We had one film release this past weekend with the potential for Oscar nominations.

Hands of Stone

Boxing dramas have a long history with the Academy going about decades. In recent years, fewer such films have been supported by the Academy, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have potential.

Hands of Stone stars Oscar winner Robert De Niro in a supporting role as a trainer who coaxes legendary boxer Roberto Duran as he struggles to make a name for himself. Usher Raymond plays his most famous opponent, Sugar Ray Leonard. Edgar Ramirez stars as Duran.

In the Oscar landscape, box office and attention from critics is crucial. Critics were lukewarm to the film, falling mostly on the negative side. Meanwhile, the box office performance was mediocre, earning a sub-$3,000 per screen average. The combination of factors is likely to see Ramirez’s shot at a nomination, though a weak Supporting Actor race could get De Niro a nomination in spite of it all, though the prospects of such are relatively grim.