On the GRAs front, this season is lacking any major heavyweights at the top through five rounds. The highest-rated film of the season thus far is X-Men: Age of Apocalypse, the fifth film in the long-running franchise and arguably the strongest entry yet. There is something to be said of that positive momentum, though it is hard to discern the film’s chances outside of Adaptation, Ensemble, and Villain.
Elsewhere, Holden Abbott’s Exodus is likely the next closest thing to a contender. The film is in a unique position as we rarely see a writer’s debut film immediately in contention for top honors but that would be the case here if the season ended today. The last time a writer’s first film was nominated for Best Picture? Joh Malone’s Flicker all the way back in Season 2. Since then, the shortest pipeline to a Best Picture nomination has been three films (done by Wyatt Allen and Diane Esposito most recently).
Another nice consistent storyline this season has been the continued ascent of some of LRF’s top young stars. Sadie Sink, Wyatt Oleff, Lucas Hedges, Jade Pettyjohn, Toby Wallace, and Damson Idris have landed more leading roles, while Elle Fanning, George MacKay, and Sydney Sweeney all have films announced for future rounds. There’s talk in the town of Sweeney’s return after a lengthy absence (last seen in Season 23’s GRA-winning performance for Poison Ivy: Minds Games); rumor has it that she has been highly selective with her projects since so it is nice to see her back on the big screen. All together, it feels like LRF’s newest wave of homegrown talent are becoming the stars of the moment.
Looking ahead, it is hard not to get excited about the crop of films to come. A Jimmy Ellis-Robert Eggers adaptation of Macbeth feels certain to be a visual treat and the material gives a lot of room for the actors to make their mark. Chad Taylor returns after a few seasons away with a Hollywood-set drama starring two of LRF’s biggest actresses, Jennifer Lawrence and Sydney Sweeney. Also in Round 7 we will finally see a Madonna biopic penned by Diane Esposito and headlined by LRF’s Supergirl Chloe Grace Moretz. Those three films alone seem like they have the potential to flip the Best Actress race on its head.
And then we have fun genre fare down the pipeline. A Michael Bay western? Sure! A John Malone-penned comedy (or at least dramedy) from David Gordon Green? I'm intrigued (and hoping it means more mainstream comedies from the studio!). James Wan trading one popular 90s video game franchise (Resident Evil) for another (DOOM)? Sounds exciting! And of course, it's Halloween season so I've already got my ticket for LRF's take on Leatherface. Do you think this one will be bloody?
I look forward to checking back in with you all at season’s end. For now, I’ll see you at the movies!
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