Managed to finally watch every best picture nominee, finishing up Oppenheimer this past weekend.
Some really great movies out there. But a few quick thoughts.
Poor Things was wonderful, visually and creatively inventive with some outstanding performances. Felt a bit long though, maybe it was the structure.
The Holdovers was such a good and nice movie with lovely performances by everyone, really. Sad the main kid isn't getting any recognition, he was intense.
The Zone of Interest....eh. I get that how they made it was very interesting and it was very well directed, but I guess I just don't get it as such an amazing statement. Maybe it's because I'm quite familiar with the banality of evil, and how we're all so close to being awful, just needing the right context to bring it out. So while I enjoyed it, I just didn't get as shocked and moved by it.
Anatomy of a Fall really took me by surprise. If someone just described the plot, I'd say it sounded boring but it was so well executed, so well written, and so well acted. Really loved this one.
Maestro was okay. Clearly Bradley trying to make an Oscar movie but felt kind of empty.
Past Lives really moved me. I think I already mentioned it. One of the most mature and well written films.
Oppenheimer was....good. The first half, so like 90 minutes, was just SO fast and break neck speed that it was hard to care about what was happening. It felt like they filmed a Wikipedia article. Or it felt like a Heist montage of getting the gang together or planning out the heist, but for 90 minutes. Luckily, the 2nd half slowed down and was much better. Very well directed, tightly written, great acting. I know it'll win all the Oscars, and I get that Cillian likely deserves one, but I guess I just wasn't as wowed and impressed as everyone else. Still a good movie.
Killers of the Flower Moon. You know, for a 3.5 hour movie, this felt so tight. I wasn't looking at my phone or wondering how much longer it was at any point. The flow was amazing. Leo was great but felt like he was acting, while everyone else just became their characters. A real shame that Emma Stone was up against Lily Gladstone as she really deserves something for this but will be out shadowed by Emma at every turn.
Overall, some great movie. I have two more (Nyad and All of us Strangers) to watch and then I'm ready to go!