The cinephile’s super bowl
I literally look forward to award season every single year, especially the Academy Awards. As a cinephile, it’s my Super Bowl. Not that I don’t watch the Super Bowl (go Chiefs).
This year's nominees are absolutely no laughing matter, the strength of every category is staggeringly huge. Not to mention Todd Philips’ “Joker,” snatching up 11 nominations!
I’m not going to discuss every category because 1) that would take forever, 2) I know all you “TLDR” people would leave me high and dry; please don’t :(. But I will discuss categories with movies I loved or think are strong contentions to win.
Let’s start out with Original Score…
This category is absolutely slammed with amazing talent, ranging from Hildur Guðnadóttir’s “Joker” score to John Williams in “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.”
While I think the main contenders for the win would definitely be Thomas Newman, Guðnadóttir, or Williams. But I think Hildur Guðnadóttir will take the win.
The emotion Hildur put into every piece in “Joker,” is just astounding. Her use of unusual techniques to envoke the emotion of one spiraling out of control, as the character Arthur Fleck did throughout the film.
Here is probably my favorite scene in the film, as the scene was completely un-scripted on Joaquin Phoenix’s part; the score adds so much to the scene:
That scene alone is one reason why I want Joker to win Original Score (if not Best Picture too).
Like I said, I’ll hop around the categories to ones containing movies I loved. Onto original screenplay!
I loved Knives Out and Once Upon A Time In…Hollywood (still need to see Parasite, 1917 and Marriage Story).
But for the ones I have seen, I want this one to go to Quentin Tarantino's OUAT…Hollywood. I love the time period that it’s set in and it was one reason why I loved the film so much. The acting was superb, the cinematography was AMAZING, and the plot was engrossing.
The whole movie obviously had that Tarantino feel throughout the film and he executed it so, so well.
Here’s the trailer:
Onto Actor in a Supporting Role:
This category is filled with great actors, from Tom Hanks to Joe Pesci. With Tom Hanks’ portrayal of Fred Rogers and Brad Pitt in OUATIH being very strong contenders, I’m gonna have to remain neutral on this one.
Both Hanks and Pitt gave absolutely astounding performances in both of their movies, so as a result, I cannot choose one over the other.
Gonna combine Best Actor, Picture, and Directing for the sake of you “TLDR;” people, so here goes…
Of course both of these categories FILLED with absolutely astounding talent, I’m 100% gonna have to give it to Joaquin Phoenix and Joker.
Joker hands down became the best film I have ever seen, everything was executed so extremely fluidly it was ingrained into my mind forever. The cinematography was amazing, the acting was AMAZING, and the directing was absolutely astounding.
(Yes, I am a little biased here, sorry.)
So here goes! Good luck to all nominated!
The Academy Awards will be live on ABC at 8pm EST/5 PST
List of nominees can be found here.
