The 2020-2021 awards season is shaping up to be the most unconventional of the millennium, at least so far. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, numerous films were either moved, delayed or released via streaming services. As such, awards bodies needed to retool some of their rules to better accommodate this ever-changing situation.

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With the Oscars more than three months away, and new films coming out almost every month, the narrative is rapidly shifting to the point where there might not even be a frontrunner in any category. Still, there are some films with undeniable potential, and with critics' awards happening right now, audiences can at least have an idea of which films are bound to be major players.

Sound Of Metal

Sound of Metal

Co-written and directed by Darius Marder and starring Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke and Paul Raci, Sound of Metal tells the story of a drummer who begins to lose his hearing. The film has received critical praise not only for the performances, screenplay and directing, but its evocative portrayal of the experiences of the deaf community.

Throughout the critics' awards portion of Awards Season, Sound of Metal has been a staple. Ahmed has shown up on almost all Best Actors lists, and has even won on some of them. He is the surest bet for the film come Oscar morning, but supporting actor Paul Raci is looking like a certain nominee too, as well as the team behind the film's sound.

Da 5 Bloods

The friends find Norman's body in Vietnam in Da 5 Bloods

Released by Netflix all the way back in June, Da 5 Bloods is a war drama directed, produced and co-written by the iconic Spike Lee. It stars an ensemble cast that includes Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Jean Reno and Chadwick Boseman. The film follows four aging Vietnam veterans who return to the country in search of their fallen squad leader's remains, and the treasure they buried while in the war.

A major possibility for Best Picture, Da 5 Bloods may also give veteran actor Delroy Lindo his first Oscar nomination. Boseman may also receive a posthumous Supporting Actor nomination, while Spike Lee could get his second recognition for Directing. In the below-the-line categories, the film is looking like a sure bet for Cinematography, with the possibility of also getting into Editing.

The Father

The Father

Considered by many as one of the best playwrights and novelists or out time, Frenchman Florian Zeller burst into the movie scene with The Father. Based on his 2012 play, Le Père, the film is about an aging man who must deal with his increasing memory loss. Since its premiere back at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, the film has been lauded as one of the best of the year.

Anthony Hopkins' performance might very well earn him his second Lead Actor statuette, although he faces some very tough competition. For her supporting turn, awards darling Olivia Colman is bound to receive her second Oscar nomination. The film is also on its way to get Best Picture, Director and Adapted Screenplay nominations.

Judas And The Black Messiah

Fred Hampton giving a speech in Judas And The Black Messiah

Although it hasn't premiered yet, early reactions to Judas and the Black Messiah seem to suggest it's not only a great film, but a major awards player. Directed and produced by Shaka King, the film is an autobiographical account of the life of Fred Hampton, the chairman of the Black Panther Party in the late 1960s.

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After making a splash with his breakthrough performance in Get Out, Daniel Kaluuya is poised to win the Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance as Hampton. For his part, Lakeith Stanfield could make his way into the already crowded Lead Acting category. The film will surely have a strong showing as a Best Picture contender, including likely nominations for Original Screenplay and Editing, and a possible mention in Cinematography.

Minari

Minari

Another film to come out of the 2020 Sundance Film FestivalMinari is a semi-autobiographical take on director Lee Isaac Chung's childhood. Set in the 1980s, the film follows a family of South Korean immigrants as they adapt to life in rural America.

An almost certain Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay nominee, it could also score a nomination for its Score. Steven Yeun might also show up in the Lead Actor category, but it seems unlikely, considering the stiff competition. Supporting Actress Youn Yuh-Jung has been winning critics' awards left and right, although her presence in the Oscar Supporting Actress line-up is not as certain as one might imagine.

Promising Young Woman

Nurse scene from Promising Young Woman

Written, directed and produced by Emerald Fennell, in her feature directorial debut, Promising Young Woman is a dark comedy thriller about a young woman who, traumatized by a tragic event in her past, seeks retaliation against those who cross her path.

Featuring a wickedly smart screenplay, and a career-best performance from Carey MulliganPromising Young Woman's odds have drastically increased in the last few months. Now a sure bet for Best Original Screenplay and Best Actress, the film can also make it to Best Picture and perhaps even Best Director.

Mank

Mank

Ever since it was announced, David Fincher's Mank has been at the top of critics' lists for Best Picture. Written by Fincher's late father, Jack Fincher, the film centers on screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he struggles to develop the script for Citizen Kane.

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Although it received a decidedly less enthusiastic reception than expected, by both critics and audiences, its status as a Best Picture frontrunner remains. Fincher is still poised to be nominated for Best Director, but the general consensus is that he's no longer the favorite to win. Similarly, Gary Oldman's place among the five Lead Actor nominees has become uncertain. However, Amanda Seyfried remains the frontrunner to win Supporting Actress, and the film is still a sure bet in several categories, like Original Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography, Production Design, Hair & Makeup and Score. It definitely has the potential to be the most nominated film of this year's ceremony.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Featuring Chadwick Boseman's last film performance and based on August Wilson's play of the same name, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is a dramatization of a recording session for influential blues singer, Ma Rainey.

Lauded for its two lead performances, both Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis are the current favorites to win the Best Actor and Best Actress Oscars. The film itself is a sure Best Picture nominee, as well as a favorite in the categories of Adapted Screenplay, Production Design, Costume, Hair & Makeup, and perhaps even Editing. Glynn Turman would be a pleasant and worthy addition to the Supporting Actor line-up.

The Trial Of The Chicago 7

The Trial Of The Chicago 7

Acquired by Netflix from Paramount on July 2020, and released in October, The Trial of the Chicago 7 is a historical legal drama written and directed by Aaron Sorkin and starring an ensemble cast the includes Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Mark Rylance and Frank Langella. It tells the story of the Chicago Seven, anti-Vietnam protestors arrested on charges of intending to incite riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

The apparent Best Picture frontrunner, the film should make a strong turn out at the ceremony, all-around. Sorkin is sure to receive both Directing and Original Screenplay nominations and is favored to win the latter. As for its large cast, Sacha Baron Cohen is expected to end a truly impressive year, by landing the film's sole Supporting Actor nomination.

Nomadland

Frances McDormand in Nomadland

Directed, written, co-produced and edited by Chloé Zhao, Nomadland is the first film to win both the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film follows Fern, a woman who, after selling most of her belongings, buys a van to travel around the country, searching for work.

Frances McDormand received universal acclaim for her lead role, and could possibly claim her third Oscar. Zhao is the current favorite to win Best Director, which would make her only the second woman to prevail in the category, and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film is also expected to receive nominations for Cinematography and Editing.

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