With the Oscars just around the corner, the film industry is in full swing. And what’s dominating the conversation more than ever is the #OscarsSoWhite movement. After years of being dominated by white Hollywood actors and actresses, the conversation in the office and on social media has turned to supporting and featuring more minorities in future Academy Award ceremonies. As a result, this year’s Oscar pool is one of the most interesting in decades.
Who Will Win the 2019 Oscars?
There are a number of strong contenders this year, including Joker, which is not only the most-talked-about movie at the moment but also has a strong chance of taking home the biggest prize of the night. After a few upsets last year, the comedian turned movie star has become a serious contender, not just for best picture but for multiple other awards as well. He will be competing against heavyweights such as The Irishman, Joker, and The Rider. One of the biggest surprises of last year’s Academy Awards was the upset victory of Best Picture winner Green Book over The Irishman. While the latter was a critical and commercial success, Green Book became the first mainstream movie to win the Oscar for Best Picture since 2006.
Other Contenders to Keep an Eye On
Aside from Joker, there are a number of other contenders that deserve to be on everyone’s radar. From the blockbuster to the critically acclaimed, here are some other movies that could take home the big gold trophy on February 24.
1919
After becoming a social media sensation last year, it seems that Dory has found her way into mainstream Hollywood. This year the fish from Finding Nemo is being touted as a potential Best Film winner, with many people believing it to be the best of the decade. Critics have praised Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut, saying that it’s a modern day Beauty and the Beast. However, the film has its detractors too, with some labeling it as a masterpiece while others feel that it’s overrated.
The Rider
A sequel to 2018’s critically-acclaimed Hell or High Water, which also starred Jeff Bridges and Chris Pratt, The Rider is the story of a man who travels back in time to save his wife’s life. While the first half of the movie is similar to its predecessor, the second half completely reimagines the timeline. This makes it a bit more exciting, as you’re not quite sure how the story is going to end. Many people consider The Rider to be among the best American films since 2009. And with good reason. Not only does it feature two of the greatest American actors of all time, Jeff Bridges and Chris Pratt, but it also marks the directorial debut of David Levene, who earned his spot behind the camera with 2007’s wonderful I Love You, Phillip Morris. Levene broke new ground with The Rider, as he not only directed a cinematic masterpiece but also conceived, wrote, and produced the film. This is definitely one to watch, even if you haven’t seen the previous installment.
The Irishman
The Irishman is the newest film from esteemed director Martin Scorsese. After a seven year production process, the legendary director finally delivered a film that he and his team have been working on. Based on the true story of hitman Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro), who has become a minor celebrity in the years since his profession was made famous by his frequent appearances in movies such as Goodfellas and Casino, the film follows Sheeran as he travels to Dublin to meet an associate and discuss a potential hit. While some are heralding this as the Scorsese-Carpenter collaboration, it’s more accurate to say that this is a Martin Scorsese film. Nevertheless, it’s safe to say that The Irishman is one of the most anticipated movies of the year, and for good reason.
Just Cause 4
The Just Cause series has never been short on controversy, and the fourth installment continues the trend. The game’s main character, Rico Rodriguez, is a former US agent turned mercenary, who leads a rebellion against an evil dictator in his country of Panau. Though he is just one man, armed with a variety of guns, grenades, and explosives, he is considered one of the greatest anti-heroes in video game history. While the story and premise of Just Cause 4 are intriguing, the gameplay takes a backseat to the action, which can be both amazing and exhausting at the same time.
Black Widow
After getting off to a relatively mild start, the MCU’s black-widow saga now looks set to continue with an appearance at next year’s Oscars. Following the surprise success of her solo movie, Marvel Studios’ Phase Four, with its interconnected story arcs and exciting cinematic universe, is arguably one of the most exciting periods in recent film history. However, while fans are eagerly awaiting the return of Natasha Romanov (Black Widow), those hoping for a straightforward superhero flick may be in for a bit of a shock. Though she is a supporting player in most of the MCU movies, this year’s success of Black Widow, and the upcoming appearance at the Oscars, will undoubtedly put the spotlight back on one of the decade’s greatest female action stars.
King Kong
This year will mark the 70th anniversary of the King Kong legend. To commemorate this momentous occasion, Hollywood is set to revisit the King Kong theme park ride. It was originally developed for the 1939 World’s Fair in New York, where it was met with immense success. The legend then followed the ride to Las Vegas, where it remains one of the city’s most popular attractions. Though the ride has been updated over the years to feature newer vehicles and bigger dinosaurs, the basic premise remains the same; a giant ape pursues a pair of human children across the desert. This year, the ride will be accompanied by an epic mini-series on the big screen, directed by Peter Jackson and starring Naomi Watts, Julianne Moore, and Bobby Cannavale. Though the movie doesn’t hit theaters until later this year, its mere existence alone should be cause for celebration.
Dark Phoenix
Speaking of mini-series, fans of the X-Men and Marvel in general should know what’s coming. After announcing a few weeks ago that the next installment of the Dark Phoenix saga will be released this year, fans are already speculating about the possibilities of what could happen. Though the final film is still a few months away, this year will no doubt be an exciting one for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The release of Dark Phoenix, along with the rest of this year’s Marvel Studios’ Phase Four, will undoubtedly bring a new generation of fans into the fold. For the diehard fans, it’s a chance to finally see what all the fuss is about. With four movies set to be released this year, it will be hard to keep up.