HALLIE EPHRON: Tonight is (drum roll, please) THE ACADEMY AWARDS!
I remember the days when I'd actually seen nearly all of the movies nominated. Today, not so much.Here are the movies nominated for best picture of 2023:
"American Fiction"
"Anatomy of a Fall"
"Barbie"
"The Holdovers"
"Killers of the Flower Moon"
"Maestro"
"Oppenheimer"
"Past Lives"
"Poor Things"
"The Zone of Interest"
I am chagrined to admit it, but I have seen exactly one.
I actually went to a movie theatre to see it and had a blast, though I could not get the closed-captioning thingy to work and I still, after all these years, refuse to spring for popcorn. The seats are much more comfy than they used to be, and sightlines pretty great. The movie was... fun, inventive, diverting.
The scary thing is I do not know anything about most of the other movies on the list. Not what they're about or who's in them or why they're considered Oscar-worthy.
That got me wondering how different this year is from, say, ten years ago. Here were 2013's nominees:
Amour
Argo
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Django Unchained
Les Miserables
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Silver Linings Playbook
Zero Dark Thirty
At least I've heard of most of these movies, though I only actually saw one (Silver Linings Playbook).
Go back ten more years to 2003, pre-streaming, and there were half as many nominees...
Chicago
Gangs of New York
The Hours
Lord of the RIngs: The Two Towers
The Pianist.
At least in this list I'm familiar with all of them, and have actually seen four.
I know the movie business is changing, what with streaming. And there are no more box office blockbuster stars like Elizabeth Taylor or Cary Grant. But it surprises even me the extent to which the Oscars have become so ... irrelevant to the average movie lovers experience. After all, we're certainly glued to our "screens."
I'll end by recommending a movie I did see and enjoyed: Taylor Swift's ERAS The Eras Tour.
And a new TV show that will appeal to mystery fans like me and is on CBS (streaming on Paramount) - ELSBETH.
It features a character I loved, a quirky attorney from THE GOOD WIFE, Elsbeth Tascioni, portrayed by Carrie Preston. In the first episode she sleuths out a killer by the way that a (supposed) suicide note is typed. I've got my fingers crossed that the subsequent episodes are as much fun and easily cruise past my mystery writer's sniff test.
So have you seen any of this year's best picture nominees and what are you rooting for? Is there a movie you wish had been nominated?
Sadly, I've not seen most of the nominees; not rooting for any one film in particular.
ReplyDeleteI have seen half the nominated movies this year: Barbie, Holdovers, Past Lives, Anatomy of a Fall, and American Fiction. Any of them deserve the prize, although the favorite seems to be Oppenheimer, which I didn't see (three hours seemed too long). I also missed Flower Moon. The Holdovers is the only one we watched at home (DVD from library) because we missed it in our local screening room.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Elsbeth recommendation!
I loved Maestro (about Leonard Bernstein), enjoyed The Holdovers and Barbie, and thought Oppenheimer amazing. Three hours went by incredibly fast. Bradley Cooper was fabulous as Bernstein. On regular TV, I enjoyed Elsbeth, too - she's so funny and smart.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any of them, sniff. I do want to see Killers of the Flower Moon.
ReplyDeleteThe only one I saw was American Fiction (streamed). I enjoyed Elsbeth but kept wondering why she was always carrying the two large totes with her.
ReplyDeleteI have not seen any of the Best Picture nominees. No Oscars tonight for me!
ReplyDeleteSadly, I haven't seen any of the nominees. Actually it has been a few years since I have seen any movie in a theater. Apparently the kind of movies I enjoy watching are not the kind that win awards. Ah well. So I don't expect to watch the Oscars tonight either.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any of the nominees. I had intended to see Barbie and Oppenheimer in the summer, but never did. I'm actually going to a play tonight, so no Oscars for me.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been in a movie theatre since well before Covid and have seen none of the nominees on any screen. I will maybe follow the Oscars via social media during the show and will definitely look for analysis the day after.
ReplyDeleteSomething that is just not me: movies. Last movie seen: Who Killed Roger Rabbit. Last movie that swept me away: Moonstruck. Last movie that frightened me: On the Beach. So no Oscars for me tonight (or ever, if memories are accurate). Cheers. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteanonymous, I loved Moonstruck
DeleteThe Harrumper and I watched The Holdovers last night and Oppenheimer a few weeks ago. I completely napped through Oppenheimer, and The Holdovers was to me a manufactured Christmas feel-good movie. Acting etc, whatever, but the detail in props was excellent.
ReplyDeleteThe only movie that I saw in the theatre this year was the matinee of the Irish one with Maggie Smith. Movie stunk, Maggie Smith was great as always. Very religious Irish topic about a Miracle – the 4 seniors (us) who attended along with 6 other people – they did not make a lot of money that show! – were 2 strong Catholics and 2 adamant atheists. Great banter in the car coming home! The driver, who was newly retired – only 60 – took us old folks out for ice cream cones afterwards. That was fun. As for the Oscars – they mean nothing to me. Of that list, I saw few, but we will probably watch The Zone of Interest when it is free.
The last time I was in a movie theater was about a week before the pandemic shut everything down.
ReplyDeleteDebRo
My hubby and I, whose taste in movies could not be farther apart (action vs. anything not-action) watched Maestro in the comforts of our own home, and both thought it was wonderful. Bradley Cooper was channeling Leonard Bernstein right down to his toes, and I think his performance is Oscar-worthy. But nominating 10 movies? Isn’t that sort of like today’s tendency to give all the kids a trophy and not letting anyone win? We probably won’t watch, although I do like to see what people are wearing…..
ReplyDeleteMelinda, it is like the participation trophy thing. It's been going on for a few years now so it has become ingrained. But it is all but meaningless for five of the movies that get nominated beyond the not even camouflaged cynical means of marketing the movie AFTER its theatrical run. Getting to slap that 'Nominated for Best Picture' on every physical or digital ad means the dupes who don't pay attention to such things will be drawn in because "if it got nominated, it must be good' school of thought.
DeleteWe set all the clocks in the house ahead and even though it is 6:43 am here on the West Coast it is pitch dark outside.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I've only seen Barbie which I thought was one of the better movies I've seen in many years - not that I've seen that many movies come to think of it!
I feel like I should see Oppenheimer.
Hallie, your other years' lists of Oscar noms made me realize how few movies I see. My husband watches Netflix every night, in a different room from where I spend the time after dinner. I usually read or chat on the phone with my mom, and then he will want to join me and watch something. Which we never agree on, and which, no matter what it is, he will be guaranteed to conk out in his chair after ten minutes. It's pointless to go to a movie theater with someone who uses it as an excuse for a nap.
ReplyDeleteSo about the only movies I see in a movieplex these days are those my girlfriends want to see. Ergo, Barbie this year. I think Steve watched Maestro on Netflix without me, and I still want to see that and Killers of the Flower Moon. Our daughter gave me a copy of the book after she read it, so I may just read that first. Two friends walked out of Oppenheimer because it depressed them, although it sounds like the acting was superb.
I will probably not watch, but will check a couple friends' Facebook comments, especially on the red carpet arrivals. And I really hope Greta Gerwig gets recognized for her unique achievement.
I haven't been to movie theater in years. I was a little interested in seeing Maestro.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any of the movies on the list--and haven't watched any of the Oscars since college days. I am still annoyed that some great performances from fantasy movies have never been recognized by the Academy. In particular, the LOTR trilogy and Harry Potter--and yes, The Return of the King won 11 Oscars, but not one of them was for acting. It's not all make-up and special effects, Academy judges!!
ReplyDeleteI loved the Lord of the Rings trilogy but I wasn't surprised they didn't win any acting Oscars. However, the one snub in that realm was definitely Sean Astin as Samwise in the 'Return of the King' installment. There's a line he says that perfectly encapsulates the notion of being the SUPPORTING actor idea. He got nominated but lost out. It was BS.
DeleteThe Holdovers was excellent. It held my interest and all of the primary actors were excellent especially the young inexperienced teen! That is the only one that we have bothered to watch! Alicia Kullas
ReplyDeleteSpring Forward Time today. Now it is an hour later. Though it's 8am, it feels like 7am.
ReplyDeleteOnly watched one Oscar nominated movie - Barbie. I rented it from Apple TV and watched it on my computer. I have been meaning to watch the other movies.
Now it is possible to watch more Oscar nominated movies, thanks to streaming TV, with captions before the Oscar Awards events. In 2003, I had to wait until AFTER the event before I could rent the movies from a local video rental to watch the movies with Captions. Usually it was the Foreign Film with English Subtitles that I was able to watch. Sometimes the Foreign Film nominees were Only in NY and LA or only NY or only LA so I did not get to see all of the nominees. Usually there was one or two nominees in the local movie theaters.
Diana
My husband and I always try to see the whole list, and this year we succeeded (none in a theater, though). Enjoyed each Best Picture nominee - American Fiction was the unexpected delight for us both. Now if we can just figure out how to watch the award show!
ReplyDeleteI have a friend that is part of a movie podcast called Academy Rewind. They watch every Best Picture nominee from a given year and then discuss them, which one won and if they agree or disagree with that choice. He's a huge movie fan and sees well over 100 movies each year.
ReplyDeleteI am NOT my friend. I'm lucky if I see 20 calendar year released movies in any given year. And almost none of them ever get nominated for anything.
When the nominations list came out there was exactly one movie out of every single movie that got any kind of nomination that I would bother to see if I happened upon it on TV someday. And it isn't on that list of this year's Best Picture nominees. That list features 10 movies that hold not one scintilla of interest for me to watch. This has been the case for the last couple of years. I just don't care for what they think is award worthy. I'm sure most of them are finely crafted movies and all, but that doesn't mean I have to sit through them.
So, I won't be watching tonight's broadcast. I'll just wait to see if Jodie Foster wins Best Supporting actress when I wake up tomorrow morning. I'm a Foster Fanatic so I'm always hoping she wins even though I have no interest in actually seeing the movie she's nominated for.
As for that 2013 list of Best Pic nominees, I saw two (Argo and Zero Dark Thirty) and the rest I will never see. For the 2003 list, I saw 'The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers' with no interest in seeing the others.
It will be a night where I catch on the latest episode of 'Halo" and then continue read and watch one of the numerous shows of which I'm engaged in a rewatch viewing marathon.
By the way, there's only one episode of 'Elsbeth" available, the 2nd episode doesn't air until April 4th I believe.
The Oscars are not a big a big deal for me anymore. I go to the movie theatre only a couple times a year.
ReplyDeleteI saw only one movie on this years list of nominees…..Oppenheimer; I really enjoyed the story and thought the acting was very good.
Didn’t see any of the 2013 nominees and just Chicago from 2003.
Saturday nights are "Date Night" in our household which usually means Chinese food in front of the big screen TV. On the agenda last night were the films "Oppenheimer" and "The Holdovers". But once Oppenheimer reached the three-hour mark and the thought of losing an hour of sleep due to Daylight Saving Time became a reality "The Holdovers" movie was put on "hold". Although my first choices on my reading list revolve around crime fiction and mysteries admittedly I love to watch romantic comedy films. I am clueless as to how many times I have watched "Sleepless in Seattle"...enough to know every line in that movie! Plus every Doris Day romantic comedy from the 60's. Sometimes it's nice to drop out of real life and drift into fantasy. If a movie is too "out there" I usually lose interest quickly.
ReplyDeleteI loved Elsbeth! I hope they don't wait too long before they air another episode. I saw shades of Columbo in the character which was both enjoyable and nostalgic. ~ Evie
My husband and I met on a blind date, set up because the couple who set us up knew we both loved movies. 39 years later, we still do!
ReplyDeleteWe have seen 5 of the nominated 10 (Barbie, Oppenheimer, American Fiction, The Holdovers and Poor Things) and I would give the Oscar to others than the predicted winner in most cases.
We go to the movies (with masks and without, depending on whether we remember) about once a month when there’s something we want to see. They changed an aging theater near us to one that shows new releases along with “art house” films and showings of National Theatre Live performances. (We just saw “Vanya” two weeks ago with the amazing Andrew Scott playing every role!) And it has comfortable reclining chairs, free coffee/tea for shows starting before noon, half price food after the movie with your ticket and wine and cocktails for evening shows! What’s not to like?
In looking at the predictions for tonight’s show, I don’t think I will watch. But will definitely check out the winners’ list tomorrow. — Pat S
I saw three: Barbie, American Fiction, and Maestro (Barbie only because I was dragged kicking and screaming by some friends). American Fiction's trailer was great, but the movie didn't hold up for me. The topic, yes. Maestro was good, so maybe that. The Boy and the Heron (animated full length) is actually my favorite film of the year, simply gorgeous and mesmerizing storytelling, which is to be expected from the great Hayau Mayazaki.
ReplyDeleteI haven’t seen any of the movies but I LOVE LOVE LOVE ELSBETH! I cannot wait for the next episode!
ReplyDeleteWe have only seen Barbie, but I'd like to see Oppenheimer, American Fiction, and the Holdovers. We're always behind so sort of use the Oscars as previews of things we might like to see. And, yes, I will be watching!
ReplyDeleteDebs, American Fiction is more than you see in its trailer. I really enjoyed it. And The Holdovers is a movie that leaves you feeling good when it’s over. Oppenheimer is well done, if not a “feel good” movie.
DeleteOppenheimer is a movie that I want to watch too. Diana
DeleteDebs, I forgot to sign my name. It’s me, Pat S :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pat!
DeleteI haven't seen any of this year's movies, have seen a few from 2013, and have seen all the ones from 2003. So, it's interesting to me that I saw more movies when I was busier. Of course, all the streaming series and choices seem to fill in the space where I actually went out to the movies. But, I am going to the movies today. There is a very limited play in theaters of Labyrinth (remember David Bowie as Jareth in the 80s). In our local theater, it was playing Wednesday and is playing today. This movie was a favorite for my kids when they first saw it in the 90s, and especially a favorite of Kevin's. He had the large movie poster print of Labyrinth that I found in his closet recently, and I framed it to put up in his room when I get further along on fixing up the room. I know I'm crazy, but I even bought a seat for Kevin today at the theater.
ReplyDeleteYou are not crazy, Kathy. You do whatever makes you feel better.
DeleteFlora has it just right, Kathy. Keep taking care of yourself. Elisabeth
DeleteI fell out of the going to the movies habit. We did go to our local theater and saw Oppenheimer. I have made it halfway through Maestro on streaming. Not sure why I'm having problems getting into that one. I don't watch the Oscars anymore. Just don't give a hoot. I always watched the ceremony when younger, and went to the movies a lot. But now? Meh. I don't know if this is an age thing or a don't like crowds thing or I'll wait until it's on TV thing.
ReplyDeleteI am stunned by how many people here don't watch movies, especially not in the theater. Maybe it's because I live with a movies fan, but I do love seeing films on the big (or semi-big, as in the case of our screening room) screen.
ReplyDeleteEdith, Roger Rabbit marked the end of 4 or 5 year period when I saw more movies than any other time in my life. The local theater next to an ice cream shop and in a good walking distance from my home had $2.00 Wednesday night movies. My neighbor, a big fan of movies, asked me to go with her and it became a weekly habit. My enjoyment was conversations on our walks and the ice cream. Elisabeth
DeleteI don't know that I've seen any nominated movies this year. Definitely haven't seen any of the best picture nominees. At least I've heard of some of them this year, unlike previous years when I hadn't even heard of many of them.
ReplyDelete10 films are nominated? I had no idea. I have seen four of them which is more than most years - yay, empty nest! I never watch the Oscars or any award show for that matter -- unless someone I know personally is nominated, I simply don't care.
ReplyDeleteI saw 3; The Holdovers, Killers of the Flower Moon, and Oppenheimer. I was rooting for Paul Giamatti, but knew Cillian Murphy would win. Lily Gladstone deserved the Oscar; her performance was riveting. Oppenheimer was definitely the film of the year. I had no interest in Barbie, and I say that as a grown woman who played with Barbie as a little girl! Nominating 10 films for Best Picture is preposterous, in my opinion.
ReplyDelete