Your favorite, resident, movie geek here coming to you with the nitty gritty of Movies Biggest Night. „Award Season“ as those film geeks of us call it, has been coming to a close, we have seen many big statues won by pretty much the same lot as we did all season. It’s a very even field, no big surprises. “Oppenheimer” & “Poor Things” have been Award Season darlings this year and with good reason. But before we talk Cillian (getting mildly flustered just writing his name) and Emma (darling Emma, she is so precious. I adore her to bits and did you know that TayTay wrote a Song about her? In case you did not, head over to your favorite Streaming App and listen to a little song called “When Emma falls in Love” and thank me later) let’s go down the road of the “lesser known” films in the run for Best Picture before I confess my newly found love for Bradley Cooper, shall we?

The Holdovers

“There’s nothing new in human experience, Mr. Tully. Each generation thinks it invented debauchery or suffering or rebellion.”

When you have a 6:30am screening for a film and do not have to jug down 3 litres of coffee to stay awake, you know the film is a good one. I like films that make you „feel“. And by that I do not exactly mean that RomCom lovey-dovey thing I really cannot stand. I mean that feeling of connection, like you are IN the story with the characters living through it all with them. Alexander Payne (the director) ain’t no stranger to the Oscars having won before for films like „Sideways“ and „The Descendants“. To say I was a huge fan of his work before „The Holdovers“ would be overstating things – I did, however, enjoy his films. For me, the film hit notes of another, rather famous, late mid century era film we all know as “Dead Poets Society”.

“The Holdovers” gives you a sense of comfort, a bittersweet feeling in your gut as the film progresses and a performance by Giamatti that has, in my opinion, surpassed his others. I call “The Holdovers” a “repeat film” and this is rare for me, because a RF is one that means it will not only make it into my collection but also one I will be watching again.

Barbie

“Humans only have one ending. Ideas live forever.”

Well… I tried to get through the film thinking that it had a greater reason. I really, REALLY tried but somehow failed. I heard Robbie say, that to make it work with Mattel, they had to make changes to the film so they would get their stamp of approval too and here am I thinking: They approved Will Ferrells’ role as Mattel CEO? Maybe, just maybe I’m too uncomfortable with overly feminist films these days but I had a truly hard time finding a reason why Ryan Gosling (who had far more Oscar worthy roles in his long career prior to being just Ken) was even nominated. I know, I know – it’s a film about a plastic doll, it’s just not that deep but apart from America Ferrara no one really showed excellency in the film. What I did find rather incredible were the Sets. I used to play with Barbies and that film kinda had me re-live my childhood (and not in a good way). Every other minute a flashback childhood memory came to mind like „bloody hell, I had that rollerskates Barbie“ and it then trickled into a slew of memories from that time I truly never wanted to make a return. This might hit different for other people but for me, it was that way.

With all the online hate over someone not making “Best Actress Leading” and “Directing” I honestly have to say: both did miles and miles better in previous projects/roles so I’m truly fine with them not being nominated in those categories. And now, I will lock my front door, call security and hope the feminist mob is not killing me anytime soon because you guessed it: I’m not a “Barbie” fan.

Maestro

“I love music so much it keeps me glued to life even when I’m most depressed, and I can get very deeply depressed.”

I’m a Broadway-Baby… the singing, the dancing… I love LOVE LOOOOOVE it all. So the name Leonard Bernstein was, without a shadow of a doubt, no stranger to me. I grew up on his musicals, adored them, watched them countless times hoping that one day, I could be dancing with stars like Gene Kelly too. Yes, I know, I’m delusional for thinking so but back in the day and at the age of 7 you have no idea that these films are really old and these people potentially have long since past… I was young, this was my Roman Empire.
I digress. In recent years I have grown a strange fondness towards Mr. Cooper, but maybe fondness is the wrong word. Maybe I should say: respect. Ever since „Silver Linings Playbook“ I had to rethink what I was thinking of him and once „A Star is Born“ came around, he had me lock, stock & barrel. He is an incredibly gifted actor and an incredibly talented director. And yes, I never thought that to be possible. With “Maestro”, he cemented that for me. He is brilliant on screen as well as off screen and given the largely difficult material (Bernsteins life was not an easy walk in the park kinda material) he mastered it like no one else could have. I was, not as fond of Mulligans’ work in the film but by the end, I realised why she was cast and was consoled why she was indeed so perfect for the role. “Maestro” is indeed a film to be watched but definitely not a close contender for the Best Picture Oscar.

Past Lives

“You dream in a language I can’t understand. It’s like there’s this whole place inside you I can’t go.”

This award seasons “under dog”. Based on true events and feeling like one of those old romantic drama films of the 90s – those that had a little more meat than anything produced once we hit the new millennia. Did the film catch me? Well, it did in ways of its simplicity. It’s refreshing to see an “ordinarily” shoot film again. Not much in ways of special effect – just the need to tell as story like if it is unfolding in the real world right before one’s eyes. I’m not sure if I had watched it if it wasn’t a nominee or if it had failed to make it onto my “films to watch” list.

The Zone of Interest

“I wasn’t really paying attention… I was too busy thinking how I would gas everyone in the room.”

Second time around this season for german Actress in a Leading Role niominee Hüllen, only this time, the material is far darker. Brian Gazer who directed “The Zone of Interest” was possible the only one who could handle a subject like this and turn it into what Spielberg recently called it “the most important film of the genre since “Schindlers Liste” “. I’m 100% with Spielberg on this but in case you think it yet another heroic film like Schindlers Liste, you’d be very wrong. “The Zone of Interest” shows the more or less true storyline of the commander of KZ Auschwitz and his wife and kids, who rather blissfully lived their lives, basically a meter away from the very place thousands of innocent lives were killed each day. What the film highlights, in all its horrific glory, is the utter unimportance, dare I say, utter lack of emotion and empathy of these people. It shows why the Nazis could kill so many people in so little time. This might have been one of the hardest films to watch in decades, it robbed me of sleep, it held me captive in its utter lack of humanity. Grazer is known for what he brings to the table, his films have, so far, never hit a conventional stream but this one might go down as his masterpiece. I’m willing to speculate, that it could, indeed potentially be this years “Coda”.

Poor Things

“I have adventured it and found nothing but sugar and violence.”

Whilst all the feminists cry for “Barbie”, I say the true feminist film of this award season is indeed “Poor Things”. My God, what a beautifully, strange and terrifying film this is. Nothing in this film does not scream masterpiece and that is rare for me. But Stones’ performance alone is art in its purest form. She is magnificent to watch in what is arguably her most intense and challenging role to date. I have to say that over the last decade I have grown terribly fond of Lanthimos’ films and with “Poor Things” he has cemented that fondness and turned it into pure adoration. Now listen, this is not a film for the faint of heart but it’s a true MUST SEE and MUST EXPERIENCE kinda film. This is my own personal Best Picture of the year and not even “Oppenheimer” can do what “Poor Things” did. I truly wish, and yes I’m bias, but it should get directing as well.

Killers of the Flower Moon

“You let her have her secrets. That way, you’ll have yours.”

When an italian immigrant director takes on and indigenous true story… you have to take some deep breaths, also because it‘s a 3 1/2 hours long film and you will feel robbed of your time. Dear old Marty has ventured somewhere were you can’t quite grasp he‘d go. It feels unfamiliar and familiar and that is very unsettling at times.
I have to say, I‘m not big on Mr. DiCaprio… never truly was apart from one or two films. There is just something about him that immediately draws me away from films. I guess “Titanic” never did for me what it did for others. Glad he was not nominated but intrigued why De Niro was, for even his performance was not as striking as I would have hoped. However, I do believe that Lilly Gladstone did dear old Marty a solid because she was, next to Emma Stone, rather brilliant. Unfortunately for me, the almost 4h long film did not catch me as others in the race did and considering its cost and the true-storyness of the film I find it quite sad. The film could have done with at least 1h shaved off in the cutting room because Marty dragged the film out needlessly – there is so much material that is just there to pass time and I’m convinced the film had done better if shortened. I would not watch it again.

American Fiction

“The dumber I behave, the richer I get.”

This one had me blindsided. I honestly did not expect much of the film, it had not spiked my interest in previews so I went into it thinking: Gosh, I might start cooking during the film.

Within’ the first scene, I was hooked. It’s darn rare to come across a film, where it is essentially shoving light into something very true. A black author that is not writing “black enough” to be successful so he creates some outrages plots and characters that the publishing houses throw themselves at him. It’s ridiculous as much as it is true. It shows the world as we see and experience it today and it holds true in other aspect as well. It’s the “you are not what you should be but what you should be is so outrageous that no one real could be that anyways”. The film definitely has its moments and maybe it’s not for everyone – I certainly did not see myself liking it as much as I did. Is this a true contender for Best Picture? Not in my humble opinion but it is definitely worth watching.

Anatomy of a Fall

“You impose your rhythm, your use of time, you even impose your language.”

It was a late Wednesday around 11:30pm during Viennale and a true late showing. It’s when you hope the film is so good, that it keeps you awake… and this one did. Big time. It was a long day of at least 4 other screenings and all of them have escaped me but not so “Anatomy of a Fall”. That film grips you, it almost has a choke hold on you – you know she is guilty but you want her to be free too. It‘s the conundrum of right and wrong but is something wrong when it’s done for the right reasons? You find yourself weirdly rooting for her whilst also being appalled by what she does in the way she is manipulating people around her.

I was, indeed, surprised that the film got a “Best Leading Actress” nomination – that said a lot about the other ladies in the race but Best Picture was surely one I had hoped it would be considered for. That is not to say that I did not yelp the second it was announced for I feared bigger fish would rather get that nomination as this considerably smaller fish. To say I was delighted, would be an understatement. It’s a stand out film, some would argue a true film school film but I was hooked 2 minutes in and that is not an every day occurrence.   

Oppenheimer

“Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.”

Yes, I put this 70mm masterpiece at the end so you had to keep reading, I’m mean like that (you should know this). To be honest tho, I’m not sure where to start praising this film and where to stop. It’s a home run of a film, it’s so good it’s almost painful to admit. Cillian Murphy is superb, brilliant actually and I have not a shadow of a doubt that he will be going home with the Academy Award as Best Actor Leading.

As someone familiar with “Oppenheimer”, having seen many documentaries, watched the rare interviews and read a lot of books I’m willing to say, that Nolan created the most perfect canvas for Cillian to shine. It felt like Oppenheimer was alive again. You feel it all, all the emotions of creation as well as the devastating realisation that you created something others will forever hold the power to. The film is a love letter to a very misunderstood genius and apart from “Poor Things” I do not see much in the ways of “Oppenheimer” winning Best Picture.

Dear Reader, almost 2500 words is a lot, so thank you for sticking with this post. I hope you enjoyed it? And do not be shy to write a comment about your favourite film in the race to win Best Picture.