Rated R
Bloggin' My Way through Oscar's Best Pictures
I have always had a love affair with the Academy Awards but at the end of 2010 I realized how few of the Best Picture winners I’d actually seen. So I made it a goal to see all [then] 83 winners and write my thoughts about them along the way. (I even re-watched the ones I'd already seen so I could write a fresh post.)
That was the initial inspiration behind this blog... I wanted to document my thoughts as well as start a potential conversation or at least ask some thought-provoking questions. Why did it win? Should another movie have won instead? Has it become a beloved classic or do many of you not even recognize the title? For each film, I post the original movie poster, a brief synopsis, the films it was up against, my favorite scene(s), and any lessons I learned.
I have since completed the challenge and have seen all of the Academy's Best Picture winners. (For my collective thoughts at the end of the challenge, including lists of my favorites and least favorites, check out this post.) I keep this blog up-to-date by coming back each year to post my thoughts on the recent winner. I still invite you, my friends and guests, to comment along with me. Do you agree/disagree?
And the Oscar goes to…
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Oppenheimer, 2023
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Everything Everywhere All At Once, 2022
Rated R
To be honest, I couldn't bring myself to watch the winning film after the Academy Awards ceremony; then, I couldn't wrap my head around it or put it into words once I had. So I almost threw in the towel and skipped over this year entirely. But since I'm not a quitter, I will at least write what I need to to carry on..."Everything Everywhere All At Once" is a perfect title for this cinematic visual assault. At first, I thought the premise sounded quite interesting... Evelyn Wang is going through the motions working the family laundromat with her apathetic husband and sharp-tongued lesbian daughter. She prepares for and attends an important meeting with a cantankerous auditor from the IRS with husband, Waymond, in which she learns there are multiverses. Who is she really in each (and the people she knows and loves)? What are they capable of?
Intriguing, right? Throw in some awesome kung fu, and it's almost a little like "The Matrix", "The Bourne Identity", and "Inception". It also gives off very superhero-y vibes. But then... they threw in hot dog fingers, talking rocks, and the black hole which is really an everything bagel. I cannot count how many times I asked "what am I watching?!"
My husband and I laughed out loud, not because something was funny, but because it was ridiculous, and I don't think that's honestly a sign of a good movie. There were truly so many asinine images and scenes, I found it hard to develop true empathy for the characters when they had moments of seriousness and monologues meant to garner empathy from the audience.
Fights were won, tears were shed, growth was made. But sadly, I was not moved. I applaud the creative minds behind the project but it should not have won the coveted award IMO.
After having an impressive run at the box office, and I'm sure due to some swaying by film critics, this became the "obvious" front runner during award season. I say that in quotes, because there were several blockbuster hits that year when you look at the nominations. Perhaps I've gotten a little disenchanted by the process since I've listened to a few podcasts that explained a bit of the 'behind-the-scenes' of marketing and promoting. So much of a film's success during awards' season has to do with timing (when to release the film) and then, of course, there are the gift baskets given to voters (yuck).
This film was up against "All Quiet on the Western Front" (a German re-make), "Avatar: The Way of Water", "Elvis", "The Banshees of Inisherin", "The Fablemans", "Tar", "Top Gun: Maverick", "Triangle of Sadness", and "Women Talking". Of those nominees, I saw "Elvis" and the "Top Gun" sequel, both of which I enjoyed and was surprised that "Elvis" walked away empty-handed. "EEAAO" collected an impressive 11 nominations and won 7 awards including Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress (I didn't think this was an award-worthy performance; I actually even preferred Jamie Lee Curtis in "Freaky Friday"), Best Supporting Actor (he's from "The Goonies" and "Indiana Jones"! - GREAT acceptance speech), Best Director(s), Best Film Editing, and Best Original Screenplay. It is the third film in Oscar history to win three acting awards and the first official science-fiction Best Picture in Oscar history.
MEMORABLE SCENE:
I think the first multiverse jump was my favorite and most memorable because I wasn't expecting it. Evelyn is introduced to the ways of verse jumping by an alternate version of her husband. And the tasks the travelers have to accomplish can be hilarious or harrowing.
MEMORABLE LINE / LESSONS LEARNED:
In one multiverse, Evelyn is a successful spoiled star, and this dashing version of her husband sadly claps back in an argument, "I would have really liked just doing laundry and taxes with you." It was just the right amount of sappy to remind us that when you have a partner in life whose company you truly appreciate and whose character you respect, any task can be enjoyable. She sees his optimism as a weakness, but he fights to see the positive side of situations - he sees it as a strength.
It is up to you to find meaning/purpose in the life that you've been given. No, nihilism isn't an/the answer, nor can you look to others to fill the void you think needs filling. Personally, as a Christian, I think there's someone we can turn to for truth and meaning and go from there...
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
CODA, 2021
Rated PG-13
Ruby Rossi is a senior in high school and the only hearing member of her all-deaf family. She helps her older brother and parents with the fishing business after school and on weekends, but her passion is singing and she’s good at it. Ironic? She signs up for choir when she sees her crush do so too, but chickens out at auditions. She comes back for a second chance, and Mr. V, the teacher, accepts her after seeing her potential. He also chooses a duet for her and Miles (the aforementioned crush) to start practicing.
The family relies on Ruby; she’s the only one who can hear the radio on the boat. As an interpreter for the business, she shoulders a great amount of stress in doing so. We can tell there’s a level of protection she’s proud to take on, but also burdened by, so it’s a double edge sword. When she’s overscheduled from pursuing music and practicing for an audition at a prestigious music school, she puts the business in jeopardy and adjustments have to be made. The parents have used her as a crutch; the brother wants to be able to try running the business on their own… so, will they let her be her own person and pursue her dream of music?
I really enjoyed watching this coming-of-age story. I kept saying how “refreshing” it was to watch a film that made me feel a nice range of emotions and also didn’t have me shutting my eyes from gratuitous violence or unnecessary sex scenes, or rolling my eyes from the overuse of curse words or certain agendas being shoved in my face.
The title of this film was simple
and perfect. CODA is an acronym for Child of Deaf Adults. Ruby is the CODA as
this film gives us a peek into her daily life as the only hearing person in a
family of non-hearing individuals. But also, a coda is a musical term. It is an
element, long or short, that signifies the end of the song or composition. It
brings the piece to a close. As I reflected on this, I couldn’t help but see Ruby’s
own eloquent coda in the final scene of the film. She’s being whisked off in
her brother’s girlfriend’s car, but has to stop and get out for one last group
hug. Then she flings her arms out of the window to sign “I love you”. The
end.
CODA was up against “Dune”, “The Power of the Dog”, “West Side Story”, “Belfast”, “King Richard”, “Drive My Car”, “Don’t Look Up”, “Nightmare Alley”, and “Licorice Pizza”. (I had only seen Spielberg’s remake of “West Side Story”, and while I thought it was excellent, I didn’t think it was going to win). CODA won all three awards it was nominated for (making it the 7th in history for a clean sweep like that) including Best Adapted Screenplay (it’s a remake of a 2014 French film) and Best Supporting Actor (the dad, Frank).
I probably couldn’t get away with talking about this year’s award show without mentioning “The Slap Heard ‘Round the World”. When comedian Chris Rock came out to present an award, prior to listing the nominees, he motioned to Jada Pinket Smith sitting in the front row, and said, “Jada, I love you. G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see you.” He was referencing Jada’s closely shaved head (which is a hairstyle she has chosen to proudly flaunt while suffering the effects of Alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss and/or thinning). Jada’s husband, Will Smith, got up, quietly walked up onstage, stood squarely in front of Chris, slapped him across the face, and walked back to his seat. Once there, he yelled, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f--in’ mouth!” Now, since this is my blog, I’m obviously representing my opinions, and I’m not interested in starting debates. I know that we are living in volatile times where tensions are high and points of view can be polarized. But here are my quick two cents: Was the joke insensitive? Sure. Chris is a comedian. It’s common knowledge that comedians hit below the belt. Most of a stand-up’s routine is either spent shelling out uncomfortable truths, backward revelations, or jabs that nobody else is brave enough to say. If you can’t stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen. You’d think Hollywood actors would’ve grown some tougher skin than this by now. Doesn’t anyone remember Ricky Gervais? What you DON’T do if you don’t like a performance by a comedian, or a musician, or an actor, or ANYONE, is walk up on THEIR performance space and assault them. I was in musical theatre for years. It frightens me to think that if I offended someone by singing off key, I might get a bicycle kick to the neck these days. Chris handled it like a pro onstage. Will should’ve been escorted out that evening; instead, he went on to receive the award for Best Actor that evening (and later, the Academy announced he’s not to return to the Award Show for 10 years, thankyouverymuch). I think Will is a brilliant actor, so I truly hope he's taken a step back and done some personal work and accountability.
MEMORABLE SCENES:
Ruby’s family attends her class’s
recital (along with her brother’s girlfriend who helps interpret). It’s a
touching scene because you can sense Ruby’s nervousness and excitement to
perform and the pride she takes in her family being there even though she knows
they won’t be able to truly enjoy it. It’s also a little heartbreaking to watch
her parents look around the room at the faces of the other parents. They’re wondering
if their daughter is any good. They see the entire audience smile, nod along,
and even tear up at such a moving performance. This was the one time in the
movie where the director decided to take our hearing away too which I thought
was a very interesting and well-timed choice. We sat in silence for part of the
duet and in solidarity with Frank and Jackie as they just watched their
beautiful daughter do something she professed she loved doing. At the end, they
waved their hands in utter pride.
When they returned from the
recital, Ruby’s dad asked her what the song was about and for her to sing for
him again. He placed his hands on her throat and neck so he could feel the
vibrations and asked her to sing louder. It was a touching, bonding moment.
LESSONS LEARNED:
1. Keep those lines of communication open in the teen years. I admired Ruby’s relationship with her mom. They joke around but they also have a sweet heart-to-heart when Jackie is vulnerable and admits something that’s hard to hear. You can tell that has only come from years of practice and little “check-ins”.
2. Sometimes, teachers are the saving grace in a kid’s
life. If you’re a teacher and you’re reading this, never underestimate the
power you have in motivating a student. Your encouragement (even if it comes
from a place of “tough love”) may be just what this one kid needs to hear to change
his/her mind, or make him/her feel loved, appreciated, valued, or heard.
Thursday, October 21, 2021
Nomadland, 2020
Rated R
This year's Academy Awards show was just about the worst one I've had to sit through (and yes, I sat through the Hathaway & Franco debacle and the "Is it Moonlight or LaLaLand?" disaster). The show was broadcast two months later than usual to allow for a longer eligibility period for films. I was ready to extend all sorts of grace given this was the first year they've had to navigate an award show during a pandemic, but it had high school dance written all over it. Critics wrote afterward that it was the lowest-rated and viewed award show in history. Many viewers even turned it off mid-air due to the politically- and racially-charged comments of the celebrities. But I'm not here to discuss the caliber of the show itself, so I'll jump ahead to what should have been the most exciting, but was rather anticlimactic (par-for-the-course) - the Best Picture winner....
"Nomadland" follows Fern, played by Francis McDormand, as she travels across the American west in her van after losing her job at a factory that has shut down due to the recession in 2008. Her husband recently passed away and she's off to find temp work and live the nomadic life since the entire town has dissolved as well and now she is "house-less". She ends up selling rocks in Arizona, working the Badlands National Park in South Dakota, and packing boxes for Amazon around the holidays. We're also given a peek inside "van life" complete with the harsh realities of surviving frigid winters and my least favorite: bathroom situations. She meets new friends (some she returns to seasonally) in different nomadic communities, but you can tell she keeps her distance somewhat and won't invest too deeply.
There is a difference between being secluded and feeling lonely. A lot of us probably dream of peaceful retreats - time away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the noise, the responsibility, (the kids?) - where we are sheltered with our own thoughts and given time to process and reflect. Granted, seclusion can lead to loneliness, and I think Fern ended up going through periods of this during her journey. She was an empath who related surprisingly well with others. We'd see her listen, laugh, and give occasional pieces of advice. But she'd also close up like a clam.
Also, there is a difference between wanderlust and a purely nomadic lifestyle due to circumstantial loss or grief. People have looked at this film and thought, "wouldn't it be great just to pick up and go?" First, they've missed the point of the impetus of this community's "movement". We hear from [real-life] nomads in the film who travel for reasons of financial ruin, addiction, and family dysfunction, among others. Some stop and "settle back down" like one character named Dave, but most are on the move, never putting down roots again and you can sense this has altered their perspective - definitely making them more jaded and/or guarded in a way.
I didn't not like this movie, but it wasn't one I connected with on a personal or spiritual level. I respected the somber tone and the persevering gumption Fern had to keep surviving. But overall, I felt the movie dragged on; I wanted it to pull over and let me out.
The film's cinematography had its moments though for sure - there were shots that were quite stunning, proving that the breathtaking landscape of the American west is one that should be noted and visited.
"Nomadland" was up against "The Father", "Mank", "Minari", "Judas and the Black Messiah", "Promising Young Woman", "Sound of Metal", and "The Trial of the Chicago 7". I had not seen any of these films and honestly, I still don't care to. So I'm not offering a very good defense of "Nomadland"'s win- but this is my blog and opinion anyway. All eight films grossed a worldwide total of barely $35 million at the time of the show, which is an unimpressive amount for even one film usually. "Nomadland" had six nominations and walked away with three wins including Best Director and Best Actress. (While she was entertaining, I much preferred McDormand in "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" in 2017).
MEMORABLE SCENES:
Whenever Fern would have little heart-to-hearts with the other older female nomads, I tended to smile. They swapped truth bombs and nuggets of wisdom. These are two real-life nomads, Swankie (L) and Linda May (R).
LESSONS LEARNED:
1. For many hard working Americans, "the American Dream" is a cruel joke.
2. Community is where it's at. Even though Fern chose the life of a nomad, she would meet up with these traveling communities, because it is with sharing and a sense of community that one finds companionship and purpose. She smiled more; she served and helped others, and carried on conversations that made her think more about herself and her predicaments.
Thursday, June 24, 2021
Parasite, 2019
I actually watched this Best Picture winner not long after it won the award back in February of 2020, but the next month the world seemed to shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We were all strongly encouraged to shelter-in-place; "distance learning" commenced, and my hubby and I decided to homeschool our children the next year. It literally felt like we were surrounded by the living representation of the title of this movie - our own parasitic creations. Our beloved offspring seemed to suck every moment of "spare" time and patience right out of me, not to mention every bit of food out of our pantry.
"You know what kind of plan never fails? No plan. No plan at all. You know why? Because life cannot be planned." Mr. Kim says this to his son after a flash flood destroys their home under the shop and they are forced to sleep in a gym. While I understand the sentiment - life can throw you curveballs that you can't control or are unprepared for - this is not an excuse to not have a rough plan or dream for your life. Successful people become that by dreaming and putting a plan into action. Will everything always go according to plan? No, but having options and avenues to pivot to are valuable when there is a diversion.
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Green Book, 2018
1. Another favorite scene of mine was when the two men were arguing about how the other didn’t know who the other really was (their background). Tony accused Dr. Shirley of complaining while living in a castle and Dr. Shirley shot back with,
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
The Shape of Water, 2017
I started to watch this year’s Best Picture winner on board my flight to Europe this summer, thinking it was the perfect time to relax and jot down some of my thoughts. I guess I totally forgot that I was traveling with my four children and that I wouldn’t have one minute of peace or silence since my two year old would be in my face the whole time. I also noticed twenty minutes in that something was blurred out and I then remembered it saying that the film had been “modified and edited for content” so I turned it off. If I couldn’t watch the “real” version, I couldn't give an honest opinion.