The experts have weighed in, and we’re all frantically trying to binge-watch as many award contenders as possible before the big night (Feb. 28). We here at Town&Style made a point of getting editors out to see every film in each of the big categories: Best Film, Best Actor, Best Actress. Below are our musings on what was noteworthy about the contenders and which ones we think should snag the golden statues.
BEST FILM
The Big Short: Not only were the leads phenomenal in their quirky roles (Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Christian Bale), but the whimsical tone of a movie dealing with the biggest financial disaster of the century made it a standout. It deserves the award for being original and relevant. DW
Bridge of Spies: The film captured the tension and terror of a Cold War world. Tom Hanks was amazing as the lawyer who acted out of duty and came back home in the knowledge that life is not quite so black and white. Its strength lay, in part, in the stark cinematography. DW
Brooklyn: This film grabs you by the heartstrings in the first 10 minutes and doesn’t let you go. It’s an incredibly moving tale of a young Irish immigrant finding her way—and love—in the New World. Masterfully executed, it’s sweet but never syrupy. SZ
Mad Max: Fury Road: The visuals and cinematography were groundbreaking, but the lack of plot was frustrating (not to mention boring). I’d be surprised if it wins in this coveted category. Side note: Major points to Charlize Theron for general badassery. SZ
The Martian: We loved it for the potatoes, for the vast, rusty landscape, and for the perfect soundtrack (good old Bowie). AB
The Revenant: The scenery: breathtaking. The suffering: brutal. The portrayal of one man’s quest for vengeance in the frozen Dakota Territory is a visual treat and a cinematic feat. It earned its nomination with every frigid scene. SZ
Room: We found it interesting for its depiction of deprivation and despair, and for an impressive performance by Jacob Tremblay (9) who plays 5-year-old Jack with sensitivity. AB
Spotlight: As a film that explains how an entire city could look the other way while children were being irrevocably harmed, Spotlight has earned its place on the podium. The film unfolds its explanation as painstakingly as the Boston Globe journalists fulfilled their assignment to ‘get to the bottom of it.’ DW
BEST ACTOR
Bryan Cranston, Trumbo: Bryan Cranston movingly portrays a brilliant man brought low by the fickle and unreasonable climate of McCarthyism. His expressions convey the man’s long-suffering turmoil, always beneath the surface, and his graceful acceptance of a new reality. DW
Matt Damon, The Martian: Just how hunky is Matt Damon? a.) He’s an astronaut. b.) He’s an astronaut. c.) He is—as the crow flies—125 million miles from Earth and still, he’s the boss. (“F’ you, Mars!”) AB
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant: Has any actor been as committed to a role? When Leo’s character was in a frozen river, so was the actor. That he so convincingly conveys his character’s interior journey almost without dialogue means he’s (over)due for a win. SZ
Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs: Michael Fassbender tackles the story’s intensity and fast-paced dialogue (and lots of it) with tenacity and truth. Playing a character that is so well-known—and has been poorly portrayed in the past—has to be intimidating. Fassbender’s achievement is worth the gold statue. KM
Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl: Well, it’s hard to compete with a guy who so ably portrays a woman. Redmayne is predictably amazing and convincing here, and he conveys all the inner turmoil of a soul imprisoned in the wrong body. DW
BEST ACTRESS
Cate Blanchett, Carol: She was so nice to look at—not just through Therese’s eyes, but our own. Who wouldn’t fall (to a certain degree) for that command, that presence, that perfectly sculpted hair? Not to mention those lips. AB
Brie Larson, Room: Without a doubt, Brie Larson’s nomination comes for her complex portrayal of motherhood under the most challenging of circumstances. We mothers feel her pain to our bones. AB
Jennifer Lawrence, Joy: It was hard at times to accept Jennifer Lawrence as Joy Mangano, entrepreneur and matriarch of her family. The performance seemed somewhat emotionless at times, and I can’t help but compare it to her deserving Oscar-winning performance in Silver Linings Playbook— this falls short. KM
Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years: Watch the masterful play of emotions across Rampling’s face as her heart slowly breaks. She deserves every gold inch (there are 13 ½) of this award. AB
Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn: Irish actress Saoirse Ronan brings lonely immigrant Elis to life, making viewers experience every moment of homesick anguish along with her. SZ
* Movies viewed at Landmark Theatres, St. Louis Cinemas and Wehrenberg Theatres
