2023 Best Picture Oscar Nominees

[perc2100]

I don't put _a ton_ of stock in industry awards.  I merely look at 'best of' lists, and big award nominees as a "what am I missing out on?!" gauge.  I haven't seen all of the 2023 Best Picture nominees, but thought I'd chime in on what I have seen.  Generally, this was an OUTSTANDING year at the movies, and I think it's been the first year in awhile where there are more films 'deserving' than there are slots.  The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Science can nominate up to 10 films, and of course the process is a bit more complicated than you may think.  Here are the total Best Picture nominees:
All Quiet on the Western Front - a great production of a classic novel: maybe the first "anti-war" book.  It tells the tale of a young German who joins the war effort (WWI) with his buddies and quickly realizes the horrors and realities of war.  This film adds a side-story about the cease-fire negotiations to end the war as well.  It thematically deals with loneliness, futilities of war and violent conflict, the chaos of battle, including civilians caught up in the terrors.  It's not an easy film to watch, but it's well made/written/acted and I really appreciated the film.  streaming on Netflix
Avatar: The Way of Water - a well-crafted film that looks incredible on the big screen and is better written than the (boring IMO) first film.  This is the type of film one may forget about after leaving the theaters, and while better than the original I'm still not a fan.  I get why it's nominated, as it is the pinnacle of big-budget filmmaking with James Cameron once again (for literally about the half-dozenth time) re-invents visual effects to tell his story.  I appreciate the craft but this movie is not my cup of tea. in theaters
The Banshees of Inisherin - I really liked this film: a tragicomedy that takes place near the end of the Irish Civil War in the early 1920's.  The film is about Colin Farrell showing up for his daily pint (or several) to his local pub only to be told by his life-long good friend Brendan Gleeson that Gleeson no longer finds him interesting, doesn't want to be friends anymore, and requests Farrell even stop talking to him.  The bulk of the film is Farrell trying to both figure out what caused his buddy's change of heart, as well as if he can salvage their friendship.  This film is great top-to-bottom, from story to looks (filmed on a few islands in Ireland, with the island referenced in the film being fictional) and with great acting all-around.  Best Supporting Actor nominee Barry Keoghan (you may remember him as either The Joker in THE BATMAN or Druig in ETERNALS, but he's breaking out in a big way here, and will deserve any accolades and future roles he gets!) in particular shines as a kid who hangs around Farrell and gets in trouble constantly with his dad, the local cop.  This is funny some moments, and sad others: generally a real good movie!  streaming on HBO
Elvis - A well-made movie that didn't do much for me.  Again, I appreciate the craft more than the actual film itself.  I was never an Elvis fan and this film didn't repel or excite me to become one either way.  I get why its been popular, but I just wasn't really into this one.  I might revisit this one soon, and perhaps that'll change my opinion a bit (once I'm over the "OMG Tom Hanks what is this?!"  ) streaming on HBO
Everything Everywhere All at Once - This is my favorite movie of the year: maybe not literally a perfect piece of art but about as close as it gets.  Using the multiversal 'war' between Jobu looking to take down the entire multiverse over general unhappiness (REALLY oversimplifying that), the film is a beautiful metaphor for ADHD and a sweet fable on importance of family.  It has a nice ending, great cast/performances all around (REALLY happy that Stephanie Hsu also got a Supporting Actress nom, and to be honest I would maybe KILL to see her cast a Joker in some sort of DC elseworld story).  This film may be in a 'Top 5 favorite films of all time' list in a decade or two: I adore everything about it and I'm rooting for it to win everything. streaming via Showtime
The Fabelmans - another film I adored this year: Steven Spielberg's most personal film is also one of his more complicated.  What most thought would be an autobiographical love-letter to film is really Spielberg dealing with his parents diametrically opposite personalities (mom was a professional pianist/performer who quit the biz to be a stay at home mom; dad was a computer nerd before computers were all the rage) as the family grows apart.  Spielberg has said a lot of what's on screen is how things of his life went down, and he consulted with his sisters to ensure that his version of events was also how they remembered.  The film IS a love letter to film and filmmaking, and the dichotomy of film sentimentality mixed with Spielberg's home life makes for a fascinating film.  Also David Lynch has one of the greatest cameos/one-scene roles of the last several years and an ending that will make film nerds slightly misty-eyed (maybe) but also lol (definitely).  I really adored this film, and would be very happy to see Spielberg, John Williams, and the film win big. note: composer John Williams was nominated for the 53rd time for his wonderfully understated piano-centric score for this film, but he hasn't won an Oscar since Schindler's List (!).  playing in theaters
Tár - I have oddly not seen Tár, a film about a woman composer/conductor.  It was in theaters during marching band season when I have extremely limited free time, and I haven't bit the bullet and rented it digitally.  This is in my professional wheelhouse a bit, and I really respect Cate Blanchette as an actress so I'm looking forward to catching up on this one.  can be rented digitally; coming to Peacock 1/27
Top Gun: Maverick - this is the populist choice, I presume: one embraced by the masses as a good ol' fashioned blockbuster popcorn movie that doesn't involve comic characters or other planets. I'm a bit surprised it wasn't nominated for cinematography, as this film not only looks great but utilized tech that put cameras on fighter planes.  I liked-not-loved this film, as a fun way to spend a few hours in a theater.  I'm not super nostalgic about the original, which I like but don't revere.  The acting in this feels fairly flat to me, the script feels like 2/3rds rehash of the original and 1/3rd rehash of the end of STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE (the premise of the big mission here is indeed 100% inspired by the Star Wars trench run of the original Lucas film).  I'm not surprised it got a Best Picture nomination, and while I lol'ed at the Best Adapted Screenplay nomination I do find its Best Editing and Best Visual Effects 100% justified.  This is good technical blockbuster filmmaking meant for the widest possible audience.  While I'm not a bit fan of Miles Teller as an actor here, the Val Kilmer scene was an emotional high-point for many reasons.  This isn't a movie I would make a point to see again (it was, though, awesome to experience in theaters), but if I'm flipping channels and this is on I'd likely stick around to watch it: just as my family often does with TOP GUN. on Paramount+ or Epix
Triangle of Sadness - I haven't seen the 2022 Palme d'Or Cannes winner, and honestly don't remember seeing a trailer for it.  The final film of South African actress Carlbi Dean (who died last summer of an infection) is about a wealthy cruise that goes wrong due to heavy storms & pirates.  I think it's a dark-comedy satire about the (obscenely) wealthy influencers.  I know the least about this film, though I do know it being released by Criterion on blu-ray in April.
Women Talking - co-written and directed by Sarah Polley (actress who starred in ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN, and really entaining GO, a mid-90's Pulp Fiction-influenced drama/action/comedy) this is another one I haven't seen.  The film is based on a novel that's a reaction to a real-life event in Manitoba Colony, Bolivia, a Mennonite colony, where over 100 women were drugged and raped by men from the colony.  This is a type of movie I'll definitely see at some point, but I have to be in the right mindset to tackle it: it has a wonderful cast, including Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, and Frances McDormand.  It was released in theaters the Friday before Christmas, and will likely either be re-released now that's it's nominated (it's not playing at any theaters near me currently), and/or will be available to rent VOD sooner than later

[TardisMom]

When I saw the list of nominees I was surprised how many I've already seen.  Usually this next month is a whirlwind of movie going, as I try to see as many of the "big" nominees as possible before awards night.  I still need to see All Quiet (and I refuse to see Avatar), plus I'd like to see The Whale, Navalny, and the Shorts.

IMO you should see Triangle and Women Talking, both are worth a watch.

I enjoyed Banshees more than I expected, the cast is fabulous and it's just so DIFFERENT.  But EEAAO is my favorite movie of the year, just incredible with a fantastic cast giving it their all.

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[NCDS]

I have seen them all except Women Talking, it was already the plan for this weekend.

Personally, I think The Banshees of Inisherin was the best movie of the year.  I said it after I saw it and nothing has been able to change my mind. 

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login The Whale is a lot and sticks with you for a bit.  My Aunt was spinning after, and mad I took her.  Yet, still wrote me about it hours after about what she thought (which I take as a sign she likes it more than she thinks).  I have agreed to go see the 80 Brady movie with her when it comes out, I am hoping that gets me out of the dog house.   Though, I am pretty sure she has google and can watch the trailers before she shows up, so I should never be in the dog house.

[perc2100]

When I saw the list of nominees I was surprised how many I've already seen.  Usually this next month is a whirlwind of movie going, as I try to see as many of the "big" nominees as possible before awards night.  I still need to see All Quiet (and I refuse to see Avatar), plus I'd like to see The Whale, Navalny, and the Shorts.

IMO you should see Triangle and Women Talking, both are worth a watch.

I enjoyed Banshees more than I expected, the cast is fabulous and it's just so DIFFERENT.  But EEAAO is my favorite movie of the year, just incredible with a fantastic cast giving it their all.

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I did, too which surprised me because I _LOVED_ both actors + writer/director's last film, IN BRUGES (know racking my brain trying to remember, "wait - is Brendan Gleeson in SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS? I don't think so, but maybe... ).
I agree one of the joys of BANSHEES is not really knowing where it was going, where it would end up, etc.  I somehow _knew_ that

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, but other than that it was a relatively rare film where I could sit back & enjoy/absorb what's coming up for the characters w/out having a clue.  The real wild card for me was the character played by Sheila Flitton, Mrs. McCormick: if BANSHEES were written by Shakespeare should would absolutely have been some soothsayer-esque witch or something! 

[perc2100]

I have seen them all except Women Talking, it was already the plan for this weekend.

Personally, I think The Banshees of Inisherin was the best movie of the year.  I said it after I saw it and nothing has been able to change my mind. 

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login The Whale is a lot and sticks with you for a bit.  My Aunt was spinning after, and mad I took her.  Yet, still wrote me about it hours after about what she thought (which I take as a sign she likes it more than she thinks). I have agreed to go see the 80 Brady movie with her when it comes out, I am hoping that gets me out of the dog house.   Though, I am pretty sure she has google and can watch the trailers before she shows up, so I should never be in the dog house.

Part of me wants to see 80 FOR BRADY, because that cast of ladies = all legends/queens.  They have such great chemistry together, and I have no doubt they will at least be fun. 
Now if someone could make a "there's zero Tom Brady in the film" cut, I'd be 100% all-in!