This yr’s Best Picture (thought-about one of the vital classes of the Academy Awards ceremony, for the minority who would not but know) nominees are lastly out, and to many individuals’s shock, the nominations record really options a number of the greatest, most memorable movement photos from final yr.
There is little question that the Academy has picked flicks a number of folks did not see coming. From biographies and sci-fi films with mind-bending VFX to warfare movies and thrilling dramas with partaking plots, these are all 2023’s Best Picture nominees ranked by their Letterboxd rating.
10 ‘Elvis’
Letterboxd Rating: 3.52/5
Baz Luhrmann‘s highly-regarded biographical drama facilities across the life, which is generally seen by the eyes of his supervisor (Tom Hanks), of the legendary rock and roll singer and actor Elvis Presley (performed by Austin Butler, who equally earned enormous acclaim accompanied by a Best Actor Oscar nomination).
Luhrmann’s film is not for everybody — Elvis is huge, colourful, and contains a loud, chaotic type all through. While this exuberant film is probably not everybody’s cup of tea, it’s definitely assured to entertain those that benefit from the style and Luhrmann’s physique of labor, particularly Elvis Presley fanatics.
9 ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’
Letterboxd Rating: 3.79/5
The sequel to the 2009 science fiction epic Avatar, directed by James Cameron, was not solely a industrial success but additionally a crucial one. Avatar: The Way of Waterfollows Jake Sully’s (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri’s (ZoëSaldaña) quest to seek out shelter to cover after a renewed menace threatens the well-being of their household.
What the visually beautiful film arguably does greatest is the way it immerses viewers in its world — by its spectacular CGI, The Way of Water welcomes viewers on an out-of-this-world experience, fascinating world audiences with a mesmerizing journey by the fantastic land of Pandora. In addition to its beautiful visuals, the second installment of the franchise sends out key environmental messages and displays on the significance of defending and preserving our environment.
8 ‘Triangle of Sadness’
Letterboxd Rating: 3.85/5
Triangle of Sadness is an extremely well-written black comedy that satirizes the wealthy because it depicts a mannequin couple’s luxurious cruise go fully improper when a violent storm causes the ship to crash.
Ruben Östlund‘s takedown of the rich is much from uninteresting — its compelling, depraved narrative builds up from the very starting to wonderful outcomes. Featuring a really entertaining screenplay, this enjoyable, impeccable satire explores the insatiable thirst for energy among the many increased class, making some sharp factors alongside the best way.
7 ‘Women Talking’
Letterboxd Rating: 3.89/5
This highly effective drama by Sarah Polleyprimarily based on MiriamTowens‘ novel of the identical identify is impressed by real-life occasions that occurred on the Manitoba Colony in Bolivia, the place girls of an remoted spiritual neighborhood discovered that male colonists have systemically sexually abused weak girls.
Starring a entire host of proficient actresses, together with Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, and Frances McDormand, Women Talking supplies meals for thought because it tackles vital matters, together with justice, self-determination, religion, and faith when coping with traumatic occasions. It’s a extremely delicate film that transpires energy and emotion by easy however fashionable cinematography and an intriguing premise.
6 ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’
Letterboxd Rating: 4.01/5
This German epic anti-war motion movie primarily based on the 1929 novel of the identical identify by Erich Maria Remarque follows the terrifying struggles of a younger German soldier Paul (Felix Kammerer), who’s confronted with the disturbing realities of warfare on the western entrance throughout World War I.
The Netflix authentic, directed by Edward Berger, makes for an unbelievable but haunting watch that questions the purpose of warfare all through. Critiquing nationalism by its depiction of warfare with vivid realism and brutality, this partaking film is more likely to pleasantly shock audiences, particularly those that are into the warfare style.
5 ‘The Fabelmans’
Letterboxd Rating: 4.09/5
Steven Spielberg‘s tender and bittersweet private drama focuses on Samuel Fabelman (Gabriel LaBelle), a 16-year-old boy who aspires to grow to be a filmmaker and may be very very similar to Spielberg himself. The movie is loosely primarily based on the director’s childhood rising up post-World War II in Arizona and has gained lots of people over.
Apart from all of the unbelievable technical parts that make The Fabelmans nice, what makes the movie a memorable and charming watch is the best way it examines artwork, in addition to the primary message behind its inspiring premise — The Fabelmans displays on the significance of cinema, highlighting how it may be escapism for a lot of.
4 ‘Tár’
Letterboxd Rating: 4.09/5
This mind-bending 2022 movie stars eight-time Oscar nominee CateBlanchett in certainly one of her best roles, the advanced Lydia Tár. Featuring a fascinating storyline, the extraordinary drama follows the downfall of one of many biggest residing composers and conductors who finds herself in a deep, downward spiral.
Todd Field‘s film excels at offering viewers with a beneficiant quantity of astounding cinematography and superb sound design to match. Tár expertly tackles cancel tradition and sexual exploitation within the office whereas giving viewers an outlook on Lydia’s previous, current, and future.
3 ‘Top Gun: Maverick’
Letterboxd Rating: 4.10/5
Joseph Kosinski‘s Top Gun: Maverickis the uncommon form of sequel that’s comparatively higher than its predecessor. Set 30 years after the primary Top Gun film, this 2022 motion characteristic follows Maverick’s (Tom Cruise) return to the United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program the place he’s set to coach a gaggle of youthful pilots.
One of final yr’s greatest box-office bombs with over $1.48 billion, the second installment of the beloved franchise was each a industrial and significant success, very similar to James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water. There is little question that this enormous hit is the proper sequel because it focuses on parts from the primary film whereas additionally including depth and telling a narrative of its personal.
2 ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’
Letterboxd Rating: 4.13/5
Set on a distant island off the west coast of Ireland, The Banshees of Inisherindepicts a distinct time of heartbreak. The good film focuses on two lifelong pals, Padraic (Best Actor nominee ColinFarrell) and Colm (BrendanGleeson, who additionally earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actor), whose friendship is at a lifeless finish when certainly one of them all of a sudden places an finish to their bond with alarming penalties to each.
Martin McDonagh‘s astounding darkish tragicomedy is usually thought-about the filmmaker’s masterwork, incomes tons of worldwide reward and acclaim. Although this partaking film principally focuses on the crumbling friendship between the 2 characters, it’s also a well-crafted comedian allegory of the Irish Civil warfare, with Colm and Pádraic representing the 2 warring factions: the Irish Free State and the Irish Republican Army.
1 ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’
Letterboxd Rating: 4.44/5
Possibly probably the most talked-about film of the yr, Everything Everywhere all at Onceis a refreshing, mind-bending A24 motion flick that follows a Chinese immigrant (Michelle Yeoh) who’s swept up in a loopy journey the place she has to attach with the lives she may have probably led in different universes to save lots of these vital to her.
In addition to being nominated for Best Picture, the Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan film additionally earned reward for its top-tier performances: the Academy gave Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, and Stephanie Hsu a really deserving nod for his or her fantastic work. Although the beloved film could look goofy and barely unserious at instances, Everything Everywhere all at Once is definitely a really philosophical film that tackles many related themes, together with empathy, parenthood, and generational trauma.