Screen Talk: We Handicap the Awards Chances of a Slew of New Weekend Openers

Eric Kohn and I dig into why TIFF audience-award-winner “Room” may have the right stuff to not only play with audiences when it opens this weekend, but Oscar voters as well. We compare the child performances from Jacob Tremblay in “Room” and Abraham Attah in Cary Fukunaga’s “Beasts of No Nation,” which is a tougher and less uplifting film. Idris Elba may have a better shot at a supporting nomination—but it’s a crowded category. 

Many industry people are watching with fascination the unprecedented “Beasts of No Nation” Oscar-qualifying theatrical release this weekend. How many people will see the film? We will never know! “It’s a good experiment,” says Kohn. “But can we see if it works or not in the weeks and months to come?”

Also vying for a supporting nod will be theater actor Mark Rylance in Steven Spielberg’s “Bridge of Spies.” What will the New York Film Critics be likely to go for? “Spotlight,” “Beasts of No Nation,” “Steve Jobs” and “Son of Saul” could rise on ten best lists. 

We debate the virtues, weaknesses and marketing issues of Guillermo del Toro’s R-rated sexy gothic romance “Crimson Peak.” Will women go to see it? Is it too challenging? Is it too much of a genre pastiche? (Read my del Toro video interview here.) We agree that Jessica Chastain should be in the supporting actress race, along with production and costume design and cinematography. 

We go over the Quentin Tarantino brouhaha. And Jennifer Lawrence’s Lena Dunham article on fair pay in Hollywood.