Charlotte County Florida Weekly

The top 12 films to watch leading up to the Oscars are …

AT THE MOVIES



Milena Smit, Penélope Cruz and Aitana Sánchez Gijón in “Parallel Mothers.” © EL DESEO, PHOTO BY IGLESIAS MÁS. COURTESY OF SONY PICTURES CLASSICS

Milena Smit, Penélope Cruz and Aitana Sánchez Gijón in “Parallel Mothers.” © EL DESEO, PHOTO BY IGLESIAS MÁS. COURTESY OF SONY PICTURES CLASSICS

The award shows leading up to the Oscars give us a glimpse of the movies that will likely be the biggest contenders the closer we get to the March 27 ceremony, to be broadcast live on ABC and held in Los Angeles. The ceremony is to take place live, as of press time, with all of the glitter, glitz and glamour that the red carpet ceremony had been known for as it has evolved over last 93 years.

After surveying the nominations, and winners, from several of the best award ceremonies over the last two months, including the Gotham Awards, People’s Choice Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, Golden Globes Awards, Indie Spirit Awards, and others, there are a few movies that stand out as ones everyone will likely be talking about soon.

Some of these have just come out and are available in theaters only, while others are streamable and/or available to watch on-demand. With the Academy Award nominations scheduled to be announced Feb. 8, it is not too early to start watching some of these gems now. Get excited — films are back!

 

 

With many experts making predictions (you can see these along with current odds and even cast your picks at www.goldderby.com), there is still no way to know if any of these future winning films will be your cup of tea. So, in advance of all the hype and ceremony, here are 12 I feel that you may want to consider taking an advance look at now (or not).

¦ “The Power of the Dog”

The movie had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival last September and has already gained more than 20 awards for best picture with the strongest contention (according to GoldDerby.com) to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture. Based on the 1967 novel of the same name by Thomas Savage, the movie follows the menacingly and mean rancher Phil Burbank, and his much kinder brother, through 1920s Montana. The plot takes a wild turn after Mr. Burbank badgers his brother’s new wife’s son for being effeminate.

 

 

Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons.

2021; R; 2h 6m; on Netflix and in limited theaters.

¦ “Belfast”

The film, set in the late 1960s Belfast, follows a young boy and his family through tumultuous times that try their lives and community. After its first screening at the Telluride Film Festival last September, the movie has had a buzz that puts it in top contention for an Oscar nomination for Best Picture.

Starring Jude Hill, Lewis McAskie, Caitriona Balfe.

2021; PG-13; 1h 38m; on PVOD and in limited theaters.

¦ “West Side Story”

The remake/adaption of the musical from 1957 with music by Leonard Bernstein and directed by Steven Spielberg didn’t actually make a big splash at the box office ( reported $58 million.) Still it is likely to bring in the hardware at the Academy Awards. It has some big shoes to fill, though, as the original film won a total of 10 statues in 1962, making it the most awarded musical film in Oscar history.

 

 

Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose.

2021; PG- 13; 2h 36m; currently in theaters only.

¦ “Dune”

The first of a two-part adaption of Frank Herbert’s 1965 science fiction novel, and the third since David Lynch’s film from 1984, the movie did well in theaters (grossing almost $400 million worldwide) despite also being simultaneously being released to HBO Max subscribers for free last October. You won’t find it streaming for free currently, though, as its popularity and a probable nomination for numerous Oscars make it a film many will still spend the full ticket price at the theaters, or $20 for a home screening on demand.

Starring Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya.

2021; PG-13; 2h 35m; on PVOD and theaters.

 

 

¦ “King Richard”

Perched atop the throne of buzz this awards season is Will Smith, playing the role of Richard Williams, father to tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams. He coached them all the way to their successes, making them among some of the most celebrated tennis players of all time. The film, which debuted at Telluride last September, was released on HBO Max for a limited time last year. Still, you can only find it in theaters and on-demand as we get closer to the red carpet awards rollout in March. Smith is currently the top contender to win Best Actor for this role, just a smidge behind Cumberbatch for his role in “The Power of the Dog,” according to GoldDerby.com at press time.

Starring Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Jon Bernthal.

2021; PG- 13; 2h 24m; on PVOD and theaters.

¦ “Licorice Pizza”

What was it like to be young and fall in love in San Fernando Valley in 1973, way back in the days that preceded cellphones, the internet and social media? The film is racking up awards leading to the Oscars and is among the top contenders to be nominated this February.

 

 

Starring Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman, Sean Penn.

2021; R; 2h 13m; currently in theaters only.

¦ “CODA”

Ruby is a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), and the only person in her family who can hear. Her aspirations to become a singer and go to Berklee conflict with the family business so she must make difficult decisions between her future aspirations and disappointing her parents. The film premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Just two days after that screening, Apple paid a reported festival record of $25 million for the distribution rights. The investment seems to have paid off and we will likely see this film go home with numerous awards. (Watch this one for sure.)

Staring Emilia Jones, Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur.

 

 

2021; PG-13; 1h 51m; playing on Apple TV+.

¦ “Don’t Look Up”

Adam McKay’s satirical science-fiction film about two astronomers who try to warn the world about the impending doom, namely one that an enormous comet will inflict on human civilization, has been rightly understood to be a film about climate change. (Anybody not get that?) With an initial limited theater-only experience, it was released on Netflix where subscribers can stream now. While some saw the message as heavy-handed, the film may leave the producers’ hands heavy from Oscar statues in March. Whether or not it wins, it certainly is the after-party I’d prefer to attend with a stellar cast of greats.

Directed and written by Adam McKay, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Rob Morgan, Jonah Hill, Mark Rylance, Tyler Perry, Timothée Chalamet, Ron Perlman, Ariana Grande, Scott Mescudi, Cate Blanchett, Meryl Streep.

 

 

2021; R; 2h 18m; playing on Netflix and limited theaters.

¦ “The Tragedy of Macbeth”

Denzel Washington + Shakespeare = I’m watching. Were the Bard alive today, he most certainly would revel in the magnificence of his performance of Macbeth, not to mention the direction of Joel Coen and masterful cinematography. The film was introduced last September at the New York Film Festival. Odds are 30/1 at press time that this film will get nominated for Best Picture, according to GoldDerby.com.

Directed by Joel Coen, starring Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Alex Hassell.

2021; R; 1h 45m; playing on Apple TV+.

¦ “The Lost Daughter”

The film by Maggie Gyllenhaal had its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival last September, then opened to limited screenings in theaters before landing Netflix last December. Leda, played by Olivia Colman, goes on vacation only to observe a young mother who frantically but temporarily loses her young child on the beach. She helps find the child, still it forces her to confront troubles from her past. (Then it gets weird.)

 

 

Directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal starring Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson.

2021; R; 2h 1m; playing on Netflix and limited theaters.

¦ “Tick, tick… Boom!”

This film adaptation of the musical with the same name by Jonathan Larson which premiered Off-Broadway in 2001, is directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and was released on Netflix last November. The semi-autobiographical story of Jon, on the cusp of his 30th birthday, and his life as a composer who balances work, love, friendship and loss with the passion to produce in New York City in the ’90s, gives a behind the scenes look at the background leading up to the powerful story behind the creation and subsequent Broadway success of “Rent.” This film could win in several categories of awards.

 

 

Starring Andrew Garfield, Alexandra Shipp, Robin de Jesus.

2021; PG-13; 1h 55m; playing on Netflix and limited theaters.

¦ “Parallel Mothers”

While there may be some chance that it will be nominated for Best Picture, it is slim (100 to 1 according to GoldDerby.com). Still, this is the only film this year to make my personal top 25 films of all time. Written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar (“The Skin I Live In,” “Julieta,” and “Pain and Glory”) the story follows Janis, played by Penélope Cruz, and Ana (Milena Smit), single moms who meet at a hospital, both who give birth on the same day. Their children are accidentally swapped, however, and in time they meet up again to find surprising parallels between them which sparks increasingly intertwined lives. The intelligent depth of character development between these two, as well as with others who play into their lives in the film, is so brilliantly written, so masterfully crafted that I found myself unable to tear myself away. It has been said that the best write what they know, and I’m certain after watching this that Mr. Almodóvar, who worked with his brother and producer Agustín on this one, must know more about relationships than the most of celebrated writers in the biz. The screenplay reminds me of a couple of my favorite writers who seemed to really understand relationships and how to beautifully portray them in movies, like Rebecca Miller or Nora Ephron. Delicate with mature and sensitive interactions, Mr. Almodóvar is nothing short of a genius storyteller who manages to expertly conjure up and entertain us with deep complexities of the human psyche including honest and intelligent interpersonal relationships. I’m definitely rooting for Ms. Cruz for Best Actress, Mr. Almodóvar for Best Director and this film for Best Picture. Honestly though, Best Original Screenplay is probably the film’s best odds for nomination and win at press time.

 

 

 

 

10 more for your consideration

Not interested in the critically acclaimed and potential award-winning films? Try this top ten list of other freshly released television series and movies that may satisfy your stream cravings — whether or not they win anything at all.

¦ “The Beatles: Get Back”
Starring The Beatles
2021; PG-13; 7h 48m (3 episodes);
playing on Disney+.
¦ “Encanto”
Starring Stephanie Beatriz (voice),
María Cecilia Botero (voice), John
Leguizamo (voice)
2021; PG; 1h 42m; playing Disney+
and theaters.
¦ “French Dispatch”
Directed by Wes Anderson, starring
Benicio Del Toro, Adrien Brody, Tilda
Swinton
2021; R; 1h 47m; playing VOD and in
limited theaters.
¦ “Summer of Soul”
Directed by Questlove, starring
Dorinda DrakeBarbara, Bland-Acosta,
Darryl Lewis
2021; PG-13; 1h 58m; playing on Hulu.
¦ “Black Widow”
Starring Scarlett Johansson, Florence
Pugh, David Harbour
2021; PG-13; 2h 14m; playing on Disney+. ¦ “Shrink Next Door”
Starring Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd,

 

 

Kathryn Hahn
2021; TV-MA; 5h 41m (8 episodes);
playing on Apple TV+.
¦ “Murders in the Building”
Starring Steve Martin, Martin Short,
Selena Gomez
2021; TV-MA; 30m (10 episodes);
playing on Hulu.
¦ “Cobra Kai”
Starring Ralph Macchio, William
Zabka, Xolo Maridueña
2018–2021; TV-14; 30m (41 episodes);
playing on Netflix.
¦ “No Time to Die”
Starring Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas
and Rami Malek.
2021; PG- 13; 2h 43m; playing VOD and in limited theaters. ¦ “C’mon C’mon”
Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, Woody Norman
2021; R; 1h 49m; playing PVOD and in
limited theaters. ¦

 

 

— Eric Raddatz is editor at Florida Weekly as well as the founder of the Naples International and Fort Myers Film Festivals. He is the host of the indie film show T. G. I. M. in Southwest Florida.

 

 

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