Oscars: 2023 is 1/3 of the Way Done, Any Oscar Contenders?

We’re a third of the way through the movie year and I don’t see any Oscar contenders popping up just yet.

There are some who believe that Ben Affleck’s “Air” might contend in awards season. I’m not entirely convinced about that. It would have had to be a very mediocre year, with countless disappointments, for Affleck’s Nike movie to succeed.

Hey, maybe it will. I’m not discounting it. If “Air” were released last year then it might have snuck in as a #10 Best Picture nominee. However, this year looks packed to the rafters, especially in the fall.

I can’t continue without mentioning A24’s acclaimed “Private Lives,” which I still haven’t seen, but could be another small and critically-acclaimed indie. Like “Minari,” it does have the critics on its side … but it could be another failed contender like Lulu Wang’s “The Farewell.” You just never know with these Sundance hits.

Looking ahead, I gather we might have a summer movie that cracks the Best Picture race, possibly Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer.” Other possibilities, albeit minor ones, include Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City” and Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie.”

Then there’s the “Top Gun: Maverick” slot, a big blockbuster that wins over critics and audiences. I’m looking at you “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” or how about Cruise again with “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning”?

The fall is much further away and there’s bound to be under-the-radar titles that break out. We’re going to get an early look at Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” in a few weeks at Cannes. Ditto Todd Haynes’ “May/December.”

Some Hollywood heavyweights rumored for Venice include Michael Mann’s “Ferrari,” Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro,” Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla,” Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things,” Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers,” Ethan Coen’s “Drive-Away Dolls” Sean Durkin’s “The Iron Claw” and Emerald Fennell’s “Saltburn.”

David Fincher’s “The Killer” and Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” might skip fests. There’s also an air of uncertainty when it comes to Steve McQueen’s WWII epic, “Blitz.” Will it even get released in 2024?

Consider this my first Oscar report for 2023. I don’t see myself doing another one for a few months and it seems rather foolish to even attempt to predict the ten nominees at this early stage. That hasn’t stopped others from doing so, but I’ll refrain.