OSCAR WATCH 23/24

2023/2024 has been phenomenal for Oscar films. I saw all the top contenders for The Academy Awards bar one - Zone of Interest - which is a first for a long time.

I know Zone of Interest is at the cinemas right now, but the local cinema showing it has it in their regular cinema and it has the most uncomfortable seats and I just cannot do that to my body! Not even for Oscar.

At the end of each Oscar season, I say I think I am done doing this - especially with some of the crazy that has appeared in recent years - and come February every year, I get sucked back in. The caliber of the films this year makes it impossible to ignore.

And look, as I have said before, The Oscars are my religion, lol!

There has been changes to the academy over the past few years and deservedly so. Which makes it a little more difficult. But more on that in my predictions blog which will be out later today.

OK, here are my reviews.

American Fiction

I loved this movie so much, it had a wonderful dry wit to it. Jeffery Wright is Monk, a writer of literary novels, which are critically acclaimed but they do not sell. When his latest title is rejected for not being black enough he is infuriated. So he decides to write the kind of book he hates but everyone seems to want.

His mother is declining with Alzheimers so he visits her and his sister, Tracee Ellis Ross, who is a doctor. His estranged brother, Sterling K. Brown, turns up to add to the chaos, and Monk falls in love with a neighbour. And there is more, but that would be spoilers, but suffice to say, he has a lot going on.

In the meantime, his publisher loves his new book, but is not aware it is Monk. His agent convinces him to make up this crazy persona to help 'promote' the book. This is hilarious. But when he is asked to be a on a panel to judge a literary prize and his joke book turns up on the long list, things get really complicated and hectic.

I loved this really well written and tight story. The story moves swiftly with all the moving parts working beautifully. Mostly due to Wright's great performance, and the great supporting cast. Tracee Ellis Ross and Issa Rae as a fellow writer are utterly brilliant as always. As are the remaining cast. I am unsure if this will win any Oscars, but it is well worth watching.

Anatomy of a Fall

Anatomy of a Fall really sucked me in. I didn't know much about it going in, other than Sandra Huller's performance was extraordinary, and it was. The movie commences with Sandra (played by Sandra) trying to give an interview about her writing to a young journalist. You can see they live in the French alps, in a lovely house but are very isolated. As the interview progresses very loud and disjointed world music begins to play. Sandra keeps up appearances despite being obviously irritated by the music which is being played by her husband. The interview is cut short and the journalist leaves. At the same time the son, who is legally blind, goes for a walk with his guide dog, Snoop.

Aside: Snoop is the most gorgeous good boy and an extraordinary actor, but I cannot say why as that will be a spoiler!!

Then tension builds, you know something is going to happen and indeed something has. When Daniel and Snoop return they find his father in the snow surrounded by blood and dead. He calls for his mother who eventually comes out and calls an ambulance etc. This then leads into investigations and Sandra is the key suspect despite her claims he must have fallen from the top floor where he was working. 

The film is essentially a trial with some flashbacks and you just do not know what to believe, but when Daniel is called upon as a 'witness' things get very intense. He is wonderful, but it is Sandra who just knocks it out the ball-park, what a tremendous performance. She will not win, but it is a mesmerising performance. One that will leave you guessing until the very end...and then some. Though it may win Best Original Screenplay.

Barbie

What can I say. I never had a Barbie (which I have always said would be my autobiography title) and happily so. When I heard my hero, Greta Gerwig was making a film about Barbie, I was initially disgusted but then curious. When the reviews came out and were very positive, I had to see it. I didn't get to see it until a while after its release. 

And I bloody loved it.

What an intelligent, clever, and hilariously funny take on this doll. I loved the feminist and intellectual take on Barbie having an existential crisis. The production design was extraordinarily clever and fun. The casting was next level. Margot Robbie was Barbie, and Ryan Gosling was a scene stealer as Ken. His Kenergy during the promos after the film was next level dedication and a reason why we love him so much. And he was having so much fun. 

America Ferrara also shone in the most wonderful way. Her feminist speech made me turn to Andrew (who also loved the film) after and say Oscar Nom. All the Barbies and Kens were great, especially Kate McKinnon's Weird Barbie.  And Michael Cera was born to play Allan. 

I loved the little small jokes, that were literary and film related, that not everyone would get. I know we were in a moderately full cinema (with quite a lot of children, WTAF!?!) and Andrew and I were often the only ones laughing. I loved the unexpected (spoilers!) actors that popped up. The writing of this film is absolutely superb.

And I couldn't love the resurgence of one of my all-time favourite songs more. Closer to Fine by the Indigo Girls is such a feminist anthem and was set perfectly into the film. What I Was Made For by Billie Eilish is perfection and a sure thing to win Oscar for Best Song. It is so perfect for the film and stands along also.

As for other wins, possibly costume and Production. 

The Holdovers

What a joy the latest Alexander Payne film is. Firstly, I have loved Paul Giamatti since Private Parts, he is one of the greatest character actors and satirists. Set in the 70s at a boarding school/college. Giamatti is an odd character, a tough history teacher with malice for the privileged students he has to teach. Older, never married, cantankerous, the students do not care for him, and quite possibly a lot of his colleagues. He is chosen to stay over the Christmas period with students unable to go home. The only other adult is his friend, Mary the cook (played beautifully by Da'Vine Joy Randolph - who I have loved in High Fidelty the TV series, and Only Murders in the Building). Mary is grieving her son, who was recently killed in Vietnam. 

The acting is phenomenal, and like all Payne films, it is a dark comedy with a lot of melancholy. There are a lot of 'unknowns' playing the students, and they are great. The film becomes a two-hander when Paul and a student head out of the school on some errands, and layers upon layers are unravelled. How has Giamatti never won an Oscar, this would surely be his year, but oh boy he has some competition. Da'Vine's beautifully nuanced comedy/dramatic turn will surely nab one. This is such a beautiful film AND a truly lovely Christmas film.

Killers of the Flower Moon

The movie is confronting AND it is 3.5 hours (I do think it could have been shaved/edited down a bit) however it was worth it.

Based on a book about the investigations into multiple murders in the Osage County community in the 1920s, Scorsese had originally planned to shoot the film directly from the book. But then he spent time with The Osage, and met some descendants of the players and he knew he had to flip the screenplay to come from the 'characters' pov, not the investigation.

YES, this film (and others like it) should have been written, directed etc by First Nations peoples. Absolutely, but would that have really happened in this racist world, probably not...sadly.

I learnt so much from watching this film, so much I didn't know or have any idea about, and I found it incredibly moving and absolutely heartbreaking. We both did.

My hope is that this will 'allow' American First Nations to tell and film their own stories, because I want to learn and see more.

Lily Gladstone who played Mollie (A real life person) in the film is just perfection. She gives a formidable and mesmerising performance. And remember she is acting mostly with Leo and DeNiro and she leaves them for dead. There is something hypnotic about her, her beautiful face, the cadence of her voice, I really hope she wins the Academy Award. I also keep thinking about Marlon Brando, and what he might have thought about all of this.

Other than Lily, I do not think this film has much of a chance of winning any Oscars, but the fact it exists is enough for me, and the hope it will pave the way for more indigenous stories

Maestro

Bradley Cooper's film about Leonard Bernstein is a masterpiece. I could tell it would be from what I read and saw prior and as a huge Bernstein fan, I had high expectations. What I loved the most about this film, is he didn't attempt to throw everything Bernstein in it, he picked a theme - his relationship with his wife - and stuck to it. Of course music is featured, heard, seen, and it is tremendous. Bradley himself spent the best part of a decade preparing for this, and it shows. He embodies Lenny perfectly, at first you do still know it is Cooper, but as the movie progresses you forget and that is something else!

Carey Mulligan is superb as his wife, the wonderful Felicia Montealegre. She lights up every scene she is in, and gets some great heavy duty scenes to show her skills as well. The supporting cast as also wonderful, especially Sarah Silverman, Maya Hawke, and Matt Bomer.

The film is beautifully shot, every shot feels like a retro postcard, the use of black and white really solidifies the story. The set design specifically of their homes is impeccable. And then there is the music, handpicked by Cooper to showcase Bernstein's genius. It is sublime and dreamy, much like Bernstein himself. I cannot rave enough about this movie, I guess it is niche, but it is remarkably beautiful and most definitely a masterpiece. Sadly I think it will come home empty handed.

Oppenheimer

It took me a while to get to this, but boy it was worth the wait. We know the basic story, but this is so insightful and full of detail. It is obviously a terrible part of our history, but the complexity behind the story is heart breaking. Christopher Nolan is a genius film-maker, this goes without saying. The cinematography is always outstanding, and this is no exception. He uses black and white on and off throughout the film and it is a great thing. The film looks so very elegant, and so were the performances.

Cillian Murphy is everything as the conflicted Oppenheimer. Robert Downey Jnr, is impeccably restrained as Lewis Strauss, a man on the downward spiral. Emily Blunt is mesmering as Oppenheimer's wife. The cast is full of amazing character actors, as someone recently said, when Remi Malik only gets one line, you know this is a great film.

I could see a lot of cross-over from Asteroid City, which amused me, but this film is not a comedy. I remember only too well the fear of nuclear war. I guess this film is not for everyone, but it is an important film. I should win Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Cillian Murphy. Robert Downey Jnr is probably one of the biggest shoe-ins in Oscar history. and it should also take home a handful of technical awards. Oh and the Soundtrack.

Past Lives

This was such a lovely heartfelt little film. Na Young and Hae Sung are living in Seoul in 2000, they are 12 and good friends, Hae Sung is a little bit in love with Na Young. Her family are creatives and about to emigrate to Toronto. Her mother wants to leave her with a great final memory, and organises a 'date' for the children. Hae Sung is bereft.

2012, Na Young is now Nora Moon and living in New York, and Hae Sung is out of military college and decides to track Na Young down to no avail. Nora finds out this via facebook and contacts him under her new guise. They fall easily back into their friendship. More changes happen over the years (spoilers) and in 2024 and Hae Sung decides to visit Nora.

This rocks her very safe world. And I will leave it there.

Past Lives is such a lovely understated film with so much heart. I really loved this. Beautifully acted, lovely to watch, genuine chemistry. Stayed with me for days.

Poor Things

I cannot begin to express my love for this film! What a remarkably original take on the Frankenstein's monster trope. Emma Stone is simply astonishing in it. Her supporting cast, especially Mark Ruffalo and Willem Dafoe, are also amazing.

This tale is about the rebirth of a woman in the most pure way, and Emma Stone was utterly fearless in embodying her character, Bella. Everything about her character is unlike anything I have seen on film. It is a very funny film in many ways, slapstick, bawdy, genuinely funny, and dark humour.

The sets were so divine, I declared early on, I wanted to live there. The mad animal creations, the horse carriage, and other similar things, blew my mind. I love films with whole worlds created in them, and this was one. 

But I guess this film is not for everyone, this is usually the case for films by Yorgos Lanthimos. I imagine it would be quite confronting for some for many reasons. The medical/surgery aspects, sexuality, language, and so on. But the film wouldn't be as wonderful without those aspects.

This is a dramatic film that makes you laugh...a lot. I am unsure how it will go at The Oscars. I feel it should win production, hair and make-up, costume, script. And Emma Stone should win Best Actress but I think Lily Gladstone will tip her at the post, it will be close. This is easily my favourite film of all the contenders.

May December

I went into this thinking it was a Lesbian long story between Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman. I have no idea why, I just did. Disappointing. It was a take on the Mary Kay Letourneau story, the teacher who got pregnant to her under aged student and they are still together. They mix things up and have the boy be the friend of her own child who works in the pet store her husband owns. Julianne Moore is great as the obviously mentally ill, Gracie. Natalie Portman is chilling as an actress who is about to play Gracie in an indie film and is shadowing her to get into character. 

This film was very well written and acted, leaving you feel very unsettled watching it. It is only up for a screenplay. It will not win anything.

Rustin

Rustin is a biopic about the civil rights activist Bayard Rustin. He was working with Martin Luther King Jnr and really pushing him forward. Rustin is quite an important figure in this part of history but has been mostly pushed under the carpet as he was gay. This story rights that wrong as he was instrumental in organising the March on Washington in 1963. This is where MLKJ gave his very famous, I had a Dream, speech.

This film is good and an important historical record and produced as part of the Obama's production company. But it is Colman Domingo's performance as Rustin that makes this movie really stand out and worth watching.

Nyad

I was unsure about this film going in, a 2 hour biopic about a woman trying to swim from Cuba to Florida. But Annette Benning and more specifically Jodie Foster hooked me in. Firstly, the film absolutely flies by, it never feels like 2 hours. Secondly, it really is interesting and rather frightening. Definitely makes you NOT want to swim in the ocean. Benning is absolutely amazing in the role of Diana Nyad, a champion swimmer who comes out of retirement at 60 to do the swim that she never nailed. Her friend, Bonnie, is a retired sports coach. 

Jodie Foster plays Bonnie, and herein is what really drew me in. I have always found Jodie a magnetic and charismatic presence on screen and in her first big film in a long time she is absolutely brilliant. You never catch her acting, she embodies Bonnie, and I couldn't keep my eyes off her. I really enjoyed this film, but truly it is worth it for the drama in the waters and for Jodie Foster.

The Color Purple

I was dubious about this remake as a musical but it really worked. The soundtrack is fantastic, mostly spiritual music and they were great songs. The musical numbers were very uplifting and well choreographed. The acting was powerful, Fantasia Barrino as Celie, Danielle Brooks as Sofia, and Taraji P. Henson as Shrug were amazing. There is not much else to say, but it was enjoyable despite the subject matter. I haven't seen the original in a long time so I cannot really compare.