Possible Oscar winners in 2013

Release date (U.S.) : ?? 2012

What is it about?
A 1950s-set drama centered on the relationship between a charismatic intellectual known as "the Master" whose faith-based organization begins to catch on in America, and a young drifter who becomes his right-hand man.

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

Cast : Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Joaquin Phoenix, Laura Dern

Will it win anything ?
5 years ago the only reason why PT Anderson missed the best picture award is because the Coen brothers produced a masterpiece. This time around, his amazing work may finally be rewarded. You may expect some multiple acting nominations for the cast as well. This movie is definitely my favorite.

Release date (U.K.) : 7 September 2012

What is it about?
Trapped in a loveless marriage, Anna, looks for a better life, but finds only a more complicated one.

Director: Joe Wright

Cast : Keira Knightley, Jude Law, Kelly Macdonald, Matthew Macfadyen, Aaron Johnson, Emily Watson, Olivia Williams

Will it win anything ?
After 2 slightly disappointing modern features, Joe Wright tries again a high-profile book adaptation. His first two movies ('Pride & Prejudice' and 'Atonment') , also classic book adaptations, were both acclaimed. If this movie is as good as those two, it will definitely get nominated and if it is even better, it has a good shot to win. A big contender.

Release date (U.S.) : ?? December 2012

What is it about?
The sixteenth President of the United States guides the North to victory during the Civil War.

Director: Steven Spielberg

Cast : Daniel Day-Lewis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Jackie Earle Haley, James Spader, Sally Field, John Hawkes, Lee Pace, David Strathairn, Tim Blake Nelson

Will it win anything ?
It is one of the most awaited movies and it has a really high profile (biopic of a beloved historical figure). There is a huge cast and Daniel Day-Lewis is maybe the best actor alive but will they give him a 3rd oscar? Since it has never happened before, it would be quite surprising. Furthermore, except for 'The Schindler's list', Spielberg has never been popular with the Academy. Still, it could win big.

Release date (U.S.) : ????

What is it about?
A singer-songwriter navigates New York's folk music scene during the 1960s.

Director: Ethan and Joel Coen

Cast : Carey Mulligan, Justin Timberlake, Garrett Hedlund, John Goodman, Oscar Isaac, F. Murray Abraham

Will it win anything ?
Even though we don't know much about this flick at this stage, any movie directed by the Coen brothers is a strong candidate. If it goes near the level of 'Fargo' or 'No Country for Old men', it will be definitely nominated. Still, as they have already won, it would have to be really great to convince the Academy to choose them again.

Release date (U.S.) : 25 December 2012

What is it about?
A slave-turned-bounty hunter sets out to rescue his wife from the brutal Calvin Candie, a Mississippi plantation owner.

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Cast : Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Sacha Baron Cohen, Samuel L. Jackson, Christoph Waltz, Kurt Russell, Kerry Washington, Jamie Foxx, Don Johnson, RZA

Will it win anything ?
Tarantino is hugely popular nowadays and each of his movies are acclaimed by the public. Still, his style has never been appreciated by the Academy so it could get no nominations at all. In my opinion, his best shot was with 'Pulp Fiction' and it lost against 'Forrest Gump'... Still, there is an impressive cast and it could be awesome. We'll see.

Release date (U.S.) : 14 December 2012

What is it about?
Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit, journeys to the Lonely Mountain accompanied by a group of dwarves to reclaim a treasure taken from them by the dragon Smaug.

Director: Peter Jackson

Cast : Martin Freeman, Luke Evans, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Elijah Wood, Hugo Weaving, Andy Serkis, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Billy Connolly, Lee Pace, Ian Holm

Will it win anything ?
It is the movie I'm the most looking for to watch and it should be great. So, I expect loads of nominations, especially the technical ones. Still, since Peter Jackson has already had a sweep with 'The Return of the King', there is a good chance that the Academy will choose to reward someone else. Furthermore, it is the first part of this story and they may choose to reward the final part instead. Still, it could surprise us.

Release date (U.S.) : 20 July 2012

What is it about?
Eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, the terrorist leader Bane arrives in Gotham City, pushing it and its police force to their limits, forcing its former hero Batman to resurface after taking the fall for Harvey Dent's crimes.

Director: Christopher Nolan

Cast : Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Liam Neeson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anne Hathaway, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Marion Cotillard, Juno Temple, Michael Caine, Matthew Modine

Will it win anything ?
The only reason why there are so many nominations for the best picture nowadays is because everybody was pissed off because 'The Dark Knight' wasn't nominated and the Academy wanted to please the audience. So, if it is any good and destroys the box-office as expected, it will probably be nominated but I don't think the Academy will reward a super-hero feature anytime soon, I'm afraid, even if it is totally awesome.

Release date (U.S.) : 14 December 2012

What is it about?
An adaptation of the successful stage musical based on Victor Hugo's classic novel set in 19th-century France, in which a paroled prisoner named Jean Valjean seeks redemption.

Director: Tom Hooper

Cast : Amanda Seyfried, Anne Hathaway, Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter, Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe

Will it win anything ?
There is a huge buzz surrounding this movie and there is good chance it will be nominated. Still, it reminds me of 'Nine' which also had some buzz but it didn't go anywhere eventually. Still, if it delivers, it could win the big prize.

Release date (U.S.) : 25 December 2012

What is it about?
An adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's Long Island-set novel, where Midwesterner Nick Carraway is lured into the lavish world of his neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Soon enough, however, Carraway will see through the cracks of Gatsby's nouveau riche existence, where obsession, madness, and tragedy await.

Director: Baz Luhrmann

Cast : Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Isla Fisher, Tobey Maguire, Gemma Ward

Will it win anything ?
It is another high-profile book adaptation and it will probably be nominated. Still, 'Australia' was supposed to be great but was eventually mildly entertaining. On the other hand, 'Mouline rouge' was loved by the Academy. Will Baz Luhrmann redeem himself or will he disappoint again? We'll find out soon enough.

Release date (U.S.) : 14 September 2012

What is it about?
As the Iranian revolution reaches a boiling point, a CIA 'exfiltration' specialist concocts a risky plan to free six Americans who have found shelter at the home of the Canadian ambassador.

Director: Ben Affleck

Cast : Ben Affleck , Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Alan Arkin, Clea DuVall

Will it win anything ?
After earning the title of Worst Actor Alive, Ben Affleck surprisingly redeemed himself and became an acclaimed and exciting director. This is his most ambitious project and, if it is any good, it will be definitely nominated. I don't think it will win though.

Release date (U.S.) : 19 December 2012

What is it about?
The Navy Seal team 6 track down wanted terrorist Osama bin Laden.

Director: Kathryn Bigelow

Cast : Jessica Chastain, Mark Strong, Harold Perrineau, Édgar Ramírez

Will it win anything ?
Even though 'The Hurt locker' was barely seen, it was crowned by the Academy. Bigelow comes again with another modern topical thriller and it could be great once again but it will be surprising that she wins twice in a row.

Release date (U.S.) : 12 November 2012

What is it about?
The lone survivor of a space mission to repair the Hubble telescope desperately tries to return to Earth and reunite with her daughter.

Director: Alfonso Cuarón

Cast : George Clooney, Sandra Bullock

Will it win anything ?
Even though 'Children of men' was widely acclaimed, it was completely ignored by the Academy. Cuarón will maybe deliver once again an intriguing SF flick but it could be ignored just the same. Or will George Clooney and Sandra Bullock, both oscars winners, change this ?

Release date (U.S.) : ?? 2012

What is it about?
To likely go by another title, set over a period of several years, Neil (Ben Affleck), is a failed writer stuck in a loveless marriage with Marina (Kurylenko), whose expiring visa put pressure on Neil to propose. Neil and Marina have a daughter (Tatiana Chilin) together, but both of them are looking outside the marriage. Neil is drawn to Jane (McAdams) and Marina betrays her husband by having an affair with Charlie (Charles Baker).

Director: Terrence Malick

Cast : Rachel McAdams, Rachel Weisz, Jessica Chastain, Ben Affleck, Michael Sheen, Javier Bardem, Olga Kurylenko, Amanda Peet, Barry Pepper

Will it win anything ?
Malick is one of the most acclaimed directors alive but his style has never been popular with the Academy. Still, if it is as great as his previous work but more accessible, who knows? I expect some acting nominations as well here.

Release date (U.S.) : 21 September 2012

What is it about?
Jackie Cogan is a professional enforcer who investigates a heist that went down during a mob-protected poker game.

Director: Andrew Dominik

Cast : Brad Pitt, James Gandolfini, Richard Jenkins, Ray Liotta

Will it win anything ?
I loved Andrew Dominik's directing début, 'Chopper', which was an unknown/underrated gem. His following flick, 'The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford' was acclaimed by the critics but barely seen. So what will happen this time? I could be great but it could sink pretty bad. And what about Brad Pitt? Will he finally get his first Academy award?

Release date (U.S.) : 31 August 2012

What is it about?
Set in the Depression-era Franklin County, Virginia, a bootlegging gang is threatened by authorities who want a cut of their profits.

Director: John Hillcoat

Cast : Tom Hardy, Jessica Chastain, Gary Oldman, Shia LaBeouf, Mia Wasikowska, Guy Pearce

Will it win anything ?
'The Proposition' was great but rather unseen. There was a huge buzz surrounding Hillcoat's following feature, 'The Road', but, in my opinion, it didn't live up to those expectations. There is even more buzz following his new feature and, you have to admit it, there is a terrific cast. Will it deliver or disappoint? It could go either way. By the way, I noticed that they keep changing the title for this movie and I'm not sure if it is really a good sign...

Release date (U.S.) : 21 December 2012

What is it about?
Based on the best-selling novel by Yann Martel, is a magical adventure story centering on Pi Patel, the precocious son of a zookeeper. Dwellers in Pondicherry, India, the family decides to move to Canada, hitching a ride on a huge freighter. After a shipwreck, Pi is found adrift in the Pacific Ocean on a 26-foot lifeboat with a zebra, a hyena, an orangutan and a 450-pound Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, all fighting for survival.

Director: Ang Lee

Cast : Gérard Depardieu, Irrfan Khan, Tabu

Will it win anything ?
This movie is definitely a wild card. Ang Lee is one of the best directors around and, if you ask me, he should have won back then with 'Brokeback Mountain' but it wasn't meant to be. This time, he comes up with an adaptation of a really weird book which is notoriously supposed to be unadaptable. Other directors such as M. Night Shyamalan, Alfonso Cuarón and Jean-Pierre Jeunet tried before him but dropped the whole thing. This could end up being a real mess or a great surprise.

Release date (U.S.) : ????

What is it about?
Six stories set in a different time and place become intricately related to each other.

Director: Tom Tykwer and the Wachowski brothers

Cast : Tom Hanks, Hugo Weaving, Susan Sarandon, Halle Berry, Jim Sturgess, Hugh Grant, Jim Broadbent, Ben Whishaw, James D'Arcy

Will it win anything ?
You thought that the previous movie was weird? This flick is even weirder. I'm not even sure I understand what is it about. Still, there is an impressive cast and it could end up being an original and interesting movie and if it doesn't alienate the Academy, it could be rewarded.

Release date (U.S.) : 7 December 2012

What is it about?
The story of the love affair between FDR and his distant cousin Margaret Stuckley, centered around the weekend in 1939 when the King and Queen of the United Kingdom visited upstate New York.

Director: Roger Michell

Cast : Bill Murray, Laura Linney, Olivia Williams

Will it win anything ?
I'm not sure if this movie has a shot for the best picture award but there is some big buzz concerning Bill Murray who could win the Best leading actor award. There could be a huge presidential Clash between him and Daniel Day-Lewis. Should be fun!

Release date (U.S.) : 21 November 2012

What is it about?
After spending four years in a mental institution, a former teacher moves back in with his mother and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife.

Director: David O. Russell

Cast : Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Julia Stiles, Chris Tucker

Will it win anything ?
After facing some major ups and downs in his career, David O. Russell made an impressive comeback with 'The Fighter'. If his new flick comes near this level, it will definitely get a nomination. And it has been literally decades since I saw Robert de Niro delivering an amazing performance and he could get yet another nomination or a brand new oscar. Come on, Bob, don't let me down again!

Release date (U.S.) : 12 October 2012

What is it about?
A chronicle of the LAPD's fight to keep East Coast Mafia types out of Los Angeles in the 1940s and 50s.

Director: Ruben Fleischer

Cast : Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Josh Brolin, Sean Penn, Giovanni Ribisi, Nick Nolte

Will it win anything ?
Another movie with some huge buzz. Still, I'm not really convinced. On one hand, the story sounds really cool and you have a really exciting cast. On the other hand, it is directed by Ruben Fleischer who was responsible for 'Zombieland'(cool flick but nothing more than that) and '30 Minutes or Less' (one of the biggest disappointments last year). So, it could be great but it could be also pretty average. I'm not really optimistic but we'll see.

Release date (U.S.) : 25 May 2012

What is it about?
A pair of lovers flee their New England town, which causes a local search party to fan out and find them.

Director: Wes Anderson

Cast : Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Harvey Keitel, Frances McDormand, Jason Schwartzman

Will it win anything ?
Wes Anderson has made some interesting movies but, let's face it, none of them have received some love from the Academy and I don't think it will be different this time. Still, there is an impressive cast and if the movie gets some good reception at the Cannes Film Festival, it may end up with some nominations.

Release date (U.S.) : 28 September 2012

What is it about?
Pot growers Ben and Chon face off against the Mexican drug cartel who kidnapped their shared girlfriend.

Director: Oliver Stone

Cast : Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, John Travolta, Salma Hayek, Uma Thurman, Emile Hirsch, Aaron Johnson, Benicio Del Toro

Will it win anything ?
I'm big fan of Oliver Stone but, honestly, it has been a while since he delivered a masterpiece. The story sounds interesting but is it really oscar worthy ? I'm not sure. Still, there is a terrific cast and this movie could surprise us.

Release date (U.S.) : 8 June 2012

What is it about?
A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.

Director: Ridley Scott

Cast : Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Guy Pearce

Will it win anything ?
I'm personally completely excited by this flick and I wish Ridley Scott would get some recognition for his tremendous work in the SF genre instead of getting recognition for his boring sandal epic stuff but there is fat chance it will get any nomination. Still, if it is really great and completely revolutionizes the genre?!? Don't count on it though...

Release date (U.S.) : 28 September 2012

What is it about?
An ailing baseball scout in his twilight years takes his daughter along for one last recruiting trip.

Director: Robert Lorenz

Cast : Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, Justin Timberlake, John Goodman, Matthew Lillard

Will it win anything ?
Honestly, it doesn't look like a groundbreaking feature but it is starring Clint Eastwood who's back from retirement and he will be directed by someone else than himself for the first time in almost 20 years. Will he get an acting award to add to his already impressive collecton?

Release date (U.S.) : 28 September 2012

What is it about?
A killer who works for the mob of the future recognizes one of his targets as his future self.

Director: Rian Johnson

Cast : Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt, Bruce Willis, Paul Dano, Piper Perabo, Jeff Daniels

Will it win anything ?
This flick is a long shot but who knows? Rian Johnson's first movie, 'Brick' is now a cult classic but his second movie 'The brothers Bloom' was rather disappointing. Anyway, it is his most ambitious project so far and it could be surprising. Still, I think the concept is a little bit too far out for the Academy.

Release date (U.S.) : 22 June 2012

What is it about?
Scottish princess, Merida, defies her parents by persuing an interest in archery, but inadvertently jeopardizes her father's kingdom in the process.

Director: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman

Will it win anything ?
I'm one of the few people on Earth who wasn't exactly blown away by 'Toy Story 3' and Pixar's following endeavour, 'Cars 2', was critically panned by everyone. Fortunately, they are back with some new material but the question which remains is did they reach their artistical top of will they provide some even more awesome work ? We'll see soon enough.

Release date (U.S.) : 23 March 2012

What is it about?
Set in a future where the Capitol selects a boy and girl from the twelve districts to fight to the death on live television, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister's place for the latest match.

Director: Gary Ross

Cast : Jennifer Lawrence, Stanley Tucci, Wes Bentley, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Toby Jones

Will it win anything ?
Don't get too worked out about this entry. I don't think it is really oscar worthy but there is such a buzz surrounding this flick, I couldn't ignore it. Basically, it is set to be the new 'Harry Potter' or 'Twilight' franchise and it will break all kinds of box-office records. From this perspective, I think it could be nominated for the best picture award but it won't win (that's the whole point of those 9 or 10 slots : to make sure that some popular movie can be nominated but those movies still don't have a chance to win).