My brother, Adam, helped to keep me updated on what was most likely going to be nominated this year. I had to rush to watch all of them before the awards night, but I did it! For each movie, I posted (my version of) a short synopsis of the movie as well as my opinion. I also ranked them in order of favorite to least favorite. Let me know what you thought of these movies if you saw them!
The story of how Facebook was created.
Since I was in college when Facebook first debuted, I found it particularly interesting. You get to see all three "sides" of the story related to the law suits against Facebook. Really cool to see the thought process and ideas behind the program we're all addicted to.
The toys have to decide what to do now that Andy is leaving for college. They end up at a day-care and Woody tries to convince them to head back home.
I love this movie just as much as the first two. There are some nerve-wracking moments (the toys eventful journey home) and some tearful moments (Andy reminiscing about the times he spent with his toys). Since we all grew up with the Toy Story characters, it is easy to feel attached to them. Cute movie!
Inception
A team of dream manipulators have to perform a difficult task of inserting an idea into a dream (rather than the usual task of extracting information from dreams). They enter further and further into the dream layers to try and accomplish this task before it is too late. This mission is especially important to Cobb, one of the main characters, who has a personal reason for needing to accomplish this "inception".
This movie requires you to pay a lot of attention to detail as they go further and further into the dream layers. The movie leaves some final questions open to interpretation and discussion at the end, and you'll definitely find yourself wanting to re-watch it to fully understand everything you saw. Definitely worth watching.
The story of a boxer trying to make a name for himself, with the help of his friends and girlfriend, while managing the issues with his large family.
I honestly was not looking forward to seeing this movie, despite the great reviews, because I wasn't interested in seeing another movie about a boxer. I was very pleasantly surprised to find this movie focused more on the relationships between Mickey (the main character) and his girlfriend, overbearing mother, opinionated sisters, and disillusioned has-been brother. There are several stellar actors/actresses in this movie.
True story about King George VI of England's struggle to become the leader he needs to be despite a speech impediment and the instructor that helps and befriends him.
I like movies about the British monarchy, including this one. I was wondering how they could make a two hour movie about a speech impediment, but it also explores King George VI's rise to the thrown and the difficulties he faced having been born into royalty.
A young girl sets out to capture her father's killer. She hires a US Marshall to assist her and she insists on coming with him on his journey. They are also joined, at times, by a Ranger who wants to find the fugitive for his own purposes.
I was not a big fan of the Coen Brother's "No Country For Old Men". I did, however, enjoy this movie. The girl who plays young Mattie is very spunky and quick-witted and fun to watch. All the characters have unique personalities and work well together.
The true story about a mountain-climber who finds himself alone and trapped in a crevice in the desert. He has to think of ways to free himself or die trying.
Most of the movie is spent watching Aron, the mountain climber, trying to maneuver himself out of a crevice where his arm is stuck under a large rock. If you know how the story ends, you find yourself wondering how and when he'll free himself. I found myself wondering what I would do if I was in that same situation. The scenes of Aron in the crevice are broken up with visions and flash backs he has as he becomes more tired and dehydrated. I thought the movie did a good job of drawing you in and keeping you in suspense.
A ballet dancer, perfect for the role of the White Swan, loses her mind as she tries to better portray the role of the Black Swan in Swan Lake.
I'd say this movie is very dark and creepy. Not a movie to watch with your grandma...or if you're looking for a pick-me-up. As Nina, the dancer, starts to lose sight of reality it is difficult to know what is actually happening and what is just in her mind. We left the theater still trying to wrap our heads around the whole thing.
The two teenage children of a lesbian couple seek out and find their biological dad which proves to put their family relationships to the test.
This seems to be another story about the difficulties of family life (in this case it portrays a non-traditional family - a lesbian couple, their two teenage children, and the sperm donor). This movie reminded me of others like it I've seen in the past few years including Little Miss Sunshine and American Beauty. However, this movie lacked cute characters and humor.
A teenage girl must find her father, who is in trouble with the law and his neighbors, in order to save the rest of her family from losing there home.
My least favorite of the best picture nominations. The acting is well done and believable, especially by the main actress who plays Ree. I just don't think the movie can contend with the other nominations.
