Summer in Aotearoa New Zealand is exciting for many reasons, not least because it’s nearly Oscar season and all the heavy-hitters start to show in cinemas now. It’s the perfect time of the year to sit in a dark, cool room for a couple of hours and reset!
We have pulled together a list of our top contenders for the Oscars this year for your viewing, and judging, pleasure.
Power of the Dog — Jane Campion
Aotearoa’s own Jane Campion, who won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for her film The Piano, is back with a modern Western and a stellar cast. Featuring Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, and Jesse Plemons, Power of the Dog is certain to garner Oscar nominations for performances alone.
You can watch Power of the Dog on Netflix now, and in select cinemas across the country.
Dune — Denis Villeneuve
Building on decades of Dune content across film and text, the latest iteration of Dune is the beginning of a grand space operatic saga from Canadian director Villenueve that is sure to sweep up in the technical categories at the Oscars. The score, by composer Hans Zimmer, is our top pick for Best Score.
You can watch Dune in most cinemas across the country now.
The French Dispatch — Wes Anderson
Wes Anderson is back with his classic eclectic style and pastel colour palette to bring us The French Dispatch, which tells the story of a fictionalised version of the New Yorker magazine. Timothee Chalamet features in both this and Dune, giving him solid coverage across Oscars categories.
You can catch The French Dispatch in select cinemas across the country now.
Spencer — Pablo Larrain
Just when you thought the world had had enough royals content with The Crown, Larrain has swept into the cinematic space with a psycho-thriller based on Princess Diana. Oscar buzz is surrounding Kristen Stewart in the eponymous role of Diana, and we are sure we will see a nomination for Best Actress at the very least.
Spencer comes to New Zealand cinemas in January 2022.