Movies

Could these movies really win Oscars?

Classic, high-fiber movies seem to have been falling out of favor for a few years at awards season — lightweight, crowd-pleaser “Argo” won last year — but this year could really open the floodgates to some more, er, unexpected material.
Try this on for size: “Anchorman 2,” Oscar winner. It could happen. Studio Paramount is campaigning to score the upcoming comedy a nod in the Best Original Song category for a tune called “Doby” sung by Will Ferrell.
The studio behind the controversial Harmony Korine flick “Spring Breakers” has also been lobbying to land James Franco a nomination for his portrayal of dreadlocked, grill-mouthed rapper Alien. The campaign urges voters to “consider this s - - t.”
If Ferrell and the guy who makes sweet mouth-love to a gun barrel are up for big awards this year, you gotta figure all bets are off. Commercial movies just might be the new Oscar bait. If that is the case, here are five more long shots to consider.

Please consider “The World’s End” for Best Original Screenplay


The Academy loves to reward a body of work as much as an individual effort, so why not give Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg a trophy for their so-called Cornetto Trilogy: “Shaun of the Dead,” “Hot Fuzz” and last summer’s pub-centric apocalyptic comedy? Each expertly spoofs a genre and is rarely short of brilliant. Also, their speech would be amazing.

Please consider Robert Downey Jr. for Best Actor

The success of the Marvel movies can, in part, be laid at his feet, and he so perfectly conveys the arrogant cool of Tony Stark that it’s hard to imagine anyone else stepping in once he retires — supposedly in a couple movies down the road. Dudley Moore got nominated for “Arthur,” showing that voters don’t exclusively recognize tortured, dramatic performances. Light touches are also appreciated.

Please consider “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa” for Best Makeup and Hairstyling


Was there another film this year whose entire success depended on the makeup? If the real people with whom Johnny Knoxville interacts don’t buy that he’s actually a naughty, 86-year-old named Irving Zisman, you have no movie. That’s pretty high stakes, and judging by the film’s $96 million haul so far, the gamble worked.

Please consider Michael Cera for Best Supporting Actor


Acting is supposed to be about stepping outside of who you are and inhabiting another character. Who better played completely against type this year than Cera, showing up for a few minutes at the beginning of the ensemble comedy “This Is the End” as a darker, coke-addled, sex-crazed version of himself? Somewhere, James Lipton is applauding with tears in his eyes.

Please consider James Wan for Best Director


Everyone says comedy is hard, but horror is also really hard. To creep out an audience without using cheap shocks or gore takes a skilled hand, and that’s what Wan showed in “The Conjuring.” The atmospheric ghost story about a family living in a haunted farmhouse so pulled the audience into its unsettling world that even the image of a child’s toy could inspire shivers.