Shades of reality: Cumberbatch as Turing, Keaton as Birdman

Living on the opposite side of the globe to the world's major film markets means, for the most part, we get "summer blockbusters'' in winter. But our summer coincides with awards season, meaning many of the year's best films screen over the warmer months. Reporter Vaughan Elder suggests three Oscar contenders to see at the movies this summer.


THE IMITATION GAME
Released: January 1.
Directed by: Morten Tyldum.
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode.

This drama based on a true story is gaining buzz for Benedict Cumberbatch's performance as war hero Alan Turing, who played a pivotal role in World War 2 by leading a British code-cracking team that went on to crack the Nazi's ''unbreakable'' enigma code.

Alan Turing's efforts were credited with shortening the war, but instead of being hailed as a hero once the war was over, he faced persecution for the then criminal offence of homosexuality.

The movie is being hailed as an excellent entry into the biopic genre and may earn the well-loved Cumberbatch his first Oscar.

BIRDMAN
Released: January 15.
Directed by: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu.
Starring: Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis and Edward Norton.

In a movie that blurs the line between fiction and reality, former Batman star Michael Keaton plays Riggan Thomson, a washed-up Hollywood actor who played the superhero Birdman in three blockbuster movies.

Riggan tries to revive his flagging career by putting on a play, which he writes, directs and stars in.

To add another layer, Riggan actually has, or at least believes he has, superpowers.

The movie has perhaps generated more awards buzz than any other film, gaining the highest number of Golden Globe nominations.

FOXCATCHER
Released: January 29.
Directed by: Bennett Miller.
Starring: Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo.

Channing Tatum's career continues to defy expectations. When he first appeared he seemed like just another muscular action-hero, but the soon-to-be released Foxcatcher appears set to again show him as one of the more talented young actors in Hollywood.

Another film based on a true story, Foxcatcher follows the story of how Olympic wrestling champion Mark Schultz (Tatum) is pushed to breaking point by the coaching style of John du Pont (Steve Carell), who is desperate to rise above the shadow of his successful brother Dave (Mark Ruffalo).

While Tatum missed out on a Golden Globe nomination, Carell was nominated for Best Actor and Ruffalo for Best Supporting Actor.

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