9. 12 Years A Slave
This upcoming historical drama, based on the autobiography of Solomon Northup, a free black man who was kidnapped from Washington D.C. in 1841 and sold as a slave, is one of those ambitious pictures that is extremely difficult to pull off but would definitely be a force to be reckoned with come Oscar night if it did succeed.
Northup is played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, a lesser-known but supremely talented actor, a factor that may work in 12 Years A Slave‘s favor. Michael Fassbender, a contender for Best Actor himself with The Counselor, portrays a racist Louisiana plantation owner, while Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, and Paul Giammati all portray different slave-owners.Brad Pitt and Sarah Paulson also appear. Steve McQueen directs.
The rousing trailer drives home the potency of Northup’s story, and if there’s one thing that the Academy can never resist, it’s a chance to honor history (just ask the last three Best Picture recipients: Argo, The Artist, and The King’s Speech).
I expect Ejiofor’s name to be in the ring for Best Actor, despite how crowded the category is this year, and for the film to receive a nomination for Best Picture, at the very least.
12 Years A Slave opens October 18.