It's that time again! The time where everyone gets highly critical of film criticism culture, even though barely anyone actually cares about the award show and will just Google what won best picture then next morning and go "huh". Not that I'm against that response honestly. just like last year, I've seen about half the nominees so will give my short opinion about each one and who I want to to win, etc... Starting with... Oh damn.
Emilia Perez
As a trans person who likes movies and being mad, I feel like I should have an opinion on this. But I haven't seen the movie and don't plan to watch it ever. Everything I hear about the movie just sounds like a slog to get through. I think the reason this movie got nominated is because it's a political statement. Trans rights have been a hot button issue that last couple years, with my side wanting the right to exist in a way that feels comfortable to them, and the wrong side getting offended and calling us pedophiles for it. The Academy always wants to look like they are on the right side of history, so they of course went over board and gave a million nominations. The funny thing is, they completely snubbed I Saw The TV Glow, a movie that does a great job expressing the transgender experience. Apparently. I haven't seen it yet.
The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Nickle Boys, and I'm Still Here
Haven't seen these, either because they didn't come to my theater or they came out after I got fired. I wish I did see the Complete Unknown, that would have been a really funny juxtaposed with the two other musician biopics that came out last year. The Brutalist also looks pretty cool.
Anora
Huh. Wasn't expecting this nomination, but good for Anora! It's not gonna win.
Dune Part Two
I'm conflicted that three of the nominees are movies I have on my best movies of the year list. On one hand, that implicitly gives credibility to my reviews since I agree with the majority of major film critics. But as a anarchist punk I'm annoyed that my tastes are so radically different from the establishment. (That being said, they are the three bottom choices on my top ten of the year, so I'm not too similar I guess.) Regardless, Dune Part Two has been nominated for the same reason it was on my top ten best movies of the year list. Because it was the only mainstream movie that came out that was really good.
Conclave
Aw sick! I love Conclave as you all should know, and I feel like no one gave it a chance in theaters so I'm absolutely psyched to see it get the attention it deserves. That being said, it's not my pick to win. I still like it the best over all other nominees, but I have a sneakier reason for why I want what I want to win to win. Still, awesome!
The Substance
This is my pick to win. Not because I like this movie the best, my tumultuous relationship with this movie is well known by those who are forced to hear me talk. But I really love the idea of snobs who only watch the best picture of the year switching it on with no knowledge of what happens in the movie, and getting absolutely disgusted at Margaret Qualley turning into the Elephant Man. (She should have gotten a supporting actress nom. SMDH Academy.)
Wicked
Oh fuck off! Not to get conspiratorial, but I'm pretty sure the only reason why Wicked has a best picture nomination is because Disney owns ABC and ABC is the channel that hosts the Oscars. Even if you like this movie, you'd have to agree with me. Because think about it. There is no way the stuffy old guard would actually consider it as a potential Best Picture of the year, which means they gave it a nomination for a particular reason. It wasn't because it's a female lead movie, like half the nominees are female lead. It wasn't because it was pop culture movie, because that's why Dune Part Two is here. And it can't be for genre diversity since Emilia Perez is also a musical!
As you can see, not dead quite yet. I have a feeling I'll post at least one more review when that Superman movie comes out and blows my mind. I guess you'll never truly escape me.
