Welcome back to the 15th annual family ranking of the Oscars! This year I’m joined by my wife Emily, siblings Jason and Sarah, brother-in-law Tyler, and mother-in-law Barb. Plus, in a first appearance, my daughter Elisa is submitting her review of Wicked!
Since that’s a first, we’ll start with that.
Elisa
"Have you ever seen Wicked? Its really good! Here are three reasons why I love Wicked. The first reason is the songs are great, but these are the two songs I like best Popular and Defying Gravity. Second its nominated for best picture so its obviously one of the ten best movies that came out this year. The last reason is that there's a lot of famous people like Ariana Grande or Jeff Goldblum or Michelle Yeoh. Those are three reasons (I could name more) I love WICKED!"
Here’s the group consensus. The Brutalist ended up at the top, closely followed by a few others: I’m Still Here, Anora, and Wicked. While only 3 were able to see I’m Still Here, the 3 of us who saw it rated it highly enough that it made it to #2. Emelia Perez, the nomination leader, was last or second to last on all of our ballots. The most divisive movies of the year, with a big split between highs and lows, were The Substance and A Complete Unknown.
Best Director
Brady Corbet, The Brutalist: Emily, Jason, Sarah
Sean Baker, Anora: Ben, Tyler
Jaques Audiard, Emelia Perez: Barb
Best Actor
Adrien Brody, The Brutalist: Ben, Emily, Jason
Timothee Chalamet, A Complete Unknown: Barb, Sarah, Tyler
Best Actress
Fernanda Torres, I’m Still Here: Barb, Ben, Emily
Mikey Madison, Anora: Sarah, Tyler
Demi Moore, The Substance: Jason
Best Supporting Actor
Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain: Barb, Ben, Sarah, Tyler
Edward Norton, A Complete Unknown: Emily
Jeremy Strong, The Apprentice: Jason
Best Supporting Actress
Ariana Grande, Wicked: Ben, Emily, Jason, Sarah, Tyler
Zoe Saldana, Emelia Perez: Barb
Best Original Screenplay
A Real Pain: Barb, Emily, Sarah, Tyler
The Brutalist: Ben
The Substance: Jason
Best Adapted Screenplay
A Complete Unknown: Barb, Tyler
Conclave: Emily, Sarah
Nickel Boys: Jason
Sing Sing: Ben
Ben
After last year’s all-time great lineup, this year is more or a typical year, with a few movies I absolutely loved, several really strong ones, and a couple I was more mixed on. While we got a nice mix of movies this year, I was disappointed that a few of my favorites, Sing Sing, Challengers, and A Real Pain, didn’t show up in the Best Picture race.
1. The Brutalist: Simply incredible. There’s something extremely relevant about a movie that starts with an upside-down Statue of Liberty and shows the deep rot of America. And yet it also celebrates the power of great art, especially architecture, and the complex ways past traumas and relationships form a life. It’s very long, and yet there’s not a superfluous moment. There wasn’t another movie this year that kept me more engaged.
2. Anora: What a ride. I love everything about this movie: Mikey Madison’s star-making performance, the incredible sense of place (from a Manhattan strip club to the Russian enclaves of southern Brooklyn), and the rapid-fire dialogue. Most of all, I love director Sean Baker’s mastery of tone. He moves from giddy romance to screwball comedy to something much deeper, which leads to the most emotionally effective ending of the year.
3. Wicked: By unabashedly leaning into its Broadway roots and adding in some movie magic, Wicked hits it out of the park. I can’t think of anyone who would be better in these roles than Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, and the musical sequences are beautifully sung and choreographed. I can’t wait for Part II!
4. The Substance: This one has crept up my list since I saw it. Or perhaps it slithered up Hollywood Boulevard? Director Coralie Faraget creates a bloody, uncompromising, and very funny body-horror movie about the lengths a Hollywood actress will go to conform to societal beauty standards. Just when you think it’s done, it goes further! This has to be one of the most unique Best Picture nominees ever.
5. I’m Still Here: Fernanda Torres gives a towering performance as the matriarch of a large family dealing with an unimaginable situation. I love the way the first section of the movie spends time with this beautiful family, making all that is to come that much more tragic.
6. Nickel Boys: Based on a real-life boarding school in Florida, Nickel Boys is a bold and immersive look into a disturbing reality. The cinematography is stunning (HOW was it not nominated?), with several shots in the movie that simply took my breath away. While I think the first-person POV is a bold and distinctive directorial choice, there were times when, for me as a viewer, not seeing the characters’ faces kept me at more of an emotional remove.
7. Conclave: A fun, stylish, slightly campy look at an insular world. There’s nothing particularly groundbreaking about this movie, but I had a lot of fun following the machinations of these Real Housewives of the Vatican. Ralph Fiennes is always top-notch, and Isabella Rosselini knocks it out of the park in her big scene.
8. Dune: Part II: Dune Part II continues a lot of what I liked about Dune, and adds a great villain performance by Austin Butler. All the crafts are absolutely top-notch, and I love those worm-riding scenes, but after a while it started to feel a little repetitive. If I was more of a big fantasy/sci-fi fan, I imagine this one would rank a bit higher.
9. A Complete Unknown: As a longtime Dylan fan, I loved the way the movie interspersed so many iconic songs into the story, and the performances of the music are easily the was more mixed on the rest of the biopic and its depiction of Dylan. This pains me to say as a Chalamet fan, but the way Dylan is written and performed felt a little bit more like an impersonation than a real character. Thank god for those supporting performances, though! Elle Fanning, Edward Norton, and especially Monica Barbaro absolutely hit it out of the park and bring some real depth to a fairly standard script.
10. Emelia Perez: The internet has done plenty of dogpiling on this movie, so I’ll keep it brief. I didn’t hate it. In fact, I was pretty entertained through the first hour or so. By the second half of the movie, however, it all just felt pretty muddled in both its themes and construction, and for a musical the music really isn’t great. Zoe Saldana, who will almost certainly win Supporting (huh?) Actress, is definitely the highlight.
Director: Sean Baker (Anora)
Actor: Adrien Brody (The Brualist)
Actress: Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here)
Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)
Supporting Actress: Ariana Grande (Wicked)
Original Screenplay: The Brutalist
Adapted Screenplay: Sing Sing
Barb
Once again I will be traveling to D.C. for our annual Oscars party. One of my favorite trips each year!
1. WICKED
Incredible performances by both Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, supported by an impressive all-star cast. This is a movie that should definitely be seen on the big screen. The visuals are stunning. I know some people didn’t like that the movie is in two parts. I didn’t mind this. It allowed time for a more in-depth look at the backgrounds of its characters, especially Elphaba. I loved this movie, which isn’t a surprise because I’m a sucker for musicals. I can’t wait for part two.
2. A COMPLETE UNKNOWN
Boy did that take me back to the ‘60’s! I’ve always loved Dylan’s music and Timothee Chalamet did it justice. During COVID and the Actor’s Strike Chalamet learned to play the guitar and harmonica and studied Dylan’s voice and mannerisms. He insisted that he sing Dylan’s music live. Impressive. Chalamet was, of course, excellent and was surrounded by a strong supporting cast. I loved that there were so many of Dylan’s songs in the movie.
3. I’M STILL HERE
A touching movie about grief and loss, but also of resilience as a family tries to navigate during a time of political upheaval in Brazil. The matriarch of the family, Eunice Paiva (Fernanda Torres) tries desperately to find her husband who has been taken as a political prisoner while also trying to protect the rest of her family. An Oscar worthy performance by Torres. I didn’t realize that this was based on a book written by Paiva’s son Marcelo.
4. CONCLAVE
An inside look at the process of choosing a Pope. These are not perfect men and scandals and secrets are uncovered. A stellar cast led by Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci. That being said my favorite had to be Isabella Rossellini as Sister Agnes with her ever present watchful silence. As much as I liked this movie I didn’t like the ‘twist’ at the end. I thought it was gimmicky. That’s just me. A lot of people liked it.
5. DUNE: PART TWO
It’s been a good year for Timothee Chalamet. I generally don’t like science fiction, but this was an exception. Dune is visually stunning with strong characters and amazing special effects. I loved the sand worms. Although mostly serious, there are some softer moments. It helps to have seen Dune: Part One as Dune: Part Two picks up where it left off. This is a movie that should definitely be seen on the big screen.
6. ANORA
I think the sex scenes were a bit overdone. They’re sex workers. We get it. That being said, I loved this movie. What a wild and crazy ride! With the humor, there is also a very real sense of sadness. As much as you wanted things to work out for Anora, you knew they wouldn’t. Mikey Madison was terrific with a strong supporting cast.
7. THE BRUTALIST
An interesting story about Laszol Toth, a Hungarian Jew and holocaust survivor who immigrates to the United States post World War 11. Toth was an accomplished architect in Hungary. Like many immigrants, this is not an easy transition and Laszol, and many others, bring their trauma with them. Toth’s trauma greatly influenced his work leading to what was to become known as Brutalist architecture. An interesting movie but way too long. There were multiple storylines that I felt added nothing to the movie. Adrien Brody was, of course, excellent. I was wondering if this was a true story. It is not, although it is a mix of actual events.
8. EMILIA PEREZ
A musical about a drug cartel. Interesting. It’s a shame that Karla Sofia Gascon’s past media posts have overshadowed what I thought was a very good movie. Gascon is the first trans actor nominated for best actress. It was nice seeing four strong women, Gascon, Zoe Saldana, Selena Gomez and Adriana Paz recognized for their performances. At times I had no idea where the plot was heading, but it all seemed to work.
9. NICKEL BOYS
An uncomfortable story, but one that should be told. Nickel Boys certainly accomplishes this. Strong performances by Brandon Wilson, Ethan Herisse and Luke Tennie. I hate putting this so far down on my list because it really is a good movie. I liked the interesting ‘twist’ at the end. I know a lot of people really liked how it was filmed but I just found it distracting.
10. THE SUBSTANCE
Well, that was troubling. And bloody. A statement of the value society places on youth and beauty and the lengths Elisabeth (Demi Moore) was willing to go to remain relevant. Elisabeth certainly was her own worst enemy. Elisabeth’s alter ego, Sue (Margaret Qualley), falls into this same trap. Strong performances by Moore, Qualley and Dennis Quaid. Harvey (Quaid), who produces Elizabeth’s show meets with her at a restaurant one final time to tell her she has aged out. He does this all while slurping down shrimp. It was really disgusting. You knew all along that this was not going to end well. The final scene was horrifying. I think the ending with Elizabeth’s bloody remains being swept off her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was perfect.
BEST ACTOR: Timothee Chalamet, A Complete Unknown
BEST ACTRESS: Fernanda Torres, I’m Still Here
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Zoe Saldana, Emilia Perez
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain
BEST DIRECTOR: Jacques Audiard, Emilia Perez
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Jesse Eisenberg, A Real Pain
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Jay Cocks and James Mangold, A Complete Unknown
Emily
Happy Oscar Day! Atrocities, musicals, cousin frenemies, drug use mishaps, extreme full-body makeovers, Timothee Chalamet, and epilogues were the name of the game this year. Some reflections in haiku:
1. I'm Still Here
Fernanda Torres
Demonstrates how you go on
When it's all a mess.
2. The Brutalist
An architect makes
A community center
To never forget
[Addendum haiku:
Had you ever thought
About where marble comes from?
I really hadn't.]
3. Wicked
Elphaba's last scene
Up there in the western sky:
The best of the year.
4. Anora
Enter crazy worlds
Of oligarchs, sex workers.
Some boys are so lame.
5. Conclave
Don't ignore what those
Who have more X chromosomes
Can make men realize.
6. A Complete Unknown
He told Pete and Joan,
"The times they are a-changing"
And did his own thing.
7. The Substance
How society
Can push someone past the edge.
Closed my eyes so much.
8. Nickel Boys
An ugly chapter.
Did you need the end explained?
Pay close attention
9. Emilia Perez
Could you imagine
A trans drug lord musical?
Well here you have it.
10. Dune: Part 2
The scariest one
Was the one with the black teeth.
Found hard to follow.
Director: Brady Corbet
Actor: Adrian Brody
Actress: Fernanda Torres/Cynthia Erivo (tie-giving the edge to Fernanda if I must)
Supporting actor: Edward Norton
Supporting Actress: Ariana Grande
Original screenplay: A Real Pain
Adapted Screenplay: Conclave
Jason
1. The Brutalist
2. The Substance
3. Anora
4. Nickel Boys
5. Wicked
6. Conclave
7. Dune: Part II
8. A Complete Unknown
9. Emelia Perez
Director: Brady Corbet, The Brutalist
Actor: Adrien Brody, The Brutalist
Actress: Demi Moore, The Substance
Supporting Actor: Jeremy Strong, The Apprentice
Supporting Actress: Ariana Grande, Wicked
Original Screenplay: The Substance
Adapted Screenplay: Nickel Boys
Sarah
1. The Brualist
2. Conclave
3. Anora
4. A Complete Unknown
5. Wicked
6. The Substance
7. Dune Part II
8. Emelia Perez
Director: Brady Corbet, The Brutalist
Actor: Timothee Chalamet, A Complete Unknown
Actress: Mikey Madison, Anora
Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain
Supporting Actress: Ariana Grande, Wicked
Adapted Screenplay: Conclave
Original Screenplay: A Real Pain
Tyler
1. Anora
2. A Complete Unknown
3. The Brutalist
4. Dune Part II
5. Conclave
6. Wicked
7. The Substance
8. Emelia Perez
Director: Sean Baker, Anora
Actor: Timothee Chalamet, A Complete Unknown
Actress: Mikey Madison, Anora
Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain
Supporting Actress: Ariana Grande, Wicked
Adapted Screenplay: A Complete Unknown
Original Screenplay: A Real Pain
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