I’ve been talking a lot about movies lately. You might as well start calling this blog “Movieshelf Battle.” But what can I say? I do love books. But I also have movies. And whether it is in a book or on the screen, a story is a story.
Here’s the list of this year’s 2015 Oscar Nominees:
American Sniper – Saw it. Check out my review here.
Birdman (or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) – Haven’t seen it. As a former Batman, Michael Keaton plays a role he knows something about – that of an actor known for playing a superhero, and what happens to him in the film I’m not sure. But I do love superheroes and was a fan of Keaton’s 1989 Batman, so I’ll have to check it out.
Boyhood – I’ve rented it but have yet to watch it. People who have tell me that the story itself is pretty blah, but the idea of filming a child actor at different stages of his life (as opposed to having different kids play the character at different ages, which is what Hollywood usually does) is very unique and creative.
The Grand Budapest Hotel – Eh. I’ve never been a huge Wes Anderson fan. I love comedies. Sometimes I think he might try too hard. Other times I watch something like Hangover 3 and think that maybe Hollywood NEEDS to try harder when it comes to comedy. It is nice to see a comedy in the best picture list though. That rarely happens. The late 1990’s As Good As It Gets with Jack Nicholson was the last Oscar recognized comedy that I can remember.
The Imitation Game – I have seen it! I owe you a review! In fact, I’m a little disappointed in myself for reviewing The Boy Next Door before The Imitation Game.
Selma – Haven’t seen it. Been meaning to. Looks good. Lots of history. Good for the historical record for this important time in U.S. history to be recorded on film.
The Theory of Everything – I’m glad Stephen Hawking got his own biopic. He does more with a wheelchair and a keyboard than most able bodied people do all day. Yet to see it.
Whiplash – Never seen it. Has to something to do with a drummer who wants to learn to drum and receives help from a guy who is like some kind of drumming drill sergeant. I’ll try to see it.
Anyway, those are the nominees. My main complaint? I wish they’d space these out over the year, rather than come out all at the same time. But I suppose that’s the strategy – open them in a few theaters in December so they count as 2014 movie, then release them everywhere in January so people are talking about these movies come Oscar time.
I’m going to try my best to see and review them all before the Oscars. Doubt I’ll make it, but let’s see what happens. If you have reviews or comments about these movies, feel free to comment away.
Bookshelf Battle 
On vacation, and on long-haul flights, I’ve managed to see three of these ‘Oscar movies’ in the last two weeks.
Boyhood: I concur absolutely. Very ‘blah’, nothing much actually happens, but for a very effective period of simmering domestic tension (avoiding spoilers), but the idea and the execution is exceedingly creative.
The Imitation Game: Beyond brilliant. How they build the tension around what is basically a bunch of geeks sitting in a room, defies belief – but they do, don’t they? This is a stand-out film, full of passion and waves of moral dilemma you just don’t anticipate. I’d give it way over 5 stars.
The Theory of Everything: Up there alongside The Imitation Game. Eddie Redmayne is brilliant, acting his heart out with inspired physicality and telling the story with his eyes – just so powerful. Another not-to-be-missed movie.
I liked Imitation Game because it’s been so long after World War II, one would think all of the stories to come out of that era have been told already, but here was one few knew about.
And yes, the movie does give adulation to geeks, which is what this blog is all about!
As per my usual, I have seen exactly zero of these movies. If I had my way, GOTG and Winter Soldier would have been nominated instead 😉
I agree with you. Sometimes I think the Academy Awards are pretty much Hollywood’s way of advertising and generating interest in movies they feel need to be made because they have an important message, but otherwise would not be commercially viable. In the meantime, Guardians and Captain America received their rewards in the form of big time cash.
All I know is that even though many loved it, a movie with a talking raccoon will get an Oscar when hell freezes over.
very good points!
[…] so I have failed miserably in my self-challenge to watch all 2015 Oscar nominated films. I’m sorry to drop the petals off the daffodil folks, but occasionally this humble book […]