Jobs
Release Date: August 16 Oscar Prospects: Bad Ashton Kutcher as Steve Jobs... Ashton Kutcher as Steve Jobs.... Ashton Kutcher as Steve Jobs! That was the headline of the film when it was first announced and that remains the headline now that the film is about to be released. Nobody can quite wrap it around their heads that the television sitcom star of That 70's Show and Two and a Half Men is playing the visionary entrepreneur of the 21st Century, and rightfully so. For all Mr. Jobs accomplished, I think he deserves a bit better than Ashton Kutcher. The film, which already premiered at Sunadance to mixed-to-negative reviews, takes the panoramic approach to biographical films by starting with Jobs' days as a college dropout and chronicling his rise to one of the most essential figures in the history of the tech field. When it comes to biopics, I have always preferred the films that dig into a small particular aspect of the subject's life as opposed to the "greatest hits" kind of approach, which tends to be more dull and less cinematic. The film does have James Woods and J.K. Simmons, so at least it has that going for it. Personally, I'll wait for the Aaron Sorkin-penned Steve Jobs biopic, and while I haven't spoken to any of them myself, I'm betting many Academy members feel the same way. Possible nominations: None