Feature: This Years Oscar Contenders

As we approach December that means that The Oscars are on the way. Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin have been announced as co-hosts while the longlists for animation and documentary feature have been released. In this blog I'm going to look at some of the films that have been tipped for glory.

Amelia
Whats it about? A biopic about Amelia Earheart's flight around the world
What are its Oscar Chances?: Although the reviews haven't been favourable Oscar loves a biopic.
What is it likely to be nominated for?: I would say that Hilary Swank is in for a good chance of getting one of the five best actress slots if nothing else while are own Ewan McGregor and Christopher Ecclestone could be in for Supporting Actor nominations.
When can I see it?: Its out now

An Education:
What's it about?: See further down for a full review.
What are its Oscar chances? Pretty good to nab something, the performances and script are spot on and as the Best Picture category has been widened to include ten features this could well got on that list. This film is likely to be Britain's best hope for awards glory.
What's it likely to be nominated for?: Alfred Molina is a dead cert for Best Supporting Actor while newcomer Carey Mulligan has a good shot at Best Actress while Nick Hornby could also grab an adapted screenplay nomination and as I said the film itself should be in the running.
When can I see it?: Its out now

The Boys are Back
What's it about?: This Australian set comedy drama sees a sports writer lose his wife in tragic circumstances and he is left to bring up their son as well as a son from a previous relationship.
What are its Oscar Chances?: Oscar likes a film based on a true story that features some kind of tragedy and its directed by Scott Hicks who was nominated for Shine in 1996.
What's it Likely to be nominated for?: This film seems to be Clive Owen's show so look for him to nab one of the five Best Actor slots while Hicks may be an underdog for Best Director and there may also be an Adapted Screenplay Nomination.
When Can I see it?: Its released in the U.K. on the 22nd of January

Bright Star
What's it about?: The three year romance between poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne
What are its Oscar Chances?: With An Education, Bright Star looks to be one of the Brits best hopes another true story with an accomplished director, The Piano's Jane Campion, at the helm.
What's it Likely to be Nominated for: While it may scrape in for Best Picture and Best Director is hopes lie in its central performances by Ben Whishaw and Abby Cornish both of whom may pick up Best Actor and Actress Nominations while Paul Schneider as Keats' best friend may get a Supporting Actor Nomination.
When I can I see it?: Its currently on general release

Broken Embraces
What's it about? A wheelchair bound film director recounts an affair with one of his former leading ladies
What are its Oscar Chances? Medium, Pedro Almodovar often fares quite well in the foreign language category so Broken Embraces is likely to feature there but he won't get a director nomination.
What's it Likely to be Nominated for? The main award that the film will push for will be Best Actress for Penelope Cruz even though Lluis Homar's performance was equally impressive. It may also feature in the screenplay category.
When Can I see it?: It's still playing in some places but you'd have to seek it out, I'd wait till 1st February to see it on DVD

Brothers
What's it about?: When his older brother goes missing while on a tour of duty in Afghanistan, Tommy Cahill comforts his brother's wife and child which leads to the beginning of an affair which is made worse when the brother returns.
What are its Oscar Chances?: War's big business at the moment and this boasts three fine performances from its twenty to thirtysomething cast as well as a dependable director in Jim Sherdian.
What's it Likely to be Nominated For?: Probably a lot there's chance for Best Actor for Jake Gyllenhaal or even Tobey Maguire with one getting a Supporting Nod instead while Natalie Portamn may get a Supporting Actresss Nomination and it may also be up for Best Director and Best Picture
When Can I see it?: Its out in the U.K. on the 22nd of January


The Hurt Locker
What's it about?: A bomb disposal unit in Iraq
What are its Oscar Chances?: Another outsider but another war-based film which looks to be a big trend. I'm not sure how Katherine Bigelow's realist approach will sit with the academy but it may be a surprise entry.
What's it Likely to be Nominated for?: Probably will sneak into the Best Picture category and is an outside choice for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay but it is likely to feature heaily among the technical awards (Editing, Sound Mixing etc.)
When can I see it?: Its finished its general release and will be able to watch on DVD on the 28th of December

The Informant
What's it about?: The vice president of a multi-national company becomes an FBI informant
What are its Oscar Chances?: Another true story and another established director in Steven Soderbergh mean it will probably creep up in at least one category
What's it Likely to be Nominated for?: Matt Damon certainly has to be one of the favourites for Best Actor as he put on weight for the role and the academy always admires any chage in bodily appearance for a role. Meanwhile it may also crop up in the Screenplay category although it seems like it may be an outsider for Best Picture and Best Director
When Can I See it?: It's out today (20th November)

Inglourios Basterds
What's it about? An American Unit in World War 2 who specialise in scalping Nazis plaan to blow up Hitler
What are its Oscar Chances?: Very slim in the Best Picture and Best Director categories as the film was widely panned. Don't look for Tarrantino to be one of the five Best Directors this year.
What's it Likely to be Nominated for?: However there is a glimmer of hope in the Supporting Performances. Christoph Waltz as the charmingly creepy Nazi Interregator may be nominated and indeed win Best Supporting Actor while Melanie Laurent is an outside choice for Best Supporting Actress as the cinema owner intent on revenge.
When Can I See it?: Its available on DVD from the 7th of Decemeber.

Invictus
What's it about?: A look at Nelson Mandela's attempts to unite his country after the Apartheid during the Rugby World Cup in 1995
What are its Oscar Chances?: Excellent. A big time director in Clint Eastwood and big name stars this is a 'based on a true story' film that might actually go all the way.
What's it Likely to Be Nominated for?: Best Picture has to be a lock as does Best Director and Best Actor for Morgan Freeman as Mandela seems to be a cert. Matt Damon also might feature in the Best Supporting Actor Category if he's not nominated for The Informant.
When Can I See it?: Its on general release from the 5th of February

Julie and Julia
What's it about?: A modern-day blogger tries to cook all the recipes in a cook book by the legendary Julia Childs as we see Childs trying to make it as a chef in the 1950s
What are its Oscar Chances?: Its got Meryl Streep in it
What's it Likely to be Nominated for?: This is Streep's Oscar hope this year and its another real person that helps. Stanley Tucci also looks like he may be nominated for Supporting Actor in one of two films this being one of them.
When can I see it?: Although still showing in some cinemas it is out on DVD on the 11th of January

The Lovely Bones
What's it about?: When a girl is murdered by a neighbour she watches her family try to solve the mystery of her murder
What are its Oscar Chances?: Very good. It's helmed by Peter 'Lord of the Rings' Jackson and has quite a big cast of familiar faces.
What's it Likely to be Nomianted for?: It has to be in the Best Picture category, Jackson may be nominated for Best Director and it'll probably also be nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay. Of the actors Atonement's Saoisre Ronan is likely to follow her Supporting Actress Nomination with a Best Actress Nomination while Stanley Tucci may get a Supporting Actor nod for this film. While former winners Susan Sarandon and Rachel Weisz may crop up as Best Supporting Actress, Mark Walhberg is an outsider for Best Actor also and the film may pick up some awards in the Art Direction categories.
When Can I see it?: Its out on general release on the 29th of January

Moon
What's it about?: A spaceman starts seeing things after being on a long solo mission
What are its Oscar chances?: A bit of an outsider but with an interesting concept and a great central performance it may get the attention of some of the voters.
What's it likely to be nominated for?: A best actor nod for Sam Rockwell may come as a surprise to most but I think that this is one of the best male performances of the year. The script may also get nominated for Original Screenplay.
When Can I see it?: It's on DVD now.

Nine
What's it about: A musical adaptation of 8 1/2 sees a film director struggling to keep his life under control thanks to all the women in his life.
What are its Oscar chances?: Fairly good. Oscar has a good relationship with musicals and this one will probably be a choice for the Best Picture as its director Rob Marshall already experienced Oscar success with Chicago in 2003.
What's it Likely to be Nominated for?: Apart from Best Picture, Daniel Day-Lewis has an outside chance of a Best Actor Oscar as does Rob Marshall for Director. There are also a bevvy of Oscar Favourite Actresses who may feature in the Best Supporting Actress shortlist these include Sophia Loren, Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz and Marion Cotillard. As the screenplay was co-written by the late Anthony Minghella it may also be nominated. Obviously as its a musical it may also pick up some awards for the music.
When can I see it?: Its on general release from the 18th December

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
What's it about: An overweight teen, who is abused by her mother and pregnant with her second child, is asked to enrol in an alternative school to increase her chances in life.
What's are its Oscar Chances: Good. The Academy loves a triumph against adversity story and this has it in droves. This is likely to be this year's little film that could.
What's it likely to be nominated for?: Lead actress Gabourey Sidibe's performance could be one of the five nominated in Best Actress but the smart money is on Mo'Nique, best known on these shores for he role in the sitcom the Parkers, to take home the award for Best Supporting Actress.
When can I see it?: It's out on the 29th of January

A Serious Man
What's it about?: A college professor whose life starts to fall apart when his wife asks for a divorce
What are its Oscar chances?: It has a good all-round pedigree in its acting and directing talents.
What's it Likely to be Nominated for?: Best Picture is a certainity, Best Director for The Coen Brothers maybe and Best Actor for the previously unknown Michael Stuhlbarg are also possibilities as is a screenplay nomination.
When Can I See it?: It's out today (20th November)

A Single Man
What's it about?: After the sudden death of his partner an L.A. based English professor tries to carry on as normal
What are its Oscar Chances?: Fair thanks to the actors involved
What's it Likely to be Nominated for?: The smart money is on Colin Firth to land a Best Actor nomination
When Can I see it?: It's on general release from the 12th of February

Star Trek
What's it about?: Kirk, Spock and the rest of those guys but you know when they were young
What are its Oscar chances?: Surprisingly good. This year the Best Picture category has been widened to ten choices so more popular films can be included. As this was both loved by fans and critics don't be surprised if its nominated for Best Picture
What's it likely to be nominated for?: Most likely only Best Picture out of the big awards but it will more than likely clean up in the technical categories
When Can I See it?: It's on DVD now

Up
What's it about?: An elderly man tries to escape being put in a home by tying balloons to his house but he is unaware that a boy scout has snuck on board.
What are its Oscar chances?: As with Star Trek this is a commercial film that has been critically acclaimed and that's what Oscar is looking for this year
What's it likely to be nominated for?: It will feature in the Best Picture category but will probably win Best Animated Feature. It may also be up for Best Original Screenplay.
When Can I see it?: You can see it everywhere now and in 3D as well!!

Up in the Air
What's it about?: A man who travels around the U.S. to fire employees of multi-national companies is tasked with training an up-and-coming young businesswoman while evaluating his life and trying to collect as many travel miles as he can.
What are its Oscar chances?: Its this years indie darling in the vein of Juno which isn't surprising as its directed by the same man - Jason Reitman. It will most likely crop up as one of the 10 Best Picture nominees.
What's it likely to be nominated for?: Along with Best Picture there's rumours that George Clooney will finally get his Best Actor Oscar for this film. While Anna Kendrick of the Twilight Saga is also tipped to be nominated for Best Supporting Actress. Reitman may also be on for a Best Director or Original Screenplay Nomination
When Can I see it?: From the 15th of January

Where the Wild Things Are
What's it about: A boy creates a world full of wild creatures where he is the king
What are its Oscar chances?: It may be another favourite of the 'popular film' category and get in the Top 10 for the Best Picture category. With a known director like Spike Jonze behind it, it's chance are greatly improved.
What's it Likely to Be Nominated for?: Possibly Best Picture and Probably Best Adapted Screenplay plus a host of art and technical type awards
When can I see it?: It's on general release from the 11th of December.

You'll have to wait till next February to see how right I am but I will see how these films fare throughout awards season.