Film awards season is in full swing.  The nominees for the grand finale, the biggest prize  of them all, The Academy Awards have been announced.  

    Getting started with the big nominee, from this years nominees, is Sinners, with a record breaking sixteen nominations.  Did I enjoy the film? Absolutely. Did I love it? No.  I think it is on the over rated side of things. 

    I like seeing director Ryan Coogler get nominated for his work here. I thought he was over looked for his work Fruitvale Station (2013).  I am, also, a fan of Michael B Jordan, and am pleased to see him receive his first Oscar  nomination.

    As expected One Battle After Another racked up multiple nominations.  One of these thirteen nominations is for Benico Del Toro’s supporting performance.  He was the highlight of the film.  

   Following her win for directing Nomadland, Chloe Zhao becomes the second director nominated for best director for Hamnet.  This is the strongest of the ten films up for best picture, and the one I think should win.

   There is one category I am pretty disappointed in, and that is animated feature film.  There past few years There have been some incredible features to win this category: Flow (2024), The Boy & the Heron (2023), and Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022).  At this moment, it seems like K-pop Demon Hunters seems destined be crowned champion. It’s not a film of substance, like the previous trilogy of winners, but a flash in the pan popular film.  I guess that’s all it takes, sometimes an Oscar.  Just ask Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022).

   Amy Madigan received her first her first nomination, in forty years, for Weapons,  This film depended heavily on her performance, much like how The Dark Knight (2008) depended on Heath Ledger’s performance.  She as perfect in her role, and this was a well deserved nomination.

   Despite Conan O’Brien coming back to host, I will eagerly tune in to watch the 98th Oscars, on Sunday March 15.

    Until next time I will see you at the movies!