The Academy Awards, frequently referred to as The Oscars, are about a month-and-a-half away at the time of this writing. It is the greatest annual celebration of the film industry in the United States (and arguably around the globe, as well). One could even argue that it is the most prestigious celebration of awards for any form of media. Oscars are awarded among nearly two-dozen categories. These categories range from best adapted screenplay, to best costume design, to the best original song, and many more.
However, one award stands tall amongst its peers, and is reserved as the final award of the night. That award is for the best picture. It celebrates what the academy deems to be the finest film of the past year.
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This year, there are 10 nominees for Best Picture:Belfast, CODA, Don’t Look Up, Drive My Car, Dune, King Richard, Licorice Pizza, Nightmare Alley, The Power of the Dog,andWest Side Story. These films range from science-fiction epic to coming-of-age comedies. So which film will win the most prestigious Oscar? That remains to be seen, but is worth examining.
Belfast
Belfastis a historical drama and coming-of-age story. It takes place in a hardened late 1960’s Belfast, Northern Ireland. Historical dramas generally tend to do well at The Academy Awards. The jewel in this film’s crown is that it hasJudi Dench cast as the family’s grandmother.
CODA
This next entry is an Apple original film, which helps make it stand out amongst the crowd. CODA stands for “Child of Deaf Adults.” The story’s protagonist is the only non-deaf person in her family. She has to make the gut-wrenching choice of pursuing her dreams in the music business or helping to salvage the family’s fishing business.
Don’t Look Up
This is probably themost heralded and widely-viewed filmon this list.Don’t Look Upis about two astronomers who go on a media blitz to warn the world of impending doom. The cast is absolutely star-studded, featuring veterans like Leonardo DiCaprio and Meryl Streep but also featuring the likes of pop star sensation Ariana Grande.Don’t Look Upis unique in that it is a comedic drama with science-fiction elements sprinkled in. The film has a lot of momentum leading into the Academy Awards.
Drive My Car
This Japanese drama features an actor and director whose wife has recently died. The protagonist is offered to produce a film in Hiroshima. Along the way, he begins to unravel some of the mysteries his late wife left behind.
Dune
Dunetakes a unique place in the entrants for this year’s Academy Awards. It is both an adaptation of a science fiction book series and also a remake of a woeful film from the 1980s. Essentially, a young man born into nobility is entrusted to keep and defend his galaxy’s most valuable resource.
As is the case withDon’t Look Up,Dunehas a similarly star-studded cast. It features Timothée Chalamet, Oscar Isaacs, Zendaya, and many more.Dunehas a massive fanbase and is definitely acontender to win Best Picture.
King Richard
King Richardis a biographical sports drama. This alone makes it a rather rare entrant for a Best Picture nominee. The movie chronicles the story of Richard Williams and his role as tennis coach for his daughters Venus and Serena Williams. In addition to being a story about tennis royalty, the film stars Will Smith and Jon Bernthal.
Licorice Pizza
The film’s title does not sound appetizing, but the story is about neither licorice nor pizza. It is aboutyoung love in California’s San Fernando Valleyduring the 1970s. This romantic comedy has garnered some buzz heading into the Academy Awards, but it did not do well at the box office. Bradley Cooper and Sean Penn are the well-known actors inLicorice Pizza.
Nightmare Alley
Nightmare Alleyis a force of naturein film form. Directed by the legendary Guillermo del Toro, the film features a manipulative carnival man who hooks up with a devious psychiatrist. The film has been nominated for four Oscars, including Best Picture.Nightmare Alleystars Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Ron Perlman, and many more.
The Power of the Dog
Directed by New Zealander Jane Campion,The Power of the Dogis a western romance piece. It is essentially about a charismatic and gritty rancher who struggles to embrace his family on his journey to finding love. The film did exceptionally well at the box office for a production with a relatively small budget.The Power of the Dogleads the movie pack with 12 Academy Award nominations.
West Side Story
West Side Storyis a modern adaptation of the 1957 musical by the same name.Directed by the legendary Steven Spielberg,West Side Storyis a dramatic musical that explores the tale of two lovers from different ethnic backgrounds. In the backdrop of a changing New York City, the film’s lovers are caught in the crosshairs of a feud between rival gangs the Jets and the Sharks. The film received much positive critical acclaim but tanked at the box office.
DuneandDon’t Look Uphave the most star-power amongst their respective actors. However,Nightmare AlleyandWest Side Storyare headed by household-name directors. Yet, the film most likely to win Best Picture isThe Power of the Dog. Leading man Benedict Cumberbatch has a commanding presence in films, and movies that get nominated for a dozen Oscars often steal the show at the Academy Awards. Lastly, the movie’s critical and commercial success could influence the voters at the academy.
The 94th Academy Awards will be presented live via ABC on Sunday, March 27th, 2022.
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