Awards Season Look Ahead – Part 1

Believe it or not we are only halfway through the summer movie season. AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON impressed us, JURASSIC WORLD blew us (and all records) away, MINIONS is still delighting audiences worldwide while INSIDE OUT made us all cry. It’s easy to forget that there’s something else out there aside from all of the action and special effects that the summer movie season brings us every year.

It may only be August, but awards season is already heating up with more films coming into the picture as possible award contenders being released almost every week.

With this feature I hope to bring around attention to the films that could be big hitters come awards season, raising their awareness and making sure that you are the first to know what films could be taking home a statuette.

Brooklyn

Directed by John Crowley

Written By Nick Hornby

Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent and Julie Walters.

The Story:

Based upon the critically praised novel by Colm Tóibin, BROOKLYN tells the story of Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) a young Irish woman who, due to a lack of employment opportunity’s, moves from her home in rural Ireland to New York. At first she finds the change jarring and struggles with homesickness, this changes when she meets the charming and rugged Tony Fiorello (Emory Cohen) an Italian immigrant and the two instantly fall in love. When a tragic event occurs back in Ireland she must choose between her comfortable life back home or her more uncertain but exciting new life in New York.

Awards Likelihood:

Everything about this film has awards potential written all over it, John Crowley’s films are critically praised and he’s well overdue for at least a nomination, and with a stellar cast of upcoming and already respected actors, Brooklyn looks as if it could be a big contender at all major awards.

Likely Nominations:

Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Make-up and Hair Design.

Inside Out

Directed by Pete Docter

Written By Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, Josh Cooley

Starring: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling.

The Story:

Still in cinemas worldwide, INSIDE OUT is the story of 11-year-old Riley who has led a happy life with her parents in Minnesota. Riley’s Life is turned upside down when she moves away to San Francisco, leaving everything she knew and loved back home. Her Emotions; Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger and Disgust have trouble guiding her through this life changing event. Sadness eventually takes over, to the disgust of Joy, the two fight causing them to be sucked into the depths of Riley’s brain. They must quickly return to her central control station before Riley’s life is dominated by Fear, Disgust and Anger.

Awards Likelihood:

This years most thought provoking animated film, Inside Out is almost a shoo-in for best-animated film at this point. Its whether Pixar, after a year’s gap from all major awards ceremonies, still has enough clout to gain themselves a Best Picture nomination, especially in a year that already over crowded.

Likely Nominations:

Best Animated Picture, Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay.

THE END OF THE TOUR

Directed by James Ponsoldt

Written By Donald Margulies

Starring: Jason Segel, Jessie Eisenberg

The Story:

In 1996, after the publication of one of his best-known, hugely successful and influential novels, Infinite Jest, David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel) goes on a five-day tour promoting the book. Wallace is accompanied by a young Rolling Stones reporter and writer David Lipsky (Jessie Einsenberg), The trip brings the two men together as they learn about one another as well as discovering their own personal weak spots and flaws.

Awards Likelihood:

Having only just opened this weekend in the states, The End Of The Tour holds a 89% Rotten Tomatoes rating, with critics praising the two lead performances, in particular Jason Segel’s. It has also met some controversy from the Wallace family who do not agree with the films portrayal of David Foster Wallace. Although not a major player at the moment, a nomination for both Segel and Eisenberg isn’t completely out of the running just yet.

Likely Nominations:

Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay.

 

45 Years

Directed by Andrew Haigh

Written By David Constantine, Andrew Haigh

Starring: Charlotte Rampling, Tom Courtenay

The Story:

Kate Mercer and her husband are planning their 45^th wedding anniversary. However one week before the celebration, a letter arrives for Her husband that contains shocking and unsettling news for the both of them. As the party nears it becomes worryingly clear that there may be no marriage to celebrate at the end of it.

Awards Likelihood:

One of this years many dark horses, little has been said about 45 Years, however incredible word of mouth circles the film since its debut at this years Berlin Film Festival where the two leads were awarded with Best Actress and Best Actor. Little is know about 45 Years, which should make it an interesting one to watch.

Likely Nominations:

Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Cinematography.

 

Bridge Of Spies

Directed by Steven Spielberg

Written By Matt Charman, Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Starring: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Amy Ryan, Alan Alda

The Story:

Set during the height of The Cold War, Tom Hanks plays Brooklyn Lawyer James B.Donovan who is thrust into the center of the dangerous world of USA and Russian diplomatic negotiations, as he tries to release a captured U.S pilot from the Soviet Union.

Awards Likelihood:

Hanks! Spielberg! Period drama! Espionage! A script by The Coen Brothers! Except Bridge Of Spies to not only be at the front of the race when it comes to awards but also expect it to be a big hit worldwide when its released later this year.

Likely Nominations:

Best Actor, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Orginal Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design.

That’s all for now, keep checking back to Film and TV Now as we continue to explore the films that will be lighting up the awards calendar come the end of the year.