Motion Picture Academy is dropping short list in a single press release that will trim the fields in 6 categories, including Best Song and Best Documentary<\/b>
\nIt won\u2019t exactly be on a par with Oscars nominations morning, but Monday will be one of the biggest December days in the history of the Academy Awards.
That\u2019s because for the first time, the Academy isn\u2019t systematically doling out the short lists of films that remain in contention. Instead, they\u2019re dropping all the lists at once in a single press release that will trim the fields in Best Documentary Feature, Best Foreign Language Film, Best Original Song and six other categories.
One drop, nine categories, a total of 101 films that\u2019ll get good news and far more that\u2019ll be disappointed.
The strategy of dumping all the Oscars short lists at once has not been greeted with universal approval. For one thing, contenders in the different categories were used to having their individual moments in the spotlight. Music Branch voters, who are facing a pair of short lists for the first time, now have far less time to listen and decide than they used to. And pundits will need to whip up instant analysis in nine categories simultaneously.
Also Read: Oscars‘ Best Picture Category Needs Fixing – Here’s an Easy Way to Do It
But that\u2019s the new rule, and all the lists will be out on the afternoon of Monday, Dec. 17.
(By the way, we hear that the news will come out in the afternoon because the procrastinators on the Foreign Language Film Award Executive Committee aren\u2019t getting together until Monday morning to decide which three songs they\u2019ll be adding to the six-film short list chosen by Oscars voters.)
Here\u2019s the category-by-category breakdown of what will be coming on Monday.
Best Foreign Language Film Number of films on the short list: 9
Three films seem guaranteed to land a spot: Mexico\u2019s \u201cRoma,\u201d Poland\u2019s \u201cCold War\u201d and Lebanon\u2019s \u201cCapernaum.\u201d Belgium\u2019s \u201cGirl\u201d isn\u2019t far behind, and voters reportedly adored Germany\u2019s \u201cNever Look Away.\u201d Denmark\u2019s \u201cThe Guilty\u201d is a satisfying film that impressed voters, Sweden\u2019s \u201cBorder\u201d a twisted one that did the same.
The executive committee that adds three films to the shortlist may be hard-pressed not to take one or both of the two Asian standouts, South Korea\u2019s \u201cBurning\u201d and Japan\u2019s Palme d\u2019Or winner \u201cShoplifters.\u201d And watch out for the Paraguayan film, \u201cThe Heiresses,\u201d which has strong support in both the general and executive committees.
Other possibilities include Iceland\u2019s \u201cWoman at War,\u201d Norway\u2019s \u201cWhat Will People Say,\u201d Colombia\u2019s \u201cBirds of Passage,\u201d Hungary\u2019s \u201cSunset\u201d and Romania\u2019s \u201cI Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians.\u201d
Also Read: Oscars Foreign Language Race 2018: Complete List of Submissions
Best Documentary Feature Number of films on the short list: 15
The four box-office hits that made this one of the best years ever for nonfiction filmmaking should all land on the list: \u201cFree Solo,\u201d \u201cRBG,\u201d \u201cThree Identical Strangers\u201d and the de facto frontrunner, \u201cWon\u2019t You Be My Neighbor?\u201d (On the other hand, it\u2019d be uncharacteristic of the Academy not to leave at least one of them off the final list of five nominees, and not entirely surprising if one of them doesn\u2019t make the short list.)
Ever since the doc-branch rules were changed to do away with special screening committees in this category, voters have gravitated toward the films that have gotten the most buzz and received the most nominations for the IDA Awards, the Cinema Eye Honors and the like. That should mean that critical and awards favorites like \u201cMinding the Gap,\u201d \u201cHale County This Morning, This Evening,\u201d \u201cCrime + Punishment,\u201d \u201cBisbee \u201917,\u201d \u201cDark Money,\u201d \u201cOf Fathers and Sons\u201d and \u201cShirkers\u201d will all be in contention. And watch out for the Spanish film \u201cThe Silence of Others,\u201d a potential sleeper.
We also shouldn\u2019t rule out documentary legend Frederick Wiseman for \u201cMonrovia, Indiana,\u201d or other well-received docs like \u201cOn Her Shoulders,\u201d \u201cThe Bleeding Edge\u201d and \u201cUnited Skates.\u201d On the showbiz doc front, movies like \u201cHal,\u201d \u201cFilmworker\u201d and \u201cBe Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blache\u201d have a shot, as does the released-at-last Aretha Franklin movie \u201cAmazing Grace\u201d and the Quincy Jones doc \u201cQuincy,\u201d whose subject has been highly visible on the campaign circuit lately. And I refuse to abandon hope that voters will recognize Eugene Jarecki\u2019s sharp Elvis-and-America meditation \u201cThe King.\u201d
Finally, Michael Moore\u2019s \u201cFahrenheit 11\/9,\u201d the followup to the top-grossing nonfiction film of all time, has been bypassed by nearly all the precursor awards and may well be left off of this one as well. But Moore could still find a way in \u2014 after all, he was the prime mover on the changes that led to the current method of picking the short list, and he\u2019s still a strong voice in the doc world.
Also Read: ‚Minding the Gap‘ Wins Top Honor at IDA Documentary Awards
Best Original Song Number of songs on the short list: 15
The two music categories are introducing short lists for the first time ever, presumably in order to give all the members of the music branch to hear and consider the 15 semi-finalists before voting for nominations. But that means they have less time to consider all the contenders, which this year number more than 70 in the song category.
Yes, we know that \u201cShallow,\u201d the one song entered from \u201cA Star Is Born,\u201d will make it. And probably at least one of the two songs entered from \u201cMary Poppins Returns.\u201d The Music Branch\u2019s taste for hip-hop might be tested by \u201cAll the Stars\u201d from \u201cBlack Panther,\u201d but why wouldn\u2019t they want Kendrick Lamar at the Oscars?
They also have to consider songs from luminaries like Dolly Parton (\u201cGirl in the Movies\u201d from \u201cDumplin’\u201d), Annie Lennox (\u201cRequiem for a Private War\u201d from \u201cA Private War\u201d), plus two competitive songs from movies about Ruth Bader Ginsburg: \u201cI\u2019ll Fight\u201d from \u201cRBG\u201d (written by nine-time nominee Diane Warren) and \u201cHere Comes the Change\u201d from \u201cOn the Basis of Sex.\u201d \u201cRevelation\u201d from \u201cBoy Erased\u201d has a real shot, as does \u201cGravity\u201d from \u201cFree Solo.\u201d And if they want to get truly adventurous, how about the Coup\u2019s \u201cOYAHYTT\u201d from \u201cSorry to Bother You,\u201d or Thom Yorke\u2019s \u201cSuspirium\u201d from \u201cSuspiria\u201d? (Would the Radiohead frontman show up at the Oscars?)
The branch is well known for taking care of its own, which can\u2019t hurt past winner Carole Bayer Sager\u2019s \u201cLiving in the Moment\u201d from \u201cBook Club.\u201d They also tend to like songs that are performed onscreen \u2014 which, in addition to being one more reason \u201cShallow\u201d will get in, could help the songs from \u201cHearts Beat Loud,\u201d the quintessential but twisted Disney-princess anthem from \u201cRalph Breaks the Internet\u201d or the fatalistic cowboy tune \u201cWhen a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings\u201d from \u201cThe Ballad of Buster Scruggs.\u201d
And then there are songs from Patti Smith and Robyn Hitchcock and Elton John and Arlissa and Quincy Jones and Post Malone and Kendra Smith and Aoife O\u2019Donovan and Imagine Dragons and Sade and David Crosby\u2026 It\u2019s a deep list, not a shallow one. (Sorry.)
Also Read: How Movie Songs By Kendrick Lamar, Kesha and Troye Sivan Hope to Last Beyond Their Films (Video)
Best Original Score Number of films on the short list: 15
As usual, more than 100 scores are in contention, with early awards singling out a group that includes \u201cBlack Panther,\u201d \u201cFirst Man,\u201d \u201cIf Beale Street Could Talk,\u201d \u201cIsle of Dogs,\u201d \u201cMary Poppins Returns,\u201d \u201cA Quiet Place,\u201d \u201cMary Queen of Scots\u201d and \u201cGreen Book.\u201d Most and perhaps all of those should make the list, with other contenders including \u201cBlacKkKlansman,\u201d \u201cCan You Ever Forgive Me?,\u201d \u201cOn the Basis of Sex,\u201d \u201cThe Hate U Give,\u201d \u201cHereditary,\u201d \u201cBad Times at the El Royale,\u201d \u201cRed Sparrow,\u201d \u201cThe Predator\u201d and \u201cSolo: A Star Wars Story.\u201d
Best Makeup and Hairstyling Number of films on the short list: No more than 7
This is a category that\u2019ll likely have three nominees, and one known for nominating films that won\u2019t show up in any other category. This year, that could mean a \u201cSuspiria\u201d appearance on the short list. \u201cBlack Panther\u201d and \u201cThe Avengers: Infinity War\u201d will certainly be in play \u2014 and since makeup designed to make actors look like other people is usually a mainstay in the category, look for \u201cVice\u201d and \u201cStan & Ollie\u201d to show up as well. \u201cMary Queen of Scots\u201d could make the cut too. And will Rami Malek\u2019s Freddie Mercury teeth from \u201cBohemian Rhapsody\u201d be enough to land that film a spot?
If a foreign film gets in, as one sometimes does (\u201cA Man Called Ove,\u201d \u201cThe 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared\u201d), it could be \u201cBorder,\u201d which turned a couple of actors into trolls.
Also Read: ‚Border‘ Film Review: Are Moviegoers Ready for Hot, Hairy Troll Sex?
Best Visual Effects Number of films on the short list: 10
A committee from the Visual Effects Branch has already narrowed the field to 20 films, so now it\u2019s just a matter of cutting that number in half. The elaborate visions of \u201cAvengers: Infinity War,\u201d \u201cBlack Panther,\u201d \u201cReady Player One\u201d and perhaps \u201cFantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindewald\u201d and \u201cSolo: A Star Wars Story\u201d are clearly contenders, with the subtler effects of \u201cFirst Man\u201d and the more retro charms of \u201cMary Poppins Returns\u201d definitely in the mix as well.
Dark horses could include \u201cChristopher Robin\u201d and \u201cPaddington 2\u201d for their blend of live action and CG figures, and the stop-motion \u201cIsle of Dogs,\u201d which would be following in the footsteps of recent nominee \u201cKubo and the Two Strings.\u201d Several late-breaking films have a shot as well, including \u201cAquaman,\u201d \u201cBumblebee\u201d and \u201cWelcome to Marwen.\u201d
Best Documentary Short Number of films on the short list: 10
The shorts categories are hard to predict because most of the films haven\u2019t been widely seen. But Academy volunteers have been watching them to compile the three lists, and it\u2019s possible to pick up some buzz from festival screenings and awards campaigns.
Netflix has been a major player in doc shorts recently (it won its first Oscar for \u201cThe White Helmets\u201d), and this year it has \u201cZion,\u201d \u201cOut of Many, One,\u201d \u201cEnd Game\u201d and \u201cLessons From a School Shooting: Notes From Dunblane,\u201d at least two of which should end up on the list. The New York Times Op-Docs series has \u201cDulce,\u201d \u201cEarthrise,\u201d \u201cWe Became Fragments\u201d and the wry and well-liked \u201cMy Dead Dad\u2019s Porno Tapes,\u201d the only short nominated by both the IDA Awards and Cinema Eye Honors.
Other IDA and Cinema Eye nominees include \u201cBlack Sheep,\u201d \u201cBaby Brother,\u201d \u201cConcussion Protocol,\u201d \u201cFear Us Women,\u201d \u201cLifeboat,\u201d \u201cLos Comandos,\u201d \u201cMosul,\u201d \u201cSidelined,\u201d \u201cSkip Day,\u201d \u201cThe Girl and the Picture,\u201d \u201cVolte\u201d and \u201cWe Are Not Done Yet.\u201d The DOC NYC short list also singled out \u201c\u201963 Boycott,\u201d \u201cThe Head & the Hand,\u201d \u201cRX Early Detection\u201d and \u201cTake Back the Harbor,\u201d while \u201cLotte That Silhouette Girl\u201d tells the story of a woman animation pioneer from the pre-Disney days and could be attractive to the Academy.
Also Read: ShortList 2018: How ‚My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes‘ Explores Family Secrets (Video)
Best Animated Short Number of films on the short list: 10
The Annie Awards, the top prize given to animated films, singled out \u201cGrandpa Walrus,\u201d \u201cLost & Found,\u201d \u201cSolar Walk,\u201d \u201cUntravel\u201d and \u201cWeekends.\u201d Pixar\u2019s big short this year is \u201cBao,\u201d and Pixar\u2019s big short usually gets nominated. DreamWorks Animation, which has less consistent success in the category, is represented by \u201cBilby\u201d and \u201cBird Karma.\u201d
Other possibilities include \u201cLa Noria,\u201d \u201cAnimal Behavior,\u201d \u201cCrow: The Legend\u201d and \u201cAge of Sail,\u201d a Google Spotlight VR short made by John Kahrs, who won an Oscar for \u201cPaperman.\u201d \u201cRaccoon and the Light,\u201d \u201cDaisy,\u201d \u201cThe Green Bird\u201d and \u201cRe-Gifted\u201d qualified by winning Student Academy Awards, while \u201cThe Driver Is Red\u201d won the industry prize at theWrap\u2019s ShortList Film Festival.
Best Live-Action Short Number of films on the short list: 10
In a category where it\u2019s almost impossible to get an overview of the field unless you\u2019re a festival shorts programmer, standouts include \u201cFauve,\u201d \u201cWren Boys,\u201d \u201cSkin\u201d and \u201cBonbone,\u201d as well as \u201cSouls of Totality,\u201d featuring Tatiana Maslany, and \u201cDear Chickens,\u201d with Philip Baker Hall.
Timely films about the refugee crisis in Europe include \u201cBismillah\u201d and \u201cMagic Alps,\u201d and Student Academy Award qualifiers are \u201cSpring Flower,\u201d \u201cLalo\u2019s House,\u201d \u201cThis Is Your Cuba,\u201d \u201cGet Ready With Me,\u201d \u201cAlmost Everything\u201d and \u201cA Siege\u201d; if history is any guide, at least one of them will make the list.<\/p>\n