Film critics and journalists have descended on Toronto for the 2013 edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, where every Best Picture winner since 2007 has screened in some capacity. Which of the dozens of big films on the Toronto schedule could wind up at the 2014 Oscars? Ahead, 11 movies that have the most to gain from this year's TIFF.
1
"Labor Day"
Paramount
Jason Reitman's fifth feature film debuted to some strong reviews at the Telluride Film Festival, but the family drama was overshadowed by "12 Years A Slave," "Gravity" and even "Prisoners." Paramount still has plenty of time to turn "Labor Day" into a major awards contender -- the film isn't set for release until December -- but a good showing in Toronto could go a long way toward making Reitman's Oscar hopeful stand out among high profile year-end releases like "American Hustle," "Saving Mr. Banks" and "The Monuments Men."
2
"12 Years A Slave"
Fox Searchlight
Steve McQueen's film, another Telluride debut, got through its first wave of festival reviews unscathed. If everything follows according to that path in Toronto (and then again in New York one month later), expect any and all early Oscar buzz to reverberate around the Fox Searchlight release.
3
"The Invisible Woman"
Sony Pictures Classics
Because Sony Pictures Classics needs another Oscar contender in a year when the studio already has "Before Midnight," "Blue Jasmine" and "Foxcatcher" on its plate, here's Ralph Fiennes' "The Invisible Woman." Early praise out of Telluride was focused on Felicity Jones' lead role, with at least one major critic already placing her in the thick of the Best Actress race. That category is crowded this year, so if Jones is going to end up alongside the likes of Cate Blanchett, Kate Winslet, Judi Dench and Sandra Bullock, she'll need some effusive reviews out of Toronto to stand a chance.
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4
"Dallas Buyers Club"
Focus Features
If Jones needs a Toronto boost, then so does Matthew McConaughey. The 2012 comeback star certainly looks the part of a future Oscar nominee in the trailer for "Dallas Buyers Club," but the Best Actor category is overflowing with big names like Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tom Hanks, Forest Whitaker, Michael B. Jordan, Christian Bale, Benedict Cumberbatch, Robert Redford, Bruce Dern, Hugh Jackman, Michael Fassbender and Leonardo DiCaprio.
5
"Prisoners"
AP
Early Telluride reviews for Denis Villeneuve's kidnapping thriller were better than expected, but there still seems to be some doubt over whether "Prisoners" is a serious Oscar contender. Screenings at Toronto will likely help decide one way or another.
6
"Rush"
Universal
Like "Prisoners," Ron Howard's "Rush" is a studio release that doesn't appear, at first glance, to be an Oscar movie. Yet the thrilling Formula 1 drama has some great names involved behind the camera (Peter Morgan wrote the script, Anthony Dod Mantle is cinematographer), and one transformative performance from Daniel Bruhl in front. (Those looking for the next Christoph Waltz should stop now.) If TIFF audiences fall in love, this has all the makings of a dark horse Best Picture contender.
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7
"The Fifth Estate"
AP
DreamWorks is set to release "The Fifth Estate" on Oct. 18, giving the studio a good amount of time to get the word out about its Julian Assange drama. Benedict Cumberbatch and "Rush" breakout star Daniel Bruhl are the leads here, which opens up TIFF on Thursday night.
8
"Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom"
TWC
The Weinstein Company has a surfeit of Best Actor candidates already thanks to the strong performances from Michael B. Jordan and Forest Whitaker, but Idris Elba's portrayal of Nelson Mandela could top both -- or it better, judging by the packed Best Actor field.
9
"August: Osage County"
TWC
"August: Osage County" is Toronto's potential big fish: a star-studded Weinstein Company release with past winners and nominees littered throughout its cast (Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Chris Cooper, Abigail Breslin, Juliette Lewis, Sam Shepard), and a Pulitzer Prize-winning pedigree (Tracy Letts adapted his own play for the screen). Which doesn't mean there isn't room for some early season awards growth. To wit: Right now, everyone assumes "August: Osage County" is going to be a significant contender for multiple Oscars, but no one knows for sure. (Even Streep's category -- Best Actress or Best Supporting Actress -- is a mystery.) Expect that to change after the film's world premiere on Sept. 9.
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