2018 is fast approaching and that can only mean one thing in the film industry, awards season.
The Golden Globes nominations are announced on December 11th which will give us an idea of what the BAFTA and Oscar nominations will shape up like come January 9th and 23rd in the New Year.
A handful of films that are yet to be released in the UK have grabbed my interest and are tipped to feature amongst the nominations. The trailers are hyperlinked in the titles and there are no spoilers here.
Three Billboards, Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
January 12th, 2018.
A grieving mother wants answers from the Chief of Police about the lack of suspects following the murder of her daughter. She makes a bold statement with three advertising boards, painted red with black text, calling out the Chief which is met with mixed reactions amongst the Ebbing community.
Watching the trailer makes it look like a flat out black comedy but it looks like it could pack an emotional punch. Frances McDormand could be a strong contender for numerous lead actress awards and I’m looking forward to Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell’s performances as well. Martin McDonagh’s third feature looks set to sit alongside, if not above, his previous efforts In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths.
January 26th, 2018.
Three Vietnam War veterans come together after 30 years following the death of one of their sons, who has been killed in action. We have an ensemble cast of Steve Carrell, Bryan Cranston and Laurence Fishburne on the road together dealing with the issues at hand and reminiscing about old times. Name me a better director than Richard Linklater to be at the helm of this road movie? It’s been met with mixed reviews so far but I’m very much looking forward to this one.
February 2nd, 2018.
Three-time Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis looks set to bow out of acting as dressmaker Charles James in Paul Thomas Anderson’s eighth feature. Set in 1950s London the film explores Charles’ difficulty in finding love throughout his career until he crosses paths with Alma. In their fourth collaboration, Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood scores Anderson’s first film outside of the States.
February 9th, 2018.
Twelve-year old Alexey is caught up in the middle of his parent’s separation and decides to run away. I’m expecting a strong character study into both parents and how their marriage has ended in pieces. Without a doubt this takes the top prize, if the trailer is anything to go by, as the bleakest film on the list.
Andrey Zvyagintsev’s new film has already picked up the Cannes Jury Prize along with Best Film at the London and Munich Film Festivals. It’s also Russia’s shortlisted submission for Best Foreign Language film at the Oscars. His previous Oscar nominated film Leviathan is currently on BBC iPlayer, I’ll be checking it out this week.
February 16th, 2018.
23 year old Saoirse Ronan looks set for her third Oscar nomination as she plays Lady Bird in this critically acclaimed coming-of-age film. This is indie darling Greta Gerwig’s solo directing debut as we follow Lady Bird’s senior year at High School. Lucas Hedges’ CV looks to be expanding following his Oscar nomination last year as he features in this along with Three Billboards. A24 will be rubbing their hands with glee as the film looks set to sky rocket at the box office.
February 16th, 2018.
Since seeing the incredible Pan’s Labyrinth in the cinema back in 2006 I have always made sure to see anything Guillermo del Toro puts his name to. Set in the 1960s, Sally Hawkins plays mute cleaner Elisa who learns of a secret Government experiment with her colleague Zelda. Taking inspiration from Creature from the Black Lagoon del Toro looks set to take us on another fairy tale adventure.
Awards panellists look set for a difficult decision for the lead actress nomination with McDormand, Ronan and Hawkins all looking to have brought their best.
In my next article I’ll be focusing on my favourite films of 2017. I’ll probably chuck in a few that didn’t live up to my expectations and a list of what I missed at the cinema.
Alex
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