“Every great film should seem new every time you see it.” – Roger Ebert

Before You Start Your Academy Award “To-Watch” List…

Nomadland (2020)

Directed by Chloé Zhao

Starring Frances McDormand and David Strathairn

Nomadland was the big winner last Sunday night. It snagged Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress.

I watched this with K on her recommendation. It is the story of a woman (Frances McDormand, in another impressive performance) that spends the later part of her life “traveling houseless but not homeless” in her van.

It is, as my old friend Ken Danz used to say, GSD (Grim, Stark, and Depressing) – in other words, it has what he considered to be all the best qualities. There is very little music. The photography is a big part of it (scenes from Nevada and the Western coastline). It is slow-moving at first, but then it takes hold of you. It is a critique of America, but vague enough not to insult the viewer’s intelligence.

And it’s a good movie. The characters are engaging. The acting is strong. The dialogue is believable. Like the best movies, it gives you a glimpse into a world that you’d otherwise never know.

It’s interesting to note that:

* Aside from Frances McDormand and David Strathairn, the cast is made up of regular local folk and actual, real-life nomads that go by their real names in the movie.

* For authenticity, Frances McDormand actually lived the “nomad” lifestyle in a van for months while making the film. At one point, she was even offered a job at Target by one of the locals.

 You can watch the trailer here.

Soul (2020)

Pixar, Walt Disney Pictures

Soul, the first Pixar film to feature an African-American protagonist, won two Oscars: Best Animated Film and Best Original Score.

The film deserves the awards. The animation and musical score, which were integrated, were great. (One of the many impressive aspects of the animation was the close-up shots of the protagonist – Joe Gardner – playing the piano. These were done by matching video recorded data of the music being played by jazz musicians with the animated hand of Gardner, so that the keys being played on the piano matched exactly with the notes.) The story and the acting were predictable but good. And the imaginary landscapes were probably the best part of it.

This is not a movie for toddlers. But because the animated characters are friendly looking and because the story is (predictably) compelling, it could hold the interest of kids as young as six.

You can watch the trailer here.

Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)

Starring Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield

Much to my surprise, Judas and the Black Messiah won only two Oscars: Best Supporting Actor (Daniel Kaluuya) and Best Original Song.

I reviewed this movie at length on April 24. Some of my comments:

Judas and the Black Messiah  was good in many ways and very good in the most important way: It disturbed me and challenged some of my thoughts about police violence and racism. That was, of course, what it was meant to do. But I wasn’t an easy target. I could easily have dismissed it as weak, woke propaganda.

But some of the scenes of police brutality towards African-Americans reminded me of things I know from experience. That was the best thing about Judas and the Black Messiah. The next best thing was the acting. The two main actors – Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield – were phenomenal. Oddly, the awards have gone to Kaluuya. That, I don’t agree with. They both had very challenging roles – complex personalities that had to evince wide ranges of sometimes contradictory behaviors in convincing ways. But Stanfield’s acting was every bit as good and his role was more demanding. When you see the film, you can judge for yourself.

The secondary actors were just as good. And the movie had a plot with steady tension and well-paced forward momentum, quirky but effective editing, an experimental but successful sound track, and lots of interesting historical tidbits power-packed with ironies to wonder about. (Just think: You are watching a movie about BLM whose timeframe took place 50 years ago.)

Overall, it was gripping, compelling, and moving. In my opinion, it was possibly the best of the Oscar contenders.

You can watch the trailer here.

Another Round (2020)

Directed by Thomas Vinterberg

Starring Mads Mikkelsen, Magnus Millang, Lars Ranthe, and Thomas Bo Larsen

Another Round won the Oscar for Best International Feature. I reviewed this movie at length on April 10. Some of my comments:

Another Round is a Danish movie about four middle-aged school teachers who decide, as a sort of mid-life-crisis experiment, to start drinking “scientifically” to see if it might somehow improve their dreary lives.

The premise of the experiment is adorable: Some Danish philosopher suggests that the human animal is operating with a blood alcohol level that is 0.05 lower than it should be. The only way to operate at peak capacity, the four friends reason, is to drink enough in the morning, and continue tippling during the day, to achieve that level of non-sobriety.

Much of the movie is what happens when they do. Their teaching becomes more animated, their ideas more creative, and their personal relationships more passionate. And this is all fun to watch, as you might imagine.

But since it’s a Danish film, and not an American film, existential reality sets in. The dénouement is still sweet and uplifting, but also (as my old friend Ken would say) GSD.

I don’t remember having any thoughts about the production values, good or bad. I suppose that’s a good thing. I do remember thinking that the characterization of the four main characters and the performances of this ensemble cast were all excellent.

You can watch the trailer here.

My Octopus Teacher (2020)

A Netflix Original documentary

Directed by Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed

My Octopus Teacher won the Oscar for Best Documentary. I reviewed it very briefly back in October. This is what I said then:

If you are looking for something to divert you from the ugliness of US politics and inspire you to… well, not hang yourself, this little documentary is worth watching.

Directed by Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed, the film presents a magical year in the life of filmmaker Craig Foster. In 2010, Foster began free diving near his home in South Africa. While exploring a cold-water kelp forest, he came across a young octopus that exhibited an interest in this human creature. Very gradually, the two formed a relationship – a relationship of trust and curiosity that will astound you. It takes Jane Goodall and her experience with gorillas a whole step farther.

You can watch the trailer here.