Like every year, we watched a couple of Oscar movies, but none of them knocked our socks off or left us wishing for more; the opposite.
“One Battle After Another” will most likely win best movie simply for the fact that all other movies, in our opinion, were even worse. And, of course, the movie is Hollywood’s answer to the current administration (regime?) here in the US. It’s not complicated to predict that outcome, but you never know, the old guys in Hollywood might surprise us. (Have they ever?) The film was just not my cup of tea. Is Leonardo DiCaprio good? Yes, I suppose. It’s an ok movie at best. Would I watch it again? Only if you pay me nicely or promise me a unicorn.
“Sinners” is perhaps the movie that puzzled us the most. Also, the one that made me laugh out loud. An Irish Vampire riverdancing in Louisiana, sprinkled with Walking-Dead-Glitter, the film surely had comical moments. However, my husband thinks I am not a reliable judge or horror-movie material. I can’t take it seriously, and I tried.
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But then, Hollywood magic happened in our living room when we watched the nominated short movies. 18-22 minutes. Remarkable what talented writers, producers, and actors can pack into such a short timespan.
My favorite: The Singers
It’s beautiful, it’s a time machine. If you like jazz, blues, or music, and like us, you have spent some evenings in your youth in a smoky pub or an older bar, then you will know what I am talking about. The atmosphere, older men sitting on the bar, quietly drinking, a vintage piano in the back. A hundred-dollar bill.
I loved it. It’s truly remarkable how much you can feel in only eighteen minutes. It’s on Netflix and is really worth watching.
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I thought I had my winner, but then we watched “A Friend of Dorothy” with Miriam Margolyes, whom I adore.
Again, emotions came and went. Warmth that felt my heart, a smile that still lingered when my eyes started watering.
The movie was free on YouTube until today. I hope it will be back tomorrow. It’s beautiful. Please, watch it.
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I hope that “The Singers” wins because it made me feel the most (and it made my husband sway in his chair, and I wiggled my toes, and much more).
We shall know tomorrow.
I loved the two shorts and also the Jane Austen one, I go to the theater near my house that shows the nominated shorts each year and I love seeing them on the big screen with an audience. I can’t watch the doc shorts anymore because they are so sad, and the not big into animation, so the live action shorts are it for me, and this year’s offerings were stellar. at this point I know that it was a tie, which is rare, and one of my, (and your) favorites won.
Thank you for your thoughts on these Oscar Movies, Bridget. I’ve not seen any of them, so the video clips were helpful. 🙂
I haven’t seen any of those, but I am sure Friend Of Dorothy would be the only one I liked! We have a lovely local Art Deco independent cinema which shows real films about real people, not BIG Commercial endless sequels… The best thing is, if a film is popular they put on more showings. Most recently I saw The Choral and really loved it
I guess you will like both short films equally—that’s pretty much were I am. If either one wins, fine. 🙂 We haven’t been in a movie theater in almost a decade. We have now movie night at home, right in our living room, every Saturday night. It’s a silly thing we do. We often watch old movies, or movies from way back then. One week I pick, the other weekend my husband picks a movie. Real people, real stories, good feelings. You summed it up nicely.
What a wonderfully uplifting post. Life is for living, and Miriam Margolyes adds to the spice of life tremendously!
I so adore her. She makes me laugh for a very long time. She is extra special and I hope she will be around (and healthy) for a very long time.