Category: Screener Watch

And finally, the annual Magnolia/Magnet bundle. It’s a bit thinner this year, but still quite bountiful. There are nine titles, though their insert says Lucky should be among them, it wasn’t. We might receive it later. Magnolia/Magnet seldom includes recommended categories, though they’ve done so on three films, one of which is the aforementioned Lucky.…

Next up, we have the package from The Orchard, which includes two contenders, two non-contenders, and a likely pariah. BPM (Beats Per Minute) Oscar Chances: Excellent: It is not only an almost assured Best Foreign Language Film nominee, it could end up winning the whole thing, making it France’s first win in the category since…

Fox Searchlight is first up. They have submitted a non-contender and a film that was once thought to be a pretty major contender, but has been mostly forgotten in recent weeks. Battle of the Sexes Oscar Chances: Decent: Emma Stone is the primary contender for this film. While Costume Design and Production Design are possibilities,…

Arriving Friday, one of the Best Animated Feature contenders. Despicable Me 3 Oscar Chances: Uncertain: There aren’t many Best Animated Feature contenders, so it’s possible this could contend, but the new rules and format of voting for this category might mean a nomination, but might not. Best Original Song might be a better chance. Campaign-Proposed…

This arrived early last week. The cover was damaged, but not the contents. Split Oscar Chances: Unlikely: This is a movie that surprised critics, but won’t likely surprise Oscar voters. Campaign-Proposed Categories Picture (M. Night Shyamalan, Jason Blum, Marc Bienstock) Director (M. Night Shyamalan) Actor (James McAvoy) Supporting Actress (Anya Taylor-Joy, Betty Buckley) Original Screenplay…

Netflix has submitted the first of their year-end awards contender in the form of Angelina Jolie’s foreign language directorial effort. First They Killed My Father Oscar Chances: Uncertain: Jolie hasn’t had much success at the Oscars; however, the subject matter, combined with its submission to the Best Foreign Language Film competition, means it could at…

20th Century Fox has sent a single screener. They may send others since they have more films available, but for now, it’s just their earliest big release. Logan Oscar Chances: Unlikely: Although it deserves tons of recognition, especially for Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart, I highly doubt anything will come of this campaign. Campaign-Proposed Categories…

Two disparate screeners, the documentary Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992 and the Netflix purchase Okja. Okja Oscar Chances: Unlikely: Netflix’s anti-theatrical release model has been steadfastly ignored by the Academy, its Beasts of No Nations getting the shaft, even for the lauded supporting performance of Idris Elba. This Bong Joon Ho drama has been…

The final shipment of 2016 (likely) features two Lionsgate titles. Hacksaw Ridge Oscar Chances: Good: Mel Gibson hasn’t made is apologia yet, but this film has been well received enough to give the Academy an opportunity to welcome him back into the fold. A Best Director nomination may not be in the cards, but Best…

This week, the A24 four-film package arrived, as did a title from 20th Century Fox. 20th Century Women Oscar Chances: Decent: This is one of those films that is likely to do well in only two categories and then not compete anywhere else. Best Actress is the most likely while Best Supporting Actress is a…

This week, eight new films arrived in my mailbox. Three were from Netflix Studios; three were from Focus Features; one was from Cohen Media/Amazon Studios; and the other was from regular Amazon Studios. Here is what arrived. 13th Oscar Chances: Excellent: Ava DuVernay’s Selma scraped by with a small number of nominations, winning Best Original…

This week saw a number of groups sending screeners. The Orchard sent five; Amazon Studios sent five; DreamWorks/Universal sent one; Fox Searchlight sent one; Focus Features sent one; The Weinstein Company sent one; and DreamWorks/20th Century Fox sent one. Christine Oscar Chances: None: While Rebecca Hall has received excellent notices, the Best Actress category is…

It’s time for another round of screeners. This time, we have one from Fox Searchlight (Birth of a Nation), two from Amazon Studios (Cafe Society and Love & Friendship), one from CBS Films (Hell or High Water), one from Sony Pictures (Sausage Party), and one from Roadside Attractions (Touched with Fire). The Birth of a…

Precursor week began this month with a raft of screeners. Last year, I posted for each individual screener. This year, I’m doing a weekly wrap-up. Anthropoid Oscar Chances: None Campaign-Proposed Categories: Best Picture (Sean Ellis, Mickey Liddell, Pete Shilaimon) Best Director (Sean Ellis) Best Actor (Cillian Murphy, Jamie Dornan) Best Supporting Actor (Toby Jones, Harry…

Precursor week began this month with a raft of screeners. Last year, I posted for each individual screener. This year, I’m doing a weekly wrap-up. Hello, My Name Is Doris Oscar Chances: Weak: Roadside Attractions is attempting to get this film recognized with its early screener release, but other than at the Golden Globes, I…