Universal’s likely best shot at major Oscar nominations this year. Steve Jobs Stars: Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, Jeff Daniels, Michael Stuhlbarg Director: Danny Boyle Premise: From IMDb: “Steve Jobs takes us behind the scenes of the digital revolution, to paint a portrait of the man at its epicenter. The story unfolds backstage at…

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Focus Features has two major contenders they are offering this year. This is one of them. Suffragette Stars: Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne-Marie Duff, Romola Garai, Natalie Press, Meryl Streep, Brendan Gleeson, Ben Whishaw Director: Sarah Gavron Premise: From IMDb: “The foot soldiers of the early feminist movement, women who were forced underground to…

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Focus Features has two major contenders they are offering this year. This is one of them. The Danish Girl Stars: Eddie Redmayne, Alicia Vikander, Amber Heard, Ben Whishaw, Sebastian Koch, Matthias Schoenaerts Director: Tom Hooper Premise: From IMDb: “The remarkable love story inspired by the lives of artists Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener. Lili and…

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The Film Arcade isn’t a studio familiar to many, but they might just have an Oscar competitor on their hands. James White Stars: Christopher Abbott, Cynthia Nixon Director: Josh Mond Premise: From IMDb: “James, a 21-year-old New Yorker, struggles to take control of his self-destructive behavior in the face of momentous family challenges.” Oscar Chances:…

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Fox Searchlight has such a strong stable of contenders this year. Youth Stars: Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Rachel Weisz, Paul Dano, Jane Fonda Director: Paolo Sorrentino Premise: From IMDb: “A retired orchestra conductor is on holiday with his daughter and his film director best friend in the Alps when he receives an invitation from Queen…

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Universal has very limited options with this film, the last of their 2015 stable to get a screener. Legend Stars: Tom Hardy, Emily Browning Director: Brian Helgeland Premise: From IMDb: “The film tells the story of the identical twin gangsters Reggie and Ronnie Kray, two of the most notorious criminals in British history, and their…

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One of the few foreign language features to enter my mailbox this year. The Assassin Stars: Qi Shu, Chen Chang, Satoshi Tsumabuki Director: Hou Hsiao-Hsien Premise: From IMDb: “An assassin accepts a dangerous mission to kill a political leader in seventh-century China.” Oscar Chances: Good: While it may not be much of a contender for…

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A Netflix documentary entry, this one with slightly better chances than their other. Winter on Fire Director: Evgeny Afineevsky Premise: From IMDb: “A documentary on the unrest in Ukraine during 2013 and 2014, as student demonstrations supporting European integration grew into a violent revolution calling for the resignation of President Viktor F. Yanukovich.” Oscar Chances:…

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Netflix’s first Oscar contender was a documentary. Here’s another. What Happened, Miss Simone? Director: Liz Garbus Premise: From IMDb: “A documentary about the life and legend Nina Simone, an American singer, pianist, and civil rights activist labeled the “High Priestess of Soul.”” Oscar Chances: Uncertain: While there have been music documentaries nominated at the Oscars,…

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