With the hype coming off of the 2015 Oscars waning, it’s time to look ahead to the 2016 Oscars.
Not really. But it is worth looking ahead to see what potentially Oscar-caliber movies 2015 will have to offer.
Here are some that I’m personally looking forward to.
The Revenant
The Revenant is 2015’s Best Picture winner Alejandro Iñárritu’s latest film. After the incredibly successful Birdman, Iñárritu has assembled a cast of Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy, among others. It tells the survival story of a 1800s fur trapper who experiences a bear attack. The trapper will be played by DiCaprio, and may prove to be the role that finally earns Leo his famously long-sought Best Actor award.
Possible Awards: Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Directing
Joy
In 2012, director David O. Russell debuted Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence for the first time as a tandem in Silver Linings Playbook, an award-winning comedic drama that was loved by audiences and critics alike. The next year, Cooper and Lawrence returned in Russell’s American Hustle, which also received numerous nominations.
Two years later, Lawrence and Cooper return for a third time in Russell’s latest film, Joy. Lawrence plays a suburban housewife who survives financial struggles by creating several household products, becoming an entrepreneur in the process.
As a tandem, Lawrence and Cooper are always delightful, which alone is part of the reason I am anticipating this film. Add in David O. Russell, and his repeated success with the pair, and there is little chance that Joy won’t be the next successful Russell/Cooper/Lawrence film.
Possible Awards: Best Picture, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Directing
Silence
Martin Scorsese’s latest film isn’t slated for release until January of 2016, but will still make it into the 2016 Oscars lineup. As a big Scorsese fan, Silence is personally exciting for me. Andrew Garfield’s involvement, on the other hand, doesn’t particularly excite me, but I’m holding out hope that Garfield taps into his talent exhibited in The Social Network.
Garfield portrays a Jesuit priest who travels to Japan to learn from his mentor, played by Liam Neeson. Garfield will be accompanied by Adam Driver, one of the stars of HBO’s Girls, who may steal the show away from Garfield if he’s nearly as enjoyable as his Girls character.
Scorsese is always a favorite at the Academy Awards, even without his longtime leading man Leonardo DiCaprio. If Garfield can rediscover the talent that he squandered away with The Amazing Spiderman movies, Scorsese may have another winner on his hands.
Possible Awards: Best Picture, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Directing
On The Reel 