Top 10 Films to Watch for During Oscar Season

The moment you realize the holidays are around the corner is the moment you realize it is Oscar Season. Most of the movies that are entering theaters between August and December are usually advertising to be in the Oscar running in February. Entering the season are the top 10 films to look out for:

Foxcatcher- Directed by Bennett Miller. In theaters November 14. The film is gaining buzz on the acting standpoint, anytime you see actors go further than their comfort zone in an Oscar buzzing film you will see the possibility for the Academy recognizing their efforts. The film is based on a true story (only to bring more attention to the Academy) about the Olympic wrestler Mark Schultz and his sponsor. Starring Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Anthony Michael Hall, Mark Rufallo.

Boyhood-  Directed by Richard Linklater. This film is most defiantly been on watch for years. Sorry Avatar but Boyhood has been in the making for 12 years, using the same actors and watching them age. The story is about a boy from age 5 to 18 years old. The film is the first of its kind and has more authentication then any film ever made. Already nabbed best Picture, Actress, and Director in Seattle’s Film Festival. ONly more to come from the star-studded cast. Starring Ethan Hawk, Ellar Coltrane, and Patricia Arquette.

The Grand Budapest Hotel– Directed by Wes Anderson. A film about a concierge and lobby boy who become good friends at the legendary hotel. The film is a Anderson Classic with humor and his regular cast. The film has won the Silver Berlin Bear at the Berlin Film festival. Anderson does not fall short with his witty humor or attention to detail. This is a must see for this years Oscars. Starring Ralph Fiennes, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jude Law, Edward Norton, Jason Schwartzman, and the list goes on. 

Gone Girl- Directed by David Fincher. The film is based on Gillian Flynn novel, about a mans who is the center of attention in his wifes disappearance. Fincher has directed many mind-blowing suspense films including Oscar-winning Social Network, and Emmy Winning House of Cards. This film has the attention of audiences for its twist and darkness, and has the Academy looking right at Affleck and Fincher for acting and directing. Dont let us down!  Starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, and Neil Patrick Harris

Interstellar– Directed By Christopher Nolan. Batman in space. Just kidding. This film is about the experience explorers take toward a newly discovered worm hole. So it is Gravity meets Armageddon. An intense action film in space with all the wonderful actors and new film technology you could want. The film is a buzz because of its originality and having Nolan’s name on it doesn’t hurt. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain.

Mr. Turner– Directed by Mike Leigh. Timothy Spall will most likely get nominated for best actor already winning Cannes Film Festival 2014 for his role as British Painter Mr. turner. Spall has played some iconic characters in such films as Harry Potter and Sweeny Todd.  Now he has his chance to express range as he reenact the life of. Leigh has been nominated 7 times for an Oscar, so maybe Mr. Turner will turn number 8 into some luck. defiantly a film on your watch list this Oscar season. Starring Timothy Spall, Paul Jesson, and Dorothy Atkinson.

Unbroken- Director Angelina Jolie. The film tells the story of another Olympic star, Louis Zamperini, who in World War II was taken prisoner by the Japanese. And no one can deny that they aren’t slightly interested in seeing Jolie’s directing skills. The Film is currently in post production. the Oscar buzz is not far away with the Coen brothers having written the screen play, you can be sure to find a poetic and symbolic story line.  Starring Jack O’Connell, Domhnall Gleeson, and Jai Courtney.

Big Eyes- Director Tim Burton. Amy Adams plays Margaret Keane the 1950’s painter who was famous for her painting of a eyeless girl. Burton has had many nominations and well as Adams, seven together but no wins yet. Many are excited to see the collaboration come to life. The film has not yet been released. Also starring Krysten Ritter, and Oscar Winner Christoph Waltz.

Into the Woods- Directed by Rob Marshall. A Disney musical brought to life with an Oscar-winning cast such as Johnny Depp, Anna Kendrick, Emily Blunt, and the forever queen of the Oscars  Meryl Streep. They made a movie from the depths of storytelling, a lot like ABC’s Once Upon A Time series, the film mends different fairytale plots together. The costume design, music, and directing skills will be buzzing in the next few months, Academy can you hear it?

Fault in Our Stars- Directed by Josh Boone. Shailene Woodley is certainly a top candidate for best actress this year, if not for this film it will be for White Bird in the Blizzard. This film is defiantly a fan favorite among a younger audience, as well as a buzzing feed for the Academy. Anytime a plot has a current social dilemma and love together you will see the flair, and the nominations for Oscars flowing in. This film has all the flair to be on the must watch Oscar ballet list.

 

Watch out for these films as they come out for rental or come to a theater near you. These are sure to have great true story line plots, intense twist, and amazing acting as they all will be in the running for February’s Oscars.

Two Worlds One Passion

Entertaining the idea of a day in the life as a A-Lister is a lot like playing the ‘if I won the lottery game’, but with a horrible plot twist that turns a cloud nine vision spiraling into an endless nightmare of doom. Yes I said it. Think about an actor’s journey to the ‘top’. The criticism, no’s, and sacrifices they personally take on to one day gain the ‘break’ everyone is searching for. What motivates someone to expense so much of themselves to get to their dreams? Well for some it’s that negative motivation of one day having the sweet perception of satisfaction in proving those around you wrong. But for most it’s the passion for the innovative craft and flair film offers to the world.

No matter what the media says to boost our interest in a professional’s personal life to gain a dollar, the foundation of film is based on the idea of unique storytelling. Film is an art that takes the humanistic values of life and emotion and places it on screen. Yet someone saw that as an opportunity to create virtually a second dimension of this world to have an impact on Wall Street. Thank you who-ever wrote up the first tabloid, in ruining the humble beauty of what film truly is.

To prove my point actors have gone in silence to express their doubt in Hollywood’s true value toward celebrity.

Gene Hackman, now a successful author, once had a passion to elevate characters on screen to be loved and hated. His name on a movie poster would immediately add value to the screenplay, because he always delivered such a profound interaction with the plot. Now he adds value to telling a story on paper rather than on our TV screens.

Greta Garbo, might not immediately ring a bell, but she once was known to be the actress to change the evolving movie industry and raise the stakes for actresses. Where did she go so suddenly? She became an art collector and spent time with her family until her passing at age 84. She was so disgusted with Hollywood she never picked up her Honorary Oscar that she earned in 1955.

Johnny Depp is currently starring in the upcoming Disney’s Into the Woods, and with more to come from him such as his sequels for Alice in Wonderland and Pirates of the Caribbean. Depp moved out of the United States to get away from the paparazzi and live a normal life. Of course many Hollywood resources despised him for wanting to be human, he continued to entertain us with his ever so corky and inventive characters.

Dave Chappelle was quoted saying “…it quiets the ego [about leaving Hollywood] … I want to be balanced.” Even young heart throbs that fall off the face of the Hollywood Sign, such as Freddie Prinze Jr. called acting “a weird life” in 2003.

It is disappointing to the true fans of film but also to those who pursue it as a career and get condemned by the defeating world of the superstar crazed and the idolizing minions of the world. What the face of Hollywood has become has taken away the art and beauty of what film has the potential to blossom into. If you want to see real film, true story telling at its supreme you have to dig deep. Go where the actors are silenced and what the reels have to say are supplementary to your imagination. I challenge you to watch independent films, short films, and find the people that are on their journey to the big time. Find the names not in the lights, because that is where the true passion of film is infused into their work.

Jennifer Lawrence feared to take on the role of Katniss Everdeen, because she knew that the power Hollywood could have over such a profound story could potential launch her into a spotlight that would blind her of her original reasoning to begin acting. Thankfully her humbling personality and light hearted charm has only resulted into fantastic portrayals of unique characters and Oscars.

Josh Hartnett left Hollywood for independent film making to give light to the great stories that might not get the attention of the Hollywood hounds. He has recently returned to acting in Showtime’s Penny Dreadful. For Hartnett fans you are more likely to find him behind and front of cameras occupying his flair on unique plots and adapting characters at film festivals where his work has more personal meaning then who he might be dating on scene.

Sometimes our dreams are unmatched to the strength of our character. As people we want fulfilling lives. A life in which our journey has meaning, daily purpose, and channels our passions into our careers. Sometimes we have to get to where we want to be to just find out that isn’t where we belonged to begin with. Sadly, Hollywood draping its destiny to create fame and money off of film has filtered our vision of true film making. So my tip for you film lover out there, embrace the movies that are casted in the shadows of blockbusters. That is where the best stories are left. Remember, to find enjoyment in what your passion is you might have to sacrifice the journey to get your name in lights just to be the one to turn them off.