My Oscars Best Picture Reviews
In an effort to take a break from politics, this year, I managed to watch every movie nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture.
Of course, you never really get entirely away from politics. As you will see, the two dominant themes this year have to do with race and class—two ever-present issues that dovetail with the world of politics.
If you’re hoping to catch one or two of these films before the ceremony on February 24, this quick guide should help you decide which movie(s) might be up your alley. In lieu of ranking them from best to worst, here are my thoughts about each film nominated for Best Picture, in alphabetical order:
Black Panther―I’m not a fan of the superhero movie genre, but this film combines popcorn flick action with a smart, thought-provoking storyline. Even if you loathe blockbuster superhero movies, you may appreciate how Black Panther grapples with questions about race and power—and does so in a thoroughly entertaining way.
BlacKkKlansman―This Spike Lee-directed film (about a black detective who infiltrated the KKK in the early 1970s) deals with a serious topic in a humorous and equally artistic way. Save for a superfluous 5-minute add-on at the end of the film about the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, the film reflects on race issues, without crossing the line into being overly political or preachy. I was surprised, but this turned out to be one of my favorite movies of the year.
Bohemian Rhapsody―Queen’s music, alone, is worth the price of admission, and Rami Malek turns in a fine performance as Freddie Mercury. Although this film certainly touches on issues surrounding race, fame, and sexuality, at the end of the day, this is fundamentally a crowd-pleasing biopic about a rock star. As such, it’s hard to see how this film belongs in the Best Picture category.
The Favourite―With themes of power and sexuality, this film documents two women vying for the attention and imprimatur of Queen Anne in the early 1700s. This film plays on themes about class status, and it showcases the humor of watching two suitors compete for the Queen’s affection. Beautifully shot, this film is avant-garde enough to excite the critics, yet approachable enough to please a general audience. This was my wife’s favorite movie of 2018. Be prepared for a weird ending, though.
Green Book―Based on the mostly true story of an Italian-American bouncer who chauffeurs a famous jazz pianist, Dr. Don Shirley, through a tour of the deep south in 1962, this movie is artistically and intellectually stimulating, yet also finds the formula for pleasing the general public. Once upon a time, this movie would have been a sure thing for Best Picture. However, one gets the sense that a movie with a uplifting ending about racial healing is out of touch with today’s woke political culture.
Roma―Shot in beautiful black and white, this film (about a maid working for a family in early 1960s Mexico) stresses themes of class, privilege, and betrayal. Despite a slow start, the last forty-five minutes are full of action and heartbreak. This was—by far—my least favorite of the films on this list.
A Star Is Born―Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga both turn in excellent acting and musical performances, but this movie is about 45 minutes too long and includes too many extraneous storylines and characters (one of which is a charming, but superfluous, performance by Dave Chapelle) that might have been cut by a less emotionally invested director. One pet peeve of mine is that Sam Elliott’s nomination for Supporting Actor should have gone to Andre “Dice” Clay, who turns in a superior (and more relevant) performance as the father of Lady Gaga’s character. Grappling with issues like class, fame, depression, and alcohol and drug addiction, this movie will at least make you think. I just wish the narrative had been tighter.
Vice―There are sparks of brilliance, including Christian Bale’s performance as Dick Cheney, but this movie was greatly harmed by a desire to demonize its subject (at the expense of making a good movie). Still, Bale essentially becomes Cheney. This movie does not deserve the Best Picture nomination, let alone the award, but don’t be surprised if Christian Bale walks away with Best Actor.
Honorable Mentions—Also worth mentioning: Cold War is excellent and deserves to win for Cinematography—not to mention its underlying message about the horrors of communism. Likewise, Will You Ever Forgive Me (one of my favorite movies of the year, about author Lee Israel, who turned to forging fake literary letters to make money) should have been nominated for Best Picture. I’ll be rooting for Richard E. Grant to win Best Supporting Actor for his role in that film. Also, Regina King is nominated for Supporting Actress for If Beale Street Could Talk. Although she faces stiff competition, this movie is worth seeing—especially for anyone interested in the topic of how race pertains to police brutality and criminal justice reform.
If you’re interested in catching a few of these flicks before the Oscars, I hope this short guide will help inform your viewing decisions.
Lastly, if you’re interested in a little more info on these films (and aren’t afraid of some spoilers), listen my mini-podcast, available exclusively for Patreon supporters, here.
Happy movie watching!
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