Every year I make a pledge to watch every single Oscar-nominated movie, but this year leading up to the Oscars I was *ahem* slightly
distracted (see previous post). Turns out that planning an engagement can be a
real time suck. Go figure. So I’ve included my votes for what I will think will
win this year, but to be honest I wasn’t crazy about the line-up. I watched the
majority of the films nominated but nothing really blew my mind (well almost
nothing). So here is a list you should watch now that the Oscar season is
(almost) over:
•
The East -
A really cool flick about social justice terrorists with some great
acting and interesting commentary on how far is too far. Plus it's got Ellen Page for the men and Alexandar Skarsgard for the ladies.
•
Drinking Buddies – I’m surprised this movie
fell flat considering the huge names that are in it (Olivia Wilde, Anna
Kendrick, Jake Johnson). Some really hated it, but I found the improvised
script really original. It wasn’t groundbreaking, and it’s kinda awkward at
times, but it was one of the most “real” feeling movies I watched this year
•
Rise of the Guardians – K this movie came out
in 2012 but I watched it this year and immediately became outraged that it
wasn’t even nominated for Best Animated Feature. This is by far the most
visually attractive animated movie I have ever seen. The book it’s based on has
gorgeous illustrations and the movie does not disappoint.
•
About Time – I was expecting Time Traveller’s
Wife 2, which is basically what I got, but a little cuter, and little more
British (read as: a lot more funny), and a great moral message. It danced on
the line of cheesy, but I walked out of it feeling really good and wanting to
recommend it to everyone (ignore the R-rating, it does not deserve it).
•
Her – Yes this one was nominated for Oscars,
but it didn’t get nearly the buzz it deserved. It was by far the best of the
Best Pictures in my opinion and did so many things right. Joaquin Phoenix is
just a champ. Just a champ.
• The Great Gatsby – Again, another one that's nominated, but this one was pretty much shunned by critics. But it’s Baz Luhrmann being Baz Luhrmann: over the top, ridiculous entertainment with a great, unique soundtrack. What more could you want?
•
A.C.O.D. – I can’t tell if you have to be an
adult child of divorce to find this movie funny/relatable, but regardless, I
found it both. It’s essentially Parks & Recreation, but slightly less funny
and slightly more honest.
•
Short Term 12 – Arguably the best movie I saw
this year. It’s about a girl who works at youth shelter with her boyfriend and
the challenges they face. Being in education and having a dear friend who
essentially has this job, I couldn’t help but appreciate how down to earth it
was. It didn’t try to be too sappy or ridiculous, it was just all goodness all
over.
So now you have something to check out before you tackle all
the hoity-toity Oscar pics. Here’s my official votes (who I think will win, not who I want) for those:
Best Picture – American Hustle
Best Actor in a Leading Role – Matthew McConaughey (Dallas
Buyers Club)
Best Actress in a Leading Role – Amy Adams (American Hustle)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers
Club)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years
a Slave)
Best Animated – Frozen
Best Cinematography – Gravity
Best Costume – 12 Years a Slave
Best Directing – Martin Scorsese (The Wolf of Wall Street)
Best Original Score – Gravity (Steven Price)
Best Original Song – Let it Go – Frozen
Best Visual Effects – Gravity
Best Adapted Screenplay – 12 Years a Slave
Best Original Screenplay – American Hustle
Best Original Screenplay – American Hustle