10 Films We Haven’t Yet Seen That May Be Serious Oscar Contenders

Earlier this week our own Oli Lyttelton argued persuasively for the value of the awards season, despite the fashion for rolling one’s eyes and sighing about it. And however much resigned tutting we might want to do, the fact is that over the next few months we will be discussing a parade of quality films, many from our favorite directors, which makes a nice change from discussing the bottom-line box-office takes of the most recent flat-pack blockbuster to feature shots of people walking away from exploding things. Of course, half the time that discussion is marked by negativity —as in, why isn’t X brilliant film (oh, let’s say “Two Days, One Night”) figuring in the race when it’s so clearly superior to Y obvious awards bait?— but even if it’s to point out injustices, we’re getting to jaw about some great films. So no complaints.

Funny thing about this year, though, is that looking at the Oscar 2015 hopefuls, the schedule seems peculiarly back-loaded. A whole load of those...