We are only about five months away from the Oscars.
Seriously, It’s still nearly a half-year away from us, but everybody starts freaking out about the academy awards the second December rolls around. This is likely because it means the Golden Globes are just a month away. And films that perform well at the Golden Globes are likely going to be top contenders for major awards during the Academy Awards ceremony. Heck, sometimes longer shots completely take over after doing well during the January award show. Enter, Parasite usurping Once upon a time in Hollywood.
So, which films are currently leading the pack on the odds boards in Vegas and at sites like GTBets, here are the current lines at the time of writing.
- Nomadland +215
- Mank +500
- The Trial of the Chicago 7 +600
- News of the World +800
- One Night In Miami +800
- Da 5 Bloods +900
- Minari +1400
- Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom +1800
- Soul +2000
- The Father +2500
Nomadland
This drama starring Frances McDormand and David Strathairn is exactly what the Academy is looking for in the Best Picture winner. It’s a drama loaded with realism. It also showcases the fringe side of America, which may garner attention. After all, not everyone in the United States lives in a beautiful suburb or a Manhattan loft, like television and film so often depicts.
I do believe we need more stories like this showcased. As a person who grew up in the United States with minimal means, who then lived for years abroad, it was frustrating to hear people from other countries speak of Americans like privileged little rich kids. Most are under the impression that literally, everyone in the United States is living in the lap of luxury.
Mank
I do believe that this one will probably overtake Nomadland on the odds boards at some point, even if it doesn’t win the award for Best Picture. After all, Citizen Kane was nominated way back in 1941. The winner of Best Picture that year was How Green Was My Valley, which is a good movie. But I’m sorry, it’s no Citizen Kane. So, could we see the Academy write a near 80 year wrong by donning the award on this wonderfully done period piece starring Gary Oldman, Lily Collins, Tom Burke, Amanda Seyfried, and Charles Dance?
The Trial of the Chicago 7
I like this picture to make a solid run for Best Picture. The subject matter parallels things going on at the moment. I wouldn’t be surprised if this one resonates with more than a few voters and stays on the shortlist to win. This one is a historical drama surrounding the 1968 fiasco at the Chicago Democratic National Convention. The story follows the subsequent trial following an activist-led uprising in Chicago.
Many might not realize the history, and seeing a reenactment of Bobby Seale fighting for equal rights in the courts back in 1968. Like Abdul Mateen II said in an interview, although this took place back in 1968, if you changed the costumes and scenery, you would think that it took place just last year. It portrays a Republican Presidential campaign with law and order as the primary platform and the civil rights movement being called a threat to national security. Does any of this feel familiar?
So, this film’s political nature and the aspects of the people versus the government could propel this film to a win, at least with the people.
The Night’s Big Loser
Soul is not likely to get an award for Best Picture. Although nominated, that’s as far as the Academy will go. The first thing to consider is it’s an all-out comedy. When’s the last time an actual comedy one Best Picture (No, Parasite is NOT a comedy). Second, it’s animated. An animated film has NEVER won.
Although Beauty and the Beast was excellent and was nominated, it didn’t win. Up was nominated but did not win. Given the other nominated films’ overall serious nature, we should just consider this one out of the running right now.
