{"id":415,"date":"2019-02-19T02:45:25","date_gmt":"2019-02-19T02:45:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?p=415"},"modified":"2019-02-19T02:45:25","modified_gmt":"2019-02-19T02:45:25","slug":"best-picture-oscars-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?p=415","title":{"rendered":"Best Picture: Oscars 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Courtesy of Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With Oscar Sunday less than a week away, I figured it was about that time \u2013 to take a peek at each of the eight nominees for this year\u2019s Best Picture and cast my vote (not that The Academy cares what I think) for which title (likely) will take home the evening\u2019s top prize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the nominees \u2013 in the order in which I saw them \u2013 are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BLACK PANTHER<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s it about?<\/strong>\nIn this marvel from Marvel, T\u2019Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns to Wakanda to\ntake his rightful place as King following the death of his father. But when a\nnew and unexpected threat surfaces, it puts T\u2019Challa\u2019s reign, the future of\nWakanda and the fate of the world at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes it a\ncontender?<\/strong> Everything. Seriously, everything. \u201cBlack Panther\u201d takes\nsuperhero movies to a new level with its strong story and stronger characters,\nincluding some of the<\/em> strongest\nfemales ever assembled. Its themes, performances and direction, colors and\neffects, and cultural homage easily prove \u201cBlack Panther\u201d to be an all-encompassing\npowerhouse that gets so many things right<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will it win?<\/strong> It\nmight. Wakanda Forever! The film reined in the Screen Actors Guild award for Cast\nin a Motion Picture. If that\u2019s any indicator\u2026 .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A STAR IS BORN<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s it about?<\/strong>\nBradley Cooper stars in and directs this romantic drama in which a hard-core\naddict musician discovers and falls for a woman (Best Actress nominee Lady\nGaga) with untapped yet undeniable musical talents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes it a contender? <\/strong>In addition to captivating performances from Cooper, Gaga and Supporting Actor nominee Sam Elliott, \u201cA Star is Born\u201d yields achingly beautiful vision from its director; its thoughtfulness and tone adds a sense of heartache to this triumphant yet woeful story; the original songs are delivered with such tenderness and energy that\u00a0 you feel them in your soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will it win?<\/strong>\nProbably not, but look for Gaga to nab a statue for Original Song. And I\u2019m\nactually surprised Cooper (who garnered recognition as a Best Actor hopeful) didn\u2019t\nget a nod for his rhythmic work behind the camera. Anyone else?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s it about?<\/strong>\nThis biographical flick follows the four gents that wowed with their music and\nshowmanship as Queen, the storyline focusing mainly on the band\u2019s iconic lead\nsinger. \u201cBohemian Rhapsody\u201d brings to life the times and the tunes as well as\nthe turbulence of success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes it a contender?<\/strong> This one definitely is a toe-tappin\u2019 crowd pleaser. Rami Malek channels his inner rock star, embracing the nuances that defined the legend and almost literally transforms into Freddie Mercury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will it win?<\/strong>\nProbably not, but Malek very likely will take home that Best Actor award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VICE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s it about?<\/strong>\nA good blend of comedy and drama, \u201cVice\u201d tells the \u201c\u2026 as true as it can be\u2026\u201d\naccount of Dick Cheney\u2019s (Best Actor nominee Christian Bale) dominant and powerful\ntrack to becoming Vice President of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes it a contender?<\/strong> Best Director nominee Adam McKay, the same writer-director who gave me a big headache with the troublingly truthful peek at the housing market crash in 2015\u2019s \u201cThe Big Short,\u201d once again delivers wry humor, innovative narration techniques, fourth-wall breaks and stinging realism. This one is full of amazing performances \u2013 with spot-on personal ticks \u2013 from Bale and Supporting Actor nominee Sam Rockwell (as George W. Bush), as well as the commanding Amy Adams (up for Supporting Actress as Lynne Cheney), who kicks ass and steals scenes like it\u2019s her job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will it win?<\/strong> Just\nlike \u201cThe Big Short,\u201d no.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE FAVOURITE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s it about?<\/strong>\nSet in 1708, \u201cThe Favourite\u201d is part comedy, part drama \u2013 and total diabolical\nmalevolence, in which cousins Sarah Churchill (Supporting Actress nominee Rachel\nWeisz) and Abigail Hill (Supporting Actress nominee Emma Stone) try to best one\nanother to be the court favourite of Queen Anne (Best Actress hopeful Olivia\nColman).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes it a contender? <\/strong>It\u2019s visually stunning. Stun-ning! From the sets to the costumes to the camera angles and techniques, it\u2019s a cinematic masterpiece. The use of the fish eye lens offers a unique perspective, allowing us to see so much while it symbolically speaks volumes of inescapable loneliness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will it win?<\/strong> I\ndon\u2019t think so, but keep an eye on \u201cThe Favourite\u201d to be a favorite for\nCostuming, Production Design and Cinematography (though it\u2019s up against a tough<\/em> competitor there).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GREEN BOOK<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s it about?<\/strong>\nInspired by a true story, pianist Don Shirley (Supporting Actor nominee Mahershala\nAli) hires Copa Cabana bouncer Tony \u201cLip\u201d Vallelonga (Best Actor nominee Viggo\nMortenson) \u2013 based on his \u201cinnate ability to handle trouble\u201d \u2013 as his driver\nfor a musical tour in the 1960\u2019s deep South.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes it a contender?<\/strong> Knockout performances from both Mortenson and Ali will resonate long after you\u2019ve left the theater; personal and definitive discussions of one\u2019s heritage and its place in 1962 society; arguably the best (and most unlikely) onscreen bromance since Buzz and Woody \u2013 amiright?!?!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will it win?<\/strong> I absolutely loved \u201cGreen Book,\u201d so I wouldn\u2019t be upset if it won (though I doubt it will). Its cerebral story runs the gamut of emotions, and its message still is relevant \u2013 perhaps even more so \u2013 today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

BLACKkKLANSMAN<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s it about?<\/strong>\nBased on the 2014 memoir \u201cBlack Klansman,\u201d this flick follows Colorado Springs\nPolice Department\u2019s first African-American detective, Ron Stallworth (John\nDavid Washington), as he attempts to not only infiltrate but expose the local\nchapter of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes it a\ncontender?<\/strong> \u201cDis joint is based on some fo\u2019 real, fo\u2019 real sh*t.\u201d The story\nalone is insanely bold, and director Spike Lee makes an even bolder statement\nthe only way he knows how. The use of those split screens gives \u201cBlacKkKlansman\u201d\nthat fo\u2019 real 70s vibe, and the recent footage at the film\u2019s close is a\nhead-shaking eye opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will it win? <\/strong>Oh, man. It really should. It\u2019s intense and so well done. \u201cBlacKkKlansman\u201d is brilliant and significant. It\u2019s also entertaining AF because of the engaging work from Washington, Supporting Actor nominee Adam Driver, Laura Harrier and Robert Burke; and Ryan Eggold, Michael Buscemi, Topher Grace and Jasper P\u00e4\u00e4kk\u00f6nen. And there\u2019s that heavy, heavy <\/em>scene with Harry Belafonte. Right? Damn! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ROMA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s it about?<\/strong> Best\nDirector nominee Alfonso Cuar\u00f2n wore many hats to bring to the screen this\nsemi-autobiographical look at his upbringing in Mexico City; the narrative\ndepicts the life of live-in housekeeper Cleo (Best Actress nominee Yalitza\nAparicio) in the early 1970s in the Colonia Roma neighborhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes it a contender?<\/strong> It\u2019s the nuances: the imagery; the focus; those hypnotic long takes; the way the camera moves \u2013 or doesn\u2019t \u2013 to capture the action; the care given to simultaneously show activity on multiple planes. Simply put, \u201cRoma\u201d is visual poetry. It\u2019s a very personal story that deftly balances anguish with artfulness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will it win?<\/strong>\nProbably. A no-brainer for Cinematography, \u201cRoma\u201d already nabbed a Best Film\nBAFTA and a Best Picture Golden Globe, so don\u2019t be shocked if (when) it takes\nhome Oscar gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find out for sure which film wins this, that or the other\nthing at 7 p.m. CST Sunday, Feb. 24.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You have just enjoyed the insights of Movie Addict Mel, a cinema dork and conversational writer. Follow her on Twitter @movieaddictmel<\/a>, and \u201clike\u201d her Facebook page www.facebook.com\/movieaddictmel<\/a><\/em>. \n\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With Oscar Sunday less than a week away, I figured it was about that time \u2013 to take a peek at each of the eight nominees for this year\u2019s Best Picture and cast my vote (not that The Academy cares … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-415","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nBest Picture: Oscars 2019 - Movie Addict Mel<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Best Picture: Oscars 2019 - Movie Addict Mel\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"With Oscar Sunday less than a week away, I figured it was about that time \u2013 to take a peek at each of the eight nominees for this year\u2019s Best Picture and cast my vote (not that The Academy cares … Continue reading →\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?p=415\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Movie Addict Mel\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2019-02-19T02:45:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/oscar_statuette_getty.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Melissa King\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Melissa King\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?p=415\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?p=415\",\"name\":\"Best Picture: Oscars 2019 - Movie Addict Mel\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?p=415#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?p=415#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/oscar_statuette_getty.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2019-02-19T02:45:25+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/#\/schema\/person\/0222092613b010a5a1ec4c8afc73d4a9\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?p=415#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?p=415\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?p=415#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/oscar_statuette_getty.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/oscar_statuette_getty.jpg\",\"width\":928,\"height\":523},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?p=415#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Best Picture: Oscars 2019\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/\",\"name\":\"Movie Addict Mel\",\"description\":\"Always insightful. Never spoilers\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/#\/schema\/person\/0222092613b010a5a1ec4c8afc73d4a9\",\"name\":\"Melissa King\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9f332d474c79f1b8517d054556fe8788476f8469e3e0cfa26285fd68ac8fcbaf?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9f332d474c79f1b8517d054556fe8788476f8469e3e0cfa26285fd68ac8fcbaf?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Melissa King\"},\"sameAs\":[\"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\"],\"url\":\"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?author=4\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Best Picture: Oscars 2019 - Movie Addict Mel","robots":{"index":"noindex","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Best Picture: Oscars 2019 - Movie Addict Mel","og_description":"With Oscar Sunday less than a week away, I figured it was about that time \u2013 to take a peek at each of the eight nominees for this year\u2019s Best Picture and cast my vote (not that The Academy cares … Continue reading →","og_url":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?p=415","og_site_name":"Movie Addict Mel","article_published_time":"2019-02-19T02:45:25+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/oscar_statuette_getty.jpg","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"author":"Melissa King","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Melissa King","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?p=415","url":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?p=415","name":"Best Picture: Oscars 2019 - Movie Addict Mel","isPartOf":{"@id":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?p=415#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?p=415#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/oscar_statuette_getty.jpg","datePublished":"2019-02-19T02:45:25+00:00","author":{"@id":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/#\/schema\/person\/0222092613b010a5a1ec4c8afc73d4a9"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?p=415#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?p=415"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?p=415#primaryimage","url":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/oscar_statuette_getty.jpg","contentUrl":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/oscar_statuette_getty.jpg","width":928,"height":523},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?p=415#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Best Picture: Oscars 2019"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/#website","url":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/","name":"Movie Addict Mel","description":"Always insightful. Never spoilers","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/#\/schema\/person\/0222092613b010a5a1ec4c8afc73d4a9","name":"Melissa King","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9f332d474c79f1b8517d054556fe8788476f8469e3e0cfa26285fd68ac8fcbaf?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9f332d474c79f1b8517d054556fe8788476f8469e3e0cfa26285fd68ac8fcbaf?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Melissa King"},"sameAs":["http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com"],"url":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/?author=4"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/415","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=415"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/415\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":417,"href":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/415\/revisions\/417"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=415"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=415"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blog.granitecitynow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=415"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}