With the nominations out and the pre-parties already beginning, here is our media guide to (and picks for) the biggest movies of this year’s Oscar season. The Academy Awards will broadcast on March 15.
Hamnet
Nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Jessie Buckley), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Casting, Best Production Design, Best Original Score, and Best Costume Design.
“Hamnet,” the fifth film from Chinese auteur Chloe Zhao and the second to be nominated for the Oscars, is an emotional tour de force that completely recontextualizes the way we see the classic story of Hamlet. May be a bit hard to get into for non-fans of Shakespeare but it is made up for with an amazing performance from Jessie Buckley, my pick for Best Actress.
– Jack Coffey
One Battle After Another
Nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Lead Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio), Best Supporting Actor (Benicio Del Toro and Sean Penn), Best Supporting Actress (Teyanna Taylor), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Casting, Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Sound Design, and Best Original Score.
“One Battle After Another” from famed director Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Leonardo DiCaprio as a revolutionary trying to save his daughter, is a sprawling three-hour epic of post-modern absurdism and black comedy with some of the best visuals and acting performances of the decade. It is my pick for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Sean Penn), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography and Best Sound Design. For more thoughts on the film read my more in-depth review.
– Jack Coffey
Sinners
Nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Lead Actor (Michael B. Jordan), Best Supporting Actor (Delroy Lindo), Best Supporting Actress (Wunmi Mosaku), Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Original Song, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Casting, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, Best Visual Effects, Best Costume Design, Best Hair and Makeup.
This film directed by Ryan Coogler intertwines the supernatural and deep rooted ancestral history into one without making it seem cheesy or over the top. “Sinners” set in the Mississippi Delta during the 30s is about twin brothers trying to live out their dream of opening a juke joint. This film touches on so much and didn’t miss the mark once. The story is well thought out, the pace gives viewers enough time to know every character and their background without boring you. The music is rich in its vocals and composition, which I think will win Best Original Song along with Best Original Screenplay.
– Paisley Thomas
Marty Supreme
Nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Lead Actor (Timothée Chalamet), Best Original Screenplay, Best Casting, Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design.
“Marty Supreme,” the heart-pounding dramedy about a table tennis star seeking glory from “Uncut Gems” master Josh Safdie in his solo film debut, is a triumph of what I dub “panic-attack” cinema. This three-hour sport/crime mashup feels like a tight 90 minutes helped along by the brilliant writing and fantastic performance from veritable Hollywood icon Timothée Chalamet. My pick for Best Actor (Timothée Chalamet), Best Casting, Best Film Editing and Best Production Design. For more thoughts on the film read my review.
– Jack Coffey
Sentimental Value
Nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Renate Reinsve), Best Supporting Actor (Stellan Skarsgard), Best Supporting Actress (Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdottter Lilleaas), Best Original Screenplay, Best International Feature, Best Film Editing.
This is another heartbreaking outing from Joachim Trier, starring muse Renate Reinsve and countryman Stellan Skarsgard. It follows the deteriorating relationship of a filmmaker father and his actor daughters as they try and work through the problems of the past with the filming of a new movie. It’s sterile and cool toned as usual from Trier but surprisingly vulnerable in its depictions of familial strife. As one could probably guess from the nominations, the acting in this movie is undeniably phenomenal. Skarsgard and Elle Fanning are completely captivating. Keep the tissues close when watching this one. My pick for Best Supporting Actress (Elle Fanning) and Best International Feature.
– Jack Coffey
It Was Just an Accident
Nominated for Best Original Screenplay, Best International Feature.
A Persian thriller from Jafar Panahi follows a former political prisoner (Vahid) who kidnaps a man who he believes tortured him in prison (Eghbal), deciding whether to show mercy or take his revenge. Persian cinema has consistently been a blindspot of mine and I’m happy to start my dive into the films of Iran with this amazing movie. It’s a very subdued journey despite the high stakes. We take a lot of time to really soak in the environment, the deserts and mountains of rural Iran and can make a direct comparison to the highs and lows of Vahid’s psyche as he navigates the moral situation. Unfortunately, with the stellar competition this year I do not see this movie taking home any gold but this movie is a real triumph that should be seen by anyone willing to broaden their horizons.
– Jack Coffey
Train Dreams
Nominated for Best Picture, Best Adapted screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Original Song.
From Clint Bentley of “Sing Sing” (2023) fame comes the Netflix Original “Train Dreams,” starring Joel Edgerton as a Northwestern lumberjack at the turn of the 20th century attempting to make a life for himself and his family in the untamed wilderness. Beautifully shot and scored, I see this film as one of the more underrated of the group. Despite lacking some in the plot department compared to “Sing Sing,” it is still a good watch for fans of the melancholically prepossessing. My pick for best Original Song.
– Jack Coffey
Bugonia
Nominated for Best Picture, Best Actress (Emma Stone), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score.
This is a remake of the cult classic Korean film “Save The Green Planet” from Yorgos Lanthimos and starring frequent collaborators Emma Stone and Jesse Plemmons. It follows two conspiracy theorists as they kidnap a CEO they suspect of being an alien, featuring the trademark dreamy camerawork and otherworldly score Lanthimos is famous for, as well as a very entertaining twist. Worth a watch for Emma Stone alone, who is amazing as always. My pick for Best Original Score.
– Jack Coffey
Frankenstein
Nominated for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Jacob Elordi), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Costume Design, Best Hair and Makeup.
Directed by Guillermo del Toro, this adaptation is beautifully done. While the story may not be original, this film enhances the story with its gorgeous scenery, costume design and incredible special effects. I think this will win Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Production.
– Paisley Thomas
The Secret Agent
Nominated for Best Picture, Best Lead Actor (Wagner Moura), Best Casting, Best International Feature.
From Brazilian Kleber Filho, this is an exotic espionage thriller carried over the finish line by the talents of Wagner Moura. Quite reserved and basic in the cinematography department – and perhaps a little subpar in some writing elements – “The Secret Agent” is still a very engaging and fun time. I do not have it winning anything, but also encourage everyone to give it a watch.
– Jack Coffey
Blue Moon
Nominated for Best Lead Actor (Ethan Hawke), Best Original Screenplay.
“Blue Moon” is a semi-biographical film about the creators of “Oklahoma!” From Richard Linklater and starring frequent collaborator Ethan Hawke, “Blue Moon” is a surprisingly tragic character study of a confused old man played masterfully by veteran movie star Ethan Hawke. Although I do not have it winning any awards, it is definitely worth a watch if you are a fan of musicals or history.
– Jack Coffey
Little Amelie
Nominated for Best Animated Feature.
This animated film follows Amelie, a young imaginative Belgian girl living in Japan after World War II. She goes through life at first in a more cruise controlled manner until she tastes chocolate for the first time and that sparks a certain joy in her that she has never felt. She begins to feel a deeper connection to her nanny and the world around her. The animation in this movie has such a beautiful look and overall vibe, it’s so calming and the colors are so well used throughout the film. I think this will win Best Animated Feature
– Paisley Thomas
