Award Season Excitement
It’s been a terrible year for film. It’s not the film industry’s fault, mind you, but pandemics tend to disrupt things. In an unprecedented move (but what is expected this year) the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences decided to delay their award ceremony to April 25th, 2021 (from the original date in February). The Academy also decided to allow streaming services to compete (typically they require theatrical releases to be eligible) and extended the eligibility window from December 31st, 2020 to February 28, 2021. What a time to be alive!
With these announcements, studios have been doing quite the shuffle with various films scheduled to be released this year, looking to make the most bang for their buck. I started 2020 with my top 15 most anticipated films, but with many of them delayed until next year/delayed indefinitely I wanted to revisit the list and give my most anticipated “Oscar-buzz” films as we go into the traditional award season (August until February 2021).
The films are in order of the announced release date.
Nomadland - September 11th - Venice Film Festival
“A woman in her sixties who, after losing everything in the Great Recession, embarks on a journey through the American West.”
Two-time Academy Award winner, Frances McDormand has become only more fascinating to me over the last few years. Her work is nuanced and striking and I’m excited to see her in this.
The Trial of the Chicago 7 - October 16, 2020 - Netflix
“Based on the story of the Chicago Seven a group of seven defendants charged by the federal government with conspiracy, inciting to riot, and other charges related to anti-Vietnam War and countercultural protests that took place in Chicago, Illinois, on the occasion of the 1968 Democratic National Convention.”
Written and Directed by Aaron Sorkin, with an incredible ensemble cast, this film seems poised for Oscar greatness and super timely in light of everything happening in our Country. Sorkin’s writing is so strong, and I’m excited to see his direction in this as well.
On the Rocks - October 2020 - Apple TV+
“On the Rocks follows "a young mother who reconnects with her larger than life playboy father on an adventure through New York."
Starring Rashida Jones, Bill Murray, Marlon Wayans, Jessica Henwick, and the dear Jenny Slate, this cast alone gets me very excited. Stacked cast aside, however, who I’m really here for is Mrs. Sofia Coppola. This has the makings to be very special and I can’t wait to see what she has done.
Mank - October 2020 - Netflix
“A biographical drama film about screenwriter Herman J. Mankieqicz and his battles with director Orson Welles over screenplay credit for Citizen Kane (1941).”
David Fincher is a genius, let’s just start there. The Social Network will always be in my top 10 films of all time. Fincher’s moody tone will do wonders in this black and white film. You read that correctly- black and white film. So we have a black and white period piece about a Hollywood screenwriter and one of the greatest films to come out of Hollywood. Also, did I mention it stars Gary Oldman? Yeah, this is Oscar bait if there ever was and I’m here for it.
The Father - November 20, 2020 - In theaters
“A man struggles with aging as he moves in with his daughter.”
First premiering at Sundance this year to rave reviews, and quite frankly, some of the best reviews of Anthony Hopkins’ career, I’m betting this one will not be one we want to miss. I’m already in the Olivia Colman fan club and after seeing The Two Popes, I’m very excited to see what Hopkins does with this role. Another Oscar for his shelf maybe?
Hillbilly Elegy - November 2020 - Netflix
“A modern exploration of the American Dream about three generations of an Appalachian family. Based on the New York Times bestselling memoir by J.D. Vance.”
There is a lot to be excited about here. After reading the memoir this film is based on, I am deeply intrigued. The story is fascinating in more ways than one. Amy Adams PLUS Glen Close. Neither of these women has won an Academy Award, maybe this is their year. They are more than deserving. Ron Howard….
Soul - November 20, 2020 - In Theaters
“Joe Gardner, a middle school music teacher, has long dreamed of performing jazz music on stage, and finally gets a chance after impressing other jazz musicians during an opening act at the Half Note Club. However, an untimely accident causes Gardner’s soul to be separated from his body and begin to proceed to The Great Beyond.”
I am always here for the latest Pixar outing, but this film is about jazz, the “afterlife”, and heck, the meaning of life gets me even more stoked. Adding the voices of Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey just sweeten the deal.
Dune - December 18th, 2020 - In Theaters
“In the far future of humanity, Duke Leto Atreides accepts the stewardship of the dangerous desert planet Arrakis, also known as Dune, the only source of the most valuable substance in the universe, a drug which extends human life, provides superhuman levels of thought, and makes foldspace travel possible.”
An ensemble film that features: Timotheé Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, and Javier Bardem: yes the excitement level is high. Coming from the brilliant, and I mean brilliant Denis Villeneuve (is not Arrival one of the greatest Sci-fi films in existence, not to mention Scario, and Prisoners). With all that said, this is probably the film I am most nervous about it. Science fiction fan, I am not, yet I trust Villeneuve so fully (you saw the film credits right?) that I am embracing the hype on this one.
Respect - January 15, 2021 - In Theaters
“A biographical drama film based on the life of singer Aretha Franklin.”
Aretha Franklin said that she wanted Jennifer Hudson to play her in a film adaptation of her life. Well, J HUD IS BACK PEOPLE! With one Academy Award already under her belt, I think this may be the role she was born to play. Aretha’s life and legacy is one that is so larger than life, it’s no wonder she choose the extremely talented Jennifer Hudson to take it on. I can’t wait to watch and cheer and Hudson embodies the Queen of Soul, just look at her in that poster!
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom - 2020 Release - Netflix
“When Ma Rainey, the “Queen of the Blues,” makes a record in a studio in Chicago, 1927, tensions boil between her, her white agent and producer, and bandmates.”
If Viola Davis is in it, I will be seeing it. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is the film adaptation of August Wilson’s play of the same name. Denzel Washington is producing and the film also stars Chadwick Boseman. So yeah this is high on my anticipated list.
The French Dispatch - Unknown
“The film has been described as "a love letter to journalists set at an outpost of an American newspaper in a fictional 20th-century French city", centering on three storylines. It brings to life a collection of tales published in the eponymous The French Dispatch, based in the fictional French city of Ennui-sur-Blasé. The film is inspired by Anderson's love of The New Yorker, and some characters and events in the film are based on real-life equivalents from the magazine”
Another Wes Anderson film, another stellar cast. Seriously. This has the likes of Tilda Swinton, Frances McDormand, Bill Murray, Adrien Brody, Owen Wilson (all of these are regulars in a Wes Anderson film) PLUS Benicio Del Toro, Timotheé Chalamet, Lea Soudux, Elizabeth Moss, Saoirse Ronan, and William Defoe. I’ll be watching if only for that reason!
*All plot synopsis are taken from Wikipedia.