The race for the Oscars has already begun as we have several eligible films this year. The movies which we are going to mention are already in talk for Oscars by many critics and other trusted sources. There are many other movies other than the below-mentioned ones for which Oscar nominations are predicted. But these names (films) are often heard in the Oscar nomination conversations and let’s have a look at top 10 movies of 2016 already getting an Oscar buzz.
Arrival
Arrival is a science fiction film directed by Denis Villeneuve and stars Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Tzi Ma. The movie is based on ‘Story of Your Life’, a short story by Ted Chiang. The first contact story received worldwide acclaim and is running successfully. Amy Adams is expected to be nominated for an Oscar (predicted by various sources) for her performance and previously she has been nominated 5 times but has never won one.
Nocturnal Animals
Nocturnal Animals is directed by Tom Ford and stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Amy Adams, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Michael Shannon, and Isla Fisher. The movie is based on Tony and Susan, a 1993 novel by Austin Wright. This is the second Amy Adams movie on our top list and she portrays an extremely different character from the Arrival. Tom Ford had previously impressed the critics with his very first film, A Single Man (2009).
20th Century Women
20th Century Women is directed by Mike Mills and stars Annette Bening, Elle Fanning, Greta Gerwig, Billy Crudup, and Lucas Jade Zuma. Annette Bening has previously been nominated four times (Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress) for the Oscars but has never got a chance to win one. She was beaten twice by Hilary Swank. Critics are expecting her to get nominated for her performance in the movie as the head of a family. Mike Mills has previously helped Christopher Plummer to win his very first Oscar for Beginners (2012).
Jackie
Jackie is directed by Pablo Larrain and stars Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, Greta Gerwig, Caspar Philipson, and John Hurt. Several biopics have won Oscars previously and this movie is a biopic of the First Lady, Jackie Kennedy. Natalie Portman portrays the role of the First Lady and she has previously won the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in Black Swan (2011). This movie will mark the English debut of Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larrain whose 2012 movie ‘No’ was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.
Fences
Fences is directed by Denzel Washington and stars Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Stephen Henderson, Russel Hornsby, and Mykelti Williamson. The movie is based on a theatrical play of the same name written by August Wilson. The trailer which was released recently was emotional and has won the hearts of many. Everyone is looking forward for the performances of Denzel Washington and Viola Davis and some critics even predict an Oscar Nomination for both of them (especially Viola Davis).
Silence
Silence is directed by Martin Scorsese and stars Liam Neeson, Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, Tadanobu Asano, and Yōsuke Kubozuka. The movie is adapted from the 1996 novel of the same name by Shūsaku Endō. Nothing much is revealed about this Scorsese dream project and what we know is that he has been working on the movies adaptation ever since the early 90s. Scorsese has been nominated eight times for Oscars and has won the Best Director Oscar in 2007 for the Departed. The trailer was impressive enough and let’s wait till the theatrical release.
Loving
Ruth Negga, Michael Shannon, Marton Csokas, and Alano Miller. Loving is considered by many critics as an important movie for the Oscars and the movie, which was premiered at the Cannes Film Festival received excellent reviews. Jeff Nichols, who is the critically acclaimed Take Shelter (2011) and Midnight Special (2016), is predicted to get an Oscar nomination by many critics.
Manchester by the Sea
Manchester by the Sea is directed by Kenneth Lonergan and stars Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, Lucas Hedges, and Gretchen Mol. The movie focuses on the life of Casey Affleck, who is appointed as the legal guardian of his nephew after his brother’s death. Several talks are going on between the critics regarding the Oscar nominations for both Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams. The movie received much critical acclaim when it was premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
Moonlight
Moonlight is directed by Barry Jenkins and stars Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders, Alex R. Hibbert, Mahershala Ali, and Naomie Harris. The movie focuses on the life of Chiron in three stages and the director used three different actors to portray the role of Chiron in each stage. The movie was premiered at the Telluride Film Festival and has won the hearts of the critics and many of them even consider Moonlight as the best of 2016 so far.
La La Land
La La Land is directed by Damien Chazelle and stars Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, John Legend, Rosemarie DeWitt, and Sonoya Mizuno. The movie tells the story of an aspiring jazz pianist and actress portrayed by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. The movie, which was premiered at the Venice Film Festival received widespread acclaim. It was also screened at several other film festivals including the Telluride Film Festival and the Toronto Film Festival. Many critics predict an Oscar nomination for Emma Stone and Damien Chazelle has been previously nominated for an Oscar for his film Whiplash (2014).
