Oscar fever reaches a frenzy in the early part of the year, with everyone rooting for their favourite films, actors, and directors to win the top prize. The 87th Academy Award nominations invited a lot of a criticism over certain 'snubs' and the lack of diversity in the nominations.
In fact, this is something to be pleased about, because the political motivations of the Academy, especially in the last few years, threatened the credibility of the Oscars. Moreover, the nominations for the Best Picture category are a vast improvement over the last two years, because four of the eight nominees definitely belong in the category.
In this article I will talk about the nominees for Best Picture, Director, and Writing.
Best Original Screenplay -
Birdman by Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr. and Armando Bo - One of the best Hollywood films I have seen in a while. Apart from being a captivating and extremely economical screenplay, its brilliance lies in the sheer ambitiousness of the project. The screenplay had to be just perfect, as no scene could be edited out later because of the film being presented as one shot. It has immense thematic importance in today's world, as it is centred around art, cinema, and commercialisation.
Boyhood by Richard Linklater - One of the most unique experiments in the history of cinema, this slice of life film deserves a nomination for its unique, yet realistic characters. However, if you think of it as a film that is shot normally, instead of over 12 years, you can't help but think that it is not as well written as Richard Linklater's Before Sunrise trilogy.
Foxcatcher by E Max Frye and Dan Futterman - I don't know why this film has been nominated in this category. It is a confused and boring biopic that rides solely on the performances of its three leads. Thematically, it doesn't offer you anything significant or complex.
The Grand Budapest Hotel by Wes Anderson and Hugo Guinness - One look at a single scene in this film is enough to tell you who it's made by, and this is coming from someone who has only seen one other Wes Anderson film. With witty and hilarious dialogue that surrounds an intriguing plot, it is a script so well thought out that despite an extremely unusual style and setting, it gives you an engaging experience of a wonderful microcosm.
Nightcrawler by Dan Gilroy - This intense thriller is definitely one of the biggest snubs in the Best Picture category. A gripping character study of a highly intelligent sociopath, this film is also a fascinating portrayal of the moral degeneration of American society. There are very few character driven thrillers that can engage you as well. Neo-noir is back with a bang.
My pick - Nightcrawler
Favourite to win - Nightcrawler or The Grand Budapest Hotel
Best Adapted Screenplay -
American Sniper by Jason Hall - Jingoistic tripe.
The Imitation Game by Graham Moore - This film has invited a lot of criticism due to its simplistic portrayal of Alan Turing, which, according to many, does him great injustice. I couldn't disagree more with this viewpoint. Biopics are incredibly hard to make, and I was extremely pleased to see one which had a clear and focused narrative, instead of being too hung up on historical accuracy. Through a simplistic narrative, this film conveyed the injustices one has to face for not bowing down to the rules of society, even if one is a hero.
Inherent Vice by Paul Thomas Anderson - An old school mystery with an intricate plot on the surface, this film may be a little too long and complicated for its own good, as one viewing is not enough to appreciate its plot details and thematic nuances.
The Theory of Everything by Anthony McCarten - Yes, there had to have been a film made about Stephen Hawking, but I was not very impressed by this one, because it did not seem to have a lot to offer besides the performances. The film lacks focus and meanders in parts.
Whiplash by Damien Chazelle - An age-old story told in a wonderfully refreshing manner without resorting to clichés. Very tight and economical, with only two main characters in the story, this film is a great example of how independent cinema can kick Big Hollywood's ass.
My pick - Whiplash
Favourite to win - Whiplash
Best Director -
Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel - Anderson's unique visual style, apart from being very pleasing to the eye, also complements the film's setting. The film relies heavily on visual comedy, which works so well because of Anderson's excellent use of space and perfect comic timing.
Alejandro González Iñárritu, Birdman - What do I say? A film that is presented as one single shot, immersing the viewer in a world from which there is no escape for the protagonist, and combines surrealism with drama that feels like it's unfolding right before one's eyes. Iñárritu translates his vision into a spectacle like very few can.
Richard Linklater, Boyhood - If we're talking of vision, then this man does not fall too far behind. The ambitiousness of the project demanded that he maintain uniformity in the tone of the entire film. The decision to shoot it over 12 years meant that it was imperative for Linklater to make sure that the world of the film was not affected by the influences that could creep in from the real world, which he did. Extracting wonderfully natural performances from actors is something that even the best of the trade can learn from him.
Bennett Miller, Foxcatcher - Again, I do not know why this film is nominated. If its screenplay is confused, then its direction adds to the confusion.
Morten Tyldum, The Imitation Game - While I liked the film's screenplay, I do not know if the direction deserves the honour of an Oscar nomination. Tyldum does not do anything out of the ordinary, and the film rides on Cumberbatch's performance and a screenplay designed to evoke emotion.
My pick - Alejandro González Iñárritu, Birdman
Favourite to win - Richard Linklater, Boyhood
Best Picture -
American Sniper - This one beats Argo when it comes to jingoism and racism, so will it win? If it does, then this will be the last time that I watch the Oscars. A more apt title for this film would've been American Jihadist - White And Might Make Right.
Birdman - If I have not already impressed upon you why this film is brilliant, then here goes - start with an impressive and ambitious vision of an extremely gifted filmmaker, pour an intriguing story into a pot, simmer till it turns into a brilliantly rich screenplay, add a bunch of fantastic actors, stir until they breathe life into their characters, adding innovative filming techniques every few seconds, garnish it with a good score and some humour, and serve hot. This is a dish that comes once in a decade.
Boyhood - Richard Linklater has not won an Oscar for his Before Sunrise trilogy, and that is a gross injustice which the Academy might try to make up for, as they did with Tarantino for Django Unchained. Boyhood is a very well written film with excellent performances and great direction, but it is not as good as the Before Sunrise trilogy, nor is it the best film among the nominees this year, and I hope that the Academy has considered that instead of setting out to right past wrongs.
The Grand Budapest Hotel - There is a reason why films made by writer-directors are the most memorable. One can't tell where the writing ends and the direction begins. The same script without Anderson's unique directorial style would hardly work. Anderson has treated a melancholic story as a comedy in a setting that is quite fantastic, and made sure that it is a film that is impossible to not like. How many filmmakers can do that?
The Imitation Game - As I have indicated before, this film succeeds in doing what it set out to do, which is to impress upon the audience the great injustice that not only Turing, but countless others faced, and continue to face. But as far as awards go, it falls short of the mark, especially considering the films it's up against.
Selma - I understand why this film has been seen as one of the biggest snubs in other categories. If the likes of Foxcatcher can be nominated both for achievement in writing and direction, then Selma definitely cannot be rejected on the grounds of merit. The controversy surrounding the portrayal of Lyndon Johnson could be the reason behind this snub. As I have said many times, a filmmaker's job is to craft a compelling narrative, and for that, they often need artistic license. While Selma is not an incredible film, it is definitely not worse than some of the other films that have received more nominations.
The Theory of Everything - A film about one of the most brilliant minds in the world, a man who fought all odds in the face of an incurable disease, deserved to be much better than this, for it does not strike a chord, and feels clichéd at times. However, the performances by the actors, Eddie Redmayne in particular, deserve all the accolades that they have received and more.
Whiplash - The only independent film to have been nominated for the top prize, this film breaks stereotypes that are often associated with indie films. It is thoroughly engaging despite the fact that, at its core, the story is as old as it gets. It certainly deserves an award for writing, but as far as the Best Picture category goes, I think it'll have to be content with a nomination.
My pick - Birdman
Favourite to win - Birdman or Boyhood
In fact, this is something to be pleased about, because the political motivations of the Academy, especially in the last few years, threatened the credibility of the Oscars. Moreover, the nominations for the Best Picture category are a vast improvement over the last two years, because four of the eight nominees definitely belong in the category.
In this article I will talk about the nominees for Best Picture, Director, and Writing.
Best Original Screenplay -
Birdman by Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr. and Armando Bo - One of the best Hollywood films I have seen in a while. Apart from being a captivating and extremely economical screenplay, its brilliance lies in the sheer ambitiousness of the project. The screenplay had to be just perfect, as no scene could be edited out later because of the film being presented as one shot. It has immense thematic importance in today's world, as it is centred around art, cinema, and commercialisation.
Boyhood by Richard Linklater - One of the most unique experiments in the history of cinema, this slice of life film deserves a nomination for its unique, yet realistic characters. However, if you think of it as a film that is shot normally, instead of over 12 years, you can't help but think that it is not as well written as Richard Linklater's Before Sunrise trilogy.
Foxcatcher by E Max Frye and Dan Futterman - I don't know why this film has been nominated in this category. It is a confused and boring biopic that rides solely on the performances of its three leads. Thematically, it doesn't offer you anything significant or complex.
The Grand Budapest Hotel by Wes Anderson and Hugo Guinness - One look at a single scene in this film is enough to tell you who it's made by, and this is coming from someone who has only seen one other Wes Anderson film. With witty and hilarious dialogue that surrounds an intriguing plot, it is a script so well thought out that despite an extremely unusual style and setting, it gives you an engaging experience of a wonderful microcosm.
Nightcrawler by Dan Gilroy - This intense thriller is definitely one of the biggest snubs in the Best Picture category. A gripping character study of a highly intelligent sociopath, this film is also a fascinating portrayal of the moral degeneration of American society. There are very few character driven thrillers that can engage you as well. Neo-noir is back with a bang.
My pick - Nightcrawler
Favourite to win - Nightcrawler or The Grand Budapest Hotel
Best Adapted Screenplay -
American Sniper by Jason Hall - Jingoistic tripe.
The Imitation Game by Graham Moore - This film has invited a lot of criticism due to its simplistic portrayal of Alan Turing, which, according to many, does him great injustice. I couldn't disagree more with this viewpoint. Biopics are incredibly hard to make, and I was extremely pleased to see one which had a clear and focused narrative, instead of being too hung up on historical accuracy. Through a simplistic narrative, this film conveyed the injustices one has to face for not bowing down to the rules of society, even if one is a hero.
Inherent Vice by Paul Thomas Anderson - An old school mystery with an intricate plot on the surface, this film may be a little too long and complicated for its own good, as one viewing is not enough to appreciate its plot details and thematic nuances.
The Theory of Everything by Anthony McCarten - Yes, there had to have been a film made about Stephen Hawking, but I was not very impressed by this one, because it did not seem to have a lot to offer besides the performances. The film lacks focus and meanders in parts.
Whiplash by Damien Chazelle - An age-old story told in a wonderfully refreshing manner without resorting to clichés. Very tight and economical, with only two main characters in the story, this film is a great example of how independent cinema can kick Big Hollywood's ass.
My pick - Whiplash
Favourite to win - Whiplash
Best Director -
Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel - Anderson's unique visual style, apart from being very pleasing to the eye, also complements the film's setting. The film relies heavily on visual comedy, which works so well because of Anderson's excellent use of space and perfect comic timing.
Alejandro González Iñárritu, Birdman - What do I say? A film that is presented as one single shot, immersing the viewer in a world from which there is no escape for the protagonist, and combines surrealism with drama that feels like it's unfolding right before one's eyes. Iñárritu translates his vision into a spectacle like very few can.
Richard Linklater, Boyhood - If we're talking of vision, then this man does not fall too far behind. The ambitiousness of the project demanded that he maintain uniformity in the tone of the entire film. The decision to shoot it over 12 years meant that it was imperative for Linklater to make sure that the world of the film was not affected by the influences that could creep in from the real world, which he did. Extracting wonderfully natural performances from actors is something that even the best of the trade can learn from him.
Bennett Miller, Foxcatcher - Again, I do not know why this film is nominated. If its screenplay is confused, then its direction adds to the confusion.
Morten Tyldum, The Imitation Game - While I liked the film's screenplay, I do not know if the direction deserves the honour of an Oscar nomination. Tyldum does not do anything out of the ordinary, and the film rides on Cumberbatch's performance and a screenplay designed to evoke emotion.
My pick - Alejandro González Iñárritu, Birdman
Favourite to win - Richard Linklater, Boyhood
Best Picture -
American Sniper - This one beats Argo when it comes to jingoism and racism, so will it win? If it does, then this will be the last time that I watch the Oscars. A more apt title for this film would've been American Jihadist - White And Might Make Right.
Birdman - If I have not already impressed upon you why this film is brilliant, then here goes - start with an impressive and ambitious vision of an extremely gifted filmmaker, pour an intriguing story into a pot, simmer till it turns into a brilliantly rich screenplay, add a bunch of fantastic actors, stir until they breathe life into their characters, adding innovative filming techniques every few seconds, garnish it with a good score and some humour, and serve hot. This is a dish that comes once in a decade.
Boyhood - Richard Linklater has not won an Oscar for his Before Sunrise trilogy, and that is a gross injustice which the Academy might try to make up for, as they did with Tarantino for Django Unchained. Boyhood is a very well written film with excellent performances and great direction, but it is not as good as the Before Sunrise trilogy, nor is it the best film among the nominees this year, and I hope that the Academy has considered that instead of setting out to right past wrongs.
The Grand Budapest Hotel - There is a reason why films made by writer-directors are the most memorable. One can't tell where the writing ends and the direction begins. The same script without Anderson's unique directorial style would hardly work. Anderson has treated a melancholic story as a comedy in a setting that is quite fantastic, and made sure that it is a film that is impossible to not like. How many filmmakers can do that?
The Imitation Game - As I have indicated before, this film succeeds in doing what it set out to do, which is to impress upon the audience the great injustice that not only Turing, but countless others faced, and continue to face. But as far as awards go, it falls short of the mark, especially considering the films it's up against.
The Theory of Everything - A film about one of the most brilliant minds in the world, a man who fought all odds in the face of an incurable disease, deserved to be much better than this, for it does not strike a chord, and feels clichéd at times. However, the performances by the actors, Eddie Redmayne in particular, deserve all the accolades that they have received and more.
Whiplash - The only independent film to have been nominated for the top prize, this film breaks stereotypes that are often associated with indie films. It is thoroughly engaging despite the fact that, at its core, the story is as old as it gets. It certainly deserves an award for writing, but as far as the Best Picture category goes, I think it'll have to be content with a nomination.
My pick - Birdman
Favourite to win - Birdman or Boyhood
Agree with your latter three picks. Birdman , Whiplash and The Grand Budapest Hotel were AWESOME !!! Jake Gyllenhal sure deserved a best actor nomination but Michael Keaton is the one who truly deserves the trophy. J K Simmons has outdone himself and has raised the bar too high for other nominated actors to even come close to be deserving to win the award.For the visual and sound effects Interstellar is the worthy winner (the score by zimmer was as usual mind-blowing). In my opinion Birdman is the best picture of 2014(actually it's the best movie in the last 7 years) followed by Whiplash and then Boyhood.
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