Oscars 2019 Best Picture Predictions

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Oscars season is upon us, which means it's time to start thinking about which films could be nominated for Best Picture this year. With summer coming to a close, the film landscape is about to be dominated by numerous festivals (Venice, Toronto, Telluride, etc.), which are typically stacked with Academy hopefuls looking to make an early impression. Of course, some contenders will end up falling short of their aspirations, but the Oscar race typically takes shape in the fall.

For a while, last year was one of the more open races in a while, with numerous high-quality films receiving much acclaim and accolades. It remains to be seen how this year's crop stacks up (many of them are unseen as of this writing), but there are a number of likely possibilities that cinephiles will enjoy following as awards season heats up. Here are some we feel could make a big splash.
 

BLACKKKLANSMAN

 

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If there is a frontrunner in August, it would have to be Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman. After premiering at Cannes, the film opened in theaters earlier this month, earning near-universal praise. Critics liked Lee's mastery over BlacKkKlansman's tone, which deftly balanced dark humor with harrowing drama to create a unique experience only he could deliver. Besides the craftsmanship and the performances, the film is also noteworthy for providing some timely social commentary, with its closing credits serving as a painful reminder for how much further there is to go.

In their campaign, Focus Features could also play up the "overdue" narrative, which would likely benefit Lee. Throughout his prolific career, he's only been nominated twice - and never for Best Director. His last nod came back in 1997 for Best Documentary (4 Little Girls). Lee received an Honorary Award a couple of years ago, but this could be his best chance at taking home a competitive Oscar.
 

A STAR IS BORN

 

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Earlier this decade, Bradley Cooper became an Academy favorite, earning nominations in three straight years. Ever since his turn in 2014's American Sniper, the actor hasn't heard his name called. That could change this year thanks to the latest remake of the classic, A Star is Born. All of the previous iterations (released in 1937, 1954, and 1976) all earned nominations - some of which came in the major categories. However, the '76 version only received nods for its music and technical aspects. Cooper, who also directs, stars alongside Lady Gaga.

Cooper's A Star is Born premieres at Venice and will also play at Toronto and San Sebastián prior to its theatrical release in early October. Theater exhibitors, perhaps in an attempt to sell tickets, are already singing its praises, feeling that it will earn Oscar nominations across the board. Based on the trailer, Cooper and Gaga look to give powerful, emotional performances as star-crossed lovers who go on a wild journey together. And as evidenced by La La Land landing a record-tying 14 nominations, the Academy really enjoys a well-made musical.
 

FIRST MAN

 

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Speaking of La La Land, its director Damien Chazelle is back in the fold with First Man, a biopic about astronaut Neil Armstrong. The filmmaker reunites with Ryan Gosling (who plays Armstrong), and it's clear distributor Universal has high hopes for the project. First Man landed the coveted opening slot at Venice, which is where La La Land made its world premiere. In his young career, Chazelle has directed two Best Picture nominees (Whiplash is the other), so his films are always a perennial threat in the awards race.

Films about historical figures have long been a sweet spot for the Academy, and the trailer for First Man was very promising. It looks to be an intense, thrilling drama buoyed by strong performances and Chazelle's continuously evolving skill set. Maybe after being part of the infamous Best Picture snafu a couple years ago, the youngest Best Director winner can see his film go all the way for real this time.
 

ROMA

 

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Alfonso Cuarón delivered one of the most breathtaking technological achievements of the decade with Gravity, for which he took home Best Director. Cinephiles have waited anxiously to see what he'll do next, and now his next film is right around the corner. Titled Roma, it's a period piece set in the 1970s that follows a middle-class family in Mexico City over the course of a year. The recently released trailer impressed many with its lush, beautiful black-and-white cinematography, promising to be a unique experience.

Netflix will release the film in early October, but first Roma has its world premiere at Venice. That worked well for Gravity, which debuted at the festival back in 2013. Cuarón and his team will be hoping history repeats itself, and right now, many are encouraged by what they see.