The world’s biggest stars gather in a single room for one night to see who comes out on top and inevitably, nobody is satisfied about the outcomes.
For many film enthusiasts, like myself, the Oscars are the most exciting awards show of the year. Receiving an Oscar is among the highest honors a filmmaker and performer can achieve.
The highest achievement in the Oscars is the award for Best Picture. Sure to create an internet storm no matter who the winner is, Best Picture describes a film that is spectacular on all accounts.
Literally speaking, it is the best picture released in the previous year. Many aspects go into deciding the best picture, such as cinematography, writing, acting, and many more. Everybody has personal preferences when it comes to these elements and it is often hard to judge them accordingly, especially when there is such a wide range of nominations.
That being said, I watched all of this year’s Best Picture nominees so you don’t have to. Here are my reviews.
“Anora”
Sean Baker’s “Anora” is one of the many films nominated for Best Picture. The film follows Ani, a New York dancer, as she spontaneously gets married to the son of a Russian oligarch. Ani is suddenly sucked into her new husband’s chaotic life and struggles to understand him.
This is one of the few films where I have actually had to sit in silence after watching because it was that good.
The plot is entrancing, the characters are crazy, and the writers were definitely trying to break the record for the number of times the f-word could be said in a single movie.
Mikey Madison plays Ani, or Anora. Her performance is captivating and the range of her acting is on full display in this movie. Whether she was cursing, screaming, crying, or laughing, Madison had me rooting for Anora from start to finish, and this is exactly what you want in a main character.
Just as notable is the performance by Yura Borisov, nominated for his supporting role as Igor. Borisov’s acting can best be described as simple but effective. His character’s heartache and desire can be felt through the screen and as the story progressed, my eye was drawn to him more and more.
Needless to say, I am rooting for both of these actors at the Oscars, and I believe “Anora” is more than deserving of Best Picture. It certainly has my vote.
“The Brutalist”
“The Brutalist” is, in my opinion, one of the more unmemorable films on this list. The film tells the story of an immigrant architect, László, who came to the United States after World War 2.
After being forced away from his wife and niece, László finds good work with a wealthy industrialist (played by Guy Pearce). The acting performances in this film were brilliant. Adrien Brody (László) and Felicity Jones (Erzsébet) share great chemistry and the way they portray their characters so delicately makes it hard not to feel bad for them, even as they begin to unravel.
However, their performances don’t hold a candle to Guy Pearce. Pearce simply captivated me with his performance as Harrison. His enunciation and confident cadence provided such a nice balance to the quiet, sometimes weak voices that accompanied his character in a scene.
If it weren’t for Pearce, I’m not sure I would have finished this movie. Clocking in at three and a half hours, the film left a few too many plot lines open for me to love it. There was a lot going on, often too suddenly, and I’m not certain all of it was good. That being said, I don’t think this movie will walk away with nothing.
“A Complete Unknown”
I am a sucker for a biopic, and “A Complete Unknown” is certainly a great one. Following Bob Dylan (played by Timothée Chalamet) over the course of four years, we get a glimpse into the relationship he and singer Joan Baez (played by Monica Barbaro) shared in the early days of Dylan’s career.
I have to admit I didn’t know much about Bob Dylan going into this film, but I found myself immediately captivated by the performance Chalamet gave. He nails the gravelly tone of Bob Dylan’s voice and perfected the mumbling, which was a very entertaining feat that made me pray for subtitles. He also played the guitar and harmonica himself in this film, making this all the more impressive.
Monica Barbaro also gave a notable performance as the legendary Joan Baez, though I wish there would have been more of her. Barbaro certainly has a wonderful voice and like her fellow Oscar nominee, Edward Norton (who plays Pete Seeger), she learned and played her own instruments in the film. One thing is for sure: Bob Dylan and Joan Baez will appear on my 2025 Spotify Wrapped.
“Conclave”
Hands down, “Conclave” had some of the best sets I’ve ever seen in a film. The story follows the Catholic Church as they go through the painstaking process of selecting a new Pope.
Cardinal Lawrence, played by Oscar-nominee Ralph Fiennes, uncovers information within the church that shakes him and his faith in the church. Seeing as it takes place in a church, the production design of this film is jaw-dropping. They filmed on refurbished sets in Rome, and I don’t think they could have done it in any other location. The red hue of the costumes also contributed to the necessary contrast in the cinematography.
Additionally, Ralph Fiennes is brilliant in his portrayal of Cardinal Lawrence. His ability to effortlessly switch between Italian and English is one of the most impressive things about this film, and it is even more impressive that Fiennes learned Italian specifically for this role. As someone who has learned a second language, I cannot imagine being able to speak so fluently. I think Ralph Fiennes has a very good chance of winning Best Actor.
“Dune: Part Two”
The highly anticipated sequel to “Dune”, this film certainly exceeded my expectations. I was not as impressed by the first Dune film, but “Dune: Part Two” is a fast-paced, spectacular testament to how great a book adaptation can be if you pay attention to detail.
The visual effects are the most impressive part of this film for me, from the extravagance of the sand dunes to the large, almost mythical creatures that added to the tension. I would have easily believed that they filmed this in the desert. Grandiose camera moves, warm lighting, and the attention to design details are just some of the reasons I appreciated this film. Not to mention the abundance of explosions and distorted voices, which is sure to land them the Oscar for Best Sound.
“Emilia Pérez”
Don’t let the thirteen nominations fool you; this film is a disaster. Telling the story of a Mexican cartel who transitions to live as a woman, “Emilia Pérez” had some potential.
But the longer I watched, the more exasperated I became. From the lackluster songs to the messy plot line, the production abandons all structure of an Oscar-worthy film. Not to be ignored, the approach to transgender issues was concerning and dare I say, offensive.
Most of the lines regarding the specifics of these issues are too inappropriate for me to put in a school publication. I am disappointed that this got thirteen nominations, and even more disappointed that it will probably go home with several. If it has to win any category, I would put my money on Zoe Saldana winning for her supporting role.
“I’m Still Here”
By a long shot, “I’m Still Here” is hands down the best International Feature nominated this year. The film tells the story of a family living under military dictatorship in 1970s Rio De Janeiro. After her family experiences a life-changing occurrence, Eunice (played by Fernanda Torres) must fight to keep her family together.
Fernanda Torres gives a wonderful performance in this film. With a story as heavy as this one, it is important to have an actress who will approach the character with resilience, and this is exactly what she did. Her emotions are so raw in every scene and she conveys so much feeling even when saying nothing. This film is a natural force of nature and deserves every award it has and will receive.
“Nickel Boys”
“If everybody looks the other way, then everyone’s in on it.”
Based on the book by Colson Whitehead, this movie follows two Black teenagers as they attend a reformatory school during the time of Jim Crow. Shot entirely from the point of view of the main characters, the filmmakers force the audience to look the characters in the eye as they discuss some of the most prominent issues facing our society.
This film was beautiful from the first shot. Although I admit that the point-of-view shots were not my favorite, I cannot imagine seeing it any other way. This kind of cinematography is important to telling stories with such depth. While I do not think this will win Best Picture, I am confident in “Nickel Boys” winning Best Adapted Screenplay.
“The Substance”
One of the most criminal snubs on this list comes from “The Substance.” With jaw-dropping close-ups and images clearer than my eyesight, it feels wrong that this film was not nominated for Cinematography.
This movie gives a unique twist on women aging in Hollywood, and it certainly left me tense for days after watching it. Demi Moore plays Elisabeth Sparkle, a TV personality and aerobics instructor who just celebrated her 50th birthday. After the network decides to let her go and cast a “new” Elisabeth Sparkle, she takes drastic measures to keep her place in the Hollywood sphere.
There are many good things to say about this movie, but the one I cannot overlook is the makeup and hairstyling. The prosthetics they created are hands down the best I have ever seen in a movie of this caliber. As the plot progresses, the makeup is so vital to Elisabeth’s character development and the film would not have been complete without it. I can’t say too much without spoiling the ending, but The Substance is worth the watch for this reason alone. Demi Moore’s performance is incredible, and I think she is on the shortlist for winning Best Actress.
“Wicked”
As a former (and sometimes current) theatre nerd, “Wicked” is near and dear to my heart. I was a bit wary of this film when it first came out because after all, a film adaptation is always challenging, but Wicked is a different ball game.
The film is based on the musical, which is based on the 90s novel, which is based on “The Wizard of Oz.” There is a lot of thought that goes into producing such a large-scale production, and dare I say the team of “Wicked” nailed it.
Whatever the production designers got paid, it certainly wasn’t enough. The large-scale sets are elegant and regal, and they perfectly incorporate details from “The Wizard of Oz.”
Additionally, Cynthia Erivo’s ability to act while literally being painted green is a testament to her brilliance. She does a spectacular job of portraying Elphaba’s agony, yet still gives her a strength that makes the character so iconic. Ariana Grande’s performance as Glinda is just as incredible. Her dancing in the hallway and remarkable sass certainly lives up to the legacy. “Wicked” will not walk away from the Oscars empty-handed.
No matter what happens, it is safe to say that 2024 was a great year for film. There are films I would have loved to see on this list, like “Challengers” and “Will & Harper,” but I certainly can’t be mad at this list. I generally enjoyed watching these films and feel very confident in my predictions (though I wouldn’t bet money on them). I am excited to see what films end up winning this Sunday, and I know many others wait in anticipation.
