Oscar Night!

 Its Oscar night. At least it starts early, huh? I've seen all 10 of the Best Picture nominees all of which were a pleasant experience and though I enjoyed some more than others, at least I come from experience in rating them. So, let's go.

Oppenheimer is brilliant as is virtually all movies made by Chriostopher Nolan. The story of Robert Oppenheimer, the man who pushed America to develop the atomic bomb before the Nazis, ya know bac when America hated Nazis. It covers it all, his youth, his relationship with Einstein, his personal life, his black listing and his regrets. It truly is a masterful work.

Poor Things features acting chops from Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo and Willem Dafoe. Unfortunately, I found the actual story to be lacking like every other film made by weirdo director Yorgos Lanthimos. The story of a highly sexualized sort of Frankenstein's monster becomes a story of yeah yeah I get it. And yes, a guy gets turned into a goat. But Emma Stone is fantastic in it.

Barbie was a pleasant surprise. The Greta Gerwig directed story of a doll was so much more. Featuring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, it's a real feminist screed. Much like Taylor Swift, young girls loved this movie and for that I'm fine with. Girls need role models like Barbie, Caitlin Clark and Taylor Swift. What they don't need is Katie Britt.

Zone of Interest is a Holocaust movie without the Holocaust. No violence takes place onscreen. The story of the camp commandant and his family simply going thru life as millions die within yards of their house. The indifference and the utter disdain for Jews (the house maids are ignored as if they didn't exist). It's all in German and after a while you realize how important that is. And it features a black lab in virtually every scene. The dog deserves a Canine Oscar.

Anatomy of a Fall is the story of a dead husband, a wife suspected of his murder, a marriage in deep trouble and the resulting effects on a deaf child. Did she kill him, did she not? You have to decide. And yet another dog stealing scenes. Doggie Oscar 2.

American Fiction is the story of an unsuccessful black writer who on a lark writes a script with every black stereotype imaginable. It becomes a hit much to his chagrin. The white condescension is really the point as the white liberals kiss his ass. The point is basically hammered home. Jeffrey Wright is wonderful as aways. 

The Holdovers is Alexander Payne's best film. Story of a bitter private school professor stuck looking after the holdovers during Christmas break. The holdovers being the kids with no hime to go back to, much like him. Paul Giamatti should get a lifetime achievement Oscar as well as an apology for not being nominated more often. The guy is fucking great in anything he does. But Da'Vine Joy Randolph as the grieving mother of a dead kid killed in 'Nam who comes to bond with them all is a godsend.

Killers of the Flower Moon is important to see as its a little-known history of white men breaking promises to the Native Americans of Oklahoma. Put em on the dead ass unfarmable land and when oil is discovered move in, kill them and steal the oil. The story of America. Lili Gladstone as the wife of Leonardo DiCaprio and her obvious pain is brilliant. Does he love her or is she simply there to murder her and take her money? She's Oscar bound.

Maestro isn't nearly as important as it thinks it is. Yes, it's a good story of the conflicted Leonard Bernstein, but it's also self-important and over the top. Bradley Cooper has made a good movie here, but not a great one.

Past Lives is one of those human stories that everybody can love. The story of a Korean immigrant who left her childhood friend behind and moves on with her life. Marrying a man and living a new life. But her childhood buddy can't let her go. When he finds her online, they begin the relationship in a new light, and he decides to visit her. What results is jealousy, heartbreak, self-doubt and finality. The ending is heartbreaking. This movie was my favorite of the ten.

Ok that's it. But what were my Top Ten of 2023? Presented without comment.

10) Dumb Money

9) You Hurt My Feelings

8) Killers of the Flower Moon

7) American Fiction

6) Anatomy of a Fall

5) The Holdovers

4) Oppenheimer

3) Zone of Interest

2) Past Lives

1) Godzilla Minus One

Yes, Godzilla was a masterpiece that I enjoyed more than any of them. Past Lives I've watched 3 times. It's this year's Moonlight. 

Honorable Mention.

Quiz Lady, Somewhere in Queens, Taylor Swift the Eras Tour, Rustin, Yogi, Freedoms Path, The Starling Girl , The Blackening, Reality, and The Beekeeper. 

Google em and watch.

Onward to tonight.