In a nutshell: It should have been a lose-lose idea. Staying close to the 10-Oscar winning classic could be too corny. Redoing it; blasphemy. But Spielberg’s vision worked in all the right places while keeping the perfect tone. Turns out, we need both the perfect 1961 film and a new one.
Where to see it: Theaters
Likely Oscar nominations (11): Best Picture, Director Steven Spielberg, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Supporting Actress Ariana DeBose, Supporting Actress Rita Moreno, Costume Design, Editing, Makeup & Hair, Production Design, Sound
In a nutshell: Long ago in a film world far away, Dune was never given the sci-fi film treatment the well-loved book deserved. The sands have shifted and all has been corrected.
Where to see it: HBO Max
Likely Oscar nominations (11):Best Picture, Director Denis Villeneuve, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Costume Design, Editing, Makeup & Hair, Original Score, Production Design, Sound, Visual Effects
In a nutshell: CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) is a predictable, feel-good family film that feels more like a TV hit than cinema perfection. However, it hits all the right notes and has kept in Oscar conversation far longer than one would have expected.
Where to see it: Apple +
Likely Oscar nominations (4): Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Supporting Actor Troy Kotsur, Supporting Actress Marlee Matlin
In a nutshell: No surprise, Will Smith keeps the story of the Williams family serious but never heavy. Along with West Side Story, this is one of the films offering a fully diverse cast. There's some sloppy dialogue and some corny stuff at play here, but the film has its fans and it should make the list.
Where to see it: VOD
Likely Oscar nominations (6): Best Picture, Original Screenplay, Actor Will Smith, Supporting Actress Aunjanue Ellis, Original Score, Best Original Song,
In a nutshell: In a nutshell: Lin-Manuel -Miranda’s (Hamilton) musical could have gone wrong in so many ways. It could have been too-Broadway, too-melancholy or too-light or too-silly, but it turned out just too amazing.
Where to see it: Neflix
Likely Oscar nominations (5): Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Actor Andrew Garfield, Editing, Sound
8. Licorice Pizza
In a nutshell: A breezy surprise from master Paul Thomas Anderson and the most breezy, enjoyable movie of the year. For drama+comedy, I prefer it to CODA.
Where to see it: Theaters
Likely Oscar nominations (5): Best Picture, Director Paul Thomas Anderson, Original Screenplay, Supporting Actor Bradley Cooper, Costume Design
Here's the tea. House of Gucci (Theaters) will get 5-7 nominations, but will it make Best Picture? I think it has a chance because I believe Don't Look Up is a slight film that may have peaked too soon — and comedies don't usually make the list.
9. House of Gucci
Being the Ricardos (Amazon) is a mess of a picture although Kidman, Bardem and Sorkin are front runners in the category, so one might look to the excellent The Lost Daughter (Netflix). Olivia Colman may get nominated for it, and female Maggie Gyllenhaal may likely win for her adapted screenplay...
10. Drive My Car
...but I think the best money is on Director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi's Drive My Car, a Japanese road drama film in theaters.
