Of course it is too soon to predict the Academy Award nominees since the "Oscar releases" will only come around September/October/November/Christmas, but sometimes early word on some cinematic works and some early releases give me enough factors to have under consideration.
This way and after presenting you my TOP 5 contenders, it's time to present the other contenders I have under serious consideration:
#6: Jordan Peele for Get Out - A directorial debut that turned into one of the most acclaimed movies of the year and a box-office hit. In fact, AMPAS doesn't always go for the horror genre, but Get Out is exceptionally well-made and full of satire and small messages... and Peele is the young visionary director behind all of it!
#7: Woody Allen for Wonder Wheel - The Academy members love Woody Allen, but last time he was nominated for Best Director it was for the huge hit Midnight in Paris! Early word on Wonder Wheel is positive, but it seems more of a Blue Jasmine than a Midnight in Paris, Hannah and Her Sisters or Annie Hall... Let's wait and see how it goes for Allen in the Best Director race.
#8: Luca Guadagnino for Call Me By Your Name - A well-respected director, but he has no major Oscar recognition on his resume. Call Me By Your Name generated waves in film festivals and it has been collecting rave reviews, but will the AMPAS fall in love for another movie about homossexuality and vote for it in the major categories when they gave Best Picture to Moonlight last year? Unlikely, but still possible...
#9: Richard Linklater for Last Flag Flying - Sometimes AMPAS goes for movies about emotional journeys. Simple movies, but full of soul. Simples movies with sensitive direction... and Linklater is good with "feelings". Not a front-runner, but if Last Flag Flying gets warm reception he can rise to an higher position in the Best Director category.
#10: Yorgos Lanthimos for The Killing of a Sacred Deer - One of the most promising directors working today, from Dogtooth to The Lobster, Mr. Lanthimos has been causing a big impression. I'm quite optimistic about The Killing of a Sacred Deer and while I must agree there are a lot of horror flicks deserving of award recognition this year, Lanthimos is a genius and soon or later his mastery will be rewarded.
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