Tag: Jimmy Chin

Oscar Predictions – Everest: The Other Side

Mountain climbing romance Everest: The Other Side played the trio of fall fests (Venice, Telluride, Toronto) prior to its release this weekend. The documentary comes from Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin in conjunction with National Geographic. It arrives eight years after the filmmakers won Documentary Feature at the Oscars for Free Solo. Their non-documentary debut, 2023’s Nyad, scored acting nods for Annette Bening and Jodie Foster.

Everest’s reviews don’t match Solo‘s with a still solid 86% Rotten Tomatoes rating and less enthusiastic 66 on Metacritic. With more acclaimed docs in the marketplace, this faces an uphill climb for Academy voter attention. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions: The Rescue

In 2018, documentary filmmakers Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin had a breakout hit with the climbing tale Free Solo. It took gold for Best Documentary Feature at the Oscars. The duo has debuted their latest true life saga The Rescue at Telluride and Toronto.

This story goes below ground in recounting the Tham Luang cave rescue in the summer of 2018. Early reviews from the festival circuit indicate they have made another stunner (100% on Rotten Tomatoes). Based on these reactions, I think it’s safe to assume The Rescue will make one of the five slots in the race that the directors triumphed in three years ago. The only caveat is that the documentary branch of the Academy is sometimes known for shocking snubs.

That said, there’s no doubt that The Rescue is not only in line for a nod, but it is a serious threat to win.