Chidi Okereke
The Academy Awards is the most prestigious and most sought after accolade an actor, filmmaker or anyone involved in the film industry could ever wish to receive. The 2019 edition while shocking in some areas was generally satisfying.
We know it’s a bit – never mind, a lot too early to talk about the 2020 Academy Awards. But out of curiosity, excitement and anticipation, we have decided to come up with our list of potential contenders for next year’s edition of the annual award show.
1. US
There is no doubt that actor, writer, director and producer Jordan Peele is a genius. His seamless transition from the goofy characters he plays on the wed series Key & peele to the writer and director of the award winning socially conscious horror film GET OUT is quite outstanding. Peele’s second film, US, also horror and mystery which stars Oscar winning lupita Nyong’o and Winston Duke is about a family of four being haunted by strangers who look exactly like them. US was released in March 2019 and has since received wide critical acclaim with a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. There’s no doubt that this haunting horror flick will be in the fray for an Oscar nomination both for its writing and acting.
2. ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD
The ninth film from the brilliant Quentin Tarantino, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is set to be released in July 2019. As every Tarantino film, expectations are high for the period drama about an ageing movie star and his stunt double as they struggle to succeed in an evolving Hollywood. Tarantino as usual lines up an impressive ensemble cast that features Leonardo DiCaprio, Al Pacino, and Margot Robbie to mention a few. OUATIH has been described as Tarantino’s closest film to Pulp Fiction, and has been tipped to receive nominations for its writing, acting, directing and possibly best feature.
3. FROZEN
2013’s Frozen 1 was a huge success for disney. The film received rave reviews from critics, made over 1.2 billion dollars in box office and received 2 Academy Awards. Frozen 2 is slated to be released on 22 November 2019 and it is expected to follow up on the successes of its predecessor. Nothing concrete about the plot has been revealed yet but a first trailer has been released and Chris Buck and Jenifer Lee have returned to direct.
4. TOY STORY 4
Another contender for animated feature is TOY STORY 4. This installment of the acclaimed franchise comes nine years after the third, but expectations are huge for fans of the adventures of Sheriff Woody and Buzz Lightyear, voiced by Tom Hanks and Tim Allen respectively. The film will also have the voices of Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key as well as Keanu Reeves, and is directed by Josh Cooley who previously worked on Inside Out and UP.
5. THE IRISH MAN
THE IRISH MAN is the 2019 film by legendary director Martin Scorsese. A crime drama based on the book I HEARD YOU PAINT HOMES by Charles Brandt about Frank Sheeran , a labour Union official with mob connections, alleged to have murdered Johnny Hoffer, an American Labour Union leader. The Irish Man is set to be distributed by NETFLIX and boasts a brilliant cast which consists of Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Al Pacino, and Harvey Keitel. The film will be an opportunity for another NETFLIX film to vie for major awards at the Oscars after Roma in 2019.
6. ROCKET MAN
Rocket Man is a biopic about the breakthrough years of music legend Sir Elton John, played by Taron Egerton from Kingsmen. From the trailers, Taron Egerton delivers a spirited and committed performance and will definitely want to emulate the success of Rami Malek who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury in 2018 film, Bohemian Rhapsody.
7. THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND
Another NETFLIX film on this list is Chiwetel Ejiofor’s The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. This is Ejiofor’s directorial debut and it tells the story of 13 years old boy who saves his village from farming after stopping school due to lack of finance. The film has already received praise for its sincerity, authenticity, acting, and Ejiofor has also been commended for a brilliant effort.
8. AD ASTRA
Ad Astra is a fantacy drama directed by James Gray and produced by Brad Pitt who also stars in the lead role. The film also boasts an impressive cast which includes Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga, Kimberly Elise and Donald Sutherland. The movie was scheduled to be released in January 2019 but has been pushed to 24 May 2019.
9. JOKER
Joaquin Phoenix stars in the titular role of Arthur Fleck aka Joker, based on the DC comics character. Joker will not look like the regular super hero/villain film; most especially as it is separate from the DC extended Universe. The film will explore the origins of Joker, and how he became the criminal mastermind that we know him to be. Joker stars Zazie Beetz, Robert De Niro and is directed by Todd Phillips from the Hangover trilogy. This is a passion project for Joaquin Phoenix and from all indications he is expected to be in contention for a nomination for best actor.
10. THE GOLD FINCH
The Gold Finch is based on Donna Tartt’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel of the same name. It is a coming of age drama about 13 years old Theodore Decker played by Ansel Elgort from Baby Driver whose life is changed after he survives a bombing that kills his mother. Nicole Kidman, Sarah Paulson and Finn Wolfhand from Stranger things also star in the highly anticipated film.
11. THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW
The Woman in The Window is a mystery thriller based on New York Times bestselling novel of the same name, written by A.J. Finn, and staring Amy Adams in the lead role. The film is about a child psychologist who spends all day inside her New York home, drinking and watching old movies witnesses a crime while spying on her neighbour, leaving her to determine whether or not to alert the police. The film also stars Julianne Moore, Gray Oldman, Bryan Tyree Henry and Anthony Mackie.
