Best Picture Nominees -- 12 Years A Slave


I continue my look at Best Picture nominees with a favorite, "12 Years A Slave."

Movie: 12 Years A Slave
Nominations: 9
Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Actor (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Best Supporting Actor (Michael Fassbender), Best Supporting Actress (Lupita Nyong'o), Best Director (Steve McQueen), Best Adapted Screenplay (John Ridley), Best Editing, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design
About: The race for Best Picture might be the tightest it's been in recent years. There are two camps. "12 Years A Slave" is an incredible, and incredibly important look at American History. "Gravity" is an incredible cinematic and technical achievement. Both have been honored by numerous bodies, and at this point it might be a coin flip as to which will win. Both are incredible films that are incredibly moving. But doubtless "12 Years A Slave" will come away with one or two awards on March 2. Among the acting nominees, Nyong'o is a favorite in the Best Supporting Actress race, and could easily come away with the Academy Award. Both Ejiofor, who was incredible, and Fassbender are long-shots. I think the other best chance for awards here comes in the screenplay category, for the way Ridley adapted this book by Solomon Northup, and in costume and production design. Historically the editing award has gone to the film that wins Best Picture, so look for that category in the middle of the show to shed some light. All three of the films with the best chance at Best Picture -- "12 Years A Slave," "Gravity," and "American Hustle" -- are nominated in that category.
Verdict: Four stars out of four.
"12 Years A Slave" is now playing nationwide.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Burial a courtroom drama with heart

Image
Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx) is a brash trial lawyer who is good at rallying a jury to his cause. Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) is a quiet grandfather who is trying to ensure the business his family built remains viable after he’s gone. These two don’t appear to have much in common on the surface. But when they’re brought together by young lawyer Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie) brings them together, a connection is formed over their shared background of working hard to become self-made men. And it turned out that Willie was just who Jerry needed in his corner to win the fight of his life. The new Prime Video film The Burial, which opened in theaters October 6 and started streaming October 13, captures that trial against the Loewen Group that changed the course of their lives. The film is based on the true story and covers the trial, but more importantly captures the relationship between the men. The film plays out like a traditional courtroom drama. Foxx is solid as Willie Gary, while Ju
Read more

Broncos Draft Targets

Image
  The NFL Draft is just a few days away. On April 25, the Denver Broncos will head into the draft in the midst of something of a rebuild. In the draft, the Broncos have the No. 12 pick in Round 1, then have a Third Round Pick, Fourth Round Pick, three Fifth Round Picks, a Sixth Round Pick, and a Seventh Round Pick. So, what might they be targeting? Let's dive in and look at possible positions. Quarterback : The team clearly needs a long-term quarterback. Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci are there but the team could certainly use someone else. Could they move up for Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy? Yes, they could. Will the take Bo Nix at 12? It's possible. Or will the Broncos wait until next off-season to make a move? Anything is in play for the Broncos in 2024, but quarterback is surely a need. Tight End: The team brought back Adam Trautman and still has Greg Dulcich, but it's still a need. Dulcich hasn't been able to get on the field and Trautman hasn't been great. Co
Read more

Favorite Westerns, No. 43

Image
  Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1. Rooster Cogburn : [ watching Mattie ford the river hanging on the back of her horse] By God. She reminds me of me. True Grit (1969) Starring : John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall, and Dennis Hopper Director : Henry Hathaway About: This is the third straight week with a film from Wayne. As you might guess, we're not done. As I've mentioned, he sets a standard for the genre. Here, we seen him bring to life an iconic character. This one is based on a novel, and it has endured. He's great as Rooster Cogburn, so good that he got a sequel in the same character. But this is a later film in his career. This is a different, more grizzled Wayne. He's still quite good and this is a film that really has stood the test of time. It's not the only ve
Read more