If I Ran the Oscars... 2024
2024 Edition.
The Oscars are right around the corner and what better time to highlight some of the films that stood out for me in 2023. However, this won’t be a typical series of predictions of what movie will/should win what (Spoiler alert: Oppenheimer will sweep most categories, including best picture, and rightly so). This is just me having a bit of fun with a couple of serious (and not so serious) categories.
The Best of the Best
Although the Academy allows up to 10 films to be nominated for Best Picture, I’ve only selected 5 for my list because it’s more fun and less predictable this way. I’m also opting out of selecting the “best” of the bunch because, to me, each film stands out in its own way, making it impossible to compare them against each other. Here they are (in alphabetical order):
The Holdovers—Comedy/drama, available on Peacock. Bittersweet, funny, and deeply moving, this contemporary Christmas classic feels like a warm hug on a chilly night and a gentle whisper in your ear that assures you that sometimes it’s okay to be vulnerable.
The Iron Claw—Drama, available to rent. Tactful and refreshingly unsentimental, this exploration of a tragic quest for immortality and fame in the world of professional wrestling stands out as one of the most immersive and enduring cinematic experiences I’ve had in years.
Zac Efron plays Kevin Von Erich in The Iron Claw. Oppenheimer—Drama, available on Peacock. While not even close to being Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece—that honor goes to Dunkirk (2017)—this film remains a thought-provoking and important meditation on the perils of deifying technology.
Priscilla—Drama, available on MAX. In this delicate yet haunting modern fairy tale, we walk alongside Priscilla Beaulieu in her journey to becoming Mrs. Elvis Presley, bearing witness to a gradual and agonizing erosion of her innocence and freedom.
Still: A Michael J. Fox Documentary—Documentary, available on Apple TV+. This emotionally charged yet ultimately uplifting celebration of the human spirit chronicles Michael J. Fox’s career from his scrappy beginnings to his meteoric rise, and delves into his battle with Parkinson’s disease and how it affected his life and work.
Most Fun at the Movie Theater
Movies should be gateways for us to escape life’s dullness and disappointments and, dare I say it, have some F.U.N., right? Last year, only one film truly embraced this mission and rightfully deserves the award for Most Fun at the Movie Theater… Godzilla Minus One (Action/sci-fi, available to rent soon).
Most WTF Movie
Some movies aim to be pure escapism, while others just leave you scratching your head, muttering, “what tha fuck did I just watch?!?” Both kinds are important to maintain a healthy film diet. With that being said, this year’s Most WTF Movie award goes to… Poor Things (Comedy/sci-fi, available on Hulu).
Best Movie No One Saw
Sometimes truly remarkable movies fly under our radar and, for whatever reason, don’t attract the robust audience they deserve. This year had a handful of those, discussed in detail here, yet only one can be anointed Best Movie No One Saw. The honor goes to… Somewhere in Queens (Drama/comedy, available on Hulu).
Funniest Movie
Our growing political polarization has wounded comedy and created a drought in the laughter division of the film industry. So, it was both surprising and, frankly, revitalizing to watch a film that had me LOL-ing repeatedly. It gives me great satisfaction to give the Funniest Movie award to… No Hard Feelings (Comedy, available on Netflix).
Biggest Disappointment
Sometimes, a film is so meticulously crafted and polished to resemble a work of art that it looses its soul, and ends up feeling like a shiny-looking but dull school project. At first glance, these movies seem promising, given the talent involved, but ultimately fall short of our expectations. This year’s recipient of the Biggest Disappointment award is… Maestro (Drama, available on Netflix).
That wraps up this year’s alternative Oscars. Have a different take? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Until next time…
No Hard Feelings was surprisingly good! Quite a few laugh out loud moments. I still haven't seen Oppenheimer but it's imminent in our viewing since we just got a surround sound system ayyyy come over! I agree about Maestro - but don't tell Cooper. I was like is there a story here? And we still need to watch Poor Things but your view is the general consensus I'm hearing so it may have to wait.