2025 Academy Awards - Movies & TV - Forums : Best Ever Albums

EyeKanFly

Head Bear Master/Galactic Emperor

Age: 34

Location: Gotham

Oscar nominations are out

Emilia Pérez leads with 13 noms which is... a little maddening.

I've only seen 2 of the BP nominees so far (Pérez and Wicked), but I'm hoping to catch all the rest except maybe Conclave which doesn't super interest me.

Anyone have any thoughts? Complaints? Disagreements? Or more surprising might be agreements with the Academy?
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51 Washington, D.C. albums!

Hayden

Location: Vietnam

Hoping this can maybe segue into our 2024 film poll Mr. Green

As someone who doesn't think Emilia Perez is a good film, I'm just... going to ignore all that. (I'm still a little annoyed it won two awards at Cannes). I'm also not too big on Conclave, but that's for an entire other set of reasons— also, like you EyeKanFly, it just wasn't my thing (mind, Fiennes and Tucci are still fantastic in it, and it had some stellar production design).

What I'm really disappointed with is the fact Challengers didn't land a single nomination d'oh!

— including score! Did the Academy have a falling out with Luca? I mean... neither of the guy's films are represented at all. Easily score of the year— only thing that comes close to it is Dune II (also not nominated???), and it's still a distant second. Not a clue what the Academy is thinking with that snub. I mean... who are they even going to award it to?

Being said, I still haven't seen a lot of the feature films nominated! I gotta catch up. I've yet to watch—

The Brutalist (very much looking forward to this one)
A Complete Unknown
I'm Still Here
Nickel Boys
Wicked (probably won't watch this one)
A Real Pain
September 5
The Girl With The Needle

Anora is currently my film of the year (by a lot— I've seen it twice now, and I'm starting to think about giving it a rare 5/5 from me), so obviously I'm thrilled Sean Baker & co landed their noms, but I fear it's losing a little bit of awards-steam. I'm not actually sure what the BP frontrunner is, and I think Madison will lose to Moore, but I'm hoping Sean gets an Oscar somewhere. He'd be a great surprise for Best Director. Speaking of Moore, I'm also glad to see how represented The Substance was (primarily because it isn't the Academy's usual cup of tea). All We Imagine As Light missing is also a shame... (was India snubbing it as their submission a political thing? I don't know much about the film they chose, but Girls Will Be Girls was another excellent film from India they could've selected).

Not sure why Furiosa hasn't drawn up any awards hype. Doesn't seem like it's even been in consideration for anything at all. Kneecap is also an unfortunate snub, but I kiiiinda at least understand that one not landing. (Great film though, if anyone's on the fence about seeing it). As mentioned prior, Challengers being shut out is also a little sad. A modern classic from the year.

But yeah— looking forward to watching what I haven't—

I think the acting winners will be the following—

Best Actor — Brody (like I said, yet to see this)
Best Actress — Moore
Supporting Actor — Culkin (likewise)
Supporting Actress — Saldana

—which, if you asked me this time last year, makes for an unexpected bunch.

I think it's fun that Best Picture is a toss-up. I could see four films realistically coming out on top. Let the race begin Mr. Green

CA Dreamin

Gender: Male

Location: LA

Not sure why Conclave is such a turnoff. I don't think it's a masterpiece by any stretch, but I find it compelling for how it juxtaposes corruption/lust for power with the good Christian dealing with a crisis of faith (akin to Calvary or First Reformed). As a non-religious person, I don't really care that it's a inaccurate depiction of The Vatican. It works as a piece of fiction. The tension comes across. I think it's fine for what it is.

Anyway, the Oscars, let's see...I am pretty behind and overall not as enthusiastic this year as last. I've only seen 4/10 BP noms. Of the 6 I haven't seen, there's only one I'm eager to (The Substance). It can't always be like 2023. Last year easily had one the best BP lineups they've ever had, and I went out of my way to see all ten. I won't be watching all ten this time.

Still, as usual, I have my agreements and disagreements. I'll name some:

1. Nosferatu's only nominated categories were for its visuals - AGREE. It looked great. I'll give it that. Every other aspect of this movie was lackluster.

2. Emilia Perez gets 13 nominations to lead all films - DISAGREE. Huh? For one, this isn't my cup of tea to begin with. Still, personal tastes aside, this movie is problematic in multiple ways.

3. Love Lies Bleeding shut out - DISAGREE. I wasn't expecting anything, but I was hoping for a screenplay nod, or Ed Harris (his bald cap and hairdo, yikes). He is a great villain here, and one of the best living actors who's never won an Oscar.

4. Anora and The Brutalist score several noms - DOUBLE AGREE. Two of the year's best films, and the Academy rightfully honored them. Hope they win a few.

5. Challengers not getting nominated for Score - DISAGREE. What is that about?

6. Hundreds of Beavers shut out - HUNDREDFOLD DISAGREE. I admit this movie isn't perfect. But is far too cute, too creative, and too hilarious to be ignored.
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on such a winter's day

EyeKanFly

Head Bear Master/Galactic Emperor

Age: 34

Location: Gotham

CA Dreamin wrote:

Not sure why Conclave is such a turnoff. I don't think it's a masterpiece by any stretch, but I find it compelling for how it juxtaposes corruption/lust for power with the good Christian dealing with a crisis of faith (akin to Calvary or First Reformed). As a non-religious person, I don't really care that it's a inaccurate depiction of The Vatican. It works as a piece of fiction. The tension comes across. I think it's fine for what it is.

Not that I think it'll be bad, but a political thriller based in the Vatican just doesn't super appeal to me. I'm sure it's loads better than Wicked or Perez, the 2 films I have seen (and I liked Wicked). If Conclave were getting rave reviews, I might change my tune, but as it stands it seems like Oscar bait that may not appeal to a normie filmgoer like me. Similar way I felt about The Holdovers last year, although I've since seen it and liked it.

CA Dreamin wrote:

Anyway, the Oscars, let's see...I am pretty behind and overall not as enthusiastic this year as last. I've only seen 4/10 BP noms. Of the 6 I haven't seen, there's only one I'm eager to (The Substance). It can't always be like 2023. Last year easily had one the best BP lineups they've ever had, and I went out of my way to see all ten. I won't be watching all ten this time.

6. Hundreds of Beavers shut out - HUNDREDFOLD DISAGREE. I admit this movie isn't perfect. But is far too cute, too creative, and too hilarious to be ignored.

Hundreds of Beavers was the most fun I've had watching a movie in a LONG time. Obviously a movie made by a couple dudes in Adobe After Effects isn't going to appeal to the Academy which likes to self-congratulate the machine that is Hollywood, but Hundreds of Beavers is #1 in my heart, and honestly probably my film of the year so far.

I'm definitely not as enthusiastic as last year either, when I'd seen 6/10 BP nominees at the time of announcement and 8/10 by the time the ceremony rolled around. This year I've seen 2/10 and hope to see another 3-4 before the ceremony. I'm sure I'll see Dune and A Complete Unknown, but I may struggle to convince anyone to go see The Brutalist with me.

At this time last year, I had a few dozens films from 2023, and right now I've only logged 6 films from 2024, half of which are Netflix slop. Definitely less enthused with movies as a whole in 2024 compared to 2023.
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51 Washington, D.C. albums!

Hayden

Location: Vietnam

What I'm learning from this is that I need to watch Hundreds of Beavers.

If it makes you feel better EyeKanFly, I don't think it's just you. Bar some major tickets, I also found 2024 a slightly lesser year for cinema than usual. I'm just not finding a lot of places to dig. It might be an industry/finance/economy situation, or fallout from last year's strike, but even international features felt underdistributed. There's films out there, I'm just not seeing anywhere to watch them. Neutral

Might just be a slow rollout.

If you've only watched the two musicals out of what's BP nominated, I'm going to recommend Anora and The Substance. Both are very strong works, and well-deserving of their awards at Cannes. I've still only seen half of the BP noms, but I'm still looking forward to watching what I haven't. (Also, shoutout to the entire category for Best Animated Feature, which has five bangers).

I'll make my 2024 list public once it's at (I dunno... 40 entries?).

Hayden

Location: Vietnam

CA Dreamin wrote:

1. Nosferatu's only nominated categories were for its visuals - AGREE. It looked great. I'll give it that. Every other aspect of this movie was lackluster.

2. Emilia Perez gets 13 nominations to lead all films - DISAGREE. Huh? For one, this isn't my cup of tea to begin with. Still, personal tastes aside, this movie is problematic in multiple ways.

3. Love Lies Bleeding shut out - DISAGREE. I wasn't expecting anything, but I was hoping for a screenplay nod, or Ed Harris (his bald cap and hairdo, yikes). He is a great villain here, and one of the best living actors who's never won an Oscar.

4. Anora and The Brutalist score several noms - DOUBLE AGREE. Two of the year's best films, and the Academy rightfully honored them. Hope they win a few.

5. Challengers not getting nominated for Score - DISAGREE. What is that about?

6. Hundreds of Beavers shut out - HUNDREDFOLD DISAGREE. I admit this movie isn't perfect. But is far too cute, too creative, and too hilarious to be ignored.

1) Yeah... it was missing something, wasn't it? I gave it a 7/10 but felt... bad about it? I feel like everything about it is a little better than that, but something didn't quite punch me in the face like I thought it would. Felt like Eggers took the project on like a stage-to-screen adaptation, which made for a slightly disengaging vibe. Still, nice to see Eggers make his passion project, and it's a decent watch.

2) Emilia Perez is a mess. I think it's insulting to the trans community, Mexico and musicals all in one swoop.

5) This is very weird. I have no idea what happened here. Reznor & Ross are hardly persona non grata at the Oscars, Challengers was on the longlist, and it's just so far ahead of the pack that it's a glaring oversight. People usually only talk about snubs in the main few categories, but the fact I'm seeing this one pop up here'n'there is saying something. Not to mention they just walked away with the Golden Globe for it. Bar maaaaaybe Babylon, I'd give it score of the decade so far. One of the most snubbed snubs I think I've seen in a long time (in any category).

Last edited by Hayden on 01/25/2025 19:24; edited 1 time in total

Olli

Gender: Male

Age: 56

Hundreds of Beavers ist good, but is a movie from 2022. Cool

CA Dreamin

Gender: Male

Location: LA

Olli wrote:

Hundreds of Beavers ist good, but is a movie from 2022. Cool

It had its first festival premiere in 2022. But it was not released in theaters for the general public for a 7-day run until January 2024. Therefore, this was the year it was Oscar-eligible.

CassidyInc

Can we vote for hundreds of beavers in the BEA tourney then? Cause that'd definitely be my pick.

Hayden

Location: Vietnam

CassidyInc wrote:

Can we vote for hundreds of beavers in the BEA tourney then? Cause that'd definitely be my pick.

Based on its release schedule, I don't see why it wouldn't qualify. Smile