These compelling new films are worth a look, even if they aren’t getting awards buzz.
The great thing about Oscar season — the increasingly long period of time toward the end of the year in which the film industry pivots from big blockbusters to speculation and self-congratulation — is that it spotlights the work of great filmmakers, some of whom wouldn't receive all that much attention if there weren't awards on the line.
But one of the downsides is that, if the self-appointed prognosticators of awards season decide that a movie released from late August through December is not a so-called contender, it very quickly gets shunted off and ignored. There are many films each year that get pushed aside because they're immediately discounted from the Oscar race, but many are still interesting, challenging, and downright fun.
As the 2013 race heats up — with Steve McQueen's 12 Years A Slave and Alexander Payne's Nebraska in theaters and Her from Spike Jones and American Hustle from David O. Russell nearing their releases, among others — there are quite a number of movies already being overlooked. Here is a guide to some of the best castoffs (in order of release date) for viewers of all sorts of interests.
Sony Pictures Classics
Mr. Nobody
Starring: Jared Leto, Sarah Polley, Diane Kruger, Linh Dan Pham, Rhys Ifans
Directed by: Jaco Van Dormael
Release Date: On VOD now
What It's About: This trippy blend of sci-fi and domestic drama originally debuted at the Venice Film Festival in 2009, where critics gave it positive reviews. Despite the acclaim and relatively well-known cast, it took two years for the film to premiere in the US, and then two more until it was actually released to American audiences. But Mr. Nobody, a tale about time, decisions, and regret, has attained cult status already. It also represents another win for Leto, who also steals scenes in Dallas Buyers Club (which has landed on some Oscar-worthy lists).
The Motel Life
Starring: Emile Hirsch, Stephen Dorff, Dakota Fanning, Kris Kristofferson
Directed by: Alan and Gabe Polsky
Release Date: On VOD and in limited release now
What It's About: This adaptation of Willy Vlautin's debut novel dips into the surreal with animation to help tell the story of two brothers living in a motel on the outside of Reno; abandoned as kids, a fatal accident sends them on the run. Find out more from Hirsch here.
Man of Tai Chi
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Tiger Hu Chen
Directed by: Keanu Reeves
Release Date: On VOD now
What It's About: Reeve's long-in-the-making directorial debut is a sort of mashup of Kung Fu films and Fight Club for the digital age, without the political message. The movie was co-produced by the China Film Group — the country's government film agency — and was shot entirely in China. See what Reeves had to say about the process here.
