Release Date: November 24, 2010
Distributor: Screen Gems
Directed By: Steve Antin
Quick Thoughts: Is Burlesque a potential Oscar nominee or a train wreck waiting to happen? Steve Antin is making his feature directorial debut on the film, which he co-wrote with Oscar-nominated screenwriter Susannah Grant (Erin Brockovich) and Keith Merryman. It stars an Oscar winner in Cher (Moonstruck), Oscar nominee Stanley Tucci and Grammy Award winner Christina Aguilera as the film’s lead character Ali. With a November 24 release date Columbia Pictures is obviously thinking late year awards, if at the very least a Golden Globe (Musical/Comedy) nomination, but we’ll just have to wait and see. One would think this film would be prime for original song, art direction, costume and makeup nominations and perhaps editing.
Release Date: Release date not yet set
Distributor: Still looking for distribution
Directed By: George Hickenlooper
Quick Thoughts: Kevin Spacey stars as disgraced Washington power broker Jack Abramoff in director George Hickenlooper’s dramatization of Abramoff while Alex Gibney (Taxi to the Dark Side) is also releasing an Abramoff feature this year only his is a documentary. The two films will likely both be competing for Oscar placement, but obviously not against one another. Hickenlooper’s film has already had a screening or two in L.A. and word is it could put Spacey in the Best Actor hunt. Casino Jack is one of many films expected to debut at Cannes in order to find distribution. Most notably, Hickenlooper brought in three-time Oscar nominee William Steinkamp (The Fabulous Baker Boys, Out of Africa and Tootsie) to edit the feature.
