By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
With one of the more disappointing Octobers on record fading in the rearview mirror, November traditionally marks the beginning of Oscar season and this November is no different. There will be at least three major dramas vying for Oscar’s attention this month, one of which a Spielberg film. There will also be a couple of blockbusters that will compete for the month’s box office crown, both from Disney. And even though October may be over, there will be at least one or two horror films to consider.
November 4th
The month kicks off with its first Oscar contending drama, “Armageddon Time.” This is a coming-of-age story set in the 1980s that centers around family and chasing the American dream. It features a cast of 3 Oscar winners, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, and the great Anthony Hopkins, as well as Jeremy Strong, who won an Emmy for his incredible performance on HBO’s “Succession.” The film is helmed by the very capable writer/director James Gray, who’s previous two films were “Ad Astra” and “The Lost City of Z,” which weren’t commercial successes but are quality films nonetheless. Take a cautionary approach with this one, though, because success could hinge on the performances of a couple of child actors.
November 11th
The time has finally arrived for the highly anticipated sequel, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” This will be interesting to see how the film performs without the incredible talent of the late Chadwick Boseman, who was responsible for the incredible success of this title character. Couple that with the noticeable gradual decline of Marvel/Disney productions, one can’t help but approach this nearly 3-hour film with a healthy amount of skepticism. However, the potential of a powerful storyline makes it worth it to keep hope alive.
November 18th
“She Said” is the month’s second Oscar contending drama and is sure to be a powerhouse of a film. It’s the true story of the New York Times reporters who broke the Harvey Weinstein scandal that helped launch the #MeToo movement. Not only will this garner attention for a possible best picture nomination, but Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan could both be considered for actress nominations. German filmmaker Maria Schrader, who won an Emmy for directing “Unorthodox,” may also earn her first Oscar nomination.
If you’re not in the mood for something serious, “The Menu” will also be hitting theaters on this day. This is a comedic horror film that takes place on a remote island at an exclusive restaurant, where the chef may have more on the menu than just food. 2-time Oscar nominee Ralph Fiennes plays the chef, with Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, and John Leguizamo headlining the cast. Mark Mylod directs, and while he doesn’t have much of resume for directing films, he has directed multiple episodes of hit shows like “Succession,” “Shameless,” and “Game of Throne,” so this film has some potential.
November 23rd
Thanksgiving always proves to have at least one potential blockbuster hit the silver screens, and this Thanksgiving will have two. “Strange World” is the new Disney animated film that the struggling studio is hoping to propel them back to the top ahead of Universal. Don Hall directs, and he’s no stranger to creating great animated films, having previously directed Oscar nominated “Raya and the Last Dragon” and “Moana,” as well as winning an Oscar for “Big Hero 6.”
“The Fabelmans” is the third and perhaps the best Oscar contending drama, directed by the infallible Steven Spielberg. He has earned 19 previous Oscar nominations, taking home three of them, so it’s not a stretch of imagination to see him get his 20th with this film. Loosely based on Spielberg’s childhood in Arizona, “The Fabelmans” features 4-time Oscar nominee Michelle Williams and an unknown young actor named Gabriel LaBelle who plays the lead role as a young Spielberg. The celebrated director has a penchant for discovering untapped talent, and with this being a more personal journey, expectations will be elevated.
