2019 Oscars
One of the main reasons I created this blog was for my love of movies. My desire to watch every Oscars Best Picture nominee served as motivator in creating the platform. Below is a short blurb on each movie, with a link to the full review (click on the movie title). Special note, this is the first year I watched every nominee!
Roma - A beautiful film with amazing cinematography, and a touching story. It is both visually pleasing and unique; the type of artsy components The Academy looks for. Although I wouldn't be surprised if Roma took home the crown, I don't feel it did enough.
Rating: 3.5/5
Green Book - Actually one of my favorites on the list. It was heart-warming, and a pleasure through and through. A movie I would definitely see again. I compare it to the likes of The Help and Hidden Figure (both films I loved!). For that similarity, I worry it is not original enough when comparing it to the other nominees. In addition, the controversy surrounding the film may be too big of a blow to recover from.
Rating: 4/5
BlacKkKlansman - A major disappointment for me. I loved the concept, message, and overall visuals of the film, but in the end it was missing something. I felt the acting was lack-luster, and the story was told poorly. With a plot as exciting as this one, there should have been better organization and direction.
Rating: 3/5
Vice - The political satire makes a strong push for Best Picture. Filled with great acting and heavy realizations, we receive an educational piece that shaped much of our politics today. Adam McKay follows a similar method to his previous film The Big Short (also was nominated for Best Picture). The film gets a little too preachy, and tends to shove it's message down the audience's throats. This is where it falls short.
Rating: 3.5/5
A Star Is Born - Although the film has not done particularly well in the recent award shows (Golden Globes, SAG, etc.), it is still my choice to win this year's Best Picture. Top to bottom it is an amazing movie. A great take on an original, with flawless acting, and phenomenal music. Spectacular performances from the lead stars, as well as the supporting (Dave Chapelle, Sam Elliot) cast drive this film. Mental health and addiction serve as underlying themes, making it an extremely relevant (and important) piece. I love A Star Is Born and feel it is deserved of the top award.
Rating: 4/5 - MY PICK TO WIN BEST PICTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bohemian Rhapsody - I am delightfully surprised by the success this movie has been having throughout the award season. It is not typical for a biopic to thrive as Bohemian Rhapsody has, but I could not be more excited. I thoroughly enjoyed the film. Of the nominees, it is the one I will re-watch the most. In part because my wife is obsessed with Queen, and also it is just purely well done. That being said, I don't feel it will win among the other contenders. Again, biopics don't win Best Picture. What can I say, another one bites the dust :)
Rating: 4/5
Black Panther - You will note there is no link to this films review, as it came out before I started the blog. Bottom line, totally worth the hype. It does not follow your typical superhero formula, and is uplifted with great messages and wonderful acting. Personally my 2nd favorite of the Marvel Universe. Michael B. Jordan becomes the villain you want to cheer for, while Chadwick Boseman is the hero we all deserve. The special effects are complimentary, as opposed to overdone; and the plot is filled with some interesting twists. Another film I will continue to re-watch, but not one I feel will win. Like all comic-book movies, Black Panther gets a little hokey and is just too unbelievable. Wakanda forever, but not tonight.
Rating: 4/5
The Favorite - the most polarizing film on the list. It is bold and unique in every way, telling a story that is fascinating and slightly disturbing. I felt the writing and acting made it a strong contender in this year's selection. The styles and culture of 18th Century England also drive it's uniqueness and originality among fellow contenders. At the end of the day, the picture was too avant garde. The risks they took early on, became overdone and crude as it came to a close. Not my favorite, but also not my bottom.
Rating: 3.5/5
Snubs: Overall, I felt this year's Best Picture nominees were a little weak. Also, why only 8 selections?? Typically there are 9 and have even been 10 (2010). There are many that I felt could have been added or substituted. Below is my list of snubs. Quick note, I've actually not seen any of them haha. It is totally possible that they just weren't good enough. Take that for what it's worth.
If Beale Street Could Talk
A Quiet Place
Boy Erased
Can You Ever Forgive Me
Roma - A beautiful film with amazing cinematography, and a touching story. It is both visually pleasing and unique; the type of artsy components The Academy looks for. Although I wouldn't be surprised if Roma took home the crown, I don't feel it did enough.
Rating: 3.5/5
Green Book - Actually one of my favorites on the list. It was heart-warming, and a pleasure through and through. A movie I would definitely see again. I compare it to the likes of The Help and Hidden Figure (both films I loved!). For that similarity, I worry it is not original enough when comparing it to the other nominees. In addition, the controversy surrounding the film may be too big of a blow to recover from.
Rating: 4/5
BlacKkKlansman - A major disappointment for me. I loved the concept, message, and overall visuals of the film, but in the end it was missing something. I felt the acting was lack-luster, and the story was told poorly. With a plot as exciting as this one, there should have been better organization and direction.
Rating: 3/5
Vice - The political satire makes a strong push for Best Picture. Filled with great acting and heavy realizations, we receive an educational piece that shaped much of our politics today. Adam McKay follows a similar method to his previous film The Big Short (also was nominated for Best Picture). The film gets a little too preachy, and tends to shove it's message down the audience's throats. This is where it falls short.
Rating: 3.5/5
A Star Is Born - Although the film has not done particularly well in the recent award shows (Golden Globes, SAG, etc.), it is still my choice to win this year's Best Picture. Top to bottom it is an amazing movie. A great take on an original, with flawless acting, and phenomenal music. Spectacular performances from the lead stars, as well as the supporting (Dave Chapelle, Sam Elliot) cast drive this film. Mental health and addiction serve as underlying themes, making it an extremely relevant (and important) piece. I love A Star Is Born and feel it is deserved of the top award.
Rating: 4/5 - MY PICK TO WIN BEST PICTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bohemian Rhapsody - I am delightfully surprised by the success this movie has been having throughout the award season. It is not typical for a biopic to thrive as Bohemian Rhapsody has, but I could not be more excited. I thoroughly enjoyed the film. Of the nominees, it is the one I will re-watch the most. In part because my wife is obsessed with Queen, and also it is just purely well done. That being said, I don't feel it will win among the other contenders. Again, biopics don't win Best Picture. What can I say, another one bites the dust :)
Rating: 4/5
Black Panther - You will note there is no link to this films review, as it came out before I started the blog. Bottom line, totally worth the hype. It does not follow your typical superhero formula, and is uplifted with great messages and wonderful acting. Personally my 2nd favorite of the Marvel Universe. Michael B. Jordan becomes the villain you want to cheer for, while Chadwick Boseman is the hero we all deserve. The special effects are complimentary, as opposed to overdone; and the plot is filled with some interesting twists. Another film I will continue to re-watch, but not one I feel will win. Like all comic-book movies, Black Panther gets a little hokey and is just too unbelievable. Wakanda forever, but not tonight.
Rating: 4/5
The Favorite - the most polarizing film on the list. It is bold and unique in every way, telling a story that is fascinating and slightly disturbing. I felt the writing and acting made it a strong contender in this year's selection. The styles and culture of 18th Century England also drive it's uniqueness and originality among fellow contenders. At the end of the day, the picture was too avant garde. The risks they took early on, became overdone and crude as it came to a close. Not my favorite, but also not my bottom.
Rating: 3.5/5
Snubs: Overall, I felt this year's Best Picture nominees were a little weak. Also, why only 8 selections?? Typically there are 9 and have even been 10 (2010). There are many that I felt could have been added or substituted. Below is my list of snubs. Quick note, I've actually not seen any of them haha. It is totally possible that they just weren't good enough. Take that for what it's worth.
If Beale Street Could Talk
A Quiet Place
Boy Erased
Can You Ever Forgive Me
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