Who Should Win at The Oscars 2024?

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My picks and predictions to win the 96th Academy Awards.
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Additional Footage provided by Getty Images
Chapters:
0:00 Setting The Table
01:00 Sound
02:11 Original Score
03:50 Production Design
05:13 Cinematography
06:42 Costume Design
07:39 Film Editing
09:42 Supporting Actor
10:56 Supporting Actress
11:50 Lead Actor
13:54 Lead Actress
16:50 Directing
18:49 Best Picture
#ThomasFlight #VideoEssay

[@ThomasFlight]

Watch Fallen Leaves Free with your Extended Free Trial of MUBI: mubi.com/thomasflight

[@yellowflash7696]

Another clown 🤡 pretending to know a thing or two about films 😂😂😂

[@yellowflash7696]

Another 🤡 pretending to know a thing about movies. 😂

[@jaguarkaboom8967]

paul is playing a version of himself. davine is barely there. emma stone is over the top. cillian, rdj, and emily should sweep. along with sandra huller.

[@DrtyALGreen]

What is the Zone of Interest about? The previews are so obtuse you have no idea anything except that they look like Nazi's.

[@justnahayo8490]

@@yellowflash7696💀💀

[@davidmylchreest3306]

I'm enjoying the polite but frequent and firm knockbacks of Maestro. It's the kid sitting alone at lunchbreak of the Oscar nominees.

[@ThomasFlight]

Tried not to be unreasonably hard on it but, yeah I did not like it as much as the others.

[@LennethValkyrie]

I can't even get myself to watch it, lmao. It's the only one I haven't watched and have zero intention of doing it.

[@tatehildyard5332]

Hey that’s mean!….to the kid alone at lunch break.

[@katiacomk]

It’s not bad… but you can tick all the boxes for the awards and that’s the let down

[@ct81]

Very perplexed with the dislike of Maestro and even initial resistance to watching it. Maybe it has to do with classical music being the subject matter? Perhaps people can't fathom Cooper directing or even playing this type of role? If anything, I find Oppenheimer to be the film that is occupying the safe, biopic lane which leads directly to Oscar wins. Cooper's film feels more edgy, risky, and innovative than Oppenheimer. I do admit, that at times, I could tell that Cooper is extremely knowledgeable about cinema and was therefore utilizing many techniques and influences (for ex. The Red Shoes reference). But hey, if people are going to sing Tarantino's praises, then one cannot necessarily fault Cooper for flexing his cinematic knowledge. His use of music, his compositional choices, and editing were all well thought out and is directly tied to musical structures and rhythm. Again, at times, it did feel like he was trying too hard to impart meaning into every shot, choice of when to cut, and how he used the soundtrack. As for the performances, if we again, use the overused word, subtlety, to applaud performer's, then I'm not sure how much more subtle a performance can be than Mulligan's. Hers was a complete arc that was felt and understood almost solely through her face. While Cooper was talk talk talk, akin to films of the 30's, she was the counterpoint to him, but not through voice, but action and reaction. I'm OK if another film wins Best Picture over Maestro (except for Oppenheimer), but I do feel that it is more than worthy as a nomination.

[@BatAmerica]

I'm still frustrated that Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and The Boy and the Heron (2023) weren't nominated for the original score. Both pieces were so distinct due to the variety of tracks and instrumentals that accurately entrenched the audience with each character and setting. It shows how much the Academy Awards values animation compared to other mediums.

[@maartenvangeffen4508]

Weirdest thing is, the Oscars YT channel uploaded a 10 minute interview with Joe Hisaishi talking about his score for the film, and it made me realise how excellent it is. He really, really needs an oscar for his work.

[@HeelPower200]

​@@maartenvangeffen4508It was really fantastic. Its also very different from Joe Hishaishi's typical style. Boy and the Heron deserved a spot in picture, director and screenplay honestly.

[@inazuma3gou]

This is just my personal impression, but the music from AtSV didn't grab me as much as ItSV. ItSV blew my mind with "What's up danger" and also Miles' intro with Sun Flower was so sweet. With AtSV, "Self Love" was mesmerizing and Gwen's intro drumming was fabulous, but other parts didn't grab me as much. If ItSS was A+, AtSV was a solid A.

[@hundredfireify]

Agreed! Hollywood and the academy awards are in a weird bubble and it's particularly difficult for them to burst it

[@BatAmerica]

@@inazuma3gou That's fair. Music aside, that's similar to my thoughts on the films themselves.

[@kevins1426]

Past Lives should have gotten a Best Cinematography nomination, since it made me think New York City is pretty after I watched three seasons of How to with John Wilson.

[@randomhandle253]

Weird because John Wilson showed me that New York is beautiful.

[@tatehildyard5332]

That and I think it should have gotten a Best Editing nomination. Not necessarily because of pacing, but rather how much it does to express intention for a movie where it’s mostly people sitting and talking. The coverage in dialogue scenes is so precise and deliberate in communicating information and emotion. It knows when to stay wide, when to close in for a more intimate moment and who should and should not be in frame for each individual beat. It’s a director actually thinking about the medium of film and how to use it in a way that can’t be done in theatre.

[@cashoomilk]

i found the cinematography in past lives mediocre

[@zxbc1]

Past Lives should get a screenplay nod, it's brilliantly constructed. I don't like the cinematography, but I can see how someone can appreciate it. For me it's just too bland and subdued. Serves the story perfectly but nothing special.

[@maciejgrenda216]

Brilliant comment, thank you for the hearty chuckle. Guess I need to watch Past Lives now

[@ipdeboer]

Oscars are like a toxic ex you can’t quit. Loving this run of videos. Great job using the music and finding different ways of talking about da movies

[@quocanhnguyen9002]

It's not FOR you

[@jasoncoladonato1034]

ahahahahah that's pretty true

[@davidyurch4446]

I think award shows are like Regina George: you can hate them while still wanting them to like you.

[@JohannesWiberg]

I think you misspelled that, it should be "da moviesh". Respectfully, a Blankie.

[@gabrielfernandes3117]

agreed!

[@MEECAHjh]

I think Greta Lee and Celine Song deserve mentions as potential snubs for best actress and best directing for their work on Past Lives.

[@rebeccag8589]

100%

[@pelo177]

Past Lives was my favorite film of the year. Agreed.

[@thelouisjohnson]

Past Lives was really underserved. Although, this was a cracking year for film.

[@guiltyonsundays]

Came to the comments to say exactly this!

[@DKGifford19608]

Greta Lee was amazing and my best performance of the year.

[@styx9193]

Somehow I feel like this year (2023/24) will go down in history of film as a great one. So many great pictures have been released and finally both studios AND audiences turn to original pieces instead of the endless multiverse blockbusters.

[@acdragonrider]

2022 was better for me

[@NatureSmarter]

I agree with you. I thought it was a great year!

[@dominic4981]

I agree, definitely an outstanding year for movies, had fair amount of movies absolutely worth seeing

[@Schmidtelpunkt]

It ended up much more promising that I would have expected from a year lost on strikes. I am afraid though that everything will fall back into the old ways, once some superhero crap tops the charts again.

[@libraenvidiosa741]

barbieheinmer will go down in history like it was amazing seeing so many people going to the cinema

[@LennethValkyrie]

When I watched The Zone of Interest I couldn't recall where I had seen Hüller before. When I realised she was the same actress of Anatomy of a Fall, I thought it must be so amazing for her to have two films she participates in nominated for the Oscars!

[@Schmidtelpunkt]

It gets even better when you add Toni Erdmann to the mix.

[@leemap7399]

What's cool is that Issa Rae was part of three films nominated for the Oscars: Across the Spider-Verse, American Fiction and Barbie.

[@LennethValkyrie]

@@leemap7399 I had no idea who she was, lmao.

[@VoltaDoMar]

I'm so tired of Oscar bait biopics and I want them to stop being rewarded so people will stop making them

[@ThomasFlight]

Biopic fatigue is real.

[@kacasper2]

sorry but why would people care what you think about biopics u dont decide what other people are making, nobody forces you to watch anything

[@strange.person]

​@@kacasper2I do care about what they think about biopics and they're right.

[@ravantgarde1899]

@@kacasper2it’s a comment section so people typically write opinionated comments 🤷‍♂️

[@samuelbarber6177]

I like biopics like Oppenheimer where they play around with it. But I totally agree about a lot of films which really do play it too safe. A lot of especially music biopics feel the same. Here’s the scene where they argue with the spouse. Here’s the scene whee they do drugs and have an affair etc.

[@critiqueofthegothgf]

including the actual OST in the background is what makes your videos so good. might sound dramatic but it's a small 'detail' that many other creators would overlook, resulting in me having to individually look up the OST myself

[@Andeimir]

Milo Machado-Graner was exceptional in Anatomy of a Fall, and in a less Hollywood-biased (understandably so, it is the American industry's) award ceremony he'd have the strongest case for the supporting actor category.

[@hj-ct2qi]

agree. sandra huller was so off-the-charts fantastic that i almost forget that all the supporting cast of that film were excellent too. including the dog who played snoop, messi, who may be the best animal actor (is that a thing?) of all time

[@rapidreaders7741]

It's also possible Hollywood no longer nominates child actors because of the consequences that come with it - namely the unrealistically high expectations the child actors will be met with afterward from the media and public, which has destroyed the lives of so many child actors. That or they're just super biased in favor of older actors, lol. Actors they know within their circles and what not. No other explanation how Jamie Lee Curtis won last year.

[@whatwhatwfeenfeen]

insane child actor performance. was just as good as sandra hullee

[@fraurudibrot]

Oh My, absolutely! His Speech was so Increadably moving. He is amazing. And as @hj-ct2qi said, the hole cast is incredible and this movie should actually be nominated for the casting ! 🙂

[@nh3028]

He was so good. I agree that he deserves recognition.

[@bronsonhatch]

One of the most egregious snubs of the year is All of Us Strangers in at least Adapted Screenplay and Lead Actor. Not that many people saw it prior to the nomination announcement but with it getting a somewhat larger release, it continues to be acclaimed by audiences and critics. It’s many people’s favorite of the year (including mine). And if you’ve seen the movie you can at least get behind the Andrew Scott Snub. He was so so devastating and perfect for the role.

[@anav11i]

Yes! Andrew Scott was literally so perfect. So sad that the whole movie is so underrated in general…

[@acdragonrider]

Too many films I loved from the year were snubbed. Strangers, peasants, promised land, Crow, Fallen Leaves were all better than Maestro (imo). As a war film lover, I also was disappointed that covenant hasn’t gotten any attention. I know people also have their thoughts about Priscilla being fairly monotone but I also think Spaeny deserved at least a nomination.. Even the biggest critics of the film have praised her work.

[@rebeccag8589]

I totally agree! This was my favorite film of the year. It's really stayed with me. The screenplay and acting in particular were phenomenal.

[@percyweasley9301]

EXACTLY ❤

[@rEAI1ty]

100% Can't believe it didn't get a single mention.

[@user-br6ku7jj6n]

20:32 "spark a discussion about the film making we love, rather than just argue with people" I like that!

[@charliewaterton3263]

I still can't understand why nobody is talking about the score for 'Society Of The Snow'. Giacchino does an amazing job building and maintaining tension during their time in the Andes and some of the earlier pieces before the crash especially are very beautiful and emotional.

[@DJAugust-]

Agree! I loved it as well

[@geistakageist2932]

can't understand how All Of Us Strangers didn't get a single nomination. the four actors are incredible

[@dodosh9444]

Tons of love for mentioning animated films worthy of best picture.

[@santiagom5900]

true ;-;

[@rafaelc.c.]

Suzume was actually the best film of the year in my opinion.

[@MartijnPennings]

The academy still thinks of "animation" a genre, and genre films (like horror, action, comedy and ... animation) are rarely recognized by the academy as being a good film. Animation is just a style of filmmaking and should have been taken more seriously for years. There are only three animated movies that have gotten Best Picture noms: Beauty and the Beast, Up! and Toy Story 3. I mean.... Lion King? Spirited Away? Ratatouille? Spiderverse?

[@musicproductionsvp-compose177]

Oppenheimer was in a league of its own. From the 1st person script to the score, to the acting and directing, it's on another level. Plus it has the hype...

[@BertolucciKasparov]

And it's boring as hell!

[@Ghost-qo5of]

​@@BertolucciKasparovtiktok attention span

[@BertolucciKasparov]

@@Ghost-qo5of Exactly, Oppenheimer is a movie for the Tiktok generation

[@LetterBeginning]

Bertolucci, your comeback is as weak as your ability to pay attention 🤣

[@BertolucciKasparov]

@@LetterBeginning Not a comeback, just a fact. Oppenheimer is a spam of short cuts with excessive music ... great for the Tiktok kids.

[@morroyce21]

Great analysis, but I respectfully disagree on your choice of Best Actress: Sandra Huller's performance will be studied by film and theater students for decades to come.

[@sebastiano728]

I agree, Hüller would be my choice. I stand by that Gladstone should have won an Oscar for KOTFM, but as a supporting actress. I think the producers of that film are trying to have their cake and eat it too. They didn't feature Gladstone very much in the movie (she's in less than a third of it), and her character is given very little agency until the very end. She's protagonistic in the way Private Ryan is, wherein the film is ultimately about them but mostly in spirit rather than in practice. Meanwhile though, the film gets to boast prominently featuring a Native actress by falsely campaigning her in Lead.

[@irvingargaez521]

Completely agree. Not only is the most powerful of the bunch, but it lingers after you finish the movie

[@anav11i]

I agree. It was an amazing performance.

[@despairasite]

Huller was everything about that movie, she was absolutely fantastic. It's worth mentioning I thought the actor playing the boy did quite well too.

[@enolaholmes3309]

Agree, Huller was magnetic and unforgettable. That fight scene will also be studied in years to come! Stone was fantastic too, but more over the top. Gladstone was subtle and strong, but not as impactful as Huller.

[@critiqueofthegothgf]

the subtlety within the editing of the holdovers will go overlooked but it's exactly what I'd accredit the cozy and warm feel of the film, to.

[@gatkomuc6843]

I'm not sure if there's a precedent for two nominations for the same actress, but Sandra Hüller was magnificent in Zone of Interest

[@leofreaking]

There actually is! I had to google it, because I remembered seeing something about that recently. And it apparently happened a dozen times so far: 1938 Fay Bainter for White Banner & Jezebel (Won) 1942 Teresa Wright for The Pride of the Yankees & Mrs. Miniver (Won) 1944 Barry Fitzgerald for Going My Way (Won, but was nominated for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor in the same movie) 1982 Jessica Lange for Frances & Tootsie (Won) 1988 Sigourney Weaver for Gorillas in the Mist & Working Girl 1992 Al Pacino for Scent of a Woman (Won) & Glengarry Glen Ross 1993 Holly Hunter for The Piano (Won) & The Firm 1993 Emma Thompson for The Remains of the Day & In the Name of the Father 2002 Julianne Moore for Far from Heaven & The Hours 2004 Jamie Foxx for Ray (Won) & Collateral 2007 Cate Blanchett for Elizabeth: The Golden Age & I'm Not There 2019 Scarlett Johansson for Marriage Story & Jojo Rabbit Out of the 12 times this happened, 7 times they won. 4 times for Supporting Role and 3 times for Main Role. And funny coincidence that it happened twice in 1993

[@alexferreira3929]

She was nominated twice, for both movies at the BAFTAS, but sadly she didn't won

[@MartijnPennings]

@@leofreaking Sandra Hüllers performances in both films were definitely lead performances and the Academy doesn't allow two nominations for the same actor in the same category, so maybe someone had to choose which film to go for. Edit: apparently she got a Bafta nom for Zone of Interest as "best supporting actress"....

[@EarlofSedgewick]

​@@MartijnPennings Yeah clearly a leading part, but if they have to adjust to make the acknowledgement possible, I'm glad they did

[@Schmidtelpunkt]

If anybody could pull off looking happy about the Oscar win while also giving the look of forced cheerfulness the others have to show in the close up at the same time, it would be Hüller...

[@dulljumbo4321]

how the fuck was asteroid city not nominated for production design regardless of anyones gripes about the movie itself the movie looks insane

[@TheKimels]

Emma Stone should win every year, forever...

[@HorrorCritical]

I want Poor Things to win best picture. I doubt that’s going to happen but I hope it does. It’s one of the few movies from 2023 that I was never bored of once, and also caught my attention throughout the whole runtime

[@critiqueofthegothgf]

poor things OST, especially the first track, has stuck with me since i first watched the film. never heard an OST so perfectly fitting

[@shandiw7749]

I just watched Poor Things last night and I agree completely. I would love to see it performed and see how they made all those unique sounds.

[@oliverbelfiore3392]

Really surprised Poor things wasn't mentioned in directing. This was Yorgos Lanthimos chef-d'œuvre, an absolute stunning, original, and memorable movie. His directing is nothing like you've ever seen before, you instantly recognise it, just like a Wes Anderson movie, and the way he de-constructs human behavior to its core components is masterful visual poetry. I am heavily biased though, and I realize this movie is very polarizing. But I sincerely hope it gets much deserved accreditation to its phenomenal accomplishment!

[@mayowafele9691]

I really loved Gladstone in KOTFM and kinda wish her the oscar but honestly, Sandra Huller's performance in Anatomy of a fall is just extraordinary. It perfectly captivates the wholistic essence of the movie itself. It's an acting masterclass. Great video btw, coming from a huge fan

[@MartijnPennings]

Hüller is excellent in both Anatomy of a Fall and Zone of Interest. What struck me was that in both films she plays quite unsympathetic characters, but we are forced to look at the situation from her perspective. I didn't know the actress before, but she really put herself on the map with these two performances.

[@hello7032]

Yeah if it’s not Lily, it’s gotta be Sandra

[@MartijnPennings]

@@hello7032 well, among these two I would 100% bet on Lily Gladstone (even though I thought it was more a supportive than a lead role, but whatevs). Many more academy members will have seen Killers of the Flower Moon over Anatomy of a Fall and Gladstone will be the first Native American woman to win which gives her a sympathy card. So Hüller will never win. Small chance to Emma Stone, but my money is on Gladstone.

[@hello7032]

@@MartijnPennings yeah that’s fair. I’m curious cause I see the basis for why’d you’d say Lily’s was more of a supporting role. IMO I saw it more as maybe a casual/foil based leading role if that makes sense, and not necessarily the protagonist. The story/film has her as the central character to which everything else occurs around and that’s why I still see Lily as the lead actor

[@rejectedcontent7528]

Why did you not cover the screenplays? I was really looking forward to that.

[@eraserboy12345]

I think he forgot, lol.

[@ramert32]

Because he knows next to nothing about scripts lol

[@RootDown_]

It's nice to hear someone else finally say something about Teyana Taylor getting snubbed, really A Thousand and One as a whole. My wife and I loved the film and were saddened that it was just kind of forgotten.

[@dannythetwo]

It’s in my top 11-20. I really wish it was discussed as much as the holdovers or poor things.

[@denniszenanywhere]

Emma Stone should win it. Outside of the Oscar's, she's been winning every major award for the role -- including at the BAFTA. It's a great performance, considering she had to create different ages for her character in the same body.

[@carterburkhart4336]

Very much agree on the award of Cinematography going to Hoyte. Oppenheimer is a perfect blend of heightened naturalism, and the way they made close ups on IMAX possible is incredible. I also feel that Rodrigo Prieto has not been getting enough attention for his work on KOTFM. The film has a beautiful classic film texture, and the color grading that draws inspiration from old 1900s photography color palettes is genius.

[@mackielunkey2205]

Anyone else pissed that Pemberton and Levi didn’t get nominated for their movie scores?

[@GoldHamSam]

yeah. Levi is one of the best currently working. Still listening to Under The Skin's soundtrack a decade later

[@MsTriangle]

I am still as pissed as your profile picture

[@rageagainstmyhairline5574]

Nearly at a million, man! I feel that second hand gratification you feel when one of the people you know deserves it becomes successful like I never have before. Genuinely, genuinely happy for you and just wanted to send an early congrats 👍

[@appleciderwitch]

Thanks for explaining your picks in such an insightful and useful way, as always! I am going to see Zone of Interest finally in my area this weekend and I could not be more excited since you gave it such a great highlight.

[@rhythmoriented]

Take a shot every time the word “subtle” is stated and…… But seriously, nice overall take. It’s a great year in cinema, and my three “bests” - Oppenheimer, Poor Things and The Zone of Interest - look to be receiving widespread recognition.

[@aspacelex]

♫ I got the Oscar fever, hope you feel it too ♫

[@itako09able]

thomas i must tell you, as a person that loves studying film and currently an currently is in the last year of an animation degree, your channel is an amazing. There's not a lot of people that go into an in depth analysis that mentions that many aspects of flim and a good understanding of it. I've learnt a lot from your channel and i thank you very much

[@peraltaisgod3452]

started getting so excited every time u post a new video. always so well done

[@lewystyles]

Lmao film nerds have it programmed where they can’t give Opp its flowers because it’s popular choice

[@dr_volberg]

If you look at some of the behind the scenes for Oppenheimer then it will be obvious that Murphy should win. Giving such a performance with a massive camera just 2 inches from your face is amazing!

[@dr_volberg]

Especially the podium scene after the test.

[@juanitab7076]

Emma was brilliant. She deserves the win. I think Lily is wonderful too but she’s supporting and she is subtle irl, I am not sure she had to act that much…having said that i really enjoyed her and the movie. Emma just blew everyone else away, Emma was incredible. This was such a great year…so many incredible movies and actors that all deserve the win.

[@nerd26373]

We appreciate how well you articulate your insights. Keep working hard.

[@nerdlife6676]

Loved your commentary here! I feel like this years lineup is pretty strong in most of the categories. One thing I will add in Costume Design is that Barbie’s costumes throughout the film do change along with the character. She starts off with a more 1960s aesthetic and get closer to contemporary fashion as she learns more about herself and the world. With that an how Ken’s costumes reflect his character arc, I think there’s more to it than just recreating costumes for the dolls. Great video again!

[@vytautasoskinis3424]

For me the biggest snub in bunch of categories is "May December": its cinematography, acting and directing were extraordinary good (Academy did recognize only the screenplay - rightfully so). All these elements served a story which had something interesting to say and did it in a fresh, original way. For this reason it's one of my best from last year, definitely.

[@hazelsingh3887]

I think Melton was the biggest snub for me, he deserved at least the Supporting actor nom.

[@tatehildyard5332]

It probably would have gotten it if Netflix prioritized it in the campaign process. It’s been wall to wall Maestro billboards out in LA.

[@absolutespider3532]

I wasn't that big on May December, but will admit that Melton for Supporting Actor is probably the biggest snub. One of the most impactful performances of the year.

[@Threefold.]

Excellent video! I always enjoy your perspective on things :)

[@synysterjazmyngates]

Emma Stone best actress. Cillian Murphy best actor. calling it now.

[@kristineh1601]

You brought up a lot of good points, especially in the technical categories. You definitely appreciate Killers of the Flower Moon WAY more than I do and while you brought me around to the editing, cinematography, and score maybe, almost nothing else, with the exception of Gladstone should have been on here. Really loved your take on things. Thanks!

[@MichaelCortese1]

Really don't think she should be there either tbh

[@dafstreep33]

I would love it if Emma Stone or Sandra Huller won. They were phenomenal. Lily Gladstone was great, but that really felt more like a supporting role.

[@supbro7347]

When the film came out all I heard was “Lily Gladstone is the heart of the film” but now everyone’s saying she’s a supporting role. She’s clearly the second lead, with an hour of screen time just behind Leo’s hour and a half and she’s completely enchanting throughout the first half and gives a devastating performance in the second half. She absolutely deserves the Oscar.

[@rebeccag8589]

I agree that it felt more like a supporting role. She's absent from so much of the film. I don't think she's too subtle, I think her acting is great and she'd be a great winner for best supporting (although I do also love Davine Joy Randolph's performance), but it's not a lead performance. De Niro actually has more screen time and focus than she has (and obviously DiCaprio as well). She's the largest female role in the film, but she's supporting. I've watched the film twice and I felt it even more the second time seeing it. Huller and Stone are phenomenal and they each carry their films. These are true lead performances.

[@supbro7347]

@@rebeccag8589 Robert de Niro has less screen time than Lily Gladstone idk why you’d lie about that hahaha

[@rebeccag8589]

@supbro7347 you're right- after looking at several sites, De Niro has 49 minutes and Lily has 56 (so essentially the same). And this is out of a three and a half hour movie. De Niro has gone supporting everywhere. So this still proves my point :)

[@supbro7347]

@@rebeccag8589 leo has an hour and 49 which leaves almost 2 hours where he’s not on screen. He must be supporting too then

[@gleewhoseline198]

Film is art and art is subjective. The problem is , EVERYONE thinks their opinion is the correct one and refuse to budge, making 'conversations' about it exhausting.

[@squirlmy]

No, you're wrong, that's not it at all!😉 Seriously though, there are aspects that can be objectively judged, it's not all entirely subjective, and it is rigid in another sense, to say it is.

[@TheLostFan2010]

Once again, incredibly insightful commentary. There's a reason you are my favorite cinema nerd on the KZbins.

[@elinjohansson384]

My husband and I have this tradition that we always watch the movies nominated for best picture. We are parents, so if we watch 20 movies in a year, that is a good year, despite us loving good film. We use the Oscars as a vetting services. Time is limited, and all that. Some of our favourites have always been the ones that we had 0 interest in before we watched them. Roma, Past lives and CODA are great examples of this. This year, Oppenheimer and Maestro (the two movies we wanted to see the most!) have been our biggest let downs. Maestro was our only DNF, and Oppenheimer, while technically great, did not leave us with any food for thought. To quote Bernstein himself: A work of art does not answer questions, it provokes them!

[@tatehildyard5332]

To quote my own father, any time the word Oppenheimer is spoken, in the same building I can hear in the distance “Too long!”.

[@RyanMichero]

Spot on, the best films for me were Killers of the Flower Moon and The Zone of Interest. It's hard for me to choose between them, but Zone is so singular, it has certainly stuck with me more.

[@PrimeParadiso]

Totally agree with film editing. Oppenheimer was 3 hours long and me and my partner really felt those 3 hours Killers was 3 hours 45 and the pacing is really held up by the editing, so much so that it felt like a shorter movie in many ways

[@SiAndrews]

Fascinating and really interesting breakdown of the nominations of the catergieoes mentioned. But really surprised that International Feature Film was not discussed.

[@stilta1]

Love this one. I agree with many of your points but I feel that the artistic uniquness of Poor Things will give it a jump over the others for Best Picture

[@GabriellePerkins]

Thank you for saying something about "Zone of Interest." That movie struck me to my core and I want it to sweep.

[@bettyblu8115]

I really enjoyed this video, you did a wonderful job. You were spot on describing the "Killers of the Flower Moon" score - sadly, the brilliant Robbie Robertson passed away in August of '23. He will be truly missed.

[@jacobje00]

Thank you for the video!

[@rehnumachowdhury3629]

I think it was the intention not to let Cillians performance breathe. That is exactly the feeling you get from Oppie when you read American Prometheus. He was highly neurotic, and always under pressure his whole life.

[@jeremyslather]

Poor things is my favorite of the group. It was well done technically and with a strong message.

[@inyostudio]

The ending wasn't perfect but such an imaginative and creative film. I wouldn't be upset if it won but thought Zone was the best.

[@kkyutime5421]

Lol i think this dude has some inner personal problem with Oppenheimer 🤣 it certainly felt like that to me

[@jonathansodacan5769]

Loved this video and your take on the Oscar nominations. Would love to see your take on the noms in the next year!

[@erickmorales25]

In my opinion, the biggest snub of this year isn't Greta Gerwig or Margot Robbie shut out from their respective categories, nor the fact that Godzilla didn't receive more attention, and not even the fact that animation is once again pushed away, thus ignoring Guillermo Del Toro's message from last year. Not only did Oppenheimer not being nominated for VFX is a big snub, but the fact that it wasn't even shortlisted is a crime. This is the film that used a real bomb, and yet they decided to shortlist The Marvels

[@hemangkorane1797]

if they cged the bomb it might've been shortlisted, but it's still better than throwing an oscar for the category it wasn't supposed to like that happened with tenet, it deserved more than just best vfx, like one for production design and music. Oppenheimer didn't had even the half of tenet which itself had less than quarter of blockbuster films cg.

[@Chuuzus]

can i just say i hate that people don’t want Emma Stone to win the Oscar for best actress because she already has an Oscar. Emma Stone gave hands down the best performance and the award shouldn’t be by how many Oscar’s one already has..

[@Kevin-rg3yc]

#PERIOD I was so outstanded by her performance seeing it the day before new year eve last year not only did she give it all from a technical standpoint but she drives so much growth and emotional depth to the character. That whole “this actor already won a Oscar before” narrative is a big factor to why the great performances and actors/actresses are snubbed including Meryl Streep who shouldn’t have had waited 30 years to win a 3rd Oscar for the Iron Lady or Denzel Washington who should’ve won another Oscar after training day

[@amadeufreitas5823]

Would love see an full review/analysis of zone of interest. Jonathan Glazer does some very interesting choices creatively not only with sound that I would love to ear your takes, here or on the podcast. Love your content!

[@andrewheaney4874]

I agree with you on a lot. I think Oppenheimer is going to sweep the techies, and outside of maybe Sound (which yes, should go to The Zone of Interest) it deserves all of them. It’s easily going to win Cinematography, Film Editing, Score, and Sound. Nolan also has Director in the bag. It should probably win Best Picture too. All except maybe Sound I’d say are deserved. EDIT: Wow, the best-case scenario happened where Oppenheimer won everything it should have, but The Zone of Interest won Sound, which is a very pleasant surprise! As for the art direction categories, I think either Poor Things or Barbie will win Production and Costume Design. One of them could win both, or both could win one. Makeup is probably going to Maestro, but Poor Things could take it. Either way, I think Poor Things should sweep all three. EDIT: YEAH POOR THINGS SWEEPED! Deserved. Either Godzilla Minus One or The Creator is going to win Visual Effects. Either one would be an excellent win. EDIT: Godzilla Minus One won, well-deserved. Either The Boy and the Heron or Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is winning Animated Feature. I would be happy no matter which one of these wins, as both were among my top favorite films of the entire year. Anecdote, I’m pissed that neither got nominated for Score! Man, the Academy hates animated movies. EDIT: Yup, Boy and the Heron won. Awesome. As for Original Screenplay, I think Anatomy of a Fall has it. The Holdovers should win in my opinion, but whatever. EDIT: Yup, Anatomy of a Fall won, good win. Adapted Screenplay is gonna be a toss-up between Oppenheimer and American Fiction. I personally think the win should go to Poor Things, but again, whatever. EDIT: Yup, American Fiction won. Sadly, this is my least favorite win of the night. I loved half of the screenplay of American Fiction, but I personally could not for the life of me get into the family drama half of the movie. Oh well, still an understandable win. Regarding Acting, I think the two Supportings are in the bag; Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer) and Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers) are the clear winners, and deservedly so. EDIT: Yup, I was right. Good. Actor and Actress are toss-ups. Actor is going to be either Paul Giamatti or Cillian Murphy, both of which would actually be solid wins. Actress is going to be a toss up between Emma Stone and Lily Gladstone. Again, both would be fantastic wins. EDIT: I was right with Murphy and Stone winning, and honestly I'm glad. This is actually a very solid lineup across the board. I’ll say it again, the lack of Animated movies outside of Animated Feature frustrates me, and May December and Past Lives should have been nominated for more. Also, I’m fine with the Barbie snubs; I wouldn’t replace any of the actual nominees with Margot Robbie or Greta Gerwig.

[@AH-bm5xs]

I completely agree that Oppenheimer deserves to win every award it’s nominated for (and a couple more), except that The Zone of Interest deserved Best Sound🤟🏼 and Best Supporting Actress. Although I definitely think Anatomy of a Fall deserves Best Screenplay.

[@horacehung8373]

I rarely like a KZbin comment but this is so well-said! Btw do u have a Letterboxd account?

[@andrewheaney4874]

@@horacehung8373 why thanks! Yes, I do have a Letterboxd.

[@joetheinfant8891]

Right on the money with all of these predictions 👍🏼

[@norbertpaternoster]

Poor things is the best thing I've seen this year, in so many categories. Movie, scenography, leading and supporting cast, score... Oppenheimer is ok, I'm fine with it getting some. Barbie was disappointing - although I don't mind Ryan gosling or his song winning something.

[@adrianschroeder2798]

The Zone of Interest was the best picture in my opinion. While most people probably won't want to rewatch it often it does have a lot to pick up on in repeat viewings. It's amazing to me how a film with so little conventional plot has so many memorable scenes and shots. This movie ended exactly when I wanted it to but the how it ended was still a surprise. It's the only movie last year that didn't bore me for a second. Every other movie I watched had at least one scene or one moment I could say I could do without but this was flawless in my opinion. Totally subjective but that's my pick.

[@EarlofSedgewick]

I think if neither Best Director nor Best Picture guys to Glazer, it will be considered a rather massive snub by the time ten years have passed. Tom made a great point about the incredible marriage of technical experimentation and structural innovation that makes this film such an achievement. It's also a timely message that it carries, and it should be recognised for incredibly aligning all of those feats.

[@angelorossowrites]

American Fiction, Past Lives and The Holdovers were all fantastic. Best films of the year. ✌

[@charlesmovesonly]

Desperately awaiting your inevitable dune 2 videos I need them

[@VigneshKrishnamurthy2509]

Would recommend people to take another look at that Cillian Murphy performance. It's beyond great. There's a video on KZbin that touches upon some of the reasons why it's so good. 5+ viewings and the layers don't stop revealing themselves.

[@ronanmcintyre]

What's that video called?

[@VigneshKrishnamurthy2509]

@@ronanmcintyre kzbin.info/www/bejne/onLOmIB7hLOAf7M

[@adraino7345]

The Zone of Interest is my personal pick for best picture. Felt like it was the most engaged Ive been in a movie in my life. Very rare in 2023 that I felt like a film maker not only respected my intelligence but more importantly trusted my judgement. Biggest snub is May December for the acting for the three leads and while it doesn’t have a score I’d say is oscar worthy Id say the way it’s used is my favorite of any score in 2023z

[@joeheywood5247]

I was interested to see All of Us Strangers with no nominations - I ADORE Andrew Haigh and his body of work (Lean on Pete is incredible).

[@wallysls]

Please make a separate video about The Zone Of Interest

[@WalterFrith]

Like 'The Irishman' and 'Gangs of New York', 'Killers of the Flower Moon' doesn't deserve a single Oscar. It's too long and that is a major fault of Scorsese's. He doesn't know when to get out once a film has made its point. Rather than ending the film with that radio program where we learned the fate of the characters, the film should have been tightened in spots and the fate of the characters should have been filmed instead. 'The Zone of Interest' takes a very unique approach to the holocaust but it didn't engage the audience and was a major disappointment for me. For the last 20 years or so, we've been seeing very good ideas suggested for films but the execution falls short of greatness.

[@TheReelAnalyst]

Great video! Best VFX - Godzilla Minus One 🙏🏼

[@CatJabZ]

I always appreciate your commentary on the Oscars every year and you're absolutely right they should be about joy and discovery and what movies particularly strike a chord in you as a viewer. I personally think that May December was snubbed I think it was a difficult and controversial movie to make and Todd Haynes did pretty delicate and unnerving piece of work there. Yorgos' work has always intrigued and entertained me and I'm always happy to see his work highlighted. Cheers!

[@hopsfd]

I think Emma Stone had the best performance. It's simply next level.

[@girinandhan1372]

Tell me you hate Oppenheimer without telling me you hate Oppenheimer

[@victormustin2547]

Sandra Huller in Anatomy of a Fall is leagues above the others in my opinion!

[@inyostudio]

I thought she was better in Zone

[@epicmarschmallow5049]

Rivalled only by Sandra Hüller in Zone of Interest

[@whatisawwhenisaw3322]

Very intelligent, well thought out, well expressed - Nice work.

[@ilovecody7514]

Everything Poor Things is nominated for is what I will be rooting for. Sad Iron Claw didn't get anything. A lot of great movies came out like Dream Scenario, Beau is Afraid, or Zone of Interest.

[@Usedtobebillie]

A few thoughts. Where’s the “big performance” in Cillian Murphy? I think that’s clearly your Holdovers bias speaking. Cillian does so much with his gaze, his expressions, he never shouts, he has longs moments of silence, he carries a film with his eyes. I don’t know what film did you watch. Man this hipster take of voting for anyone else other than Nolan just takes credibility away. What he did was an cinematic achievement, and he gets overlooked by some people because of his name and being a blockbuster filmmaker. Also there’s a very critic bias where the Blockbuster gets overlooked for the more “artistic” films when Oppenheimer is a monumental artistic achievement. Oppenheimer has been sweeping and will sweep at the Oscars, deservedly so.

[@DRM-nb1fg]

He comes across pretty biased IMHO. Flower Moon definitely felt too long. General audiences seem to agree with me or the film would have seen much longer legs at the box office. He claims people are overlooking Lily Gladstone's performance, but I think he's very guilty of overlooking Cillian Murphy's performance.

[@Jacobyfilms]

I hate the idea that a film has to have a big performance to win an Oscar. What Murphy did in Oppenheimer is insane.

[@shidneyseldon]

Lily was not subtle. Her role was subtle but her acting was more indicating than feeling.

[@emarte]

Sandra Hüller in Anatomy of a Fall is by far my number one pick for best actress. Lilly was good, Emma was great but Sandra was just insanely good.

[@florence9919]

Every single thing you said about Oppenheimer was so wrong lmfaooo

[@literallymyMovie]

One thing that I don’t want to happen at the oscars is Oppenheimer winning too many Oscars, that just feels like laziness.

[@HQBacon]

How is it lazy when Nolan's previous work (and collaborators) haven't found much success at the Oscars before? Just because it's well-liked and well done? That's....like....the reason for voting for it.

[@literallymyMovie]

@@HQBacon what I mean is that Oppenheimer shouldn’t win every possible oscar there is

[@HQBacon]

I mean I agree, but most of the wins it's expected to win (with the exception of Best Sound and maybe Supporting Actor which I'd probably give to other people) are pretty deserving wins. Cillian, Nolan, Hoyte, Ludwig, and Jen Lame are all doing stellar work here, and their work being done in a summer blockbuster that's popular shouldn't really minimize their excellence. They're somewhat safe choices, but it doesn't make them undeserved (esp. since most of them have not been awarded anything of the sort prior - for most of them, it's their first or second nomination ever).@@literallymyMovie

[@literallymyMovie]

@@HQBacon yeah definitely not undeserved but I don’t like how a lot of people say it should win every Oscar, and i think that’s because most people have saw it. I really wanna see some surprises happen

[@chaberio1335]

Great take, well-articulated, and of course subtlety put ;) I'd love to hear you're take on Oscar's that are given in many categories because of how hard the conditions or "its time" awards. What I mean is Leo in The Revenant wasn't the best performance of his or that year but because it was almost a "we've snubbed you so many times and you suffered unimaginably, here ya go" award. This year I think deservedly goes to Nolan being that he's turned out so many amazing films its a culmination to give it to him but this year in particular he deserves it?

[@TheDavan619]

I liked your analysis in this, interesting and balanced takes mostly praising the good work of the nominees/snubs. Your only point I strongly disagree with is the editing of Oppenheimer, which blew me away in a way editing usually never does. So I really hope Jennifer Lame wins this one.

[@mitchellkopitch]

The editing in Oppenheimer is good from a grand scale perspective, but there are multiple scenes where the cuts are so frequent that it's jarring to keep up with. Like the train ride scene earlier in the film where it bounces back and forth like a dozen times for a conversation that isn't even a minute long. Again, it's a lot of material to cover so there is a strength to making it largely legible, but as my friend put it "flower moon makes the audience feel held".

[@JunebugPresents]

I agree with you on everything. I'm also rooting for Killers of the Flower Moon when it comes to directing and best picture.

[@ravenclaw17]

Can’t believe people think Margot Robbie was a snub and not Greta Lee lol

[@ruicoelho1962]

I think your opinion and preferences are very accurate. I agree mostly. Maybe your love for Zone of Interest resonated for me with Anatomy of a Fall. I loved it all and the kid will be a tremendous actor. Thank you for allowing me to share.

[@sasha-stone]

Oppenheimer is easily the best film of the year and deserves to win everything. If it doesn't, the Academy should pack it in.

[@gracewsho]

Agree!

[@epicmarschmallow5049]

Zone of Interest is better

[@sasha-stone]

It's good, it's not better@@epicmarschmallow5049

[@har5814]

Barbie is better.

[@donyeokeziri]

I agree with a lot you said but wasn’t impressed by Leo in killers of the flower moon. Very one dimensional and underwhelming performance

[@bananeneiscraeme]

to me the winners should be ryan gosling and sandra hüller..both did an absolutely outstanding job..and ken was to me definitely one of the hardest roles and he smashed it out of the park

[@amyperaltiago]

Great vedio! I agree with most of your picks and disagree with some of them, but it's as you said, ultimately your pick is about which film, character impacted you the most, resonated with you the most. As someone who love & appreciate filmmaking, who is in awe of it and the magic that goes behind it, the beauty of acting, I'm just happy that we got to enjoy such amazing, unique and epic films this year and that these stunning films are getting the acknowledgment it deserves.

[@elliot2331]

I think one movie which was snubbed across the board was They Cloned Tyrone, the cinematography, acting, directing were all really great, but the movie was done dirty by being put on Netflix with little to no promotion on the same day Barbie & Oppenheimer came out. I agree that Paul Giamatti should win best actor, I will be disappointed when Cillian Murphy inevitably wins.

[@caniceclooney1028]

i honestly don't see the hype about Giamatti's performance, it's a middle of the road movie, with a pretty tired formula, Giamatti has done much better work in his career

[@squirlmy]

It wouldn't be the first time the academy does a "make-up" award... Saying he has done better in the past is a reason why he'll get nominated, not a reason against.

[@blackgrlfly]

Strong disagree on Cillian. But you're welcome to cry about it

[@hinhwood1629]

Emma won strictly on acting merit and not some social ill the Academy wanted to address. How refreshing. More of this please.

[@rabbitfishtv]

I always find the idea that Hollywood is somehow activist or radical to be hilarious. It is, at best, blandly liberal and not interested in systemic problems.

[@quEEnbItch999]

Must've known the reason for such a wonderful movie getting overshadowed by a lame piece like Poor Things, is the average American's arrogance n inability to own upto their own faults. Killers of The Flower Moon isn't "fiction", or an attempt by Hollywood to act "woke", it's simply the truth.

[@thekolbaska]

The biggest snub for music is John Powell's score to Migration. It was probably overlooked because its a silly and charming children's cartoon, but it's the best music I've heard in a movie in at least the last five years. I don't remember the last time I asked out of a movie theater clearly remembering 4-5 different motifs, understanding what they represent, and loving every single one of them. If you haven't watched the movie, watch it for the music alone. It's absolutely gorgeous.

[@calahoon22]

I'm beginning to think the academy have something against John Powell, been snubbed too many times including when he should have won for How To Train Your Dragon

[@willherondale6367]

My biggest snubs this year are Greta Lee in Past Lives, and Andrew Scott in All of Us Strangers, both mesmericly subtle and beautiful.

[@noahdness2757]

I take it someone didn't love Oppenheimer as much as I did

[@deepaksrinivasmondal]

And someone REALLY loved Killers of the Flower Moon.

[@joek360]

Yeah it seems clear where his bias is. Good for him, nothing wrong with that. But when he said “I think the choice will be Oppenheimer, which I’m OK with”, may as well just say you don’t like it. It also amused me that he praises subtlety in performances, but doesn’t give the same praise to Cillian Murphy, who I think achieved some of the best subtle and non verbal work by an actor.

[@hemangkorane1797]

@@deepaksrinivasmondalAnd then comes someone who loved both

[@hemangkorane1797]

@@joek360he's a Nolan hater i guess, not that he hates his guts but not a fan, it shouldn't be a condition for how you judge the films and just formally state that i don't like that this is will happen but i guess it's inevitable. Yes, Nolan's style may feel sometimes choppy, clunky and expository, but like he said in the video, it doesn't matter if the individual quality is not great if it works in the overall picture, not a fan why Nolan's work is always an exception about it. I'll be glad if Martin Scorsese wins for best director but it'd break a long due for Nolan to get one.

[@DRM-nb1fg]

@srinivasmondal It's pretty hilarious how biased he is. He says people are not paying close enough attention to Lily Gladstone's performance, but I would say he's guilty of the same thing with Cillian Murphy's performance. Also when he claims Flower Moon is the proper length, I just disagree 100% with him on it. The movie was probably 40 minutes too long. Based on the weak legs at the box office, I would say a lot of other people in the audience felt pretty similar about it.