Your oscars 2022 prep guide
On March 27, one of the most important yearly events in the cinematic world, the Academy Awards — better known as the Oscars — will take place. The Oscars are considered one of the most prestigious awards anyone who participates in a movie can receive as they distinguish who is the best at their craft.
However, it can be incredibly confusing to navigate what films to watch when there are so many different categories, so here is a shortlist of the movies you should watch to get you in perfect shape for the Oscars.
“King Richard”
This film follows the story of Venus and Serena Williams, and how they reached tennis stardom. However, instead of focusing on the sisters, the story places a heavy emphasis on their dad, who was their coach and had a huge influence on their careers. Will Smith, who plays Richard Williams, has almost guaranteed a win for Best Actor with his performance in this movie. The Williams sisters have even given their stamp of approval for the movie.
“CODA”
Not only has this movie received critical acclaim, it is also notably inclusive in its featuring of three deaf actors in its cast. The story follows 17-year-old Ruby, who is the only hearing member of her family. She must balance the difficulties of high school with the passion for singing she develops, all while helping her family’s business. “CODA” is incredibly heartwarming, and it is the favored film to win Best Picture.
“The Power of the Dog”
With 12 individual nominations, this film is in the lead. It has a stellar cast, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons. The story follows two ranch owners, Phil and his brother George, and is a fairly new take on a western film, dealing with themes of family and masculinity. What starts off as a romance slowly turns into a thriller. However, what makes this film extra exciting is the director Jane Campion is making history; she is the first female director to ever be nominated twice for Best Director twice.
These three films will not only make the award show a little easier to understand — they will also be immensely enjoyable and are all quite different from one another. However, there are a few other movies that could add some value to your Oscar-viewing experience.
Honorable Mentions:
“Nightmare Alley”
Unfortunately, this film doesn’t seem to have any wins on its horizon despite its four nominations. The story, however, is incredibly gripping, and it has a star-studded cast featuring Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara and Toni Collette. Moreover, it is directed by Guillermo del Toro, whose films “Pan’s Labyrinth” and “The Shape of Water” have both received Academy Awards.
The Oscars: March 27
As you wind down from Doghead and destress from all the major projects and exams right before spring break or even during spring break, and forget about school, make sure to check some of these films out.
~ Tanvi Iyer ’22
