90th Oscars: Best Picture

These shortened reviews encapsulate how and why each respective movie has received a nomination for the Best Picture award in this years' 90th Oscars. Which movie will reign champion and which movies will walk away defeated? Read these mini-reviews to get an idea of what you're in for: "Call Me By Your Name" by Gigi GrossmanIf only there were an Oscar nomination for “Best Picture of the Decade” because the recent coming-of-age drama film “Call Me By Your Name” has undoubtedly earned itself the title. Italian Film Director Luca Guadagnino’s unique cinematic style is what ultimately created this magnificent film which captures the raw emotion and psychological dilemmas of young love. As every scene in the stunning italian countryside “set” was shot with a 35-mm lense, it is an extraordinarily beautiful film. Based on author André Aciman’s novel by the same name, the movie tells the story of 17-year-old Elio (Timothée Chalamet) who falls in love with an older male who becomes a guest in his home for the summer: Oliver (Armie Hammer). Elio, the younger of the two gay lovers, encompasses the struggles of becoming a young adult, falling in love, and fighting with one’s inner self to accept their own identity and sexuality. Although the film does not strictly follow the progression of the book, perhaps the most remarkable scene in the entire work is the ending monologue given by Elio’s father, which happens to be an almost word-for-word dialogue pulled from the novel. Overall, “Call Me By Your Name” is not your average blockbuster, but if you appreciate artistic cinema, this film is a must-see. "Dunkirk" by Major Levin (Contributor)Let me start with this: I like Chris Nolan, he's made some very good and underappreciated films in his early years like “Insomnia” and “Memento”, both films I would recommend over his most recent outing, “Dunkirk”. “Dunkirk” is a war epic about 400,000 British soldiers stranded on the beaches of Dunkirk, France, with nowhere to hide and no way to escape. This film started out with an intriguing setup with all the makings of a quality war film, a proven director and cast including Tom Hardy and Mark Rylance fresh off an oscar win. Unfortunately, this is no “Saving Private Ryan”. Despite all it had going for it, the film decides to take a different and more pretentious approach of “it's an experience”. The films high points are its cinematography, with stunning wide shots that capture the scope and bleakness of the film’s situation, and a very strong opening scene that sets the tone for a great film, but doesn't do anything with it. I don't want to spoil it for those who want to see it, but it's essentially the same 30 minute sequence of events repeated three times with very little change. The Chris Nolan war epic that could-have-been will, for now, only exist in our imaginations. Hopefully one day we'll get it, but for now just watch his other movies. “Dunkirk” should not win best picture, better things came out this year.  "The Darkest Hour" by Joe Wickline“Darkest Hour” chronicles the trials and tribulations of British prime minister Winston Churchill (played in heavy prosthetics by Gary Oldman) in the early days of World War II. Faced with opposition from his own party, Adolf Hitler's relentless advance into France and paltry assistance from the United States, Churchill battles pressure to surrender from within and without and orchestrates the evacuation of over 300,000 men stranded at Dunkirk. Churchill's story is nothing we haven't seen before; a new actor portrays him virtually every year, (John Lithgow in “The Crown” most recently,) and World War II has been the subject of a plethora of award winning films. But “Darkest Hour” is more than just a retread.Inventive cinematography, impeccable production design, and a captivating narrative set the film apart from its predecessors. Establishing a quirky feel from the get-go (including intermittent, blaring timestamps superimposed over almost the entire frame to assure the audience that it is, in fact, MAY 1940) “Darkest Hour” finds a unique blend of history, fiction, drama and comedy. A career-defining performance from Oldman carries the film even when its semi-fictionalized narrative wears thin, and cements “Darkest Hour” as a poignant war drama that's as compelling as it is entertaining. "Three Billboards" by Anastasia Shakhidzhanova“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri” is unlike any movie you have ever seen before. It hit the theaters on Nov. 10 and has since caused a whirlwind of controversy surrounding it, polarizing viewers and critics into love/hate categories. Nonetheless, the word love is no exaggeration; the movie has since received over 50 different award nominations and won 17 awards including four Golden Globes, three SAG awards and three Critics Choice. The movie is set in fictional small-town Ebbing, MO, where Mildred Hayes, played by Kathryn Newton, is still grieving for the rape and murder of her daughter seven months before. Mildred, frustrated by the lack of progress in the investigation of her daughter's death, decides to rent otherwise unused and dilapidated billboards on the edge of town to send a message to the sheriff. The billboards foment the resurfacing of long buried resentments and pain in the town that are never fully resolved by the end of the movie.It’s best not to know much else going into the movie and in my opinion even the trailer gives away too much. Nonetheless, “Three Billboards” is an absolutely amazing film and is 100 percent worth going to see and worthy of its Oscar nomination.  "The Post" by Chloe ForssellOn Jan. 12, “The Post”, a long awaited political thriller depicting the controversy surrounding “The Washington Post’s” choice to publish Vietnam War secrets, arrived in theaters. The film starred Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks as the newspaper’s publisher Katharine Graham, and head editor Ben Bradlee. “The Post” dealt with issues that are still relevant and debated in our current society, such as a female’s role in the workplace and the specificities of the laws surrounding the freedom of the press. In a world of “fake news” and unreliable journalism, this film reminded viewers that the original purpose of newspapers is to deliver the truth. There was a time before electronics and media, the era of printed press. The world depended on the newspaper for their source of information, and most never questioned the words printed. Little did the readers know that there were rules restricting what those words could be. These were the rules that were broken when “The New York Times” and “The Washington Post” decided to publish leaked government secrets from the pentagon. Today’s generation takes the freedom of the press for granted; “The Post” provides the world with a reality check. All in all, “The Post” was an amazing film with an incredibly inspiring message. If you are looking for a warm hearted story told by talented actors that will leave you pondering the past and anticipating the future, check out this film in theaters near you. "Get Out" by Isabella HardyThe action/horror movie “Get Out” is an interesting sequence of events that illustrates the message of racism. The entire movie focuses on the justification white people have in order to mistreatment African-Americans. Along with the affective theme, the movie puts viewers on edge with the horror aspects, and constantly includes themes that urge the audience to analyze each action. The unpredictable and brilliantly written plot is just the start of what this movie has to offer. This movie should receive an Academy Award for best picture because of its originality and its ability to incorporate a strong theme in a mysterious and suspenseful plot. "The Shape of Water" by Kimiya Aframian“The Shape of Water” is a sci-fi, romance movie set in 1962 Baltimore and portrays the story of mute cleaning lady Elisa. Her isolated life is struck with conflict as she discovers a secret marine specimen in the government lab she cleans. As her interest in this mysterious creature grows, she develops a new daily schedule, allowing time for her new, classified acquaintance. Elisa’s bond with this creatures develops and a sort of communication between the two begins to flourish as they start to fall in love.The foundation of the film, by director Guillermo del Toro, is amazing. Each scene seems to swiftly transition into the next, by the trickling of water or by the sound of a heartbeat. The production of the movie is exquisite and the movie should be seen if not for the plot, then just for the manufacturing of the film itself.A trip to the movie theaters is well worth the 15 dollar ticket. The phenomenal romantic tale of two lovers brought together by fate is both entertaining and exciting. "Lady Bird" by Max MorinTo describe “Lady Bird” in terms of good or bad is beyond this picture. In reality it's not even really a movie at all. It's a snapshot, retelling a memory in life, exactly how it happened. It is a snapshot in one of the most relatable times of every teenager’s life, their senior year. This picture of life tells the story so accurately in a way that resonates with the audience in a sense of home. You feel connected to the characters and embedded into their supposedly misunderstood life, getting you to care about how everything will turn out in the end. They chose to focus on realism and logic to tell the director, Greta Gerwig's, true story, making the film truly feel like an person's life.  The movie is a great contender for best picture, and has a high chance of getting multiple nods for the acting. Oscar wise, it’s success should be recognized for best actress (Saoirse Ronan) and best supporting actress (Laurie Metcalf). However, “Lady Bird” does not have what it takes to win best picture. Unfortunately the film is not as artistically done compared to the other candidates, giving it a more typical feel for the academy voters. This could become a turn off and votes could shift to the other competitors.  "Phantom Thread" by Anastasia Shakhidzhanova“Phantom Thread” is the story of the romantic obsession built between renowned dressmaker, Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis), and Alma (Vicky Krieps), a woman he meets in 1950s London. The movie evokes important questions about love, codependency, the ways people alter themselves to fit a partner unknowingly, and how surrounding people can disastrously affect an individual.I fully accept that perhaps I am just not the demographic the film was made for, but either way this movie was not my favorite. And because of the atmosphere it creates, you could not pay me to watch it again. I do not believe this film deserves to be nominated for an Oscar, let alone win.