/ Season

Awards Season

Wed 7 Jan - Sat 28 Feb

The new year is a fine time for film lovers. It’s when some of the best films of the year hit our screens – jostling for position in the Oscars and BAFTAs next month.

We want to know what you think – look out for our online polls and predictions, the new reviews pinboard at Phoenix and join the conversation on Twitter with #PhoenixVote

Below are some of the strongest contenders we’re screening and our predictions for the winners…

Our Guide to the Must-See Films

Birdman

No surprises that Keaton has been Oscar nominated for Best Actor and Iñárritu for Best Director, with Ed Norton and Emma Stone strong contenders for Best Supporting roles. 2 Golden Globe wins: Best Actor in a comedy/musical for Michael Keaton & Best Screenplay 10 BAFTA nominations including Best Film, Director and Leading Actor for Michael Keaton 9 Oscar nominations including Best Picture, Best Actor for Michael Keaton, Best Supporting Actor for Edward Norton, Best Supporting Actress for Emma Stone, & Directing

Whiplash

J. K. Simmons gets a deserved Best Supporting nomination with his electrifying performance, plus the big one with Best Picture. Golden Globe Winner: Best Supporting Actor for J.K Simmons 5 BAFTA nominations including Director, Sound & Original Screenplay 5 Oscar nominations including Best Picture & Best Supporting Actor for J. K. Simmons

Inherent Vice

The Academy chooses to nominate Anderson’s comedy film noir for the somewhat underrated awards for Costume Design and Best Adapted Screenplay. 1 Golden Globe nomination: Best Actor for Joaquin Phoenix 2 Oscar nominations: Costume Design & Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

Foxcatcher

Blowing away festival audiences with fine performances from Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo and Steve Carell, this fulfilled expectations across the board for Acting and Directing. 3 Golden Globe nominations including Best Actor for Steve Carell and Best Drama 2 BAFTA nominations: Steve Carell & Mark Ruffalo both up for Best Supporting Actor 5 Oscar nominations including: Best Actor for Steve Carell, Best Supporting Actor for Mark Ruffalo, & Directing

A Most Violent Year

A late runner in the Oscar race, this striking little film was unlucky this year. 1 Golden Globe nomination: Best Actress for Jessica Chastain

Selma

The Academy likes serious-minded biopics so it comes as no surprise that this feature gets a Best Picture nomination. 4 Golden Globe nominations and winner of Best Original Song 2 Oscar nominations: Best Picture & Music (Original Song)

American Sniper

This tense and atmospheric film grabs Best Picture and Best Actor nominations as well as a succession of nominations in the smaller categories. 2 BAFTA nominations: Adapted Screenplay and Sound 6 Oscar nominations including: Best Picture, Best Actor, Sound Editing & Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

Wild

Reese Witherspoon gives her best performance in years and has been rewarded with a slew of nominations. 2 Oscar nomnations: Best Actress for Witherspoon and Best Supporting for Laura Dern. BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations for Reese Witherspoon.