by Isaac Mathewson

As the year comes close to its end, many have been wondering what to expect from the world of cinema this holiday season.

As it is Oscar season, many have been making early predictions for this year’s Academy Awards and its Golden Globes. Before going that far, however, it is best to first start with what is being released.

1. American Hustle: With last year’s release of Silver Linings Playbook, it was only necessary that David O. Russell reunites the same cast from both it and The Fighter, in a film about a con man who is forced to work with an FBI agent. With Russell’s direction and first rate cast that includes Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, and Jennifer Lawrence, this is sure to garner many Oscar nominations.

2. Saving Mr. Banks: It’s hard to say whether or not Tom Hanks will receive an Oscar nomination for his portrayal as a captain held hostage by Somali pirates in Captain Phillips, or as the man behind the mouse himself Walt Disney. Even if the answer is the former, it would not be surprising if Emma Thompson receives a nomination for her role as P.L. Travers, the author of Mary Poppins, who is not pleased with the changes made to her story.

3. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: No doubt this film will bring in huge amounts of cash at the box office and will please fans of the Middle Earth series. More to the point, however, is that this film, which is part two of Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy, is bigger than its predecessor and will feature Oscar worthy effects and it will introduce us to new characters, and even reintroduce us to a few old. Hello Legolas.

4. The Wolf of Wall Street: After stepping out of his realm with the family film Hugo, Martin Scorsese returns to the big screen alongside his frequent collaborator Leonardo Dicaprio in the film that tells the true story(with a dark comedic twist to it) of the rise and fall of stockbroker Jordan Belfort. With a cast that includes Jonah Hill, Matthew McConaughey, and Rob Reiner, and a plot eerily similar to classic Scorsese films, this is sure to be one of Scorsese’s most entertaining films.

5. Lone Survivor: If the trailer’s calculations are correct, Peter Berg will redeem himself from the disastrous Battleship, with the story of one of the most significant operations during the War in Afghanistan. With a cast including Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Eric Bana, and Emile Hirsch, this film may not earn the accolades of the previously listed films, but will hopefully give us an accurate depiction of the war and give emotional depth to the story.

While not as exciting as last year, these films will hopefully live up to the expectations of every film buff and bring about a decent competition for this year’s Academy Awards and Golden Globes.