Unsolicited Movie Review - Oscars 2026 Edition

 

Here we are again. Oscar time is upon us. It is the most wonderful time of the year! At least for me. Every year's crop of Best Picture Nominees is a marvelous, mixed bag of styles and themes and genres. This year even a little more so.  Small independent character studies, a classical horror legend often overlooked for its depth and a new original horror praised for its complexity. There are two foreign language entries, super-fast racing cars, a grief-laden tale of a literary legend, multiple “conspiracy” theories run amok and often running into multiple revolutions. There are lumberjacks, secret spies, assassins, kidnappers, a modern underground railroad and vampires……don’t sleep on the vampire. That’s not even mentioning the aliens, the Santa Clauses, gangsters, the Klan, possibly the next Bond, wildfires, a bluegrass, the blues and a cold-war,  global Ping-Pong championship.

It was a full year!

It’s a different crop. While there are obviously some shared themes and commonalities of similar human emotions the styles of films really are drastically different…..which is awesome. But, it does make it hard to compare and contrast. I didn’t hate any of them.  Which isn’t as much fun because I don’t get to be as snarky.  Luckily, unlike some years, both of my favorite films are nominated for Best Picture. Not typically the case. There are always headscratchers and snubs. If I were going to put a blockbuster on the list, F1 would not have been my choice but it’s not a crime against nature.

These are the films we have. They vary in story, style, scope and theme. They are all worthy additions to the world of movies and some to the snootier world of cinema even if they are not your cup of tea!

These are listed in my order of rankings. Top to Bottom for the Best Picture Award.

This is NOT necessarily what I think is going to happen with the award. Do not use this list to make bets. You will lose your house. These are listed in the order that I would rank them if I had such a vote for Best Motion Picture. I would love to hear from you and know what you think.

 

SINNERS – This is my favorite experience in cinema. Going in blind, not knowing much about what I am about to see. Then, I’m completely immersed in a story where I don’t know where the story is going to take me or how it is going to get me there. A story that confounds and surprises my jaded expectations.  Sinners, surprised me in all the best ways. Not because it was unclear if it was a thriller or a horror film. Not because it had vampires mashing up Buzby Berkley style musical numbers with bluegrass music. Not because it had an extraordinary cast that seemed to lift right off the screen or that it was a fascinating visual experience.

It surprised me because the director, Ryan Coogler weaved all these elements seamlessly into a fascinating film that blends Jim Crow-era drama with American and African folklore, while pounding out themes of community, survival, family, ancestral trauma and sacrifice.

Sinners achieves the rare accomplishment of seeming familiar and absolutely surprising all at once. It won’t be for everyone but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a ridiculously wide appeal. Ryan Coogler doesn’t have anything to prove as a film maker. But films like Sinners are career defining and may hint to more to come. Let’s hope.

 

 

ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER – There aren’t many years OBAA wouldn’t me nominated for Best Picture. Putting it second on my list took a lot of internal arguments. The scope and scale of the film is quite amazing. Paul Thomas Anderson has firmly established himself as an auteur. His writing is so engaging and allows the characters to endear themselves to an audience without the audience ever realizing they are being sucked in.

Desperate out of control Leo is hysterical and compelling. Teyana Taylor is electric. Sean Penn is so over the top it borders satire. Chase Infiniti is a rookie seasoned pro. Benicio Del Toro was effortlessly hysterical and stole every scene he was in.  PTA took all these insane performances, wrapped them in a series of gorgeous and sometimes disparate vignettes. He smothered them in a singular soundtrack and topped it off with one of the finest edited chase scenes ever and in the end told a tale that included revolution, secrecy, murder, conspiracy, friendship, desperation, civic duty and courage……..of a single Dad raising a teenage girl. 
Seriously, it is meticulous film making.

 

 

MARTY SUPREME – To call this movie frantic is an understatement. I’m getting anxious just reflecting on the film while writing this review. Of all the films this year this was my most pleasant surprise.  Because of the onslaught of marketing and self-promotion from Chalamet, my expectations were that this would prove to be a snooze-fest and they were just doing damage control. Completely to the contrary, the movie blew my doors off. There is no reason this film is as compelling as it is.  Listen to this pitch……

“Ok, so its post WWII and we are following an astoundingly annoying lout who is antagonistic, egotistical and manipulative. He works for his uncle selling shoes, but he is willing to lie, cajole and scam friends and strangers alike to keep his dream alive of becoming the greatest Ping Pong player on the planet”

Luckily the pitch worked. What we get is a detestable, yet compelling character completely focused on achieving his personal goal of greatness. It is his singular vision and dedication that is so endearing and counterbalances the vitriol he creates with his willingness to harm anyone is his path to get what he wants. As maddening and contemptible as he is, his effort and tenacity and sheer stubbornness force you to cheer for him.

The movie has its foot on the gas from the opening credits. It never lets up though a string of events that would cause anyone else to throw their hands up in defeat…but not Marty. Every struggle, every setback, every dangerous or desperate catastrophe that should end his struggle just acts as fuel for him to double down and take an even bigger chance that’s sure to fail.

It’s a ride. Chalamet was not over selling it…..however annoying he was…maybe he was just channeling Marty.

 

BUGONIA – One of us is crazy……is it me…….or is it you? Or is it us? Or, nevermind. It is everyone else.

I doubt there are 2 other actors over the last 10-12 years that have better resumes than Emma Stone and Jesse Plemmons. Or as he is called in our house, Meth Damon. Emma is the bigger star but Jesse, as her mentally fragile kidnapper, is the most convincing element it this film. His earnestness and authentic portrayal force the viewer to question what they know for sure may not actually be for sure what they know. But is the viewer’s indecision based on the kidnapper’s reasoning and facts or is he just so sympathetic and affable that you what him to be correct. Bugonia has the confidence to never let you know who is crazy. You are pretty sure it isn’t you but then again…..

Superbly acted, frustratingly crafted and specifically ambiguous for the discerning movie goer.  The beauty of the film is that it keeps you wondering up and to the last moment when it proves you wrong….probably.

 

HAMNET – Over the years I have watched famous actors who are closely associated with their works of Shakespeare discuss their love for his work. Their reverence at his ability to express such a wide array of emotion. Whatever condition one finds themselves and needs a way to express it can be found in the vast works to portray any emotion sufficiently. Art, at its best, at its very best, can aid human experience in processing, if not actually understanding, any range of human emotion. But what is that transformative process that allows the artist to go from grief to art?

It has often been said that writers write what they know. Hamnet is a beautiful, albeit devastating piece of filmmaking that portrays William Shakespeare channeling the grief from the death of his 11-year-old son into works of art. Stories and sonnets and poems of such beauty and depth and resonance that they have remained relevant for centuries. How else could stories have such powerful messages if not born of such powerful feelings to begin with? To transform or not to transform, that is the question?  (see what I did there).

Is that how Shakespeare transformed his grief? Who knows.  What I do know is the film’s exploration of that transformation results in a movie that’s an emotionally charged onslaught for the viewer. Hamnet is anchored by brutally honest portrayals from Paul Mescal as Bill Shakespeare and Emily Watson has his mother. But the drive and heart and fire of the film come from Jessie Buckley as Agnes. Her grief is beyond emotional and slips into palpable.

 

TRAIN DREAMS – Proof that a slow, methodical, quiet movie can be interesting and emotional. Couple that along with 3 superb performances and the fact that it may be one of the most beautifully shot films I have ever watched. What do we need in life to make us happy?  What are we willing to do in life to protect that happiness?  As we progress what is that progress worth? What can we live with? What can’t we live without? And how much loss is too much?

Based on Denis Johnson’s novella, Train Dreams asks all these questions, not necessarily answers them though, through the eyes of a simple woodsmen of the American west during the early 20^th Century.  Joel Edgerton continues a string quality work anchoring this film leaning into his character’s decency and humility. Felicity Jones and William H. Macy also give nomination worthy, if not realized, performances.

And let me say it again for unsubtle affect…..Train Dreams is one of the most beautifully shot films you will ever see.

 

 

THE SECRET AGENT – I love movies that show you a time or event of real drama and suspense that you never even knew existed. In 1977, Brazil was in the middle of a military dictatorship. The film follows the journey of Marcello. His real name is Armondo. He comes into the coastal town in a beat-up VW bug with no money and coasting into town on fumes. The opening scene deftly leaves the viewer unsettled at the most and full of questions at the very least. He’s desperate and alone but has a destination and purpose. His story unfolds acting as the vehicle to expose the truth of the violence and a tragedy suffered upon those who find themselves in conflict with a corrupt system. He and his family are one of countless trampled and discarded in the fog of such tragedy’s.  We learn the answers to all the questions we are asking ourselves in the opening scenes. Unfortunately, we rarely like the answers. We learn of bravery and character and principles. We also learn tragedy and greed and sacrifice. We also learn that most, if not practically all, of these stories fade and are so quickly and easily forgotten. Their impact, however important and vital are also fragile and quickly erased. There is importance remembering and documenting and reminding everyone of the truth.

 

 

FRANKENSTEIN – FYI! I’ve never been a particular fan of Frankenstein. The old Boris Karloff flick was cool when I saw it on a tv in 70s. But that was a far cry from the grander, more important tale that Mary Shelly wrote about Victor and his monster. Guillermo del Toro is as skilled and talented as any filmmaker. His vision and composition are inventive and singular. His movies are a feast for the eyes. More importantly you realize when you watch his films, how complete and clear a vision, he must have had all along. It doesn’t feel as if there are any accidents. Everything is in concert with the idea of telling the story and vision he began with. Frankenstein is no different. The story’s themes of the dangers of knowledge, revenge, isolation, responsibility are all on display. It is done beautifully and great acting and stunning visuals……and I didn’t really care. Probably because I just don’t dig Frakenstein.

 

F1 – There is nothing wrong with F1. This marks a continuing trend since they opened the Best Pic category to 10 films. There is usually one huge box office success that’s always popular but more that likely never would have made the cut if there had been only 5 nominees. It is action packed. The sound and editing and special effects are all riveting. You’ve got Brad Pitt and races and exotic locales.  Grab the popcorn. Besides its technical prowess, the story and emotional punch fell flat. This really isn’t the best use of Pitt’s earnestness. If you were looking for a Blockbuster, Avatar Fire and Ash or Superman would have been the better options.

SENTIMENTAL VALUE – There is art here. There is exceptional acting as two daughters navigate life after losing their mother. This is made more dramatic as they discover the new dynamics of the relationship with their famous and mostly estranged father. This film is a study in regret and missed opportunities and the consequences of our decisions. It is also terribly slow and plodding and not entirely unpretentious. Again, there is skill in its construction and execution, but I didn’t find it particularly entertaining.