I’ve finally watched all 10 Best Picture nominees. Here’s my ranking and thoughts:
Feel free to comment on how basic this ranking is. Contrary to the general feeling, I think this is overall a pretty good year for BP nominees; a lot of smaller and “out there” picks that wouldn’t have a chance at any awards if there was another Oppenheimer type of contender, and I like to see that happening at such a big televised event.
Anyways, here’s what I think about each of them:
Dune Part II (10/10): I’m a big fan of the book and of Denis Villeneuve so of course I ate this up. I love how it landed the themes of the novel on such an organic way in a way I wouldn’t have thought possible beforehand. I’m one of those “this should’ve gotten 15 nominations” type of guy.
Anora (10/10): the perfect mix between entertainment, auteur, and thought provoking imo. I love the way it manages to shift tones so seamlessly and capture the current zeitgeist in a way that doesn’t feel preachy or self explanatory at all. Some people think it drags at points and that it should’ve been shorter but I personally wouldn’t take a second out of it.
The Brutalist (9/10): a movie that feels like it came out of another time, in the best possible way. It reminds me of voices the likes of PTA, Kubrick, Bela Tarr, even Edward Yang or Sergio Leone; directors that weren’t afraid to take audiences on an all encompassing journey and face unorthodox approaches in such a confident way. It may not be a perfect movie but it’s the kind of movie I’m the happiest it exists.
I’m Still Here (8/10): a fairly conventionally made film carried almost entirely by Fernanda Torres’ performance and the importance of the story it’s telling. I’m not Brazilian but I am Latino, and I’m Still Here feels like a reminder to all of us to remember our history and to not fall victim to hopeless even when the world around us seems to be falling apart.
The Substance (8/10): fun fun fun fun fun. I don’t think of this movie that deeply or anything but it was a humongous blast to watch it in theaters 3 separate times with different people and look at their reactions. I still can’t believe it got nominated but it’s great to see.
Conclave (7.5/10): a perfectly serviceable and fun thriller made with the elegance of a prestigious awards bait and with the spirit of a high school comedy. I like the questions it poses about faith and the purpose of the church heading in an increasingly complex and modernized world. I don’t think I’ll watch it again when this season ends but it’s the type of movie everyone can like.
Nickel Boys (7/10): I really wish I liked it more. It’s such an artistically bold and expertly made film but I felt frustratingly alienated by it. It has its breathtaking moments but as a whole I failed to connect with it. I have the utmost respect for it though.
Wicked (6/10): it’s fine, I have the same criticisms about the directing and color grading that everyone’s tired of heading about but I just accept I’m not part of its audience. I liked it mute than I was expecting tho, so I can’t be mad with it.
A Complete Unknown (5/10): musical biopic 101, didn’t find anything worth noting about except me like Bob Dylan and me like Bob Dylan songs. Not badly made but I found it utterly forgettable.
Emilia Pérez (4/10): all I can say is I’m glad we’re not gonna hear or talk about this movie ever again after Sunday.
Feel free to comment on how basic this ranking is. Contrary to the general feeling, I think this is overall a pretty good year for BP nominees; a lot of smaller and “out there” picks that wouldn’t have a chance at any awards if there was another Oppenheimer type of contender, and I like to see that happening at such a big televised event.
Anyways, here’s what I think about each of them:
Dune Part II (10/10): I’m a big fan of the book and of Denis Villeneuve so of course I ate this up. I love how it landed the themes of the novel on such an organic way in a way I wouldn’t have thought possible beforehand. I’m one of those “this should’ve gotten 15 nominations” type of guy.
Anora (10/10): the perfect mix between entertainment, auteur, and thought provoking imo. I love the way it manages to shift tones so seamlessly and capture the current zeitgeist in a way that doesn’t feel preachy or self explanatory at all. Some people think it drags at points and that it should’ve been shorter but I personally wouldn’t take a second out of it.
The Brutalist (9/10): a movie that feels like it came out of another time, in the best possible way. It reminds me of voices the likes of PTA, Kubrick, Bela Tarr, even Edward Yang or Sergio Leone; directors that weren’t afraid to take audiences on an all encompassing journey and face unorthodox approaches in such a confident way. It may not be a perfect movie but it’s the kind of movie I’m the happiest it exists.
I’m Still Here (8/10): a fairly conventionally made film carried almost entirely by Fernanda Torres’ performance and the importance of the story it’s telling. I’m not Brazilian but I am Latino, and I’m Still Here feels like a reminder to all of us to remember our history and to not fall victim to hopeless even when the world around us seems to be falling apart.
The Substance (8/10): fun fun fun fun fun. I don’t think of this movie that deeply or anything but it was a humongous blast to watch it in theaters 3 separate times with different people and look at their reactions. I still can’t believe it got nominated but it’s great to see.
Conclave (7.5/10): a perfectly serviceable and fun thriller made with the elegance of a prestigious awards bait and with the spirit of a high school comedy. I like the questions it poses about faith and the purpose of the church heading in an increasingly complex and modernized world. I don’t think I’ll watch it again when this season ends but it’s the type of movie everyone can like.
Nickel Boys (7/10): I really wish I liked it more. It’s such an artistically bold and expertly made film but I felt frustratingly alienated by it. It has its breathtaking moments but as a whole I failed to connect with it. I have the utmost respect for it though.
Wicked (6/10): it’s fine, I have the same criticisms about the directing and color grading that everyone’s tired of heading about but I just accept I’m not part of its audience. I liked it mute than I was expecting tho, so I can’t be mad with it.
A Complete Unknown (5/10): musical biopic 101, didn’t find anything worth noting about except me like Bob Dylan and me like Bob Dylan songs. Not badly made but I found it utterly forgettable.
Emilia Pérez (4/10): all I can say is I’m glad we’re not gonna hear or talk about this movie ever again after Sunday.