Oscar 2015: The nominees

For Best Picture:

The Big Short
Bridge of Spies
Brooklyn
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Room
Spotlight

The rest.

Last year, as you know, was devoted to classic movies around these parts, and as part of my immersion into this field (though, in hindsight, I doubt this was all that necessary), I chose to sit out the Oscar race. As a result, many more movies flew under my radar this year than usual. 

So seeing this year's Best Picture nominees comes as a pretty big surprise for once. I knew Bridge of Spies and The Martian would probably get in, but certain movies that seemed like sure things on paper, like Steve Jobs or Joy, didn't make it in - and what do we have instead? Three small indie movies, two - TWO! - sci-fi movies, and what I'm assuming is a horror film - but more on that in a second.

I think we're finally seeing a switch from traditional "Oscar bait" movies. If so, then it's about time. I'm seeing a whole lot of new names amongst the major categories, and the absence of other names - Spielberg and Scott and Zemeckis and Boyle from directing, Hanks and Bullock and Smith from acting, and Tarantino and Sorkin from the screenplay fields - is telling.

I'm very happy for Brooklyn going all the way. I figured Carol would be the one to get the Best Pic nod instead, but at least Blanchett and Mara both got nominated. One thing I failed to mention about 45 Years was the acting, which was quite good, so seeing Charlotte Rampling's name up there is also gratifying. Sly Stallone for Supporting Actor? I know he just won the Golden Globe, so I suppose anything's possible. The Force Awakens getting an editing nod? Interesting. Didn't see that coming. Ditto for Ex Machina and Straight Outta Compton for Original Screenplay. Pretty good year for SF, in fact. I am disappointed that Inside Out didn't have enough juice for Best Pic. I really thought it had a chance there.

Okay. About The Revenant. Yesterday, I was convinced I would not see this movie. I had absolutely no interest in seeing Leonardo DiCaprio get raped by a bear, and frankly, I couldn't understand why anyone would make a movie like this, based on what I've read, which, I admit, isn't that much.

Leo looks like a sure thing for Best Actor at this point, and if so, then good for him. He's certainly deserved it for a very long time, and I think it's fantastic that he continues to take chances with his roles. He's no longer the pretty boy from Titanic; he's become this generation's greatest actor. Plus, Alejandro Inarritu directing back-to-back Best Pic winners would be an amazing feat.

I just don't know if I wanna see this movie. Call me a wuss if you want.

Anybody wanna try convincing me?

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Related:
2014 nominees
2013 nominees
2012 nominees
2011 nominees
2010 nominees