While it may be little over 24 hours since Argo was announced as 2012′s Best Picture, filmmakers are already well into their preparations for 2013′s year-end slate of so-called “prestige” pictures, ones that will surely rack up a string of Academy Award nominations and, fingers crossed, rank among the very best films we’ll see all year.
It’s a packed line-up already, meaning that from dozens of films we whittled them down to the 10 we think fit what the Academy tends to go for.
Yes, there are countless other prospects – Nicole Kidman’s Grace of Monaco was just picked up by the Weinstein Company, Steve McQueen’s 12 Years A Slave could show up here if it’s less formalist than his other efforts, and fare like August: Osage County, Foxcatcher and David O’Russell’s next project would surprise just about nobody – but I’ve selected the 10 that, on the balance of probabilities, I think have the best chance of making the cut.
Check back here in a year’s time and see how right I was! Here are 10 predictions for the Best Picture slate at 2014′s Oscars…
10. Rush
Ron Howard has a tendency of being quite hit and miss as a director, but with the right material, he’s certainly not averse to Oscar glory, and with The Queen and Frost/Nixon scribe Peter Morgan at the pen, his prospects are certainly good for this film about the 1976 Formula One season and the rivalry between drivers James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl). The film is mostly concerned with Lauda’s near-fatal crash at the Nürburgring and the re-ignition of their feud leading up to the Fuji’s World Championship.
If Howard can find a way to make the sport of racing accessible in the same way that Asif Kapadia’s documentary Senna did, then he could be onto a winner here. The only real question mark is Chris Hemsworth; are people prepared to take him seriously as an actor yet, and more importantly, does he have much to offer beyond what we’ve seen from him in The Avengers, Thor and The Cabin in the Woods so far?
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15 Comments
Why wouldn’t it be difficult for Naomi Watts to speak in a British accent? She’s British and born in Kent
The Grandmaster and Only God Forgives are my top anticipated films of this year. Both will probably be amazing and completely snubbed.
My most-anticipated of the year, Twelve Years a Slave, the third collaboration of director Steve McQueen and Michael Fassbender with a GREAT cast including Chiwetel Ejiofor (lead), Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Giamatti, Paul Dano and Quvenzhané Wallis. Nominated or not, this will be damn good.
I really hope Fassbender will get a nomination this year for Twelve Years a Slave or The Counselor.
my money would be on diana, i wont see it but my guess thtll win.
The Great Gatsby?
I’m very sceptical of Gatsby’s Oscar hopes after it got pushed back. Plus voters probably won’t remember it next year even if it is amazing.
Watts is apparently so good at being an American this writer think’s she is American. Guaranteed Best Actress.
No one seems to talk about it, but John Goodman has a chance at a three peat with best picture awards. The Artist, Argo and he has two movies on this list. According to the information I could find, no one has ever won three in a row.
No “Serena” with Jennifer Lawrence directed by Oscar winning director Susanne Biers..?
I’m with you. Looking forward to Gravity.
foxcatcher is probably one of the movies i’m most excited about
My Top 30 Most Anticipated Hollywood Films of 2013 http://www.imdb.com/list/y3aMKU_LLWc/
Films i hope gather Oscar attention include The Counselor, 12 Years a Slave, The Place Beyond The Pines and The Wolf of Wall Street…films i think will gather Oscar attention include Saving Mr Banks, Diana and other ‘Oscar-friendly fare of that ilk…good read though thanks.
The wolf of wall street should win at least 4 oscars :
1. Best Picture
2. Best Actor in a leading role : Leonardo Dicaprio
3. Best Actor in a supporting role : Johah Hill or Jean Dujardin
4. Best Director : Martin Scorsese
I hope it will be Leo’s year and he’ll get the Oscar that so muchhh deserves <3 . He's been frequently snubbed , although he has done an amazing job. I hope there will be finally justice. There are actors who no matter what they do , they'll get an nomination (for example Meryl Streep) and there are others who do great performances , but there is not even a f*cking nomination for them. Look at Jennifer Lawrence , she did a nice movie , but it was not as good as to be a winner. I mean , can you compare that performance with Leo's performance at What's eating Gilbert Grape ? Anyway , I believe that one day there will finally be justice.
Nomination Saving Mr. Banks: Best picture, actor (Tom Hanks), actress (Emma Thompson), actor in a supporting role (Colin Farrel), actor in a supporting role (Paul Giamati), screenplay, art direction, costume design, editor and original score.