Last year's Oscar season just barely ended, and it's already time to start looking ahead at the race that's already starting to form for this year. Though none of the actual contenders have actually premiered to the public yet (unless you count the gorgeous costumes from "Cinderella") there's a slew of buzzy titles with huge names that have people talking.
With nothing at the theaters really holding our attention at the moment, it's never too early to look ahead at what's to come.
"Ricki and the Flash"
Dir: Jonathan Demme
Starring: Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Sebastian Stan, Mamie Gummer
Why is it a big deal?: Well for one thing, anytime Meryl Streep makes a movie, by default you have to place it on your potential Oscar contender list. The fact is, even her wildest, non-Oscar friendly roles (last year's "Into the Woods" brought her a nomination in Best Supporting Actress) attract awards buzz. But Jonathan Demme, who brought us the Oscar winning "Silence of the Lambs" and critically underrated "Rachel Getting Married", is back behind the camera after what feels like forever. Streep plays a woman who left her family to become a famous rock star, but who is presented with a chance to reconnect with her family after being away for many years. The film is set to premiere on August 7th, and while August isn't typically an Oscar friendly month, it's a strategy that worked well for Streep's Oscar nominated performance in "Julie & Julia" back in 2009.
Dir: John Crowley
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent, Julie Walters
Why is it a big deal?: The involvement of Oscar nominees Saoirse Ronan and Julie Walters, and Oscar winner Jim Broadbent would raise a few eyebrows given the Oscar-friendly period piece material. But Fox Searchlight's acquisition of the film after a critically acclaimed premiere at Sundance a few months ago is what really gives the film its buzz. Searchlight distributed the previous two consecutive Best Picture winners, "12 Years A Slave" and "Birdman"; they're on a roll. Ronan's performance has attracted much of the acclaim, and if Searchlight plays its cards right, she could be a Best Actress nominee come next year, with the film receiving some coattail nominations as well. Its November 6th release date only ups its chances.
Dir: Justin Kurzel
Starring: Michal Fassbender, Marion Cotillard,
Why is it a big deal?: Any Weinstein acquisition is something to watch in the Oscar race (remember how Amy Adams got a Golden Globe AND a BAFTA nomination for "Big Eyes" last year despite a critical shrug and weak box office?). The sheer star power of Fassbender and Cotillard is enough, however, to warrant conversation in the acting categories at the very least. Though no Shakespeare film has really cleaned up Oscar wise, this could be the first; Cotillard surprised in Best Actress for the foreign language "Two Days, One Night", and Fassbender is on something of a high swing after winning his first career nomination for "12 Years A Slave", and many believe had Jared Leto not been such a sure thing that year, the trophy would have been his. The Oscar prospects of this film really depend on the overall quality. Anything other than fantastic reviews may prove detrimental.
Dir: Todd Haynes
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson and Kyle Chandler
Why is it a big deal?: Critically acclaimed period director Todd Haynes hasn't made a feature film since 2007's "I'm Not There"; after five years he's reuniting with two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett for surely his most exciting feature yet. Blanchett plays an older, married woman who gets romantically involved with a younger shop girl played by Rooney Mara. Blanchett's character, however, is married to Kyle Chandler's, and is already having an affair with a woman played by "American Horror Story" MVP Sarah Paulson. Set in the 50's, the film is sure to be as delectable as Haynes' previous period efforts ("Far From Heaven", "HBO's "Mildred Pierce"), and that cast is incredible. Haynes also has a gift for drawing great performances from actresses, and with the power of Harvey Weinstein behind the distribution responsibilities, it's hard to imagine this film missing out in any way.
Dir: Gavin O'Conner
Starring: Natalie Portman, Joel Edgerton and Ewan McGregor
Why is it a big deal?: Portman's true return to the big screen (we're not counting "Thor 2") after a long hiatus after dominating the Best Actress race back in 2010 has been troubled, to say the least. After the firing of director Lynne Ramsey, pushed back release dates and replacing actors (Michael Fassbender and Jude Law were attached to star at one point), the film finally managed to tack down a director, a cast and a solid release date (September 4th). We haven't received a trailer, but we do know that it's a Western in which Portman plays a woman who must ask her ex-lover (Edgerton) to save her husband from a gang led by Ewan McGregor's character. Weinstein will also be distributing the film, but it's hard to tell from the film's troubled path to release if it's just bad luck or the film's quality isn't great. If the stars align, however, Portman could have another hit on her hands, and a potential running in Best Actress.
Also look out for: "Hateful Eight" (new Quentin Tarantino Western), "Knight of Cups" (Terrance Malick directs Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett and Christian Bale), "Grandma" (The Sundance hit/could be Best Actress vehicle for Lily Tomlin)
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