The Oscar Race is On! List of top Films of 2015

           by Sandra Olmsted

When Chris Rook takes the stage on Feb. 28, 2016, how many of the Oscar nominated films will you have seen and what will be your chances of winning the obligatory “predict the Oscars” game?

Although hundreds of films are still in official competition in the Academy’s 18 categories for feature films, seeing the films in play for Best Picture, Director, Actress, Actor, Supporting Actress and Actor usually cover most of the other categories, such as Cinematography, Production Design, and the Screenwriting. There are also specific ones for Best Animated, Foreign Language, and Documentary feature, and the short film categories to consider. For those who want to get a jump on seeing the nominees, here’s a breakdown of what is getting Oscar buzz for the major categories because, by the time the nominees are announced on Thursday, Jan. 14, at 7:30 a.m. CST, some of the films will be in limited availability. Also, to try and see all the films between the nomination announcement and the ceremony is nearly impossible.

It might seem obsessive, but to hit as many films as possible, I make a list and prioritize my viewing in advance of the announcements. Here’s my alphabetical short list with notes on my reasons and availability of each film.

45 years has noms and awards in European film festivals, especially for stars Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay. Opens Dec 23.

   Anomalisa; The animation is fantastic and may earn the film a nom for Animated Film, but the story is a pedestrian mid-life crisis at best. Slated to open here in Jan.

   Beasts of No Nation: Netflix’s foray into theatrical releasing has been getting nods at multiple categories for writer, director, cinematographer Cary Joji Fukunaga’s drama about a boy soldier in Africa. Available now on Netflix.

   Black Mass: Johnny Depp’s performance as hit man Whitey Bulger may get an acting nom. The difficulty will be seeing the film now.

   Bridge of Spies: Steven Spielberg directing Tom Hanks — even in the unlikely event it gets no noms, it is still worth seeing, if it is still in theaters after Dec 4.

   Brooklyn: Luminous production lovingly recreates the 1950s and up-and-comers Saoirse Ronan and Emory Cohen in the lead roles are mesmerizing. Opened Nov 20, but could quickly be push out of theaters by new releases.

   Carol: Any noms for this drama about lesbian lovers in 1950s not only satisfies Hollywood’s desire to pay lip service to the oppression of women. But the performances by Cate Blanchett, who may end up competing against herself because of her Truth role, and Rooney Mara, who channels a darker, stronger Audrey Hepburn, and production design elements deserve noms at least. Opens Dec 25.

   Concussion: Will Smith as Dr. Bennet Omalu is getting buzz in this drama about head injuries in football. Opens Dec 25.

   Creed: Although the buzz is good for writer/director Ryan Coogler and stars Michael B. Jordan and, in a nostalgic way, Sylvester Stallone, will love for the original Rocky rub off on this “sequel” or hamper it? Opened Nov 25.

   In the Heart of the Sea: Oscar winning director Ron Howard’s whale of a tale is based the same true incident that inspired Herman Melville’s Moby Dick and has buzz related to Best Picture, acting, as well as visual effects, sound, and editing noms. Opens Dec 10.

Inside Out: The animated film to see this year not only for being a major contender for Best Animated Feature but because there some buzz it will get a Best Picture noms also. Available on Amazon.

   Joy: The yet unseen story about a women whose invention changes her messed up life. Opens Dec 25 and is getting good buzz, but who can tell?

   Love & Mercy This fictionalize story of Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson’s rocky life is told with a documentary style it may get directing and writing noms. Available on Amazon.

   Mad Max: Fury Road: will most likely vie for editing, sound, visual effects, and perhaps writing awards even though some reviewers are creating buzz for Best Picture. Available on Amazon.

   Me and Earl and the Dying Girl: Indie flick with lots of wins and noms at film festivals. Available on Amazon.

   Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation will most likely vie for editing, sound, editing, and visual effects awards. Available on Amazon.

   Mr. Holmes: Ian McKellen performance is excellent and may sit right with the Academy for honoring veteran actor while still alive. Available on Amazon.

Room A powerful drama, but the touch of melodrama may work against it. Brie Larson may get acting nom. Opened Nov 25.

   Sicario: A little buzz, and probably won’t be available until and only if it is nominated in a major category.

Son of Saul: set in 1944 at Auschwitz, this Hungarian drama directed by László Nemes is getting buzz for both Best Picture and Foreign Language Film and maybe acting noms. Open Dec 18.

   Spotligh:t The Catholic Church’s cover up of child sex abuse gets All the President’s Men treatment. Has garnered numerous awards and noms for acting, scripts, and direction which could mean a Best Picture nom, too. Should be in theaters until Dec 10, but might be pushed out by new releases.

   Star Wars: The Force Awakens will most likely vie for editing, sound, and visual effects even though some reviewers are creating buzz for a Best Picture nom. That’s based on trailers only, but, be honest, won’t most movie buffs see it anyway? Open Dec 18.

Steve Jobs: The script’s interesting structure may get a writing nom, but the film is a yawn. Not available.

Straight Outta Compton has won some acting awards for “Breakthrough” performances, and actors from it may end up with Oscar noms. Some buzz for Best Picture Nom. Availability may be a problem before and unless it is nominated.

   Suffragette The film has story problems but is likely to get some awards for other categories as a sympathetic nod for the topic, such as those related to creating the setting of this period piece. The female director, Sarah Gavron, and lead actress Carey Mulligan are also getting some buzz.

   Tangerine: The buzz is Kitana Kiki Rodriguez and Mya Taylor, who are both transgendered to female, deserve noms. During a year that has seen talk of women’s contribution in Hollywood being ignore, the question is whether some in the Academy will see this as more taking credit and awards away from non-transgendered women. Or if Academy voters might be drawn to the fairness of the opening up the nominations and recognizing quality performances. Available on Amazon.

   The Big Short: Stellar cast and a topical story about the greedy men behind the economic problems of the mid 2000s has Oscar pinned all over it. Opens Dec 23.

The Danish Girl: This drama about living transgendered in the 1920s may satisfy the Academy’s need to nod to this cause. Slated to open now Dec 18, the film is getting buzz for the acting and for Academy award winning director Tom Hooper.

   The Hateful Eight: Writer/director Quentin Tarantino and all star cast has buzz saying see it to cover multiple categories. Limited release Dec 25, wide Jan 8. See The Revenant.

   The Lady in the Van: A promised tour de force by Maggie Smith, but may not open here until Jan 2016.

   The Martian: Three time Oscar nominated Ridley Scott’s opus to space travel has some buzz, but St. Louis will probably have to wait for a re-release by Dec 4.

   The Revenant: Writer/director Alejandro González Iñárritu, who won last year for Birdman, is rumored to be headed for another Oscar nom along with actor Leonardo DiCaprio for this tale of vengeance. Will The Hateful Eight and this western cancel each other out? May not open here until early 2016.

   The Walk: Robert Zemeckis directs this drama about the man who walks a tightrope between the World Trade Center towers, but is it too soon to put those tragic Twin Towers on screen?

   Trumbo: Bryan Cranston channels Trumbo completely, and it’s a Hollywood story about social justice, which is catnip to Hollywood, and the production design elements and the writing excellently recreate the era. Might be leaving theaters too soon.

   Truth: A strong woman is railroaded by corrupt political pundits and Cate Blanchett is incredible, but she may end up competing against herself. Robert Redford plays Dan Rather. Not currently available. See Carol.

Youth Actor: Michael Caine fits the honor the aging actor category. Opens Dec 4.

The game of predicting the Oscar winners “is afoot,” as Ian McKellen might say in Mr. Holmes. The first rule to remember, is that it is a game of predicting what the members of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences will vote for, not really what is the best in any of the Oscar categories.

   The second rule is equally important: Don’t let personal likes and dislikes get in the way of predicting the winners. The third rule is that the fiscally conservative, liberal-leaning Hollywood loves a cause related to films, either the story or the production itself. Good Luck!

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