Oscars - Michael's Best Pictures Edition

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