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These Films' Oscar Hopes Dive After AFI Snub

2024-12-05

Ridley Scott, the renowned director, faced a setback on Thursday as his "Gladiator II" was overlooked by the American Film Institute. This significant omission from the top 10 films of 2024 list, an early indicator of Oscar prospects, came as a shock. The film, starring Paul Mescal, had shown promise but was left out. One day prior, there was a glimmer of hope when it sneaked onto the National Board of Review's year-end roster, yet it seems that won't translate into a Best Picture nomination.

Oscars and the Future of "Gladiator II"

It's clear that the Oscars aren't likely to nominate "Gladiator II" when compared to other highly regarded films like "Dune: Part Two." At 87 years old, Ridley Scott's chances of securing a Best Director slot are also slim. Since 2010, only one director of a non-nominated film has received a nod, and that was Bennett Miller of "Foxcatcher." The best hopes for "Gladiator II" now lie in potential Supporting Actor mentions for Denzel Washington and some technical awards.Many other films also saw their hopes dashed by the AFI. Titles such as "Anora," "The Brutalist," "A Complete Unknown," "Conclave," "Dune: Part Two," "Emilia Pérez," "Nickel Boys," "A Real Pain," "Sing Sing," and "Wicked" were recognized instead. It's expected that the Academy Awards will follow a similar lineup.The acclaimed body-horror film "The Substance," starring Demi Moore, also faced disappointment. Despite its release in September, it was nowhere to be seen on the awards lists. Demi Moore, however, remains active, having recently indulged in spicy chicken wings on "Hot Ones." Her chances for a Best Actress nod are still alive.Neither of Luca Guadagnino's films, "Challengers" with Zendaya or "Queer" with Daniel Craig, were called out by the AFI. "Challengers" got no mention from the National Board of Review either. Additionally, films like "Babygirl" starring Nicole Kidman, Clint Eastwood's "Juror #2," and "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" were honored by the National Board of Review but not by the AFI. It's hard to envision any of these making it to the Best Picture category.This has been a bizarre and unpredictable year in the awards scene. A musical featuring a talking goat and a makeover song is currently among the Oscar front-runners. Perhaps Monday's Golden Globes nomination announcement will bring some surprises and shake things up further.

Looking for an early Christmas gift? Well, look no further! Four brand-new Netflix holiday movies await, filled with captivating stories and delightful moments. From sexy snowmen to festive male stripping, these movies have it all. In this article, I'll take you on a journey through each film and share my ratings. So, sit back, relax, and get ready to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit!

Uncover the Holiday Delights on Netflix

'Hot Frosty': A Tale of Love and Magic

The premise of 'Hot Frosty' revolves around a young widow named Kathy (Lacey Chabert) who falls in love with an extremely buff snowman (Dustin Milligan from “Schitt’s Creek”). Thanks to a magic scarf and a lot of wishful thinking, a handsome snow sculpture named Jack comes to life and helps Kathy cope with her loss. He often does this by shirtlessly performing home repairs.

The setting of this movie is the fictional Hope Springs, New York, a charming small town filled with festive holiday décor. The people here are more than willing to suspend their disbelief and embrace the magic.

'Meet Me Next Christmas': A Journey in Search of Love

Layla (Christina Milian) needs to get a ticket to a sold-out Christmas Eve Pentatonix concert to meet her true love, a man she met in an airport lounge a year ago. With the help of cute concierge Teddy (Devale Ellis), she runs around Manhattan in search of that ticket. The story takes place in the charmingly snow-bedecked streets of a festive New York City that seems curiously uncrowded.

Throughout the movie, Layla and Teddy's chemistry is undeniable. Their journey to get the ticket may stretch credibility at times, but their cuteness makes you root for them. And let's not forget the adorable holiday-themed onesie pajamas scene between Layla and her best pal Roxy.

'The Merry Gentlemen': Saving the Performing Arts

Ashley (Britt Robertson) is fired from her job as a dancer in a Rockette-ish New York City holiday show and returns home to find that her parents' performing arts venue, The Rhythm Room, is on the verge of closing. With the help of handsome local carpenter Luke (Chad Michael Murray), they stage an all-male burlesque revue to save the day.

The setting of Small-town Sycamore Creek is a place where everyone knows each other. The Rhythm Room, which looks like a nicely decorated bowling alley without actual bowling lanes, becomes the center of action. Even the random barflies are willing to strip off their shirts for a good cause.

'Our Little Secret': Holiday Drama and Surprises

Avery (Netflix holiday movie stalwart Lindsay Lohan) and her boyfriend Logan (Ian Harding) broke up 10 years ago. Now, Avery arrives with her new boyfriend Cameron (Jon Rudnitsky) to spend the holidays with Cameron's family, only to find that Logan is also there. Various schemes unfold as they try to cover up this unexpected situation.

The setting is suburban Georgia, where Cameron's family lives in a massive house filled with Christmas wreaths. Despite some funny moments and great performances from the cast, the movie can sometimes feel a bit dull.

What the numbers mean:

1: Not even worth hate-watching

2: If there’s nothing else to watch, try this

3: Watchable, some semblance of plot

4: Cute, heartwarming

5: A classic to watch every year

Barry Jenkins recently participated in a new profile with Vulture, aiming to address a question that has been on everyone's mind since his last project. Why, after directing masterpieces like "Moonlight" and "If Beale Street Could Talk", is he now making a photorealistic CGI lion movie for Disney? This complex query led to extensive discussions, interviews, and technical innovations. Even after all that, the answer remains somewhat ambiguous - a sort of "Wouldn't know I didn't like it if I didn't try it" attitude. Jenkins himself admitted three years later that making an all-digital film like this is "not his thing."

Desperation for Creativity in a Sterile Universe

The profile reveals how Jenkins and his dedicated team were on a quest for creativity within a deliberately sterile virtual world. There were numerous conversations about Jenkins "wandering off" to discover odd little details in the film's digital sets while the crew explored them in virtual reality. They also fought to keep moments where the virtual camera operator stumbled, adding a sense of realistic motion to the proceedings. If you're intrigued by the concept of virtual movie-making, this profile offers a solid look. Some of the technology is truly remarkable, even if the final result isn't everyone's cup of tea.

Jenkins' Struggle to Keep His Vision

Jenkins, who was coming off the chaotic making of his TV series "The Underground Railroad", is both funny and self-aware about this project. He constantly focused on making a "Barry Jenkins movie" within the technical constraints, rather than letting them shape his end product. However, he also sounds exhausted by the whole experience. As he stated, "I can't tweet about the Super Bowl without somebody reminding me that I'm making this fucking film." Regarding digital production, he emphasized, "It is not my thing. I want to work the other way again, where I want to physically get everything there. I always believe that what is here is enough, and let me just figure out the chemistry to make alchemy. How can these people, this light, this environment, come together to create an image that is moving, that is beautiful, that creates a text that is deep enough, dense enough, rich enough to speak to someone?" Yet, he also became excited about the idea of using the Mufasa tech to make a Muppets movie, suggesting that the influence had truly taken hold.

The Impact on Jenkins' Career

This project has had a significant impact on Jenkins' career. It shows his willingness to explore new territories and take on challenges outside his comfort zone. While he may not be a fan of digital production, his involvement in this CGI lion movie has opened up new possibilities and perspectives. It has also sparked discussions and curiosity among audiences and industry insiders alike. Jenkins' journey with this project serves as a reminder that even great directors can step out of their comfort zones and embrace new technologies.

The Release and Expectations

"Mufasa" is set to open in theaters on December 20. Audiences are eager to see how Jenkins' unique vision will translate into the digital realm. There are high expectations, but also some reservations due to his initial reservations about digital production. Only time will tell how this movie will be received and what impact it will have on Jenkins' career and the world of cinema.