So many people have seen Black Panther (incredible!!) and A Star is Born, but what about these other critically acclaimed films? Here's a guide to some you should definitely check out. The Oscars are one week away, this will help keep you up to speed
The Favourite
Visually stunning. This story is about Queen Anne in 18th Century England and two girls vying to be her "favorite." Queen Anne is weak, depressed, sad, and lonely and needs a "favorite" whispering in her ear and helping her rule (while also pushing their own agendas). This is also a comedy. I enjoyed watching this movie, just not as much as the others. All three women had amazing performances, they all deserve to be up for best actress, but I hope Emma Stone or Rachel Weisz win best supporting for sure. The storyline wasn't as exciting compared to the others reviewed but it's still a good story told. The makeup, costumes, scenery were all beautiful and really transported you into the movie.
Blackkklansman
This movie is a comedy, and (I'm sure you can tell by the name of the title) also explores deep racism. Honestly, this movie is really chilling and by the end I was uncomfortable (that ending drained the blood from my face and made me a little sick- but in a good way). This is based on true events and the real people involved. The storyline is about a small town in Colorado and the main character is the first black man on the police force. He decides he wants to joint the local KKK (to bring them down) and with the help of another white officer, he does. This story isn't set that long ago, and the parallels in today's world is so spooky. The comedic moments (which are frequent) help offset the seriousness of the storyline, but the bring you in back deep especially by the end.
If Beale Street Could Talk
This is an incredible and powerful film. I highly recommend it. From the people who brought you Moonlight, and so we knew it was going to be amazing. I especially loved how the cinematographer had so many face to face close ups, not breaking the fourth wall but inviting you personally into the story. You may remember that technique from Moonlight. Falling in love, kissing, having a baby, and talking to the characters face to face, you were intimately part of every scene. I just finished An American Marriage book and that follows a similar storyline as If Beale Street Could Talk, but unlike that novel, Beale Street does leave out a lot of what it's like for the character in prison and the emotional struggles he's facing. Beale Street dives into the main male's character and his girlfriend's character in the outside world but not as much how he's doing emotionally as a person in prison. That's my only complaint, although I realize that possibly the real book that the movie itself was based on didn't either so maybe that's why.
Green Book
This film is so well done all around. It's funny, powerful, tear jerking, beautiful, and explores serious topics. This movie is based on a true event (the son of the real life main character helped write this movie!) and is about an Italian immigrant living in New York City in the 60s. He is obscene, loud, and likes to "bull shit" people. He signs up for a job to drive a man across the country on tour in the deep south, and finds out this man is black. He takes the job. The famous black pianist is very rich and needs help navigating the south based on The Green Book that is a guide for black men to safe bars/restaurants etc. The movie explores so many topics, social class, race, sexuality, family, and more. All of the actors did an incredible job, and the two men both deserve to be up for best actor but I think they only submitted the Italian Driver as lead and had Dr. Shirley's actor (Mahershala Ali) as supporting. GO SEE THIS / RENT IT / WHATEVER .
*Can not wait to see Ali in True Detective!! on HBO*
Others we hope to see soon:
The Wife (Glen Close nominated for best actress)
Can you ever forgive me? (Melissa McCarthy's nominated for best actress)
A Star is Born
Roma