We had two films release this past weekend with the potential for Oscar nominations.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

The first film was an Oscar no-show and when a sequel’s predecessor fails to earn a nomination, that typically spells trouble. However, in a year like this, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 has a strong chance of breaking that precedent.

Four years ago, Sony Pictures Animation took a reimagining of a popular children’s book and turned it into a hit with both critics and audiences. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was the kind of movie that parents didn’t mind visiting with their children because it was funny without being demeaning. It took four years to craft and release a sequel to the film, but with the collapse of many a Best Animated Feature contender this year, could Sony eke out a Best Animated Feature nomination for its sequel when the predecessor was an Oscar outcast?

The answer may be in the film’s critical reception. In spite of early strong word of mouth and nearly-matched approval from audiences, Cloudy 2 has performed poorly with critics. That will likely spell defeat for Sony’s latest attempt at Oscar recognition. Early in the competition with The Croods and Turbo failing to materialize strong support, Cloudy 2‘s chances increased. Yet, critically dismissed films seldom make the Best Animated Feature slate and when they do, it’s typically in a year when only three films qualify for nomination or five with few critical stalwarts. This doesn’t look like it will be that year.

Inequality for All

If there’s one thing the Academy tends to love, it’s left-wing political documentaries. Inequality for All, which follows former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich as he embarks on a tour across the country to speak about the country’s widening economic gap.

While the documentary isn’t specifically about the negative effects of war, the Academy still considers the impact the subject has on the American people. While it’s no secret that there’s a heavy left-wing bent in the Academy, a documentary like this speaks for the concept of equality for all people, which is something many on the right should consider an important issue. Regardless of whether the documentary discusses fairness for everyone, there will be a belligerent sect within the Academy that will resist a nomination for such a film.

The Academy doesn’t always shy away from politically thorny issues, but it does prefer documentaries with populist appeal contrary to some of the nominees in this category over the year. Inequality for All would test that theory and would wildly be decried by those on the economic right as a ploy against capitalism and may face resistance. However, with a larger body of documentary voters this year, something a bit more broadly political may fare better, especially when there are so few documentaries that have collectively captured the attention of critics and become a de facto winner. There might just be some suspense this year.