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Sandra Olmsted’s Cinematic Skinny: Yes, Awards Already!
Awards Season Begins in Earnest
by Sandra Olmsted
For some, Autumn means crisp weather, colorful trees, mums on the porch, or early holiday prep. Of course, the ad nauseam pumpkin spice appears on every sign and label like frost on the proverbial squash. For me, Autumn is the beginning of the rush to Award Season and lots of time at the movies.
The first screener arrived this week to remind me that some films which came out earlier in the year deserve consideration; however, the big news is the films held for release in the fall. October offers a repast of potential nominees for the many awards coming soon from organizations large and small, and the week of October 11 sees the opening of The Addams Family (United Artists Releasing), Gemini Man (Paramount), Jexi (Lionsgate), Lucy In The Sky (Fox Searchlight), and El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (Netflix).
The Addams Family throws its hat into the ring of competition for the Best Animated Feature against earlier releases such as The Lion King and Toy Story 4, among others. This version of The Addams Family keeps the characteristic theme song of the 1960s TV series and returns to the more macabre humor of Charles Addams, who created his commentary on modern suburban life in cartoons printed in The New Yorker. Charlize Theron, Bette Midler, and Snoop Dogg provide the voices of Morticia, Grandma, Cousin It, respectively. The star-studded cast will help in the film’s bid for nominations if it gets a box office bump. Rated PG for macabre and suggestive humor, and some action. 87 min.
On the other hand, famed director Ang Lee’s Gemini Man seems destined for only technical awards for its groundbreaking use of technology. Seeing Gemini Man in 3D and projected at twice the usual rate provides a peek at the stunning future for action films. Will Smith fans will get a double dose of the star because he plays both Henry Brogan and Junior; fortunately, the buzz indicates that more energy was spent on the technology than the script and direction. Rated PG-13 for violence and action throughout, and brief strong language. 117 min.
A sleeper in the script department and other non-best picture categories might just be Jexi. As a comedy, Jexi doesn’t stand a snowball chance in a St Louis summer of winning Best Picture because comedies never do. The film’s social commentary about humans’ increasing addiction to their smartphones, however, might just get it some nominations for intellectual categories such as writing, direction, and editing, providing the trailer didn’t give away all the best bits. Adam Devine stars as Phil, whose new smartphone Jexi (the voice of Rose Byrne) gets jealous and makes life miserable, especially after he falls for Cate (Alexandra Shipp). The trailer makes the film look like a hoot. Rated R for strong/crude sexual content and language throughout, some drug use and graphic nudity. Length unknown.
Lucy In The Sky is another film that uses space travel as a metaphor for emotional and psychological issues, joining films like Gravity in this special exploration of space. Natalie Portman plays Lucy Cola, a female astronaut who will do anything to get back to space because she was so deeply moved by the transcendent experience of seeing her life from afar. Local boy made good, Jon Hamm also stars. Although another film with the technical street cred to score a few nominations in these categories, with the promised theme of a woman’s descent into madness, Lucy In The Sky may also garner acting, writing, or directing nods. Rated R for language and some sexual content. 124 min.
For those who need more Breaking Bad, Netflix is servicing up a feature-length fix of the show in El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, which will only stream locally although it could be in contentions for awards if it is opened in theaters in New York and LA, as many films by the established studios and distributors are. Aaron Paul reprises his breakout role as Jesse Pinkman in the long-running AMC series. After escaping Jack and his gang, Jesse goes on the run from the police and tries to escape his own inner turmoil. Rating unknown. 122 min.
As I look forward to the Autumn technicolor of films, the scent of buttered popcorn, and nominations, I’ll think of Indian Summer, caramel apples, and jumping in piles of leaves between movies and, of course, during the upcoming St. Louis International Film Festival.
