Oscar season is one of the most exciting times of the year. Not only is it the chance to celebrate all the amazing films and performances of the previous year, but it’s also the opportunity to catch up with old friends and make some new ones.
Amongst all the glamour, we’re always happy to see our beloved Harry Potter cast finally getting some well-deserved recognition. Last year was a particularly special one for fans as it was the final Harry Potter film and consequently a chance for the whole world to say goodbye to Harry, Ron, and Hermione in style. It also marked the beginning of a new era for the franchise as Warner Bros. had decided to move away from the books and into their own creative direction. The films had evolved into something greater than what we had anticipated and it truly was an emotional farewell to a generation.
If the previous film is a comedy, it’s time for the sequel. And it seems that the studios agree as Harry Potter and the Bank Job was a massive hit both commercially and critically. The story continues as our favourite wizard heads back into work and once again finds himself in the middle of a money-making scheme. This year’s film sees the return of most of the original cast with the exception of Donald Sutherland who sadly passed away earlier this year. It’s also the beginning of Harry’s new family and it seems that some of the films darker elements have been toned down. But despite these changes, the films retain the charm and heart of the original.
This year’s big event will be the 91st Academy Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. We can’t wait to see all the exciting red-carpet photos, the elaborate dresses, and the incredible moments during the show. It’ll be the perfect end to a spectacular year and a chance to say goodbye to 2019 with a flourish. Who do you think will win?
Oscars Soaked in Emotion
There were a number of standout performances at the Academy Awards this year and they all dealt with very emotional subject matter. While we recognise that some of the films were fantastic and will go down as some of the best of this year and of our time, others left us with tears in our eyes. In fact, some of the films made us realise how much we love cinema and how much it means to us personally.
Black Widow
One of the big questions heading into the year was whether or not Marvel Studios would finally give us our first female-led superhero movie, and they answered it with a resounding “Yes!”. Avengers: Endgame gave us the fulfilment of a lot of our dreams as it gave us our first opportunity to see female superheroes in action. We knew that this kind of story would never really happen, at least not in the mainstream, but it was still heart-breakingly beautiful to see Natasha, Spider-Man’s black-widow, step into the limelight.
The Greatest Showman
Speaking of mainstream movies, The Greatest Showman is perhaps the most beautiful film to ever grace the screen. We’ll admit that we’re pretty biased, but it really is a staggering achievement. The costumes, the sets, the cinematography, and the score all contribute to this masterpiece. It’s a technical marvel and an absolute celebration of cinema. This year will be the centenary of the Academy Awards and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than with a showing of The Greatest Showman. It would’ve been nice if they’d held the premiere on February 26th, but we’ll settle for one viewing in March.
Bohemian Rhapsody
We’ll be honest, we had our doubts about whether or not Bohemian Rhapsody would live up to the legacy of one of the greatest bands this generation has produced. But the film itself is an adaptation of the band’s legendary biography and it really does do the music and the band’s legacy justice. We’ll admit that there were some rough patches in the middle, particularly in the third act which felt disjointed and didn’t connect with us at all. But for the most part, we were utterly enthralled by this film and it really is something special. This is the kind of film that lives on for as long as film itself does.
The Littlest Reich
It’s been a while since we’ve had a truly happy ending on screen, but The Littlest Reich made us believe it was possible. Despite the fact that it was based on a true story, it somehow felt like a fairy tale. A story of love, atonement, and redemption. Perhaps the most touching aspect of the film is that even those who despised the Nazis could see the humanity in their stories. The Littlest Reich is a tender film that left us feeling slightly giddy. We liked it so much that we’re already planning on seeing it again.
Black Panther
It’s time for the Avengers again, but this time it’s a whole team of heroes. And in terms of character diversity, it really is the most representative and inclusive film ever made. Whether or not you like African-American culture, it’s impossible not to be moved by the raw, unique talent on display.
Whether it’s the raw power of Okoye, the wry humour of Shuri, or the poignancy of Bose, it’s clear that Ta-Nehisi Coates, Ryan Coogler, and Marvel Studios have created something special. We can’t wait to see what Black Panther does next.
Avengers: Infinity War
It’s no secret that we’re huge fans of the Avengers franchise and it’s been a long time coming since the original Avengers stood for something meaningful. It started with Ironman and continued with the rest of the team, but it took the events of Infinity War to give us a sense of purpose. That, and Tony Stark’s decision to create an army of artificial intelligence-powered superheroes to protect us from Thanos, the Mad Titan.
There were so many great moments in Infinity War. From Tony Stark’s poignant speech to Captain America’s dramatic return. But one of the greatest scenes in the movie is when Thor (Chris Hemsworth) goes head-to-head with Thanos. The Mad Titan initially tries to destroy Thor, but the God of Thunder wins the day. The two men trade blows for several minutes before Thanos finally overpowers him. It’s a powerful scene that sees the Asgardian warrior and the Mad Titan come to terms with each other and leave us feeling proud that a Norse God and a Mad Titan could become friends. We can only hope that they will one day battle each other for the enjoyment of all our souls.
1917
The biggest winner at the Academy Awards was 1917. The controversial film won the Oscar for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. It also won Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Score. And it’s not hard to see why as not only is the story of this year’s Oscar winner touching, but it’s also an incredibly well-made film. Plus, did you see that many of the film’s costumes are on display in the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art? It’s a rare chance to see so many stylish outfits all in one place. We can’t recommend seeing this film enough. If you’ve never heard of the historical novel On the Roof by Joe Hensley, now is the perfect time to read it. The book is set in Dublin during the Easter Rising in April 1916 and deals with the events leading up to, and including, the rebellion. It’s the type of story that will stay with you for the rest of your life. If you’re not sure where to start, pick up a copy of the screenplay which was also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay. We also recommend checking out the trailer as it gives you an idea of what the film’s about and whether or not you’ll like it. In fact, the trailer is such a highlight that it’s already one of our favourite things about the film. From the trench costumes to the tense atmosphere, it’s an absolute masterclass in cinematic storytelling and we can’t wait to see it again.