Category: Oscar Nominee

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Alexander’s Ragtime Band (1938)

With a love triangle as its backdrop, Alexander’s Ragtime Band attempts to tell the early history of jazz during the early parts of the 20th century, all through the music of Irving Berlin. The story is shallow, but the cast is fine, filled with the likes of Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, Ethel Merman, Don Ameche and Jack Haley. The music is the best part and the songs are catchy as all get out. Just reading the name of the film gets the title song stuck in my head.  Best Picture Nomination  Musical  Music

Oscar Win: Best Music, Scoring

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture; Best Writing, Original Story; Best Art Direction; Best Film Editing; Best Music, Original Song

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Vicki Christina Barcelona (2008)

Stupid Oscars compulsion making me watch more Woody Allen films. This one is filled with unlikeable characters: unlikable crazy Spaniards and the extremely unlikable pretentious Americans who invade their country and their lives for the summer. This has Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz, Chris Messina, and Patricia Clarkson. There are dozens of better films to watch them in.

Oscar Win: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

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The Men (1950)

Filmed in an actual VA hospital with many patients in supporting roles, Marlon Brando’s debut film is an affecting look into the experiences of injured vets. In some ways it feels like a documentary, including a few scenes that are almost lectures to give the vets, their loved ones, and the audience information on what to expect in recovery and the long lasting effects of their injuries. Brando and Teresa Wright work well together, portraying the ups and downs of a relationship living with their new reality.

Oscar Nomination: Best Writing, Story and Screenplay

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Watu Wote (2017)

There is a bit of this short film about a group of Kenyans who refuse to turn over their fellow Christian passengers to the terrorists that hijack their bus that feels Oscar baity, but it is hard to not be affected by the story knowing that it is based on the actual 2015 Mandera bus attack. For a short film, it builds the tension of the event quite well and not being aware of the outcome of the true story, I was unsure until the climax how things would turn out.

Oscar Nomination: Best Live Action Short Film

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