Lincoln

We all knew that Lincoln, directed by Steven Spielberg, written by Pulitzer Prize-winner Tony Kushner and starring Daniel Day-Lewis, was going to be good. But honestly, is Lincoln “great”? Well, I’d safely put this one on the “great” Spielberg shelf with Saving Private Ryan and Schindler’s List — and above the shelf with War Horse and Amistad.

Wisely, the film doesn’t try to tell the life story of the 16th president of the United States. It focuses on a single moment in time: the final four months of the chief executive's life as he attempts to get The House of Representatives to pass the 13th Amendment outlawing slavery.

Day-Lewis is haunting and powerful in the central role. Through him, we see our heroic President’s fabled communication skills and his gift for reconciling irreconcilable points of view. The dilemma of the film challenges strong men to move beyond partisan thinking to accomplish a greater good. 

Ironically, Lincoln is a story about our democratic system that couldn’t be timelier.

Simply put: Lincoln is a grand ol’ Spielberg film. Expect a political thriller, not an exhaustive biopic.

Award potential: It will certainly garner more nominations than any other film this year. And it’s very likely to have the most ever. 15? Maybe. Titanic and All About Eve had 14 nods, but unlike Titanic, this film will score with multiple acting noms in addition to nods for Best Picture and technical categories.

It’s too early to tell if we’ll have a single winner in Daniel Day-Lewis or a sweep. If Spielberg is snubbed, expect Daniel Day-Lewis to be the sole winner. Next best bet? Sally Field, who’s really, really likable for redefining the “crazy” Mary Todd Lincoln with a layered performance for the ages.

The ten buck review: Worth ten bucks

Skyfall

James Bond is back. 

And in the 50^th year of the series, we get one of the best 007 films to date. Some Bond films have weighed style over substance, but the better films, Thunderball, Goldfinger, Goldeneye, Casino Royale—and this glorious one, have both.

Director Sam Mendes, obviously schooled in the Christopher Nolan School of Rebirthing Heroes, does a bang up job of delivering thrills to old and new fans and raising the bar on what to expect from a 007 movie in 2012.

It doesn’t hurt that Mendes has Daniel Craig, in full possession of the role, alongside Judi Dench (M) and pitted against an exceptional Javier Bardem (Silva) as the latest Bond villain. And did I mention the Ashton Martin yet? My vote for Best Supporting Actor.

Simply put: It’s what you like about Bond, shaken slightly. And a near perfect film. Trimming the back section a bit would have taken it to A+.

Award potential: If there was ever a time to nominate a Bond movie for one of the possible ten Best Pictures, it would be Bond’s 50^th year. And since enough studios own this film, there’s a reasonable chance.

In a long shot for Best Supporting Actor, Javier Bardem’s villian is every bit as good as Heath Ledger’s celebrated Joker and a nice nod to the anniversary. One thing for sure, you can expect to hear Adele’s haunting Skyfall piece as Best Original Song on Oscar night.

The ten buck review: Worth ten bucks.

Flight

 “No one could have landed that plane like I did. No one.”

And no one could have pulled off this movie quite like the actor who said that line: Denzel Washington, as seasoned airplane pilot Whip Whitaker who miraculously crash lands a plane – leaving devastation and mysteries to be resolved.

I was fortunate to see this film without the story being spoiled in a trailer or ad, so I won’t mention one the film’s major themes. Know only that it’s a fully layered story that additionally touches on themes of god, destiny, heroism and more.

This film is guided by director Robert Zemeckis ,who creates precise tension throughout the film, including one haunting scene featuring a single object on top of a refrigerator. Flight is one of the best surprises of 2012.

 Simply put: One heckuva ride. And one heckuva performance from Denzel Washington.

Award potential: Denzel Washington outdoes even himself in this picture and you can expect him on the Best Actor shortlist. If the film sustains buzz, you can expect nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and some technical awards. Wild card pick: John Goodman (who’s also in Argo but better here) for Best Supporting Actor.

The ten buck review: Worth ten bucks.

Argo

Argo recreates the true story of a CIA rescue mission that sounds like something only Hollywood could come up with. As we soon find out, there's a reason for that.

Director Ben Affleck recreates the historical events with clear attention to detail and non-flashy casting. A montage of photos during the closing credits shows us how much the actors looked like their subjects (which was really just the filmmakers showing off). But I didn’t mind; for the previous two hours I felt like I dropped right into 1979.

And Affeck’s throwback approach is crafted like the smart, tense, heart-stopping films of that time period too. It would sit nicely on a shelf with All The President’s Men. 

Simply put: Hold on tight for one of the best movies of 2012.

Award potential: Hollywood saves the world? Oscar is gonna love this. Nominations and some wins for Best Picture, Best Director, Supporting Actor (Alan Arkin), Original Screenplay and other technical awards. Affleck will surely be nominated for Director, but it’s unlikely he will be recognized in the acting category.

The ten buck review: Worth ten bucks.

The Sessions

The Sessions give us the story of Mark O' Brien (John Hawkes), a man confined to an iron lung, who begins a personal quest that takes him to a priest (William H. Macy) and then a therapist (Helen Hunt).

Mark wants to be a better man, but the twist in this quest is that he wants to lose his virginity at age 38 and Hunt is the sex therapist who is very willing to help. It's safe to say that the story that follows is both awkward and intimate — and unlike any movie I've seen told on screen.

I certainly enjoyed the upbeat vibe of this year's The Intouchables more, and this is no My Left Foot, but my eyes were fixed to the screen to see how this true story plays out. The actors worked hard for this movie, so I feel like I owe them my ten bucks.

Like last year's Alfred Nobbs, this is a performance movie and not solid film in full. I wish that director Ben Lewin would have reworked the cheesy music score, tightened the script that leads to a few unwanted laughs — and stripped Helen Hunt of her unimpressive Boston accent

Simply put: 50 shades of uncomfortable, but you won't be bored

Award potential: Nominations for John Hawkes and Helen Hunt seem highly likely. 

Oscar loves it when a able-bodied actor plays a disabled character and when an actress plays a hooker with a heart. I don't expect the movie to go far, but I wouldn't count it out just yet. William H. Macy is shamelessly stiff in this role.

The ten buck review: Leave your money on the table. Worth ten bucks.

5 Oscar - caliber films you can see now

You’ll have to wait until it’s much colder to see Lincoln, Life of Pi, Linings, Les Miserables and other Oscar bait that begins with an “L”, but there are several Oscar-caliber movies that have already been released and most of them you can see right now.

  

 Argo

Don’t underestimate the Academy’s deep love for movies directed by actors. And never underestimate their love for true stories about Hollywood. In theaters Friday.

- Early contender for Best Picture, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor, Original Screenplay and more

The Master 

It’s the most talked about film of October. Emphasis on “October.” I didn’t join its cult of fans, but it’s easy to see why Joaquin Phoenix has secured a nomination. In theaters.

- Early contender for Best Picture, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Original Screenplay, Original Score and more

Moonrise Kingdom

Other than Gabby Douglas, this may be the only gold-worthy thing to come out of this summer. It’s one of Wes Anderson’s most accessible pictures and a sleeper hit. Perfect for the Globes, maybe even Oscar. In theatres. On DVD/Blu Ray October 16th.

-Early contender for Best Picture, Original Screenplay and Original  Score

 Beasts of the Southern Wild

It won’t be eligible for SAG, but that scandal may keep this heavily praised film top of mind. Pay Per View. On DVD/Blu-Ray December 4^th.

- Early contender for Best Picture and Actress

The Intouchables

It’s France's official entry for Best Foreign Language Film, and in the U.S. it was released by (drumroll) The Weinstein Company, a team who certainly knows how to turn a small film into Oscar gold. French version(subtitles) online.

- Early contender for Best Picture and Best Foreign Film

Moonrise Kingdom

Moonrise Kingdom features Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Frances McDormand and of course Bill Murray, who has worked in director Wes Anderson’s last five films. The cast also includes Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, and Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward as two twelve-year-olds who fall in love and run away together.

This original film is charming, enchanting and warm like fond childhood memories of summer camp, but ironically it all takes place in a world that is a little too quirky and a bit too quaint to be realistic. How all this comes together so well is beyond me. But, thanks to Wes Anderson, it does. This is a perfect lil’ Sunday matinee film.

Simply put: A deadpan-funny, storybook tale for adults

Award potential: Should do well in all the comedy categories at the Golden Globes. Quirky comedies don't usually perform for Oscar nominations unless they are connected to Woody Allen, but this film could rally for Best Picture, Original Screenplay or Original Score. 

Bill Murray's performance here will be bonus points to his potential nomination for playing FDR in Hyde Park On The Hudson.

The ten buck review: Worth your ten bucks. Khaki Scouts honor.