Oscars 2017

It’s that time of year again.  We can’t stop talking about the Oscars even when we know it’s a remarkably irrelevant awards ceremony.  It just gives us an excuse to critique their choices while giving our takes on which movies deserved which awards.  I certainly have no intention of watching it this year because of the increased chance of sitting through some insufferably sanctimonious political rants.  Maybe they’ll give Meryl Streep another one just so she can give another mindlessly conceited screed about how millionaire celebrities are the real victims in society.

This year kinda makes wish this ceremony had an award for Best Scene because we all know which one should win that.

BEST PICTURE

Arrival, Fences, Hacksaw Ridge, Hell or High Water, Hidden Figures, La La Land, Lion, Manchester by the Sea, Moonlight

I’ve only seens three of these movies (Arrival, Hacksaw Ridge, Hell or High Water), so I don’t know what would be right here.  My favorite movie of 2016 so far was either 13 Hours or 10 Cloverfield Lane. If there’s anything that would make sitting through the Oscars this year tempting, it’s the off-chance that they might award Arrival.  Part of me wants to be there when The Academy finally awards Best Picture to a sci-fi film, even if it’s a pretty meaningless gesture at this point.  Hacksaw Ridge was pretty good, but it wasn’t Gibson’s best work.  I seem to be the only person who thinks Hell or High Water was a blandly competent No Country wannabe. 

BEST DIRECTOR

Denis Villenue (Arrival), Mel Gibson (Hacksaw Ridge), Damien Chazelle (La La Land), Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester by the Sea), Barry Jenkins (Moonlight)

I’ve only seen two of these movies.  Denis Villenue is a deserving choice, though I’d hate to see his making a terrible speech.  I intend to see more movies from him.  I liked Hacksaw Ridge, but it didn’t seem to have the edge that Gibson’s previous films did (besides he already won this award).  As much as I’d hate to admit it, I thought 13 Hours was a rare example of Michael Bay’s style used effectively. 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Mahershala Ali (Moonlight), Jeff Bridges (Hell or High Water), Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea), Dev Patel (Lion), Michael Shannon (Nocturnal Animals)  

I was particularly disappointed that they did not nominate John Goodman for 10 Cloverfield Lane.  It seems that the Academy tends to overlook experienced, overdue actors in favor of new blood, even though the latter has plenty of time to win.  While I haven’t seen most of the movies in this category, I know they could have sacrificed Jeff Bridges’ role to make room.   As much as I like Bridges, his role in Hell or High Water was the same Southerner type he’s been playing a lot lately.  In fact, he already won his Oscar for that same type of performance in Crazy Heart.  Sorry, John Goodman, fat people don’t get Oscars.

I also think Hugo Weaving (Hacksaw Ridge) is overdue, as well.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Hell or High Water (Taylor Sheridan), La La Land (Damien Chazelle), The Lobster (Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthimis Filippou), Manchester by the Sea (Kenneth Lonergan), 20^th Century Women (Mike Mills)

Again, haven’t seen most of them.  I’m not sure The Lobster should be on this year’s list since it’s a 2015 movie.

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT

Extremis, 4.1 Miles, Joe’s Violin, Watani: My Homeland, The White Helmets

Extremis and 4.1 Miles are both very poignant movies, while Joe’s Violin is heartwarming.  I haven’t gotten a chance to see Watani or White Helmets.  I’m pretty sure one of the ones about Syria are going to win, justifiably so.  It’s a real tragedy that’s going on there, and it’s shameful we’re refusing refugees from an area we destabilized while Europe does most of that work.  Not that The Left is totally off the hook here. 

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

Kubo and the Two Strings, Moana, My Life as a Zucchini, The Red Turtle, Zootopia

I haven’t seen My Life as a Zucchini or Red Turtle, but Kubo is the best of the ones I’ve seen.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Zootopia wins just for being more “important” than the others.  I will point out that I do not agree with the existence of this category.  An award should be made for Best Direction of an Animated Movie (a different job from directing a live-action movie), while the animated films should compete for Best Picture if they are worthy.

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM

Blind Vaysha, Borrowed Time, Pear Cider and Cigarettes, Pearl, Piper

I haven’t seen Pear Cider, and Borrowed Time was the best of the ones I’ve seen.

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

Jackie (Mica Levi), La La Land (Justin Hurwitz), Lion (Dustin O’Halloran and Hauschka), Moonlight (Nicholas Britell), Passengers (Thomas Newman)

La La Land had a nice, understated, and heartfelt score, but the one I’m rooting for out of the nominees is Passengers.  I think Bear McCready’s score for 10 Cloverfield Lane was deserving.  I would have preferred if Michael Giacchino get an overdue Oscar for his excellent Star Trek theme or his score for Doctor Strange.

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

“Audition” (La La Land), “City of Stars” (La La Land), “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” (Trolls), “The Empty Chair” (Jim: The James Foley Story), “How Far I’ll Go” (Moana)

“Audition” is the one I’m rooting for out of the nominees, but there were some blatant snubs from the Moana soundtrack.  They ignored much better songs from that movie and went with the generic “I Want”Song.  “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” is the most WTF nomination in this category since “Everything Is Awesome.”  If they wanted to go pop, why didn’t they nominate “Try Everything” from Zootopia?

You might even say they were TROLLING us.

BEST SOUND EDITING

Arrival, Deepwater Horizon, Hacksaw Ridge, La La Land, Sully

I wish The Nice Guys was nominated for this award.

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

Arrival, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Hail, Caesar!, La La Land, Passengers

Pretty good variety here.  I’m rooting for Hail, Caesar!

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

Allied, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Florence Foster Jenkins, Jackie, La La Land

It’s funny how genre films provide us with so many creative, iconic designs, and the Academy is like “ZOMG 40’s CLOTHES!!!!!!”

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Deepwater Horizon, Doctor Strange, The Jungle Book, Kubo and the Two Strings, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

 Deepwater Horizon’s effects worked in a gritty way, and Doctor Strange showed us some old-school acid trip visuals in CGI for the first time.  The Jungle Book’s looked imperfect and overhyped.  I loved Kubo’s animation, but I’m not sure it belonged in a live-action category.  It’s a given at this point that Star Wars movies have good special effects.