The 90th Oscars may be over a month away – the air date is Sunday, March 4 – but, just today, the list of nominations went public, and now everyone is talking about which movies made the list, and which were royally snubbed. If you’re anything like me, you’re not the most active in deciding which films are going to be outstanding until awards season, when nominations can provide guidance for which selections are worth your time. The Oscars definitely do not have the final say on which movies are truly the best of 2017 (especially considering how whitewashed and elitist the entire show tends to be), but it is still fun to be aware of how much you liked a specific film when the ceremony airs in March.
1. The Shape of Water
Coming in first with the most nominations this season (13 in total), The Shape of Water is a must-see. It received recognition in the categories of best picture, directing (Guillermo del Toro) and cinematography, among countless others.
2. Get Out
Despite the controversy over Get Out being classified as a comedy for the Golden Globes, the Academy Awards finally gave this movie the respect it deserves. Not only was it successful in the box office, but it also received nominations for best picture, directing and best original screenplay (with the latter two both for Jordan Peele).
3. Lady Bird
While the Golden Globes, yet again, snubbed Lady Bird director Greta Gerwig, the Oscars did not make the same mistake. She is not only up for best director and writer of an original screenplay, but the film itself is in the running for best picture and Saoirse Ronan is nominated for best actress in a leading role.
4. Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
Coming in strong with seven nominations, this film may not have rocked the box office, but it definitely caught the eyes of the Academy. Best picture is a given category, but Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri also appeared in the rankings of best actress in a leading role (Frances McDormand), best actor in a supporting role (Woody Harrelson) and even smaller arenas, like film editing and original score.
5. Coco
Coco may only have been recognized in two sections (animated feature film and best original song for “Remember Me”), but that does not mean it’s not deserving of praise. By far a fan-favorite, there is no reason to not see this incredibly inspiring Pixar movie.
6. Call Me By Your Name
Call Me By Your Name is a movie that everyone has been telling me to go see, and now that the Oscars admired its impact with nominations of best picture, adapted screenplay (James Ivory), original song (“Mystery Of Love”) and actor in a leading role (Timothée Chalamet), there is no way I won’t take the time to see what all the hype is about. Plus, there is nothing better than a high-quality romance film.
7. Dunkirk
Dunkirk, another box office success, rolled in with eight nominations this season. Many of them came from lesser known categories, like sound editing and production design, but it still ranked high in terms of best picture and directing (Christopher Nolan). Even if war films aren’t your cup of tea, this movie might just be worth a shot, considering how much attention it’s receiving.
Cover Photo Courtesy of oscars.go.com