Oscars Project 2014
I am way late with this because I got distracted by things like my dad getting sick, myself getting sick, rp stuff, and general laziness. It's here now, though!
9) American Hustle: Hated it, and that's disappointing, because I'd been so looking forward to watching. I didn't like any character other than Renner's. I don't mind unlikeable characters. I watched Breaking Bad. what I do mind are unlikeable characters who are boring! I will say, JLaw's character was unlikeable, but she was at least entertaining. Just...did not like.
8) The Wolf of Wall Street: I liked the first hour maybe? Then it just got to be annoying and long. If two or three of the scenes of debauchery could have been removed.... It felt like those scenes were gratuitous in some instances. Maybe the movie wouldn't be so goddamn long if they had been removed!
7) Her: I actually quite liked this movie. It was not what I expected, though. I thought it would be kind of whimsical, but it was actually a sad commentary on loneliness in the technological age. The acting was great, including Scarlett Johansson's voice acting. This was the better of the movies with Amy Adams that got nominated.
6) 12 Years a Slave: This was a very well made film. The writing was great, the acting was top notch, and it's an important film that everyone should see, in my opinion. It was not an easy movie to watch, though, and it shouldn't be. The reasons it's at 6 is because I didn't particularly enjoy it. But I don't believe it's meant to be enjoyed in an entertainment kind of way, if that makes sense.
5) Captain Phillips: This was similar to the above film in that it was a very depressing subject matter. It was extremely tense at times, even though I knew what the outcome would be. It was just very sad all around. I did not feel good about anything when it was all said and done.
4) Nebraska: This movie surprised me a lot. I did not expect to like it at all, but I ended up enjoying it. It was dramatic and funny at time. I didn't find myself checking the time like when I was watching the two on the bottom of the ranking.
3) Dallas Buyers Club: This was another film that dealt with distressing subject matter. Matthew McConaughey deserved his Oscar win for this movie. He was excellent in this. Even though it was a depressing subject, there was still some humor there. It was a good balance, I think.
2) Philomena: I loved this. It was so beautifully done, and well acted. I laughed, I cried, I needed a hug, and I wanted to go drinking at a pub. I found Philomena the character (and based on a real life person) to be quite delightful!
1) Gravity: I've said this before, and I will say it again. This movie was scarier than any horror movie. Seriously, I was just on the edge of my seat, tense, and filled with dread while watching. That was pretty much the entire time. Everything was great. The writing, acting, visual effects, score...it all worked for me to enhance the setting.
The two top films could be interchangeable depending on my mood. I'm a bit grumpier today, so lonely space movie wins.
So there you have it, my ranking of the Oscar nominated films of 2014.
9) American Hustle: Hated it, and that's disappointing, because I'd been so looking forward to watching. I didn't like any character other than Renner's. I don't mind unlikeable characters. I watched Breaking Bad. what I do mind are unlikeable characters who are boring! I will say, JLaw's character was unlikeable, but she was at least entertaining. Just...did not like.
8) The Wolf of Wall Street: I liked the first hour maybe? Then it just got to be annoying and long. If two or three of the scenes of debauchery could have been removed.... It felt like those scenes were gratuitous in some instances. Maybe the movie wouldn't be so goddamn long if they had been removed!
7) Her: I actually quite liked this movie. It was not what I expected, though. I thought it would be kind of whimsical, but it was actually a sad commentary on loneliness in the technological age. The acting was great, including Scarlett Johansson's voice acting. This was the better of the movies with Amy Adams that got nominated.
6) 12 Years a Slave: This was a very well made film. The writing was great, the acting was top notch, and it's an important film that everyone should see, in my opinion. It was not an easy movie to watch, though, and it shouldn't be. The reasons it's at 6 is because I didn't particularly enjoy it. But I don't believe it's meant to be enjoyed in an entertainment kind of way, if that makes sense.
5) Captain Phillips: This was similar to the above film in that it was a very depressing subject matter. It was extremely tense at times, even though I knew what the outcome would be. It was just very sad all around. I did not feel good about anything when it was all said and done.
4) Nebraska: This movie surprised me a lot. I did not expect to like it at all, but I ended up enjoying it. It was dramatic and funny at time. I didn't find myself checking the time like when I was watching the two on the bottom of the ranking.
3) Dallas Buyers Club: This was another film that dealt with distressing subject matter. Matthew McConaughey deserved his Oscar win for this movie. He was excellent in this. Even though it was a depressing subject, there was still some humor there. It was a good balance, I think.
2) Philomena: I loved this. It was so beautifully done, and well acted. I laughed, I cried, I needed a hug, and I wanted to go drinking at a pub. I found Philomena the character (and based on a real life person) to be quite delightful!
1) Gravity: I've said this before, and I will say it again. This movie was scarier than any horror movie. Seriously, I was just on the edge of my seat, tense, and filled with dread while watching. That was pretty much the entire time. Everything was great. The writing, acting, visual effects, score...it all worked for me to enhance the setting.
The two top films could be interchangeable depending on my mood. I'm a bit grumpier today, so lonely space movie wins.
So there you have it, my ranking of the Oscar nominated films of 2014.