The 94th Academy Awards will be aired live from the Dolby Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland Centre on March 27th 2022 and I just couldn’t wait! I am excited to see who would bag the awards this year. I most definitely hope my favourite movie Dune would win (I’m biased like that) but I know it’s a very tough choice since all 10 nominees are strong in each of their genres.
What are the 10 nominees for Best Picture Award this year?
- Belfast
In case you didn’t know, this movie is based on true story events from Kenneth Branagh’s childhood. The storyline is solid and I especially love the interaction between Granny (Judi Dench) and Pop (Ciarán Hinds) but I find the movie slightly unremarkable, honestly. No doubt I am moved by the family, especially the parents who tried to provide something better for them but overall, I think this is just a safe movie for movie-goers.
- CODA (Child Of Deaf Adults)
I think this is a heartwarming story. Predictable, but still heartwarming. There were some funny moments too, which I didn’t expect. I loved that part when Frank asks Ruby to sing for him as he touched her vocal chords, finally understanding the talent of his daughter. That was very emotional for me too. I guess there’s nothing wrong to be there for family but at the same time to fight for your own dreams.
- Don’t Look Up
I think this movie is satire at its best. At first, I was wondering if this was a serious movie (due to the impending apocalypse and scientists) or if it was a comedy (because of Meryl Streep’s bimbo-ness as Madam President and her “donkey” of a son) but as time passed, I thought this was a really brilliant movie and eerily similar to the chaos that we’re experiencing in the world right now. When I first saw the superstars cast one by one, I feared they would shadow the storyline but I was glad that they were the reason this movie was a success.
- Drive My Car
The only movie nominated that is in Japanese, Drive My Car is a long, slow burn movie that might not be everyone’s cup of tea. There are many things going on; emotions, mental anguish, forgiveness, road trips and more. I wouldn’t say this movie is entertaining but it makes you feel and comprehend things in your own way. Personally, I feel it is a complex movie but still good.
- Dune
Although I am a fan of Dune and the book, this first movie did not do the book justice. It did not show the politics, greed, religion and feudal system that would’ve made viewers get more attached to the characters or bring the “build-up” of Dune. However, I am one of those who are easily swayed because they had Timothée Chalamet as the main character. Also, I felt this introductory instalment was suitable to modern viewers instead of burdening everyone with the complexity of the storyline with so many planets, the ruling Houses and the meaning of their magic. I am hoping for something better in the second instalment.
- King Richard
Obviously we’ve heard of Venus Williams and Serena Williams, even if we are not fans of tennis. This movie is about their father and coach, Richard Williams. Since we knew about the ladies beforehand, we certainly can gauge how the process would be in this biographical movie. However, for it to be engaging, it has to have a certain je ne sais quoi to keep viewers entertained and I’m happy to note that there was.
- Licorice Pizza
It has been a while since I last saw Sean Penn in a movie worth noting. If you watch this movie, you would either enjoy it or not depending on your view on some of the things that are happening in the movie. Personally, there were some parts when I wonder what’s so funny about these guys (it was too draggy). However, I did think that Alana Haim (as Alana) was quite good.
- Nightmare Alley
When I first saw the cast members, I was excited. Having Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, Willem Defoe, Rooney Mara, Richard Jenkins and Ron Perlman on the same screen got me anticipating with glee. I appreciate the storyline, it was in 1930s America and the costumes they wore were amazing but I just felt there were some draggy parts that could’ve been shaved off. I felt that this movie wasn’t as engaging as I hoped it would and that frustrates me. I guess we’ll see how it fares at the Academy Awards.
- The Power of the Dog
The Power of the Dog received a high number of praises since its release and I can see why. Benedict Cumberbatch has always been able to carry a character, no matter as an Englishman or American. In this movie, he was excellent and fitted right in with the era. It might be a hard movie to view for some because of the constant threats but I find it highly engaging throughout. I have high hopes for this one at the Academy Awards.
- West Side Story
Well, I’ve always enjoyed musicals and even though the name is similar to the musical theatre, it is of a different adaptation altogether so, watching it was like seeing something beautiful for the first time. I was surprised that the director of this movie was Steven Spielberg – I’ve always associated him to Jurassic Park (in the back of my mind) so to see him directing a musical was like a breath of fresh air. I have no hate for this movie, no hate for the cinematography, no hate for the choreography and no hate for the direction. But, is it good enough for the Academy Awards?
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Have any of you watched any of the nominees for Best Picture above?
Aliza M. is a content writer under Headliner by Newswav, a programme where content creators get to tell their unique stories through articles and at the same time monetize their content within the Newswav app.
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