It's not over until it's over. Yogi Berra said it. It was sung by Lenny Kravitz. And for the nine films nominated alongside “Oppenheimer,” the overwhelming favorite for best picture, it's a mantra.
Hey…at this point in awards season two years ago, no one thought “CODA” was going to win the Oscar. Minds can change. Hearts can be won. It's not too late to make some new moves.
With that in mind, as we approach the home stretch before final voting begins, let's look at the messages the nominated films might be sending to persuade academy members to look in their direction.
Jeffrey Wright stars in “American Fiction.”
(Courtesy of TIFF)
'AMERICAN FICTION'
You like us. You really like us! We have won audience awards at film festivals in Toronto, Middleburg, Mill Valley and Savannah. And when you see the movie, you understand why. It's a satire, but not too biting and, in terms of screen time, not too much, because the film is really more of a family drama. You will leave with a smile on your face and without feeling bad about yourself. It does'nt sound good?
Sandra Huller stars in “Anatomy of a Fall.”
(The pact)
'ANATOMY OF A FALL'
Napoleon should not have invaded Russia. We know this thanks to Ridley Scott. We also know that France made another bad decision by choosing not to submit “Anatomy of a Fall” to the International Feature Film Oscar. But it's not too late to offer a correction, friends, and we feel like we're already halfway there. In addition to the best picture nomination, you gave us nominations for the most important ones: director, screenplay, lead performance and film editing. Only “Oppenheimer” and “Poor Things” also achieved it. And none of them had a border collie that won the palm dog award in Cannes. The Palme d'Or and The palm dog? Long live France!
Kate McKinnon stars in “Barbie.”
(Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures/Warner Bros. Pictures)
'BARBIE'
It doesn't seem to matter what I do
I'm always number two
Sounds familiar? Ken's story is Greta Gerwig's story. She is now the only filmmaker to have had her first three solo feature films, “Lady Bird,” “Little Women” and “Barbie,” nominated for best picture. However, she only got one nomination for directing that group. How does it work? We tell you how it works. Hollywood is still a boys' club, and even if you make a wildly inventive movie about a toy that grosses over $1.4 billion at the box office, you're still relegated to the background. All because a group of men at the academy found the film too preachy and a little threatening. Justice for Greta! If “Argo” could win best picture after Ben Affleck was snubbed, why not “Barbie”? Anywhere else but the Oscars, it would be a 10.
Paul Giamatti stars in “The Holdovers.”
(Courtesy of FOCUS FEATURES)
'THE REST'
You know all those (old) people who lament that they don't make movies like they used to? This It's the movie Hollywood used to make, right down to the studio logos, title art, and Panavision lenses. You can practically feel the ghost of Hal Ashby wandering the halls of that boarding school, abandoned during winter break. This is a very human story, perhaps the most human story of all, the story of a man who longs for more in life, namely an In-N-Out burger after an awards show where he has not been adequately fed. That? That was Paul Giamatti's story after the Golden Globes. True, true. But isn't it the story of all of us?
Lily Gladstone and Leonardo DiCaprio star in “The Flower Moon Killers.”
(Apple TV+)
'MOON FLOWER KILLERS'
Don't let this be “The Irishman.” Don't let this be “The Irishman.” Don't let this be “The Irishman.”
Bradley Cooper plays Leonard Bernstein in “Maestro.”
(Jason McDonald/Netflix)
'TEACHER'
Seven Oscar nominations (thank you!). So you can't limit yourself to the nose, right? Can? Well, at least that will get us an Oscar, unlike, you know, (whispers) “The Irishman.”
Cillian Murphy stars in “Oppenheimer.”
(Melinda Sue Gordon / Associated Press)
'OPPENHEIMER'
One of the best movies of the century! Now, it is true that the century has not even passed a quarter of the way, but still… we have taken the lead! And this year we took an early lead, earning nearly a billion dollars at the box office before the kids went back to school. Everyone has seen this movie. Everyone admires this movie. We have been the favorites to win for a long time. But don't penalize us for that. Do not get bored. Do not get distracted. Billion at the box office + critical acclaim + epic scale + serious subject matter = Oscar. You don't have to be a theoretical physicist to understand that equation.
Greta Lee and Teo Yoo star in “Past Lives.”
(Jon Pack/Courtesy of A24)
'PAST LIVES'
Years from now, you won't want to have any regrets, worry about paths not taken, dreams not pursued, and, yes, Oscars not awarded. We understand that best picture may be a stretch, with only two nominations. But you know Celine Song, right? The charming and talented writer and director of the film? She goes places. Why not get in on the ground floor and reward her for a beautiful, nuanced debut feature, a film that people are still talking and swooning over more than a year after it premiered at Sundance?
Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo star in “Poor Things.”
(Atsushi Nishijima/Searchlight Images)
'POOR THINGS'
We realize that our film may be a little a lot for those with more delicate sensitivities. Well, to paraphrase the great David Byrne, we've seen sex and we think it's okay. So stop body shaming! Overcome your hang-ups and appreciate the crazy energy and fearless imagination that went into this film, which rewarded with 11 nominations, one more than our filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos' last film, “The Favorite.” Of course, that film only won one Oscar, Olivia Colman for lead actress. And, of course, we would be more than happy if history were to repeat itself with Emma Stone's daring leading role. But this time you can do better! Sugar pie licks us all day!
Sandra Huller stars in “The Zone of Interest.”
(Courtesy of A24)
'THE AREA OF INTEREST'
Five Oscar nominations for a film that many of you still don't dare to see? That's a good start. Now, if you haven't seen it yet, try it, preferably in a theater. It is the best film about the Holocaust and the banality of evil ever made.
