Oscar Watch: Six Sure Successes

Gravity

Gravity is a sure Oscar contender purely because of the innovation behind the story and cinematography. The plot of this film is terrifying and captivating at the same time. Astronauts on a routine spacewalk are suddenly left stranded in the massive abyss of infinite space. Not to mention the only two onscreen actors are Hollywood royalty George Clooney and Sandra Bullock. Alfonso Cuarón directs the film; his prestigious pedigree includes film fan favorites Y Tu Mamá También and Children of Men. Gravity is a film people of all ages and all interests can enjoy. Audiences will surely have an emotional experience. Jon Frosch of The Atlantic calls Gravity a “master class in fluid camerawork, bold, unfussy imagery, and special effects that put most recent Hollywood blockbusters to shame”. Check out the trailer!

Captain Phillips

Captain Phillips masterfully transforms recent events of Somali piracy against the United States into humanizing and emotional cinematic genius; a definite Oscar candidate! Tom Hanks stars as the courageous captain of the cargo ship MV Maersk Alabama. It was a cargo ship that was taken over by aggressive weapon clad Somali teenagers in 2009. Director Paul Greengrass (of 9/11 thriller United 93) successfully directs Hanks along with a cast of pirates, all played by Somali immigrants who had never acted before. The tension-focused tone of the film comes to a crescendo in the final minutes, taking place ironically in a lifeboat. Check out the trailer! 

12 Years a Slave

12 Years a Slave has received mass amounts of Oscar buzz from critics this year. Susan Wloszczyna of RogerEbert.com describes the film as “a rare first-hand account based on the best-selling 19th century memoir written by Solomon Northup”. The plot set in 1841 follows the journey of a free Northern black man (Northup), who is captured while visiting Washington, DC and is sold into slavery for 12 years. His enduring love for his wife and family inspire a brave and dangerous escape. Steve McQueen directs an all-star cast including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Benedict Cumberbatch and Sarah Paulson. Critics predict 12 Years a Slave may take home the Best Picture award, as well as Best Actor for Chiwetel Ejiofor’s emotional portrayal of Solomon Northup. Check out the trailer!

The Counselor

Cormac McCarthy is a Pulitzer Prize winning author whose work has been adapted to some of cinema’s most acclaimed films of the last decade. His 2006 Academy Award winner No Country for Old Men and the 2009 adaption of The Road were huge successes that are still being talked about today. The Counselor is McCarthy’s first attempt at writing an original screenplay, a story about a lawyer who teams up with a wealthy drug dealer, and gets into all kinds of trouble when attempting to sell $20 million worth of cocaine. The desensitized violence that is common of McCarthy’s work is expertly directly by Ridley Scott. Sharan Shetty of Slate Magazine describes the cast of The Counselor as a “cinematic dream team.” Michael Fassbender, Javier Bardem, Brad Pitt, Penelope Cruz and Cameron Diaz work together to create a serious Oscar contender. Check out the trailer!

Inside Llewyn Davis

The Coen brother’s films have a way of becoming instant classics that receive acclaim from critics and audiences alike. Inside Llewyn Davis has been receiving Oscar buzz throughout the film festival circuits this year. The Coen brothers’ classics include, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, No Country for Old Men, Blood Simple, and O Brother, Where Art Thou. Without a doubt, Inside Llewyn Davis will be soon initiated to that accomplished list. The film follows the struggle of a folk singer (played by Guatemalan musician Oscar Isaac) trying to make it in 1961 New York City. This sweet but sorrowful comedy has everything from a whimsical stray cat to complicated love interest. The supporting cast includes John Goodman, Carey Mulligan and Justin Timberlake will help to secure the Coen brothers’ another classic. Check out the trailer!

American Hustle

David O. Russell has found the secret recipe to Oscar success. His recent successes include 2010’s The Fighter and 2012’s The Silver Linings Playbook. This year’s American Hustle portrays the true story of Abscam; the FBI’s 1980 undercover operation aimed at curbing corruption in Congress. ‘Why fix something that isn’t broken’ was the mantra David O. Russell followed while casting this film. Collaborators from his last two films include, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Robert DeNiro, and also welcomes Jeremy Renner and Louis C.K. This combination of established credibility and a host of fresh talent is sure to make a great movie. Bets are that Russell keeps the tradition going and places another Oscar on his self this year. Check out the trailer!

Photo Credits: 

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/gravity-2013/

http://latinotimes.com/show/675079-tom-hanks-captain-phillips-based-on-true-pirate-hostage-story.html

http://amherststudent.amherst.edu/?q=article/2013/11/05/12-years-slave-eye-opening-must-see

http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2013/sep/26/oscar-predictions-2014-inside-llewyn-davis

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3407534848/tt1800241

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/gallery/25-falls-anticipated-movies-enders-608214

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