It’s that time of the year. The time where all the big awards contenders come out. This year promises a lot of good ones from a biopic on Steve Jobs to a new Tarantino movie to Star Wars. Here’s part 1 of what to see starting in September:
Black Mass-Release Date: Sept. 18th
Above: Johnny Depp in a scene from the movie.
The first real contender we have in September is Black Mass starring Johnny Depp as the murderous (and recently caught) gangster, Whitey Bulger. Whitey Bulger, in short, ran the the Irish mob of South Boston back in the 70s and 80s. He was known as being extremely ruthless, violent, and most notoriously, an FBI informant. You may be familiar with this story line since the movie The Departed was loosely based on Whitey Bulger. Whitey used his connections with the FBI to basically eliminate his competition, the Italian mob. He was given carte blanche to do what he wanted, even murder. Eventually, the walls came down around Whitey as they always do with a gangster of such renown and he was forced to go into exile. Fun fact: he was caught very recently, tried and convicted of murder. He is now serving out the rest of his days in prison. Based on the trailer, it appears Depp has managed to pull off the extreme viciousness of Whitey and definitely puts himself in line for an academy award this year. The movie is directed by Scott Cooper of Crazy Heart fame.
The Martian-Release Date: Oct. 2nd
Above: Matt Damon in a scene from the Martian.
Following on the heels of Black Mass is the Martian, based on the best selling book by Andy Weir. In short, Matt Damon is an astronaut trapped on Mars who has to learn to survive before his supplies run out to notify his crew, back on Earth, that he is still alive. Think I am Legend meets the Castaway and that’s probably going to be this movie. It’s hard to say whether this will be a serious awards contender or not, considering Ridley Scott can be either hit or miss (think Gladiator and Exodus: Of Gods & Kings). One worked out well and the other didn’t. I never know how to really place Scott since he can be really good, but he tends to hem more towards the blockbuster type feel of a movie rather than a gritty drama. Nevertheless, this could be the Gone Girl of the year which only netted one nomination for the year (Rosamund Pike: Best Actress). If the field is weak, look for Matt Damon to potentially snag a best actor nod.
Steve Jobs-Release Date: Oct. 9th
Arriving right on the heels of the Martian is what I think is the movie to beat this year, Steve Jobs. Michael Fassbender is in the title role in a script written by Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network) and directed by Danny Boyle. The supporting cast includes Kate Winslet and surprisingly, Seth Rogen who I assume is taking inspiration from Jonah Hill and his two academy award nominations in recent years. Ever since Jobs died, there’s been an explosion in the interest of the man with the best selling biography by Walter Issacson, an upcoming documentary to be released around the same time, and a forgettable performance by Ashton Kutcher as the man himself. I didn’t see Mr. Kutcher’s performance, but suffice to say it appears Fassbender, armed with Sorkin’s rapid dialogue, has nailed the image and characteristics of the unpredictable and brilliant Jobs. This could turn out to be Fassbender’s year since he has three chances to lose this time with Steve Jobs, Macbeth, and The Light Between Oceans (Derek Cianfrance of Blue Valentine). It’s a safe bet to say that this movie is his best chance at the golden statue however.
Bridge of Spies-Release Date: Oct. 16th
Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Cold War, Spies, true story, script by the Coen Brothers. How can this not be an awards contender this year?
Beasts of No Nation-Release Date: Oct. 16th
Starring the wonderful and talented Idris Elba, Beasts of No Nation is about an African warlord fighting a civil war for power and recruiting child soldiers. This promises to be a powerful film if the trailer is any indication in which Elba forces a young boy to kill a captured adult male. Notably this is Netflix’s first feature release which will likely shake up movies as we know it if it’s a hit. For the Elba fans out there, me among them, this is a must see. Look for him to likely snatch up an oscar nomination come awards time. He is well overdue.
Burnt-Release Date: Oct. 23rd
Bradley Cooper is trying to do what only a few actors have done before, score four oscar nominations four years in a row. This would put him in the same leagues as Al Pacino and Marlon Brando. Coming off that streak, along with his run on Broadway in the Elephant Man revival, Cooper is on fire. Along with this, he is re-teaming with DeNiro, David O. Russell, and Jennifer Lawrence for Joy this year. Perhaps he can make a quiet run at Best Supporting Actor along with Best Actor, another trick that would put him in the same sentence as Al Pacino for Glengarry Glenn Ross and Scent of a Woman. Maybe this will be the year of Bradley Cooper rather than Michael Fassbender. Only time will tell is if this movie can stand up to scrutiny.
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