Into the Woods: A Serious Oscar Threat

"Into the Woods" has been a question mark in the awards race throughout the season. Though I have fearlessly (and a bit prematurely, I will admit) predicted the film to appear in categories such as Best Picture and Supporting Actress, most prognosticators have steered clear of placing their chips in Woods' favor. Though there have been film musicals such as "Chicago" and "Les Miserables" have had strong awards recognition, there have been those ("Hairspray", "Nine", "Grease", etc.) that have been largely ignored by the Academy. However, it's clear that after last night's DGA screening of Rob Marshall's adaptation that Into the Woods is coming to crash the party come December 25th. 

Theory of Everything is too Conventional for its Own Good

Both Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne have been on the brink of career breakthroughs for several years now. Jones won acclaim for her naturalistic performance in 2011's "Like Crazy", which failed to nab her substantial awards attention, and any success with meaty roles. Redmayne has been apart of several high profile projects, namely 2012's "Les Miserables" which, I believe almost nabbed him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

So, it makes no sense then that 2 actors on the verge of mainstream success team up in a buzzy, high-profile biopic detailing the relationship between the brilliant Stephen Hawking and his incredibly strong (now ex) wife Jane. Directed by James Marsh, the film has enjoyed much acclaim, especially for Redmayne's performance. which requires a vast amount of physical commitment from the young actor.

But despite the Oscar buzz, "Theory of Everything" is far from relevatory, and in fact, is just an ordinary biopic.

Birdman Leads Independent Spirit Award Nominations

Read below to find out which films were nominated and which films were left out.

The Independent Spirit Awards will be held on February 21st, 2015.

Oscar Contenders: Who is Up and Who is Down?

"American Hustle" racked up 10 nominations last year, and you can attribute that to buzz 100%. By the time nomination ballots were filled out, the film had been anointed as the frontrunner by the New York Film Critics Circle (the first major group to hand out awards). The NYFCC blatantly changed their awards date to be the first, before the Los Angeles critics and before the National Board of Review, but this was no accident. It's universally accepted that the group wanted to establish their impact as an organization, and they did by shoving American Hustle firmly into the race. They gave the film Best Picture, Screenplay and Supporting Actress honors, with director David O. Russell coming in 2nd to Steve McQueen, and Amy Adams placing 2nd to Cate Blanchett. The film had a strong early reception from industry insiders, all of which had taken place before anyone of importance had actually seen the film.. and thus it walked away with 10 Oscar nominations. But when voters and audiences sat down to watch the film, the reception had become more divisive. In the end, it walked away with 0 Oscars of those 10 nominations. This is an example of how buzz and hype can build your film up, but also how it can tear you down.

Hype now dominates the Oscar race. What films have the most hype? What are people on the internet talking about? Which films are being talked about the most? Following a film's buzz is arguably the best way to guess where its Oscar standing is. It's been about a month since we last sat down and looked at the Oscar race. Several high profile contenders have been released since, but have they stuck their landing? Let's see where they stand. 

Christopher Nolan Reaches for the Stars in Interstellar

Sci-Fi is enjoying something of a resurgence at the moment, one that began last year with Alfonso Cuaron's brilliant "Gravity". Though undoubtedly one of the most popular genres out there, these stories have always felt anything but human; the familiar themes that we are exposed to in other genres (such as love, jealousy, grief) always bat second to the eye-popping visual effects employed throughout, a serious case of style vs. substance.

What was so special about "Gravity", was that despite being a film filled with revelatory, groundbreaking technology, at its center was an all too familiar theme: survival. Though faced with a lack of oxygen and metal hurtling at dangerous speeds, Dr. Ryan Stone (played superbly by Sandra Bullock in the best performance of her career) had a bigger challenge facing her; believing in herself enough to find her way back to Earth. Cuaron may have placed us all in an unfamiliar setting, but the story was one everyone could relate to.

So it should come as no surprise then, that the man who redefined the superhero genre is one to continue this Sci Fi renaissance. As he did with "The Dark Knight", director/writer Christopher Nolan brings a gritty, emotional realism to an almost outlandishly cartoon-like genre.

Birdman Soars

There are not many actors or actresses working in Hollywood today that are so willing to have their personal, real life narratives, play alongside their character's as a way of constructing a performance. The reason why Natalie Portman's performance in "Black Swan" was such a triumph, was because the film was as much about Nina Sayers finding her inner Black Swan as it was Natalie Portman. Watching that movie, we not only saw the character go from being a meek, submissive girl into a complicated, strong woman, but we also saw a capable, yet underrated actress transform into a true leading lady.

That technique is front and center in director/writer Alejandro González Iñárritu's black comedy "Birdman", a film about a fading actor, once known for playing a superhero, trying desperately to be remembered for anything but playing a superhero. That actor, Riggan Thomson, is played by Michael Keaton, an actor that hasn't done much of anything since he played a superhero back in the 90's. Much like his character, Keaton was in need a project that showcased his acting talent. Birdman is that film, and then some.

Final Into the Woods Trailer

This trailer is giving me everything I had hoped for from the adaptation... Now to wait and see if this translates as well into the film, which is still over a month away.

The music sounds spectacular, and we finally get to see some more of the actors in action, though Meryl is so obviously front and center (and she looks great).

Take a look below.

New Trailer for "A Most Violent Year"

J.C. Chandor's "A Most Violent Year" is undoubtedly one of the biggest question marks in the Oscar race. It's got the prestige: Jessica Chastain, Oscar Isaac, Albert Brooks, while being written and directed by J.C. Chandor. It's an Academy friendly story: Set in New York City in the winter of 1981 (a record breaking violent year for the city), the story focuses on an immigrant and his family capitalizing on the growing violence and unrest in the city, trying to make a name and a life for themselves.

The problem? The film's profile is curiously quiet, and it's being distributed by the tiny studio A-24, who have yet to have a film earn an Oscar nomination.