Oscarweb Round-up: Are we all underestimating 'Contagion?'
Also: Madonna reportedly set to re-cut 'W.E.' and Melissa McCarthy from Emmy to Oscar?
Could "Contagion" be a potential Best Picture contender in a leaderless field?
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In today's round-up, Mark Harris brings up something I've been wondering about lately: Could Steven Soderbergh's "Contagion," a well-regarded, star-studded, financially successful piece of smart dramatic filmmaking be in the hunt for Best Picture recognition? I've had at least one conversation with an Academy member who considers it one of the year's best films. Warner Bros. will already have plenty to work with in "J. Edgar" and "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," not to mention a planned Best Picture push for the critically acclaimed and box office-busting "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," but talk about a varied slate. Let's see what's going on in the Oscarweb today...
Mark Harris thinks we're all underestimating the Best Picture chances of Steven Soderbergh's "Contagion." [Grantland]
We're all talking about what the fall festivals DIDN'T tell us about the awards season, but Peter Knegt finds 10 things it DID tell us. [indieWIRE]
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Contagion - I'm a journalist
Journalist Jude Law harrasses Doctor Elliot Gould in this clip from "Contagion"
Greg Ellwood spins off of Melissa McCarthy's Emmy win and proposes that she's someone to watch for in the Best Supporting Actress category for "Bridesmaids." [Awards Campaign]
And in the same 12-hour span, Sasha Stone writes up something similar. Must be something in the water. [Awards Daily]
Speaking of which, Chris Nashawaty talks to the film's scribe and star, Kristen Wiig, about her speedy writing process and why Paul Rudd was cut from the film. [Entertainment Weekly]
With "Straw Dogs" in mind, James Frazier takes umbrage with Hollywood depictions of Mississippi with accent on "bigotry, violence and ignorance." [Washington Times]
Madonna to cut "W.E." in attempt to salvage awards hopes? [Movieline]
Anthony D'Allessandro talks "Drive," comedy as anger, Tweeting and Stanley Kubrick with Albert Brooks. [Thompson on Hollywood]
Carole Mallory, meanwhile, tells some stories about her old friend, Brooks, and particularly praises his work in Nicolas Winding Refn's film. [The Wrap]
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2012-2013 OSCAR PREDICTIONS
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Login or create a HitFix account Login SignupRichardA
September 20, 2011 at 4:14PM EST Reply to CommentAs impressive and enjoyable "Contagion" was, it did not keep its momentum in the last 20 minutes. In it's genre, Rise of the Planet Apes is better paced and has more impact.
red_wine
September 20, 2011 at 4:47PM EST Reply to CommentI would completely support a bid from Contagion for major nominations. After Tree Of Life, it is till date the best American offering I have seen this year.
If promoted well I believe it can easily garner screenplay and editing nods, it is an over-whelming sensible and overpoweringly restrained movie. And I think if Soderbergh does the rounds, he should find favor with the directors and could be nominated, his work here is supremely skillful and well done.
I would much rather that Contagion rather than some shitty Oscar bait is nominated at the Oscars.
Andrej
September 20, 2011 at 4:50PM EST Reply to CommentI dunno. Contagion doesn't seem to be making enough at the box office (though against The Lion King 3D, who is) to turn things around nor it seems to be technically driven as Inception or Avatar were.
I'm thinking Rise of the Planet of the Apes might have a better shot at it (though it's still a long shot).
Laura Stewart
September 20, 2011 at 5:36PM EST Reply to CommentContagion is looking to have strong legs and with the right campaign, it could surely wedge its way into a BP nom. If WB focuses on the film and screenplay (possibly directorial effort too) and not the actors, I can see this happening.
Rashad
September 20, 2011 at 5:38PM EST Reply to CommentI hope people support Rise of The Apes more.
JJ1
September 20, 2011 at 5:40PM EST Reply to CommentIt's currently my 4th favorite year. And it's my 2nd favorite of any kind of Oscar-ish bait. So, I'd be ok with a BP nom. And it would surely make my list, thus far. I think it was very surely made. Well directed, acted, written, edited, shot, etc.. Does it have passion votes? Not sure.
Laura Stewart Just curious- what are your other three?
September 20, 2011 at 7:19PM ESTMykill yeah I'd kinda like to know your top 5 as well. actually, pretty soon I would really like an update on InContention readers' top 5/top 10 films of the year so far (to see what has stuck out for people so far, and for me to possibly get some ideas for movies I've missed.) Maybe Kris can post a Cinejabber or something that let's people go at it.
September 20, 2011 at 7:49PM ESTI do agree that Contagion is one of my favorites of the year and I would not be upset with it getting some serious awards attention at all.
JJ1 1) Bridesmaids 2) The Help 3) X-Men: First Class 4) Contagion 5) Harry Potter 7:2 6) Rango. That's my top tier. I've enjoyed many others, as well.
September 20, 2011 at 8:21PM ESTJLPatt Damn, you really need to see "The Tree of Life."
September 20, 2011 at 8:50PM ESTMykill I still need to see Bridesmaids, can't believe I let that one slip away before it left theaters (but it will be out on DVD in October so I will catch it then.) I've seen all the other films in your top 6 and agree that they are the best of the Hollywood films released so far this year.
September 20, 2011 at 9:14PM EST@JLPATT - Personally, I actually wouldn't even have "The Tree of Life" in my top 20 of the year at this point, it just didn't do that much for me at all (especially after year's of such higher expectations...) I can totally understand how people may really enjoy the film, but I don't think it has the same lasting appeal as previous Malick efforts did.
JJ1 JLPATT, I couldn't wait for The Tree of Life, but it never came close enough for me to see it. Closest was 45 minutes away, and I just figured it would eventually come closer, and never did. Waitin on the dvd. :)
September 20, 2011 at 9:29PM ESTLaura Stewart Understandable but the DVD won't do it justice. It needs to be seen on the big screen! Thanks for sharing your top 5.
September 20, 2011 at 11:22PM ESTloyal_mehnert
September 20, 2011 at 5:59PM EST Reply to CommentTo put Contagion's box office success in perspective, it's Soderbergh's highest grossing non-Ocean's 11/12/13 film since 2000's Traffic. Pretty impressive.
Alice
September 20, 2011 at 6:02PM EST Reply to CommentI don't know ... well acted but for me it was a bit dry.
Thashiznit
September 20, 2011 at 6:28PM EST Reply to CommentIs Soderbergh truly done with making movies, which was reported (possibly erroneously) earlier in the year? If this is indeed his final film, then it will definitely get a nomination just on principle. Will it win, though? Negative.
Laura Stewart He has 2-3 more films to go before his sabbatical. 'Magic Mike', the Liberace biopic and something else that I can't remember or I might be making up.
September 20, 2011 at 7:20PM ESTMykill I think "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." is the film he will be making in between "Magic Mike" and the Liberace film if I'm not mistaken. Also, I thought he has said recently that he is planning a sabbatical from film making for a while, but that he does plan to make more movies in the future. He is so prolific that I think he has earned a break for a little while tbqh.
September 20, 2011 at 7:52PM ESTMike T
September 20, 2011 at 9:06PM EST Reply to CommentI see Rise of the Apes more as an entertainment although it’s really good. As for Contagion, it’s a great film.
GlennAU
September 20, 2011 at 10:25PM EST Reply to CommentIf "Contagion" gets into the best picture race, surely it'll be just like "The Town". A well-made adult-oriented thriller that doesn't quite have enough love to bump it into the category (especially with fewer slots, potentially)
red_wine I think Contagion is a more high minded choice for what it is, it is certainly made with more directorial authority than The Town which was an entertaining pot boiler but nothing great. Contagion's careful restraint and even-handedness has it stick out from the rest of the commercial Hollywood fare.
September 21, 2011 at 1:22AM ESTLaura Stewart But that's what made The Town so distinctive in its genre- there was an apparent careful restraint and even-handedness. It's much more of an actor's showcase IMO than Contagion. While the latter is well-acted and boasts a top-notch cast that could rival The Town's (in terms of who's who), Jude Law and Jennifer Ehle are the only ones who stand-out performance wise. Maybe Fishburne. Anyway, agree to disagree.
September 21, 2011 at 2:57AM ESTMykill I second Red_Wine's comment above - I thought that Contagion's ambitious scope combined with just the right amount of restraint was what really elevated the entire film (and also makes it worthy of consideration for many of the top awards.) I liked The Town just fine, but felt it was too minor (and maybe just a little bit safe) for it to really stick out. I'm kinda surprised that Jeremy Renner even was nominated since his role didn't stand out that much to me at all, but when the Academy picks out their favorites they usually are pretty faithful to them.
September 21, 2011 at 8:42AM ESTFitz
September 21, 2011 at 2:11AM EST Reply to CommentThis seems about as likely as The Town getting in, which is to say that it will be close and then left with nothing on Announcement Day.
matsunaga
September 21, 2011 at 5:50AM EST Reply to CommentTough job for Warner Bros... All four films seem to be worthy of a Best Picture nod...
Sean
September 21, 2011 at 11:37AM EST Reply to CommentI would LOVE if Melissa McCarthy was in the Supporting Actress conversation. Extremely funny, but also the deepest character work I've seen yet this year. Some critics awards would be wonderful- could act as oscar voters getting whatever permission they need to recognize an R-rated comedy.