Perhaps an unpopular opinion, but as far as I'm concerned, "Oscar bait" is a largely meaningless accusation leveled at movies people think are specifically made with nothing more than a calculated intent to garner attention from Oscar voters.
I personally doubt that any script is written, that any movie is shot as a purely calculated move to win an Oscar. Is a script written and movie approved to be made because people think it can win Oscars? Obviously. Any studio head with sense will approve a movie they think is good enough to win Oscars. Not doing so would be like a head football coach denying the field his best players because putting the most accomplished athletes in play would be nothing more than "Superbowl bait."
I think BRIDGE OF SPIES and THE WALK were written by people who thought they were good stories and approved to be made by studio heads who thought the same thing. Possible Oscar winners? Sure. And I certainly hope that was part of the calculation when approving them.
STEVE JOBS: Sorkin writes what he finds interesting, even when it's work-for-hire. Saying you "Can't deny" that he had "'Best original screenplay Oscar' on his mind when he wrote it" is a nice bit of mind reading, but it isn't based on verifiable facts.
CONCUSSION: "No doubt" it's Oscar bait? I have no doubt somebody wrote a screenplay hoping it would sell, I have no doubt somebody bought it because they thought it was a good script, and I have no doubt somebody else made it to the best of their abilities. I also have no doubt that while it was being written and while it was being made, virtually no one was thinking about Oscars. The studio that gave the green light? Sure, maybe. I certainly hope so.
JOY: David O. Russel is "definitely chasing a Best Director Oscar?" Based on what evidence? A feeling you get when you watch the trailer?
Every writer writes with passion. Every director directs with passion. Even hired guns bring professionalism and passion to their work.
Personally, I'd be happy if I never read the words "Oscar bait" again. Then again, if that were the case, I'd never have the opportunity to have fun writing this kind of rebuttal. So, uh, thanks, actually!