This Oscar season, I had the great opportunity to attend the AMC 2020 Oscar Nominations Marathon, a two-day event where audiences watch each Best Picture nominations before the Academy Award. This goes from the least favorite to most favorite of the 9 films with a short opinion about each of them. So get your popcorn ready and disagreeing opinions on stand-by, because we are jumping into the list!

NOTE: This piece is the opinion of the Staff Writer and does not reflect the views or beliefs of the Temple of Geek Staff. 

WARNING: Spoilers ahead for all 2020 Best Picture nominated films. Reader discretion is advised. Continue at your own risk.

9. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (Directed by Quentin Tarantino)

Having been a Tarantino fan for quite some time, I became highly interested in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. There have been times where I was heavily invested in his films, and other times where I left confused, yet oddly satisfying…this is one of those films. Even when certain scenes were dialogue heavy, I continued to remain invested, both in curiosity and anticipation.

Being reunited with Tarantino, both Leonardo Dicaprio and Brad Pritt deliver fantastic performances that build off one another uniquely. Outside of the character interactions, their side stories differed in enjoyment and investment. Dicaprio’s character of a struggling actor with his best days behind him was emotional yet comical at the same time. There was this moment during his interaction with the child actor Trudy where he saw his younger acting self and noticed the change he needed to do in order to succeed. I honestly don’t know what it is like to be an actor and I don’t think I ever will, but I can imagine how one may feel when they are heavily recognized and praised for their work, as did his character. As for Brad Pitt’s story, it was one that was interested, yet unfulfilling. During his story took a number of turns that I was honestly unsure of where it was going until the very end. As previously said, the payoff confusing yet oddly satisfying. While it isn’t my favorite Tarantino film, I can honestly say the watch was worth it.

8. Little Women (Directed by Greta Gerwig)

Being the sixth film adaptation of the beloved novel by Louisa May Alcott, Director and Writer Greta Gerwig delivers her adaption with a retrospective take, consistently jumping to the past in an artistic way that is bold. Especially with the 1994 adaptation, Little Women has held a special place in my heart that has constantly captured my emotions time after time. In Greta Gerwig’s adaptation, these heartfelt moments came during moments that I did not have as much with previous adaptations – i.e. the return of Father March and the death of their beloved sister, Beth. In other heartfelt moments were the character expansions on Amy and Jo regarding the struggle for identity outside of the idea of love or marriage. For me personally, their character development was beautifully delivered out of all the sisters and supporting cast.

While the retrospective was bold, it was rather quick to come into the first 40 minutes of the film. With this constant jump to the past and present, certain characters or character traits were introduced too early on, causing both confusion and even frustration. This indeed improved as the film progressed and does not take away from the film entirely. Along with the wonderful location sites and elegant costume design, Little Women is a retelling of a classic story for a new age of viewers and even readers.

7. Jojo Rabbit (Directed by Taika Waititi)

When a film becomes controversial to where colleagues and critics say, “Don’t watch it,” the chances of me watching it are pretty high. As a cinephile, my filter is very liberal when it comes to movies, even religious or historical ones, and Jojo Rabbit is no exception. This is coming from the same guy who enjoyed Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979), Team America: World Police (2004), Inglorious Basterds (2009), and Django: Unchained (2012). Controversial films are nothing new to me and tend to find them very enjoyable. 

I personally enjoyed the character development of Jojo throughout the film, from the comedic moments to the dramatic moments. At the end of the day, he was not a boy who firmly believed in Nazi ideology, but a boy who struggled with identity and belief due to the horrific Nazi ideology that was forced into his mind. This film uniquely shows how dangerous indoctrination can be when the message to the youth is a “Us vs. Them” belief. In regards to his relationship with his version of Hitler, it felt as if he were an inner demon in disguise to be a voice of consciousness, especially towards the end of the film. At first, it simply felt comedic, but as the story grows, it becomes more nerve-wracking as Jojo fully realizes the cruelty of Hitler’s Germany towards the Jewish people. To see Jojo learn, understand, and recognize Jewish people like Elsa to be actual people was an interesting process as he not only befriends her but also protects her as she does him. Their chemistry and growth together were solid as Jojo comes to also realize that there is freedom in dance and life, even when the world crumbles around you…literally.

6. Marriage Story (Directed by Noah Baumbach)

I have seen multiple friends and relatives endure the divorce of their parents over the years, so this film hit hard on a personal level. Both Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson delivered outstanding performances not just in character chemistry, but in argumentative language. During the well-known argument scene, the characters revealed their true colors about the other after masking it for so long, let alone denying it as well. Yet, despite the odds against each other, their facial expressions and emotions when together reveal that there is still something there, something that wants and yearns to work things out. This significantly showed during the court date as the lawyers are arguing and debating while off to the side, both Charlie and Nicole sit there in silence as if they are trying to avoid the toxic words and descriptions being spoken about them.

Another interesting aspect was seeing how each parented their son Henry, which was different in multiple areas. Charlie was firm while Nicole was loose. Charlie was cautious while Nicole was open, so on and so forth. To see how Henry behaved and responded to both parents was a unique perspective that contributed to the development and growth of both parents throughout the film. A very well told film that was raw and bold, from cinematography to the actors, to even the lighting.

5. The Irishman (Directed by Martin Scorsese)

Like a fine wine, Martin Scorsese’s work continues to improve over time with little to no setbacks. From De Niro to Pacino, to Pesci, to even Scorsese, it shows that these legendary actors and filmmakers still have more in them than people think or believe. Similar to the film Heat (1995), the rush that one gets when seeing De Niro and Pacino at odds with each other is a thrilling one. I am not gonna lie and say that I didn’t his a breaking point during this movie because I did. It is over three hours long! That being said, it did not take away from the overall mob masterpiece that Scorsese delivered. 

The chronological storytelling of De Niro’s character Frank is an enjoyable one. To see where he’s been, where he started, and how he moved up is a powerful story, revealing one or few decisions change the course of life to where we are in too deep and can’t get out of it. A movie this long and this detailed is not meant to be treated as “We need to watch to get to the end.” It meant to be treated as “We need to watch to grow and live in the world with the main characters.” It has been a number of years since Scorsese has directed a mob film, with The Departed (2006) being his last one if I am corrected. While has brought in other successful films since then, The Irishman goes to show that he is still great at what he does best at.

4. Joker (Directed by Todd Phillips)

 When I heard the news about a Joker adaptation, I was not on board at all. With how poor the DC Extended Universe’s performance was at the time during its announcement, it seemed pointless and a large stretch. When I saw the teaser, it gained my curiosity. When I saw the first trailer, it grabbed my attention. When the media said, “Do not watch Joker,” I wanted to see it even more. Did I go against their wishes? You’re damn right, I did!

Joaquin Phoenix’s Best Actor award was a well-earned one, due to the limits he pushed in his method acting, including a 50-pound weight loss. A dark and gritty take should always be one when it comes to the Joker, and both Phoenix and Todd Phillips delivered a fantastic story that deeply portrays today’s society and the media (no wonder why the media didn’t like it). While the story may not reflect every aspect of society’s problems today, it does reflect the reality of some individuals; being unnoticed as if they don’t matter, pushed around, and taken advantage of. Its deep message is one that is common: Treat people with kindness. Treat others as you want to be treated in their situation. Joaquin Phoenix’s performance far exceeded my expectations, placing him as the third-best Joker adaptation, behind Mark Hamill and Heathe Ledger.

3. Ford v. Ferrari (Directed by James Manhgold)

I am not a huge fan of sports movies. There, I said it. I wasn’t sure what to expect with Ford v. Ferrari and the only thing that sold me on it was Christian Bale being the main protagonist. The more the film progressed, the more into it I became. It was more than a sports movie, but a movie about teamwork, quality over quantity, and endurance in a gift that one specializes in.

Throughout most of his acting career, Christian Bale has almost never ceased to amaze me in his performances. He has constantly pushed himself to greater heights, whether it be the 60-pound weight loss in The Mechanist (2004), 45-pound weight gain in Vice (2018), to even bodybuilding in The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005, 2008, 2012). According to The Hollywood Reporter, Christian Bale went through a 70-pound weight loss for the role of Ken Miles. Furthermore, his method acting grew to new heights when he even learned to drive professionally on an Arizona racing track for the film. This whole process and portrayal in the film allowed it to feel more believable as the stakes continued to rise. With Matt Damon by his side as Carroll Shelby, the chemistry between the two could not have been any better, both in serious moments and comedic moments. The two were very opposite in personalities, behaviors, and walks of life, yet their partnership and team-building were absolutely phenomenal. The supporting cast itself deserves a shout out as every one of them contributed heavily to the film’s story and the character growth of the main protagonists. Leave it to Batman and Jason Bourne to team up together for his unforgettable film.

2. 1917 (Directed by Sam Mendes)

I have always been a sucker for war films, specifically World War I and World War II. 1917 deserved the award for cinematography, hands down. Through the art and craftsmanship of film, the storytelling of 1917 feels like one long take with little to no stops. It kept me engaged throughout as I sat in awe and amazement through the cinematography, location shoots, and character development. 

Aside from the stunning work and effects, the story itself is one that I was absolutely fascinated with. Rather than focusing on the battle or conflict, it follows Lance Corporal Blake and Lance Corporal Schofield enduring the journey of delivering a message to delay an attack. Within this story, we see the death of Schofield and Blake, who did not want the task, to begin with, having to be the one to deliver the message. His development went from fear and resentment to courage and bravery. The focus of the film was about saving lives and being courageous with and for one’s fellow troops. It was not propaganda like, it was not warmongering, and it was not irresponsible (I’m looking at you Salon). Director Sam Mendes delivered a fantastic story and that was artistic, moving, and powerful from beginning to end, making 1917 one of my favorite war films of all time. 

1 Parasite (Directed by Bong Joon Ho)

Before I saw Parasite, I knew nothing about it outside the fact that it was a foreign film. I didn’t know of the story, I didn’t recognize the cast, and I never heard of the Director, Bong Joon Ho. I walked in with an open mind, not even knowing the premise of the film. I walked out of that theater completely stunned, mind-blown, and fascinated by cinematic masterpiece I had just witnessed. 

I could go on forever about Parasite, but to paraphrase it for this piece, Bong Joon Ho delivered a powerful message on class division, greed, and coveting while executing a well-paced, a well-acted, and a well-told story. The division of the Kim family and Parks’ family reveals an interesting perspective of the upper and lower class divide, regarding their responses to certain events, in this case, a natural disaster. While the upper class may sleep soundly in their homes, there are those that suffer physically, financially, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually. At one point, you go back and forth between shots, seeing just how differently each class responds in the moment and in the aftermath, and that is only a fraction of the film.

In the end, the story of Parasite is what sold me. With a solid story and storyteller, everything else follows – the cast, the directors, the cinematography, and props, and so much more. This is honestly one of the best films I have ever seen and am proud of Bong Joon Ho’s achievements at the awards. Since then, I have been watching his previous films, with the recent one being Snowpiercer (2013) another fantastic film on class division.

What did you think of the Best Picture ranking? Do you agree or disagree?

Let us know in the comments and on social media!

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