1. Call Me By Your Name

This international co-production takes place in the 80's and the cinematography nicely reflects that.  Very strong performances by both the Lone Ranger Army Hammer and the kid Timothée Chalamet (who was also in Lady Bird).  The story deals with a boy and his father's adult professorial assistant falling in love/lust.  Hold ooon, hold on, it takes place in Italy where the age of consent is probably lower.  Probably. In any event, the film looks like it belongs in the Criterion collection where were it not for the date on the credits, would be indiscernible from a movie shot in 1983.  The story itself feels like it drags on a little too much, they make the audience wait for the payoff where both characters realize how they feel about each other.  The sex scenes are not explicit, they are minimally shown and/or implied.  This movie reminded me of Brokeback Mountain ,not because of the homosexual overtones but because it really seems like it is a better novel than film.  It's an interesting story but I am not sure it needed to be translated into film.  Again, if Timothée Chalamet  wins the lead actor category it would be well deserved.  Also, anybody that eats poached eggs is a disgusting and vile person.  

2. Dunkirk

Defied my expectations it did. I was under the impression it was going to be a slow paced history lesson in the way Darkest Hour was but it was much more than that.  There's tree intersecting non linear narratives going on that help construct an emotional action story. Nolan makes the viewer really care about the characters and hope that they all make it out alive. Spoiler alert, not all of them do.  The kid from One Direction is in this and it does not take the viewer away from the story at all.  I know his name but I am pretending to be non nonchalant and cool by pretending I do not.  Lastly, I remember the sound mixing and editing really standing out for this film in a great way.  It was nominated in these categories but I have not seen all of the other movies it is nominated along with because I am not in the Academy and have a full time job. I would not have this win best picture because compared to the other nominees, it is not but is still a great film. Dunkirk is also in the running for best Director and that category has so many great talents this year, whoever wins will surely deserve it.  

3. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri

The second best movie out of the bunch which I predict will win at least two Oscars.  The main thing this movie has going for itself are the flawless performances by Fisher, Harrelson and especially Rockwell.  It seems like the whole Academy was watching him and took notice. (Edit: Stupid 80's joke that many of you may or may not have understood). The story also relates to present day by having racist police officers and showing citizens demand the police take responsibility for their actions or lack thereof.  I cannot praise the performances more.  Very solid.  The story feels like a it came from a novel but it is an original screenplay that works.  The title is long and I question the decision to go with it but other than that, the film is very good.  If it were up to me, I would give Frances McDormand the lead actress award and Sam Rockwell best Supporting Actor.  It definitely deserves to be nominated for best Picture but as a film is not better than the next nominee.

4. The Shape of Water

This movie did it for myself and a lot of the movie going public in so many ways.  Right off the bat, it's gorgeous to look at, the subtle socio-political implications, performances, visual effects, writing and it has a monster.  I wrote about this film in great detail two posts ago to close out 2017, feel free to go back and read that.  Since then, my buddy Guillermo has been getting awards left and right for it and it seems like a lot of the public is appreciating a monster story for once.  This movie is exactly why film was invented, it expertly brings together writing, sound and visuals to tell a beautiful story and evoke reactions from the viewer.   Porter and Mellies would be so proud! A good story can be a good story but when it is exalted by all the cinematic elements, it is the best picture.  This is why out of all the films nominated this year, this movie deserved best picture, because it is.  Part of me hopes this wins all the awards it is nominated for but there are also other movies that deserve recognition (minus the ones I already mentioned).  It;s not like the Academy would just give Oscars away to one single movie to be cute or to prove a point right? Oh wait, Slumdog Millionaire and Black Hawk Down.  Never mind lolz.


Quick Bonuses

I, Tonya - Allison Janney will probably win best supporting actress which she deserves.  The film is a fun dramady coming of age story gone wrong.  Margot Robbie does well playing Tania but i would not have nominated her for this film.  If anything, watch it for the intense relationship between Tania and her mother even though you're probably going to watch it to see Margot Robbie in tight outfits you pervert.

Mudbound - This should have been nominated for Best Picture along with Supporting Actress and Adapted Screenplay.  Jason Mitchell also should have been nominated for best Actor, his performance is solid.  This has a solid story albeit with a different ending than the novel.  It is the sad and captivating story of a hard working Black family in the South and what happens when the eldest son returns from the war.  Very well done and underrated film, available now on Netflix.

Coco - If Boss Baby wins, we riot.

The Big Sick- Nominated for Best Original Screenplay, probably should not win but if it does it would not be the worst thing.  It was a good original story and if it were another year, perhaps would deserve the win more.  This is another category where all the nominees are amazing.

Logan-  As a rule, any movie that can make grown men cry should be nominated for Best Picture..  This redefined the "comic book" movie yet again and deserves to be praised for that.


There are a lot of diverse movies nominated this year and some that should have had more nominations *cough Logan cough.*  Even still, this crop is very good and it is very difficult to choose a single winner in each category among the groups.  It will be a very interesting award show, hopefully there won't be any last minute mix ups this year.  Oh Snap.