the power of the dog
Since its lavish world premiere at the Venice Film Festival in September, Jane Campion’s western the power of the dog became the favourite.
The film, an adaptation of Thomas Savage’s novel about toxic masculinity in the American West in the 1920s, leads the Oscar competition with the most nominations (12), and has swept nearly every award show. of the Hollywood season.
Bringing together Campion’s distinctive vision, an all-star cast led by Benedict Cumberbatch, a bleak psychological plot, and stunning photography thanks to the New Zealand locations where it was filmed, the film ticks several of the traditional boxes that the category of best film demands. film.
But its slow pace, which has alienated members of the Academy, and a voting system that favors universally enjoyed films, mean that there are still doubts about its ability to win the night’s top prize.
dunes
dunesDenis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic, grossed $400 million at the box office, almost double the $220 million earned by the other nine nominees…combined.
An adaptation of the first part of Frank Herbert’s novel, which imagines noble families on a planet plagued by giant sandworms, the production gained popularity among specialized critics and a sequel has been confirmed.
But his awards season success has been limited to technical categories, such as visual effects, sound and photography. Thus, the night can end without the Oscar for best film but with several statuettes.
the alley of lost souls
the alley of lost soulsa full-fledged author’s work, is a macabre circus fable about a supposed fortune teller who tries to deceive wealthy clients.
The film noir by Mexican Guillermo del Toro, which captivates the audience with its fascinating production design, hardly reaches the achievements of its previous the shape of waterwith which he reached the highest award in Hollywood.
Love without barriers
Steven Spielberg’s decision to work on a new version of the most awarded musical of all time was controversial. Even after Love without barriers garnered rave reviews upon its release, some critics questioned the effort.
Spielberg maintained the atmosphere of 1950s New York in which the original plot takes place, dealing with a love story pitting rival gangs against each other, but also addressing issues of representation, including a diverse cast and extensive dialogue in Spanish. .
Ariana DeBose’s performance as Anita garnered recognition for supporting actress status, and while she doesn’t seem close to winning the night’s biggest award, Spielberg is so revered in Hollywood that nothing can be ruled out.
Belfast
The shortest and most personal on the list, Kenneth Branagh’s semi-autobiographical “Belfast” has long established itself as a strong contender in the Oscar race.
He shows the outbreak of violence in the 1960s in his native Northern Ireland from a different perspective: that of a nine-year-old boy. Buddy (Jude Hill) struggles to make sense of his life-altering street events in a familiar, working-class neighborhood, but he’s sure of one thing: he doesn’t want to leave the only home he knows. Belfast it won several awards this season, but may have lost some of the initial momentum.