Re: Kicking Off the Fall Season
Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2017 4:00 pm
Some major players have been reviewed since Venice and Telluride kicked off:
DOWNSIZING - Todd McCarthy, pretty much a bellwether of the 'average academy voter's tastes, loved this. However there are some divisive reactions, especially regarding its second half. MVP notices across the board have gone to Hong Chau, who looks to net a Supporting Actress nomination regardless of whether or not the film succeeds in other categories, though as it stands it looks like it will be a decent player for nominations in Picture, Director, Screenplay and possibly Production Design, Visual Effects or Editing, the latter only if it has BP passion. Damon's reviews have been lukewarm and a Globe nomination is probably what he can hope for at best. Waltz has also been singled out, but the role has also been criticised as one-note. Regardless, he could be a nomination possibility in a very thin Supporting Actor field, especially if Cranston is campaigned as a lead.
THE SHAPE OF WATER - While there are some outliers who have criticised this as fluff, responses across the board are passionate enough to get this easy nominations in Picture, Director and across the techs, with possibilities in Screenplay. Hawkins' reviews have been stellar and she's a strong threat for a nomination and even the win if of-yet-unseen contenders fall by the wayside. Supporting cast reviews have been strong but not as enthusiastic - the roles have been criticised as one-note, though Shannon & Jenkins in Supporting Actor and Spencer in Supporting Actress could show up in thin fields, though I wouldn't count on it.
SUBURBICON - Most critics see this as a disappointment covering territory mined far more successfully in other films, and say the political allegories are on-the-nose and possibly in bad taste in today's political and social climate. Many say that the Coens script has been wasted and neutered with George Clooney as director, though most critics agree that it's a fun diversion. Isaac is receiving strong reviews, though his role is a cameo and he won't be in the running barring a Michael Shannon-'08 type coup. Moore gets "some fun moments" but some critics have called her miscast. Damon has received modest praise and has been credited with carrying the unoriginal film well enough, though the strongest reviews have all gone to Noah Jupe who plays Damon's son in the film.
LEAN ON PETE - Strong reviews from the 'cinephile' crowd, modest reviews from the awards-focused pundits. Strong ink for the film from critics who compare it to Reichardt and Bresson, and praise from both camps for young star Charlie Plummer. Steve Buscemi, however, is hardly mentioned at all in any reviews and appears to be out of the running for this.
DARKEST HOUR - All reviewers tend to be in agreement that this is standard-issue Oscar bait, but they all praise Oldman and call him a frontrunner, though most admit this is due to cynical reasons based on historical trends. Variety gives the strongest review for him, calling it one of his best performances. Plaudits for the film's screenplay, direction and techs have been measured but solid. Many critics think the film may suffer from fatigue from similarly-themed releases such as TV's The Crown. Supporting cast have surprisingly received little praise, one line at most in most reviews - Scott Thomas receives strongest praise, nothing too special however, though most reviews note that she's only in a few scenes. If Mendelsohn is mentioned his performance is generally complimented modestly, though some critics differ and there have been some notices saying he improves on Firth's performance of the same role. Either could still happen in weak fields, and will probably show up at BAFTA. Lily James and Ronald Pickup appear to be out of the running in by-the-numbers roles.
FILM STARS DON'T DIE IN LIVERPOOL - Strong reviews for the leads, Bening and Bell, and some decent notices for Julie Walters in support but many criticisms of the lightness of the film, its plotlessness and the poor job it does conveying Gloria Grahame's historic celebrity and legacy to an audience who may not have heard of her. However, most critics have thrown Bening in the ring - her performance has been widely complimented - with caveats that she's unlikely to break through in a strong field, especially if the film isn't commercially successful. THR's rundown of its awards chances asserts that if Bening couldn't make it in for 20th Century Women, she won't for this, though some certainly disagree at this point.
THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI - Reviews were surprisingly middle-of-the-road for this, many calling its screenplay contrived and its comedy somewhat strained and muddled. McDormand, however, was praised across the board but she's unlikely to break out except at the Globes and in smaller precursors. Of the supporting cast Harrelson got the most attention, but he's still an outlier contender in a weak field.
THE GLASS CASTLE - Respectable reviews for the cast - though the strength of Larson's role was criticised - though generally seen as a blip on the fall radar. Doubtful that this will make an impact.
OUR SOULS AT NIGHT - All critics agree that this is a breezy, pleasant though unmemorable romance focused at the older market. Fonda and Redford are reported to work well together in this romance but it won't be a presence in the upcoming awards season.
FIRST REFORMED - Strong reviews for the film from some camps - mainly European critics - and generally strong ink for lead Ethan Hawke (some calling it his best work as an actor) and supporting actress Victoria Hill, though like most of Schrader's other films there has been no talk about awards prospects and it appears unlikely to secure a release date for this year.
DOWNSIZING - Todd McCarthy, pretty much a bellwether of the 'average academy voter's tastes, loved this. However there are some divisive reactions, especially regarding its second half. MVP notices across the board have gone to Hong Chau, who looks to net a Supporting Actress nomination regardless of whether or not the film succeeds in other categories, though as it stands it looks like it will be a decent player for nominations in Picture, Director, Screenplay and possibly Production Design, Visual Effects or Editing, the latter only if it has BP passion. Damon's reviews have been lukewarm and a Globe nomination is probably what he can hope for at best. Waltz has also been singled out, but the role has also been criticised as one-note. Regardless, he could be a nomination possibility in a very thin Supporting Actor field, especially if Cranston is campaigned as a lead.
THE SHAPE OF WATER - While there are some outliers who have criticised this as fluff, responses across the board are passionate enough to get this easy nominations in Picture, Director and across the techs, with possibilities in Screenplay. Hawkins' reviews have been stellar and she's a strong threat for a nomination and even the win if of-yet-unseen contenders fall by the wayside. Supporting cast reviews have been strong but not as enthusiastic - the roles have been criticised as one-note, though Shannon & Jenkins in Supporting Actor and Spencer in Supporting Actress could show up in thin fields, though I wouldn't count on it.
SUBURBICON - Most critics see this as a disappointment covering territory mined far more successfully in other films, and say the political allegories are on-the-nose and possibly in bad taste in today's political and social climate. Many say that the Coens script has been wasted and neutered with George Clooney as director, though most critics agree that it's a fun diversion. Isaac is receiving strong reviews, though his role is a cameo and he won't be in the running barring a Michael Shannon-'08 type coup. Moore gets "some fun moments" but some critics have called her miscast. Damon has received modest praise and has been credited with carrying the unoriginal film well enough, though the strongest reviews have all gone to Noah Jupe who plays Damon's son in the film.
LEAN ON PETE - Strong reviews from the 'cinephile' crowd, modest reviews from the awards-focused pundits. Strong ink for the film from critics who compare it to Reichardt and Bresson, and praise from both camps for young star Charlie Plummer. Steve Buscemi, however, is hardly mentioned at all in any reviews and appears to be out of the running for this.
DARKEST HOUR - All reviewers tend to be in agreement that this is standard-issue Oscar bait, but they all praise Oldman and call him a frontrunner, though most admit this is due to cynical reasons based on historical trends. Variety gives the strongest review for him, calling it one of his best performances. Plaudits for the film's screenplay, direction and techs have been measured but solid. Many critics think the film may suffer from fatigue from similarly-themed releases such as TV's The Crown. Supporting cast have surprisingly received little praise, one line at most in most reviews - Scott Thomas receives strongest praise, nothing too special however, though most reviews note that she's only in a few scenes. If Mendelsohn is mentioned his performance is generally complimented modestly, though some critics differ and there have been some notices saying he improves on Firth's performance of the same role. Either could still happen in weak fields, and will probably show up at BAFTA. Lily James and Ronald Pickup appear to be out of the running in by-the-numbers roles.
FILM STARS DON'T DIE IN LIVERPOOL - Strong reviews for the leads, Bening and Bell, and some decent notices for Julie Walters in support but many criticisms of the lightness of the film, its plotlessness and the poor job it does conveying Gloria Grahame's historic celebrity and legacy to an audience who may not have heard of her. However, most critics have thrown Bening in the ring - her performance has been widely complimented - with caveats that she's unlikely to break through in a strong field, especially if the film isn't commercially successful. THR's rundown of its awards chances asserts that if Bening couldn't make it in for 20th Century Women, she won't for this, though some certainly disagree at this point.
THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI - Reviews were surprisingly middle-of-the-road for this, many calling its screenplay contrived and its comedy somewhat strained and muddled. McDormand, however, was praised across the board but she's unlikely to break out except at the Globes and in smaller precursors. Of the supporting cast Harrelson got the most attention, but he's still an outlier contender in a weak field.
THE GLASS CASTLE - Respectable reviews for the cast - though the strength of Larson's role was criticised - though generally seen as a blip on the fall radar. Doubtful that this will make an impact.
OUR SOULS AT NIGHT - All critics agree that this is a breezy, pleasant though unmemorable romance focused at the older market. Fonda and Redford are reported to work well together in this romance but it won't be a presence in the upcoming awards season.
FIRST REFORMED - Strong reviews for the film from some camps - mainly European critics - and generally strong ink for lead Ethan Hawke (some calling it his best work as an actor) and supporting actress Victoria Hill, though like most of Schrader's other films there has been no talk about awards prospects and it appears unlikely to secure a release date for this year.