Before I announce the nominees for the Hollmann Awards, it's traditional that I provide the long lists: the 15 finalists in each category. It's great fun for Best Picture, because now that you know my Top Ten, you can see the five films that almost made it in! And it also allows you to see the full breadth of films I'm considering, from Carol to Mortdecai.
BEST PICTURE The Beauty Inside Best of Enemies Brooklyn Carol Creed Girlhood Grandma Joy Our Brand is Crisis Paddington The Revenant Spotlight Steve Jobs Tangerine The Throne
Well, it's time for my annual OMG SO EXCITED list of films I'm excited about! This one is coming especially, unfortunately late -- I had it written up and everything, neglected to post it, and now I've had to go and replace two of the films on the original list -- Chappie and The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel -- with other flicks.
Sigh...
That's all right. We'll make do. Incidentally, I saw Chappie and The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel this weekend, and was a fan of both. Contrary to what I've been reading, I think the last act is actually what made Chappie so fascinating. As for Second Best, I must say it surpasses its own titular ranking -- not to say it's better than the first one (which was nominated, ahem, for three Hollmann Awards), but I certainly think it's equal!
So what else does 2015 have in store for us?
Honorable Mentions: Black Mass, Bridge of Spies, Dope, The Founder (2016?), The Free State of Jones (2016?), Magic Mike XXL, Mr. Holmes, Silence (2016?), Trainwreck
25. Pan
Dir: Joe Wright Wri: Jason Fuchs Release: July 24
To play off of an obnoxious hashtag, #InWrightWeTrust. Yes, yes, I admit that I was part of that brigade of hand-wringers shouting "problematic" at the Rooney Mara casting, but I tell you who's got me intrigued: Hugh Jackman. What's going on there?
24. Spotlight Dir: Thomas McCarthy Wri: Thomas McCarthy/Joshua Singer
Inspired by the Boston Globe's Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation into the sex abuse scandals of the Catholic Church in Massachusetts. It sells itself.
23. Mad Max: Fury Road
Dir: George Miller Wri: Brendan McCarthy/George Miller/Nick Lathouris Release: May 15
Sometimes, it's the pitch. Sometimes it's the cast. Sometimes, it's the mind-blowing trailer. This one is the third option, though you know I love me some Charlize Theron (Hollmann Award Winner for Best Actress, Young Adult). Is it just kooky enough to work? Should I watch the first three Mad Max films?
22. Cinderella Dir: Kenneth Branagh Wri: Chris Weitz Release: March 13
I quite liked Maleficent, and think Kenneth Branagh is becoming quite a solid studio hack -- Thor was great, and even if I don't remember Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, I tell you what I don't remember: hating it. But let's be real: everyone's coming just to see Cate Blanchett be bitchy in gowns.
21. Irrational Man Dir/Wri: Woody Allen Release: July 24
The annual Woody Allen Slot.
