Academy Award Previews - Bridge of Spies


Today I continue my Academy Award previews with another Best Picture nominee, "Bridge of Spies."

Bridge of Spies
Starring: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda, and Amy Ryan
Total Nominations: 6
Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Rylance), Best Original Screenplay (Matt Charman, Joel Coen, Ethan Coen), Best Original Score, Best Production Design, and Best Sound Mixing
About: "Bridge of Spies" was somewhat of a surprise entry into the Best Picture race. It's a great movie with a great pedigree -- which includes Hanks in a lead role and Steven Spielberg as the director. But Spielberg didn't get a nomination, and neither did Hanks. And the movie had seemed largely over looked in the awards running up to the Academy Awards. Yet, it secured one of the eight slots and a total of six nominations. Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor seem a bit like long shots, though I loved Rylance's work. It might pick up one of the technical awards, or it might find itself shut out. An interesting race will be Best Original Screenplay. "Inside Out" and "Spotlight" would seem to have an edge, or "Straight Outta Compton" might get the nod over diversity concerns. But the script for "Bridge of Spies" was co-written by Joel and Ethan Coen, Academy favorites, and that might be enough to sway some voters. In the end, my best guess is "Bridge of Spies" is another solid movie that goes home empty handed.
Rating: PG-13 for some violence and brief strong language.
Verdict: Four stars out of four.

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