OSCAR WATCH 2024: the movies

Anora 

I was keen to see this movie as Mikey Madison was the oldest daughter on one of my favourite shows, Better Things. What a remarkable performance. Mikey's character Anora or Annie is an exotic dancer/sex worker in a club. She is a joyous person and full of dreams. She meets a gorgeous young Russian, who invites her to his glamorous apartment, they fall in love, and head to Vegas on a whim to marry. Then the story really begins, no spoilers. 

This is a love story, a crime caper, dramatic, and comedic. A true indie film but it looks amazing, and Mikey absolutely steals the show. She is in with a chance for Best Actress, though she has to beat the favourite, Demi Moore.

The Apprentice

Ahhh, I watched this under duress, lol. It was actually a good film. Sebastian Stan as Trump and Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn were great. This focuses on Trump's early years as he is trying to break free from his father (played by the great Martin Donovan!). And I will admit for the first 20 minutes or so I actually felt sorry for him. it didn't last long. These people are truly horrid. This film will not win anything, but the acting is fine.

The Brutalist

I really wanted to love this one, but I did not. Yes, it was long, and I appreciated the concept but there were times in the first section, it could have done with an edit and towards the end of the second section. It was a good story, an important story of the struggles of immigrants trying to settle post WWII. It also was about the pursuit of greatness, in architecture. Brutalist architecture, quite striking, worked well within the film, but I wanted more. 

Adrian Brody's performance was amazing, and initially was a front runner for the Best Actor, but with the knowledge of AI being used on accents, I feel the interest in waning, and that may do him and the film harm. The second act certainly was the better half, especially with the introduction of his wife, played by the brilliant Felicity Jones.

This may go on to win the accolades but it left me cold, too long, lacking the impact I was expecting, trying to do too many things. Having said that, there was a lot to appreciate about this film. One is the exceptional Guy Pearce, always deserving and If Kieran Culkin wasn't such a lock in, then Best Supporting Actor may well be his.

A Complete Unknown

This is my favourite film of the group. I was so unsure about it going in, as a Dylan fan, but I needn't have been. It was beautifully shot, capture the time and the essence of Bob at the time so very well. Timothee Chalamet was perfection at Dylan, by the halfway mark you forgot it was him, and believed it was Dylan. He sang and played all the songs, everyone did. I thought both Norton (as Pete Seeger) and Monica Barbaro (as Joan Baez) were outstanding. In a perfect world all three would win in their categories. Although Chalamet might just be in with a chance. If you haven't seen this and you are unsure, don't be, go and see it.

Conclave

This was really good, a story of thrills and intrigue (yes, really, remember it is taken from a Robert Harris novel) set against the backdrop of choosing a new pope. This is an intense film with twists and turns. The acting is superb, and all are deserving. But if Isabella Rossellini wins I will be thrilled, it is a possibility, but not looking likely.

Dune: part two

We had the good fortune to see this on the IMAX at Darling Harbour. It was just perfection. Great cast, huge and full of stars. Chalamet and Zendaya were amazing. Austin Butler and Christopher Walken were great new additions. The cinematography and effects were next level, especially on that big screen. I think it may win some of those types of Oscars.

Elton John: it's never too late

This was a great doco on Elton, showcasing his earlier (my favourite period) career, and the present. Great footage, great interviews with Elton and those surrounding him. The recent footage was personal, included his family and showed what he does since retiring from touring. Total joy this doco, but the featured song is nominated so quite possibly could win.

Emilia Perez

I really liked Emilia Perez, it was doing something very different and would be the frontrunner for many awards if the controversy had not happened. It is chaotic and melodramatic and a musical but it works. Especially when I found out it was based on an opera, it made perfect sense. It is a story of twists and turns, and the acting is phenomenal. I suspect Zoe Saldana will win Best Supporting Actress.

Nickel Boys

This is based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Colson Whitehead (I am such a fan, he is a two-time Pulitzer winner, only one of four to do so). When I heard the book was to be adapted to the screen I had my doubts, it was written in an almost unfilmable way, but they have really shone and lifted the story with the film. It is shot similar to Peep Show, from the protagonists' point of view. It moves between the time of the young men at Nickel Academy and more recent times when the Academy is being investigated, with its devastation. This probably will not win anything, but it should.

Nosferatu

I loved this, it was a great adaptation, one of the best I have seen. Shot beautifully and acted well, Lily Rose Depp was amazing, all the acting was. it was atmospheric, amusing, grotesque and beautiful. 

A Real Pain

This is my second favourite film of the season. A road trip of sorts when 2 cousins travel to Poland to visit where their grandparents lived and escaped the terror of WW2. Written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg, A Real Pain is a triumph. Both Jesse and Kieran Culkin (the cousin) are superb, particularly Culkin. The film toggles that beautiful line between humour and drama. There are moments of unbearable despair, yet it never feels too heavy, the lighter moments work well. Culkin has never been better, and Eisenberg is the perfect foil. There are many layers that unravel in this film, twists if you will, subtly placed and delivered with impact but not shock. The biggest shock of the film was the older lady on the tour was Jennifer Grey. This film will undoubtedly get Culkin a Best Supporting Oscar and Eisenberg the Original Screenplay. At least I hope so!

The Substance

This is some kind of wonderful mixed with a fair amount of horror. I don't do horror, but this is a different type of horror, more horrifying. Demi Moore plays a fading actress hosting an aerobics style show (Jane Fonda in the 80s anyone?). Still looking stunning her number is up, she is to be replaced by a younger version. The head of the network, a large, slimy, foul man named Harvey (hmmm) delivers the news. She is devastated. She is delivered an odd parcel, that is almost like a treasure hunt she goes in search of something that may help her. This is the essence of The Substance and this is where the horror slowly emerges. To continue to explain would be significant spoilers and I watched the film without these spoilers and that increased it's impact I think. Demi Moore AND Margaret Qualley are remarkable in this. Demi feels like a shoe-in for best Actress, but Mikey Madison is giving her a run for the money! 

Wicked

I read this book (By Gregory Maguire) when it first came out and then I saw the Stage show when it first came to Sydney, some decades ago, and loved it. I was very keen on seeing the film. It was everything I hoped it would be and more. Wicked is the prequel to The Wizard Of Oz. Ariana Grande (Galinda/Glinda) and Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba or eventually The Wicked Witch) are just terrific, the supporting cast also perfection. The songs are a delight, and the set design exactly as I imagined. Unsure what this will win, probably minor award, like production etc.