As movie lovers around the world eagerly await the results from the 95th Academy Awards on March 13, film critic and UQ alum Matt Toomey (Bachelor of Commerce ’98) shares his take on the must-see movies this awards season.
Rightly or wrongly, the Academy Awards have received criticism in recent years for snubbing big blockbusters. Some believe it has contributed to a significant decline in the ceremony’s television viewership, which fell 65% between 2014 (12 Years a Slave beating Gravity) and 2022 (CODA beating The Power of the Dog).
The imbalance has been addressed this year with the roughly 10,000 members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominating both Avatar: The Way of Water and Top Gun: Maverick for best picture. They were the highest grossing flicks of 2022, and it marks the first time in Oscars' history that 2 sequels have been nominated for best picture.
The cast of Top Gun: Maverick attend the Royal Film Performance and UK Premiere at Leicester Square. Image: Lia Toby/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures
The cast of Top Gun: Maverick attend the Royal Film Performance and UK Premiere at Leicester Square. Image: Lia Toby/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures
Perhaps the most interesting element of this year’s nominations are those featured in the 4 acting categories (actor, actress, supporting actor, supporting actress). There are 16 first-time nominees (the most since 1937) with the likes of Colin Farrell, Brendan Fraser, Michelle Yeoh, Brendan Gleeson, and Jamie Lee Curtis finally being recognised after decades of quality work. It’s also a record year for Asian representation with 4 acting nominations in total.
A bunch of Australians are nominated for their behind-the-scenes work on the popular Elvis, but the coolest local nomination belongs to Brisbane-based stop-motion filmmaker Lachlan Pendragon. The 26-year-old’s hilariously titled An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It has been nominated for best animated short film. It runs for just 11 minutes, cost roughly $6,000, and was created while he was studying at university.
This year’s ceremony will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday 13 March, with talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel emceeing for a third time. If you haven’t been following the award season closely and are looking for a few great movies to watch, I thought I’d provide 5 worthy recommendations…
1. Everything Everywhere All At Once
Everything Everywhere All At Once (currently on a bunch of streaming platforms) is one of the year’s best and most original feature films. It's like Sliding Doors on steroids! A storyline that is insanely crazy (characters existing in multiple universes) with a touching finale offering heartfelt joy and significant life lessons. It’s a rich, wonderful, audacious project. As the surprising frontrunner to win best picture, it has received more nominations (11) than any other film this year.
Watch the trailer
2. The Banshees of Inisherin
The Banshees of Inisherin (currently in Australian cinemas) is a divisive, engaging, thought-provoking 1923 dark comedy about 2 friends on a remote Irish island who have a bizarre falling out. There are many rich layers to peel back here. The film has received 4 acting nominations with every member of the cast in peak form. Colin Farrell has a strong chance of winning best actor.
Watch the trailer
3. Aftersun
Aftersun (currently in Australian cinemas) is both uplifting and soul-destroying. A simple, subtle, powerful drama about a 30-year-old woman who, through a mix of memory and old home movies, deeply reflects on a Turkish holiday she shared with her father 20 years earlier. It has received just a single nomination (Paul Mescal for best actor) but it’s my favourite movie of the past year and one you won’t easily forget. The final scene is perfect.
Watch the trailer
4. All Quiet on the Western Front
All Quiet on the Western Front (currently on Netflix) has been the surprise packet of this year’s awards season. It was released with little fanfare back in October but has been fuelled by positive word of mouth. Based on a 1928 novel, it’s a German production that follows a group of tired, forlorn soldiers in the final days of World War 1. The exceptional production values and performances will stick with you. It’s a near certainty to win best international feature film.
Watch the trailer
5. Tár
Tár (currently in Australian cinemas) solidifies the reputation of Australia’s Cate Blanchett as one of the greats of our generation. She’s picked up her eighth career nomination (she’s won twice before) and there are now only 9 people in Oscars' history who have received more acting nominations. This film is an engrossing drama about a renowned musician/conductor who has earned her success but her arrogance and other weaknesses threaten to upend her career.
Watch the trailer
Background image: paseven/Adobe Stock
1. Everything Everywhere All At Once
Everything Everywhere All At Once (currently on a bunch of streaming platforms) is one of the year’s best and most original feature films. It's like Sliding Doors on steroids! A storyline which is insanely crazy (characters existing in multiple universes) with a touching finale offering heartfelt joy and significant life lessons. It’s a rich, wonderful, audacious project. As the surprising frontrunner to win best picture, it has received more nominations (11) than any other film this year.
Watch the trailer
2. The Banshees of Inisherin
The Banshees of Inisherin (currently in Australian cinemas) is a divisive, engaging, thought-provoking 1923 dark comedy about 2 friends on a remote Irish island who have a bizarre falling out. There are many rich layers to peel back here. The film has received 4 acting nominations with every member of the cast is in peak form. Colin Farrell has a strong chance of winning best actor.
Watch the trailer
3. Aftersun
Aftersun (currently in Australian cinemas) is both uplifting and soul destroying. A simple, subtle, powerful drama about a 30-year-old woman who, through a mix of memory and old home movies, deeply reflects on a Turkish holiday she shared with her father 20 years earlier. It has received just a single nomination (Paul Mescal for best actor) but it’s my favourite movie of the past year and one you won’t easily forget. The final scene is perfect.
Watch the trailer
4. All Quiet on the Western Front
All Quiet on the Western Front (currently on Netflix) has been the surprise packet of this year’s awards season. It was released with little fanfare back in October but has been fueled by positive word of mouth. Based on a 1928 novel, it’s a German production which follows a group of tired, forlorn soldiers in the final days of World War I. The exceptional production values and performances will stick with you. It’s a near certainty to win best international feature film.
Watch the trailer
5. Tár
Tár (currently in Australian cinemas) solidifies the reputation of Australia’s Cate Blanchett as one of the greats of our generation. She’s picked up her eighth career nomination (she’s won twice before) and there are now only 9 people in Oscars history who have received more acting nominations. This film is an engrossing drama about a renowned musician/conductor who has earned her success but, her arrogance and other weaknesses threaten to upend her career.
Watch the trailer
Background image: paseven/Adobe Stock
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