Best Picture Oscar Nominee's

With the Oscars looming near, I have recently been in awe of the selection of films for this year’s awards season. Unfortunately my limited leisure time has meant that I have not had the opportunity to visit the cinema to see a selection of the nominated films that I am sure are fantastic. The light-hearted features of Alexander Payne’s recent film, alongside the impeccable performance I do not doubt Bruce Dern gives has made Nebraska close to the top of my next to view list. Yet there is a clear contrast between this and other films nominated for the Oscars best picture award, take for instance the comparisons between each and every film in this category in relation to 12 Years A Slave.  

Cinematically, this piece of film has stood out for me even before its release as a potential nomination or even winner through a selection of categories, it is the type of film which awards seasons are known for acclaiming. By that I am referring to the historical and social elements of slavery that it explores, although this era has become very common under recent award winners, many films which are cinematically and emotionally insightful into particular areas of American history to me tend to be a shoe in for a nomination if not a win.

However, others in this category seem to be, in certain areas, much more blithesome than this. As well as the likes of Nebraska, Her seems to be the most joyous film in this category, following the love affair between man and his computers advanced operating system. This film is an exploration of love no matter on the circumstances, and although I am sure there are some difficulties the couple face during the film, the overall sense this film is striving towards is a happy medium. Therefore this is an obvious direct juxtaposition to 12 years a slave with an immediate tone of desperation and hurt.

Other Comedic films in this category include both American Hustle and Wolf Of Wall Street, both which include elements of real historical events yet on a more profound and audience based level. Although I have not seen 12 Years a Slave myself, from opinions from others I have heard, this film seems to have come across as being very difficult to watch. With violent scenes and no holding back on the realism of the situation, when shown to an audience potentially looking for a form of entertainment, this film might be hitting the wrong place. This can be laid against a comparison to these comedy films which from my experience were easy and enjoyable to watch. Seriousness does surround both of the films at a deeper level yet the interpretation of directors Scorsese and Russell meant that these films probably appealed to a much wider range of an audience. Although perhaps a little more profound than the meaningful 12 Years, I found that both of these films were still both cinematically intriguing with interesting use of camera shots, framing and composition. The most stand out element of both of these films however, was in fact David O Russell's original screenplay, and in my eyes is a stand out to tip the Oscars in this category.

Although the context surrounding low budget Oscar contender Dallas Buyers Club is very morbid and is something which defiantly has a strong backbone for a potentially indicative film. Even this film contained elements of comedic flare which I felt defiantly helped to break down the dramatic seriousness of the narrative. Dallas Buyers Club was defiantly to me an outstanding piece of film, I found it insightful, intriguing and in a way, passionate. However I have also become aware that my liking of this film could in fact be due to the impeccable casting of Matthew McConauhey and Jared Leto. There is no doubt in my mind that the film would have had a completely different impact on me (and I’m sure many others) if neither of these men had been cast. And for that reason, although it would be lovely to see a film of this budget and niche-ness to win the Oscar I think that the potential view that it was carried a lot by its actors could limit its chances. Although top them for the acting awards.

Many of the films I this category this year are very forward thinking in terms of technically and conceptually. As discussed, Her, follows a currently socially unacceptable storyline yet due to the advancement in technology it may not be the case for much longer. The first film tackling issues of this sort has defiantly from my point uncovered certain potentially disturbing issues that may become the case in the near future. Yet technically, there is no denying that throughout production and post production, Gravity has become the most advanced film of the past year. Pushing the boundaries of the potential of Hollywood cinema, it has defiantly received the recognition that it so deserved just for this factor itself. Not visiting the cinema to watch this in its most glorified form is something which I have been disappointed in myself for. The chance that Gravity will in fact pick up this Oscar for best picture, in my eyes will ultimately be whittled down to the judges, how well this film will compare to its competitors in an everyday setting rather than just as a cinematic advancement.