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It's already July, so where are the Oscar contenders?

Jul 3, 2008, 01:02 PM | by Gary Susman

Categories: Film, Oscars 2009, The 'Eh' List

Jenkins_l We're barely halfway through 2008, and already, Variety is complaining that we've hardly seen any Oscar contenders. Sure, there are likely animated feature nominees in WALL-E, Kung Fu Panda, and Horton Hears a Who, and EW's Ken Tucker (among others) thinks Iron Man merits a golden man or two. Still, aside from Richard Jenkins' (pictured) lead performance in the modest indie hit The Visitor, no acting turns have emerged as consensus potential nominees.

Of course, distributors tend to assume Oscar voters have short memories and save their likeliest contenders for the latter half of the year, as everyone knows (including Variety, whose article contains a helpful schedule of the Oscar-baiting movies due out over the next six months). Still, let's play along and ask: which movies and performances have you seen so far in 2008 that you think might be up for Oscars at the end of the year?

paige Livingston Thu, Aug 28, 2008 at 07:29 AM EST

All the talk about Oscars...what about the huge Australian contingent...Heath...what about Cormac McCartney Aussie directed John Hillcoat's The Road...starring Viggo Moretensen and from what I have heard the young 11 year old actor Kodi Smit McPhee is supposed to be astounding!

My bet is Kodi he might get best supporting actor nomination. As well as all the Aussies associated with Baz Lurhman's Australia....oi oi oi go aussies

OSCAR EXPERT Sun, Aug 10, 2008 at 05:01 PM EST

ARE YOU PEOPLE CRAZY?NONE OF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT OBVIOUSLY.ACTING AWARDS FOR IRON MAN,AND BATMAN?HEATH LEDGER IS A LONGSHOT AND HE IS THE ONLY ONE ANY OF YOU HAVE MENTIONED THAT IS WORTHY OF ATTENTION.LET ME JUST SAY THIS,COMIC BOOK MOVIES,BLOCKBUSTERS AND SPECIAL EFFECTS FILMS DON'T EQUAL OSCAR!STARWARS,ET,RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK ANYONE!? THE LIST OF BIG BLOCKBUSTERS THAT HAVE WON THE BIG ONES IN THE LAST 40 YEARS IS SMALL,FORREST GUMP,TITANIC,RETURN OF THE KING.HARDLY ANY OF YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR SAYING.YOU PEOPLE WANT A REAL LIST OF CONTENDERS? HERE WE GO.RACHEL WEIZ IN MY BLUEBERRY NIGHTS,POSSIBLY NORA JONES AS WELL,BURN AFTER READING,BEER FOR MY HORSES,VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA,CROSSING OVER,AND WALL-E THATS JUST A SMALL LIST.THE VISUAL EFFECTS OSCAR WILL BE A TOUGH ONE.I BELEIEVE THE WINNER IN THAT CATEGORY HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET. IT WILL BE A WINTER FILM JUST LIKE THE GOLDEN COMPASS WAS LAST YEAR.IRON MAN-NO,INDIANA JONES-NO,HANCOK,THE DARK KNIGHT,THE MUMMY ALL NO!

OSCAR EXPERT Sun, Aug 10, 2008 at 05:01 PM EST

ARE YOU PEOPLE CRAZY?NONE OF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT OBVIOUSLY.ACTING AWARDS FOR IRON MAN,AND BATMAN?HEATH LEDGER IS A LONGSHOT AND HE IS THE ONLY ONE ANY OF YOU HAVE MENTIONED THAT IS WORTHY OF ATTENTION.LET ME JUST SAY THIS,COMIC BOOK MOVIES,BLOCKBUSTERS AND SPECIAL EFFECTS FILMS DON'T EQUAL OSCAR!STARWARS,ET,RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK ANYONE!? THE LIST OF BIG BLOCKBUSTERS THAT HAVE WON THE BIG ONES IN THE LAST 40 YEARS IS SMALL,FORREST GUMP,TITANIC,RETURN OF THE KING.HARDLY ANY OF YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR SAYING.YOU PEOPLE WANT A REAL LIST OF CONTENDERS? HERE WE GO.RACHEL WEIZ IN MY BLUEBERRY NIGHTS,POSSIBLY NORA JONES AS WELL,BURN AFTER READING,BEER FOR MY HORSES,VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA,CROSSING OVER,AND WALL-E THATS JUST A SMALL LIST.THE VISUAL EFFECTS OSCAR WILL BE A TOUGH ONE.I BELEIEVE THE WINNER IN THAT CATEGORY HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET. IT WILL BE A WINTER FILM JUST LIKE THE GOLDEN COMPASS WAS LAST YEAR.IRON MAN-NO,INDIANA JONES-NO,HANCOK,THE DARK KNIGHT,THE MUMMY ALL NO!

Hayden Sun, Jul 20, 2008 at 02:22 PM EST

Robert Downey Jr (Iron Man) - Best Actor
Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight) - Best Supporting Actor
Wall-E - Best Animated Film
The Dark Knight - Best Costume
Christopher Nolan - Best Director

Pay-t Mon, Jul 14, 2008 at 05:04 AM EST

Appearently, most voters do have a short memory. I support this statement by saying that the only I've seen on this list of comments are summer movies.

Remember the winter and spring movies.
In Bruges, with a briliant script by Martin McDonagh and a more than decent performance by Brendan Gleeson.
TBS, a Dutch movie truly deserving best foreign movie.
The Forbidden Kingdom would easily get Best Costume, altough that isn't a major award.

Well, apperantly winter and spring didn't have much to remember it by. Tumbs up to upcomming releases then.

DJ Fri, Jul 11, 2008 at 06:16 PM EST

If you don't like WALL-E, you don't have a soul. It is easily the best picture released this year (so far), and should be not only nominated for Best Pic, but one of the front-runners. I can't remember a film that is so well done, with so much emotion and a healthy dose of biting social commentary. Simply Amazing.

jlew77 Tue, Jul 8, 2008 at 12:27 PM EST

Anyone see My Blueberry Nights? Not my favorite of Wong Kar Wai's films, but excellent visually (as always) and an amazing performance from Rachel Weisz. Natalie Portman's character was very interesting - different from anything else I've seen her do.

M Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 09:38 AM EST

It warms my heart to see all the Wall*E love . . . if Beauty and the Beast warranted a Best Pic nom for 1991, then why not this dazzlingly creative and unexpectedly touching Pixar masterpiece in 2008? Oh, and Heath Ledger is a shoo-in for a win (not a nom, a win) for Best Supporting Actor. Comic-book movies are generally not acting showcases, but the intensity of his performance and the love for Heath will most certainly help him overcome the comic-book stigma.

ladybug6_12 Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 06:22 AM EST

Robert Downey Jr. for best actor (Iron Man)
Jason Segel for original Screenplay (Forgetting Sarah Marshall)
Heath Ledger best supporting actor (The Dark Knight)
Patricia Fields best costume (Sex and the City)
Wall-E for animated picture

faith Sat, Jul 5, 2008 at 10:43 PM EST

Really, the only things out now that we'll be hearing about come Oscar time are the documentaries. The documentaries that get nominated are usually much earlier than other films. So that's what we should all be seeing now. I'm putting my money behind Standard Operating Procedure. A brilliant film from a brilliant director.

Brad Sat, Jul 5, 2008 at 05:04 PM EST

I was pleasantly surprised by both Kate Beckinsale in Snow Angels and Liv Tyler in The Strangers, both actresses I've never really liked at all (though I don't think either of them stand a chance). Any of the performances from The Visitor merit recognition, and I thought the always dependable Samantha Morton was fantastic in Mister Lonely. Also, Julianne Moore was quite good in the otherwise unremarkable Savage Grace. Nice to see her get out of the rut she's been stuck in for the past few years.

Ceballos Sat, Jul 5, 2008 at 04:59 PM EST

GingerCat:

First off, I don't think you're a snob. Still, I would argue with anybody who wants to that Wall-E had oodles more "emotional complexity" than something like "Crash" or "Chicago" (two recent Best Picture winners) or many other dramas which are deemed as Oscar-worthy.


Then again, to me, just because a movie is animated doesn't automatically make it a kids' movie. To me, animation is a medium, not a genre (like comedy, drama or horror). It's another vehicle that can be used to tell a story (like a comedy or a drama). It just so happens that most animated movies are used to tell stories aimed at kids. However, this doesn't automatically make them all "kids' movies" (which suggests something that should be looked down on).


In my opinion, neither Wall-E nor Ratatouille are kids' movie. They're movies for EVERYBODY. Unfortunately, as long as people like you dismiss them as such, these wonderful pieces of art (and they ARE art) will be stuck at the, um, kiddie table.

Jessica Sat, Jul 5, 2008 at 11:42 AM EST

I'm going to throw my 2 cents in behind In Bruges and Snow Angels, 2 of my faves so far this year, although I can't honestly picture them getting recognition. Fingers crossed for Sam Rockwell in Choke, though!

GingerCat Sat, Jul 5, 2008 at 08:25 AM EST

Ummm . . . aren't most Oscar-caliber pics released in the fall and December, precisely because of Oscar voters' short memories? I think the studios have learned from the past, when good movies released in spring and summer were essentially ignored, so they're holding everything for the holiday season.
At the risk of being called a snob, it's disheartening to see people suggesting "Wall-E" and "Kung Fu Panda" deserve noms. They're movies for kids, which is fine, but Oscar movies should have more emotional complexity than that, in my opinion. The idea that "Ratatouille" should have been nominated for best picture makes me scratch my head in bewilderment. That movie shouldn't have even won Best Animated Pic--"Persepolis" was head and shoulders above it.
In short, the Oscars are for adults, not kids, and shouldn't reward kids' movies. Not because kids' movies are bad, but because they don't truly deal with real life experience.

Corran Fri, Jul 4, 2008 at 12:57 PM EST

Robert Downey Jr. Best Actor For Iron Man, Kung Fu Panda best Animated Picture, and Jason Segel best Original Screenplay for Forgetting Sarah Marshall!

SamPoP Fri, Jul 4, 2008 at 10:35 AM EST

i dont knouw, isnt there sum kinda registered voter system here, where ya have to ignorant and white like a plastic BAG (read DREPUBLICAN, feck!!), to be available to vote...

hank Fri, Jul 4, 2008 at 09:47 AM EST

NICOLE KIDMAN...australia

misty Fri, Jul 4, 2008 at 04:53 AM EST

What is wrong with the stupid people putting forward Russell (twat in hat) Brand? Have you no shame? And I wish people would stop going on about bloody Wall-E, it won't get a nod past the animation stages. I recently saw The Edge of Love nad was astounded at both Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller's performances, both award worthy, although the film generally wasn't the best - and I'm not a fan of either of those too actresses usually. But I think we'll all have to wait it out for the big hitters later in the year. Revolution Road, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button both seem to be front runners...

V.M.L. Fri, Jul 4, 2008 at 01:59 AM EST

Give WALL-E a best pic nom, PLEEEEEAAAAAZZZZZZZE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cindy Fri, Jul 4, 2008 at 01:40 AM EST

RDJ all the way baby!

Ben Fri, Jul 4, 2008 at 01:04 AM EST

Robert Downey Jr. will ger nomination, probably not for Iron Man, but for The Soloist.

Rob Grizzly Fri, Jul 4, 2008 at 12:39 AM EST

Honestly, absolutely nothing has been Oscar worthy yet this year. It's not November, but surely at least ONE movie could have poked its head out between January and now.

I'm hearing good things about The Bank Job and In Bruges.

If you got a chance to see an early screening, then you know Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight (omg!) Best Supporting Actor. Maybe even best picture (I thought Batman Begins deserved the nod back in 05 as well).

But I have to say the best film I've seen this year is easily Wall*E.

I also really liked Cloverfield (Best Visual Effects)


StaleCake Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 11:38 PM EST

I'll probably be lambasted for this, but I thought Natalie Portman was Oscar-worthy fantastic in The Other Boleyn Girl. I loved that movie more than I should have - it reminded me of the kind of great old films that would have been made with Olivia De havilland and Joan Fontaine

kim in kentucky Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 09:59 PM EST

def Robert Downey Jr for IRONMAN and Richard Jenkins was wonderful in The Visitor

Kirkland Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 09:30 PM EST

I agree with "graeme" that Snow Angels was great... devastating, but great. I think Sam Rockwell deserves recognition and Kate Beckinsale was really terrific... even a screenplay or director nod would give hope to all of those smaller directors who have passion for filmmaking... not just about making money.

chamlo Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 09:05 PM EST

Robert Downey Jr. should but considering that his movie is a blockbluster, his nomination may be a hard sell. Heath however may receive posthumous recognition... in the trailers alone he is brillant! He is making me forget Jack Nicholson as the Joker and I thought THAT would be impossible.

graeme Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 08:33 PM EST

Well, no one saw "Snow Angels", but Kate Beckinsale gave the best performance of her career (so did Sam Rockwell for that matter).

I think Best Supporting Actress is already very strong with Rachel Weisz in "Definitely, Maybe" (making a potentially extremely dislikable character insanely charming and interesting).

Rachel McAdams in "Married Life". So good...but no one saw that one either.

Rich Haller Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 05:36 PM EST

Robert Downey Jr. for Ironman. Not much to say, just a solid, intense performance.

Gwyneth Paltrow, for Ironman. This was the first time I saw Paltrow and I see now what the fuss is about. She could turn out to be one of the great ones.

Jeff Bridges, for Ironman. Interesting to see him as a heavy. I think he was outstanding in this part. At first based on his voice I thought he was Albert Brooks, but he looked too darn big. Then I realized it was "the Dude" himself! :)

Ironman itself is not oscar material by a long shot. Special effects were incredible, but it was too predictable and corny to my taste. On the other hand, it IS a comic book movie ;) However, I felt I got my $7 worth even if I couldn't understand about 2/3 of what Downey was saying (I'm hard of hearing).

Mike J Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 04:49 PM EST

Heath Ledger, Wall-E and Iron Man all deserve nods. In Bruges should get something. It's been a rough rough year. Someone mentioned Emma Thompson. She is a goddess and does look great.

Deb Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 04:00 PM EST

I'm cheating a little - the movie will come out later this month. I don't think you can ever discount Emma Thompson at Oscar time. She looks great in the Brideshead Revisited trailer.

Taylor Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 03:45 PM EST

Here are my picks:
WALL E should be a shoe in AT LEAST for Best Animated....but seriously, that movie made me think about our world more than most live action movies I've ever seen.
I loved (as in seen it four times) Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man.
And of course Heath Ledger...I cannot wait for The Dark Knight to come out.

DanOregon Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 02:53 PM EST

When Oscars start going to films released before October, you'll see more Oscar contenders released before October.

Kevin Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 02:47 PM EST

In Bruges with Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes is the best movie so far this year. It had a good mix of drama, comedy and action. Great movie and hopefully it will be remembered by the oscars.

Laurie Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 02:37 PM EST

Variety is complaining that we've hardly seen any Oscar contenders? Huh. Coincidentally, there are actually movies I'm excited about seeing this year, lots of them, unlike last year's crop. Or perhaps that isn't coincidental at all. (Seriously this was my top ten list for 2007: 1. Ratatouille. 2. Did Order of the Phoenix come out in 2007? The end.) Considering the lengthy list of questionable Oscar winners over the years (no more questionable than most award shows, though, and considerably less questionable than the Emmys,) I feel that a lack of Oscar contenders is not exactly a huge problem.

Nick Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 02:36 PM EST

Wall-e is a best picture quality film, it was amazing, a week later I still can't stop thinking about it.

Lizzy Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 02:21 PM EST

WALL E
WALL E
WALL E
WALL E

Maybe best original screenplay for Jason Segal for "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" maybe i just will always love him for "Freaks and Geeks" but i loved that movie

Stacey Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 01:38 PM EST

Robert Downey Jr. for Iron Man. He was unbelievable in that film. But yeah, I am sure the true Oscar bait won't come out for while. But I definately think Robert should get a nomination.

Aaron Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 01:22 PM EST

Well, there have been a lot of great docs (Bigger, Stronger, Faster; Young@Heart). I loved Ellen Page in Smart People, but no one will remember that. Jim Sturgess was excellent in 21, but there will easily 5 better performances by year's end. Naomi Watts and Tim Roth were great in Funny Games, but...yeah, few people will subject themselves to that movie. I also loved all the production aspects of The Bank Job, but that will likely be forgotten as well. And Peter Dinklage brought may more to his role in Prince Caspian than I expected. I would love to see him recognized somehow.

Catherine Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 01:07 PM EST

Robert Downey Jr. for Iron Man...and I am kind of sad to say that it's the only thing I remember sor far since the beginning of the year!
And Kung Fu Panda!!! (Haven't seen Wall-E yet!)

Benjh Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 12:52 PM EST

Wall-E for best picture should be a no-brainer. Seeing as it's very much an artsy film (at least the first part), I think the academy might agree, for once.

jcarla Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 12:39 PM EST

How about Robert Downey Jr for Iron Man? I know some of you are saying its a popcorn flick but Iron Man did get rave reviews and Johnny Depp got a nod for Pirates.

Ferris Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 12:33 PM EST

Two nights ago I asked my husband if he remembers if we've seen any great movies this year. We could only come up with There Will Be Blood and No Country, but realized they didn't count because they released in 2007.

Have not seen Wall-E yet, and anticipating that as the first "great" movie of the year. Where are they??

Jennifer Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 12:28 PM EST

Russell Brand for Best Supporting Actor and "Dracula's Lament" for Best Original Song. (And I've been saying since the day Heath Leger died that he'd be getting a posthumous nod for "The Dark Knight.")

Joe Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 12:23 PM EST

Yea, I think Wall-E could be a Best Picture nominee. It's the best animated movie I've seen since Toy Story.

Rasha Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 12:23 PM EST

Can Definitely, Maybe get the first even Oscar for Best Rom-Com? I LOVED that movie.

I see SPJ and Sex and the City getting nominated for a few awards-- Costumes for Pat Field; Screenplay for Michael Patrick King, and maybe even a Best Actress Nod for SPJ. But even those are pretty big maybes.

Ceballos Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 12:21 PM EST

Ugh, double post. Sorry.

Ceballos Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 12:21 PM EST

Greg beat me to it, but I'd like to see "Wall-E" have a chance for Best Picture (and not just confined to the Animated Feature category) especially after Ratatouille was robbed of a Best Picture nom last year.


As for performances, how about Russell Brand in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." I mean, why not? He was absolutely hilarious. And "Dracula's Lament" for Best Original song. That's right, I'm handing "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" two Oscar noms (actually, three if Aldous Snow's "We've got to do something" gets a song nod too)

Ceballos Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 12:21 PM EST

Greg beat me to it, but I'd like to see "Wall-E" have a chance for Best Picture (and not just confined to the Animated Feature category) especially after Ratatouille was robbed of a Best Picture nom last year.


As for performances, how about Russell Brand in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." I mean, why not? He was absolutely hilarious. And "Dracula's Lament" for Best Original song. (That's right, I'm handing "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" two Oscar noms)

Jelana Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 12:10 PM EST

Well, of course no one's seen it yet, but people are talking about Heath Ledger for an Oscar already.

greg Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 12:10 PM EST

WALL-E for best picture! (not just best animated film)

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