It's Oscar Season...ish. It might not officially start until December, but I am starting it early, right now actually. With many, many movies released this year, it seems that most of the "Oscar Movies" don't come out until the end of the year - which means we are about to be hit all at once.
So to prepare everyone for the influx of movies coming to your screens and streaming services, I'm breaking down my Top 10 Movies for Oscar's 2020.
* Please note, this is my own list.
10. Knives Out - Rian Johnson
- Summary: Taking place during the 85th birthday celebration of patriarch of the family, Christopher Plummer dies mysteriously. The eccentric family then en-lists 2 detectives to solve the case. Think Agatha Christie - but 2019 and with Daniel Craig.
- Director & Cast: Coming off of Star Wars: The Last Jedi and the mixed critic reviews that came with it, Johnson is out to create a murder mystery satirical drama and he has en-listen half of Hollywood to help him pull it off. Knives Out Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette, Michael Shannon, Chris Evans, Katherine Langford, LaKeith Stanfield, Christopher Plummer, Don Johnson and Daniel Craig just to name a few.
- Oscar Potential: Not much here, just looks really fun - might get something from Rian Johnson
- Release Date: November 27, 2019
- Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGqiHJTsRkQ
9. Two Popes - Fernando Meirelles
- Summary: Based on the true story of Pope Benedict XVI (Hopkins) and Pope Francis (Pryce) as they are forced to come together while the world is watching in hopes to come to an agreement on what the future of the Catholic Church will look like.
- Director & Cast: Shot by Brazilian Director Fernando Meirelles, this is one of his first large opening US film releases. Two Popes Cast: Jonathon Pryce and Anthony Hopkins
- Oscar Potential: Best Picture: Two Popes, Lead Actor: Jonathon Pryce, Supporting Actor: Anthony Hopkins
- Release Date: Theatrical (select): November 27, 2019; Netflix: December 20, 2019
- Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOJbHP1TtsU
8. The Irishman - Martin Scorsese
- Summary: In very Marty fashion, The Irishman explores the underworld of organized crime and how the main character, Robert DeNiro, gets caught up with the powerful family. Featuring anti-aging technology, the CGI has been cited as the best yet (it will most definitely get a Oscar nomination for Visual Effects). The first teaser trailer dropped during the 2019 Oscars - brilliant placement and marketing - and has been anticipated ever since. Also, it has a run time of 3 hours and 20 minutes....sooo buckle up.
- Director & Cast: Marty - you know Martin Scorsese. I don't really think I need to say any more here. The Irishman Cast: Robert DeNiro, Joe Pessci and Al Pacino - all playing the same characters within a 30-year span, using CGI and new technology to reverse aging on each of the characters at the beginning of the movie to progress to the present day look - we saw this with Gemini Man that opened this weekend and should start to expect more CGI and special effects to come to our screens in the coming years.
- Oscar Potential: Best Picture: The Irishman, Best Director: Martin Scorsese, Best Actor: TBD on who, but definitely will receive love from the Academy
- Release Date: Theatrical: November 1, 2019; Netflix: November 27, 2019
- Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLiZpa7e-Rw
7. Ford v. Ferrari - James Mangold
- Summary: Based on a true story of an American car designer and a professional race car driver, Ford v. Ferrari tells the story of the real competition between Ford American motor cars and Ferrari Italian cars as they both face off to compete against each other in one of the world's most historic 24-hour races: The 24 Hours of Le Mans.
- Director & Cast: James Mangold has a solid resume under his belt having directed Walk The Line (2005), Knight & Day (2010), The Wolverine (2013) and Logan (2017) - Mangold's work has received lots of attention stemming from its debut at Telluride Film Festival - this will the the play for the Academy's traditional "Oscar Movie". Ford v. Ferrari Cast: Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Catriona Balfe, Jon Bernthal and Josh Lucas. The big discussion here will not be if Damon and Bale are nominated, but which will be nominated for Lead v. Supporting.
- Oscar Potential: Best Picture: Ford v. Ferrari, Best Director: James Mangold, Lead Actor: Matt Damon, Supporting Actor: Christian Bale
- Release Date: November 15, 2019
- Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3h9Z89U9ZA
6. The King - David Michôd
- Summary: Based off Shakespeare's famous play, Henry V, The King covers the reign of King Henry V during the 15th Century after his father dies and he must assume the English Throne. As with every Shakespeare work, we can probably expect tyranny, politics and death - you know, the basics.
- Director & Cast: David Michôd, previous works include War Machine (2017) and Animal Kingdom (2010). The King adaptation was written by Michôd and Joel Egerton who also stars in the movie. The King Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Joel Egerton, Robert Pattinson, and Lily Rose-Depp. Chalamet coming off his 2017 and 2018 run, pretty much had his pick of next projects - many critics are saying that The King gives Chalamet an opportunity to show a darker side of his work as an actor.
- Oscar Potential: Lead Actor: Timothée Chalamet
- Release Date: Theatrical (select): October 11, 2019; Netflix: November 1, 2019
- Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMJnsTx-TBg
5. Harriet - Kasi Lemmons
- Summary: Based on the true story of Harriet Tubman, Harriet details Tubman's journey North to freedom and her campaign to go back and free her family and countless other slaves spawning the emergence of The Underground Railroad.
- Director & Cast: Actress turned Director, Lemmons has starred in many notable projects including Silence of the Lambs (1991) and other TV and smaller movie projects. Harriet is the largest film she has directed. Harriet Cast: Leslie Odom Jr, Janelle Monáe, Joe Alwyn, Cynthia Erivo and Jennifer Nettles. Erivo starred in Widows last year and will be holding the role of Tubman, but keep an eye out for Monáe who might snag a Supporting Actress nomination in her role.
- Oscar Potential: Lead Actress: Janelle Monáe
- Release Date: November 1, 2019
- Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqoEs4cG6Uw
4. Marriage Story - Noam Baumbach
- Summary: Told from His and Her point of views, Marriage Story is the modern-day "Kramer v. Kramer" shining a spotlight on an American Family breaking apart through divorce. Highlighting both perspectives. Marriage Story takes you through the lives of Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) and Charlie (Adam Driver), each telling their story of how they fell in love together and then how they fell out of it alone.
- Director & Cast: Noah Baumbach (husband of Greta Gerwig) he has been directing smaller movies for the past 20 years - most notable Greenberg (2010) and While We're Young (2014) and has written on many others. Marriage Story Cast: Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, Laura Dern, Ray Liotta and Merrit Weaver. As of now, Driver has been hinted as the front-runner for Best Actor. After the film debuted at the Telluride Film Festival over Labor Day he was presented with the Silver Medallion Award by Martin Scorsese calling him a "great actor" - high praise from someone who just publicly dismissed Marvel movies as "not real movies"
- Oscar Potential: Best Picture: Marriage Story, Best Director: Noah Baumbach, Lead Actress: Scarlett Johansson, Best Actor: Adam Driver
- Release Date: Theatrical (select): November 8, 2019; Netflix Release: November 15, 2019
- Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y1HhAlAOTs
3. Waves - Trey Edward Shults
- Summary: Focusing on a modern day suburban family, still reeling from a devastating loss, Waves highlights the family dynamics of a father and his two children, as he pushes them towards success the family crumbles under the pressure. Produced by A24 Studios, that once again proves that they can direct and create any coming-of-age movie and make it a masterpiece.
- Director & Cast: Written and Directed by Trey Edward Shults who is most notably known for his movie "It Comes At Night" (2017) - he moves away from the horror genre to focus on familial relations and complexities - visual stunning, Waves has already earned great buzz after is debut at the Telluride Film Festival. Waves Cast: Sterling K. Brown, Renée Elise Goldberry ( Hamilton Original Cast), Lucas Hedges and Alexa Demie ( Euphoria).
- Oscar Potential: Best Picture: Waves, Lead Actor: Sterling K. Brown
- Release Date: November 15, 2019
- Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckXd1ABqPZo
* featuring Frank Ocean "Godspeed" song in the trailer
2. Dark Waters - Todd Haynes
- Summary: Based on the true story detailed from a New York Times article, Robert Billot (Ruffalo), a defense attorney for one of the country's largest chemical corporations, uncovers a dark secret regarding pollution leaks that have been killing hundreds of people in small towns throughout Appalachia. Taking a stand, he decides to go up against the chemical corporation where he was once employed to seek the truth and protect the environment from the chemicals polluting the waterways in his hometown.
- Director & Cast: Todd Haynes is best known for Carol (2015) and mini-series Mildred Pierce (2011) comes back with is his first director project since Wonderstruck (2017) - Haynes started filming in mid-January 2019 in an effort to finish the movie for the 2020 Oscar Race Contention, providing Focus Features a slated "Oscar" worthy movie. Dark Waters Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, Bill Pullman, Victor Garber and William Jackson Harper. * Mark Ruffalo is back with another journalistic movie that could earn him another nomination (he was nominated for 2015 Spotlight for Supporting), this time for Lead Actor.
- Oscar Potential: Lead Actor: Mark Ruffalo
- Release Date: November 22, 2019
- Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvQUIt0BWcU
1. Little Women - Greta Gerwig
- Summary: A new adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's ground-breaking novel, Little Women tells the story of four-sisters living on the East Coast during the Civil War Era. Each sister is vastly different from the next - Meg, Amy, Jo and Beth are all described as young, out-spoken women, something that was un-heard of at that time.
- Director & Cast: Greta Gerwig, I mean, yes! Coming off of Lady Bird (2017), Gerwig enlists her 2 favorite actors as the leads: Saoirse Ronan and Timothee Chalamet. I mean is it any wonder that this is my Number 1 Must-See of 2019 - Greta Gerwig? Duh. Saoirse Ronan? Of course. Timothée Chalamet? Yes Please. Oh, also Emma Watson, Florence Pugh and Eliza Scanlen are there too.
- Oscar Potential: Best Director: Greta Gerwig, Lead Actress: Saoirse Ronan
Release Date: December 25, 2019
EL DE Excitement Level: 1000000%
* Other Notable Contenders:
1. Parasite
2. Uncut Gems
3. Just Mercy
4. Hustlers
5. The Assistant
6. Bombshell
7. Ad Astra
8. The Farewell
9. Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
10. The Laundromat
11. The Report
12. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
13. 1917
I'll be covering all of these are they are released so check back here for more deets as Oscar 2020 Season is underway.
And that's the sitch.
Comments