Oscar Special
All across movie theaters in 2013, audiences soared into space, bartered with pirates, flourished on Wall Street and even fell in love (with an operating system, of course). During what was arguably one of the best years for movies in recent memory, both new and old Hollywood talent collaborated to bring emotional, exciting, and entertaining stories to the big screen. The nine stand out films nominated by the Academy will battle it out for the coveted title of Best Picture on Mar. 2. How is the race shaping up? Here’s the breakdown:
Two films have been considered front runners since day one: “12 Years a Slave” and “Gravity,” both of which focus on the triumph of the human spirit, but do so from unique perspectives.
“12 Years” tells the story of a free man (Chiwetel Ejiofor) sold into slavery in a pre-Civil War United States. The harrowing tale explores one of the darkest eras of our history, and has resonated with audiences and critics alike. Helmed by influential director Steve McQueen, the period piece is up for nine Oscars this season, including Best Supporting Actress (where breakout star Lupita Nyong’o is nominated for her stirring turn as a defiant slave) and Best Adapted Screenplay.
In the other corner stands “Gravity,” a technologically advanced piece about two astronauts (Sandra Bullock, George Clooney) and their fight for survival in outer space. Perhaps most impressive about Alfonso Cuaron’s thriller is his ability to tell a small story on such a large scale, a feat that will likely earn him the title of Best Director. This film has received nods in many tech categories and will also compete for Best Actress.
As if the race between these two power contenders wasn’t close enough, throw in “American Hustle,” a sultry, star-studded drama about con artists working in the 1970’s. The film was directed by David O. Russell, who has successfully created an Academy darling again.
Much like with Russell’s previous triumph, “Silver Linings Playbook,” “Hustle” is nominated in all the acting categories, and the film’s leading ladies pose a major threat to other competitors. Amy Adams generated buzz for her role as a fiercely determined con artist and is contending for Best Actress. Meanwhile, her co-star Jennifer Lawrence is neck-and-neck with Nyong’o for Best Supporting Actress, having stolen the screen in “Hustle” as a manipulative and daring house wife.
With “Hustle” having premiered in Dec., the film is still fresh in the minds of many Academy voters, and this advantage could lead to a potential upset. Don’t count the others out just yet; there are still six additional movies vying for Best Picture, and each poses a unique threat.
Currently gaining momentum is “Her,” a futuristic exploration of what it means to be in a relationship, in which a recent divorcee (Joaquin Phoenix) falls in love with his advanced and life-like operating system (voiced by Scarlett Johansson). Much like “Hustle,” this film benefits from a late release date. Though it was shut out of all the acting categories, “Her” is the front runner for Best Original Screenplay.
Even more notorious than Spike Jonze’s quirky technological love story is “The Wolf of Wall Street,” a film directed by Martin Scorsese that has spread by word of mouth for its absurdly frequent use of expletives and nudity. Despite these seemingly alienating factors, Leonardo DiCaprio is both cunning and charming as real life stock mogul Jordan Belfort. Both DiCaprio and co-star Jonah Hill (who utilizes his unique comedic timing to play Belfort’s right-hand man) are up for their first ever Oscars in the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor categories, respectively.
Also highly regarded in the acting categories are stars of “Dallas Buyers Club,” a film set during the AIDS epidemic of the 1980’s. Matthew McConaughey scored a career-changing role as a known homophobe diagnosed with AIDS, who ultimately smuggles medicine into the States to aid others struck by this disease. Along the way he meets Rayon (Jared Leto), a transgender drug addict who joins the operation. Both actors went through a complete physical transformation to play these roles, and will likely come away with the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor titles come Oscar night.
Yet another contender is the intensely dramatic “Captain Phillips,” a film based on the true story of an American cargo ship hijacked by Somali pirates. Tom Hanks stars in the title role, but despite a raw and emotional performance, he was left off the Best Actor ballot. Hanks’ co-star Barkhad Abdi, on the other hand, received a Best Supporting Actor nod for his big screen debut as the desperate leader of the Somali pirates.
The final two films nominated for Best Picture this season are lesser-known, but no less influential. They are “Nebraska” and “Philomena,” and they both feature some of the oldest actors ever to be recognized by the Academy.
“Nebraska” stars Bruce Dern as an old-fashioned man that launches a journey to the title state, thinking he has won a million dollars. The film is in black and white, and though the creative decision has turned off some audiences, it helped the story stand out to the Academy.
Featuring a similar road trip theme, “Philomena” follows the true story of the title character (Judi Dench), who teams up with a journalist to find the son that she gave up for adoption many years ago. Dench was recognized for her poignant performance, and was given a nod in the Best Actress category.
With nine outstanding and unique films up for the title, who would you like to see come out on top? University students weighed in on their favorites:
“‘American Hustle’ was the most entertaining movie I saw this year,” said Taylor Bernosky, a sophomore, “I don’t think it’ll win Best Picture, but I’d love to see Jennifer Lawrence take Best Supporting Actress. She stole the show.”
Other students preferred the more dramatic films, and think they stand a better chance of winning.
“I couldn’t look away from ‘Gravity,’” said junior Tommy Goodwin, “It was much more than it seemed to be in previews, and I think it deserves Best Picture.”
For some students, there are just too many films to choose from, and their pick to win is not always their favorite. Freshman Jessica Miles, for example, thinks that the top prize will go to “12 Years a Slave,” but that won’t stop her for rooting on “The Wolf of Wall Street.”
Miles said, “Leo was fantastic in [‘Wolf of Wall Street’],” she said, “His performance made the movie worthwhile.”
No matter which film takes home the statue on Mar. 2, there is no denying that Hollywood gave us a winning line up this year. The technological feats and acting triumphs, as well as riveting, powerful storylines will ensure that the films of 2013 will remain in the hearts of their audiences long after Oscar night.
