2018 Nominee Watch – October 5th

After a few weeks of not doing these posts, I feel like I need to get back into it, but I'm running slightly behind. That being said, I still wanted to get something out since I've missed you the last few weeks.

So here is my quick and dirty preview of the two wide release films (A Star is Born and Venom) coming out this weekend. While both are certain to be box office hits, only one will likely receive much Oscar buzz. I'll let you decide now which is which before reading on.

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A Star is Born
Yes, you've no doubt been hearing the buzz about this film for a long time and yes, Bradley Cooper decided to remake a film for the THIRD time as his directorial debut. There has been such a build up to this film that it's hard to see it living up to the hype, especially with the inevitable comparisons to the previous versions, mainly the 1976 version with Barbara Streisand and Kris Kristofferson.

However, I am very interested in seeing this film. I've heard Cooper interviewed on several different programs about the film and he always talks of it lovingly and with a great appreciation for the subject matter, especially the addiction problem that his character, Jackson Maine, struggles with throughout the film.

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​In terms of the Oscar buzz, this one definitely has some potential. The Streisand version was nominated and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song which is a distinct possibility here as well. Best Original Score goes hand in hand with that here and I hope that something does get nominated, if only so that we get to hear Gaga at the awards ceremony belting it out live.

Venom
There have been plenty of superhero films already this year from Black Panther and Deadpool 2 to the sweeping Avengers: Infinity War as well as the (slightly) more kid-friendly Teen Titans Go! To the Movies. This one looks like it falls much more on the Deadpool end of the spectrum than any of the others.

You may see the Marvel logo at the beginning of the trailer below, but don't be fooled, this doesn't fit neatly into the Marvel Cinematic Universe of The Avengers. This is not a film to connect Infinity Way to the upcoming Brie Larson led Captain Marvel, due out in March 2019. No, this film stands on its own and tells its own story about report Eddie Brock and the alien symbiote that inhabits him and gives him extraordinary powers.

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As with most of the superhero/anti-hero films mentioned above, there is little chance of any major Oscar consideration here. The usual exceptions apply in the areas of visual effects and perhaps sound editing or mixing. That said, the effects in the trailer are good, but don't appear to be anything groundbreaking. 

If you're looking for a fun action film this weekend, this is a good bet, or you could wait and take a trip to the moon next week.

Limited Releases
Unlike usual, I'm just giving the list of limited releases this week. I hope to be able to resume giving full descriptions and YouTube trailer links next week.

• Await Further Instructions
• Bayou Caviar
• Chasing the Blues
• A Crooked Somebody
• The Great Buster
• The Hate U Give
• Heavy Trip
• Knuckleball
• Living in the Future's Past
• Loving Pablo
• Private Life
• Ride
• Shine
• Studio 54
• Trouble
• Viking Destiny
• Wobble Place
• The Happy Prince (October 10th)
• Liyana (October 10th)
• 22 July (October 10th)