New Trailers: The Homesman and Maps to the Stars

Two Oscar contenders have premiered their trailers today, Tommy Lee Jones directing The Homesman, and David Cronenberg's Maps to the Stars. Jones' latest looks like a pretty decent western. While not every modern western has gotten Oscar attention, True Grit is an example of a film that really hit it off with the Academy. If its good, and with Jones' name attached it could be a stealth contender. It is also nice to see someone who clearly loves the genre keeping it alive and well. It also stars awards-magnet Hilary Swank, and that can only improve its chances.

The other film is Cronenberg's latest Maps to the Stars. His work is always fascinating to watch, and usually manage to garner some Oscar attention, if only in certain categories. This particular trailer is fascinating and incredibly enticing. It also does not look like an Oscar movie. There is of course nothing wrong with that, and don't ever discount Julianne Moore, who is a force, and could break through like Viggo Mortensen did a few years back for Cronenberg's Eastern Promises. (You'll have to find another clip of it online, mine is not working).