It’s Oscar time and, well, I managed to watch six of the ten films nominated for Best Picture (I say we go back to FIVE best picture nominees like in the old days – anyone with me?). I had really hoped to squeeze in a few more this weekend but, hey, my daughter got engaged on Friday night so I think I have a pretty good excuse. At any rate, if you’re looking for hot takes on some of the nominees, you’ve come to the right place!
The Winner – it really does have everything, everywhere and all at once
Everything, Everywhere, All at Once – So unique, creative, and ultimately, moving. You’ve probably heard about the stellar performances from Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan – and they are excellent – but for me, Stephanie Hsu, who plays their daughter, stole the movie. Jamie Lee Curtis was also a huge surprise in her role and deserves the accolades she has received. The great thing about this move beyond its uniqueness is that you find yourself thinking things like “this is so bizarre!” and “hot dogs for fingers?” but at every juncture, you still relate to the characters and the underlying family story and for me, the ending packed a powerful emotional punch that I just didn’t see coming. Hands down, this is my favorite of all the Oscar-nominated films I’ve watched this year and earns my vote for Best Picture.
Great acting, but ultimately, didn’t hit the mark
The Banshees of Inisherin – The performances were very good. Everyone will talk about Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson and they are very good but Kerry Condon (Siobhan) and Barry Keoghan (Dominic) stood out for me. That said, at the end of the movie, I was left wondering… “Really? That’s it?” Also not a fan of self-mutilation or sad endings for animals but maybe that’s just me. Ultimately, I found myself wanting more from this story and from its main characters.
Good 80s fun and games but not a Best Picture candidate
Top Gun: Maverick – I’m a total sucker for 80s nostalgia. I’m also a total sucker for Tom Cruise movies, even though I dislike him and his freakish loyalty to Scientology. I can’t help myself – I will still go see his movies every time. Miles Teller was good. Tom was good. Jennifer Connolly was fine. There was just nothing “outstanding” in any of those performances, IMHO. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie because – again, the 80s nostalgia and it’s a Tom Cruise picture – but it’s not a Best Picture candidate for me.
Austin Butler IS Elvis and Luhrmann films are cool, but still didn’t quite hit the mark.
Elvis – I really like this movie. Granted, I watched it on a plane, and I was tired, but I found it to be compelling and emotional, even knowing most of the story about Elvis and his demise already. They could have done a better job with Priscilla’s character – she was very one-dimensional – but of course, the focus was Elvis and Austin Butler was phenomenal. He didn’t play Elvis – he was Elvis. If you doubt just how well Butler embodied Elvis, just watch him on the interview and awards show circuit where he proves to be completely incapable of shedding the accent, mannerisms, and personality of Elvis Presley (side note: he may need some therapy). Tom Hanks as Colonel Parker was fine but the fact that he narrates the film was a bit odd – I mean, he’s the villain, right? I do love the absolute “cinema” (see Harry Styles’ song of the same name) of a Baz Luhrmann film. All of that said, Butler deserves to be nominated for his portrayal of Elvis, but this is not quite Best Picture for me when compared to the masterpiece that is Everything, Everywhere, All at Once.
The Fablemans – This is the runner-up to Everything, Everywhere, All at Once for me. I wondered if Spielberg could be as adept at turning the camera on his own life as he is shining it on the lives of others. Spoiler: he is. The performances – especially, Michelle Williams as Spielberg’s mom – were excellent and authentic, and the story was touching, funny, joyful, and yes, terribly sad. Most of all, it felt authentic. If Everything, Everywhere, All at Once hadn’t been in the running, The Fablemans would have had my vote.
Triangle of Sadness – I was so intrigued by the trailer for this movie and thought…a Swedish film? Comedy? Making fun at the expense of models and influencers? This has got to be great! So in reality, this movie is not what I would deem a comedy. Or perhaps it’s just a very dark comedy (because there are funny parts) with an extremely overt message about inequality and how dire circumstances can quickly change societal power. I didn’t hate this movie but I didn’t like it either. It really hit you over the head with its underlying messages as in the scene where Woody Harrelson as the ship’s captain and a wealthy Russian passenger trade quotes debating socialism and capitalism – amusing but zero subtlety. Perhaps that was the point. And I don’t know about you, but watching people suffer (and I do mean SUFFER) from seasickness in graphic detail for a prolonged period of time is not my idea of enjoyment. At one point, I felt like I might have to head for the bathroom myself. This film disappointed me.
In the “sorry, I couldn’t be bothered” category:
All Quiet on the Western Front – Look, I read this book way back when. It was good, it was heartbreaking, it was thought-provoking. It’s a classic war story we’ve seen numerous times and there is plenty of war each day in the news. I just couldn’t do it.
Avatar, The Way of Water – I liked the original Avatar but trying to get me to sit through another three hours and 12 minutes of the blue people? Nope, not happening.
Women Talking – I really wanted to want to see this film. And I’m sure if I watched it, I’d be glad I did. But alas…I did not.
Tár – I love Cate Blanchett and frankly, just ran out of time to see this one. Please tell me if I need to make time to watch it after the awards (and if it wins – or if Cate somehow beats out Michelle Yeoh – I definitely will.
So tell me: what did I miss? What did I get wrong? Which film is your Best Picture winner?
suburbandirt 