Wow, what a busy January. With Sundance and the TCAs wrapping up, Award Season is also peaking with a slew of critics and industry awards. The big kahuna, of course, is the Oscars. The nominations are in, and “American Hustle,” “Gravity” and “12 Years a Slave” should be pleased. As the big day approaches (March 2), it’s looking more and more like a three-way race. Meanwhile, Tom Hanks, The Coen Brothers, Robert Redford and Oprah Winfrey were among the snubbed. There’s always next year…
As for the rest of this week’s list…
January 23, 2014
1. The Oscars (Last week: Not ranked)
They’ll be here before you know it.
They’ll be here before you know it.
2. The Sundance Film Festival (Last week: No. 4)
Kristen Stewart, Anne Hathaway, Aaron Paul, Keira Knightley, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Kellan Lutz and other stars made a splash in Utah. Which films will break through to mainstream audiences?
3. “Man of Steel 2” (Last week: Not ranked)
The “Batman vs. Superman” superhero sandwich has been rather suddenly moved to Summer 2016, where it will face off against a mystery Marvel movie. Will someone back down?
4. “Avatar” sequels (Last week: Not ranked)
Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana are back for more. A lot more. Let’s hope they have enough blue body paint.
5. “The Avengers: Age of Ultron” (Last week: Not ranked)
There are all kinds of villains all up in here, as “Dracula’s” Thomas Kretschman joins the sequel’s crowded cast.
6. “Ride Along” (Last week: Not ranked)
The Kevin Hart-Ice Cube comedy easily topped “Jack Ryan” for No. 1 at the box office.
7. “Camp X-Ray” (Last week: Not ranked)
The Kristen Stewart Guantanamo Bay drama premiered to positive reviews at Sundance. How will general audiences respond?
8. “Jurassic World” (Last week: Not ranked)
Hold on to your butts, “Parks and Rec” fans: “Guardians of the Galaxy’s” Chris Pratt has officially joined the cast of the belated sequel.
9. “Despicable Me 3” (Last week: Not ranked)
Yep, another one gets a release date, along with a new CG take on “The Grinch.” You’ll have to wait until 2017 for more Gru, but “Minions” is coming to the big screen in 2015.
10. “Poltergeist” (Last week: Not ranked)
The horror remake will hopefully put some fear into audiences in February 2015.
Check out the previous edition here. What do you think of this week’s rankings? Share your thoughts below. Or tweet your thoughts with the hashtag #moviepowerrankings and tell us who you want to see in next week’s edition.