With this year’s Oscars Awards happening tomorrow, March 27th, I’ve watched all of the Best Picture nominees and reviewed each of them for your convenience. Hopefully, this guide gives you more insight as tomorrow’s ceremony goes underway and which films were the shining stars of 2021.
- Drive My Car
- This movie wasn’t my favorite, but I’m happy to see that after Parasite, more foreign language films are being nominated for Best Picture and have a fair chance of winning. I thought this was interesting and is worth a watch. 8/10
- Belfast
- I liked this movie and learned a lot from it, but I just think that it depends on the person. Some people may find this super interesting and educational while others will find it boring. I don’t think that this will win but I think it’s worth a watch. 7.5/10
- CODA
- I really, really liked CODA. Not only was it a beautiful movie, but it told such a harrowing and emotional story that was super eye opening to me as a hearing person who doesn’t have any deaf people in their life. I would recommend this movie to anyone and I hope that it wins big this year. 9/10
- Don’t Look Up
- This movie was really weird. I don’t know if I liked it, but with a cast like this, it’s hard to say anything bad about the acting. I bet this will win a lot this year. 7/10
- Dune
- I saw Dune right when it came out and I think I fell asleep at some point in it. I’m really glad they made it into a movie because I don’t think I could handle the book, but nonetheless, the parts I was awake for were good. It is sort of complicated and probably better if you have some background, but it isn’t a bad watch. I think I would prefer another movie on this list to win though. 7/10
- King Richard (rent)
- I really, really liked King Richard. I love a good sports movie and I didn’t really know much about Venus and Serena Williams in terms of their childhood, so I found this movie really interesting and informative. I don’t think it will win but I think that it’s worth watching for everyone and I recommend it. 8.5/10
- Licorice Pizza
- I was super excited to see this movie when I saw the previews, but when it came out and people started talking about it I got really weirded out. The main love story is between a minor and an adult which really didn’t make me feel good and also the movie is just…so long. The whole thing is will they/won’t they, and it gets so annoying and frustrating after like an hour. I don’t think I would watch it again and it’s not my pick for Best Picture. 4/10
- Nightmare Alley
- I was surprised that this got nominated, not because it’s bad but just because I feel like I haven’t seen movies like this get nominated. I’m a fan of Guillermo del Toro and actually enjoyed this movie quite a bit. If you also like del Toro, or just want to watch a fun movie, then I recommend this. 8/10
- The Power of the Dog
- This movie felt really long, but I didn’t hate it. It was an interesting story that explored some interesting things, but I think it just comes down to preferences and everyone’s personal preferences for this one. If you like something that is up to interpretation, then I suggest you check this out. 6.5/10
- West Side Story
- I’m really happy to see a movie-musical on the Best Picture nominee list. I, admittedly, haven’t seen the original West Side Story, but I think that this movie, if nothing else, does a great job to expose a new generation to West Side Story. I don’t think it will win and it’s not my pick but I think that it’s a good watch for everyone. 7/10
The one I hope wins Best Picture is CODA, but I think that Don’t Look Up or maybe King Richard will win.