Soho
Best Director
Predicted Nominees:
1. Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog (PR: 1)
2. Guillermo del Toro, Nightmare Alley (PR: 2)
3. Denis Villeneuve, Dune (PR: 5)
4. Ridley Scott, House of Gucci (PR: 4)
5. Kenneth Branagh, Belfast (PR: 12)
Other Possibilities:
6. Paul Thomas Anderson, Soggy Bottom (PR: 6)
7. Joel Coen, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 3)
8. Adam McKay, Don’t Look Up (PR: 7)
9. Pablo Larrain, Spencer (PR: 15)
10. Steven Spielberg, West Side Story (PR: 9)
11. Asghar Farhadi, A Hero (PR: 10)
12. Reinaldo Marcus Green, King Richard (PR: Not Ranked)
13. Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Flee (PR: 14)
14. Sian Heder, CODA (PR: 13)
15. Paolo Sorrentino, The Hand of God (PR: 8)
Dropped Out:
Wes Anderson, The French Dispatch
Best Actress
Predicted Nominees:
1. Kristen Stewart, Spencer (PR: 4)
2. Lady Gaga, House of Gucci (PR: 1)
3. Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye (PR: 3)
4. Olivia Colman, The Lost Daughter (PR: 14)
5. Jennifer Hudson, Respect (PR: 5)
Other Possibilities:
6. Penelope Cruz, Parallel Mothers (PR: 6)
7. Frances McDormand, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 2)
8. Jodie Comer, The Last Duel (PR: 7)
9. Caitriona Balfe, Belfast (PR: Not Ranked)
10. Nicole Kidman, Being the Ricardos (PR: 8)
11. Cate Blanchett, Nightmare Alley (PR: 9)
12. Jennifer Lawrence, Don’t Look Up (PR: 12)
13. Emilia Jones, CODA (PR: 10)
14. Renate Reinsve, The Worst Person in the World (PR: 11)
15. Rachel Zegler, West Side Story (PR: 13)
Dropped Out:
Halle Berry, Bruised
Best Actor
Predicted Nominees:
1. Will Smith, King Richard (PR: 3)
2. Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog (PR: 1)
3. Denzel Washington, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 2)
4. Adam Driver, House of Gucci (PR: 4)
5. Peter Dinklage, Cyrano (PR: 14)
Other Possibilities:
6. Leonardo DiCaprio, Don’t Look Up (PR: 5)
7. Joaquin Phoenix, C’Mon C’Mon (PR: 6)
8. Bradley Cooper, Nightmare Alley (PR: 7)
9. Clifton Collins, Jr., Jockey (PR: 9)
10. Andrew Garfield, Tick, Tick… Boom! (PR: 8)
11. Jamie Dornan, Belfast (PR: Not Ranked)
12. Nicolas Cage, Pig (PR: 11)
13. Amir Jadidi, A Hero (PR: 10)
14. Adam Driver, Annette (PR: 13)
15. Javier Bardem, Being the Ricardos (PR: 15)
Dropped Out:
Steven Yeun, The Humans
Best Supporting Actress
Predicted Nominees:
1. Ann Dowd, Mass (PR: 1)
2. Kirsten Dunst, The Power of the Dog (PR: 2)
3. Judi Dench, Belfast (PR: 11)
4. Marlee Matlin, CODA (PR: 3)
5. Ariana DeBose, West Side Story (PR: 4)
Other Possibilities:
6. Jayne Houdyshell, The Humans (PR: 5)
7. Aunjanue Ellis, King Richard (PR: 15)
8. Toni Collette, Nightmare Alley (PR: 6)
9. Ruth Negga, Passing (PR: 10)
10. Meryl Streep, Don’t Look Up (PR: 9)
11. Martha Plimpton, Mass (PR: 8)
12. Rooney Mara, Nightmare Alley (PR: 7)
13. Nina Arianda, Being the Ricardos (PR: 13)
14. Olga Merediz, In the Heights (PR: 12)
15. Jessie Buckley, The Lost Daughter (PR: Not Ranked)
Dropped Out:
Rebecca Ferguson, Dune
Best Supporting Actor
Predicted Nominees:
1. Bradley Cooper, Soggy Bottom (PR: 1)
2. Kodi Smit-McPhee, The Power of the Dog (PR: Not Ranked)
My weekly Oscar predictions as we close out August have a bit of a Christmas Eve feel to them. Better yet, Film Festival Eve as Venice kicks off next week where cinematic presents will be laid out for consideration. The first 2021 Oscar predictions of September will come with reviews out for major contenders, most notably Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog which currently stands at #1 in Picture and Director.
That’s not all. When I post next Thursday, there should be buzz for Pedro Almodovar’s Parallel Mothers and Paul Schrader’s The Card Counter. Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Lost Daughter, Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho, Paolo Sorrentino’s The Hand of God, Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel, and Denis Villeneuve’s Dune will follow shortly after that.
Same goes for Pablo Larrain’s Spencer. That could make Best Actress a little clearer due to Kristen Stewart’s work as Princess Diana. Miss Stewart makes her first appearance in my five hopefuls in that race. This is partly due to taking Kirsten Dunst from lead to supporting. It remains to be seen where Dunst ends up. That move and her inclusion in Supporting Actress knocks out Toni Collette in Nightmare Alley.
There are other changes:
In Best Picture, I continue to tinker with the 10 spot. This week, I have vaulted Paolo Sorrentino’s The Hand of God up 12 spots to get in the mix. Falling out is Stephen Karam’s The Humans. The switch-up also puts God in Original Screenplay over A Hero.
We have changes at #1 in both Actor and Supporting Actor. Benedict Cumberbatch in The Power of the Dog tops lead and that slides Denzel Washington (The Tragedy of Macbeth) to 2nd. Bradley Cooper returns to first position in supporting for Soggy Bottom over Dog’s Jesse Plemons.
You can peruse all the activity below as Venice looms!
Best Picture
Predicted Nominees:
1. The Power of the Dog (Previous Ranking: 1)
2. House of Gucci (PR: 2)
3. The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 3)
4. Nightmare Alley (PR: 4)
5. Soggy Bottom (PR: 5)
6. Don’t Look Up (PR: 7)
7. Dune (PR: 6)
8. West Side Story (PR: 9)
9. CODA (PR: 8)
10. The Hand of God (PR: 22)
Other Possibilities:
11. The Humans (PR: 10)
12. The French Dispatch (PR: 13)
13. Mass (PR: 11)
14. Belfast (PR: 14)
15. A Hero (PR: 12)
16. Flee (PR: 15)
17. Spencer (PR: 17)
18. Last Night in Soho (PR: 19)
19. Tick, Tick… Boom! (PR: 16)
20. The Last Duel (PR: 25)
21. King Richard (PR: 18)
22. Parallel Mothers (PR: 21)
23. Passing (PR: 20)
24. Being the Ricardos (PR: 23)
25. C’Mon C’Mon (PR: Not Ranked)
Dropped Out:
Cyrano
Best Director
Predicted Nominees:
1. Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog (PR: 1)
2. Guillermo del Toro, Nightmare Alley (PR: 2)
3. Joel Coen, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 3)
4. Ridley Scott, House of Gucci (PR: 4)
5. Denis Villeneuve, Dune (PR: 5)
Other Possibilities:
6. Paul Thomas Anderson, Soggy Bottom (PR: 6)
7. Adam McKay, Don’t Look Up (PR: 7)
8. Paolo Sorrentino, The Hand of God (PR: Not Ranked)
9. Steven Spielberg, West Side Story (PR: 9)
10. Asghar Farhadi, A Hero (PR: 8)
11. Wes Anderson, The French Dispatch (PR: 13)
12. Kenneth Branagh, Belfast (PR: 11)
13. Sian Heder, CODA (PR: 12)
14. Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Flee (PR: 10)
15. Pablo Larrain, Spencer (PR: Not Ranked)
Dropped Out:
Stephen Karam, The Humans
Fran Kranz, Mass
Best Actress
Predicted Nominees:
1. Lady Gaga, House of Gucci (PR: 1)
2. Frances McDormand, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 2)
3. Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye (PR: 3)
4. Kristen Stewart, Spencer (PR: 6)
5. Jennifer Hudson, Respect (PR: 5)
Other Possibilities:
6. Penelope Cruz, Parallel Mothers (PR: 7)
7. Jodie Comer, The Last Duel (PR: 12)
8. Nicole Kidman, Being the Ricardos (PR: 9)
9. Cate Blanchett, Nightmare Alley (PR: 11)
10. Emilia Jones, CODA (PR: 8)
11. Renate Reinsve, The Worst Person in the World (PR: 10)
12. Jennifer Lawrence, Don’t Look Up (PR: 13)
13. Rachel Zegler, West Side Story (PR: 14)
14. Olivia Colman, The Lost Daughter (PR: 15)
15. Halle Berry, Bruised (PR: Not Ranked)
Dropped Out:
Kirsten Dunst, The Power of the Dog (moved to Supporting Actress)
Best Actor
Predicted Nominees:
1. Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog (PR: 2)
2. Denzel Washington, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 1)
3. Will Smith, King Richard (PR: 3)
4. Adam Driver, House of Gucci (PR: 4)
5. Leonardo DiCaprio, Don’t Look Up (PR: 5)
Other Possibilities:
6. Joaquin Phoenix, C’Mon C’Mon (PR: 11)
7. Bradley Cooper, Nightmare Alley (PR: 6)
8. Andrew Garfield, Tick, Tick… Boom! (PR: 7)
9. Clifton Collins, Jr., Jockey (PR: 10)
10. Amir Jadidi, A Hero (PR: 8)
11. Nicolas Cage, Pig (PR: 12)
12. Steven Yeun, The Humans (PR: 9)
13. Adam Driver, Annette (PR: 14)
14. Peter Dinklage, Cyrano (PR: 13)
15. Javier Bardem, Being the Ricardos (PR: Not Ranked)
Dropped Out:
Cooper Hoffman, Soggy Bottom
Best Supporting Actress
Predicted Nominees:
1. Ann Dowd, Mass (PR: 1)
2. Kirsten Dunst, The Power of the Dog (PR: Not Ranked – moved from lead Actress)
3. Marlee Matlin, CODA (PR: 4)
4. Ariana DeBose, West Side Story (PR: 3)
5. Jayne Houdyshell, The Humans (PR: 2)
Other Possibilities:
6. Toni Collette, Nightmare Alley (PR: 5)
7. Rooney Mara, Nightmare Alley (PR: 6)
8. Martha Plimpton, Mass (PR: 9)
9. Meryl Streep, Don’t Look Up (PR: 7)
10. Ruth Negga, Passing (PR: 8)
11. Judi Dench, Belfast (PR: 12)
12. Olga Merediz, In the Heights (PR: 11)
13. Nina Arianda, Being the Ricardos (PR: 14)
14. Rebecca Ferguson, Dune (PR: Not Ranked)
15. Aunjanue Ellis, King Richard (PR: 13)
Dropped Out:
Thomasin McKenzie, The Power of the Dog
Salma Hayek, House of Gucci
Best Supporting Actor
Predicted Nominees:
1. Bradley Cooper, Soggy Bottom (PR: 3)
2. Jesse Plemons, The Power of the Dog (PR: 1)
3. Richard Jenkins, The Humans (PR: 2)
4. Jared Leto, House of Gucci (PR: 4)
5. Corey Hawkins, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 5)
Other Possibilities:
6. Jason Isaacs, Mass (PR: 7)
7. Mark Rylance, Don’t Look Up (PR: 6)
8. Willem Dafoe, Nightmare Alley (PR: 8)
9. Jonah Hill, Don’t Look Up (PR: Not Ranked)
10. Troy Kotsur, CODA (PR: 9)
11. Simon Helberg, Annette (PR: 13)
12. Idris Elba, The Harder They Fall (PR: 10)
13. Reed Birney, Mass (PR: 12)
14. J.K. Simmons, Being the Ricardos (PR: Not Ranked)
We are a mere two weeks away from the Venice Film Festival and that will be followed up in short order by Telluride and Toronto. It is then that a number of titles mentioned below will receive their first critical reactions. That will translate into whether their Oscar buzz is real or fleeting.
As for this week, there are some changes in the rankings and projections as follows:
We have ourselves a new #1 in Best Picture and Director and that is Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog, supplanting Ridley Scott’s House of Gucci. The film is a mainstay on the upcoming festival circuit and it could well be Netflix’s prime contender.
The 10 spot in Best Picture has a change. I’ve soured a bit on Asghar Farhadi’s A Hero. While I strongly feel it will contend in Best International Feature Film, I’m changing it out for Stephen Karam’s The Humans – the cinematic version of his acclaimed play. It jumps 11 spots to get into the BP derby. The Humans also is now forecasted for Adapted Screenplay to the detriment of CODA.
Amir Jadidi’s performance in A Hero is removed from the top five in Best Actor with Leonardo DiCaprio (Don’t Look Up) taking the slot.
After viewing CODA, I believe Troy Kotsur (playing Marlee Matlin’s randy husband) could find a way into Supporting Actor. I don’t have him in the five, but Kotsur makes his first appearance in the race at #9.
You can read all the movement below!
Best Picture
Predicted Nominees:
1. The Power of the Dog (Previous Ranking: 2)
2. House of Gucci (PR: 1)
3. The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 3)
4. Nightmare Alley (PR: 4)
5. Soggy Bottom (PR: 5)
6. Dune (PR: 6)
7. Don’t Look Up (PR: 7)
8. CODA (PR: 8)
9. West Side Story (PR: 9)
10. The Humans (PR: 21)
Other Possibilities:
11. Mass (PR: 11)
12. A Hero (PR: 10)
13. The French Dispatch (PR: 12)
14. Belfast (PR: 13)
15. Flee (PR: 19)
16. Tick Tick… Boom! (PR: 16)
17. Spencer (PR: 15)
18. King Richard (PR: 14)
19. Last Night in Soho (PR: 22)
20. Passing (PR: 20)
21. Parallel Mothers (PR: 17)
22. The Hand of God (PR: Not Ranked)
23. Being the Ricardos (PR: 24)
24. Cyrano (PR: 18)
25. The Last Duel (PR: Not Ranked)
Dropped Out:
Blue Bayou
In the Heights
Best Director
Predicted Nominees:
1. Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog (PR: 2)
2. Guillermo del Toro, Nightmare Alley (PR: 3)
3. Joel Coen, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 4)
4. Ridley Scott, House of Gucci (PR: 1)
5. Denis Villeneuve, Dune (PR: 5)
Other Possibilities:
6. Paul Thomas Anderson, Soggy Bottom (PR: 6)
7. Adam McKay, Don’t Look Up (PR: 7)
8. Asghar Farhadi, A Hero (PR: 8)
9. Steven Spielberg, West Side Story (PR: 9)
10. Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Flee (PR: Not Ranked)
11. Kenneth Branagh, Belfast (PR: 10)
12. Sian Heder, CODA (PR: 11)
13. Wes Anderson, The French Dispatch (PR: 12)
14. Stephen Karam, The Humans (PR: Not Ranked)
15. Fran Kranz, Mass (PR: 13)
Dropped Out:
Pedro Almodovar, Parallel Mothers
Pablo Larrain, Spencer
Best Actress
Predicted Nominees:
1. Lady Gaga, House of Gucci (PR: 1)
2. Frances McDormand, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 2)
3. Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye (PR: 5)
4. Kirsten Dunst, The Power of the Dog (PR: 3)
5. Jennifer Hudson, Respect (PR: 4)
Other Possibilities:
6. Kristen Stewart, Spencer (PR: 6)
7. Penelope Cruz, Parallel Mothers (PR: 7)
8. Emilia Jones, CODA (PR: 8)
9. Nicole Kidman, Being the Ricardos (PR: 9)
10. Renate Reinsve, The Worst Person in the World (PR: 12)
11. Cate Blanchett, Nightmare Alley (PR: 10)
12. Jodie Comer, The Last Duel (PR: 11)
13. Jennifer Lawrence, Don’t Look Up (PR: 14)
14. Rachel Zegler, West Side Story (PR: 13)
15. Olivia Colman, The Lost Daughter (PR: Not Ranked)
Dropped Out:
Halle Berry, Bruised
Best Actor
Predicted Nominees:
1. Denzel Washington, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 1)
2. Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog (PR: 2)
3. Will Smith, King Richard (PR: 3)
4. Adam Driver, House of Gucci (PR: 4)
5. Leonardo DiCaprio, Don’t Look Up (PR: 8)
Other Possibilities:
6. Bradley Cooper, Nightmare Alley (PR: 7)
7. Andrew Garfield, Tick, Tick… Boom! (PR: 6)
8. Amir Jadidi, A Hero (PR: 5)
9. Steven Yeun, The Humans (PR: 12)
10. Clifton Collins, Jr., Jockey (PR: 11)
11. Joaquin Phoenix, C’Mon C’Mon (PR: 9)
12. Nicolas Cage, Pig (PR: 14)
13. Peter Dinklage, Cyrano (PR: 10)
14. Adam Driver, Annette (PR: 13)
15. Cooper Hoffman, Soggy Bottom (PR: 15)
Best Supporting Actress
Predicted Nominees:
1. Ann Dowd, Mass (PR: 1)
2. Jayne Houdyshell, The Humans (PR: 4)
3. Ariana DeBose, West Side Story (PR: 2)
4. Marlee Matlin, CODA (PR: 3)
5. Toni Collette, Nightmare Alley (PR: 5)
Other Possibilities:
6. Rooney Mara, Nightmare Alley (PR: 12)
7. Meryl Streep, Don’t Look Up (PR: 7)
8. Ruth Negga, Passing (PR: 8)
9. Martha Plimpton, Mass (PR: 6)
10. Thomasin McKenzie, The Power of the Dog (PR: 9)
11. Olga Merediz, In the Heights (PR: 11)
12. Judi Dench, Belfast (PR: 13)
13. Aunjanue Ellis, King Richard (PR: 10)
14. Nina Arianda, Being the Ricardos (PR: 14)
15. Salma Hayek, House of Gucci (PR: Not Ranked)
Dropped Out:
Anya Taylor-Joy, Last Night in Soho
Best Supporting Actor
Predicted Nominees:
1. Jesse Plemons, The Power of the Dog (PR: 1)
2. Richard Jenkins, The Humans (PR: 3)
3. Bradley Cooper, Soggy Bottom (PR: 2)
4. Jared Leto, House of Gucci (PR: 4)
5. Corey Hawkins, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 5)
Other Possibilities:
6. Mark Rylance, Don’t Look Up (PR: 9)
7. Jason Isaacs, Mass (PR: 6)
8. Willem Dafoe, Nightmare Alley (PR: 10)
9. Troy Kotsur, CODA (PR: Not Ranked)
10. Idris Elba, The Harder They Fall (PR: 11)
11. Bradley Whitford, Tick Tick… Boom! (PR: 12)
12. Reed Birney, Mass (PR: 8)
13. Simon Helberg, Annette (PR: 15)
14. David Alvarez, West Side Story (PR: Not Ranked)
Film festival season is approaching with Toronto, Venice, Telluride, and more. The early days of September will assist in answering plenty of questions as to the Oscar viability of several pictures.
As for this mid August timeframe, we mostly wait. However, one contender’s chances are clearer than last week. The Aretha Franklin biopic Respect, as I suspected, will not play in Best Picture. Yet the raves for Jennifer Hudson keep me believing she could make the final five in what looks to be a crowded field. Hudson remains in the four spot. The many performances left to witness will eventually answer whether she remains.
There is some movement in the other categories:
CODA was one of the acclaimed titles at Sundance and it releases on Apple TV tomorrow. Widely regarded as a crowdpleaser, I’m feeling more hopeful that it makes the top ten in BP. To make room, I’ve removed another buzzed about Sundance effort – Mass. I’ll confess that Mass is a head scratcher for me at press time. The four main leads (Jason Isaacs, Ann Dowd, Reed Birney, Martha Plimpton) will apparently all be campaigned for in the supporting fields. Dowd seems the most assured to make it, but they all could. However, both Isaacs and Plimpton are being taken out of my predicted five.
That means Toni Collette for Nightmare Alley is in over Plimpton in Supporting Actress. It felt strange not to have at least one actor from Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming pic in the mix. That could also be Rooney Mara in the same race.
In Supporting Actor, taking out Isaacs puts Corey Hawkins (The Tragedy of Macbeth) in. I’ve also made a switch in the #1 position. Bradley Cooper has had it the first two weeks for Soggy Bottom and now it’s Jesse Plemons in The Power of the Dog.
The lead actor and screenplay derbies reflect the same five as last week.
Check out all the movement below! I’ll be back at it next week…
Best Picture
Predicted Nominees:
1. House of Gucci (Previous Ranking: 1)
2. The Power of the Dog (PR: 2)
3. The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 3)
4. Nightmare Alley (PR: 4)
5. Soggy Bottom (PR: 6)
6. Dune (PR: 5)
7. Don’t Look Up (PR: 7)
8. CODA (PR: 11)
9. West Side Story (PR: 9)
10. A Hero (PR: 10)
Other Possibilities:
11. Mass (PR: 8)
12. The French Dispatch (PR: 13)
13. Belfast (PR: 12)
14. King Richard (PR: 16)
15. Spencer (PR: 14)
16. Tick, Tick… Boom! (PR: 17)
17. Parallel Mothers (PR: Not Ranked)
18. Cyrano (PR: 15)
19. Flee (PR: 18)
20. Passing (PR: Not Ranked)
21. The Humans (PR: 19)
22. Last Night in Soho (PR: Not Ranked)
23. Blue Bayou (PR: 20)
24. Being the Ricardos (PR: 23)
25. In the Heights (PR: 24)
Dropped Out:
The Last Duel
The Worst Person in the World
Annette
Best Director
Predicted Nominees:
1. Ridley Scott, House of Gucci (PR: 1)
2. Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog (PR: 2)
3. Guillermo del Toro, Nightmare Alley (PR: 4)
4. Joel Coen, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 5)
5. Denis Villeneuve, Dune (PR: 3)
Other Possibilities:
6. Paul Thomas Anderson, Soggy Bottom (PR: 6)
7. Adam McKay, Don’t Look Up (PR: 8)
8. Asghar Farhadi, A Hero (PR: 7)
9. Steven Spielberg, West Side Story (PR: 9)
10. Kenneth Branagh, Belfast (PR: 12)
11. Sian Heder, CODA (PR: 13)
12. Wes Anderson, The French Dispatch (PR: 11)
13. Fran Kranz, Mass (PR: 10)
14. Pedro Almodovar, Parallel Mothers (PR: Not Ranked)
15. Pablo Larrain, Spencer (PR: 14)
Dropped Out:
Joe Wright, Cyrano
Best Actress
Predicted Nominees:
1. Lady Gaga, House of Gucci (PR: 1)
2. Frances McDormand, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 3)
3. Kirsten Dunst, The Power of the Dog (PR: 2)
4. Jennifer Hudson, Respect (PR: 4)
5. Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye (PR: 5)
Other Possibilities:
6. Kristen Stewart, Spencer (PR: 6)
7. Penelope Cruz, Parallel Mothers (PR: 9)
8. Emilia Jones, CODA (PR: 7)
9. Nicole Kidman, Being the Ricardos (PR: 10)
10. Cate Blanchett, Nightmare Alley (PR: 8)
11. Jodie Comer, The Last Duel (PR: 12)
12. Renate Reinsve, The Worst Person in the World (PR: 11)
13. Rachel Zegler, West Side Story (PR: 13)
14. Jennifer Lawrence, Don’t Look Up (PR: 15)
15. Halle Berry, Bruised (PR: Not Ranked)
Dropped Out:
Olivia Colman, The Lost Daughter
Best Actor
Predicted Nominees:
1. Denzel Washington, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 1)
2. Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog (PR: 2)
3. Will Smith, King Richard (PR: 3)
4. Adam Driver, House of Gucci (PR: 4)
5. Amir Jadidi, A Hero (PR: 5)
Other Possibilities:
6. Andrew Garfield, Tick, Tick… Boom! (PR: 7)
7. Bradley Cooper, Nightmare Alley (PR: 9)
8. Leonardo DiCaprio, Don’t Look Up (PR: 6)
9. Joaquin Phoenix, C’Mon C’Mon (PR: 10)
10. Peter Dinklage, Cyrano (PR: 8)
11. Clifton Collins, Jr., Jockey (PR: 11)
12. Steven Yeun, The Humans (PR: Not Ranked)
13. Adam Driver, Annette (PR: 12)
14. Nicolas Cage, Pig (PR: 13)
15. Cooper Hoffman, Soggy Bottom (PR: 15)
Dropped Out:
Michael B. Jordan, A Journal for Jordan
Best Supporting Actress
Predicted Nominees:
1. Ann Dowd, Mass (PR: 1)
2. Ariana DeBose, West Side Story (PR: 2)
3. Marlee Matlin, CODA (PR: 4)
4. Jayne Houdyshell, The Humans (PR: 3)
5. Toni Collette, Nightmare Alley (PR: 6)
Other Possibilities:
6. Martha Plimpton, Mass (PR: 5)
7. Meryl Streep, Don’t Look Up (PR: 11)
8. Ruth Negga, Passing (PR: 7)
9. Thomasin McKenzie, The Power of the Dog (PR: 10)
10. Aunjanue Ellis, King Richard (PR: 13)
11. Olga Merediz, In the Heights (PR: 9)
12. Rooney Mara, Nightmare Alley (PR: 8)
13. Judi Dench, Belfast (PR: 12)
14. Nina Arianda, Being the Ricardos (PR: Not Ranked)
15. Anya Taylor-Joy, Last Night in Soho (PR: 15)
Dropped Out:
Audra McDonald, Respect
Best Supporting Actor
Predicted Nominees:
1. Jesse Plemons, The Power of the Dog (PR: 2)
2. Bradley Cooper, Soggy Bottom (PR: 1)
3. Richard Jenkins, The Humans (PR: 4)
4. Jared Leto, House of Gucci (PR: 5)
5. Corey Hawkins, The Tragedy of Macbeth (PR: 6)
Other Possibilities:
6. Jason Isaacs, Mass (PR: 3)
7. Richard E. Grant, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (PR: 7)
8. Reed Birney, Mass (PR: 10)
9. Mark Rylance, Don’t Look Up (PR: 9)
10. Willem Dafoe, Nightmare Alley (PR: Not Ranked)
My annual recounting of the cinematic seasons that preceded 30, 20, and 10 years prior continues on the blog today with the summer of 2001! It was a frame dominated by an animated jolly green giant that kicked off a massive franchise for its studio.
As is tradition, I’ll run through the top 10 domestic grossers as well as other notables pics and some flops. If you missed my post covering 1991’s May-August output, you can find it here:
Eddie Murphy returned as the doc who talks to animals in this sequel that managed to cross the century mark, but failed to approach the $144 million earned by its 1998 predecessor. This would mark the end of Eddie’s involvement in the franchise, but a direct to DVD third helping came in 2006.
9. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Domestic Gross: $131 million
Angelina Jolie (fresh off an Oscar for Girl, Interrupted) headlined the video game adaptation that, despite weak reviews, spawned a sequel and an eventual reboot with Alicia Vikander that will soon get its own follow-up.
8. The Fast and the Furious
Domestic Gross: $144 million
We first saw Vin Diesel and Paul Walker and those souped up whips 20 years ago. Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or haven’t heard of The Rock), this begat a franchise which is still running strong today. F9 is currently the #1 movie in America in this series that has topped a billion bucks.
7. American Pie 2
Domestic Gross: $145 million
Universal quickly green lighted this sequel to 1999’s smash hit comedy. The gross out gags in part 2 (which resulted in another theatrical effort in 2003 and numerous direct to DVD entries) stands as the largest worldwide earner of the bunch.
6. Planet of the Apes
Domestic Gross: $180 million
Tim Burton’s reimagining of the 1968 classic didn’t result in the new franchise that 20th Century Fox hoped for. Critics had their knives out for Mark Wahlberg’s lead performance and the surprise ending that didn’t pack the wallop of Charlton Heston’s encounter with the Statue of Liberty. The studio would get their successful trilogy a decade later beginning with Rise of the Planet of the Apes (which will be covered in 2011’s blog post).
5. Jurassic Park III
Domestic Gross: $181 million
Joe Johnston took over directorial duties from Steven Spielberg is this threequel. Sam Neill was back in this dino-tale that (while profitable) failed to reach the heights of the first two commercially. A reboot 14 years later would get the series back in billion dollar good standing.
4. Pearl Harbor
Domestic Gross: $198 million
Michael Bay’s romantic war epic failed with reviewers but still approached $200 million domestically and $450 million worldwide. Its six Golden Raspberry nominations topped its four Oscar nods.
3. The Mummy Returns
Domestic Gross: $202 million
Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz returned for this adventure sequel to the 1999 hit that topped part 1 domestically by nearly $50 million. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson would join the fun here and was rewarded with his spin-off (The Scorpion King) the next year. A third Mummy landed with disappointing results in 2008.
2. Rush Hour 2
Domestic Gross: $226 million
It was the best of times for director Brett Ratner and stars Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan as this action comedy built upon the grosses of the 1998 original. A third would follow six years later.
1. Shrek
Mike Myers as the title character ogre, Eddie Murphy stealing scenes with his voice work as Donkey, and Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona proved that Disney wasn’t the only animation game in town. Shrek even competed for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in this DreamWorks game changer that resulted in three sequels and a stage musical.
And now for some other notables flicks from the summer that was:
The Princess Diaries
Domestic Gross: $108 million
Disney’s live-action fairy tale served as a breakout role for Anne Hathaway and a return to the studio for Julie Andrews for the first time since Mary Poppins. A 2004 sequel followed.
The Others
Domestic Gross: $96 million
With its own Sixth Sense style twist ending, this gothic horror pic with Nicole Kidman earned solid reviews and got genre fans to turn out.
Legally Blonde
Domestic Gross: $96 million
Shrek isn’t the only feature to spawn a Broadway treatment. So did this Reese Witherspoon hit which also resulted in a sequel and a third Blonde that is slated for May 2022.
Cats & Dogs
Domestic Gross: $93 million
Dr. Dolittle wasn’t the only animal game in town. This kiddie pic featuring featuring talking creatures also began a franchise.
A.I.: Artificial Intelligence
Domestic Gross: $78 million
Long planned as a project for Stanley Kubrick (who passed away in 1999), Steven Spielberg directed this sci-fi visual feast with Haley Joel Osment. The film elicited strong reactions from critics and crowds (both positively and negatively). It may not have reached $100 million domestic, but it’s still a picture people like to debate about today and that’s more that can be said for most titles on this list.
Swordfish
Domestic Gross: $69 million
Hugh Jackman and John Travolta headlined this action pic which somewhat underperformed expectations. This is mostly known as the film that paid Halle Berry an extra $500,000 to go topless during a few seconds of screen time.
Moulin Rouge!
Domestic Gross: $57 million
Baz Luhrmann’s postmodern musical with Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor scored 8 Oscar nominations and has its legions of fans that have endured over the past two decades.
Sexy Beast
Domestic Gross: $6 million
This crime drama is mostly known for its menacing supporting turn from Sir Ben Kingsley, who was rewarded with an Oscar nod.
Ghost World
Domestic Gross: $6 million
Terry Zwigoff’s dark comedy (based on a late 90s comic book) earned raves for its screenplay and for costars Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, and Steve Buscemi.
And now for some pictures that did not meet expectations:
America’s Sweethearts
Domestic Gross: $93 million
Yes, it may have approached $100 million, but this rom com starring Julia Roberts and featuring John Cusack, Billy Crystal (who cowrote), and Catherine Zeta-Jones didn’t come near what her previous blockbusters like My Best Friend’s Wedding, Notting Hill, and Runaway Bride managed.
Atlantis: The Lost Empire
Domestic Gross: $84 million
Disney’s animated sci-fi adventure was a letdown that didn’t recoup its reported $100 million budget domestically. A hoped for franchise with TV spin-offs and Disneyland ride attraction never rose to the surface.
Scary Movie 2
Domestic Gross: $71 million
This rushed horror spoof follow-up to the 2000 surprise smash couldn’t get close to the $157 million of the original. However, this didn’t stop several sequels from following that achieved greater success.
Evolution
Domestic Gross: $38 million
Director Ivan Reitman and supernatural comedy sure worked well in 1984 with Ghostbusters. Not so much here in this DreamWorks flop with David Duchovny which earned less than half its budget in North America.
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within
Domestic Gross: $32 million
Tomb Raider was an example of a video game adaptation that made money. Not so here with this rendering of the popular role playing fantasy series that didn’t score with audiences.
Ghosts of Mars
Domestic Gross: $8 million
It wasn’t a good day at the box office for this science fiction flop from director John Carpenter and Ice Cube.
Pootie Tang
Domestic Gross: $3 million
Moviegoers didn’t turn out for this comedy written and directed by Louis C.K. that originated from a sketch on The Chris Rock Show (who costars). Despite the failed run at the box office, it has since become a cult hit.
And that does it for 2001, folks! Look for my post about summer 2011 in the coming days…
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