It’s never too early to start gearing up for the 89th Academy Awards. This year, Justin Timberlake, John Legend, Sting and Lin-Manuel Miranda are scheduled to perform and Jimmy Kimmel is set to host (yes!) The Oscars are set to air on Sunday, February 26th at 7e/4p on ABC. And in case you haven’t been able to catch up, here is your quick rundown of the nominees for the biggest award of the night, Best Picture Award.
1.) Arrival
Featuring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Tzi Ma, this movie is based off Ted Chiang’s “Story of Your Life.” The movie features Adams as an expert linguist who is assigned to investigate a group of spacecrafts that land on Earth. Arrival has also been nominated for Cinematography, Directing, Film Editing, Production Design, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, and Writing (Adapted Screenplay).
2.) Fences
Based off August Wilson’s play and directed by Denzel Washington, Fences focuses on Troy Maxson, a Pittsburg sanitation worker who dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player. However, this baseball dream threatens the well-being of both himself and his family. This movie features Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Jovan Adepo and Russell Hornsby. Fences is also nominated for Actor in a Leading Role (Denzel Washington), Actress in a Supporting Role (Viola Davis), and Writing (Adapted Screenplay).
3.) Hacksaw Ridge
Directed by Mel Gibson, Hacksaw Ridge tells the true story of Desmond T. Doss, an unarmed medic who saved the lives of 75 men during one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. Some of the leading actors include Andrew Garfield, Teresa Palmer, Vince Vaughn and Hugo Weaving. The movie is also nominated for Actor in Leading Role (Andrew Garfield), Directing, Film Editing, Sound Editing and Sound Mixing.
4.) Hell or High Water
Hell of High Water features two brothers, Toby and Tanner who attempt to make their futures better by robbing banks. The cast includes Chris Pine, Jeff Bridges, Ben Foster and Gil Birmingham. Other awards this movie is nominated for include Actor in a Supporting Role (Jeff Bridges), Film Editing, and Writing (Original Screenplay).
5.) Hidden Figures
Packed with girl power, Hidden Figures is set in the early 1960s and features three African American women as they work at NASA. In the movie, these women, despite their talent, are often subjected to racism and sexism. The cast includes Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Kanelle Monáe, Kevin Costner and Kirsten Dunst. Hidden Figures is also in the running for Actress in a Supporting Role (Octavia Spencer) and Writing (Adapted Screenplay).
6.) La La Land
La La Land is a movie for dreamers. Directed by Damien Chazelle, La La Land tells the story of aspiring actress Mia and jazz pianist Sebastian who both struggle to achieve their dreams in Los Angeles. Its cast includes Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, John Legend and Rosemarie DeWitt. La La Land is also in line for a slew of other categories including Actor in a Leading Role (Ryan Gosling), Actress in a Leading Role (Emma Stone), Cinematography, Costume Design, Directing, Music (Original Score, Original Song) and Writing (Original Screenplay).
7.) Lion
Lion is filled with acting heavyweights such as Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara and David Wenham. When five-year-old Saroo is separated from his family in India, he is adopted by an Australian couple. But as Saroo grows older, he becomes more interested in his birth family and begins to search for them. Lion is also nominated for Actor in a Supporting Role (Dev Patel), Actress in a Supporting Role (Nicole Kidman), Cinematography, Music (Original Score) and Writing (Adapted Screenplay).
8.) Manchester by the Sea
When Lee Chandler’s brother Joe dies of a heart attack, he becomes the guardian of Joe’s son, Patrick. This movie features Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, Lucas Hedges and Gretchen Mol. Along with Best Picture, Manchester by the Sea is also nominated for Actor in a Leading Role (Casey Affleck), Actor in a Supporting Role (Lucas Hedges), Actress in a Supporting Role (Michelle Williams), Directing and Writing (Original Screenplay).
9.) Moonlight
Moonlight follows the life of Chiron, an African American boy growing up in Miami. Throughout the movie, Chiron struggles with poverty and drugs as well as finding his identity and accepting his sexuality. The cast includes Trevante Rhodes, André Holland, Janelle Monáe, Ashton Sanders, Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali and Jharrel Jerome. Other nominations include Actor in a Supporting Role (Mahershala Ali), Actress in a Supporting Role (Naomie Harris), Cinematography, Directing, Film Editing, Music (Original Score) and Writing (Adapted Screenplay).
Image Sources: Thumbnail, Arrival, Fences, Hacksaw Ridge, Hell or High Water, Hidden Figures, La La Land, Lion, Manchester by the Sea, Moonlight
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