The Oscars are one of the most popular and prominent annual events in the world of cinema. Each year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hands out the prestigious statues for the best work in cinematic history. While the event itself is renowned for being an occasion where A-list stars come together to promote their upcoming projects and share their awards with their famous friends, it’s the awards ceremony that truly makes the event special. The red carpet, the lavish parties, and the celebrities all magically combine to make this event one to remember.
For those who love cinema, this event is truly special. For those who love to attend special events and meet famous people, this event is even more special. Perhaps the most exciting part of the Oscars is the unveiling of the awards – particularly the nominees. While the eventual winners are decided by committees and popular vote, the nominees are chosen by the Academy members themselves. This year’s awards were determined by an academy committee and the results are in! Let’s take a look at how to choose the best picture for the Oscars in 2021.
Understand What the Oscars Are, Why They’re Important, And Who Won in Previous Years
It’s essential to understand what the Oscars are before even thinking about who should win this year’s awards. First off, the Oscars are the Oscars. No, the Academy Awards. The o is a silent letter, don’t @ me. The Academy awards are handed out annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize outstanding achievements in cinematic achievement. The Oscars were established in 1929 and are one of the most popular and prestigious awards in cinema. It’s the cinematic equivalent to the Nobel Prize and it’s certainly deserved! Not only do the Oscars recognize great films, but they also recognize the filmmakers, actors, and actresses who give it their all on the big screen. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the nominees for the 2021 Oscars and who won in previous years.
The Nominees For Best Picture
As was the case last year, the nominees for Best Picture were determined by an academy committee and the winners are chosen by popular vote. The results of the vote are as follows:
- Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (Souvenir) – 775 votes
- Captain America: Criminal Society of America (Paramount) – 762 votes
- Dumbo (Walt Disney) – 652 votes
- Gold Derby (Columbia) – 525 votes
- The Laundromat (Sony) – 465 votes
- Wonderful Chocolate Factory (Warner Bros.) – 454 votes
- Little Town (Fox) – 432 votes
This year’s crop of nominees is incredible and it surely has the potential to win the award for best picture. If you’re looking for a great film to check out, be sure to add any of these titles to your watchlist!
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a must-see for any film fan. The movie follows an old Hollywood star, played by DiCaprio, as he attempts to bring his most iconic creation, Rick Fisher, to life. It’s a beautiful story of perseverance and triumph as the once great actor tries to regain his mojo and make a living in the Hollywood Hills. What’s more is this year’s cinematic equivalent to the Nobel Prize – the Oscar – will be handed out during the same weekend! Whether you agree with the outcome or not, it’s an event to behold. The movie also stars Jennifer Lawrence, who won the Oscar for best actress two years in a row. While it doesn’t look like Lawrence will be able to add another trophy to her collection, it’s still a great opportunity for her to shine on the big screen. Lawrence has been on a bit of a roll lately, with her roles in the upcoming X-Men series, Nighttime, and upcoming Netflix series, Wives and Daughters, and she continues to impress in her many upcoming projects.
Captain America: Criminal Society of America is one of the most highly anticipated films of the decade. The movie is the fifth film in the Captain America movie franchise and it finally gives some depth to the character. The movie tracks the efforts of Agent Peggy Carter (Blackman) as she sets out to dismantle the criminal empire that Steve Rogers (DeWitt) has grown in the wake of his temporary exile from the Avengers. Fans of the comic book series and cinematic incarnations alike will not want to miss this cinematic adventure. The movie also features some spectacular fight scenes and even more spectacular costumes!
Dumbo is a fantastic movie that all ages can enjoy. It’s an origin story set in early 20th century London that follows the true adventures of the eponymous character. Dumbo is a circus animal with a big ego who thinks he’s the equal of humans. The movie explores the relationships that the different characters in Dumbo’s life have with one another and how their perspective changes over the course of the film. It’s a touching story that brings alive a time period and setting that many may not know much about. The costumes are fantastic and they were designed by the renowned Alexander McQueen. This movie has the potential to be the biggest winner of the year. After the phenomenal success of Wonder Woman and Black Panther, 2019 was a banner year for women in film and it’s only topped by what’s to come in 2021.
Gold Derby gives the Academy Award for Best Picture each year to the film that they feel best represents the spirit of the Oscars. As with previous years, the members of the academy chose Little Town to represent them this year. Little Town tells the story of two feuding cousins: Toby (Bill Murray) and Finn (Russell Crowe). The two are forced to work together when their uncle passes away and he leaves them his farm along with some livestock. In order to keep the farm running, they have to start taking in lambs as paying guests. What starts out as a routine summer job turns into a summer of love as the men grow closer while taking care of the animals and working together. This movie is a classic family movie that even the most diehard movie fans may not know much about. It was originally released in 1936 and although many of the jokes may be dated, the sentiment behind them is timeless.
The Laundromat is an extremely interesting movie. The premise behind the movie is that most people’s daily lives are ruled by their social media habits and the algorithms that drive the internet. One day, a young girl named Genevieve enters this world and, as the title implies, the tables are turned. The movie follows Genevieve as she navigates this new world and tries to figure out what her place is in this world, while also discovering the meaning of life, love, and identity. It’s an extremely unique perspective and one that will likely make you think differently about the world around you.
Sony Pictures Classics released a statement regarding the movie, writing, “The Laundromat challenges some of our most deeply held assumptions about life, love, and family. Rather than telling us what we want to hear, Safdie and Nathanson ask us to think more critically about our own assumptions and the systems that govern our opinions and choices.”
Wonderful Chocolate Factory is quite an intriguing film. Most people are probably familiar with the popular chocolate bar, the Cadbury’s, due to its advertising campaigns. However, very few people may know that the company went through a bankruptcy period in the 1900s. The Cadbury’s family took control of the company and, in an attempt to save the company, they started making innovative food products and marketing them towards people with dietary restrictions, such as vegans and vegetarians. The movie focuses on a number of these products, including the original Earth Bar, Cherry Blossom, and Festive Chocolate, and it explores how these little-known food products became so popular. It’s an interesting study of business and marketing tactics, as well as a wonderful insight into an area of culinary history that many may not know much about.
Which Of These Movies Should Win?
It’s quite a task to choose one film to represent the best of the 2021 Oscar nominees. The films are all incredible, but it’s quite a task to choose one. At this point, it’s quite difficult to project what will happen at the polls since the final vote is taken by members of the public but, in the meantime, let’s take a look at how these films stack up against one another.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is an all-time favorite of mine and it’s quite an accomplishment to be nominated against such a formidable group of nominees. While the film may not boast amazing reviews, it’s certainly one of the more interesting and colorful films to hit theaters this year. It’s a great accompaniment to whatever blockbuster film you might be watching this weekend!