Now that we’ve had a few weeks to process the Academy Award Nominations, I have some thoughts. I always get a little excited for the big day of the nominees. So after sifting through all the noise of complaints and now that we are less than a couple of weeks away from the telecast, I figured it’s time to have a more leveled observation. Are all my takes hot button issues? Probably not. But I know there are at least a couple of unpopular opinions here. I mostly get more upset with what others are saying or perhaps more accurately how they are saying it.  I’ll mention a few underrated and a few overrated movies or performances that the Academy did or did not pick up on, but I truly love this year’s crop of best films. Anyway, here are my Ten things I love and loathe about the Oscar Nominations before the Sunday, February 10, 2020 ceremony. 

11. I’m star struck! I do love some of these big stars nominated, which makes for a hopefully fun telecast. Hanks, Leo, Pitt, Tarantino, Scorsese, Pesci, Pacino, Theron, Phoenix, Banderas, Driver, ScarJo, Margot, Gerwig, Baumbauch, Mendes, and Waititi are some serious top dog names who will be thrilling to see on the red carpet.

10. I love the nominees…mostly – Yeah, that’s right, I’m beginning with lots of love. With 7 of my 10 favorite movies of 2019 (click the link to read my list) ) making the list of 9 Best Picture nominees, I am shocked with how closely aligned my own choices line up with the Academy. Furthermore, I really love the movies this past year. While, I will be rooting for 1917 to win the top prize, JOJO RABBIT, ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD, PARASITE, LITTLE WOMEN, JOKER and THE IRISHMAN are all incredible. Ultimately, I’m very pleased and can’t overstate that enough. Of course, there are always a few exceptions…

9. FORD V. FERRARI is an absolute joke of a best picture nomination – Sorry mom and dad, I know how much you love it. FORD V. FERRARI is mildly funny and average at its best. And that’s being polite. It would be generic if it came out twenty years ago offering nothing new within the formula and characters.  While I did not like it, I concede that it’s fine for a genre pick of an easy, enjoyable time, but nothing near Best Picture worthy material. With an over-the-top villain who inexplicably wants to sabotage a racer at the expense of his company succeeding, FVF feels as though it should have come out in the early 90’s. I personally think you’re better off watching the equally high brow material of DAYS OF THUNDER. 

8. UNCUT GEMS, BOOKSMART, MIDSOMMAR, HONEY BOY, and specifically Jennifer Lopez and Adam Sandler did NOT get snubbed – The Academy got it right not nominating these films.  Yes, they did some very good things but they also had problems and didn’t reach the level of the top five in any of the categories. Everyone always seems to ignore the fact that if you want these films in a category you have to remove another. Adam Sandler was excellent but I would not remove any of the other five acting nominees in favor of his performance.

7. PEANUT BUTTER FALCON, FAREWELL, DOLEMITE IS MY NAME are excellent films – All are wonderful and for their sake it’s simply unfortunate it was such a strong year for movies. Sure I would have loved to see an acting or perhaps more appropriately, costuming or screenplay nomination find its way for one of these films, but again, it was a tough year. However, some of those JOKER nominations could have probably been spread to these lesser seen films.

6. Did Scarlet Johansson really need to be double nominated? – Look, I think Johansson is a wonderful actress, but hear me out. Her double nomination means that someone else did not get nominated. Perhaps someone just as deserving, if not more so. This is tough because she’s great in both films, but I’m not sure she was top five in either category.  Personally, I’d keep her role in JOJO RABBIT as that jewel of a film deserves all the love it can get. Unfortunately, through no fault of her own, THE MARRIAGE STORY sort of unintentionally vilifies her character. I have a replacement in her category further on the list.

5. MARRIAGE STORY is overrated – So I know this is an unpopular opinion, but outside of the performances, I just don’t get it. I’m especially surprised at how one-sided the film is in the way it vilifies Scarlett’s character. I feel sorry for these characters and writer/director Noah Baumbach’s negative view and treatment of marriage.  I’m actually sorta concerned for everyone who is really drawn to this movie. Maybe that’s not completely fair. But, I’m going to guess that anyone who really likes this movie, either doesn’t have children or is a single male. This is brutal to watch, not because their marriage falls apart but because they are truly selfish and petty, who are not putting their child’s best interests above their own. Actually, Driver’s character puts forth a real effort and Scarlett’s character does not, which is the biggest problem of the film, being uneven while pretending that it actually a balanced view. While MARRIAGE STORY (click the link to read our full review) might be a true to life situation, that doesn’t make this film, particularly interesting or special as one of the best movies of the year. I want to be clear, I don’t completely loathe the movie, I loathe all the positive attention it’s receiving.

4. No Best Editing nomination for 1917? – It’s a testament to how great the editing is in 1917 with the fact that it wasn’t nominated.  How can a film that is one long take win editing? Because it actually isn’t one long take. There are a few key moments that transition the film or scene to make it look like it doesn’t cut away, when in actuality it does.  This sort of thing does take more planning beforehand but it doesn’t take away from the fact that you need some masterful editing skills to keep it all together and look like you didn’t do any work. Maybe I’m just bitter because I think it should have more nomination than JOKER, but that’s ultimately a small quibble. 

3. ABOMINABLE receives no love! – Not only no love in the Oscars but also in nearly all the different award ceremonies. I don’t understand how the awards can loathe something I love. People have been mentioning how FROZEN II was left off the ballot, but after TOY STORY 4, ABOMINABLE was the second best animated film, which I think should even win if it were in previous years.  Trust me, I’ve seen all the animated films, and it’s not even close.

2. Greta Gerwig should have been nominated for best director, not because she’s a female, but because she earned it  – I always make the argument as to who you would drop if you want someone else in.  My answer is Martin Scorsese. Yeah, that’s right! Todd Phillips for JOKER is the easier answer, which would also be okay, but I’m going with Scorsese. I loved THE IRISHMAN and I think Scorsese is one of the best directors of all time.  It made my top ten list! To be fair, I liked all five nominees. They all made my top ten list! But I think what Gerwig did with LITTLE WOMEN (which also made my top ten list) was ultimately more impressive. She made a tired and retreaded story feel fresh and alive with a newfound energy, which is the best film adaptation we’ve ever seen. On the other hand, Scorsese told a semi new story that felt a little tired and retreaded from his previous works. Again, I was enamored by the character development in both, but have to give the edge to Gerwig. Maybe the difference is marginal, but Scorsese is established as one of the greats. Why not give the new kid on the block a shot especially when you know women already receive less opportunity. To be clear, I hate the idea of nominating anyone simply because of race or gender. Yes, the women need more opportunities, and being nominated helps that. But when honoring the best work. I want the best work nominated.  In this case, Greta Gerwig had the better work over two of the nominees. Now I fear we are going to have to endure some awful nomination next year to meet the outrage that was messed up this year.

1. Lupita Nyongo in US was the best performance of the year – The fact that she was not nominated is in fact, the biggest legitimate snub of the year. I would trade any of the five nominees in the Best Actress category for Lupita. I don’t understand the Academy’s obsession of performances imitating real people in history over original characters. What Lupita did in US, pulling off double duty as two distinctly different and original characters would be impressive in any year, proving horror movies still don’t always receive their due justice. I love her performance and I loathe the fact that she wasn’t nominated. I mean the poster of her is literally a take on the popular duel sides of acting! 

 

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