Best Picture Oscar Nominees 2024
American Fiction (2024.6, Engaging , Savvy )
American Fiction is about racial stereotyping cast as a delicious comedy and moving drama. It is also, I think, a story about its own creation. (4*)
Anatomy of a Fall (2024.5, Puzzling , Murder ?)
An accident? A suicide? Or was it murder? Anatomy of a Fall will keep you oscillating between the possibilities even past the end. (4*)
Barbie (2024.4, Terrific , Energy )
So far, at least, this is my favorite picture of the year. Full of sensory and storytelling delight. (5*)
Killers of the Flower Moon (2024.1, Exceptional, Murder )
Killers of the Flower Moon is an exceptional and powerful movie about the Osage Native American murders of the 1920s, but it’s just too long! (4*)
Maestro (2024.2, Powerful , Solid )
Maestro is a well told story of a romance between two individuals over decades and how it developed in the shadow of fame. (4.5*)
Oppenheimer (2024.11, Astonishing , Full )
Oppenheimer is an epic film that rewards the hard work required of the viewer. A full exploration of a man, physics, politics, and movie making. (5*)
Past Lives (2024.7, Simple, Love)
Past LIves tells the story of three characters in a whirlwind of fond memories, painful regrets, and doubts of self-worth. A simple and tightly emotional story, but not one you will long remember (3.5*)
Poor Things (2024.10, Beautiful , Sex )
Poor Things, the story of a baby’s mind in an adult woman’s body, is probably the most bizarre movie I’ve ever seen. It is also one of the best. (5*)
The Holdovers (2024.8, Fine , Funny)
In The Holdovers, three people, rife with their own problems, spend Christmas break, 1970, with each other. It is funny and emotional. And it’s a Christmas Movie. (3.5*)
The Zone of Interest (2024.9, Disturbing , Truth )
The Zone of Interest is more than just a story of evil. But the film’s best characteristics are damaged by extraneous scenes. (3.5*)