The Oscar Project
Next up in our series this week is the Best International Feature category. Previously known as Best Foreign Language Film, this category got a new name just last year in 2020 with Best Picture winner Parasite winning here as well. This year, one of the international feature nominees is again nominated for Best Director (as was Bong Joon-ho last year) with Another Round's Thomas Vinterberg being recognized in that category. As of this writing, I have not had a chance to watch any of these films, though they will be on my list as we approach the Academy Awards ceremony. As I am able to watch them, reviews will be posted on the site.
2021 Short Film Nominees | 2021 Best Documentary Feature Nominees
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I am starting off our deeper dive coverage of the films nominated for Oscars this year with a look at the three short film categories, Best Documentary Short Film, Best Animated Short Film, and Best Live Action Short Film. I personally love these categories because you often get a wide range of stories all packed into small packages. Many of the films, especially in the animated category, are less than ten minutes long, so you can sit down and watch the entire category in less time than it takes to watch a full feature film, if you can find them that is. That's the true struggle with these films. They rarely get released to theaters outside of film festivals, but with the rise of online streaming services and sites like Vimeo and YouTube, many of these are more accessible than ever. Out of the 15 nominees across the three short film categories, seven are readily available on YouTube, Netflix and Disney+. The remaining eight do not currently have distribution as of this writing, but may be released publicly prior to the Academy Award ceremony. Best Documentary Short FilmWith four of these five films available online, I was able to sit down and watch them back to back. I wish I could say these documentaries were uplifting and lighthearted, but with subjects ranging from anti-government protests in Hong Kong to the murder of a young girl to a WWII French Resistance fighter visiting the concentration camp where her brother died, you won't find much levity here. About the closest you'll come is the conversation between a grandfather and grandson on the eve of the younger man's concerto debut in concert. These films are all fantastic. As I have some more time to digest them and think about them, I'm sure one or two may rise to the surface as my favorite to win the award, but right now they are all too fresh in my mind to make a pick.
Best Animated Short FilmThe animated short film category is one that has been owned by Pixar shorts off and on for some time. However, as cute as "Burrow" is, I don't think it is strong enough to take home the prize this year. I say this having only seen that and "If Anything Happens I Love You," but already that film has my vote for the award. Fair warning, don't read anything about it before you watch, not even my summary below. The best way to watch that short is to go in blind. I am hoping to get a chance to see the other three films, especially "Opera" which brings a very intriguing premise. As I am able to view them, I will update here with my thoughts as well as short reviews of each.
Best Live Action Short FilmAs of this writing, I've only seen one film from this group but it is fantastic. The premise of "Feeling Through" is truly unique and once again, I went in knowing very little of what it was about. I am also intrigued to see "The Letter Room" which stars Hollywood actor Oscar Isaac (Ex Machina, Star Wars, Inside Llewyn Davis) He has been seen in a number of big budget films over the last decade or so, that I look forward to seeing what he is able to do in a short film format. Finally, I recently heard an interview with Lawrence Bender, the producer of "Two Distant Strangers" as well as Joey Bada$$ who stars in the film. The story sounds like an intriguing look at police brutality in America mixed with a concept familiar to anyone who has seen Palm Springs (review) or Groundhog Day.
I have to say the best film releasing this weekend is likely one you've seen before. Peter Jackson's 2001 blockbuster The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring lands in a limited IMAX re-release this weekend so now is your chance to see it on the big screen if it's been a while. Unfortunately, there are no major wide releases this weekend, yet there is plenty of star power hitting theaters and virtual releases including names like Viggo Mortensen (Green Book, The Lord of the Rings), Sam Neill (Jurassic Park, Event Horizon), Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean, Sleepy Hollow), and Kate Hudson (Almost Famous, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days). Please support your local cinemas whenever possible as they continue to struggle throughout these difficult times. Limited ReleasesFebruary 5th Angelique's Isle - A married couple treks to a remote island in search of copper riches end up fighting for survival through a brutal winter. Dara of Jasenovac - The story of life in a Nazi concentration camp told from the perspective of a young girl. Falling - Lance Henriksen and Viggo Mortensen star in a father and son story which is also Mortensen's directorial debut. A Glitch in the Matrix - A new documentary that explores the idea of simulation theory in our lives. Little Fish - People wake up in a world overrun by a pandemic that causes people to lose their memory. The Mimic - A man is followed by a sociopath that tries to do everything just like him. Minamata - Johnny Depp stars in this drama about a photographer who travels to Japan to document a case of mercury poisoning in a remote town. Payback - A man who has spent six years in prison seeks revenge on the man who set him up. PVT Chat - Sexual thriller that explores the world of online fantasies that spill over into the non-digital world. Rams - Sam Neill stars as a sheep farmer who struggles to keep some of his favorite livestock when a deadly virus threatens the regional sheep population. The Reckoning - In 1665, a town deals with witches who have made their deals with the devil. Reunion - A pregnant woman's return to her deceased grandparents home turns terrifying. Sacrifice - A man and his pregnant wife try to claim an inheritance in a remote village only to face a terrifying evil entity called The Slumbering One. Son of the South - A young white man confronts racism by joining protests for racial equality and civil rights. Two of Us - Two elderly women struggle to deal with their love for each other that has remained hidden for many years. (Oscar Contender) The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - Peter Jackson's modern classic kicks off the incredible trilogy with the beginning of Frodo Baggins's journey to destroy the One Ring. February 10th Music - Kate Hudson stars as the older sister of a teenage autistic girl (Maddie Ziedler) who seek out the aid of a friendly neighbor (Leslie Odom, Jr.) in this musical film directed by pop star Sia. February 11th Irréversible - Inversion Intégrale - Reverse edit of Gaspar Noé's 2002 film Irréversible. Virtual ReleasesFebruary 5th
Heartworn Highways - Re-release of the 1976 documentary about mid-1970s country and folk musicians. M.C. Escher: Journey to Infinity - Documentary look at the life and work of visionary artist and mathematician M.C. Escher. February 10th Twilight's Kiss - Two secretly gay Korean men who have a chance meeting in a park begin to explore their suppressed desires. We officially have one wide release opening this weekend as Liam Neeson looks to dethrone Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman 1984 from the top spot at the box office with the western/drug cartel action thriller The Marksman.
Welcome to the first Nominee Watch of 2021. If you're a regular to this site, you know I used to do these (just about) every Thursday with a rundown of the films releasing to theaters that weekend in the U.S. With everything that happened in 2020, there weren't a lot of films releasing to theaters so I've taken this opportunity to reset and start fresh.
The first batch of presenters for the upcoming 2020 Oscars has been announced. In keeping with the tradition of having the previous year's acting winners return to present the following, all four winners of the acting categories from 2019 are back. That means Best Actor Rami Malek, Best Actress Olivia Colman, Best Supporting Actress Regina King, and Best Supporting Actor Mahershala Ali will be presenting the awards to a new batch of winners in just a few weeks. It is likely that each will present for the opposite sex and also for the opposite prize as has been the tradition for some time. In the past several years, Best Supporting Actor has been one of the first prizes awarded so look for Colman to grace the stage first out of this group. The remaining presenters are yet to be announced, but look for a star studded group, especially since the Oscars will have no host for the second year in a row. While my efforts over the last week and a half have been focused on getting the early episodes of The Oscar Project Podcast off the ground, I wanted to take a little time to present the films that are hitting theaters this week. The good news about these releases is that a few of them may be up for Oscars when the nominees are announced on Monday, January 13th. I can almost guarantee several nominations for 1917 and perhaps one for Just Mercy as well. Click through the find out where the contenders are and which films may have to wait for next year. So now that the holidays are over, it's time to slog our way through the films that didn't quite make the cut for a holiday release last year. Granted, there are some films I'm looking forward to over the next few weeks and months, but don't expect many of these to be in contention for Oscars around this time next year. This first weekend of the year brings only one new wide release and a handful of limited releases. Check them out below. |
AuthorI'm just a film buff who wants to watch great movies. Where else to find the best, than the list of those nominated by the Academy each year? Archives
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