What I Saw: Super 8 (84th Oscar Race)

EDITORS NOTE: These predictions were made in July 2011 and reflect what my thinking was at that time.  I have updated my predictions since then, but leave these on the blog for a historical record. For the most updated list of predictions, go to the Tracker Pages in the upper right hand corner of this blog.

What I Saw: Super 8

Oscar Chances:

Earlier in the year, some predictors were listing this as a serious best picture contender. But most of that talk seems to have gone away after two events occurred. First, the change from ten nominees to requiring 5% of votes, and second, the release of the film itself.

The film still has chances, particularly in the technical categories:

Visual Effects: (current rank 3)
Sound Mixing (current rank 7, but could easily move up into the top five)
Film Editing: Maryann Brandon and Mary Jo Markey (current rank 8)
Original Score: Michael Giaccino (current rank 9) (I actually loved this score and thought it set the tone of the movie very well. The big question is how it will stack up against the late release epics and dramas that come at the end of the year.)
Sound Editing (current rank 10, but could easily move up into the top five)
Cinematography: Larry Fong (current rank 14)
Art Direction: Martin Whist and Fainche MacCarthy (current rank 16)
Original Screenplay: J.J. Abrams (current rank 18)
Best Picture (current rank 20)
Best Director: J.J. Abrams (current rank 22)
Makeup (current rank 22)

The cast was delightful, particularly Elle Fanning, Joel Courtney, Ryan Lee, Riley Griffiths and Kyle Chandler. They could easily show up in the Saturn awards and some of the other awards shows that give special honors to kids or new faces, but I am not currently predicting any of them to go the distance in terms of Oscars.

As always, check the Tracker Pages in the upper right hand corner of this blog for the most updated predictions in all categories!

Read more of my reviews HERE.