The award season for movies is a very entertaining and important time for movie lovers all around the world. It is all about seeing your favorite actors and artists get recognized for their talents and passions in this somewhat strange environment. You get to cheer for your favorites when they win, and even crack jokes about movies you disliked. However, award season can be especially entertaining because it brings with it many profound and beautiful movies that can really impact the audience in remarkable ways. Here is a list of some award season favorites that are eye-opening and definitely worth your time.
1. A Quiet Place – 95% on Rotten Tomatoes & 5 wins this season
This movie is definitely the oldest on this list (released in April of last year), but I included it because it really is a work of art that truly deserves some recognition. This film is all about a family of four that must live their lives in silence and in fear of a formidable creature that hunts by sound. The movie is extremely well done, and plays on its audience’s fears of the unknown. It also uses sound in a way that unique from any other movie. Everyone should see this movie because it is much more than just a horror story. This is a story of love, the love of a family, and the sacrifices one would make to protect their loved ones. If you have not seen this yet, do yourself a favor and go hunker down in a quiet space, put on your best set of headphones, and stream it right now.
2. A Star is Born – 90% on Rotten Tomatoes & 19 wins this season
This film is very different from A Quiet Place, but it is equally as impressive in its own way. A Star is Born is about two artistic souls joining together both on stage and in life. The two characters experience an iconic love story that is deep, passionate, and heartbreaking. Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga do an incredible job in their acting and singing, and they definitely fill the shoes of Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, Kris Kristofferson, and James Manson who all played these roles many years ago. The movie as a whole is a great reminder that remakes of films can be just as powerful and effective as the originals. Everything in this movie is stunning. From the compelling story of addiction to the phenomenal original score, this movie can do no wrong. I strongly suggest that you watch this movie and listen to its score as soon as possible.
3. If Beale Street Could Talk – 95% on Rotten Tomatoes & 36 wins this season
This film is very unique and addresses several problems facing our country every day that many people often choose to ignore. In short , the movie is about a couple’s unbreakable bond that gets tested time and time again by the racially biased and unforgiving world in which they live. This movie discusses many important and impacting topics such as raising a child on your own, having a loved one in prison, watching your life pass you by, and settling your conflicting beliefs. It is extremely emotional, moving, and incredible. The cast and crew of this movie did an unbelievable job of pulling their audience into the intimate lives of their characters and makes them feel as if they too are struggling to live the life they want. If Beale Street Could Talk is beautifully filmed and delicately shows the endurance of both love and humanity. If you see this movie, it will be a liberating experience that you will never forget.
4. The Favourite – 94% on Rotten Tomatoes & 45 wins this season
The Favourite is one of the more humorous films on this list and has been doing extremely well around the world. This film is about 18th century England and its frail queen who is fought over as a prize by her two companions. Their rivalry creates many problems for the two of them as they fight for a chance to fulfill their political and life ambitions. This movie uses satire, a very strong female lead (Emma Stone), and historical events to tell a remarkable story about the bonds between women, both good and bad. The performances by the stars of this film are all incredible and definitely make this film worth seeing and worthy of the 45 awards it has claimed so far. It should definitely be added to your list of films to watch in 2019, because it is simply brilliant.
5. Roma – 96% on Rotten Tomatoes & 51 wins this season
Roma is arguably one of the best films to hit theatres this award season, and it is definitely not getting the recognition it deserves. It is about a year in the life of a middle-class family’s maid in 1970’s Mexico City. It discusses the domestic strife and political turmoil of the 70s, and is extremely eye-opening. Alfonso Cuarón (creator of Gravity) writes this film as a token of appreciation to the women who raised him, and he truly makes his audience feel grateful for all of the amazing people in their lives. His story is extremely passionate, powerful, profound, and telling of a culture that often gets overlooked. If you are in the mood for a movie that will stick with you for the rest of the year, go on Netflix right now and watch it. It is truly deserving of your attention and should be seen by all.
Whether or not you enjoy the award season for movies, the films listed above are definitely worth your time. They are all brilliantly done and will add to your life in ways that most movies cannot. All of these films are likely to be featured for the rest of the award season, and if you do like to participate in such, they should be at the top of your list of films to watch next. I hope you enjoy these movies as much as I did, and I hope you enjoy the Academy Awards on February 24!