Oscars 2024
Omg it's 20 minutes until the ceremony. I prioritized watching my tenth best picture nominee, The Zone of Interest, over leaving time to write up reactions and make my picks (not predictions). List below copied from The New York Times.
Best Picture
American Fiction
Anatomy of a Fall
Barbie
The Holdovers
Killers of the Flower Moon
Maestro
Oppenheimer
Past Lives
Poor Things
The Zone of Interest
Another year with a strong list of nominees. I am looking forward to revisiting Past Lives, the earliest film on the list I saw, and Barbie. I just saw The Zone of Interest, which is conceptually brilliant but... I didn't love it. I join the crowd in thinking Maestro was an interesting miss, with beautiful cinematography and art design and appealing performances, but somewhat less that the sum of its parts.
There are films on this list which didn't 100% work for me, but still gave me a lot of food for thought to chew on, sometimes for days, like Oppenheimer. I left Poor Things thinking it was an amazing movie for which I am not the target audience. Anatomy of a Fall has some of the best acting I have ever seen, and is exquisitely made. But is also quite slow-moving, and even almost 20 years later after practicing as a criminal defense attorney the subject matter is still too triggering for me to easily enjoy.
I really liked Past Lives, The Holdovers, and American Fiction.
To me, two films stand above the rest. I don't have time to dive into the depths of Killers of the Flower Moon, and there is no bottom to find. But one movie touched me more, surprised me more, made me laugh harder, and made me cry harder than any other. I was convinced the moment it ended it was the best movie of the year, and I still am today. It's Barbie. I can't wait to see it again.
Best Director
Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest
Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things
Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer
Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon
Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall
Greta Gerwig isn't on this list--what?--so it is easy for me to choose Martin Scorsese. Christopher Nolan is a treasure with a lot more good movies in him. Justine Triet seems to have nailed what she set out to do and her work is exquisite. Yorogos Lanthimos' set would have probably been the most fun place to work.
Best Actor
Bradley Cooper, Maestro
Colman Domingo, Rustin
Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers
Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer
Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction
I didn't see Rustin, and I don't have anything bad to say about any of the other nominees. Bradley Cooper seems like he chose Leonard Bernstein in part because it was so far from his A Star is Born character so as to be doubly impressive. Jeffrey Wright is always good, although other films have shown him off to better advantage. I'm picking Paul Giamatti, who brought some movie star zip to The Holdovers.
Best Actress
Annette Bening, Nyad
Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon
Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall
Carey Mulligan, Maestro
Emma Stone, Poor Things
I haven't seen Nyad. Emma Stone is being lauded for Poor Things which she fully showed up for with no vanity. Carey Mulligan showed her mastery in a frankly unrewarding role in Maestro. But Sandra Hüller? She's a revelation in Anatomy of a Fall. Next level. [Edit: I have now seen Nyad, and Annette Benning is astonishing. Watch it on Netflix if you haven't already. I think I would still pick Hüller, but this list is all killers.]
Best Supporting Actor
Sterling K. Brown, American Fiction
Robert De Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon
Robert Downey Jr., Oppenheimer
Ryan Gosling, Barbie
Mark Ruffalo, Poor Things
I think Christopher Nolan made a mistake putting Robert Downey Jr's character at the center of Oppenheimer. Downey is fine in the film, but his storyline is the fourth most interesting one in the movie. Mark Ruffalo and Sterling Brown were both good but to my eye didn't deliver best-of-the-year performances. Ryan Gosling slayed in Barbie. But Robert De Niro's performance in Killers of the Flower Moon was the best I have seen him in many years. De Niro. Although I would also be happy for Gosling.
Best Supporting Actress
Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer
Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple
America Ferrera, Barbie
Jodie Foster, Nyad
Da’Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers
As of this writing, they have already given the award to Da'Vine Joy Randoplh, who I swear is the one whose performance I would have picked out of the three of these movies which I have seen (Oppenheimer, Barbie, and The Holdovers). [Edit: Jodie Foster is SO GOOD in Nyad! See it.]
Original Screenplay
Anatomy of a Fall
The Holdovers
May December
Maestro
Past Lives
I haven't seen May December [Edit: I have now. Meh]. This is a great opportunity to recognize Past Lives. You know when you see a movie on the list which looks like it doesn't belong? Nothing Oscar-baity about it, no big stars, didn't make a lot of money? Guess what--that movie is likely to be amazing. Past Lives is a delicate jewel.
Adapted Screenplay
American Fiction
Barbie
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
The Zone of Interest
American Fiction was quite original but I'm just stalling here--Barbie. A screenplay as great as it is improbable.
Animated Feature
The Boy and the Heron
Elemental
Nimona
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Robot Dreams
I've only seen Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in this category, and it is tremendous. A friend strongly recommended Nimona, which is streaming on Netflix. I'm still devastated I didn't see The Boy and the Heron before it left the theaters.
Production Design
Barbie
Killers of the Flower Moon
Napoleon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
Haven't seen Napoleon. The others all have outstanding production design. This could be a spot for Poor Things, but you know, there's a bias sometimes against fun and exuberant, and definitely a bias against pink. To me it's clear the best production design is in Barbie.
Costume Design
Barbie
Killers of the Flower Moon
Napoleon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
Is this even a question? Barbie.
Cinematography
El Conde
Killers of the Flower Moon
Maestro
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
There is a lot of good work here, but the cinematography is the best part of Maestro. That's my choice.
Editing
Anatomy of a Fall
The Holdovers
Killers of the Flower Moon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
This category is impossible to figure out. Could the best edited movie be the one that is 3.5 hours long? Sure. I'm going with Killers of the Flower Moon.
Makeup and Hairstyling
Golda
Maestro
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
Society of the Snow
The makeup and hairstyling is the second-best thing about Maestro. I can't pick Poor Things because Willem Defoe's makeup is as subtle as a brick. The only other film I've seen in this category is Oppenheimer--they sure made Cillian Murphy look gaunt and Robert Downey Jr. look old. I'll go with Maestro.
Sound
The Creator
Maestro
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One
Oppenheimer
The Zone of Interest
Oppenheimer had an atom bomb. Oppenheimer.
Visual Effects
The Creator
Godzilla Minus One
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One
Napoleon
Between the two movies I've seen in this category, I pick Mission: Impossible--Dead Reckoning Part One. I really need to see Godzilla Minus One.
Original Score
American Fiction
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Killers of the Flower Moon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
I remember thinking the score for American Fiction is not up to snuff, yet here it is nominated. Ditto Indiana Jones. Sorry. My choice is Killers of the Flower Moon, with a score by Robbie Robertson of The Band, who died a few months before the premiere.
Original Song
"The Fire Inside” (Flamin’ Hot)
"I’m Just Ken” (Barbie)
"It Never Went Away” (American Symphony)
“Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)” (Killers of the Flower Moon)
“What Was I Made For?” (Barbie)
Thank you, my pick, for making me realize that I am Kenough.
I skipped documentary, international feature, and the short film categories. This was one of the better telecasts (despite a lackluster opening monologue) with a number of standout moments culminating in "I'm Just Ken." The Academy agreed with my choices twice. See you next year.
Best Picture
American Fiction
Anatomy of a Fall
Barbie
The Holdovers
Killers of the Flower Moon
Maestro
Oppenheimer
Past Lives
Poor Things
The Zone of Interest
Another year with a strong list of nominees. I am looking forward to revisiting Past Lives, the earliest film on the list I saw, and Barbie. I just saw The Zone of Interest, which is conceptually brilliant but... I didn't love it. I join the crowd in thinking Maestro was an interesting miss, with beautiful cinematography and art design and appealing performances, but somewhat less that the sum of its parts.
There are films on this list which didn't 100% work for me, but still gave me a lot of food for thought to chew on, sometimes for days, like Oppenheimer. I left Poor Things thinking it was an amazing movie for which I am not the target audience. Anatomy of a Fall has some of the best acting I have ever seen, and is exquisitely made. But is also quite slow-moving, and even almost 20 years later after practicing as a criminal defense attorney the subject matter is still too triggering for me to easily enjoy.
I really liked Past Lives, The Holdovers, and American Fiction.
To me, two films stand above the rest. I don't have time to dive into the depths of Killers of the Flower Moon, and there is no bottom to find. But one movie touched me more, surprised me more, made me laugh harder, and made me cry harder than any other. I was convinced the moment it ended it was the best movie of the year, and I still am today. It's Barbie. I can't wait to see it again.
Best Director
Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest
Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things
Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer
Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon
Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall
Greta Gerwig isn't on this list--what?--so it is easy for me to choose Martin Scorsese. Christopher Nolan is a treasure with a lot more good movies in him. Justine Triet seems to have nailed what she set out to do and her work is exquisite. Yorogos Lanthimos' set would have probably been the most fun place to work.
Best Actor
Bradley Cooper, Maestro
Colman Domingo, Rustin
Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers
Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer
Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction
I didn't see Rustin, and I don't have anything bad to say about any of the other nominees. Bradley Cooper seems like he chose Leonard Bernstein in part because it was so far from his A Star is Born character so as to be doubly impressive. Jeffrey Wright is always good, although other films have shown him off to better advantage. I'm picking Paul Giamatti, who brought some movie star zip to The Holdovers.
Best Actress
Annette Bening, Nyad
Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon
Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall
Carey Mulligan, Maestro
Emma Stone, Poor Things
I haven't seen Nyad. Emma Stone is being lauded for Poor Things which she fully showed up for with no vanity. Carey Mulligan showed her mastery in a frankly unrewarding role in Maestro. But Sandra Hüller? She's a revelation in Anatomy of a Fall. Next level. [Edit: I have now seen Nyad, and Annette Benning is astonishing. Watch it on Netflix if you haven't already. I think I would still pick Hüller, but this list is all killers.]
Best Supporting Actor
Sterling K. Brown, American Fiction
Robert De Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon
Robert Downey Jr., Oppenheimer
Ryan Gosling, Barbie
Mark Ruffalo, Poor Things
I think Christopher Nolan made a mistake putting Robert Downey Jr's character at the center of Oppenheimer. Downey is fine in the film, but his storyline is the fourth most interesting one in the movie. Mark Ruffalo and Sterling Brown were both good but to my eye didn't deliver best-of-the-year performances. Ryan Gosling slayed in Barbie. But Robert De Niro's performance in Killers of the Flower Moon was the best I have seen him in many years. De Niro. Although I would also be happy for Gosling.
Best Supporting Actress
Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer
Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple
America Ferrera, Barbie
Jodie Foster, Nyad
Da’Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers
As of this writing, they have already given the award to Da'Vine Joy Randoplh, who I swear is the one whose performance I would have picked out of the three of these movies which I have seen (Oppenheimer, Barbie, and The Holdovers). [Edit: Jodie Foster is SO GOOD in Nyad! See it.]
Original Screenplay
Anatomy of a Fall
The Holdovers
May December
Maestro
Past Lives
I haven't seen May December [Edit: I have now. Meh]. This is a great opportunity to recognize Past Lives. You know when you see a movie on the list which looks like it doesn't belong? Nothing Oscar-baity about it, no big stars, didn't make a lot of money? Guess what--that movie is likely to be amazing. Past Lives is a delicate jewel.
Adapted Screenplay
American Fiction
Barbie
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
The Zone of Interest
American Fiction was quite original but I'm just stalling here--Barbie. A screenplay as great as it is improbable.
Animated Feature
The Boy and the Heron
Elemental
Nimona
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Robot Dreams
I've only seen Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in this category, and it is tremendous. A friend strongly recommended Nimona, which is streaming on Netflix. I'm still devastated I didn't see The Boy and the Heron before it left the theaters.
Production Design
Barbie
Killers of the Flower Moon
Napoleon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
Haven't seen Napoleon. The others all have outstanding production design. This could be a spot for Poor Things, but you know, there's a bias sometimes against fun and exuberant, and definitely a bias against pink. To me it's clear the best production design is in Barbie.
Costume Design
Barbie
Killers of the Flower Moon
Napoleon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
Is this even a question? Barbie.
Cinematography
El Conde
Killers of the Flower Moon
Maestro
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
There is a lot of good work here, but the cinematography is the best part of Maestro. That's my choice.
Editing
Anatomy of a Fall
The Holdovers
Killers of the Flower Moon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
This category is impossible to figure out. Could the best edited movie be the one that is 3.5 hours long? Sure. I'm going with Killers of the Flower Moon.
Makeup and Hairstyling
Golda
Maestro
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
Society of the Snow
The makeup and hairstyling is the second-best thing about Maestro. I can't pick Poor Things because Willem Defoe's makeup is as subtle as a brick. The only other film I've seen in this category is Oppenheimer--they sure made Cillian Murphy look gaunt and Robert Downey Jr. look old. I'll go with Maestro.
Sound
The Creator
Maestro
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One
Oppenheimer
The Zone of Interest
Oppenheimer had an atom bomb. Oppenheimer.
Visual Effects
The Creator
Godzilla Minus One
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One
Napoleon
Between the two movies I've seen in this category, I pick Mission: Impossible--Dead Reckoning Part One. I really need to see Godzilla Minus One.
Original Score
American Fiction
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Killers of the Flower Moon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
I remember thinking the score for American Fiction is not up to snuff, yet here it is nominated. Ditto Indiana Jones. Sorry. My choice is Killers of the Flower Moon, with a score by Robbie Robertson of The Band, who died a few months before the premiere.
Original Song
"The Fire Inside” (Flamin’ Hot)
"I’m Just Ken” (Barbie)
"It Never Went Away” (American Symphony)
“Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)” (Killers of the Flower Moon)
“What Was I Made For?” (Barbie)
Thank you, my pick, for making me realize that I am Kenough.
I skipped documentary, international feature, and the short film categories. This was one of the better telecasts (despite a lackluster opening monologue) with a number of standout moments culminating in "I'm Just Ken." The Academy agreed with my choices twice. See you next year.