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"UNSEEN" CONTENDERS: DO YOU SEE THEM COMING?

Early buzz makes Sidney Lumet's "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" a potential dark horse this season

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By Johnny Alba

Now that most year-long contenders have either confirmed their Oscar potential or failed to live up to the early hype, it’s time to start buzzing about all those upcoming films and performances that could spice up some of this year’s top races but that so far, remain as the season's biggest question marks. Let’s have a quick look:

Among the “unseen” contenders, there are three topping most predictions lists right now: Charlie Wilson’s War (read our script review here) has been blessed by Universal with an optimistic Christmas Day release but just like last year’s failed awards-machine Dreamgirls; the Tom Hanks vehicle could end up cursed by this same opening date if it gets less than stellar reviews. The anticipated, but somehow troubled, adaptation of Sweeney Todd is also among this year’s most talked about films: while it has been called great by some industry insiders, it has also made headlines for its editing work and the apparent omission of several (“fan” favorite) tunes. With significantly less buzz, There Will Be Blood (read our early script review here) is expected to become an awards vehicle for Oscar-less writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson and if the latest reviews are a good indication of what is yet to come for the Upton Sinclair adaptation, expect big things for the mysterious project).

But, Can these three December hopefuls end up on the Best Picture lineup? Only critical consensus will tell…

In the midst of all these very dark projects set to open in December, there is one that possesses the emotional and inspirational atmosphere that has turned small films like Finding Neverland and Little Miss Sunshine into Best Picture nominees. The film is The Kite Runner and as of now, it is one of the most promising dark horses of the season. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is the next big French import to hit American theaters this year (after La Vie en Rose). Ironically, there was a time when the Julian Schnabel project was linked to Johnny Depp and of course; it was on everyone’s predictions but then, when the director decided to go the right way and cast French legend Mathieu Almaric instead; its buzz faded. Luckily, the film was one of the big winners on the past Cannes Film Festival and now it will try to match this success in America.

Set to premiere next month, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead marks iconic director (and current member of the Overdue Club) Sidney Lumet’s return. The film has already received positive remarks and is set to debut on the upcoming NY Film Festival next month. Love in the Time of Cholera will be seen for the first time on the opening night of the AFI Fest. After that, we’ll know if the Garcia Marquez adaptation (by acclaimed director Mike Newell) will become the next great latin-themed novel brought to life or simply the next “The House of the Spirits.”

Buzz about Things We Lost in the Fire is accurately centered on its leading stars: Oscar winners Halle Berry and Benicio Del Toro remain as potential contenders thus far but the lack of early reviews for a film aiming at a likely limited release, that should build upon word of month, is not very encouraging. On the other hand, the little hopeful Gone Baby Gone by Oscar winner Ben Affleck has benefited immensely from the early reviews and obviously, from the growing popularity of the family’s best actor: Casey. Now the distributor only needs to find a way to stop the ridiculous attacks on the film based on the similarities to the unfortunate Madeleine McCain case (you know, the one about the little girl who disappeared on my very peaceful and safe homeland Portugal thanks to her parents’ neglect).

The rest of the year is also full of potential awards contenders: most of them will end up with little money in the bank but lots of critical praise; others will end up with little money and lots of bashing to overcome and some of these will probably fare better at the Indie Spirits or the Golden Globes anyway…  Here are some of the potential spoilers:

Slipstream
Lars and the Real Girl
Dedication
P.S., I Love You
Dan in Real Life

Let's not remember that at this point, last year, there was no real buzz about Ryan Gosling on the indie hit Half Nelson and we knew very little about the Eastwood/Spielberg collaboration Letters from Iwo Jima. Do not count anything and anyone just yet, I know there are some surprises ahead...

What do you think? Is there room for surprises this Oscar season? Discuss it here!

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