Category: Screener Watch

Amazon has a lot of solid efforts this year. They’ve sent four. Of note is that Woody Allen isn’t listed at all on the Wonder Wheel screener, not for directing or for screenplay.

A company I’ve not heard of with a film I’m not familiar with starring people I recognize. It’s an odd submission. The Pirates of Somalia Oscar Chances: Unlikely: The fact that this is on no one’s radar pretty much confirms it’s not a contender. Campaign-Proposed Categories Picture (Mino Jarjoura, Matt Lefebvre, Claude Dal Farra, Irfaan…

I have a voting deadline looming and A24 has sent me another film. While I suspect this one is for my voting that will occur in January, I have an option to review it for Friday. The Disaster Artist Oscar Chances: Uncertain: Only two elements of the film are at all considered Oscar contenders: James…

Perhaps Focus Features’ biggest candidate this year is next up on the docket. Darkest Hour Oscar Chances: Good: Sight unseen, everyone thought this would be a major Oscar contender. While it still has solid chances in a number of categories, its reputation hasn’t been great and it’s stumbling hard in the early precursors. It could…

Another A24 package arrived, this time with a major contender. Lady Bird Oscar Chances: Definite: The film will be a major factor in several above-the-line category, picking up at least four nominations, possibly a fifth in Best Director). Campaign-Proposed Categories Picture Director (Greta Gerwig) Original Screenplay (Greta Gerwig) Actress (Saoirse Ronan) Supporting Actress (Laurie Metcalf,…

There may be still more to come, but this is another major Fox contender. This is clearly a SAG screener. War for the Planet of the Apes Oscar Chances: Solid: While it won’t be nominated in any of the recommended categories, it will definitely be a Best Visual Effects contender. Campaign-Proposed Categories Actor (Andy Serkis)…

A big production package from Neon featuring several titles. No proposed categories on these. Colossal Oscar Chances: Unlikely: Well reviewed Anne Hathaway starrer that doesn’t have much of a prayer. The B-Side Oscar Chances: Unknown: This documentary could be a contender, but it’s not been on many year-end lists so far, so possibly not. The…

Annapurna has had a lot of success at the Oscars in recent memory, so they’ve sent along one of their early contenders. Detroit Oscar Chances: Unlikely: The film came, got good reviews, and then disappeared almost immediately. Although it could be a return to the Oscars for Kathryn Bigelow, it’s more likely that it doesn’t…

A studio with very little experience and clout has sent a film that got good early notices. Hostiles Oscar Chances: Unlikely: While the film did receive solid reviews, it’s being handled by a studio with no real experience in Oscar campaigning, suggesting the film is unlikely to succeed at the Oscars. Campaign-Proposed Categories Picture (John…

One of the last screeners of the season has arrived. Here’s Fox’s second. The Post Oscar Chances: Strong: There’s no doubt that the film will be a major Oscar player this year and in several categories at that. Campaign-Proposed Categories Picture (Amy Pascal, Steven Spielberg, Kristie Macosko Krieger) Director (Steven Spielberg) Original Screenplay (Liz Hannah,…

STX Entertainment is relatively new to the Oscar game, but in Molly’s Game, they might have a contender. Molly’s Game Oscar Chances: Potential: Jessica Chastain is a popular actress in Hollywood and could be a contender, as could Idris Elba. While I doubt the film manages many other high profile nominations, the one place I…

Amazon has a few offerings, but this is their first physical screener sent out. The Big Sick Oscar Chances: Good: There are only about three categories the film will have much of a chance in: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Original Screenplay. Only one of those am I really think it will succeed…

Another package form Fox Searchlight, this time with two major Oscar players. The Shape of Water Oscar Chances: Likely: There’s little chance this film doesn’t pick up some nominations. All the craft categories are in play, but it’s well regarded by critics, so it will probably be nominated in several categories above the line as…

Shout! Factory, which does a lot of DVD production, sent a screener for this film, though I had not actually heard of it prior. In This Corner of the World Oscar Chances: Unlikely: A film that comes out of nowhere that has no profile is usually not an Oscar contender.