With the Academy Awards winners announced on Sunday, everyone's looking at what 2014 has in store for next year's Oscar contenders. Yesterday we analyzed a list of major films that could potentially get Oscar nominations. Now let's take a look at some other high-profile films coming out that could end up in the awards race.
"Big Eyes" - Tim Burton's upcoming film is one of the most anticipated movies of 2014; it sees the director return to a low-budget production and tells the intriguing story of Margaret Keane. The film stars five-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams and two-time Oscar winner Christoph Waltz. With the Weinstein Company releasing the picture in the fall, the movie is sure to be a festival hit and an Oscar contender.
"The Immigrant" - This film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival where it was picked up by the Weinstein Company. However, after a mixed reception, Weinstein dropped the movie and gave it to Radius TWC. While the film has been delayed and currently has no release date, the film could easily still be an Oscar contender. Marion Cotillard and Jeremy Renner have standout performances and Darius Wolski's cinematography was some of his most memorable work.
"Grace of Monaco" - This is yet another Weinstein release that has been delayed for a number of months. The movie will open the Cannes Film Festival after months of disputes between the director and Harvey Weinstein. The film was once seen as a contender at the 2014 Oscars, especially for Nicole Kidman's performance, and if the movie opens to raves at Cannes, Kidman could be on her way to another Oscar nomination at the ceremony in 2015.
"Fury" - While David Ayer is not the most reliable of directors, Brad Pitt has one of the most solid track records of any actor in Hollywood. The actor consistently picks Oscar-contending projects and has had five films nominated for Best Picture ("Moneyball," "The Tree of Life" "Babel," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "12 Years a Slave"). As a result this could be a great project and one that may surprise during the awards season.
"Into the Woods" - Even though Rob Marshall hasn't made a great film since "Chicago," his movies have still ended up getting nominated for Oscars and winning. He has also led multiple actors to nominations including Penelope Cruz ("Nine"). This year, his latest project, a musical, includes Meryl Streep in a very showy role and as a result she may get her 19th Oscar nomination.
"Foxcatcher" - Sony Pictures Classics famously delayed the movie after it had released a trailer and was supposed to open the AFI fest. However, the movie was pushed back and is expected to play as a huge awards contender. The film is directed by Bennett Miller, a director whose first two films were Best Picture nominees and pundits are already talking about Steve Carrell's transformative performance in the movie.
"Mr. Turner" - Mike Leigh's next film will be distributed by Sony Pictures Classics and based on early reports the movie is incredible and features an outstanding performance by Timothy Spall. Additionally, Leigh's recent films have been consistently nominated at the Oscars and that could be a helpful factor.
"Boyhood" - Richard Linklater was recently nominated for "Before Midnight" for Best Screenplay. This year he is already making a huge splash with his new film "Boyhood" for which he won the Best Director award at the Berlin Film Festival. However, with IFC distributing it could be hard to get the Academy to see it.
"Exodus" - Ridley Scott is always a hit or a miss and lately he's been the latter. However, with Christian Bale starring, it's hard not anticipate the movie being a success. Bale has been consistent in choosing good projects and as a result there is a good chance this could be a great film.
"Far From the Madding Crowd" - Thomas Vinterberg's latest film "The Hunt" was nominated for Best Foreign Film and with Fox Searchlight distributing his latest, this could be a big film. The movie stars Carey Mulligan, Michael Sheen, Matthias Schoenaerts and Juno Temple.
Other big contenders could be the Weinstein's "Suite Françoise," "Annie," "Jane Got a Gun," "A Most Wanted Man" and "The Two Faces of January."