It is never too early to take a look at the movies that could figure in the 94th Academy Awards. Variety’s experts present the Circuit Contenders, movies that could score a minimum of two nominations in the major categories — picture, director, screenplay, international film and the acting races.
By Andrew Barker, Clayton Davis, Shali Dore, Shahreh Drury, Selome Heilu, Carole Horst, Malina Saval, Jenelle Riley, Jazz Tangcay and Jennifer Yuma
• ANNETTE
(AMAZON)
Though it came out earlier in the year, the performances from Adam Driver, Marion Cotillard and Simon Helberg are excellent. As the season goes on, voters might look back to this wholly original film for accolades beyond the score and songs (by Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks, who also wrote the screenplay). It will take…