Like most writers, I love books. Shocker, I know.
I also love movies. Every year I attempt to see the films nominated for awards, especially those up for Oscars. Even the foreign films, short films, and documentaries. Yes, I know it is a lot of moviegoing, but that’s okay. My writing work involves sitting at a desk in my apartment, movies are quite often an excuse to get out of the house.
For a full Oscar Nominee list go here.
This is the list of Best Picture Oscar Nominees: (Please note all links will take you to the movie trailers)
“Call Me by Your Name” “Darkest Hour” “Dunkirk” “Get Out” “Lady Bird” “The Phantom Thread” “The Post” “The Shape of Water” “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
So far, I have seen:
The Greatest Showman – I loved this movie. And who can resist Hugh Jackman? Yes, Wolverine can sing and dance. I will definitely be buying the soundtrack and the DVD.
The Darkest Hour – A must see for Gary Oldman’s performance alone. It also rates high for script and ensemble cast as well.
Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri – (Swearing alert on the trailer) I consider it one of the best scripts I’ve seen in a long time. Every performance is electrifying.
Dunkirk – Amazing – see this when you see The Darkest Hour – it is the same time during WWII
The Shape of Water – Absolutely beautiful. A quirky story with brilliant performances by Sally Hawkins and Richard Jenkins.
Lady Bird – I enjoyed it, but for me, it didn’t live up to the hype.
The Post – I also enjoyed this movie but I was a little disappointed. I thought the first third of the movie could have been much tighter. When I saw the credits, I was surprised the director was Steven Spielberg. Still worth seeing. A similar movie that won the best picture oscar in 2016 was Spotlight. Spotlight is a must see. I have seen it three times so far. It can be found on Netflix.
That’s all I’ve seen so far.
I enjoy, the entertainment aspect of going to the movies. In a movie theatre, I am transported outside of my daily routine. I am also very conscious of the writing and acting which makes up what I see on the big screen. I don’t negate all the other aspects of filmmaking, but I want to focus on these two in this post.
I am a writer, but I also have thirty years of experience in community theatre. As a result, the script writing, acting and directing are the categories that stand out for me when I go to see a film. I identify with the craft and work involved.
Quite often, I will go to a movie just for the performance of an actor. I love the acting process. The acting craft allows us to look at a familiar face and see a whole other character. In the hands of a master, the transformation is truly captivating and awe-inspiring.
A few years ago, Daniel Day-Lewis transformed into Abraham Lincoln. This year it is Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill in The Darkest Hour. Both amazing scripts in the hands of amazing actors.
Unlike a well-known actor, a script doesn’t usually pull someone into the cinema. A script is only revealed when you are sitting in the cinema experiencing the text brought to life. If I know the reputation of a screenwriter I quite often am attracted to a film. This is not always the case, I usually don’t know ahead of time. I love the surprise of not knowing. When a story unfolds before me and I am overwhelmed by the script, I wait for the credits to see who wrote it. Yes, I am one of those people who sit for the credits.
As a writer, my focus is on short stories and novels. I choose to work on my craft as a writer with a reader as my focus audience. Maybe one day I will tackle a screenplay. My appreciation of this aspect of writing will only increase.
Leave me a comment and tell me what movies you’ve seen recently? If you had to pick just one what is the one movie this award season you would say is a must see?