Welcome back to the blog readers. Well, I have finally did it. For the first time since the 92nd Academy Award ceremony, I have seen all ten Best Picture nominees. What made this one even more special for me is the fact that I was able to see eight out of the ten nominees in theaters. With that out of the way, I wanted to do something special and rank them before the Oscars ceremony airs and give my definitive pick on who I think should win the award and who I think will take it home. With that being said, which of the ten will be the best? Stick around to find out.
10. Emilia Pérez
If you saw my review for this film, you would absolutely know that this would appear in the 10th spot. I had no idea what this film was even about, why everyone loved it so much, and what the hype was. Apparently James Cameron loves the film so that gave me a bit of optimism, but hearing that "La vaginoplastia" song and how bad it was memed did not do the film any favors for me. Also 13 Oscar nominations?
I want to get something out of the way before I blast this film. The performances of Zoe Saldaña and Karla Sofía Gascón are absolutely worthy of the praise they are getting and I belive they deserved their Oscar nominations. It is unfortunate that they were given total shit to work with in terms of script and direction, but it is totally not their fault. They did not write, produce or direct the film in any way so no blame goes to them.
Finally, I want to mention that the themes of this film are treated with such disdain and inauthenticity that it was baffling at points. I really did not need to hear a whole dialogue about how Emilia was feeling because I know what trans people go through. Also the film was not shot in Mexico (where it takes place) and was directed by a French guy, as were the songs that have as little life as the film itself (although "El mal" is a decent song to be honest). I hope to fuck this film wins no Oscars because of how pointless this film really was.
9. Nickel Boys
I am a sucker for period dramas because we get a glimpse of what life was like in the past (even though they are almost always fictionalized). But I felt different about Nickel Boys in large part due to the errant way this film is put together in my opinion. If you saw my recent review of this film, you would know I think the editor of the film should not be working on high-profile Oscar bait films like this, and I think the story of the film does not take enough risks for me, almost like Civil War (2024).
The one glowing positive I have with this film is the performance of Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and her bold and daring portrayal of Hattie. While she is not in the film a whole lot, she makes damn good use of her limited screen time and gives a powerful performance that perfectly blends love, determination, courage in the face of adversity, and anguish when the worst is revealed to have happened. She should have been nominated for Supporting Actress for sure.
I also loved the choice to shoot this film from a first-person perspective in the flashbacks and third-person, almost video games like, in the flashforwards. And I think Jomo Fray should have gotten a Cinematography nomination for his work on this film. I also found the script to be witty, very talkative, and deserving of a deep look into one of our darkest chapters as a country. I can see why it was nominated for Adapted Screenplay.
8. Anora
Not knowing who Sean Baker is and what he is really capable of was really a hindrance to me, especially knowing this was the first American film to win the prestigious Palme d'Or in 13 years. Plus Mikey Madison has been nominated for mostly every Best Actress award possible (but has not won most of them to be honest). I have to say that there really is not much there in the way of story, but it was a wild film to say the least.
Let's get one thing out of the way: Mikey Madison is brilliant in the title role, deserves her nomination, and if her name gets called on Sunday I will not be a mad person (although as we will talk about, I have two very sentimental favorites). But Yura Borisov did not deserve his nomination to me because I think he did not do enough of substance for me to warrant the nomination. His only meaningful moments were the final 25 minutes of the film.
I do very much like the script and Baker does a great job of creeping you out in places, especially in the 25 minute home invasion scene. And I do like what Baker was trying to say, especially with the profession of sex work and how they are treated by society. But I think the most powerful message that this film delivers has to do with the idea of money buying power and influence. I just wish this film was a bit more memorable for me.
7. A Complete Unknown
Now I will not sit here and lie to you that I am a massive Bob Dylan fan, but it cannot be understated how much of a deeper respect I have for the man after seeing this film. He blazed his own trail and made a name for himself, and I believe the strength of this film is definitely the performances (both musical and acting). The story is a bit cut-and-paste, but I love James Mangold.
Timothée Chalamet, my love, what else is there to say about how brilliant you were as Dylan? By far the best part of this film, although Edward Norton and Monica Barbaro really dial in and I think all three deserve their Oscar nominations (and Timmy his SAG win). But the musical performances in this film? Stellar. Chalamet becomes Bob Dylan and nails his monotone voice, Norton transforms into the cheeky but kindhearted Pete Seeger, and Barbaro stunned me with her Joan Baez impression.
I mentioned earlier that the story of the film is a bit bare bones, and it really is. I think the main detriment of the film was Mangold's decision to prioritize the musical performances rather than flesh out a good story. Probably not going to win Adapted Screenplay, but I think that the time and planning that went into this film definitely paid off in more ways than one.
6. The Brutalist
In November, before this film released, I would have told you that this film was going to be the frontrunner for Best Picture. Despite what director Brady Corbet said about the runtime (3 hours and 32 minutes) of the film and all of the attention it was getting at the film festivals, I was excited as hell to see this film to see what all the fuss was about. And while I do very much like this film, the runtime is its biggest detriment.
I'm not going to come out and sugarcoat this: Adrien Brody's name will probably be called on Sunday (even though you will learn of my actual pick to win later) and I will not at all be mad if it is. He gives arguably the best performance of the year and he should be properly acclaimed for his role. Guy Pearce acts his ass off and earns his nomination, but I am not so sure about Felicity Jones (even though she is good, I would have put Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor in this spot).
I love Corbet and Mona Fastvold's script that goes into a lot of issues like prejudice against Jewish people, the American dream, and a desire to be seen. I do agree with some that the second half of this film is an emotional black hole in a sense and it felt like a chore to get through, especially since it is just as long as the first half. I think there is a chance for this film to come away with a bunch of Oscars, and I think Best Picture is still absolutely still on the table.
5. I'm Still Here (Ainda Estou Aqui)
I personally had no idea what to expect going into this film because I never heard of the story of Eunice Paiva and her quest to get justice for her husband Rubens. Like I said, I love period dramas but I avoid films in other languages because I tend to not be able to follow the subtitles and the action on screen, but this film has a Godzilla Minus One (2023) effect on me in that that did not matter. I loved this film with my whole heart.
Fernanda Torres gives one of the most heartfelt, passionate, and powerful performances I have seen in a while and she is my pick to win Best Actress. She won't but it is nice to dream. Her mother Fernanda Montenegro comes in to play the same character at the end and delivers just the same level of heart, passion, and power as her daughter. I also thought the performance of Selton Mello as Rubens was so full of heart and love, even though he is not in the film much.
I also desperately loved the screenplay by Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega because they are brilliantly able to capture the desperation of a mother and wife, and how love and justice can stand in the way of nothing. It really did suck that they did not get an Adapted Screenplay nod because I definitely would have nominated this one. Walter Salles is also able to perfectly capture the emotion of the story and leave us on not a happy note, but one of satisfaction in a way. Your fight is eternal Rubens.
4. Wicked
Now bear with me because I have told this story before: my knowledge of the musical Wicked was limited to only the three songs performed on Glee (2009-15). I definitely think the heavyweight talent that was attached to this film both in front of and behind the camera is what really attracted me to the idea of this film. And this was without a doubt the biggest surprise of 2024 for me. Everything felt magical in a way.
Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba was stunning in every facet: from every word she says with bated conviction to every note that comes out of her mouth (on another note, holy shit), she deserved her Best Actress nomination. But Ariana Grande was a total revelation as Glinda. Comedic chops, those powerhouse vocals, and just this level of overall talent and she is my pick to win Best Supporting Actress.
From a technical standpoint, Wicked is one of the best-made films of 2024 and absolutely deserves all the awards it is up for, but I am surprised to see it did not get a Best Adapted Screenplay nomination. Everything is on point, from the music to the costumes to the production design (especially the production design, this film is my pick to win that) to the visuals in Elphaba's battle cry. This film deserves a lot more Oscars than it will win and that upsets me.
3. The Substance
When I saw this film in September, you may remember how much I was raving about this film and how I thought it should get a lot of Oscar love? I mean five nominations is a bit less than I thought, but I am glad it actually got something because this film deserves it. From the performances to the production to the horror aspect of it all, this is one of the best films of 2024 and you cannot convince me otherwise.
I would like to think that Demi Moore is the favorite to win Best Actress since she has won the Golden Globe, Critics' Choice, and SAG awards for her performance as Elisabeth Sparkle. She was phenomenal in this film and absolutely deserving of a win if she gets it. As does Margaret Qualley, who I still think should have gotten a Supporting Actress nomination because she was utterly brilliant as Sue. This is someone else I would have swapped Felicity Jones out for.
Coralie Fargeat's script for this film is top notch and my pick to win Original Screenplay for its originality (no pun intended) and honest look at aging women in the Hollywood scene. And I am a massive fan of the production and makeup designs, because what Moore and Qualley were asked to do in terms of costumes and prosthetics is insane. This film should have more love than it is currently getting and I hope Moore wins Best Actress.
2. Dune: Part Two
John Campea calls this the greatest film he has seen in the last decade. I call it the second best film of 2024, and a lot of people call it a masterpiece. I can see where they are coming from because this film is a massive improvement over Dune (2021) in every way possible. Although this film got half the nominations Dune got, I think it is by far a better film. Long live the fighters.
Timothée Chalamet had one hell of a calendar year between the two films he was in on this list and Wonka (2023), and his second outing as Paul Atreides was something to behold. Javier Bardem killed it as Stilgar and should have gotten more love in Best Supporting Actor. Overall, the character work is much better in this film and the additions of Florence Pugh (my other love), Austin Butler, and Christopher Walken were genius.
I would say this film will sweep the technical awards, but Dune: Part Two is in the same categories as Wicked so I have no idea. I fear that Part Two will not get any love this time around, and it is a shame because I am surprised this film did not get a Best Adapted Screenplay nomination. I kind of expected that Denis Villeneuve would not get a Best Director nomination but I am a bit surprised it did not happen.
1. Conclave
I know I ranked Dune: Part Two over Conclave in my year-end countdown of the best films of 2024, but in terms of the ten Best Picture nominees, Conclave is a better film in that regard, and therefore my pick to win the award. I remember hearing all the buzz out of the festivals and CinemaCon that this film was something special, and I am so fucking glad that I saw it because this film is truly brilliant.
Ralph Fiennes is absolutely masterful as Thomas Cardinal Lawrence, and there is really nothing left to say. He is my pick to win best Actor and therefore his first Oscar (which is long overdue). Stanley Tucci as Aldo Cardinal Bellini was also brilliant in his role (and I would have replaced Yura Borisov with him in a heartbeat). And Isabella Rossellini as Sister Agnes completely blew my socks off with the limited screen time she had. She deserved her nomination.
Peter Straughan's script is one of the best of the year, and he makes a film that is about religion at a surface level feel so much deeper and so much stronger in terms of its political themes and ambitious overtones. And the costuming and production is all stellar as well. This film is also my pick to win Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Costume Design. I just need to shout from the rooftops: if you have not seen this film, please do it.
As you can see, we have a pretty diverse group of films that are up for Best Picture this year, and I would not be surprised to see any of these films win (aside from Emilia Pérez). I love this time of year because we are reminded just how great the previous year in film was. It is upsetting I only have one Oscar video left to do, and I have great pity for that fact. With that being said, I will see you for my reaction to all the Oscar winners, and thank you all for reading this post and all your support.
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