Peter Knegt over at Indiewire asks the question, what are the top ten things the fall fests may tell us about Awards Season?
Here are his questions:
1. Are “Precious” and “An Education” the real deal? Knegt says you bet. [We agree.]
2. Can this female coming-of-age trend extend beyond those two films? Knegt says Fish Tank may be pushed to make way for An Education and Precious.[We say, it’s about time.]
3. Is Michael Moore still capable of causing a stir? And can this equal a best picture nomination? Knegt says, “My prediction: Moore still rouses the crowds, but its quieter than usual, and talk of a best picture nomination dies quickly.” [We say, Best Pic is kind of a long shot unless you factor in those who are still bitter about losing so much money this year – on the other hand, if a doc is going to be nominated for Best Picture it will probably be one with more emotional impact – we say this without having seen the movie so perhaps we should shut up].
4. Is Tom Ford capable of making a good movie? Knegt wants to say, “it‚Äôll end up a poignant tale of gay love and loss.” Thinks it might be too soon to consider it seriously.[We say, bring it on.]
5. Did ‚ÄúThe Road‚Äù‚Äòs delays actually suggest anything about how good it is? Knegt says it will do better but still not good enough [we say, well, that’s what they said about Hurt Locker and so far, so good on that score…maybe the whole push-back thing is the new in].
6. Will ‚ÄúBright Star‚Äù‚Äòs buzz translate Stateside? Knegt thinks it’s an uphill fight for this one. [We say, well, fanboys are louder than critics now and tougher to please with this type of subject matter – also, one feels a little dirty for even considering a film like this as a competitor, it being about Keats and all].
7. Is this really the year of Matt Damon? Knegt says, half yes, half wait-and-see. [We say, well, we already said].
8. Can Jason Reitman do it again? Knegt says he predicts it to be a hit at Toronto thus launching it into the race. [We say, Jason Reitman is hard not to like – and seems to be good at what he does. But lets not kill his chances with too much hype].
9. What film we‚Äôve never really heard of will all of a sudden be a major contender? Knegt says it’s better not to know. [We say, in other words, is there a Slumdog in the wood pile? It feels more like a No Country year than a Slumdog year but the waiting is the hardest part.]
10. Is the Toronto-Venice-Telluride trifeca still the awards launch pad it once was?Knegt says sure but the money might have an impact. [We say, Telluride? As always, it depends more on the movies and the timing than it does on the position and the festival – A No Country is a No Country is a No Country. It doesn’t matter where it comes out, its reception would be the same.]
Meanwhile, check out their poll on which film has the best shot at a Best Pic nod – so far, An Education is in the lead. I’m worried for the whole A Single Man and A Serious mix-up. Anyone else?