2023 Oscars Nominations, Predictions, Thoughts, and Preferences
With the upcoming Oscars very close by, I thought I would come on here and share my thoughts on all the categories and let you know my predictions as well as my personal opinions on the matter. For this year I’ve seen 49 out of 54 nominated films.
Rosetta (1999)
Criterion Challenge 2023 #2 - Made in Belgium
The Dardenne’s tragic tale of Rosetta takes a close look at the harsh realities of what is like to be pushed to the absolute edge of society.
Pigs And Battleships (1961)
Criterion Challenge 2023 #1 - Random Number Generator (I got 472)
Imamura captures Japan’s sordid history during the post WWII era, in one of the most powerful allegorical stories I have seen.
My Criterion Challenge 2023
Decided to finally participate in the Criterion Challenge
My Top 20 Films of 2022
Here are the top 20 films I enjoyed from 2022.
My Top 20 Films of 2021
In 2020 I found so many of what I now consider to be my favorite movies of all time. While I did not find as many perfect films in 2021, I broadened my horizons way more and explored genres and directors that I had been waiting to watch for so long.
Dune (2021)
“Grand” seems to be the operative word on everyone’s mind as they exit the theater after having watched Dune. It is the perfect word to encapsulate this experience. It’s grandeur felt too massive for an IMAX screen at times, yet Villeneuve did a good job at capturing the epic scale that Dune requires. However, the focus on scale comes at a deep cost that Villeneuve failed to account for.
My Top 15 Films of 2020
What with major blockbuster releases being delayed to 2021, many found no reason to watch movies all together this year. Well I’m here to tell you that there were some incredible films released throughout the year, and why you should watch them.
The Book of the Sun (2020) شمس المعارف
Similar to how the characters are filled with passion to make a film, it is evidently a reflection upon Faris and Sohayb Godus who are making this film with immense passion and love. It is seen throughout every aspect of the film, and that alone is a big reason why I love this project.
Aimless Bullet (i.e. The Stray Bullet - 오발탄) (1961)
This is an excerpt from my University paper on Aimless Bullet (1961) for my Korean Cinema Course:
Gagman (개그맨) (1989)
This is an excerpt from my University paper on Gagman (1989) for my Korean Cinema Course:
The Front Line (고지전) (2011)
This is an excerpt from my University paper on The Front Line (2011) for my Korean Cinema Course:
I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2020)
I went into this project with no prior knowledge on the source material and came out of it shocked, confused, but mostly impressed.
Tenet (2020)
As this may be one of Nolan’s worst films in my eyes.
High and Low (1963)
Kurosawa presents us with so much depth with seemingly so little on the surface. He allows the viewers to think about what he has shown and it genuinely lingers on even days after watching the film. It is a masterful work and definitely my favorite of his.
Witness For The Prosecution (1957)
Witness For The Prosecution may not be Wilder’s most impactful or memorable pieces, yet it is still a great mark on his incredible career.
Cinema Paradiso (1988)
Cinema Paradiso may not be one of the best films I have seen this year, but it perfectly captures that magical feeling that cinema brings to people, and for that I truly appreciate it.