It’s not the time of year yet, but it soon will be. Oscars. Everyone will be talking about it in Hollywood. Films will live and die based on whether or not Oscar prognosticators and critics declare they are Awards worthy. But every once in a while, Oscar contenders emerge out of season. Have we already seen our Best Picture winner? Last year, Beasts Of The Southern Wild, Moonrise Kingdom, The Avengers, Prometheus, Snow White and the Huntsman, and Mirror Mirror had all opened before July. In other years, Midnight In Paris, Tree Of Life, Toy Story 3, Winter’s Bone, The Hurt Locker, Crash, Up, and others had all opened before July and gone on to get Best Picture nominations. I think this year, we have the exception. We won’t have a Best Picture nominee this year from a film before July.
Here’s a list of the five contenders with the best shots:
1) Matthew McConaughey in Mud
Matthew McConaughey turned in a noticed performance in Mud, and the film itself was a sleeper hit this spring. However, McConaughey may turn out to be his own competition, as he still has a much-buzzed about performance in Dallas Buyers Club, which comes out during Oscar season. It is more likely that Mud helped his credibility, as will The Wolf of Wall Street, and his performance in Dallas Buyers Club will be the one that gets him the nomination. There is a chance, however, that something happens, and he ends up getting recognized for Mud.
2) The Croods
182 million in the box office won’t be ignored come Oscar voting time. There’s a strong chance that The Croods will get a Best Animated Feature nomination, although it faces a much harsher battle going for the win. Basically, the only shot it has is Animated Feature.
3) The Great Gatsby
Reviews haven’t been good enough to be considered in the major categories, however the film is astoundingly beautiful. Nominations for Art Direction and Costume Design are almost a lock.
4) Iron Man 3
Iron Man 3 will likely get a spot on the Visual Effects list. Maybe also some Sound awards. It is the #1 film of the year, and looks to not get dethroned. Last year, The Avengers was rewarded with a few slots a the Oscars, and this year, Iron Man 3 will follow suit.
5) Monsters University
While it is a sequel, and it likely won’t end up winning, the Oscars typically recognize the Pixar film of the year. It’s a pretty safe bet that Monsters University will get an Animated Feature nomination.
