Oscars 2021

Finally, it’s Oscar time, delayed this year because of COVID. The nominations are announced on Monday, 15 March.

The BAFTA nominations came out last week. Interestingly, they produced long lists first, to try to encourage members to watch all the movies listed, so that the shortlists reflected a wider spectrum of views. The shortlist was certainly more edgy and diverse than previous years.

Please choose up to 6 of the movies that you either think should be nominated for the Oscars, or that you simply liked best.

The first 15 above reflect the BAFTA long list for best film, plus I’ve added a few more.

There are quite a few I’ve not seen yet, including The Father; Nomadland, Mauritanian, Promising Young Woman; Soul, and Sound of Metal, all likely to be favourites.

I enjoyed Da 5 Blood’s (Spike Lee); The Dig; Ma Rainey; News of the World; One Night in Miami; Pieces of a Woman, and White Tiger, but none really stood out. I thought Trial of the Chicago 7 was over rated; likewise the Life Ahead; thought Mank very good, but hard going. I liked US vs Billie Holiday very much; and thought the acting in Malcolm and Marie terrific, but the film wasn’t an easy watch. So, all in all, a lot of very good films, not least reflecting the growth of streaming.

So, have at it. My guess is that there should (rightly) be lots of nominations for women Directors this year; and lots of support for Chadwick Boseman for a posthumous best actor award.

 

Sadly. I have seen very few of those films, only 4 of them. In a normal year, I would have seen many of them.

Of the very few I’ve seen, the only one on that list that I would consider for Best Picture is One Night in Miami. I would also include Mangrove, which is not on your list.

I did not like Da 5 Bloods, but would nominate Delroy Lindo for his performance in that film,

I wish I could participate more in this thread, but I just did not see films this year.

 

The movies I liked best from the past year (note: I haven't seen The Father yet):
Minari
Never Rarely Sometimes Always
Nomadland
Soul
Sound of Metal

The movies that I think will get a Best Picture nomination on Mar. 15:
The Father
Judas and the Black Messiah
Mank
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Minari
Nomadland
One Night in Miami…
Promising Young Woman
Sound of Metal
The Trial of the Chicago 7
(Spoiler: News of the World)

 

Like many, I've not seen most of those movies.

Crud, I've not even heard of most of 'em!

I have no streaming services, so if it's not been at AMC or on Blu-ray, it's not been viewed by me.

"Promising Young Woman" would be my easy pick as BP of the 5 I have seen.

After that I'd go "News of the World", "Nomadland", "Judas" and "Ammonite".

"Judas" was a disappointment - I didn't dislike it, but I felt underwhelmed.

"Ammonite" was downright awful:

Ammonite [Blu-Ray] (2020)

 

Tenet is also up for a few Oscar nominations, including visual effects--deservedly so.

 

I've heard of Borat 2 and Da 5 Bloods, and I think I've heard of United States vs. Billie Holiday, so it'll be a night of surprises for me.

 

I'll be honest and say I haven't seen any of these movies, but these are the three that are on my "must see" list...

Promising Young Woman
Soul
Judas and the Black Messiah

 

I just watched the trailer, add "Da 5 Bloods" to my list.

 

Er, the movie I saw six times??? TENET!! Lol

 

The Nexflix miniseries "The Queen's Gambit" was probably the most deserving oscar from last year.

 

Nothing is formally "up for nominations" yet - they've not been announced.

 

I haven't heard of most of these. I did rent several films last summer when my local arthouse was steaming-only, but I guess they weren't Oscar worthy?

Chicago Seven was a solidly good movie. I don't think it comes anywhere near deserving an Oscar.

 

News of the World is the only one I saw.

 

No Dolemite Is my Name? No nod for Eddie Murphy?

 

I’m predicting Nomadland as winner for Best Picture.

 

Sure drives home how terrible this pandemic has hit the movie industry. I haven’t heard of, or seen, a single title. Wow.

 

Dolemite Is My Name is from 2019 and was eligible for the previous year's Oscars, but it didn't get any nominations. It was nominated at last year's Golden Globes.

 

Just a few days ago, I was watching clips from past Oscar telecasts; a few of the actors I saw:
Jack Lemmon
Alec Guinness
Cary Grant
James Stewart
Peter O'Toole
Mickey Rooney
Myrna Loy
Deborah Kerr
Fred Astaire
Gene Kelly
Robin Williams
Charlie Chaplin
Katherine Hepburn
Sidney Poitier

With very few exceptions, I don't even know who most of the popular actors today are. I won't be watching.

 

Cool. It’s dated 2020 on NF and I only saw it in January.

 

the year of the covid oscar.

should do the same list and poll but ask which of these movies have you seen........now that would be interesting.

 

It’s not a film, so...

 

Shockingly, there are 10 on that list that I haven't seen yet.

The best film I saw last year was Promising Young Woman. The most overrated and least deserving was Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, which despite the best efforts of all the actors involved was incredibly creaky and stage bound.

Saw The Father last night, great performances by everyone, but just sad and depressing - and the point was underscored by having to do a bit of support after the movie for one of my senior clients who is slowly losing his mind.

The one film on that list that I'd urge everyone to see is Minari. Quiet little film about an immigrant family struggling to make a living on a farm.

 

i know that no one really wants to say it, but sadly, this has to be the all time worst year ever for movies, just terrible choices, if choices are even available.

 

Sound of Metal.

Didn't even hear about this one until now. Thank you, will check it out!

 

What's your definition of a "Film"?

Being shot on film or HD doesn't matter.
Being from a major or Netflix doesn't matter.
Are you referring to time length? Cause that shouldn't matter either.

I think the only rule was that it needed to be show in a local theater in either LA or NYC before 1/1/2021 to qualify.
Otherwise if its shown on Netflix its considered TV.
**Update....it's considered a miniseries so not eligible for best picture.