THE 2024 OSCAR BEST PICTURE NOMINEES IN FOCUS


Deciding what direction to take this week’s list has been a struggle. I’d planned for something that relates to the 2024 Oscars given the award show will air on March 10th, but I didn’t know what I wanted to do. Rehashing some of the nominations from the 90s or 2000s didn’t seem necessary since we recently did this, so we’re going simple and putting the 2024 Oscar best picture nominees in focus. Why? Because it can be interesting to see what the academy deems as the “best” movies, and how very indifferent I feel about them.

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This year, most of the nominees have an R-rating which always puts me on edge to begin with because I don’t think most truly good stories need to have a rating that precludes some potential viewers and also, most of the time, a story can unfold without the unnecessary content that requires this rating for most films. I’ve also seen a grand total of one in this lineup. However, looking at the user ratings of most of these reveals over a 6 out of ten, so it’s a “me” situation I guess. Regardless of this, I’m going to go through the ten nominees and take a closer look at them all.


2024 OSCAR BEST PICTURE NOMINESS in FOCUS


AMERICAN FICTION

This one follows a novelist who is tired of stereotypes, so he writes a novel under a pen name only to be drawn into “hypocrisy and the madness he claims to disdain.” The studio’s synopsis also says this one “confronts our culture’s obsession with reducing people to outrageous stereotypes.” (R)

ANATOMY OF A FALL

This is an investigation courtroom drama from the sound of things about a woman and her eleven-year-old son. When Sandra is accused of murdering her husband (was he murdered? Did he take his own life?), this affects the bond she has with her son. (R)

THE 2024 OSCAR BEST PICTURE NOMINEES IN FOCUS. Looking at the 2024 #Oscar nominees ahead of the show. How many have you seen? #Oscars #BestPicture #Barbie Share on X

BARBIE

Controversial in weird ways, this live action film about the popular Mattel character, Barbie, is most recently controversial because of its lack of showing real feminism (like, really!? It’s a fun movie, let us just enjoy it without having a history lesson) and secondly because of its lack of best actress (Margot Robbie) and director (Greta Gerwig) nods. Despite the controversy, I did enjoy this film and it’s the sole title from this list I’ve seen. Really, it’s also the only title I’m likely to see. (PG-13)

KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON

Clocking in at three-and-a-half hours, this one takes place in the 1920s set in Oklahoma. It chronicles the murder of an Indian tribe who discovered oil, and the notice the FBI takes of these murders. Actress Lily Gladstone (starring with Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio) features in this, and also has a best actress nomination as do many actors from these best picture nominees. (R)

MAESTRO

Inspired by the life of a real person (as other of these titles are), this one follows Leonard Bernstein and the ups and downs of his relationship with Felicia, the woman he eventually shared a twenty-five year marriage with. Bradley Cooper not only stars in this but writes and directs, too. (R)

OPPENHEIMER

Follows the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb. The cast list is big on this one and includes Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Jason Clarke and of course, lead star Cillian Murphy. (R)

PAST LIVES

This title chronicles the adult lives of two people who were once childhood friends during their school years. Many years and moves later, they reunite after she marries and he’s in New York hoping to visit his friend again for the first time in many years. I would maybe watch this one. Based on photos and the text, it reminds me, somewhat, of the indie film with Chris Evans called Before You Go. (PG-13)

POOR THINGS

This one has already gotten some buzz and its leading lady Emma Stone already won an award for her role. Said to be a fantastical tale, it follows Stone’s Bella who is brought “back to life” by an unorthodox scientist and the kind of journey of finding her freedom when she runs off with a debauched lawyer. (R)

THE HOLDOVERS

Set in the 1970s, this one is about a teacher whom no one likes who is stuck at his school to stay with the students not returning home for Christmas. When all is said and done only he, a troubled eighteen-year-old and a cook remain. They become a trio starting off with nothing in common only to form their own little family during their unexpected holiday together. (R)

THE ZONE OF INTEREST

An Auschwitz commandant and his family make plans to build a dream home next door to the camp. This one seems unusually dark in many ways in direct contrast to the garden the commandant’s family wants to grow. Something that the poster image also seems to do a good job of conveying. (PG-13)

Have you seen any of these? Would you? Which ones appeal the most? Do you find most Oscar nominee titles don’t appeal? Do you watch the titles once the nominees release? Comment all of your thoughts below!


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About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

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