Oscars Surprise, Excite, Disappoint

To see reviews for Get Out, Dunkirk, and Shape of Water, go to medium.com/the-cageliner.
The Oscars returned once again on March 5th to crown the best of the best in Hollywood. The most coveted award given out in the show is the last one: Best Picture. Guillermo Del Toro’s Shape of Water won the trophy, in addition to winning Best Director, Production design, and Original Score. While Shape of Water is a great movie and worthy of both the award and your eyes, the other nominees all have reasons why they should have won.

And the nominees are were…

Lady Bird

This film follows Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson as she navigates her way through senior year of high school in Sacramento, California. Saoirse Ronan astounds as Lady Bird and her relationship with her mother Marion, played by Laurie Metcalf, is best described as cold, yet loving. As the second shortest movie in the group, it still showed how meaningful and beautiful it could be. Fans of the movie were disappointed that it left the Oscars empty handed, but don’t let that distract from one of the better movies on the list.

Darkest Hour

Similar to Dunkirk, this film follows the same time period of early World War II. Gary Oldman, who plays a newly-elected Winston Churchill, must prove that he is worthy of the job despite critics at every corner. This film was interesting because it showed the war in a purely political lens, but also played with light and perspective with fantastic scenes using blackouts and perspective. Different lenses used included keyholes and the eyes of reporters. Gary Oldman’s performance won him an Oscar for Best Actor.

Get Out, Dunkirk, Shape of Water

See medium.com/the-cageliner

The Post

(EIC Note: This should have won EVERYTHING.)

(Writer’s note: Will, I completely disagree.)

This film was the definition of Oscar Bait. It dropped big-name stars, such as director Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep as the leads, and surrounded a heavy subject. However, it was still a great movie. Streep plays the first female publisher of a major national newspaper (The Washington Post) while they race The New York Times to expose a government cover up. The film’s style perfectly paired with the subject, making the audience even more immersed. Even though it’s blatant Oscar Bait, who can say no to Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks?

Phantom Thread

Daniel Day-Lewis stars in what may be his final movie, playing a famous couturier and fashion designer in the 1950’s. His character, Reynolds Woodcock, falls in love with a waitress named Alma, played by Vicky Krieps. Their relationship goes through ups and downs as they have to learn each other’s quirks and personalities. The film was beautiful and Daniel Day-Lewis shines once again, reportedly making a dress by himself to prepare for the role. This film could also be considered blatant Oscar Bait, but the beauty and humanity shines through the bait.

Call Me By Your Name

This astounding film depicts the relationship between an Italian 17 year old, Elio, played by Timothée Chalamet, and an American adult, Oliver, played by Armie Hammer. This coming-of-age film is beautiful in many areas: the film making, the depiction of a gay relationship, and the setting. The fact that is represents an LGBT relationship is huge in its own right.

(Ed. note: To see a different perspective on Call Me By Your Name, check Medium.com/The-Cageliner)

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

This movie is so gripping that it was nearly impossible to look away. Mildred Hayes, played by Frances McDormand, is a grieving and infuriated mother as the local police from her town have yet to solve the murder of her daughter. The film wastes no time and makes the audience learn of the murder through Mildred’s actions. Its gritty and tough, but it knows when to place a good joke.