The ballots have been cast—or at least the nominations! This year's Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Picture nominees went much like what we predicted at the start of the month. Despite the fact, this year marks the first year in a very competitive Best Picture race.
The Fabelmans, the Inisherin, and Everything Everywhere All at Once were all voted as the "Best Picture" by the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards two weeks ago. However, one shouldn't dismiss a genuine crowdpleaser for all ages like Top Gun: Maverick as one of the Academy's top film nominees this morning.
If you haven't been breathlessly anticipating awards season all year on Film Twitter like a tiny fraction of moviegoers out there, then there's a good possibility you haven't seen all or most of the above mentioned films, or perhaps any of the others, before the Oscars 2023 telecast in March.
On the Western Front, everything is quiet.
After making history by winning Parasite Best Picture in 2020, the Academy appears to have gotten over its fear of subtitles. These include Edward Berger's technically stunning, yet emotionally heartbreaking, adaptation of the Erich Maria Remarque classic All Quiet on the Western Front, set in the dark days of the First World War, which portrays the novel's tragic loss of meaningless war.
Netflix's location for streaming
Inisherin's Banshees
The Banshees of Inisherin, a tragicomic picture by Martin McDonagh, made waves when it premiered on Netflix in October, and its popularity has only grown since it became available on streaming. Pádraic (Colin Farrell) has his world transformed when he learns that his best friend Colm (Brendan Gleeson) no longer wants to talk about him... you can see where this is headed.
HBO Max and VOD (UK options include Disney+ and VOD) are available.
Elvis
Baz Luhrmann's film about Elvis Presley, the so-called King of Rock 'n Roll, is gaudy, decadent, and utterly devoid of subtly subtlety. In other words, it's a bit like Elvis himself, who is brought back to life by Austin Butler in a star-making performance that's pure electricity.
HBO Max and VOD are the most popular channels to stream.
Everything at once, everything everywhere.
Everything Everywhere All At Once, one of the most lauded films at SXSW, went out of nowhere to stun people's socks off. Written and directed by Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, the picture depicts a lonely Chinese-American immigrant named Evelyn (Michelle Yeoh) who discovers she's at the center of the universe's countless dimensions... as well as the courage to confront her family about the difficult things that have been left unanswered.
Showtime, VOD (including Amazon, YouTube) — UK VOD options are here.
The Fabelmans
The Fabelmans, a candid and honest portrayal of his childhood and parents, is a bold and beautiful movie to watch, although it did not attract the attention it deserves.
Where to find VOD (including Amazon, YouTube, and Apple)
Tár
When we meet Lydia Tár, the principal music director of the Berliner Philharmonic, many critics' favorites movie of the year (including yours truly), Todd Field's Tár allows Cate Blanchett to create one of the most fascinating and conflicting protagonists in recent memory. However, the larger the two, the harder they fall. And as we slowly learn, Lydia has spent a lifetime building her own effigy before lighting the match through a career built on hypocrisy, lies, and cruelty
Where can I get my VOD subscription? (including Amazon, YouTube, and Apple)
Maverick is the top gun in the game.
Tom Cruise certainly thought returning to the Danger Zone would be one of the most enjoyable cinematic experiences of the year, and he got the last laugh! Top Gun: Maverick is a visually stunning throwback to the wonderful Hollywood melodramas that made them famous.
Where to find Paramount+ and VOD (UK VOD options can be found here)
Sadness in a Triangle
The Palme d'Or winner appeared to be a long way from being nominated for Best Picture (especially this morning when it was ruled out of other categories), but it nonetheless wreaks a dark horse Best Picture nomination.
Where can I stream VOD (including Amazon, YouTube, and Apple) — UK VOD options may be found here.
Those Who Aren't Available to Stream (Yet)
The Way of Water: Avatar
After launching in cinemas a month ago, James Cameron's much-anticipated sequel to the greatest film ever is on track to become one of the greatest films ever. Even if Avatar: The Way of Water is nominated, Disney/Fox has no excuse to give up making those films.
Women Talking
Sarah Polley's exquisitely written and acted passion play—a story about a group of Mennonite women who discover that the men of their colony have been drugging and raping them for years—has been praised by critics and the Academy. However, you won't be able to see it on streaming until the Academy Awards.