The 96th Academy Awards, taking place March 10 at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, promise awards to worthy recipients in nearly two dozen categories. But as we've noted here at The Envelope over the years, not every award-worthy performance, notable trend, or jaw-dropping sequence gets its due. That's why we're highlighting some of the biggest, grossest, most jaw-droppingly awesome movies, scenes, and performers that absolutely deserve a very special statuette of their own (even if it's just virtual). Here we present the 2024 Envy Awards!
Award we have no words
Kaitlyn Dever, “No one will save you”
In two excellent films from last year, the critical, if not main, characters were given virtually no lines at all. And one doesn't even show his face! In “Air,” Damian Delano Young plays Michael Jordan, the up-and-coming basketball prodigy, but it is his parents who speak for him. He has never seen it in full and only says a few words. But that's nothing compared to the isolated protagonist of “No One Will Save You,” played by Kaitlyn Dever. Rejected by her city and living alone, she is the only one who can fight off an attack by aliens and her mental probes. In another nearly wordless performance, Dever takes us through terrifying nights and days solely on the force of her body language.
The funniest use of a historical figure.
“Napoleon”
As one Reddit commenter pointed out, Ridley Scott's historical epic “Napoleon” is actually “a romantic comedy that keeps getting interrupted by the rise of an empire.” Now, keep in mind that your marketing does not No Suggest this at all, but it's hard to imagine that it wasn't intentionally intended to be periodically funny. After all, we do get some really classic lines from the future emperor: one, where he approaches a British naval officer and complains, “Do you think you're that good?” excellent because you have boats!” Later, during a dinner with guests and his wife Josephine, he declares, “Fate has brought me this lamb chop!” He in fact he has done it.
You think I'm funny special prize
“The murderer”
In general, “comedy” is not the word that comes to mind when David Fincher makes a movie. But integrated into “The Killer,” it pays homage to a generous handful of classic sitcom characters. Michael Fassbender's hitman character needs a lot of aliases as he slinks around the world and, apparently, a lot of wait staff who don't even blink when he presents an ID with names from past TV shows: Felix Unger, Oscar Madison, Archibald. Bunker, Howard Cunningham, Reuben Kincaid, Lou Grant, Sam Malone, George Jefferson and Robert Hartley. For the latter, at least someone should have said, “Hi, Bob!”
The best ambulance chase.
“Cocaine bear”
Was there any bigger vehicle chase in the movies in 2023 than a bear running behind an ambulance and overtaking it? Seemingly scared paramedics putting the pedal to the metal are no match for an angry ursine, flying high and with blood on his mind. Add a Depeche Mode tune to provide the soundtrack and this truly was one of the most over the top moments of the year.
The most memorable cleaning scene
“Burning salt”
So there are plenty of scenes in “Saltburn” that might give you goosebumps, but it's hard to top the moment when houseguest Oliver takes it upon himself to clean a bathtub that his obsession, Felix, has just used. Look, Felix has been having a Very good time in his bathtub, surreptitiously watched by Oliver, and after Felix leaves the room, Oliver enters to give the bathtub a special cleaning. With his tongue.
Prominent use of nudity.
Jennifer Lawrence, “No Hard feelings”
Nudity and sex scenes have also returned to film, and much was made of Christopher Nolan's use of both in “Oppenheimer.” Of course, there was a traditional love scene in bed with Jean, a member of the Communist Party. But who can forget the moment when the US Atomic Energy Commission questions the titular scientist about his affair and suddenly he's naked and having sex on a chair in that very room? Fancy? Metaphor? Of course to both. But definitely… unexpected. Still, it's hard to top the moment in “No Hard Feelings” when Jennifer Lawrence's character emerges from a bathroom naked to discover her clothes have been stolen and kicks the young thieves' butts. while still naked. J. Law, we've missed you.
