I just looked at my calendar and noticed that its less than 3 months till the end of the year and what that means is this – good movies will be coming out – in droves. And the reason these movies have been saved till the latter part of the year is simple – they are Oscar contenders. And Oscar voters are so senile and old (just kidding Dad) that they need to have the movies very fresh in their mind if they are to vote on them for an Academy Award.
Therefore, without further ado, the upcoming releases for 2007 are hereby handicapped:
OCTOBER
Lars is a hit with the ladies…
Lars and The Real Girl – (limited release began on October 12, 2007) This generation’s Sean Penn – namely Ryan Gosling stars alongside a “real doll” in this comedy from director Craig Gillespie (who also directed the recently panned “Mr. Woodcock.”) With Emily Mortimer in the cast and some good buzz following Toronto this film has an outside chance of picking up some steam but it’s unlikely to get nominations unless Sidney Kimmel Entertainment releases DVD screeners to Academy voters early.
Casey Affleck looks to join brother Ben as an Oscar nominee this year
Gone Baby Gone – (October 19, 2007) in 1993, little known actor Ben Affleck made his directorial debut with a film entitled “I Killed My Lesbian Wife, Hung Her on a Meat Hook and Now I have a Three Picture Deal at Disney.” Now, 14 years after that masterpiece was shot and following Affleck’s 1998 Oscar win for “Good Will Hunting” he’s returned to helm a film he’s also written that stars his brother Casey Affleck, Oscar winners Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris and “The Heartbreak Kid’s” Michelle Monaghan. The film is based on the well received Dennis Lehane novel about the kidnapping of two teenage girls in Boston. Reviews such as this one from Variety indicate that there is indeed some chance for Casey Affleck to receive actor kudo consideration and although Ben Affleck’s direction is praised, it seems the story itself is lacking and therefore the picture should be ruled out for Best Picture consideration. Miramax, the studio behind the film has been traditionally superb at pushing their films onto Academy voters, however Miramax is a division of Disney now and it remains to be seen how much push they will give a film such as this. For coverage of the film at Deauville & Toronto check out these BOPsy articles 1 and 2.
Rendition – (October 19, 2007) Oscar winner Gavid Hood (director of South Africa’s Best Foreign Language film of 2006 “Tsotsi”) returns to form with a hot-topic film starring Oscar winners Reese Witherspoon, Meryl Streep and Alan Arkin and Oscar nominee Jake Gyllenhaal. The Steve Golin (”Babel”) produced film’s plot echoes Bush administration CIA policies and reviews have been good, however not gleaming. Too early to tell, but watch New Line’s reaction to box office performance as an early indicator on how hard they’ll push this film down Academy voters consciousness. Regardless for director Gavin Hood he’s cashed in all of his Oscar winning marbles by beginning production on “Wolverine” starring Hugh Jackman.
Halle Berry is an Oscar winner and stars in Things We Lost in the Fire
Things We Lost in the Fire – (October 19, 2007) Oscar nominated Danish director Susanne Bier (After the Wedding) is one of the most interesting and intelligent working helmers today. Her first American film stars Oscar winners Halle Berry and Benecio Del Toro along with Golden Globe winner David Duchovny in a film about coping after the loss of a loved one. Bier brings intimacy to the forefront with her unique usage of close-up shots and brilliant and real acting performances. Look for actor kudos to appear for performers involved in this film along with a possible direction nod for Bier who has produced consistently excellent work up until now in her career. Academy Award winner Sam Mendes produced the film and Dreamworks/Paramount will be releasing. Look for a big Academy push from them on this one.
Jennifer Connelly and Joquin Phoenix star in Reservation Road
Reservation Road - (October 19, 2007) Oscar nominated Northern Irish director Terry George (“Hotel Rwanda” and “In the Name of the Father”) courts Academy voters with a film starring Oscar winners Jennifer Connelly and Mira Sorvino and Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix (“Walk the Line”) as well as Mark Ruffalo and for good measure Dakota Fanning’s 9 year old younger sister Elle Fanning. The film reminiscent in tone of “Mystic River” is about two fathers coping with the loss of their children and the tragedies surrounding that loss. Universal’s Focus Features is releasing the film and early reviews indicate that there is a shot for this film in several categories.
Wristcutters: A Love Story won the Grand Jury Prize at this year’s Sundance Film Fest
Wristcutters: A Love Story - (October 19, 2007) No, this is not a movie about Owen Wilson and Kate Hudson. This is the 2006 Grand Jury Prize winner from Sundance directed by Goran Dukic that stars Patrick Fugit (“Almost Famous”), Tom Waits, Will Arnett and hotties Leslie Bibb (“Talladega Nights”) and Shannyn Sossamon (“The Rules of Attraction.”) The film is about a half-way station reserved for people who commit suicide and has taken many viewers by surprise. This might have some dark-horse chance at consideration depending largely on box office performance as is typically the case for Sundance success stories (see “Little Miss Sunshine”)
Carrell is funny and Cook isn’t, but do you think French actress Binoche can tell the difference?
Dan In Real Life – (October 26, 2007) Always funny Steve Carell teams with Oscar nominees Juliette Binoche, Dianne Wiest, funnyman Dane Cook and John Mahoney in a touching romantic comedy about a widower who finds out the woman he fell in love with is his brother’s girlfriend. Second time director Peter Hedges (“Pieces of April”) got it very right with his writing on “About a Boy” – if this is anywhere close to that film, look for this film to be in the running for some awards in February. (also see this BOPsy article about Dan in Real Life)
Dane Cook - Rough Around The Edges: Live From Madison Square Garden
Rails & Ties – (October 26, 2007) This film directed by Oscar winner Clint Eastwood’s daughter Alison Eastwood has all the essentials for being an Oscar contender. Namely, the film is a family drama with esteemed actors Marcia Gay Harden (Oscar winner) and Kevin Bacon. I’m ruling this out due to the fact that most reviews such as this one from Variety show that there is an overall lack of enthusiasm for the picture and therefore I predict little support in campaigning or marketing the film from Warner Bros. (who probably financed the film and green-lit it with Alison as director to appease Clint.)
