The Telluride Film Festival just wrapped up, meaning Oscar season has officially begun. Here is a look at the films that generated buzz at this year’s festival.
Premieres:
Marriage Story
Noah Baumbach’s new film, which some are calling his greatest work so far, may earn Netflix a place in the Oscar race like Roma did last year. Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver star as a couple divorcing and fighting over custody of their child. Driver is getting lots of praise for his performance.
Two Popes
Netflix’s other major entry is this drama from Fernando Meirelles starring Jonathan Pryce as Pope Francis and Anthony Hopkins as Pope Benedict.
Ford v Ferrari
Christian Bale is getting strong reviews for his performance as a race car driver who helped Ford develop a new race car for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966.
Judy
Renee Zellweger got standing ovations for her performance as Judy Garland in this biopic about the end of the entertainer’s life.
Uncut Gems
Adam Sandler is receiving some career best reviews for this uneven crime thriller from the Safdie brothers. Punch Drunk Love is one of my favorite movies so I’m excited to see what he does here.
The Report
Adam Driver stars as a Senate staffer leading an investigation into the CIA’s post 9/11 interrogation tactics. Annette Bening co-stars as Senator Dianne Feinstein. Both are getting good reviews and could get nominations. This could be a major awards contender for Amazon.
Waves
This movie from A24 was the sleeper hit of the festival. It deals with the disintegration of a family.
Motherless Brooklyn
Edward Norton directs and stars in this 1950s noir about a detective with Tourette’s Syndrome out to solve the murder of his friend. This movie received mixed reviews. I’m a huge Ed Norton fan though and I love detective movies so I can’t wait for this.
Aeronauts
This hot air balloon adventure film stars Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones. It failed to make much of a splash.
The Assistant
This movie about a day in the life of an assistant to a Harvey Weinstein-esque executive received a positive response but is still seeking distribution.
Previously screened at Cannes:
Pain and Glory
Pedro Almodóvar’s autobiographical film continues to generate Oscar buzz. Antonio Banderas may finally get his first Oscar nomination. The Spanish Academy has selected the movie as it submission for Best Foreign Film.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
This movie may get Noemie Merlanta a Best Actress nomination. It could also get a Best Foreign Film nomination. (Between Pain and Glory and Parasite, it’s a category that is filling up fast.)
Parasite
Winner of the Palm d’Or. This is Joon-ho Bong’s creepy, darkly comic meditation on class.
A Hidden Life
Terrence Malick returns with what looks like a visually breathtaking film. (Just look at the preview.) A conscientious objector refuses to fight for the Nazis during World War II.
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