Oscar Predictions 2012: Best Actor

Last Updated: January 22, 2012 (FINAL PREDICTIONS)

Red = virtually guaranteed a nomination

Orange = good chance of nomination

Yellow = a strong contender

Green = in the mix

Blue = don’t count them out yet

Oscar Predictions Home | Picture | Director | Actor | Actress | Supporting Actor | Supporting Actress | Screenplays | Cinematography | Art Direction | Costumes | Makeup

1. George Clooney (The Descendants)	Pros: People love a good Clooney performance, and he’s receiving raves for this film. Locked. Cons: None.
2. Brad Pitt (Moneyball)	Pros: His movie is a big hit with audiences and critics, and everyone seems to love his performance. Pitt’s never won before and some think this could be his year. Cons: None, really.
3. Jean DuJardin (The Artist)	Pros: The Artist is a pretty much a lock for Best Picture at this point, and DuJardin is hogging a lot of the film’s praise. Buzz is only growing for his apparently hugely charismatic performance. Cons: DuJardin is not well known in America, and he has a lot of big competition in this category.
4. Leonardo DiCaprio (J. Edgar)	Pros: Many think that DiCaprio is “overdue” to win an Oscar. Despite poor reviews for the film, people liked his performance. Got a BFCA, SAG, and Globe nom, which almost always equals an Oscar nom. Cons: The poor reception of the film is definitely a setback for his campaign.
5. Michael Fassbender (Shame)	Pros: Fassbender is one of the biggest breakout stars of the year, and he’s earned raves for his performance in the harrowing, NC-17-rated Shame. He’s already received a BFCA and Globe nom. Cons: Shame seems like the type of movie that critics love (and lots of them have been very vocal in their support of Fassbender), but that could be a tougher sell with the Academy. Fassbender missed out on the SAG nom (but so did Michelle Williams last year, in a similarly bleak film).

 

Other Possibilities

6. Gary Oldman (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy)

7. Ryan Gosling (Drive)

8. Michael Shannon (Take Shelter)

9. Demian Bichir (A Better Life)

 

Awards Tracker

HFPA = Golden Globes | SAG = Screen Actors Guild | BFCA = Critics’ Choice Awards | ISA = Independent Spirit Awards | IPA = International Press Academy (Satellite Awards) | NBR = National Board of Review | HFA = Hollywood Film Awards | NSFC = National Society of Film Critics | BAFTA = British Academy of Film and Television Arts

(Red asterisk denotes win)

+ denotes nomination/win for another performance or combination of performances

 

Past Predictions

December: 1. Clooney, 2. DuJardin, 3. Pitt, 4. DiCaprio, 5. Fassbender

November: 1. Clooney, 2. DuJardin, 3. Pitt, 4. DiCaprio, 5. Oldman

October: 1. Clooney, 2. DuJardin, 3. Pitt, 4. Pitt, 5. Oldman

September: 1. Clooney, 2. DiCaprio, 3. Oldman, 4. Pitt, 5. DuJardin

August: Clooney, DiCaprio, Fassbender (A Dangerous Method), Gosling (The Ides of March), Oldman

July: Clooney, DiCaprio, Fassbender (A Dangerous Method), Gosling (The Ides of March), Oldman

June: Clooney, DiCaprio, Fassbender (A Dangerous Method), Gosling (The Ides of March), Oldman

May: Clooney, DiCaprio, Fassbender (A Dangerous Method), Gosling (The Ides of March), Oldman

March: Banderas (The Skin That I Inhabit), Clooney, Gosling (The Ides of March), Oldman, Pitt (The Tree of Life)

 

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Oscar Predictions 2012: Best Picture

Last Updated: January 22, 2012 (FINAL PREDICTIONS)

Red = virtually guaranteed a nomination

Orange = good chance of nomination

Yellow = a strong contender

Green = in the mix

Blue = don’t count them out yet

Oscar Predictions Home | Picture | Director | Actor | Actress | Supporting Actor | Supporting Actress | Screenplays | Cinematography | Art Direction | Costumes | Makeup

	1. The Artist Director: Michael Hazanavicius Cast: Jean DuJardin, Berenice Bejo, John Goodman, Malcolm McDowell Pros: This film had everyone talking at Cannes, and buzz has only grown since. It’s said to be quite a crowd-pleaser. DuJardin and Bejo are shoe-ins for an acting nom. Cons: None. It’s in, and it’ll probably win.
	2. The Descendants Director: Alexander Payne Cast: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller, Judy Greer, Matthew Lillard Pros: Payne has already had Oscar success with Sideways, and this time he has the high-profile Clooney helping the film earn attention. The Descendants is the right mix of heavy (giving it legitimacy) and uplifting (giving it the crowd-pleasing factor). Clooney and Woodley are also looking to be strong bets for acting nominations. Cons: The film hasn’t been a huge hit so far, staying somewhat under-the-radar. Could be too modest for the Oscars?
	3. Hugo Director: Martin Scorsese Starring: Asa Butterfield, Chloe Moretz, Ben Kingsley, Sascha Baron Cohen, Jude Law Pros: Critics gushed upon its release, and audiences seem to be enamoured with it, too. Cons: Children’s movies don’t tend to get Best Picture noms (but then again, most kids films aren’t directed by Scoresese).
	4. The Help Director: Tate Taylor Starring: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Jessica Chastain, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sissy Spacek, Allison Janney Pros: Huge summer hit based on one of the biggest novels of the past few years. Feel-good story with a great cast, and it’s only gaining momentum. Cons: Too glossy? That hasn’t stopped voters before, but there are a lot of other blockbuster-y type films in contention this year. Also, the early release date could hurt it.
	5. Moneyball Director: Bennett Miller Cast: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Robin Wright, Philip Seymour Hoffman Pros: Moneyball earned raves from critics, and it was a hit with audiences. Pitt has gained huge traction in the Best Actor race. Cons: Miller hasn’t been the presence in the Best Director race that he should be for this kind of movie.
	6. Midnight in Paris Director: Woody Allen Cast: Owen Wilson, Marion Cotillard, Rachel McAdams, Michael Sheen, Tom Hiddleston, Corey Stoll, Kathy Bates Pros: It was a summer hit, and people always get excited when Woody Allen makes a good film. Buzz has yet to die down for this quirky, highly enjoyable film. Cons: Is it too light of a film? Comedies have a tougher time at the Oscars, and it this one wasn’t even released during “Oscar season”.
	7. War Horse Director: Steven Spielberg Cast: Jeremy Irvine, Toby Kebbell, Emily Watson, David Thewlis, Tom Hiddelston Pros: It’s a Spielberg film that has done fairly well at the box office so far, and it seems tailor-made for Oscar voters. Cons: Reviews were a bit muted, and Spielberg was snubbed by the Director’s Guild in favour of David Fincher, and also by the Globes for George Clooney.
	8. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Director: David Fincher Cast: Rooney Mara, Daniel Craig, Christopher Plummer, Robin Wright, Stellan Skarsgaard Pros: This film has garnered a lot of support from critics. And while it didn’t have an especially strong start at the box office, it has steadily brought in solid returns, and it’ll definitely pass the $100 million mark. Support for Fincher is strong after The Social Network, and he got a DGA nom for this film. Cons: It hasn’t become the phenomenon that The Social Network was, and while it does have a devoted fanbase, it hasn’t reached as wide of an audience. It’s presence this awards season has been very spotty.
	9. The Tree of Life Director: Terrence Malick Starring: Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, Sean Penn, Hunter McCracken, Laramie Eppler Pros: Film geeks and critics have been hyping this film up for years (literally). And while The Tree of Life proved to be divisive, it had many viewers declaring it a masterpiece. It’s been a quiet but steady presence in awards season, so far. Some think that Mallick could receive a Best Director nom. Cons: It could definitely be too out-there and divisive for a lot of voters. It’s a film without any linear narrative, and highly experimental films rarely make a dent in the Best Picture category.
	10. Bridesmaids Director: Paul Feig Cast: Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Chris O’Dowd, Jon Hamm Pros: McCarthy has an unexpected amount of buzz, and the film got a Writer’s Guild nomination and, most importantly, a Producer’s Guild nom. Cons: It’s still a flat-out comedy film, which rarely hits with the Academy.

 

Other Possibilities

10. The Ides of March

11. Drive

12. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

 

Previous Predictions

December: 1. The Descendants, 2. The Artist, 3. War Horse, 4. Moneyball, 5. The Help, 6. Hugo, 7. Midnight in Paris, 8. The Tree of Life, 9. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

November: 1. The Descendants, 2. The Artist, 3. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, 4. War Horse, 5. Moneyball, 6. Midnight in Paris, 7. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, 8. J. Edgar, 9. The Help, 10. The Ides of March

September: 1. The Descendants, 2. The Artist, 3. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, 4. J. Edgar, 5. War Horse, 6. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, 7. The Ides of March, 8. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, 9. Moneyball, 10. Martha Marcy May Marlene

August: The Artist, A Dangerous Method, The Descendants, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The Ides of March, Like Crazy, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, War Horse

July: Carnage, A Dangerous Method, The Descendants, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The Ides of March, J. Edgar, Like Crazy, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, War Horse

June: A Dangerous Method, The Descendants, Drive, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The Ides of March, J. Edgar, Martha Marcy May Marlene, War Horse, Young Adult

May: Coriolanus, A Dangerous Method, The Descendants, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, The Ides of March, J. Edgar, Moneyball, The Tree of Life, War Horse

March: A Dangerous Method, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Hugo, The Ides of March, Like Crazy, Moneyball, The Tree of Life, War Horse, Young Adult

6 Things We Learned from the 2011 Venice Film Festival

• Shame is probably not going to be a mainstream success, but it may get Fassbender his first Oscar nomination
  • One of the most buzzed-about films at Venice has to be Steve McQueen’s new film, Shame. It earned a flurry of attention first for its gritty subject matter, and the suggestions of an NC-17 rating that came along with it. But while some feared that this could scare off potential distributors, Fox Searchlight was quick to scoop the film up. But Oscars buzz really heated up when the film’s star, Michael Fassbender, won the Coppa Vulpi award (the Venice equivalent to “Best Actor”) for his performance in the film. Literally overnight, Fassbender became a legitimate Oscar contender in the eyes of many (he originally was thought by many to have a better chance at a Best Actor nomination with David Cronenberg’s new film, A Dangerous Method). I’m avoiding making any rash changes to my own predictions, but I certainly think that Fassbender is a much more viable contender, now.
• The Ides of March may not be the Oscar juggernaut many once thought
  • While the film did receive mainly positive reviews, the critical buzz for Clooney’s latest flick was more muted than a lot of people had expected. As well, Ryan Gosling, who was previously considered a strong contender in the Best Actor race, received somewhat tepid reviews for his performance. I’m not counting it out yet, though.
• Fish Tank was not a fluke
  • Director Andrea Arnold received raves for her direction of Fish Tank (which starred the omnipresent Michael Fassbender), and it looks like she’s crafted another moody gem with her adaptation of Wuthering Heights, which won the Osella award for Best Cinematography. Though the film did receive mixed reviews at Venice, those who liked it seemed to love it, and many critics championed it dark tone and visual style.
• Watch out for Gary Oldman and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
  • Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy took the spotlight early on at Venice, and the response seemed to be quite positive. Gary Oldman, especially, earned raves, and it looks like it could be the crowd-please that The Ides of March might not turn out to be.
• Critics didn’t love Albert Nobbs, but they did like Glenn Close and Janet McTeer
  • The period drama Albert Nobbs failed to garner much buzz at the festival, and reviews were quite mixed, but its two leads did receive praise. Close received predictably strong reviews, but the early lack of enthusiasm about the film could hurt her Oscar campaign. However, Janet McTeer can only benefit from the strong reviews for her performance. I still don’t think she’s a major contender, but she’s certainly not out of the race, either.
• Carnage and A Dangerous Method didn’t excite
  • Though they received generally positive (but not glowing) reviews, Carnage and A Dangerous Method didn’t turn out to be the critical darlings that many had predicted. While films like Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Shame are on the upswing after Venice, these two didn’t seem to gain or lose much from the critical response.

Almost all of these films are screening at TIFF, so we’ll certainly be hearing about them over the next few days. All of this can easily change, but I found it interesting to gauge what the buzz was like at the first huge festival of Oscar season.

And for more photos and news from Venice (as well as the latest Oscar news, as always) be sure to check out Times Like Those on Tumblr!

Fall Movie Preview: September 2011

I thought this summer offered some pretty respectable blockbusters. Bridesmaids, X-Men, Super 8, Horrible Bosses, Harry Potter, Captain America, and The Help were all a lot of fun, and it comparison to last year’s summer wasteland, things looked pretty good.

But now it’s time for the fall movies. This is typically when the major Oscar contenders start to come out, and things get a little more “serious”. Things are just getting started in September, but even though there isn’t a ton of Oscar bait released this month (just wait for November and December), there are a lot of really interesting-looking films at both the cineplex and the arthouse theatres this month.

= Possible awards contender

= Times Like Those pick

= Probable cash cow

= Indie with breakthrough potential

= Looks like a turd

September 2

Apollo 18

Director: Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego

This purposely mysterious film purports to show “recovered footage” from a secret, final Apollo moon mission. Cast info is not available, though the film is being distributed by The Weinsten Company. It’s an interesting premise, and they seem to be taking a Blair Witch-inspired approach to marketing, which is always fun. If it gets good reviews, I’ll probably give it a rental.

Shark Night 3D

Starring: Sara Paxton, Dustin Milligan, Chris Carmack, Katherine McPhee, Donal Logue

Director: David R. Ellis

From the director of Snakes on a Plane comes Shark Night 3D! I don’t know what else to say, really. I enjoyed Dustin Milligan in 2009′s Extract, but I doubt I’ll ever watch this movie.

A Good Old-Fashioned Orgy

Starring: Jason Sudeikis, Tyler Labine, Leslie Bibb, Will Forte, Lucy Punch, Martin Starr, Lake Bell, Lindsay Sloane

Director: Pete Huyck, Alex Gregory

I have to hand it to Jason Sudeikis, because he’s a pretty ballsy actor. Anyone who would star in a film called A Good Old Fashioned Orgy has to be. And while this film obviously isn’t going to find a huge audience, there’s some good talent involved. The female cast is comprised of women who are, yes, beautiful, but also actually funny (Lake Bell totally won me over in No Strings Attached). However, the trailer was a bit of a disappointment. Despite the…unique…premise, they seem to be settling for easy laughs. (Limited release)

September 9

Bucky Larson: Born to be a Star

Starring: Nick Swarsdon, Christina Ricci, Don Johnson, Stephen Dorff, Kevin Nealon

Director: Tom Brady

Nick Swarsdon is a fairly funny guy when you see him interviewed, yet he always seems to be in awful movies. He is kind of unappealing and difficult to cast, though, so maybe it makes sense that he would star in a film about a well-endowed “kid” who follows in parents’ path into pornography. I’m really surprised this is actually getting a wide release. I do kind of enjoy that Stephen Dorff is in this movie and playing a character named “Dick Shadow”, though.

Contagion

Starring: Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Marion Cotillard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Laurence Fishbourn, Bryan Cranston, John Hawkes

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Soderbergh’s latest film about the outbreak of a deadly virus has earned major buzz for its star-studded cast (I’m most excited to see Jude Law and John Hawkes). But just as importantly, it looks like a compelling story, though the concept may hit too close to home for some moviegoers. I don’t think it will be a major player at the box office or in awards season, but I imagine Contagion will earn a fanbase nonetheless.

Warrior

Starring: Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Morrison

Director: Gavin O’Connor

If there’s one thing we learned at the Cineplex this year, it’s that a movie doesn’t need a slate of A-listers to be successful. Movies such as Insidious, Bridesmaids, and Super 8 didn’t contain a single household name onscreen, yet they all performed well at the box office. And it seems to me that Warrior is poised for similar glory. Co-leads Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton have already earned the respect of critics and also appeared in blockbusters (Hardy made his mark in Inception and Edgerton was in the new Star Wars films), but they haven’t yet claimed the fame to go along with it all. But both are poised for breakthroughs, and Warrior could be the film to get the ball rolling. Warrior doesn’t look like it breaks any new ground, but sports movies are often crowd-pleasers. Nick Nolte has also piqued viewers’ interest as the grizzled veteran fighter. This is a formula that worked very well for The Fighter last year, and I suspect Warrior may also become a slow-building hit.

Beware the Gonzo

Starring: Ezra Miller, Zoe Kravitz, Jesse McCartney, Campbell Scott, Amy Sedaris

Thanks to his darkly handsome looks and his upcoming film We Need to Talk About Kevin, Ezra Miller has already earned a rather intense association with his name. But believe it or not, Beware the Gonzo is actually a comedy. In the film, Miller plays an aspiring high school journalist who starts an underground newspaper with his group of misfit friends. I’m all for a film that combines teenage rebellion and print journalism, and judging by the trailer, the film looks potentially promising. (Limited release – currently available in VOD formats)

Tanner Hall

Starring: Rooney Mara, Georgia King, Brie Larson, Amy Ferguson, Tom Everett Scott, Chris Kattan, Amy Sedaris

Director: Francesca Gregorini, Tatiana von Furstenberg

Tanner Hall is actually a couple of years old, but it is just now getting distribution thanks to Rooney Mara’s rising star status. It looks like a harmless coming-of-age tale about life at a girls-only bording school. My expectations aren’t huge, but the trailer has a nice mood about it, and this seems like a film that I will probably enjoy. (Limited release)

September 16

Drive

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Albert Brooks, Christina Hendricks, Bryan Cranston

Director: Nicholas Winding Refn

I know that everyone loves Ryan Gosling, but I don’t know if this movie is going to connect with a huge audience. I think it may end up being a film like The American, which turns out to be less action-packed and more “arty” than a lot of people expect. This is just based on its success at Cannes, so I could be off the mark, but either way, it looks like an interesting film. Gosling plays a Hollwood stunt driver whose night-time gig as a getaway driver becomes complicated when he gets tied up in a heist. The tone of the movie looks moody, and it’s great to see Gosling getting complex roles.

I Don’t Know How She Does It

Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Greg Kinnear, Pearce Brosnan, Christina Hendricks, Kelsey Grammer

Director: Douglas McGrath

Take a look at this plot synopsis and tell me that this isn’t a completely misogynistic concept for a movie:

“A comedy centered on the life of Kate Reddy, a finance executive who is the breadwinner for her husband and two kids.”

WHAT? How is that the plot of a movie? If the roles were reversed and the film was about a man who provides for his wife and two children, there wouldn’t BE a movie. Last time I checked, many women hold jobs in our society today. If that paper-thin premise is all this film has, then it was made about 50 years too late.

Straw Dogs

Starring: Kate Bosworth, James Marsden, Alexander Skarsgard

Director: Rod Lurie

Maybe I’m just imagining things, but it seems like I have been hearing about this damn movie FOREVER. It’s where Kate Bosworth and Alexander Skarsgard met and started a serious relationship, and they have since broken up. But anyways, this is based on the 1971 Dustin Hoffman film, and right down to the posters, it looks like a lazy remake. But if you want to watch Alexander Skarsgard ride around in a pickup and terrorize James Marsden and Kate Bosworth, be my guest.

Restless

Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Harry Hopper, Shuyler Fisk

Director: Gus Van Sant

I’m interested in any film made by Gus Van Sant (Milk, My Own Private Idaho) but this story of two teens falling in love especially catches my interest. As the trailer reveals, Wasikowska’s character is terminally ill, and Hopper’s character has a penchant for crashing funerals, so all of this could lead to a sappy, overly-cutesy weepy. But I have a lot of faith in Van Sant, and at the very least, this should at least be a visually beautiful film. (Limited release)

September 23

Abduction

Starring: Taylor Lautner, Lily Collins, Alfred Molina, Jason Isaacs, Sigourney Weaver

Director: John Singleton

When I was a tween, I read a book called The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney. In the book, a teen girl spots her on own mug on a milk carton, claiming her to be a “missing child”. From there, she has to revaluate her entire childhood, and uncover who the people who claim to be her parents actually are. This is basically the premise of Abduction, a film which has the misfortune of starring Taylor Lautner. However, I do like Lily Collins, and the film has a very interesting supporting cast (can Jason Isaacs just be in every film?). The Face on the Milk Carton was a book that really stuck with me at that age, so if this film is lucky, it may find a similar appeal for today’s youngsters.

Dolphin Tale

Starring: Harry Connick Jr., Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Nathan Gamble, Kris Kristofferson

Director: Charles Martin Smith

I’m not going to trash this film sight unseen, because I’m sure it’s a heart-warming film, and if I was 10 years old, I would be the first in line to see it. It has a charming cast, and if the director handles the material right (and how far wrong can you go with a film about a boy who befriends an injured dolphin?), it will probably be decent family fare.

Moneyball

Cast: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Robin Wright, Philip Seymour Hoffman

Director: Bennett Miller

Brad Pitt hasn’t had a true “vehicle” film since Benjamin Button, so it will be kind of nice to see him back in all of his swaggering, heroic glory. This time he plays the manager of a struggling baseball team who turns to technology to draft his ideal players. Normally, I would want to fall asleep after hearing that premise, but I’m giving Moneyball the benefit of the doubt for two key reasons. First of all, it was written by Aaron Sorkin, whose last project – The Social Network – won him an Oscar. As well, it was directed by Bennett Miller, who added some real visual flare to his last project, Capote.

Killer Elite

Cast: Jason Statham, Clive Owen, Robert DeNiro

Director: Gary McKendry

Jason Statham has been making the same film for ten years (with the notable exception of Gnomeo & Juliet), and I never watch any of them (the only movie of his that I’ve seen is The Italian Job). Things probably won’t change with The Killer Elite, despite the fact that it co-stars Clive Owen (who has strangely been getting a bit typecast himself recently) with a villainous moustache. Throw in Robert DeNiro as a kidnapped mentor that Statham has to rescue, and you’ve got a pretty impressive cast. Yet this film is only getting a limited release, perhaps due to its first-time director. It’ll turn out to be surprisingly good, or completely forgettable.

Machine Gun Preacher

Cast: Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan,

Director: Marc Forster

Clive Owen used to be the guy who got the good roles, while his twin, Gerard Butler (am I the only one who confuses them?), toiled in action snoozers and rom-coms. But it seems like the tables will turn this week at the cinemas. Gerry’s all grown up, you guys! In fact, he’s even gaining serious Oscar buzz for his role as a reformed biker who turns his efforts towards saving African child soldiers. But my question is this: am I bad person for rolling my eyes every time I hear about this movie? When I first heard the title, I thought it was some kind of tongue-in-cheek Machete-esque flick, and the poster could be much more obvious. I’m sure the filmmakers’ intentions were very good, but this whole movie just smacks of overly-earnest, “important” filmmaking to me (see also: The Reader). Is the “bad-boy-turned-saviour” genre the new “nice white lady” movie? (Limited release)

Red State

Cast: Michael Angarano, Kyle Gallner, Nicholas Braun, John Goodman, Melissa Leo

Director: Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith has been busy hyping Red State in a cross-continent tour, so a lot has already been said about this movie. But for those who don’t know, it’s the story of three boys who (during a search for sex gone horribly wrong) are basically abducted by members of a fundamentalist church. This is clearly a movie designed spark controversy and discussion, but it also looks like really entertaining filmmaking. If the trailer looks like something you’d enjoy, check the film out in one of the many formats that it will be available in (as well as a limited release, I believe the movie will also be available on-demand). (Limited release)

September 30

50/50

Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogan, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anna Kendrick, Anjelica Houston

Director: Jonathan Levine

Whether or not the world is prepared for it, we’re getting a cancer comedy. And it’s getting a wide release, surprisingly. But seriously, this does look like a well-handled, affectionate dramedy. And if any young actor can pull it off, it’s Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He’s brilliant at both comedy and drama, and he’ll certainly have to balance the two here. Anna Kendrick is also an appealing as Levitt’s therapist, and Seth Rogan (who’s getting surprisingly serious lately) should provide an extra comedic touch.

Dream House

Starring: Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, Naomi Watts

Director: Jim Sheridan

Jim Sheridan is a solid director (I really liked last 2009′s Brothers) so I have a bit more faith in what looks like a glossy Hollywood mystery/thriller. It also features some good actors. But from the poster to the plot description (a family moves into a new house and learns about the violence committed against former residents) it seems pretty typical. There could be more to it, though, and to be fair, I haven’t watched the trailer yet, as I heard it was rather spoiler-y.

What’s Your Number?

Starring: Anna Faris, Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Joel McHale, Zachary Quinto, Andy Samberg, Anthony Mackie, Martin Freeman

Director: Mark Mylod

Everything about this film looks utterly predictable, yet it’s still kind of appealing to me. I think Faris is a really, really talented comedic actress, so it’s always nice to see her get leading roles. And Chris Evans (who has been growing on me a lot as an actor) seems utterly charming, judging by the trailer. I also love a lot of the actors playing Faris’ long line of “exes”. The film looks mediocre (it even has a cheap look to it, to be honest), but I think the comedic talent involved will elevate the material.

Margaret

Starring: Anna Paquin, Matt Damon, Mark Ruffalo, Allison Janney, Matthew Broderick, Kieran Culkin, Olivia Thirlby

Director: Kenneth Lonergan

Kenneth Lonergan first feature was the heart-warming and acclaimed 2000 film You Can Count on Me. Now, over ten year later, his next project will finally see the light of day. The film, which stars Paquin as a woman who witnesses a horrific bus accident, has been in development for years. It’s also the final film produced by Sydney Pollock and Anthony Minghella (who both passed away in 2008) to be released. The director alone is enough to get me interested, and the cast seals the deal. Long delays are never a good sign when it comes to the quality of a film, but I’m willing to give Margaret the benefit of the doubt. (Limited release)

Take Shelter

Starring: Michael Shannon, Jessica Chastain, Shea Wingham

Director: Jeff Nichols

I like to think of Another Earth, Take Shelter, and Melancholia as a doomsday-eque, sci-fi-twinged trio. And I’m not sure what it says about me that I’m hotly anticipating all of them. But anyways, in Take Shelter, Michael Shannon plays a man who is haunted by apocalyptic visions and becomes obsessed with building a shelter in his backyard. If anyone can pull off a teetering, volatile character, it’s Shannon, who’s proven his talent for playing characters on the edge in films like Revolutionary Road and The Runaways. It’s a fascinating concept, and the trailer looks just as off-kilter and freaky as you’d expect. (Limited release)