6: Vice
In many ways, Vice is the most interesting movie on this year’s list of Best Picture nominees. While the film is undeniably not without its flaws, Adam McKay, whose previous Oscar nominee, The Big Short, was an incredibly similar film, offers a comical and important insight into the life of one of the most influential political leaders of the 21st century.
Even if McKay’s sometimes uneven style doesn’t attract you, then Christian Bale’s inspired performance as Dick Cheney certainly will. Sam Rockwell is also an excellent piece of casting as George W. Bush, and while the film’s humour does border on smug on occasions, this is still one of the more enjoyable Best Picture nominees this year.
5: Black Panther
For those who are suggesting that Black Panther has only been nominated because of its cultural significance, simply put, you’re wrong. While in other year’s this may have missed out on a Best Picture nomination, Black Panther is arguably Marvel’s finest hour, balancing genuinely emotional character development with a social conscience and some terrific performances.
It’s a shame that movies like Logan and The Dark Knight never received the level of awards recognition that Black Panther has received, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that this was still one of the strongest movies of 2018.
4: Roma
Alfonso Cuaron’s love letter to the Mexican neighbourhood he grew up in is the clear favourite to take home Best Picture this Sunday, and there is no denying that it will be a deserving winner.
While the film’s delicate pacing may not be to everybody’s tastes, there is no denying the sheer beauty of Cuaron’s work here. This is a film that was made to be admired, and from the opening shot down to the exhilarating final scenes, it achieves just that. It’s a sweeping epic of a movie, one that will leave a mark on the viewer long after the closing credits have rolled.
The film’s narrative, which is simple enough, does an incredible job of offering a lyrical tale of two women, each from different classes, trying to make their way in a world filled with destructive men, all while their beloved city is crumbling around them.
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Originally published February 21, 2019. Updated February 22, 2019.
