10 Upcoming Movies That Will Be Serious Oscar Contenders

We've seen some truly brilliant films so far this year, but whether any of them scream "Oscar" is debatable. Out of what has hit screens so far in 2014, the only movie I really expect will be getting some serious attention on that front is Wes Anderson's whimsical period piece The Grand Budapest Hotel (for its visuals, his direction, Ralph Fiennes' performance and possibly Best Picture). The Lego Movie is a lock for Best Animated Feature, and "Everything is Awesome" should earn a nomination for Best Original Song, but I don't imagine that the Academy will honor it elsewhere. And Noah is divisive, but not in a way that has anyone claiming it will hold a place as a cinematic classic.

Isaac Feldberg Jun 25, 2014 4:18 pm2014-08-10T17:14:54-05:00

7. Kill the Messenger

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This is a riskier pic than most, but I could see it shaping up to be this year’s Argo. The movie centers on Gary Webb (Jeremy Renner), an American journalist who, in 1996, uncovered that the CIA had ties to a major crack cocaine smuggling operation in California and was using the profits from that operation to funnel arms to rebel fighters in Nicaragua. Webb’s investigation puts him and his family at risk, but he continues to dig, determined to bring the ugly truth to the American public. It’s a compelling subject, and one that should play exceptionally well with voters.

I’m predicting Best Actor for Renner (the lone actor snubbed for American Hustle, and one who is long overdue for another nomination) and Best Adapted Screenplay (for journalist Peter Landesman’s script). Beyond that, it’s a guessing game. Kill the Messenger might be able to swing a Best Picture nomination, but so could every movie on this list, and Kill the Messenger is far from a power player.

Kill the Messenger opens October 10th.

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