Tag: Jessica Gunning

Oscar Predictions: The Magic Faraway Tree

Based on Enid Blyton’s fantasy children’s books that started hitting bookshelves nearly 90 years ago, The Magic Faraway Tree made its way to British theaters in March and domestic venues over the weekend. Ben Gregor directs with a cast including Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, Nonso Anozie, Nicola Coughlan, Jessica Gunning, Jennifer Saunders, and Rebecca Ferguson.

The film has performed well enough in the U.K. that sequels are planned. However, in the U.S., audiences stayed far away from it with a teensy $1.3 million gross out of the gate. The per-theater average was just over $800. Reviews are pretty decent if not impressive with 79% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 59 on Metacritic. This is not an Oscar contender anywhere, but I will note that BAFTA could nominate it in their Best Children’s & Family Film race. My Oscar Prediction (or in this case BAFTA) posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions: The Christophers

The prolific Steven Soderbergh’s latest is comedic thriller The Christophers and it’s out in limited fashion this weekend after originally premiering at the Toronto Film Festival last fall. Distributed by Neon, Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel (who will also be seen this month in Mother Mary) headline with Jessica Gunning and James Corden providing support.

Reviews are on the fresh side with 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 73 Metacritic. There have been plenty of critically appreciated efforts from the director in the 21st century including last year’s Black Bag. However, you have to go back to 2000 and Soderbergh’s one-two punch of Erin Brockovich and Traffic to find his last major Oscar players. I don’t anticipate that will change with The Christophers. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…