It’s HERE!! The Holy Grail of all Holy Grail’s aka the Superbowl Sunday of Movies – otherwise known as ‘THE OSCARS’. It’s the final day of my Oscar Countdown and I’ve saved the biggest and best for last. This is a very good slate of films, and most of them deserve to be here. And for the last time this year – I give who I think will win – and what my pick would be – as those two choices sometimes differ. And the nominees are:
BEST PICTURE
NOMINEES
BELFAST Possible upset win
Belfast was beautifully film in black and white, with a wonderful cast lead by a young man that should’ve had a Best Actor nom himself, Jude Hill. It’s a story-telling film, and be on the lookout everyone as we all forget sometimes that the Academy loves these kinds of films, as do I. It’s a very big possibility as the upset win – and I won’t be mad at that one at all.
Laura Berwick, Kenneth Branagh, Becca Kovacik and Tamar Thomas, Producers
CODA WINNER/MY PICK
CODA is a one-of-a-kind film. It’s tells so much, it’s got so many layers to it and for the first time in memory, features an almost entire deaf cast that speaking in ASL almost for the entire film. It’s about a father/daughter relationship, about life’s struggles, about the struggles of the disabled, and the story of one girls dreams woven throughout it. Some might see it as weak – I saw it as nothing but beautiful. Again, it’s story-telling at some of it’s finest.
Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi and Patrick Wachsberger, Producers
DON’T LOOK UP
I’ll never understand the hatred for this one – I enjoyed it. It played upon so many real-life things, maybe not always done perfectly, but done so sarcastically and I love wit and sarcasm like this. Will it win, nah, but it was fun.
Adam McKay and Kevin Messick, Producers
DRIVE MY CAR
We’ve had a couple great upsets last year with an International Film sweeping the Awards. Do I think the three-hour runtime might have hurt this one with Oscar voters – maybe. But I loved every minute of it as it was one of the few movies of that length that I had no problem sitting through.
Teruhisa Yamamoto, Producer
DUNE
I know many people have mad love for this one – I am on the ‘like’ side of it. I don’t think it’s going to be the upset or my win. Sorry Dune fans – nothing but love for you all though.
Mary Parent, Denis Villeneuve and Cale Boyter, Producers
KING RICHARD
King Richard is just a heartwarming story – no doubt about it. While it’s not perfect and yes, glosses over a few things but it’s sad that it never found that audience in theaters. For me as a tennis fan, it worked and it has a great ending that got even me emotional.
Tim White, Trevor White and Will Smith, Producers
LICORICE PIZZA
I had such high hopes going into this one – having heard the raving reviews up until that time. They made it extremely hard to see for a long time though, and when I finally did, I was more than just a little bit let down. No one runs from one side of the Valley to the other – no one. It had a few fun moments, but the Asian speaking thing was not funny, and I was surprised at how someone thought it would be.
Sara Murphy, Adam Somner and Paul Thomas Anderson, Producers
NIGHTMARE ALLEY
I can’t begin to explain how much I love Guillermo del Toro. This film was one of my favourite of the year – though I realize others didn’t feel the same, and I saw their points as well. If I could pick two – this would be my second pick.
Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale and Bradley Cooper, Producers
THE POWER OF THE DOG
Again, the hype around TPOTD before it even came out was this one person telling me it was going to be the Best Picture of the Year. After seeing it, while I tend to disagree with that point, that I think they now do as well, it does have something to it. Let’s be clear, I don’t dislike film, it’s just not the end-all, be-all that was hyped to me. And I’m not sure it’s backed up with favorable response from absolutely everyone either. The ending though – that ending wow’d me.
Jane Campion, Tanya Seghatchian, Emile Sherman, Iain Canning and Roger Frappier, Producers
WEST SIDE STORY
West Side Story also won’t win. But I do think it was terrific and I was floored by the dancing, chorography and costumes. It’s not about whether it’s better or worse than the original. It’s about the age old question of should some things be re-made at all? I can’t answer that one – but I do love originality.
Steven Spielberg and Kristie Macosko Krieger, Producers
The last thing I can say is forget about fighting over who wins or who loses. Everyone likes different things, celebrate that instead. And most of all – Enjoy the Oscars!
You can give me a follow on twitter: @pegsatthemovies or Instagram: Peggyatthemovies
Here we are – Day Five of my ‘SEVEN DAYS OF OSCARS’ countdown and we are at ‘Best Actor”. Once again I give who I think will win – and what my pick would be – as those two choices sometimes differ. The only thing I can add here is it is a crying shame that Jude Hill was not nominated in this category as that young man deserved to be here. But alas here we are – Will Smith might just be the winner here as he is so good in “King Richard.” But hot on his heels will be Andrew Garfield.
NOMINEES
JAVIER BARDEM – Being the Ricardos
As much as I love Javier – this isn’t his movie to win this award on.
BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH – The Power of the Dog
I remember a few weeks before this movie came out, one of those ‘know it all’ movie people told me they already knew who was going to win the Oscar and it was going to be Benedict. While I find him a good actor, I never find him able to pull off accents and that was again, my issue here – along with the fact being I never once believed he was a cowboy.
ANDREW GARFIELD – tick, tick…BOOM!VERYPOSSIBLE WINNER
Andrew is honestly in a tie with Will here – I know many that hope, wish and will lose sleep if he doesn’t. What he does do is manages to make this whole film work, as I honestly didn’t know much about Jonathan Larson before this film. Go for it Andrew – give us an upset.
WILL SMITH – King RichardWINNER/MY PICK
The minute I saw Will Smith as Richard Williams, I couldn’t believe how he picked up the nuances of the man so well. Being an avid tennis fan for YEARS now, I’ve seen the man be exactly who is was in the film, in person. And they left a lot on the sidewalk as well. Granted Smith should’ve won for Ali – but this, this is his Oscar to win.
DENZEL WASHINGTON – The Tragedy of Macbeth
How do you ignore Denzel in anything? Answer is: you don’t. Though Macbeth in and of itself, is not an exciting play to watch – Denzel does give it his take. I just don’t think it’s going to be enough to walk away with the statue this year.
DAY 4 of my “Countdown to the Oscars” and it’s BEST DIRECTOR time. So here we are with my reminder: I’m giving who I think the winner will be and my pick for whom I might like it to be. As it stands, it looks like Jane Campion will win and I don’t think anybody is going to be mad about that. And the nominees are:
NOMINEES
BELFAST – Kenneth Branagh
Belfast was so beautifully shot by Branagh that it makes me think – okay, yes, then maybe. It was as well a lovely story, but will the Oscars offers any upsets this year?…
DRIVE MY CAR – Ryusuke Hamaguchi
Ah, yes – the underdog for sure here in this race – again, such a beautifully directed film it’s hard not to want a little upset in this category and if not that, at least the hope the Hamaguchi will give us another magical masterpiece soon.
LICORICE PIZZA – Paul Thomas Anderson
I gotta give this one a flat no. Paul Thomas Anderson is definitely an acquired taste, and while I’ve loved some of this films, this one he just made one too many faux pauxs for me.
THE POWER OF THE DOG – Jane CampionWINNER
Jane’s done amazing work over the years. Is it my fave film? No, but I won’t be annoyed as directorial wise it’s done very well.
WEST SIDE STORY – Steven Spielberg MY PICK
Honestly, it’s hard not to have a part of me want Spielberg here as he was firing on all cylinders in a visual sense. It was very reminiscent of the young Spielberg and most of all, it was exciting to watch.
Thanks all for taking the time to give this a read. Let me know your thoughts on if you agree or disagree with my picks. Don’t forget to give this page a follow or on twitter as well @pegsatthemovies/IG: peggyatthemovies
Continuing with the Oscar countdown ~ we are moving along to Best Supporting Actress – and it’s a category full of talent. Who do I think will win – and what my pick would be – as those two choices sometimes differ.
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
NOMINEES
JESSIE BUCKLEY – The Lost Daughter
Jessie shines here and even though it’s a bit of a slow, almost Lifetime paced film, you can’t deny her performance comes through.
ARIANA DEBOSE – West Side StoryMY PICK/WINNER
Her-story can be made here and yes, yes, YES it should be. There isn’t much else to be said as this performance rivals only it’s original.
JUDI DENCH – Belfast
Judi Dench, like her counter-part Ciaran, never disappoints and this role is so tailor-made for her as she sews her way into our hearts once again.
KIRSTEN DUNST – The Power of the Dog
Kirsten played the sadness of this role so well, but it’s just again, a case of possibly me not loving this film entirely as much as others that I don’t see it happening.
AUNJANUE ELLIS – King Richard
The nomination for Ms. Ellis is long overdue here and while the category might have a sealed winner and not just in my mind, I am hoping this is just the beginning of recognizing her for more of these.
Day 2 of the countdown ~ And remember, this is a category known for going to the most random of choices, except this year I think we have a ‘given’ Reminder: I’m giving who I think the winner will be and what would be my pick. And the nominees are:
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
NOMINEES
CIARÁN HINDS – Belfast
Ciaran Hinds is just one of those actors – the kind that holds the screen with everything he does – and he’s always wonderful at it. No less so in Belfast here – he was wonderful.
TROY KOTSUR – CODA WINNER/MY PICK
What can you say about Troy Kotsur that hasn’t already been said? Nothing, that’s what. It’s not just a spectacular performance – it’s also that he’s just so darn nice and the pure joy and seeing him win awards makes your entire day.
JESSE PLEMONS – The Power of the Dog
When The Power of the Dog first came out and people were over looking the brilliance of Jesse’s performance, I was right there calling it out for what it was – wonderful. The understated brilliance of it is exactly what makes. Plemmons most definitely deserves to be here.
J.K. SIMMONS – Being the Ricardos
You’d be hard pressed to find a bad J.K. Simmons performance – and there is a reason for that. He gives it his all every time.
KODI SMIT-MCPHEE – The Power of the Dog
While I might not love The Power of the Dog as a whole, I do like it, and the reason I liked it a lot was because of this guy right here: Kodi Smit-McPhee. He was incredible, subtly making you think one thing of his character, all the while making you pay attention to what he was really doing. The ending scene sealed the deal for me – you can’t be mad if wins this one.
Set on a Montana cattle ranch in 1925, Jane Campion’s psychological Western is a slow burn. Her adaptation from the novel by Thomas Savage, depicts somewhat of a four-sided death waltz between two brothers. One is a tortured cowboy PhilBurbank (Benedict Cumberbatch), the other, his softhearted brother George Burbank (Jesse Plemons), who have drifted apart in their manner and outlook on the constant life on the range and running of the family ranch. When George marries a restaurant owner named Rose Gordon (Kirsten Dunst), a single mother with a delicate-seeming teenage son Peter (Kodi-Smit McPhee), the stress on their relationship deepens – especially since all four will now have to live on the family ranch together. The movie is divided into five chapters – none which are given a name, but simply an on screen number and these numbers are a clue as to how the story is going to unfold in progressive steps, with each act building into the next. The story that unfolds from this whole scenario is so many things, but mostly can almost be looked at as a cautionary tale, with it being told in a way that feels almost like a study of it’s characters. As the chapters ensue, the focus subtly changes as does the focus on what characters come to the forefront of issues in each of their lives. It’s a movie that demands your complete attention as the individual incidents often matter less than what isn’t shown, the underlying means of it all. Blink and you just might miss it all.
As well the acting is for the most part, on par with Cumberbatch not being anyone’s first idea of a cowboy. While he does well with the body of work, he is just not good with accents and this one as well, is all over the place. Plemons subtle turn as George is just divine and Dunst is fine as well, but heads above the rest is Smit-McPhee, who has the toughest task as the smart, somewhat devious, shy young man who consistently surprises the viewer – pay attention to this character as he is the underlying thread throughout as little pieces of him are given to you at times, that if you miss them, you won’t understand the absolute brilliance of his character. Thomasin McKenzie, Adam Beach and Keith Carradine fill out some of the fairly large supporting cast as well.
Grade: B-
“THE POWER OF THE DOG” is streaming on Netflix
Follow me on twitter: @pegsatthemovies or Instagram: Peggyatthemovies
Peggy at the Movies ~ Film Critic | Movie Maven | Reviews & More"
Peggy at the Movies 