This year’s Oscars are around the corner, and we can’t wait to see which film from the Best Picture Oscar nominations list get the Academy Award. To make sure you know what’s what, check out these top films that are buzzing with nominations…
La La Land
The film that’s sweeping its way through the awards shows, and for good reason. Nominated for an impressive 14 Academy Awards including Best Picture, this is an absolute must-see. Set in Hollywood, the musical romcom tracks the tale of two would-be stars – one an aspiring actress (Emma Stone) who spends her days doing coffee runs, the other a talented jazz musician (Ryan Gosling) who plays in dingy bars. They fall hopelessly in love, but when they find success in their careers, their blooming relationship threatens to unravel.
SA release date: January 2017
Fences
Denzel Washington and Viola Davis are both nominated for their moving performances in this gritty drama about family dynamics in 1950s Pittsburgh. Based on August Wilson’s Pulitzer Award-winning play, the story follows Troy (Washington), a broken, middle-aged, garbage truck driver trying to navigate his way through life’s hardships and raise his family as best he can. The simple subject matter is brought to life beautifully by the cast’s powerful performances.
SA release date: 24 February
Moonlight
Bagging eight nominations including Best Picture, and Best Supporting Actress for Naomi Harris’ stirring portrayal of an off-the-rails crack addict, this film is a must-see. The movie is about a young black man struggling to find his place in the world after going through an emotional and difficult childhood. Mahershala Ali also stars.
SA release date: 10 February
Arrival
Amy Adams is brilliant in her role as university linguist Louise Banks who’s recruited to decipher messages from aliens who’ve mysteriously landed in America. Also nominated for eight Oscars, this sci-fi drama is packed with breath-taking cinematography, moving dialogue and thought-provoking questions about language and understanding.
SA release date: November 2016.
Hacksaw Ridge
This inspiring biographical drama, directed by Mel Gibson, follows the story of US army medic Desmond T. Doss (Andrew Garfield), a soldier in WWII who refused to carry a weapon. He saved 75 of his comrades without ever firing a gun, and was awarded a Medal of Honour for his efforts. Oscar nominations include Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Director. Need we say more?
SA release date: December 2016
Manchester by the Sea
A moving story about family, love, and loss, this unique drama deserves every one of its six Oscar nominations. Casey Affleck gives one of his best-ever performances as a self-loathing janitor, and Michelle Williams shines as his fiery ex-wife. The tale tracks Lee Chandler (Affleck) who reluctantly accepts guardianship of his young nephew.
SA release date: January 2017
LION
Dev Patel is magnificent in his role as Saroo, a young man living in Australia with his adoptive parents – one of whom is played by the talented Nicole Kidman – after being separated from his family in India as a young boy. Years later, Saroo finally returns to his homeland, retracing his boyhood steps using Google Earth, to find his lost family. Both Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman have been nominated for their stellar performances.
SA release date: January 2017
Hidden Figures
This is girl power at its finest, wittiest, and most intelligent. A powerful female trio including Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe take on NASA’s first space launch in 1961, earning their stripes as brilliant mathematicians and engineers. It’s based on a true story, and is nominated for three Oscars, including Best Picture. Kevin Costner and Kirsten Dunst also star.
SA release date: 24 February
Hell or High Water
You’ll love this action-packed drama about two Texan brothers who go on a dangerous bank-robbing spree in order to save their family’s ranch. Starring Chris Pine and Ben Foster, this modern western is all about sticking it to the man in a clever and almost comical way. Jeff Bridges earned himself an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of gritty lawman Marcus Hamilton, and the film boasts three other nominations, including Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay.
SA release date: November 2016
The 89th Annual Academy Awards will air on M-Net channel Monday, 27 February 03:30 am and a repeat again at 7:30 pm.
