OSCAR NOMINATIONS 2021
I KNOW FOR SURE IT WAS before I started kindergarten, but I cannot remember how much younger I was when I saw my very first Oscars telecast. What I do remember was how all the women were so fancy in their long dresses. The other memory is about the Oscar statue; it looked so heavy to me, I wondered how the actors could lift it so easily. Ever since that moment in time, I have seen the Academy Awards telecast each year. Everyone who knows me knows how much I look forward to the telecast. Through the years it became a thing to see every nominated film before the show aired and then soon after the family contest started to see who was best at predicting the winners. I cannot tell you how much I looked forward to this yearly event…. up until now. LIKE SO MANY THINGS THE PAST year, COVID has had an affect on movies. For the first time in my adult life, I have not been able to see all the films nominated in the major categories. With the onslaught of all the different streaming services, it has been a maddening situation for me. The idea of signing on to all these services just to see a few films makes no sense to me; it would cost more than my cable bill, which is already expensive. And I must tell you, I am angry at the Academy’s board of trustees. I feel if movies are such an integral part of society, they could have made the effort to arrange for all the nominated films to be shown for free. Possibly pay the streaming services and studios to air the films under their banner for free or nominal fee over a weekend; I would be happy with this arrangement. But instead for the first time since I was predicting Oscar winners, I will not be doing it this year because I have not seen all the movies in each category. Instead all I can offer is my opinion on which one out of the ones I viewed I liked the best. So, with no further ado, here are my thoughts on this year’s partial crop of Oscar nominated films.
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Glenn Close, Hillbilly Elegy
Amanda Seyfried, Mank
My favorite out of this group would be Glenn Close.
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah
Leslie Odom Jr., One Night in Miami
Paul Raci, Sound of Metal
Lakeith Stanfield, Judas and the Black Messiah
Sacha Baron Cohen, The Trial of the Chicago 7
This is a tough one for me because they all had a strong impact on me. I would love to see Sacha win just to hear his acceptance speech, plus he did an amazing job. I think the academy will choose Daniel.
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Viola Davis, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Vanessa Kirby, Pieces of a Woman
Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman
Each of these 3 deserve the award. Carey made the biggest impact on me, so I will go with that though I think the Academy will pick Viola.
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal
Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Gary Oldman, Mank
Chadwick has a lock on this category. I did think Riz did an amazing job with his role and under different circumstances I would pick him.
INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM
Another Round – Denmark
Better Days – Hong Kong
I absolutely loved Better Days and it deserves every award it can get.
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Crip Camp
My Octopus Teacher
Time
Though I thoroughly engaged with Crip Camp, My Octopus Teacher is my favorite.
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Judas and the Black Messiah
Promising Young Woman
Sound of Metal
The Trial of the Chicago 7
My choice goes to The Trial of the Chicago 7
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Onward
Over the Moon
A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon
Soul
The one that took me away is Over the Moon
BEST PICTURE
Judas and the Black Messiah
Mank
Promising Young Woman
Sound of Metal
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Out of the ones I was able to view, I would give it to The Trial of the Chicago 7
So, there you have it; I am sad I haven’t seen all the nominees and have not been in a movie theater for one year. However, putting things into perspective, at least I am here and able to see some films. The most important thing is that we all get through this time and get to our new normal. Be well and stay safe, that is my wish for you. Thank you.
Posted on April 21, 2021, in Uncategorized and tagged academy awards, actor, actress, best picture, oscar nominations, screenplay. Bookmark the permalink. 6 Comments.
moviejoltz 
Like you, I always used to strive to see all of the movies nominated in the major categories ahead of the Oscars. When my kids were wee, it became more challenging to see them all but, in recent years – and especially since my kids have become movie nerds too – we have been getting back into that practice. This year, however, I have barely seen any of the movies because we have not felt comfortable with the idea of going to a cinema. I have, therefore, only seen only 9 of the movies you have in the categories listed in your post.
I can sympathize; I am not comfortable yet going back to the theater. It is a struggle and talking with family members, all of us are meh about the Oscars this year. Thank you for your comments.
Nice to read about your picks! I’m on the fence about all these award shows because every year there are deserving works that get left out. Sure there are limited slots so it’s sad when less deserving performances get nominated. But that’s just how it is. Like for Best Actress, Sophia Loren (The Life Ahead), Michelle Pfeiffer (French Exit) and Diane Lane (Let Him Go) would all make the list if it were up to me haha. Let Him Go was totally left out in the awards season, which is disappointing because it’s a breathtaking little gem (Nomadland is too so I’m happy for that team). I guess it comes down to hype and who’s trendy at the moment, and connections, things like that. It’s like 50% talent and 50% luck.
Hi Halim and thank you for the comments. I agree with you and my favorite line from the Oscars was best supporting actress saying she is not a better actress than Glenn Close, she is just lucky.
I would be curious how these films suddenly become trendy and suddenly become the frontrunners for the “race.” I will keep in mind the films you mentioned, to view them when they become available for me. Stay safe and be well.
As a female curmudgeon, I don’t care to go to the movies anymore. Yes, the seats are more comfortable, and the rooms are slanted nicely. I do not want to pick my seat ahead of time, I want to decide when I see the audience. I like to see the dazzling stars in their finery and the comments about them. What I do LOVE is live theater!! Please don’t hate me, I’m old.
Hi Time Traveler of Life and I would never hate you. Like you, I cannot wait for live theater to return. As for movies, they are just as important to me because they work my brain in a different way that can transport me to a different place–when the movie is outstanding. Thank you for your comments, I appreciate it.