Well that took long enough. After weeks of silence, Warner Bros. finally announced that Ben Affleck’s “Live By Night” is set for an Oscar qualifying run beginning Christmas Day in New York and Los Angeles. The dramatic thriller’s wide release is still scheduled for Jan. 13 as WB follows the same release strategy that resulted in tremendous box office and six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, for Clint Eastwood’s “American Sniper” just two years ago.
Affleck wrote, directed, co-produced and stars in this adaptation of Dennis Lehane’s 2012 novel that follows a Boston police officer (Affleck) as he transforms himself into a feared gangster in 1920’s and 1930’s South Florida. The picture has a noteworthy cast including Brendan Gleeson, Sienna Miller, Zoe Saldana, Chris Cooper, Elle Fanning (on a roll) and Scott Eastwood. Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the film’s other producers and none other than three-time Oscar winning cinematographer Robert Richardson shot it.
It’s sort of strange that Warner Bros.’ waited this long to announce the limited release. Perhaps they hoped one of the many other limited openers in that frame would move, but much to the entire industry’s detriment that hasn’t been the case. Instead, “Night” will open against a crowded field of fellow prestige contenders including “Fences,” “Patriot’s Day” and “Julieta” on Dec. 25. “Patterson,” “20th Century Women,” “Silence,” “A Monster Calls” and “Gold” also debut during the holiday frame. Moreover, the film’s trailer screamed prestige bait and the poster’s tagline “The American Dream Has A Price” (not to mention its gorgeous retro style) is hardly a marketing call for a January action flick. So, honestly, no real surprise about the limited bow.
Now, the studio has two major contenders on its hands with both the beloved “Sully” and Affleck’s directorial follow up to Best Picture winner “Argo.” “Collateral Beauty” also waits in the wings, but we’re hesitant to take that melodrama too seriously in the Oscar game until it screens for press. Will ‘Night’ crack the top 10 of the Contender Countdown? Based on this week’s results it hasn’t yet, but give it time. Give it time.
Oct. 4, 2016
1. “La La Land”
Until it starts screening more in LA we’re gonna run out of things to talk about on this one for a bit.
2. “Sully”
Warner Bros. probably didn’t think getting a nomination would be this easy. Right now, it’s pretty easy.
3. “Fences”
The big question is Viola Davis in the Best Actress or Best Supporting Actress category. No matter how Paramount campaigns the Academy may have their own ideas.
4. “Manchester By The Sea”
It’s great and very much a worthy Best Picture nominee, but some of the reaction from the NYFF screenings has been slightly overboard. It’s not the best movie of the past five years people.
5. “Moonlight”
Hitting theaters in NY and LA much quicker than you’d think.
6. “Lion”
If Nicole Kidman shows up at the Governors Awards next month she’s taking this Best Supporting Actress nominee talk very seriously.
7. “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk”
Less than two weeks until the big unveiling at NYFF. How long will LA have to wait?
8. “Hell or High Water”
There is a passionate fanbase for this movie. Don’t discount it.
9. “Jackie”
Look for reaction from the Hamptons Film Festival this weekend. Should we expect an AFI LA screening?
10. “Birth of a Nation”
More on this later this week, but Nate Parker’s interviews on 60 Minutes and Good Morning America didn’t necessarily help.
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing – Coming Soon
Cinematography – Coming Soon
Animated Feature Film – Coming Soon
Foreign Language Film – Coming Soon
Documentary Feature – Coming Soon
Original Score – Coming Soon
Original Song – Coming Soon
Costumes – Coming Soon
Makeup and Hairstyling – Coming Soon
Visual Effects – Coming Soon
Sound Mixing – Coming Soon
Sound Editing – Coming Soon
For more Oscar and industry insight follow Gregory Ellwood on Twitter @TheGregoryE.
