I had not expected a screener package this early in the season, but the first has arrived. First bunny out of the gate this year is Oscilloscope Laboratories. They have submitted the following five films for consideration. I will list them in alphabetical order. Since these are nondescript containers, I won’t be posting accompanying pictures.

Bellflower

Genre: Drama
Stars: Evan Glodell, Tyler Dawson, Jessie Wiseman, Rebekah Brandes
Director: Evan Glodell
Premise: “Best friends Woodrow and Aiden spend their time obsessing over Mad Max and building flamethrowers and muscle cars in preparation for an imaginary apocalypse. When Woodrow’s heart is broken by a charismatic young woman, his friendship with Aiden is tested as he sets off on a journey of love and hate, betrayal and infidelity, and extreme violence more devastating and fiery than any of his apocalyptic fantasies.”
Oscar Chances: Original Screenplay

Rotten Tomatoes:
73% (70 critics; as of 10/17/10)
Metacritic:
72 out of 100 (25 critics; as of 10/17/10)

If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front

Genre: Documentary
Director: Marshall Curry, Sam Cullman (co-director)
Premise: “If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front examines alleged “eco-terrorist” Daniel McGowan whose impending trial evokes the shifting political landscape of anti-terrorism law enforcement in the post-9/11 era. Curry’s portrait is a moving, even-handed approach to one of the most divisive organizations in America.”
Oscar Chances: Documentary Feature
Rotten Tomatoes:
86% (28 critics; as of 10/17/10)
Metacritic:
65 out of 100 (14 critics; as of 10/17/10)

Meek’s Cutoff

Genre: Period Drama
Stars: Michelle Williams, Bruce Greenwood, Will Patton, Zoe Kazan, Paul Dano, Shirley Henderson, Neal Huff, Tommy Nelson, Rod Rondeaux
Director: Kelly Reichardt
Premise: “A stark and poetic drama set in the earliest days of the Oregon Trail. A wagon train lost in the high desert plains struggles for survival against an unrelenting Mother Nature and must choose between their blowhard leader and a Native American wanderer with unknown motives.”
Oscar Chances: Original Screenplay
Rotten Tomatoes:
86% (114 critics; as of 10/17/10)
Metacritic:
85 out of 100 (36 critics; as of 10/17/10)

The Other F Word

Genre: Documentary
Director: Andrea Blagrund Nevins
Premise: “This hilarious and touching documentary examines what happens when society’s ultimate anti-authoritarians – punk rockers – becomes society’s ultimate authorities – fathers. Featuring a who’s who of punk rock’s leading men, Nevins’ film is equal parts punk history lesson and coming of age story for these snot-nosed rockers.”
Oscar Chances: Documentary Feature
Rotten Tomatoes:
N/A (0 critics; as of 10/17/10)
Metacritic:
N/A (0 critics; as of 10/17/10)

Rebirth

Genre: Documentary
Director: Jim Whitaker
Premise: “A definitive portrait of hope and resilience in the wake of tragedy, Rebirth is the epic ten-year journey of five people affected by the September 11th attacks. Experience grief, acceptance, transformation, and triumph, their compelling narratives are juxtaposed with stunning time-lapse photography documenting the revitalization of an American landmark at Ground Zero and a moving score by Philip Glass.
Oscar Chances: Original Score, Documentary Feature
Rotten Tomatoes:
90% (10 critics; as of 10/17/10)
Metacritic:
76 out of 100 (7 critics; as of 10/17/10)