I’ll admit: I’ve only seen one of the movies that actually won an Oscar last Sunday. But see, that’s exactly why I love the Oscars, because now I know what’s worth seeing. (So far this strategy has worked—soon after last year’s Oscars, I saw The King’s Speech, The Black Swan, and The Social Network, and I wasn’t disappointed.) So here’s what’s on my new and updated must-see list:
The Artist
This movie won Best Picture, among four other awards. The film is not only in black and white, it’s also silent! Also, without having said one word throughout the entire film, the lead actor, Jean Dujardin won Best Actor. It should be noted that The Artist beat out Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close for Best Picture,thus proving that “actions speak louder than words” (at least in terms of winning Oscars).
The Iron Lady
Lead-actress Meyrl Streep took home Best Actress for her role in this movie as Margaret Thatcher. Streep is an extremely talented actress who never ceases to impress me. Having been nominated for 17 Oscars in her lifetime (winning only 3), it’s about damn time she won Best Actress! I have yet to see The Iron Lady, but I have no doubt that Streep’s performance was deserving of this award.
The Help
Octavia Spencer, who played Minny in the film, won Best Supporting Actress. Now this is the movie I did see, but Minny and her famous chocolate pies are worth watching again.
Hugo
This movie won five Oscars, but all in technical categories like Sound Editing and Visual Effects. This movie got mixed reviews—magazines and blogs have discussed how Hugo may just be the most overrated film of the year. But judging by the awards it won, Hugo at the very least is an aesthetically pleasing film. And full of Sacha Baron Cohen. I’m keeping Hugo on my must-see list.
So those are some of the most notable winners. But let’s spend a little time on the losers, too.
Bridesmaids
I’m disappointed to say that this funny movie didn’t win a single Oscar. But to those of you, who haven’t seen it yet, don’t let its lack of Academy Awards deter you. Every collegiette should see this movie because it’s proof that women are hilarious (in case you had any doubt!). I love Bridesmaids because it’s genuine—unlike your typical rom-com heroine, the leading lady of this movie pretty insane… and she doesn’t try to hide it.
Midnight in Paris
This movie did win Best Screenplay, but not Best Picture, for which it was also nominated. Having seen it, this makes sense to me: as a story, it was pretty good, but as a movie, it was pretty stinky. Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams weren’t believable, and weren’t nearly as cute as they were in Wedding Crashers. And although the film was written and directed by Woody Allen, it didn’t have his usual funny yet nutty flair. That being said, the story line is interesting enough to make the movie worth seeing. Just don’t get too annoyed when you realize that McAdams’s practically playing Regina George from Mean Girls all over again.