The Academy Awards are fast approaching, so it’s time for everyone to chime in with their thoughts about which films are bound for Oscar glory. With that in mind, we present a list of ten films we think will be eligible for little gold statues.
Up In The Air
This melancholic comedy is the film of the moment. The satirical examination of a man who fires people for a living and lives through his BlackBerry might not age well, but it will get plenty of attention this year.
The Hurt Locker
Action specialist Kathryn Bigelow (Point Break) surprised critics and audiences with arguably the finest film made about the Iraq war. The movie has been cleaning up the critic’s awards and is sure to do well with the typically left-wing Academy.
Up
Pixar has been collecting best animated film Oscars for years and is the frontrunner in 2009 as well (although Coraline deserves serious attention). Don’t be surprised if the film also scores a well-deserved best picture nod and possibly even wins.
Inglourious Basterds
Most other years, Quentin Tarantino’s bizarre reinvention of the Second World War probably wouldn’t be in the running, but with 10 best picture spots available there’s no way this get won’t get attention. Christoph Waltz’s name should have been printed on a statue back in August for his unforgettable Nazi.
Precious
This Toronto International Film Festival Audience Award winner about a troubled young girl might not be easy to watch, but has been the subject of Oscar predictions ever since the Toronto premiere. The film won’t take away the big prize, but it is practically guaranteed a nomination and will probably bring home a statue for Mo’nique (who could have predicted that?).
Avatar
The last time James Cameron made the most expensive movie of all time, he declared himself the king of the world on the Oscar stage. That won’t happen this year, but the surprisingly effective Avatar should sneak in with a best picture nomination and will deservingly dominate the technical categories.
An Education
This charmingly British coming-of-age tale about a university-bound private school girl and a mysterious older man might not be groundbreaking, but warm and safe issue movies like this tend to win over the Academy. Nominations for Alfred Molina’s scene stealing supporting turn and Carey Mulligan’s captivating lead performance are assured.
The White Ribbon Michael Haneke’s tense and difficult black and white allegory won the top prize at Cannes this year and should be considered the front-runner for the foreign language film statue (if Haneke doesn’t scare off the voters again). It deserves best picture consideration too, but that won’t happen.
A Serious Man The Coen Brothers scored again with one of their most bizarre, hilarious, and oddly personal films to date. In the past, the Coens would have been ignored, but after the No Country For Old Men sweep they have become Oscar darlings and should be recognized for this unconventional, but deserving film.
District 9 This intelligent and action-packed sci-fi flick isn’t an obvious Oscar contender, but is one of the best films of 2009. It has more to say about South Africa that the clumsy Invictus and will pop up in the screenplay and effects categories even if it doesn’t get nominated for the big prize.
