Oscars 2017
I love watching the Oscars because I love the idea of celebrating movies for three hours. But I don’t take the Oscars too seriously, because if I did, I’d just get maddeningly upset about their choices. Instead, I prefer to relax, not place too much importance on who wins and who loses, and hope for great humor from the host and a fun look back at the last year in movies.
To take a look at what I, in contrast to the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences, felt were the best films of 2016, click here for my list of my twenty favorite films of 2016.
Here are the films the Academy has selected:
Arrival: A great choice. This intelligent sci-fi film was in my Top Five of 2016. Wouldn’t it be nice if this film about the importance of science and communication won Best Picture? Click here for my review.
Fences: One of two Best Picture films that I haven’t seen yet. I am really sad to have missed this, it looks terrific. I love Denzel Washington, as an actor and also as a director. (The little-seen Devil in a Blue Dress is highly underrated.) I tried hard to see this over the past many weeks but it was gone from my area too quickly. I hope to see it soon.
Hacksaw Ridge: This is the other Best Picture film I haven’t seen, but unlike Fences, I have no desire to see this. I don’t think I have the stomach for this film’s blood-and-guts, and after his anti-Semitic outburst I decided I was done with Mel Gibson.
Hell or High Water: I loved this film. Glad to see it was nominated. Jeff Bridges gives one of his best performances. This movie was number seven on my Best Films of 2016 list. Click here for my review.
Hidden Figures: This movie tells an important, incredible true story. I just wish the actual film was better. Click here for my review.
La La Land: A solid, sweet, beautifully made film. Damien Chazelle proves that Whiplash was no fluke, and Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are both terrific. I didn’t worship this movie the way many critics seem to have, but I really enjoyed it and it made number eleven on my Best Films of 2016 list. Click here for my review.
Lion: I just saw this film last week, and I was blown away by it. It definitely would have made my Best Films of 2016 list had I seen it in time. I’m glad this little film is getting some love from the Academy. It’s devastatingly sad and also uplifting. Click here for my review.
Manchester by the Sea: A masterpiece. This was number six on my Best Films of 2016 list and, upon reflection, maybe it should have been even higher. It’s emotionally wrenching but it wasn’t a chore to watch; quite the opposite, in fact. Even after its two and a half hour run-time drew to a close, I wanted to spend more time with these characters, and in this world. This is one of the most naturalistic, humanistic films I have seen in ages. Click here for my review.
Moonlight: Like Lion, I saw this after completing my Best Films of 2016 list but it definitely would have held a high spot on my list had I seen it it time. Like Lion and Manchester by the Sea, this film is heartbreaking but I was nevertheless head over heels in love with the characters and the world of this story. I wish I could spend more time with Chiron, one of the most fully-fleshed-out characters I saw in any movie this year. Click here for my review.
Other than Hacksaw Ridge or Hidden Figures, I’d be happy for any of these films to win Best Picture on Sunday night. Well, OK, I liked La La Land but I will admit that I am rooting against it. I’d be ecstatic for Arrival, Hell or High Water, Lion, Manchester by the Sea, or Moonlight to take the top prize. (I’d be happy if Fences won too, even though I haven’t seen it.) We’ll see what happens!
Meanwhile, we’re deep into 2017 and there are already new movies to see. Hope to see you all back here on Monday! Thanks!!