With the Golden Globes, the Critics’ Choice, the SAGs, the Grammys and the Academy Awards, Sunday nights get even more exciting during January, February and March.
Every year, the Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, film’s most prestigious awards show, brings huge hype and excitement. With the Golden Globes officially over (a good predictor for Academy Award wins), and the Oscar nominations announced, it is time to hit the theatre, and click OnDemand to watch all the nominees before the Oscars on Feb. 22. Here are some of the movies worth watching based on the buzz that surrounds them.
“Boyhood” is unlike any movie up for awards this season. Directed by Richard Linklater, the movie filmed over the course of 12 years, with the same actors and actresses, to follow the life of a boy growing up. “Boyhood” won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Drama, and Linklater won for Best Director. Patricia Arquette, who won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama, portrays the boy’s mother. The movie, the director and Arquette are all up for Oscars, and that is just three out of the movie’s six Oscar nominations.
“The Theory of Everything“ and “The Imitation Game“ are both stories that follow inspirational tales of highly intelligent men trying to overcome challenges in their lives. Eddie Redmayne is receiving excellent reviews for his portrayal of Stephan Hawking, an extremely intelligent physicist who finds out that he is suffering from a motor neuron disease. The film portrays Hawking’s slow physical decline, as his disease starts to take over his ability to lead an everyday life. Redmayne is nominated for Best Actor, along with the film for Best Picture. “The Imitation Game” tells the story of Alan Turing who worked during World War II to crack the Nazi’s encryption code. Turing in essence created the first computer, however had to hide his homosexuality for risk of being arrested and persecuted. Benedict Cumberbatch is nominated for his portrayal of Turing.
“Birdman“ is another Best Picture nominee that puts a new spin on superheroes. Michael Keaton plays Riggan, an actor best known for his portrayal of the superhero, The Birdman. Now that Birdman is no longer popular, Riggan decides to produce and direct his own show for Broadway. The movie shows Riggan’s relationship with his daughter, portrayed by Emma Stone, and the high profile actors that he has cast in his show including Edward Norton. The movie is nominated for Best Picture, with Keaton and Stone up for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress, along with Norton for Best Supporting Actor.
Wes Anderson’s uniquely beautiful and hilarious, “The Grand Budapest Hotel” is a must-see before Oscar night. The creative force behind “Moonrise Kingdom,” “The Royal Tenenbaums” and “Rushmore,” Anderson is noted for his quirkiness compared to other films. “The Grand Budapest Hotel” won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Comedy, and is Oscar-nominated for Best Picture. The movie tells the story of the concierge at The Grand Budapest Hotel, and the adventure that the concierge and the “lobby boy” go on together.
“Selma“ is the inspirational tale of Martin Luther King Jr. and the freedom march he lead from Selma, Ala., to Montgomery, Ala., in 1965. With Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January, and the racial tension that the U.S. has seen in the past few months, Selma is both timely and inspirational. On top of the films timeliness, Oprah Winfrey is one of the producers of the film and will accept the award if the movie wins Best Picture.
And to lighten up your binge watching, indulge in “How To Train Your Dragon 2.” The movie won the Golden Globe for Best Animated Film, and is nominated for the same award at the Oscars.
Take some time away from the books and all the stress and homework of the new semester to binge watch and appreciate the great movies nominated and the great performances by the actors and actresses. Happy watching until Feb. 22.
Photo courtesy of: Flickr.com / Prayitno.
