For the past several weeks I’ve asked a lot of people about the Oscars. Which film do you think will win? What was your favorite documentary? In almost every case the person I’ve asked hadn’t seen any of the nominated films. I don’t go to the movies anymore was a typical answer. I wait for them to come out on Netflix was another typical response. Okay, many of the nominated films are available on Netflix or Amazon Prime. So what gives?
There is a quote from George R. Martin that sums up this sad state of affairs. “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.” The same goes for films. If you only go to the movies to see the latest super hero film, you’re missing out.
Here are my picks for this year’s Oscars.
Best Picture:
Ford vs. Ferrari
The Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
Joker
Little Women
Marriage Story
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
1917
Parasite
Winner – 1917
Best Director:
Bong Joon Ho – Parasite
Sam Mendez – 1917
Todd Phillips – Joker
Martin Scorsese – The Irishman
Quentin Tarantino – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Winner – Sam Mendez, 1917
Adapted Screenplay:
The Irishman – Steven Zailian
Jojo Rabbit – Taika Waititi
Joker – Todd Phillips and Scott Silver
Little Women – Greta Gerwig
The Two Popes – Anthony McCarten
Winner – Taika Waititi
Best Original Screenplay:
1917 – Sam Mendez and Kristy Wilson-Cairns
Knives Out – Rian Johnson
Marriage Story – Noah Baumbach
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood – Quentin Tarantino
Parasite – Bong Joon Ho and Han Jin-won
Winner – Noah Baumbach, Marriage Story
Best Documentary:
American Factory
The Cave
The Edge of Democracy
For Sama
Honeyland
Winner – The Edge of Democracy