Forecasting the Oscars ® since 2003

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It's about who will"

BEST OF 2007 SO FAR: REFRESHING OSCAR'S MEMORY

"The Lookout" proves that the best is not always the most buzzed about...

FEATURES

By Joey Magidson

When it comes to the Oscars, it seems like the best time to put out a movie for awards consideration is right around the end of the year when everyone is focused on what "prestige" films will get nominated. It is important to note, however, that there are outstanding films that come out almost every single week. They might not all be Best Picture caliber, but even in the spring and summer months; you can find films that are deserving of consideration from the Academy.

Let's hope the Academy remembers these 10 films (in no particular order) come awards season:

10. Zodiac- David Fincher's dark and obsessive film boasts tremendous writing, direction, cinematography, and strong performances across the board. Special note to Robert Downey Jr. for his portrayal of a journalist who might have very well counted as one of the Zodiac's casualties; and Mark Ruffalo's understated turn as a detective who might very well know the killer's identity but is at the mercy of the law. The film had a modest haul at the box office but is readily available on DVD and could show up come awards time if it gets a decent (unlikely) push.

9. Black Snake Moan- Criminally under viewed, this masterpiece is a tale of broken people and how they attempt to heal (with a little help from the blues). It has a couple of standout performances that keep it from fading into complete obscurity: headlined by Samuel L. Jackson as Lazarus. Not a typical role for Jackson, he pulls it off flawlessly and deserved a lot more recognition than he got. Christina Ricci is naked inside and out as the woman in need of "healing". This was an offbeat story with offbeat performances but fell too far off the beaten path and most likely will be ignored come the end of the year. A shame too.

8. Knocked Up- Anyone familiar with my articles knows that I am championing this comedy as the big underdog come awards time. People scoff, but those of you that can quote the entire movie know that it is supremely well written and performed. Realistically, the film only has a shot at a nomination for Original Screenplay, but in a perfect world it would score in all the big categories (or to quote Knocked Up's twin brother Superbad: that is the world that I one day want to live in).

7. Away From Her- The Academy loves a good tearjerker, and this story of Alzheimer's and the people it claims tugs at the heartstrings quite effectively. It also boasts a young actress turned director, and AMPAS might not be able to resist nominating her adaptation of the novel. The most likely scenario is Julie Christie getting nominated for her outstanding performance: Deteriorating onscreen, it breaks your heart. This could follow in the path of a similar movie about the disease (Iris, starring Judi Dench) and pop up later on this year when the precursors begin.

6. Sicko- Michael Moore's full barreled attack on the health care system in America is the rare documentary (and yes, I'm considering it a documentary) that people may just remember months after seeing it. Moore's personality may be a help and a deterrent at the same time, but it looks likely that at the very least he'll have another movie in contention for Best Documentary, if it doesn't get disqualified like Fahrenheit 9/11 did.

5. Reign over Me- Perhaps one of the most underrated films this year, Mike Binder' meditation on how that fateful day in September 6 years ago might have broken an otherwise solid family-man is emotional and phenomenally acted. Don Cheadle is as good as he's ever been as Alan, the grounded friend from the past that attempts to coax Charlie (Adam Sandler) back into reality. Cheadle is our guide through most of the film, and he doesn't disappoint. The revelation is Sandler, who has done great work in the past (mainly Punch Drunk Love, though he was surprisingly effective in Spanglish) but has never been a powerhouse like he is here. Equal parts subtlety and rage, he fascinates you while also breaking your heart. His confession to Alan about his last contact with his family and his confrontation with his wife's parents will test your will not to cry. Most people have laid this film to rest already, but with a DVD out soon, that could possibly change.

4. Once- One of the year's biggest surprises, this charming indie musical is bound to pop up on a lot of year end "best of" lists. A simple story about the blooming of love through music, it is being championed as a dark horse in numerous categories (mainly writing, directing and original song). Reports of a large campaign getting set to begin almost assure us that we have not heard the last about this film and most people would agree that this would be a welcome occurrence.

3. Waitress- If the Academy is going to be thinking with their hearts this year, Waitress is going to be a tough one to pass up. The final project of slain actress/writer/director Adrienne Shelly, it's the type of low-key and charming film that Oscar sometimes embraces. If the posthumous sentiment comes into play it may produce Shelly's name on ballots in addition to potentially having Keri Russell. The former TV it-girl has drawn raves in the title role and she's just perky enough for the Academy to latch onto.

2. Rescue Dawn- Werner Herzog may have directed Christian Bale to his first ever nomination with this Prisoner of War drama. Lauded for its almost documentary style approach (no surprise coming from Herzog) and tremendous performance by Bale, Rescue Dawn may even benefit from the glowing reviews given to 3:10 to Yuma (another movie that Bale is in) recently. This is the flashiest role and the Academy may choose here to reward the versatile actor. Anyone who loses weight for roles like he does is deserving of recognition, and his talent and chameleon like ability to own a role just make it an easier sell.

1. The Lookout- Film noir for the 21st century, this is much more than a bank heist movie. It is also a character study, and a fine one at that. Joseph Gordon Levitt is incredibly deserving of recognition for his portrayal of a kid who once had the world in his hand and now can barely remember how to make himself food. A great 1-2 punch with Jeff Daniels' blind man/roommate makes this potentially a big movie for the actor's branch of the academy. Both performances (and the script itself) are quite fantastic and nominations for all three are not out of the question. Its biggest stumbling block was a lack of audience, but if people discover the DVD and the precursors mention these things, that could quickly change. Be on the lookout for The Lookout come the end of the year.

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