Only one best picture contender boasts PGA, DGA, SAG (cast) & ACE noms — which makes BELFAST Oscar’s top front runner.
BELFAST (pictured – Jude Hill) also benefits from the Academy’s growing international membership — noms came in from 82 countries. It’s set in late 1960s Northern Ireland during the violent civil war years of “The Troubles.” Its director, Belfast native Kenneth Branagh, is a 5 time Oscar nominee.
The political satire DON’T speaks to the Academy’s American members during today’s troubled times.
RICHARD is one of few diversity is driven contenders at a time when the Academy has laboriously diversified its membership.
In WEST, Steven Spielberg addresses divisions between people, which are more relevant to our times than to 1957 when the play opened.
DUNE, the only epic film likely to get into the race, recalls a time when Oscar’s best pictures had the broad scope and look that defined Hollywood.
Of course, these films could all miss: BELFAST’s a small black & white drama with hard to understand accents. DON’T is a comedy and Oscar tends to dismiss those. RICHARD’s strongest card is Will Smith, who could just be honoured as best actor. WEST’s a musical and Oscar’s not a big fan of musicals. And DUNE‘s sci-fi, which isn’t one of Oscar’s favourite genres.