Love them or hate them, the Academy of Motion Pictures certainly made some interesting choices this year. Beyond the traditional snubs and surprises, what stands out for me from the list of the nominees are the films whose themes are most relevant to our current moment.
Below are eight Academy Award nominated films that will strike a chord and help you work through some of our current challenges.
Sing Sing
Nominated for: Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Song
What it’s about: Based on a true story, the film follows a group of incarcerated men in New York’s maximum security prison Sing Sing as they put on theatrical shows, led by a man who goes by “Divine G,” who was imprisoned for 24 years before new evidence exonerated him from a murder he did not commit.
Who’s in it: Colman Domingo earned a Best Actor nomination for his role as Divine. Many formerly incarcerated actors who were part of the theater program at Sing Sing star as themselves in the film, including Clarence Maclin.
Why it’s relevant: While avoiding the cliches, Sing Sing shines a light on how broken our rehabilitation system is. Divine G is up for parole multiple times, yet he’s always declined—despite the fact that he’s innocent, not to mention a model prisoner. We also see, over the course of the film, just how much the prison system takes its toll on him. Yet despite the potential for despair, the theater program gives Divine G and the other inmates a way to process their emotions and their actions, and it helps them heal. It’s an inspiring film that gives voice to the incarcerated and shows how rehabilitation programs can change people.
Watch it with: The R-rated film Sing Sing is ultimately uplifting. Your friends and family members who are artists will appreciate the film’s focus on the healing power of art.
Wicked
Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Makeup and Hair Styling, Original Score, Best Production Design, Achievement in Sound, and Achievement in Visual Effects
What’s it about: Based on the musical of the same name, which is based on the book of the same name, which is based on The Wizard of Oz, Wicked takes place long before Dorothy arrives in Oz, telling the schoolgirl story of young Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the East, and her friendship with Glinda, who becomes Glinda the Good Witch.
Who’s in it: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, and Bowen Yang
Why it’s relevant: The new administration has some overlaps with the Oz depicted in Wicked, and one of the film’s undercurrents is about rejecting the tyranny of its Wizard. While Glinda is a follower who benefits from the fascist Oz, while Elphaba stages a revolt.
It’s no coincidence that the posters of Elphaba as the Wicked Witch are drawn to look like racist caricatures, or that Elphaba connects with the animals, who are also discriminated against. The upcoming sequel, Wicked: For Good, scheduled for this November, promises to delve deeper into these themes, perhaps inspiring viewers they can still take a stand like Elphaba.
Watch it with: This one is for fans of musicals and otherworldly spectacles. But it’s also for the friends and family who could use a heroine right now.
Flow
Nominated for: Best Animated Film and Best International Feature Film
What it’s about: ‘Cat’ lives the ordinary solitary life of a stray until a giant flood destroys their home, forcing the skittish feline to take refuge aboard a boat with other displaced animals – where they all have to overcome their fears and hostilities and team up to survive.
Why it’s relevant: In a year of unprecedented floods and fires that have displaced people around the world, Flow hits home. While we might be painfully aware of how climate change affects us now, few have considered how it affects animals. It’s not clear where the humans have gone in this parable, but the animals are forced to find a way to survive in the abyss humans have left for them.
Watch it with: Flow can be watched with kids, but certain parts may scare them. Animal lovers will be enchanted by the critters in Flow, but some cat lovers may be disturbed by all the perils Cat has to go through (my brother-in-law barely made it past the first 20 minutes because of this).
The Substance
Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Makeup & Hairstyling, and Best Original Screenplay
What it’s about: On her 50th birthday, aerobics TV star Elisabeth Sparkle is fired from her job. She starts using a black-market drug known as the substance that creates a younger alter-ego version of herself. Yet as young Elisabeth, known as Sue, becomes a star, Elisabeth begins to resent her, and her bitterness takes a dark turn.
Who’s in it: Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid
Why it’s relevant: As the latest anti-aging supplements have taken over everything from TikTok to the global markets, Hollywood continues to be at the center of the obsession with rolling back the clock – and the ageism and wildly unrealistic beauty standards continue to fall most heavily on women. While the themes in The Substance aren’t that subtle, the way the film approaches its larger motifs is like nothing we’ve seen before.
Watch it with: While everyone 40-on-up will relate to the “don’t age” themes, this one is for fans of over-the-top horror flicks.
Anora
Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, Best Film Editing, and Best Original Screenplay
What it’s about: When Anora marries Vanya, the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch, it’s a fairytale come true – until her new husband’s family finds out, and her dream life is quickly shattered.
Who’s in it: Mikey Madison (Better Things), Karren Karagulian (Tangerine), and relative newcomers Yuriy Borisov and Mark Eidelstein
Why it’s relevant: A critique of the American Dream, Anora (known as Ani) isn’t actually in love with Vanya. She’s in love with the high-class life he offers her. They get married in Las Vegas, the epitome of American excess, and just like her love for Vanya isn’t real, neither is their marriage. When Vanya’s family shows up, the whole marriage, much like the American Dream, becomes an illusion.
Watch it with: While Anora isn’t the happiest movie, it does bring madcap humor and goofy criminals that are reminiscent of the Coen Brothers’s films. So if you have a friend or family member who adores Fargo, there’s a high chance they’ll like Anora.
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
Nominated for: Best Animated Feature
What it’s about: When Wallace invents a gardening robot gnome named Norbot, Gromit is not too pleased. He loves working in his garden and doesn’t care for Norbot’s robotic gardening skills. When the robot is featured on TV, Wallace & Gromit’s former nemesis, Feathers McGraw, decides to enact his revenge – hacking into Norbot to turn him evil. Once again, it’s up to Wallace & Gromit to save the day.
Who’s in it: Aardman Animation is the mastermind behind Wallace & Gromit. They’ve also created Shaun the Sheep and Chicken Run.
Why it’s relevant: While the latest romp for Wallace & Gromit can be seen as a fun family film, under the surface is a deeper theme about the dangers of AI. While most of the townspeople love Norbot because he’s convenient, he stifles some of their creativity and has the ability to be co-opted by malicious actors. The same can be said for AI, and the writers and artists behind the film are up against companies that seem to believe that AI can replace them. Wallace & Gromit and the team at Aardman Animation prove that they can’t. After all, what kind of AI could think of Feathers McGraw?
Watch it with: Kids in particular will enjoy the slapstick comedy of Wallace & Gromit, but pretty much anyone will find the dynamic duo charming. It’s one of the few films that’s ideal for everyone.
The Brutalist
Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, Achievement in Production Design, and Best Original Screenplay)
What it’s about: A Hungarian-born Jewish Holocaust survivor immigrates to the United States after World War II. He’s a talented architect who struggles to achieve the American Dream until a wealthy client gives him his big break.
Who’s in it: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, and Guy Pearce
Why it’s relevant: While set in the 1940s and 50s, The Brutalist captures a quintessential story about American immigrants who arrive desperate to escape violence and find a more stable life in the U.S. As an ambitious architect with big visions, Toth represents the American Dream, while Harrison Lee Van Buren, his client, stands in for the literal 1%. To achieve this American Dream is brutal, and going up against Van Buren tears Toth down, reflecting how chasing the American Dream wears down both immigrants and artists alike. And considering how our current administration views immigrants, the treatment of Toth is unfortunately more timely than ever.
Watch it with: Your friend or family member who loves highbrow art and cinematic epics.
Memoir of a Snail
Nominated for: Best Animated Feature
What it’s about: In 1970s Australia, oddball twins Grace and Gilbert are being raised by their paraplegic father. While their lives aren’t perfect, they are happy – until tragedy hits and the two are separated by the foster care system, leaving Gilbert alone in the hands of a cruel evangelical family.
Who’s in it: Sarah Snook, Eric Bana, and Jacki Weaver. Memoir of a Snail was directed by Adam Elliot, who also directed Mary and Max.
Why it’s relevant: Memoir of a Snail takes a close look at the foster care system and homophobia. While Grace’s foster family is weird, they do treat her well—unlike Gilbert’s, who force him to work, barely provide him with an education, and refuse to accept him. While Gilbert’s situation could be seen as extreme, it’s an unfortunate reality for some foster children. The juxtaposition makes a strong case for why the foster care system needs help and how hard it can be to keep siblings together.
Watch it with: Memoir of a Snail is not for kids. There’s nudity, drinking, and a whole lot of swearing. But your friends or family who appreciate adult animation will be intrigued by Memoir of a Snail.
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