Oscar Futures
Keeping pace with Hollywoods perpetual awards horserace.
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Were just a few days away from the most consequential election of our lifetimes.
As we like to say, the Oscars arent just about whats onscreen.
But another underrated factor is how vibes in the wider culture influence the awards landscape.
Movies likeMoonlightandLa La Landpremiered inone vision of America, then suddenly found themselves competing for trophies in another.
1.La La Landwins for real.
Meanwhile, as time goes by,Moonlights reputation as an overlooked classic gets ever stronger.
Conversely, with no need to serve as a post-election security blanket,Arrivalhas far less cultural impact.
He struggles to condense the material, and VilleneuvesDunewinds upa fascinating misfire with an incredibly rushed final act.
2.Three Billboardsis less of a thing.
With the nations white liberals unchastened,Get Outreceives zero nominations.
However,The Shape of Waterstill wins Best Picture.
In every timeline, people love it when she fucks the fish-man.
3.Barry Jenkins and Glenn Close finally get their due.
In this lightThe Favourite,a satire about an incompetent female ruler, is greeted very differently.
4.An Utterly Twisted Result.
You know what that means is it time for straight white men to have a comeback?
Anyway, I hope youve enjoyed this little exercise.
Next time, let me explain howCODAdoesnt win Best Picture if Vladimir Putin doesnt invade Ukraine.
Oscar Futures: CanWickedDefy Gravity?
Now that the long-awaited movie musical has ended its embargo, pundits are rejoicifying.
After facing off at the Thanksgiving box-office,WickedandGladiator IIcould have a rematch for the tenth Best Picture spot.
Which one will prove morepop-uu-laar?
Rapturous reviews (NPRs John Powerscalls it an almost perfect little film) have made me reconsider.
Eisenbergs low-key approach may feel small, but his themes couldnt be bigger.
.Current Predix
.
Theres a meat-and-potatoes quality toJuror No.
2that, in Eastwoods hands, feels richly satisfying, saysScott Tobias.
I might as well just Slack them!
With so many heavy-hitters in Musical/Comedy, she cant even count on winning the Globe.
Ask Laura Dern if reminding voters of your Emmy-winning HBO character goes well on the Oscar trail.
Shes a hoot, and could elbow her way into this wide-open category.
