Continuing with my initial Oscar predictions for the 2019 season, we arrive at Best Supporting Actor! If you happened to miss Supporting Actress, you can find it here:
As mentioned in the previous posts, these are the pre-festival projections where there’s a whole lot of guesswork involved. However, my five performers that I called out in my initial 2018 predictions yielded a strong three of the eventual five nominees: Adam Driver in BlacKkKlansman, Sam Elliot in AStarIsBorn, and Sam Rockwell in Vice. In the ten other possibilities, I did name nominee Richard E. Grant in CanYouEverForgiveMe? The only actor I didn’t list was eventual winner Mahershala Ali for GreenBook.
A couple of quick notes: Brad Pitt is likely a shoo-in for a nod. There seems to be a question as to whether Tom Hanks will be classified as lead or supporting for his role as Mr. Rogers in ABeautifulDayintheNeighborhood. I’m listing him as a possibility for both categories until it’s official.
And away we go with my very early initial Oscar predictions for the films of 2019! As has become tradition on this here blog, I make my first projections in the six top races (the acting categories, Director, Picture) in late August. This is right on the cusp of festival season (Toronto, Venice, Telluride, New York) when dozens of hopefuls will screen beginning Thursday and into the next several weeks. Expect a whole bunch of Oscar Watch posts coming your way!
At that time, the outlook will become considerably clearer when it comes to real deal contenders and pretenders. Beginning Thursday and through October, I will have a weekly column estimating my top 25 Best Picture possibilities and 15 entries in the five other races. They will be ranked unlike these first posts. Starting in November, that will dwindle down to 15 Pictures and top 10 predictions in all other categories weekly.
There is no doubt that these lists will fluctuate significantly as the year progresses. We begin with Supporting Actress. Last year, only one of my initial 5 predictions for this race ended up being nominated. It happened to be the winner… Regina King in IfBealeStreetCouldTalk. Of the 10 performers below the estimated five, two scored nods (Amy Adams in Vice and Rachel Weisz in TheFavourite).
So without further adieu, Todd’s first Oscar calls for 2019!
We may be smack dab in the middle of the summer movie season, but Oscar season will be taking shape before we know it. This week, the organizers of the Toronto and Venice Film Festivals have unveiled lineups for the pictures that will be premiering at their events in a few weeks. Many of them are awards hopefuls.
To give you an idea of the importance of festivals when it comes to Oscar nominees, six of last year’s nine nominees premiered at some combination of Toronto, Venice, Telluride, New York, Sundance, or Cannes. Every Best Picture winner from this decade and beyond played at one of them. The last one that didn’t was The Departed back in 2006.
The months of September-December are the fertile ground for most nominated features. Last year, seven of the nine Picture nominees came out in that time frame. In 2016 – it was 8 out of 9.
Beginning in late August/early September, I will begin my weekly Oscar prediction columns. It works like this:
Late August/Early September – first posting of predictions in the categories of Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress
Months of September and October – weekly Oscar predictions column post covering those 6 categories, as well as Adapted Screenplay and Original Screenplay. For Best Picture, I will be ranking possibilities numbered 1-25. For other categories, it will be numbered 1-15.
Months of November through announcement of nominations – weekly Oscar predictions column covering every category involving feature films. For Best Picture, I will be ranking possibilities numbered 1-15. For other categories, it will be numbered 1-10.
While these posts are a month away, today I bring you 25 fall awards hopefuls that I suspect I’ll be mentioning frequently. Most of these are premiering at the high-profile quartet of upcoming fests (Venice, Toronto, New York, Telluride). Some aren’t, but could certainly be added to Telluride or New York especially (as they’re more known for surprise screenings).
Let’s get to it!
A Star is Born
The third remake of the musical drama marks the directorial debut of Bradley Cooper and features a potential showcase role for his costar Lady Gaga. Early word of mouth is already strong.
At Eternity’s Gate
He received a nomination for his supporting work last year for The Florida Project and Willem Dafoe plays Vincent Van Gogh in what could be another awards bait role.
**NO TRAILER AT PRESS TIME
Backseat
Expect Adam McKay’s follow-up to The Big Short to receive plenty of attention. Christian Bale is Cheney with Amy Adams as wife Lynne and last year’s Supporting Actor winner Sam Rockwell as George W. Bush.
**NO TRAILER AT PRESS TIME
Beautiful Boy
Steve Carell plays the father of a meth addict played by Timothee Chalamet, who was nominated last year for Call Me by Your Name.
Ben is Back
Lucas Hedges and Julia Roberts headline this family drama that premieres at Toronto.
**NO TRAILER AT PRESS TIME
Bohemian Rhapsody
Despite some behind the scenes drama in its filming, all eyes will be on Rami Malek’s work as Queen front man Freddie Mercury.
Boy Erased
Perhaps an even larger showcase role for Lucas Hedges is this drama where he plays a homosexual sent to conversion camp. Joel Edgerton directs and costars along with Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe.
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Melissa McCarthy received an Academy Award nomination with her breakthrough role in Bridesmaids. This drama about writer Lee Israel could muster attention for her yet again.
First Man
Director Damien Chazelle has seen both of his efforts (Whiplash, La La Land) nominated for Best Picture and he’s the youngest filmmaker to ever win Best Director. His third pic is a Neil Armstrong biopic starring Ryan Gosling. It opens the Venice Film Festival.
If Beale Street Could Talk
The follow-up to his Oscar winning Moonlight, Barry Jenkins directs this drama set in 1970s Harlem.
July 22
United 93 and Captain Phillips director Paul Greengrass brings his latest to Netflix and it focuses on the 2011 terrorist attacks in Norway.
**NO TRAILER AT PRESS TIME
Life Itself
Premiering at Toronto, this ensemble drama includes Oscar Isaac, Olivia Munn, Annette Bening, and Antonio Banderas.
Mary Poppins Returns
She’s already a contender for A Quiet Place and Emily Blunt could face competition from herself with Disney’s expected monster hit.
Mary Queen of Scots
They were both nominated for Best Actress last year and now Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie star in this historical drama about the title character and Queen Elizabeth I.
Old Man & The Gun
David Lowery directs Robert Redford in the true life tale of a prison escape artist. Sissy Spacek and Casey Affleck costar.
On the Basis of Sex
The documentary RBG could get noticed by the Documentary branch, as could this biopic which casts Felicity Jones as Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Peterloo
Acclaimed British director Mike Leigh returns with this historical 19th century drama.
Roma
This Mexican family drama is Alfonso Cuaron’s first directorial effort since his acclaimed Gravity.
Suspiria
Call Me by Your Name maker Luca Guadagnino shifts gears for this remake of the 1970s horror classic. Don’t be surprised if this receives attention in some technical categories.
The Favourite
The Lobster director Yorgos Lanthimos is behind this historical drama featuring Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz.
The Front Runner
Jason Reitman directs this biopic of failed Presidential candidate Gary Hart with Hugh Jackman cast in the role.
**NO TRAILER AT PRESS TIME
The Sisters Brothers
John C. Reilly, Joaquin Phoenix, and Jake Gyllenhaal are among the cast in this Western from acclaimed French director Jacques Audiard.
Welcome to Marwen
Steve Carell stars in this unique looking drama from Forrest Gump maker Robert Zemeckis.
Widows
It’s been five years between projects for Oscar winning 12 Years a Slave director Steve McQueen. This heist thriller stars recent winner Viola Davis.
And there’s your very early preview of some titles to keep an eye on over the coming months. Those Oscar posts will start rolling out weekly in about a month! Stay tuned…
My weekly round of Thursday Oscar predictions in the eight major categories brings a couple of updates from the past week:
Woody Allen’s Wonder Wheel premiered at the New York Film Festival and the mixed reaction has caused it to roll all the way out of the top 25 possibilities for Best Picture. Kate Winslet still stands a decent shot at Best Actress in a very crowded race, but her nomination seems a bit less assured to me now. The film also takes a hit in the Original Screenplay derby.
It’s looking like The Leisure Seeker with Donald Sutherland will not be released until 2018. I’ve had the actor on the lower rungs of possibility for Best Actor, but until I see confirmation of an awards qualifying end of year release date, he’s out for now.
And with that, let’s get to it!
Best Picture
Predicted Nominees:
1. Dunkirk (Previous Ranking: 1)
2. The Post (PR: 2)
3. The Shape of Water (PR: 3)
4. Call Me by Your Name (PR: 6)
5. Darkest Hour (PR: 4)
6. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (PR: 5)
As the New York Film Festival draws to its close, another piece of the Oscar puzzle has revealed itself with Woody Allen’s WonderWheel. Early critical reaction is a bit mixed yet there seems to be general consensus that Kate Winslet’s lead performance is wonderful.
As has been discussed numerous times already on the blog, Best Actress looks packed with this year. There’s already acclaimed performances from Frances McDormand in ThreeBillboardsOutsideEbbing, Missouri, Margot Robbie in I, Tonya, Emma Stone in BattleoftheSexes, Sally Hawkins in TheShapeofWater, Judi Dench in VictoriaandAbdul, and Jessica Chastain in Molly’sGame, among others. That’s in addition to Meryl Streep’s unseen but likely contending work in ThePost. Even with all that significant competition, Winslet could well be in line for her 8th nomination, having won once in 2008 for TheReader.
The cinematography for Wheel has also received praise and that’s certainly a race where a nod is doable. However, I am now thinking Woody’s latest is a long shot to nab a Best Picture nomination and Original Screenplay seems less assured now (that’s another crowded category). Juno Temple has received some decent ink today, but a Supporting Actress nomination could be a stretch. Male costars Justin Timberlake and Jim Belushi appear to be non-factors.
Bottom line: Winslet keeps her name in the mix, but other categories seem less likely now than they did yesterday.
Back at it once again with my weekly Oscar predictions in the eight major categories as we move to October. Over the past week, I would say there’s been two significant developments. First, Richard Linklater’s Last Flag Flying debuted at the New York Film Festival to somewhat mixed results. I’ve had it in my predicted nine films to be nominated for Best Picture and that changes for now.
The other story is the critical reaction for Blade Runner 2049, which opens tomorrow. Many of the reviews have been raves and I believe it’s increased it chances greatly at nods for Picture and its director Denis Villeneuve, who was nominated just last year for Arrival.
One further story line is the falling prospects of Battle of the Sexes, which is not performing up to expectations at the box office. Much of the reasoning for it receiving nominations was that it could turn into a hit audience pleaser. That hasn’t occurred and its chances are in doubt. GoodbyeChristopherRobin has reviews out as well and its prospects are looking dim.
Per usual, just because I rank something at #1 doesn’t mean I think it wins. This is based on chances for a nomination. Let’s get to it!
Best Picture
Predicted Nominees:
1. Dunkirk (Previous Ranking: 1)
2. The Post (PR: 2)
3. The Shape of Water (PR: 3)
4. Darkest Hour (PR: 4)
5. Call Me by Your Name (PR: 6)
6. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (PR: 5)
7. Mudbound (PR: 7)
8. Blade Runner 2049 (PR: 13)
9. Wonder Wheel (PR: 11)
Other Possibilities:
10. Phantom Thread (PR: 10)
11. Battle of the Sexes (PR: 9)
12. Last Flag Flying (PR: 8)
13. Detroit (PR: 18)
14. The Greatest Showman (PR: 12)
15. The 15:17 to Paris (PR: 15)
16. Get Out (PR: 16)
17. I, Tonya (PR: 22)
18. Downsizing (PR: 19)
19. The Florida Project (PR: 23)
20. Lady Bird (PR: 21)
21. All the Money in the World (PR: 17)
22. The Big Sick (PR: 20)
23. Goodbye Christopher Robin (PR: 14)
24. Wonderstruck (PR: 25)
25. Molly’s Game (PR: 24)
Best Director
Predicted Nominees:
1. Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk (PR: 1)
2. Steven Spielberg, The Post (PR: 2)
3. Guillermo del Toro, The Shape of Water (PR: 3)
4. Joe Wright, Darkest Hour (PR: 4)
5. Denis Villeneuve, Blade Runner 2049 (PR: 9)
Other Possibilities:
6. Dee Rees, Mudbound (PR: 5)
7. Luca Guadagnino, Call Me by Your Name (PR: 6)
8. Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (PR: 7)
9. Woody Allen, Wonder Wheel (PR: 11)
10. Paul Thomas Anderson, Phantom Thread (PR: 10)
11. Kathryn Bigelow, Detroit (PR: Not Ranked)
12. Richard Linklater, Last Flag Flying (PR: 8)
13. Jordan Peele, Get Out (PR: 13)
14. Clint Eastwood, The 15:17 to Paris (PR: 15)
15. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, Battle of the Sexes (PR: 12)
Dropped Out:
Michael Gracey, The Greatest Showman
Best Actor
Predicted Nominees:
1. Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour (PR: 1)
2. Daniel Day-Lewis, Phantom Thread (PR: 2)
3. Tom Hanks, The Post (PR: 3)
4. Hugh Jackman, The Greatest Showman (PR: 4)
5. Timothee Chalamet, Call Me by Your Name (PR: 7)
Other Possibilities:
6. Jake Gyllenhaal, Stronger (PR: 5)
7. Denzel Washington, Roman J. Israel Esq. (PR: 8)
8. Steve Carell, Last Flag Flying (PR: 6)
9. James Franco, The Disaster Artist (PR: 12)
10. Donald Sutherland, The Leisure Seeker (PR: 11)
11. Andrew Garfield, Breathe (PR: 10)
12. Christian Bale, Hostiles (PR: 15)
13. Jeremy Renner, Wind River (PR: 13)
14. Domhnall Gleeson, Goodbye Christopher Robin (PR: 9)
15. Jason Clarke, Chappaquiddick (PR: Not Ranked)
Dropped Out:
Steve Carell, Battle of the Sexes
Best Actress
Predicted Nominees:
1. Meryl Streep, The Post (PR: 1)
2. Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (PR: 2)
3. Margot Robbie, I, Tonya (PR: 5)
4. Kate Winslet, Wonder Wheel (PR: 4)
5. Emma Stone, Battle of the Sexes (PR: 3)
Other Possibilities:
6. Jessica Chastain, Molly’s Game (PR: 6)
7. Sally Hawkins, The Shape of Water (PR: 7)
8. Judi Dench, Victoria and Abdul (PR: 9)
9. Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird (PR: 8)
10. Daniela Vega, A Fantastic Woman (PR: 10)
11. Annette Bening, Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool (PR: 12)
12. Diane Kruger, In the Fade (PR: 11)
13. Brooklyn Prince, The Florida Project (PR: 13)
14. Michelle Williams, All the Money in the World (PR: 15)
15. Jennifer Lawrence, mother! (PR: 14)
Best Supporting Actor
Predicted Nominees:
1. Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project (PR: 1)
2. Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (PR: 2)
3. Armie Hammer, Call Me by Your Name (PR: 3)
4. Ben Mendelsohn, Darkest Hour (PR: 5)
5. Michael Stuhlbarg, Call Me by Your Name (PR: 4)
Other Possibilities:
6. Mark Rylance, Dunkirk (PR: 7)
7. Jason Mitchell, Mudbound (PR: 6)
8. Michael Shannon, The Shape of Water (PR: 11)
9. Kevin Spacey, All the Money in the World (PR: 10)
10. Bryan Cranston, Last Flag Flying (PR: 8)
11. Will Poulter, Detroit (PR: 12)
12. Patrick Stewart, Logan (PR: 13)
13. Christoph Waltz, Downsizing (PR: Not Ranked)
14. Laurence Fishburne, Last Flag Flying (PR: 9)
15. Jim Belushi, Wonder Wheel (PR: Not Ranked)
Dropped Out:
Richard Jenkins, The Shape of Water
Dustin Hoffman, The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)
Best Supporting Actress
Predicted Nominees:
1. Allison Janney, I, Tonya (PR: 1)
2. Melissa Leo, Novitiate (PR: 2)
3. Kristin Scott Thomas, Darkest Hour (PR: 5)
4. Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird (PR: 3)
5. Hong Chau, Downsizing (PR: 4)
Other Possibilities:
6. Octavia Spencer, The Shape of Water (PR: 8)
7. Holly Hunter, The Big Sick (PR: 7)
8. Mary J. Blige, Mudbound (PR: 6)
9. Kirsten Dunst, The Beguiled (PR: 11)
10. Claire Foy, Breathe (PR: 9)
11. Julianne Moore, Wonderstruck (PR: 12)
12. Millicent Simmonds, Wonderstruck (PR: 13)
13. Juno Temple, Wonder Wheel (PR: 14)
14. Margot Robbie, Goodbye Christopher Robin (PR: 10)
15. Cicely Tyson, Last Flag Flying (PR: Not Ranked)
Dropped Out:
Tatiana Maslany, Stronger
Best Adapted Screenplay
Predicted Nominees:
1. The Post (PR: 1)
2. Call Me by Your Name (PR: 2)
3. Mudbound (PR: 3)
4. Last Flag Flying (PR: 4)
5. Molly’s Game (PR: 5)
Other Possibilities:
6. Blade Runner 2049 (PR: 12)
7. Victoria and Abdul (PR: 8)
8. Wonderstruck (PR: 7)
9. All the Money in the World (PR: 6)
10. The Beguiled (PR: 9)
11. The Disaster Artist (PR: 11)
12. The 15:17 to Paris (PR: 10)
13. Stronger (PR: 13)
14. Wonder (PR: 14)
15. Thank You for Your Service (PR: 15)
Best Original Screenplay
Predicted Nominees:
1. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (PR: 1)
2. The Shape of Water (PR: 2)
3. Darkest Hour (PR: 3)
4. Wonder Wheel (PR: 4)
5. The Big Sick (PR: 5)
Other Possibilities:
6. Get Out (PR: 6)
7. Dunkirk (PR: 8)
8. I, Tonya (PR: Not Ranked)
9. Lady Bird (PR: 10)
10. Battle of the Sexes (PR: 7)
11. The Florida Project (PR: 12)
12. Downsizing (PR: 11)
13. Phantom Thread (PR: 9)
14. Wind River (PR: 13)
15. The Greatest Showman (PR: 15)
Dropped Out:
Goodbye Christopher Robin
And there you have it! I’ll be back at it next Thursday with brand new Oscar updates…
A major piece of the awards season puzzle came into focus today as Richard Linklater’s LastFlagFlying has screened at the New York Film Festival. The pic casts Steve Carell, Bryan Cranston, and Laurence Fishburne as Vietnam vets brought together decades later by a tragedy.
Flying opened the festival and has been seen as a serious Oscar contender for some time. Three years ago, Linklater’s Boyhood was nominated for six Academy Awards and the subject matter here made this an immediate curiousity item in the season ahead. Early reaction has been mixed. It stands at 79% currently on Rotten Tomatoes and there has been some reviews calling it a disappointment.
For a while, it’s been unclear how the three leads would be campaigned for. It appears Amazon Studios will tout Carell in Lead Actor with Cranston and Fishburne in Supporting. Cicely Tyson is said to have a one scene role that is a highlight according to some notices. It’ll be interesting to see if Amazon mounts a campaign for her. It’s entirely feasible none of them make the dance and Carell will even be competing against himself in BattleoftheSexes (unless he’s switched to Supporting there).
The mixed buzz will likely mean a downgrade in my next projections where I’ve had Flag planted at 8th and getting in the Best Picture race. Right now, Adapted Screenplay is looking lighter than Original Screenplay so that could perhaps be the best chance at any nod.
James Gray’s The Lost City of Z opens in semi wide release this weekend after a pretty impressive debut in very limited fashion over Easter weekend. The pic tells the true story of explorer Percy Fawcett (Charlie Hunnam) in the Amazon in the early 20th century. Costars include Robert Pattinson, Sienna Miller, and Tom Holland.
Z closed the New York Film Festival last fall to positive word of mouth and it stands at 88% currently on Rotten Tomatoes. It grossed over $100,000 on just 4 screens this last weekend and is slated to expand to approximately 500 on Friday.
I believe this could perform similarly to The Place Beyond the Pines four years ago. Though there’s no obvious comparison between the two titles, both appeal to a more adult audience and received encouraging critical reaction. Pines made $3.8 million when it hit around 500 theaters. If Z accomplishes the same, that means I have it out doingThe Promise, Phoenix Forgotten, and Free Fire in their debuts.
The Lost City of Z opening weekend prediction: $3.7 million
One of the largest pieces of the Oscar puzzle came into sharper focus tonight as Ang Lee’s BillyLynn’sLongHalftimeWalk premiered at the New York Film Festival. For months, the film has rightfully been looked at as a massive awards contender. After all, the director has won two Best Director awards for BrokebackMountain and LifeofPi.
Based on its initial screening, it appears Walk has taken a significant hit. Early critical reaction is quite mixed and several reviews have been negative. I’ve had this pegged at between 2-5 for the last several weeks in terms of getting a Best Picture nod. I’ve also included Lee in the top 5 every week in terms of his nomination. At various junctures, I’ve also predicted Joe Alwyn (Actor), Steve Martin (Supporting Actor), Kristen Stewart (Supporting Actress), and Adapted Screenplay. Based on tonight’s buzz, that’s likely to change come Thursday when I make my next round of predictions.
Billy could still be a player in technical categories like Visual Effects and the Sound races. Yet the sound heard tonight in the Big Apple was a perceived Oscar heavyweight losing serious luster.
The New York Film Festival has screened another high-profile Oscar contender and that would be Mike Mills’s 20th Century Women. The comedic drama set in the late 1970s was unveiled today to a lot of positive reviews and some that pointed out various flaws.
I’ve included Women on my list of 25 possible Best Picture nominees (as of yesterday it stood at #19). Based on the initial buzz, it could move up some slots next Thursday. Yet I would maintain that it’s unlikely at this juncture that it’ll be included among the five to ten eventual nominees. Same goes for Mills in the Director race.
The director’s last effort (Beginners) nabbed Christopher Plummer a Best Supporting Actor victroy. And it’s in the acting categories that this film has always seemed like a stronger contender and the New York screening has confirmed that. Ms. Bening has heard her name called for Academy recognition four times, but she’s never won. My latest predictions listed her as fourth for likelihood in receiving a Best Actress nod and that still seems right. Critics have praised her work here and she’s probably on her way to her fifth nomination. It still appears, however, that the trio of Emma Stone (La La Land), Natalie Portman (Jackie), and Viola Davis (Fences) have a firmer chance at actually winning.
Early notices have also pointed out the work of both Elle Fanning and Greta Gerwig. It’s unlikely that both will be nominated in Supporting Actress (though you never know). The edge currently goes to Gerwig. As for Crudup in Supporting Actor, he’s probably on the outside looking in, though it’s worth noting that Supporting Actor looks wide open at the moment. While Mills won’t see a Directing nod, Original Screenplay is possible (though there’s major competition there too).
Bottom line: The early buzz for 20th Century Women solidified the standing of Bening and Gerwig, with outside shots at other races.
All My Life... I Wanted To Be A Blogster 