Coda

Well, I’ve done it again. Somehow I managed to view all the Best Picture nominations for the year within the span of a week and a half. I ought to continue to thank the pandemic for that – for changing film culture so dramatically.

Here’s my worst-to-best breakdown of the nominees, where I viewed them, and upon what source material the scripts were based.

10. Dune

HBO Max

This film is based upon a six-book saga of the same name. The first in the series was written by Frank Herbert in 1965. It is a remake of a 1984 film as well. (I watched it twice, and I got so bored the second time that I turned it off.)

While the dialogue is somewhat easy to understand, the actual action and political makeup of the narrative are completely too complicated to grasp. Mayhaps the writers of this script, as well as the director, brought this work to the screen with the assumption that all viewers would be familiar with the source materials and/or the original film. Partially unrelated, but I grew up with Star Wars, so to me this film seems like a convoluted over-my-head sci-fi epic. The hyper-spiritual elements, specifically the quoting of random scriptures about the mother and son, were unnerving. I wish I could have gotten more enjoyment out of this work, other than, “Oh, wow, this is a great looking film.” If it wins, I’ll be very confused.

9. Licorice Pizza

Purchased on Apple TV

This is an original script written by Paul Thomas Anderson. I would like to say it’s semi-biographical, but it’s more apt to say it’s reminiscent of real-life events from the seventies and based upon his memories from Hollywood of that era.

Unfortunately, I had to buy this one because there are currently no streaming options nor are there any rental options. Immediately upon this film’s opening scene, an Indie 70s vibe fills the screen. This coming-of-age script seems like it’s meant to be reminiscent of films like Juno and Perks of Being a Wallflower; I wish others could come to mind, but it’s kind of niche. The script is stilted, and what I mean by that is, it’s too fully aware of itself as being a script. It’s too self-aware. The strongpoint of this film is its soundtrack. I personally love Alana Haim and the Haim family; they’re one of my favorite bands. However, it’s hard for me to view any of them as serious actors. I didn’t like the character (and actor) of Gary very much either. I appreciate the repetitive, subtle underlying message that relationships are complicated. The longer I watch it, the more I enjoy it. I feel I will love it more every time I watch it in the future. But basing a win on the first viewing, it’s a pass from me.

8. Drive My Car

HBO Max

This film is based upon Haruki Murakami’s short story of the same name.

From the beginning of the film, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the directing style. The shots were a little strange. I could barely make out the faces of the man and the woman; the husband and wife were in the shadows, or the shots were designed in such a way as to be behind them. I was unable to make an emotional connection for the first twenty minutes. Moving on to the script: at first it was hard to grasp the disjointed, poetic language. This script contains way too much subtext. It was estranged metaphor after metaphor. Concentration was forced. The sound design was practically ambient noise, which made me sleepy. The story itself is a bit morbid, but the vehicle by which the stories are expressed became beautiful to me once I accepted it for what it is. A winner? I think not. And I’m not sure I’ll go out of my way to watch it again.

7. Don’t Look Up

Netflix

This script is completely original. (I watched it twice and enjoyed both viewings.)

This movie is chock full of contemporary American nonsense. I love the social commentary on selfish and incompetent politicians. There’s a ridiculous public obsession with celebrity status. There’s blind trust in the head of a technological corporation. There’s a very obvious stilted media presence. The major crux of this story is our inevitable end, and in the midst of this impending end, people carry on with their own vanities instead of focusing on the prevention of a planet-level threat. Hands down, this cast is killer. While the cast is undoubtedly unstoppable, the film isn’t necessarily win-worthy. It’s a fun time.

6. Coda

Apple TV+

This film is a direct adaptation of the French film entitled La Famille Bélier.

The human condition comes through strongly in this film. The script is real, raw, true, and relatable. It is alive, inviting, fun, and playful. It’s daring to show us a life-like perspective of someone who feels the burden of their family’s expectations while also wanting to explore their own desires. In some moments, it reminds me of High School Musical, but overall the storyline is more grounded and liberating. There are some crystal clear images that stand out to me. The first scene is when the dad watches the audience reacting to his daughter’s choral performance. The second is when the dad feels his daughter’s vocal cords with his hands when she’s singing to him. The third is when the daughter is signing while singing Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now.” I wouldn’t trade this story for anything, but I would be very surprised if it won.

5. Nightmare Alley

Hulu

This film is based upon a 1946 novel of the same name, written by William Lindsay Gresham. It is also a remake of the 1947 film.

The visuals of this film are notable, specifically the director’s use of snow and dust. The costume pieces and set pieces are gorgeous, grounding us in the reality of its time and nature. But the most impactful element of this movie is the opening scene with the “geek.” The geek is a carnival standard – a man become animal, brought to his most basic instincts. And its gruesome image remains in our hearts and minds throughout the entirety of the film, making us constantly feel uneasy. I found myself immersed in this eerie metaphor, always wondering when the next shoe would fall. Death is imminent in this film; you know it from the first few moments, and yet there’s massive surprise once death comes along. So real. And so very gross. Bradley Cooper’s smiling acceptance of his fate in the final scene really brings home the ups and downs of man, and it ties up all unsettling loose ends. While I thought the film was riveting, I couldn’t believe it to be the winner because the incessant sense of exposition left it feeling rough around the edges.

4. West Side Story

Movie Theater; HBO Max

This musical is based upon a stage musical of the same name. The stage musical is based upon William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” of 1594. Shakespeare wrote his play based upon another material – Arthur Brooke’s “The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet” of 1562. This is a remake of the Best Picture winner from 1961. (I watched this one twice, and I loved the second viewing even more than the first viewing.)

I’ll say it, this film is better than the 1961 version, and it gave me hope that West Side Story can be done very well. I think this story needed Spielberg to fix it and to give it value. While I love Sondheim and will forever defend him, I honestly believe Spielberg brought that old, dead fish of a script to life, not to mention Kushner’s phenomenal involvement. In comparison to the 1961 version, they created authenticity. By giving the Spanish-speakers room to breathe and live their culture, they created sentiment. There’s accurate and honest representation here. The use of colors in the sets and costumes blew my mind. Clearly this creative team understand more about the fullness of a production. The warms and cools of the lights alone make this film more powerful. The dance scene really stands out to me – the light blues, dark blues, harsh reds, purples, and pure whites paired with the browns, tans, and the rest of the color spectrum, just wow. Not only the spectacle, but the structure of this film lends itself to way more background and depth. Depth of character definitely lacked before this iteration. The arrangement of the score provides more heart. It made me appreciate some songs better, whereas I might have thought them boring or dismissed them in the past. Rita Moreno made me bawl. I fell in love with Ariana Debose. And Spielberg fixed inherent flaws in the source material while creating a gorgeous film. He didn’t have to go this hard, but he did. The only thing, in my opinion, stopping this from winning is that it’s been done before. This title has already won Best Picture. (But if this one does, too, I won’t be very upset about it.)

3. The Power of the Dog

Netflix

This film is based upon Thomas Savage’s 1967 novel of the same name. The novel contains real-life experiences from Savage’s own life.

This film is a moving painting. The music would have been powerful alone, but to have the whole smorgasbord work together the way this film worked together… So smooth. The characterization of cowboy culture turned on its head really shows you what it means to be strong versus what it means to be weak. If I could narrow this film down to one word – dissonant. And dissonance is one of my favorite sounds. It was a psychological thriller without being a psychological thriller. I love the minute details; they weren’t forced together but flowed together seamlessly. The underlying sexual tension was so ravenously off-putting that I spent the second half of the film begging for freedom and answers. In the final moments, we see true power. And with the death of the cowboy, we get an honest-to-god happily ever after. I don’t see this film winning, simply because it comes from Netflix. Weird to think, right? But I also wouldn’t be upset if it won.

2. Belfast

Rented on Apple TV

This film is completely original and semi-autobiographical.

Here’s another film with a powerful soundtrack. I love the ambiance. The transitions from color to black-and-white are power in a fleeting moment. There are many moments of transition: joy to fear, grayscale to color, curiosity to life-long lessons, courage to cowardice, laughter to confrontation. The writer and director Kenneth Branagh truly understands the art of showing versus telling. What really stands out to me: life is in black-and-white, and art is in color, almost as if Film itself is more life-like than life for the young boy. This film has a lot of the same energy from some of my favorite British television series. You can feel the heart throughout the entirety of the story, and you can really tell this is a movie lover’s movie, art for artists. Every shot in this movie was handled with utmost sincerity. While I want this one to win, it misses that final bit of spice to take home the trophy.

1. King Richard

Rented on Apple TV

This film is a bio-drama of the life of Richard Williams and his elaborate 84 page plan for daughters Venus and Serena.

Finally, we get to my favorite. I can’t put into words why I think this one should win. I just have an innate feeling that, above all the others, this one really deserves it. There’s a clear purpose in this script; there’s heart and passion in the story of a father and his family. I feel like I’m part of this family. The cast is constantly in sync, and I don’t doubt a single word coming out of their mouths. There’s strength in this bio-pic, just like there’s strength in Venus and Serena. There’s an attainable goal, just like Richard always strived to reach. It’s simmering with anticipation. It’s one of the best sports films I’ve seen in years. I am constantly rooting for these girls, just like Richard. The lighthearted moments made me giggle, and the more ballsy scenes tore my heart apart. There’s destiny sprinkled into every word. That’s all I’ve got to say. I’ll be hurt if this one doesn’t win.

Tag: Coda

Best Picture: “Coda” of 2021

Best Picture: 2021 Nominations in Review

10. Dune

HBO Max

This film is based upon a six-book saga of the same name. The first in the series was written by Frank Herbert in 1965. It is a remake of a 1984 film as well. (I watched it twice, and I got so bored the second time that I turned it off.)

9. Licorice Pizza

Purchased on Apple TV

This is an original script written by Paul Thomas Anderson. I would like to say it’s semi-biographical, but it’s more apt to say it’s reminiscent of real-life events from the seventies and based upon his memories from Hollywood of that era.

8. Drive My Car

HBO Max

This film is based upon Haruki Murakami’s short story of the same name.

7. Don’t Look Up

Netflix

This script is completely original. (I watched it twice and enjoyed both viewings.)

6. Coda

Apple TV+

This film is a direct adaptation of the French film entitled La Famille Bélier.

5. Nightmare Alley

Hulu

This film is based upon a 1946 novel of the same name, written by William Lindsay Gresham. It is also a remake of the 1947 film.

4. West Side Story

Movie Theater; HBO Max

3. The Power of the Dog

Netflix

This film is based upon Thomas Savage’s 1967 novel of the same name. The novel contains real-life experiences from Savage’s own life.

2. Belfast

Rented on Apple TV

This film is completely original and semi-autobiographical.

1. King Richard

Rented on Apple TV

This film is a bio-drama of the life of Richard Williams and his elaborate 84 page plan for daughters Venus and Serena.

Best Picture: Ranked Best to Worst

BEST PICTURE

(to worst)