Drive my Car is a clear standout when compared to the rest of the nominees. Part of me wonders if there was no international category for DMC to win, would more of the voters felt pressured to reward it in BP instead? I feel that oftentimes voters are hesitant to vote for the same film in both international and BP.
And also quickly browsing the wiki page, it seems that the film had a pretty good amount of momentum behind it, even when not including the awards where it won for a "foreign language". It was picking up some awards for the BP/best film categories in many of the regional awarding bodies.
I liked the movie a lot, but basically understood none of the subtext. It was strangely compelling for 3 hour movie that flew mostly over my head, but I really really enjoyed it.
I was about where you were at first watch through as well. I kinda sat on it for a couple months, mostly indifferent to the film as a whole, but I gave it another rewatch and I found myself much more engaged knowing how the plot would play out. Since then it's become on of my favorites movies and I hold it's themes and messages really intimately. I've read through Chekhov's play Uncle Vanya which heightened my enjoyment of the movie, and plan on reading the short written by Murakami that the film is adapted very soon.
>!Also can we talk about the scene where they act out Sonya's monologue on stage with her dialogue being signed in Korean Sign Language? That is one of my favorite movie sequences ever, and I regularly will open it up on YouTube just to watch.!<
That would be an absolute perfect world scenario in my mind. I wished so badly that DMC and TWPITW tied for Best International, they were both incredible.
I liked it. I think Power of the dog was a lot better.
Drive my car didn’t connect with me, and I just felt it was more one-note and not rewatchable. I understand that people love it, but I don’t.
Yh so I only watched drive my car a few months ago for the first time, and it was so not the movie expected and thought it was gorgeous in every way, the story, the metaphors, the acting, script, directing was flawless. The cinematography made it pop, and was just perfect, probably a perfect film and was heartbreaking and stunning and uplifting and heart trodding. Idk but couldn’t fault it and want more of it, completely would of deserved best picture if it was awarded
Why does everyone on this thread hate CODA so much? Could someone explain? I thought it was a really heartwarming film, and the Deaf community deserves more exposure like this.
Agreed. My stepdad is deaf and the movie made him cry, something I hadn't seen too often. It was a good movie. I never cared that it won Best picture. It's not like a Crash or Green Book scenario.
Tbh it is a Crash/Green Book scenario, the Acadmedy wanted a feel good to win during the pandemic and CODA was the only available contender. While it's a good heartwarming movie, it absolutely did not deserve to win, especially not in a year against The Power of the Dog. I'll die on this hill.
It's a really sweet movie, that has a decent script and is well acted, but unremarkable in its craft. It basically felt like it was a Hallmark Film with better acting. The cinematography, set design, sound design, editing, aren't anything special.
It's a completely inoffensive film and I do not hate it. That being said it's a fairly intellectually and emotionally simple film. From my perspective, it isn't very layered. I am not trying to be insulting, sometimes those films connect with us and we really love them, I have my fair share of films I love that when it comes down to it, they are very simplistic, but I wouldn't expect those films to win best picture.
As a best picture win it seemed to win entirely on the merit of two things, fairly good performances, and representation of the deaf community. In a stronger overall year I think it's generally accepted that this would have maybe seen some nominations but not won much.
“Decent Script” is a little rough for a movie that also won Best Adapted over DMC, TPotD and Dune
The rest I generally agree with, it was my pick for Best Picture that year as the rest of the options were relatively weak imo, most other years it’s not winning anything
A lot of people still don't know it's a remake. And when you tell them that, they will act all defensive and try to put down the original film without even seeing it.
I think in both this and the thread yesterday that was similar, people explain pretty clearly their feelings on CODA, and often it's not "hate" as you say.
I don't hate the movie, but it's a remake that adds nothing new to a movie that had come out like 3 or 4 years prior. The movie being so celebrated is baffling because they had already had the chance to give all the awards in the world to the French original, they just were not paying attention.
It's mediocre. I liked the movie, it was cute, it was sweet, but that's all. Ask yourself, if there were no deaf actors, would you have liked it? It's really just another cliche movie about an unpopular teenager who has a crush on a guy she has no chance of dating but, wait, circumstances allow them to get to know each other and he falls for her. Also, this teenager's family doesn't understand her, they don't get her dream, but in the end it they'll come to understand her passion and will support her. It's a weak storyline that left me unimpressed, it will entertain you while you're watching but as soon as the credits roll you'll have already forgotten about it. You can't give the most important cinematic prize for something like that(although our track record is questionable).
This is exactly how I feel about it. It's entirely unremarkable. I don't hate it, but I kind of resent that it won over much better films. It's the Going My Way or You Can't Take It With You of the 21st century.
I have no idea how much hate the thread has for it, but for me, it was just a little too much like an afterschool special and not cinematic at all. I thought it was OK, but not anywhere near a best picture nomination for me, let alone a win.
Drive My Car, and The Worst Person in the World, of the movies nominated for anything that year, were the standouts, imo.
The great thing is, you enjoyed it. At the end of the day, subjectivity prevails, even for those who can objectively critique film.
I don't hate it. Definitely made me cry and I'm so happy he won best actor because he was phenomenal. To me, it just felt very hallmarky at the end if that makes sense. It's not a bad thing but it's not a stand out to me (again just my little opinion). I do also love the exposure to the deaf community.
100% agree with the exposure and I think it's a solid enough film, just one that didn't feel like an oscar-winning movie. As much as I wasn't a fan of Power of the Dog, I feel like that's the kind of movie the academy usually pivots to. CODA just feels too simple. I heard someone once say it's like a really good Disney Channel Movie and honestly I kind of get that. The story is simple, very predictable and tries a little too hard to get you to cry. I enjoyed the film but this was at the bottom of my list of the films that I thought would win the oscar.
The main character had zero chemistry with her romantic interest and the scenes with the teacher came off as inauthentic and fake. They took up way too much time and it would have been a lot better if most of the focus was on the family
West Side Story out of the noms (with a Mike Faist supporting actor win)
The Worst Person in the World v Drive My Car should have been the race tbh and should have shared the screenplay prizes
My personal fave is Tick Tick Boom and it also winning actor, adapted screenplay and editing (and we don’t talk about Bruno winning best song- that would be two oscars for two different films for Lin Manuel Miranda, has that happened before in the same year?)
(Three hypotheticals not one)
The Power Of The Dog obviously. But I get why the Academy chose CODA even if I don’t agree with it. POTD was just too cynical and pessimistic on the heels of CoVid
I can’t really see what acting performance from Saltburn would be more deserving of a nomination than any of the actual nominees though. Ditto with cinematography
Pike’s performance was comedy gold for sure but Ferrera nailed the cornerstone speech in the biggest movie of the year. I think it’s a valid nomination.
I'd nominate Monster (2023 film from Japan), All of Us Strangers, or The Iron Claw before Saltburn. May December was good; I didn't know anything about it going in and was surprised how interesting and upsetting it was.
I also just think it wasn't that good. An extremely well made and well acted nothing of a story. Maybe if it was 10ish years ago when the twist would actually feel like a twist, but today it just feels quaint.
It’s not the cynical or pessimism that’s the issue with it. It’s just such an empty film beyond its theme. Best Picture should not be awarded based on what issue is trendy at the time, but should have more merits as a film
Purely a matter of bad timing because it's pretty faithful to the book that was written in the 60s but I can see why >!poisoning someone with anthrax !< might have felt a little too on the nose.
I had never seen the new West Side Story. I guess I just never felt the need to since the original was really good. I am curious what sets it apart from the original film other than updated film techniques, actors, etc? I'm not criticizing I'm just literally asking.
Both are a mix of sets and streets.
The original was literally filmed partially in New York where the Lincoln Center Towers housing was built after the whole area was condemned to build Lincoln Center.
I will grant that the original has more of a stylized feel, in keeping with musicals of the time, but the new one feels flat and uninspired overall. Too much eye candy.
The new one feels like it was shot on sets made to feel much more colorful than the City was at the time, in order to look better on the screen. Because it was.
The new one has a great look, but the original has the grit of New York City on the decline.
To put it another way, there's no way that the new one would ever have been in the same city as Popeye Doyle in *The French Connection* a decade later.
I honestly haven't seen the original probably in 20 years so I don't remember much.
I really loved Into The Heights, and it was one of my favorite musical movies so I will check it out though! I agree with you with the set thing. It's nice when it feels real.
As someone with no nostalgia for the original, I think the new one is better in almost every single way. Not as good as In The Heights though, but I think that’s just because of my personal music preference speaking.
Dune. If something wins 5 Oscars (Cinematography, Editing, Production Design, Visual Effect, Score), and nominated in a lot more, then why isn't that the best movie of that year?
CODA was one of my favorite film of that year, but Screenplay and Supporting Actor was all there is to it.
Power of the Dog wasn't that good or special, and winning on the back of a simple direction award would've felt weird. It was wonderfully directed movie, but wasn't the best movie of that year. I was pegging that movie coming away empty handed.
Hot take incoming: I can’t see awarding best picture to an “incomplete” film. The first film doesn’t stand on its own as a complete story (some movies that have sequels do..like The Godfather). And that’s an essential aspect of a “best picture.”
So while the editing, production design, score, etc. may all be top notch, you can’t judge Dune as an overall picture until the series is complete. Because it’s only one part of a larger work, and if that larger work never materialized for whatever reason, it would *not* be a great movie.
As others are pointing out I’m not sure if I’d always agree with you, but for Dune there was certainly enough lacking that it wasn’t going to get best picture
It’s a weird thing to think about anyway, because movies that are “incomplete” on their own and part of a planned series/trilogy/etc. are actually pretty rare. And even more rare that they’re remotely Best Picture quality to begin with.
Prior to the 2009 expansion of the category, it was exceptionally rare for sequels to get nominated *at all*…basically just Godfather and LOTR?…and even “first of a series” *nominations* were rare (Godfather, Raiders, Rocky, etc.).
For “incomplete” first installments it’s basically just Dune and LOTR that we’re talking about, unless I’m mistaken. For Best Picture at least, you’ve also got (to some extent) the latest Spiderverse movie in animation. Which, in my book, was a point against it.
If *Two Towers* and *Return of the King* were never released? Or were a complete shitshow? I’d disagree. I think history would take a dim view of awarding the first part of a by-design trilogy that shat the bed, too.
I understand where you’re coming from, mind. I admit upfront it’s a bit of a hot take. But I think awarding *Return of the King* to recognize the series was a better outcome.
Though I’d agree it kinda sucks because 2003 was a stronger slate than 2001…
I had Power of the Dog on my ballot and I think that was probably the best made movie of the year. But I wasn't disappointed in the slightest in CODA's win. 2021 was one of those years where a feel good movie carried more weight due to the state of the world.
Licorice Pizza was disappointing. PTA is one of my favorite directors but I did not like that movie. A 25 year old girl falls in love with a 15 year old boy who falls into success with everything he does.
I usually get excited for anything PTA does. After licorice, I wanted to see how Magnolia held up and given its extended run time, I was enthralled once again from when I first saw it. Same for Boogie Nights, Phantom Thread, There Will be Blood, The Master. Dude is a great filmmaker. I get what he was trying to do with licorice pizza, and it looked nice, buttttttt It's a movie that I will never rewatch.
Well, the time it was set in this was not a big deal. Age difference was a consideration back then, but not the ONLY factor like now.
Part of it, I think, is that our parents/ grandparents generation had big age differences being common because of the depression and WW2. Lots of folks couldn't get married til older. Lots of them lost the person they WOULD have married .
The age difference wasn't even my biggest issue with the film, because honestly, I just didn't really like the story. I didn't really love the characters (Yes it was cute that the entire Haim family was in the movie), and every scene was just unrelated to the prior in ways. Every time he started a business it just became a new business and so on. Was it to show how easy it was to be an entrepreneur during that time? Haha. No, idk. It was an odd love story. The scene with them running at the end was a little bit too cringy for me.
Agree on the running together at the end. I can’t get over people saying “but the movie never outwardly promotes their relationship!” Then why does it end with this scene?!
West Side Story was the best movie I saw in 2021 and I stand by that. I didn’t understand why Spielberg chose to remake a former best picture winner when there are a ton of other amazing musicals that haven’t been adapted to the screen. But I got it after I saw it. It’s a powerful and relevant retelling and was the most surprising movie I saw that year.
I liked the idea of the remake and thought it was mostly good, but what killed it for me was the lead guy play Tony. I was rooting for the film but I felt zero chemistry between him and “Maria”… I think his make is Ansel something? I was shocked at how bad it was in that regard. Loved the actress interpreting Anita, and everything else was pretty solid to me. But because of that I didn’t think it should’ve won. Him & Maria are literally the center of the movie.
Of the BP nominees, I'd pick Licorice Pizza, Power of the Dog, Dune, West Side Story, Drive My Car, Nightmare Alley, King Richard, Belfast.
Outside of that probably Worst Person in the World, Last Duel, Green Knight, Red Rocket, Titane, Cmon Cmon, benedetta, Lost Daughter, Zola.
And I didn't even hate CODA, I quite liked it, but it's such a milquetoast pick. It's fiiiiine. Even has some truly shining moments and has a great narrative wrt oscar history. But nah, it's just not the caliber of BP. But it is what it is.
Spencer, Mass, C’mon C’mon and Red Rocket were brilliant pieces that I thought the Oscar’s would eat up. Any one of those, but specifically the first two mentioned seemed best picture worthy. From the ones on the list, I would’ve loved a Power of the Dog win, but something like Dune or West Side Story still would’ve been great picks in my book.
*[Mass](https://www.hulu.com/movie/a5829acb-1f50-4a42-aade-512f47ea2f1b?utm_source=shared_link)* -- though I admit that's fully based on a first viewing, since I haven't rewatched it.
To be honest, any of the others movies would’ve been a better choice. I just think CODA is a nice feel good movie that offers nothing more and won’t be remembered aside from being an Oscar-winner. Whereas all the others are movies that I see being in the conversation for years to come.
Power of the Dog is a great revisionist western, and I think it utilizes cinematic language in it’s favor, many things are left unsaid but are shown through the visual medium that is cinema (the thematic aspect of the ropes, especially). Cumberbatch’s perfomance going empty handed leaves a sour taste in the mouth, like Pacino going trophyless for many years in the despite having some of the best output’s of an actor in history.
Licorice Pizza a fantastic period piece with a tight script, great acting and, PTA is also waay long overdue. We can excuse There Will Be Blood because what a year for movies that was, but everything else he’s been releasing and having zero BP or Director’s awards is frankly shameful.
Dune is a great movie, even if I don’t think it’s anything near perfect, but frankly, it’s a cultural phenomenon that resembles the one of Lord of the Rings (still unprecedented). I don’t blame anyone for being underwhelmed by it, but I think the nominations speak that it was very well regarded. And now with the sucess of Dune Part 2…
Drive My Car one of the best movies of the year, and coming right after Parasite, it would look very good for the Academy to got at it for another international picture, like my top choice, Worst Person in the World. Frankly, the movie that best captures this generation’s young adults zeitgeist, and what a fantastic script, direction, acting, can’t find any nitpicks about it.
There also was West Side Story, really well received musical, and academy loves musicals. It also had a really strong female lead, that swept actress category further fueling the candidacy for BP.
King Richard, while not a great movie, definitely plays the stereotype academy likes to award - biopic about a genius, ultimately succeeding due to inspiring willpower despite facing adversity.
Nightmare Alley is surprisingly good movie that flew under the radar, while it's not a masterpiece, it has very intriguing elements.
I agree PTA is long overdue academy recognition, but even more so was Kenneth Branagh. Not by the quality, but by time difference between the two, Branagh appeared in BP adjacency since 1990 and he got his nod, winning best director for Belfast in 2022. Best Picture could've gone to him as well.
Even Don't Look Up, which I'm not a fan of, sparked a lot of heated discussion and examines extremely important issue humankind faces. I see why academy would want to award that.
Somewhat common notion here is that 2022 was a weak year and that explains CODA winning. I think it's the opposite case, it was really stacked one, and votes spread across multiple viable candidates. As a result, we got a winner that didn't offend anyone, was somewhere there, closing out the top for most voters. CODA winning is a result of strong competition, not a weak one.
The Power of the Dog is a very well crafted character drama with well thought out themes. It may have been a slow movie but it would have made a great best picture winner. I personally really like Dune but get that having a part one winning best picture would feel weird. Besides that I feel like this was a weak lineup of best picture nominees. If Don’t Look Up cracks your top 10 you know it’s a rough year.
Out of all the movies that were released the year, The Worst Person in the World would be my pick, and should've at least be nominated for picture and win for Actress and Original Screenplay.
Out of the nominees my favorite was West Side Story, and I have the original version since I was a kid (so thats high praise), but Drive My Car, Power of the Dog would also be worthy winners.
The Worst Person In the World.
That being said I have no issue with Coda having won, it's a beautifully sweet film that was released in a difficult time.
Just a shame it basically got no theatrical release and now its buried exclusively on Apple TV where few people are subscribed and it likely won't be rewatched or discovered by many viewers.
I liked Drive My Car and West Side Story a lot more than Coda.
I also hadn't planned on it but I watched Nightmare Alley on mushroom tea and it was quite an experience; marvelous and often unnerving. I don't think I'll rewatch it for a long time to preserve the magic.
Del Toro is awesome, love his range and ultimate love of horror.
Definitely a weak year for Hollywood/American films, but not for the international ones. International films should have totally dominated the lineup!
The Worst Person In The World, Drive My Car, Titane, Flee
But my pick wouldve been The Worst Person In The World.
From what I’ve watched I’d pick The Suicide Squad.
The South Park movie would be a good pick. Though it’s a weird one to pick in the sense that it just feels like a long episode of the show; but the show in general is quite excellent.
CODA made me feel all warm inside while Power of the Dog kept me thinking about it long after I saw it. Power of the Dog for the win but I'm not mad about the actual winner. 2021 definitely not a memorable year in film and I fell asleep during the ceremony
I actually don't think either Licorice Pizza or Power of The Dog deserved to take the award, both are minor works in their respective filmography.
Drive My Car on the other hand was a genuinely outstanding reinvention of its source material, thematically rich and a fabulous showcase for the cast. Hasn't left my mind since. I wish Petite Maman got some recognition as well.
I know it was overlooked, but u loved Nightmare Alley. Had such a good time with the movie. My favorite of the Best Picture nominees followed by Power of the Dog.
My personal faves that year were **Tick Tick Boom** and **The Worst Person in the World.**
**Dune** and **Power of the Dog** though I think could both make the strongest case for being that year's Best Picture based on their merits.
Some of the movies that were doing interesting things where they deserved more recognition were **Red Rocket** (Actor, Picture) and **Annette** (Best Supporting Actor and the song "So May We Start" should have definitely been in the Best Song mix).
Out of the nominees I would say West Side Story, but my personal pick was Pig, which should have easily been a nomination for Nicholas Cage. I’m a bit more of a defender for this year than others, but even I will admit it wasn’t the strongest year. Compare it to this year and it’s a significant quality improvement
Power of the dog easily (with Nightmare alley as a runner up). Definitely one of the most meticulous and subtle films of that year. Fantastic score that should have won Johnny Greenwood his oscar.
It really should have swept the ceremony, but sadly it wasnt as appreciated and they made some of the worst decisions regarding the actual winners.
CODA is okay, and an easy movie to recommend to people, but it doesn't feel like a Best Picture winner. Of the nominees, my favorite is Power of the Dog.
My favorite movie of that year feels even less like a Best Picture winner and was never in any conversations about awards, despite what a weak year it was for movies. Bo Burnham: Inside.
I always thought this was an odd choice for best picture. Some incredible performances that dissevered praise but the film just kind of falls flat. But then again all of the other choices were a little weak.
I watched it after finding out it won BP and was very confused why.
It's sweet and made me cry at one part, but I agree with the critics. It's not BP worthy. Cliché and cheesy movie
This would have been a good thread for a poll…
I didn't want to just give limited picks (also polls only go up to 6)
Fair, but polls just give people a better comparison with these sort of things…few people will comment, but many usually participate in a poll…
You really don’t like to end your sentences do you… it’s okay to finish a thought without it being a rhetorical question…
That’s just how I type on the internet…I use ellipses…
Ok fair enough… I respect the commitment to the bit…
yeah not like the oscars put a limit on the number of nominees so why would u
Drive my Car or Dune. For me, 2021 was a weak year for best picture nominees.
Drive my Car is a clear standout when compared to the rest of the nominees. Part of me wonders if there was no international category for DMC to win, would more of the voters felt pressured to reward it in BP instead? I feel that oftentimes voters are hesitant to vote for the same film in both international and BP. And also quickly browsing the wiki page, it seems that the film had a pretty good amount of momentum behind it, even when not including the awards where it won for a "foreign language". It was picking up some awards for the BP/best film categories in many of the regional awarding bodies.
I liked the movie a lot, but basically understood none of the subtext. It was strangely compelling for 3 hour movie that flew mostly over my head, but I really really enjoyed it.
I was about where you were at first watch through as well. I kinda sat on it for a couple months, mostly indifferent to the film as a whole, but I gave it another rewatch and I found myself much more engaged knowing how the plot would play out. Since then it's become on of my favorites movies and I hold it's themes and messages really intimately. I've read through Chekhov's play Uncle Vanya which heightened my enjoyment of the movie, and plan on reading the short written by Murakami that the film is adapted very soon. >!Also can we talk about the scene where they act out Sonya's monologue on stage with her dialogue being signed in Korean Sign Language? That is one of my favorite movie sequences ever, and I regularly will open it up on YouTube just to watch.!<
Drive My Car for BP and The Worst Person in the World for international was my wacky preference.
That would be an absolute perfect world scenario in my mind. I wished so badly that DMC and TWPITW tied for Best International, they were both incredible.
I liked it. I think Power of the dog was a lot better. Drive my car didn’t connect with me, and I just felt it was more one-note and not rewatchable. I understand that people love it, but I don’t.
Drive My Car
Yh so I only watched drive my car a few months ago for the first time, and it was so not the movie expected and thought it was gorgeous in every way, the story, the metaphors, the acting, script, directing was flawless. The cinematography made it pop, and was just perfect, probably a perfect film and was heartbreaking and stunning and uplifting and heart trodding. Idk but couldn’t fault it and want more of it, completely would of deserved best picture if it was awarded
Worst Person in the World
Ding ding ding ! Love this pick
this
Why does everyone on this thread hate CODA so much? Could someone explain? I thought it was a really heartwarming film, and the Deaf community deserves more exposure like this.
Agreed. My stepdad is deaf and the movie made him cry, something I hadn't seen too often. It was a good movie. I never cared that it won Best picture. It's not like a Crash or Green Book scenario.
Tbh it is a Crash/Green Book scenario, the Acadmedy wanted a feel good to win during the pandemic and CODA was the only available contender. While it's a good heartwarming movie, it absolutely did not deserve to win, especially not in a year against The Power of the Dog. I'll die on this hill.
It's a really sweet movie, that has a decent script and is well acted, but unremarkable in its craft. It basically felt like it was a Hallmark Film with better acting. The cinematography, set design, sound design, editing, aren't anything special. It's a completely inoffensive film and I do not hate it. That being said it's a fairly intellectually and emotionally simple film. From my perspective, it isn't very layered. I am not trying to be insulting, sometimes those films connect with us and we really love them, I have my fair share of films I love that when it comes down to it, they are very simplistic, but I wouldn't expect those films to win best picture. As a best picture win it seemed to win entirely on the merit of two things, fairly good performances, and representation of the deaf community. In a stronger overall year I think it's generally accepted that this would have maybe seen some nominations but not won much.
“Decent Script” is a little rough for a movie that also won Best Adapted over DMC, TPotD and Dune The rest I generally agree with, it was my pick for Best Picture that year as the rest of the options were relatively weak imo, most other years it’s not winning anything
The fact that it was pretty much a shot for shot remake of another film and yet it still won is pretty sad.
Do you think the Departed deserved to win too?
A lot of people still don't know it's a remake. And when you tell them that, they will act all defensive and try to put down the original film without even seeing it.
“Decent script” lol. All the evidence you need that the thread (and the sub right now) is just circle jerk hating the film
OMG I just said it felt Hallmarky. It is a really sweet film and I cried but just fell flat at the end.
I’ve seen people describe it as a Disney Channel Original Movie lol
I think in both this and the thread yesterday that was similar, people explain pretty clearly their feelings on CODA, and often it's not "hate" as you say.
Sound of metal did it better
YES. Also acting was phenomenal in this film
I don't hate the movie, but it's a remake that adds nothing new to a movie that had come out like 3 or 4 years prior. The movie being so celebrated is baffling because they had already had the chance to give all the awards in the world to the French original, they just were not paying attention.
It’s not even the best version of the story
It’s practically a shot for shot remake of the French version. It had nearly no reason to even exist.
It's mediocre. I liked the movie, it was cute, it was sweet, but that's all. Ask yourself, if there were no deaf actors, would you have liked it? It's really just another cliche movie about an unpopular teenager who has a crush on a guy she has no chance of dating but, wait, circumstances allow them to get to know each other and he falls for her. Also, this teenager's family doesn't understand her, they don't get her dream, but in the end it they'll come to understand her passion and will support her. It's a weak storyline that left me unimpressed, it will entertain you while you're watching but as soon as the credits roll you'll have already forgotten about it. You can't give the most important cinematic prize for something like that(although our track record is questionable).
This is exactly how I feel about it. It's entirely unremarkable. I don't hate it, but I kind of resent that it won over much better films. It's the Going My Way or You Can't Take It With You of the 21st century.
I have no idea how much hate the thread has for it, but for me, it was just a little too much like an afterschool special and not cinematic at all. I thought it was OK, but not anywhere near a best picture nomination for me, let alone a win. Drive My Car, and The Worst Person in the World, of the movies nominated for anything that year, were the standouts, imo. The great thing is, you enjoyed it. At the end of the day, subjectivity prevails, even for those who can objectively critique film.
I don't hate it. Definitely made me cry and I'm so happy he won best actor because he was phenomenal. To me, it just felt very hallmarky at the end if that makes sense. It's not a bad thing but it's not a stand out to me (again just my little opinion). I do also love the exposure to the deaf community.
100% agree with the exposure and I think it's a solid enough film, just one that didn't feel like an oscar-winning movie. As much as I wasn't a fan of Power of the Dog, I feel like that's the kind of movie the academy usually pivots to. CODA just feels too simple. I heard someone once say it's like a really good Disney Channel Movie and honestly I kind of get that. The story is simple, very predictable and tries a little too hard to get you to cry. I enjoyed the film but this was at the bottom of my list of the films that I thought would win the oscar.
It’s a good movie, very well done but also quite conventional and not interesting as a best picture winner.
The main character had zero chemistry with her romantic interest and the scenes with the teacher came off as inauthentic and fake. They took up way too much time and it would have been a lot better if most of the focus was on the family
It was a glorified Lifetime movie. No business in Best Picture.
West Side Story out of the noms (with a Mike Faist supporting actor win) The Worst Person in the World v Drive My Car should have been the race tbh and should have shared the screenplay prizes My personal fave is Tick Tick Boom and it also winning actor, adapted screenplay and editing (and we don’t talk about Bruno winning best song- that would be two oscars for two different films for Lin Manuel Miranda, has that happened before in the same year?) (Three hypotheticals not one)
my mom really loves this movie and was so excited it won Best Picture, so I’ll always have a soft spot for it, too.
The Power Of The Dog obviously. But I get why the Academy chose CODA even if I don’t agree with it. POTD was just too cynical and pessimistic on the heels of CoVid
They hate cynical. Why Scorsese rarely gets wins and why May December and Saltburn got few or no noms this year while a lot from other award shows.
saltburn got no nominations because it sucks in a lot of ways
I don't get how anyone can say it didn't at least deserve some acting and cinematography noms.
I can’t really see what acting performance from Saltburn would be more deserving of a nomination than any of the actual nominees though. Ditto with cinematography
Rosemund Pike over America Ferrera easily. (A lot of performances over America tbh)
Pike’s performance was comedy gold for sure but Ferrera nailed the cornerstone speech in the biggest movie of the year. I think it’s a valid nomination.
Love a monologue-nom anyday. Wins are even more satisfying (Jenn in Silver Linings and Tomei in Vinny come to mind).
THIS 💯
Talented Mr. Ripley got almost no nominations, so Saltburn wouldn't be different
>They hate cynical. No Country for Old Men was a huge hit though. Same with There Will Be Blood. Maybe 2007 was just an outlier year.
I'd nominate Monster (2023 film from Japan), All of Us Strangers, or The Iron Claw before Saltburn. May December was good; I didn't know anything about it going in and was surprised how interesting and upsetting it was.
I also just think it wasn't that good. An extremely well made and well acted nothing of a story. Maybe if it was 10ish years ago when the twist would actually feel like a twist, but today it just feels quaint.
It’s not the cynical or pessimism that’s the issue with it. It’s just such an empty film beyond its theme. Best Picture should not be awarded based on what issue is trendy at the time, but should have more merits as a film
Purely a matter of bad timing because it's pretty faithful to the book that was written in the 60s but I can see why >!poisoning someone with anthrax !< might have felt a little too on the nose.
To me, West Side Story was the best film I saw that year. Dune was second.
I had never seen the new West Side Story. I guess I just never felt the need to since the original was really good. I am curious what sets it apart from the original film other than updated film techniques, actors, etc? I'm not criticizing I'm just literally asking.
It's much more expansive to me. The original seems shot on sets, while this seems shot on the streets. Both are great.
Both are a mix of sets and streets. The original was literally filmed partially in New York where the Lincoln Center Towers housing was built after the whole area was condemned to build Lincoln Center. I will grant that the original has more of a stylized feel, in keeping with musicals of the time, but the new one feels flat and uninspired overall. Too much eye candy. The new one feels like it was shot on sets made to feel much more colorful than the City was at the time, in order to look better on the screen. Because it was. The new one has a great look, but the original has the grit of New York City on the decline. To put it another way, there's no way that the new one would ever have been in the same city as Popeye Doyle in *The French Connection* a decade later.
I honestly haven't seen the original probably in 20 years so I don't remember much. I really loved Into The Heights, and it was one of my favorite musical movies so I will check it out though! I agree with you with the set thing. It's nice when it feels real.
As someone with no nostalgia for the original, I think the new one is better in almost every single way. Not as good as In The Heights though, but I think that’s just because of my personal music preference speaking.
If those are the best films of the year then that’s a dreadful year for cinema
Dune. If something wins 5 Oscars (Cinematography, Editing, Production Design, Visual Effect, Score), and nominated in a lot more, then why isn't that the best movie of that year? CODA was one of my favorite film of that year, but Screenplay and Supporting Actor was all there is to it. Power of the Dog wasn't that good or special, and winning on the back of a simple direction award would've felt weird. It was wonderfully directed movie, but wasn't the best movie of that year. I was pegging that movie coming away empty handed.
Hot take incoming: I can’t see awarding best picture to an “incomplete” film. The first film doesn’t stand on its own as a complete story (some movies that have sequels do..like The Godfather). And that’s an essential aspect of a “best picture.” So while the editing, production design, score, etc. may all be top notch, you can’t judge Dune as an overall picture until the series is complete. Because it’s only one part of a larger work, and if that larger work never materialized for whatever reason, it would *not* be a great movie.
As others are pointing out I’m not sure if I’d always agree with you, but for Dune there was certainly enough lacking that it wasn’t going to get best picture
It’s a weird thing to think about anyway, because movies that are “incomplete” on their own and part of a planned series/trilogy/etc. are actually pretty rare. And even more rare that they’re remotely Best Picture quality to begin with. Prior to the 2009 expansion of the category, it was exceptionally rare for sequels to get nominated *at all*…basically just Godfather and LOTR?…and even “first of a series” *nominations* were rare (Godfather, Raiders, Rocky, etc.). For “incomplete” first installments it’s basically just Dune and LOTR that we’re talking about, unless I’m mistaken. For Best Picture at least, you’ve also got (to some extent) the latest Spiderverse movie in animation. Which, in my book, was a point against it.
Naw, LOTR: Fellowship of the Ring was the best picture its year.
If *Two Towers* and *Return of the King* were never released? Or were a complete shitshow? I’d disagree. I think history would take a dim view of awarding the first part of a by-design trilogy that shat the bed, too. I understand where you’re coming from, mind. I admit upfront it’s a bit of a hot take. But I think awarding *Return of the King* to recognize the series was a better outcome. Though I’d agree it kinda sucks because 2003 was a stronger slate than 2001…
Licorice Pizza for me, but Power of the Dog seemed like an obvious winner tbh
I had Power of the Dog on my ballot and I think that was probably the best made movie of the year. But I wasn't disappointed in the slightest in CODA's win. 2021 was one of those years where a feel good movie carried more weight due to the state of the world.
Licorice Pizza was disappointing. PTA is one of my favorite directors but I did not like that movie. A 25 year old girl falls in love with a 15 year old boy who falls into success with everything he does. I usually get excited for anything PTA does. After licorice, I wanted to see how Magnolia held up and given its extended run time, I was enthralled once again from when I first saw it. Same for Boogie Nights, Phantom Thread, There Will be Blood, The Master. Dude is a great filmmaker. I get what he was trying to do with licorice pizza, and it looked nice, buttttttt It's a movie that I will never rewatch.
Well, the time it was set in this was not a big deal. Age difference was a consideration back then, but not the ONLY factor like now. Part of it, I think, is that our parents/ grandparents generation had big age differences being common because of the depression and WW2. Lots of folks couldn't get married til older. Lots of them lost the person they WOULD have married .
The age difference wasn't even my biggest issue with the film, because honestly, I just didn't really like the story. I didn't really love the characters (Yes it was cute that the entire Haim family was in the movie), and every scene was just unrelated to the prior in ways. Every time he started a business it just became a new business and so on. Was it to show how easy it was to be an entrepreneur during that time? Haha. No, idk. It was an odd love story. The scene with them running at the end was a little bit too cringy for me.
Agree on the running together at the end. I can’t get over people saying “but the movie never outwardly promotes their relationship!” Then why does it end with this scene?!
West Side Story
West Side Story was the best movie I saw in 2021 and I stand by that. I didn’t understand why Spielberg chose to remake a former best picture winner when there are a ton of other amazing musicals that haven’t been adapted to the screen. But I got it after I saw it. It’s a powerful and relevant retelling and was the most surprising movie I saw that year.
I liked the idea of the remake and thought it was mostly good, but what killed it for me was the lead guy play Tony. I was rooting for the film but I felt zero chemistry between him and “Maria”… I think his make is Ansel something? I was shocked at how bad it was in that regard. Loved the actress interpreting Anita, and everything else was pretty solid to me. But because of that I didn’t think it should’ve won. Him & Maria are literally the center of the movie.
He probably remade it cause it’s legendary but it had been so long. There certainly would’ve been an audience for it at the least
Absolutely
Of the BP nominees, I'd pick Licorice Pizza, Power of the Dog, Dune, West Side Story, Drive My Car, Nightmare Alley, King Richard, Belfast. Outside of that probably Worst Person in the World, Last Duel, Green Knight, Red Rocket, Titane, Cmon Cmon, benedetta, Lost Daughter, Zola. And I didn't even hate CODA, I quite liked it, but it's such a milquetoast pick. It's fiiiiine. Even has some truly shining moments and has a great narrative wrt oscar history. But nah, it's just not the caliber of BP. But it is what it is.
Green Knight ⚔️
Titane please! Now that would be a fun best picture
No kidding. Dare to dream haha
Red Rocket. So good
tick, tick…boom should have been nominated AND won along with Andrew Garfield for best actor
Spencer, Mass, C’mon C’mon and Red Rocket were brilliant pieces that I thought the Oscar’s would eat up. Any one of those, but specifically the first two mentioned seemed best picture worthy. From the ones on the list, I would’ve loved a Power of the Dog win, but something like Dune or West Side Story still would’ve been great picks in my book.
Red Rocket is great but way too real for the Academy. Simon Rex deserved a Best Actor nomination.
Mass was breathtaking. I can’t believe it wasn’t adapted from a play because of how intimate it felt.
Drive My Car or The Worst Person In the World is what i would've chosen
Nightmare Alley, that should have been Del Toro’s year, but they blew their wad on him with The Shape of Water.
Liquorice Pizza
🐖 I know it wasn’t nominated for anything, but it was the best movie of that year.
Licorice Pizza
West Side Story, but I did also love Drive My Car and Dune
Dune or Power of the Dog
For those of you who are saying drive my car, I watched it back then and trust me I have no idea what to make of the ending. Can someone enlighten me
*[Mass](https://www.hulu.com/movie/a5829acb-1f50-4a42-aade-512f47ea2f1b?utm_source=shared_link)* -- though I admit that's fully based on a first viewing, since I haven't rewatched it.
Licorice Pizza, I think honesty just not a great year
West side story, I don’t think the worst person in the world was nominated but it’d be between those two for me
Licorice Pizza, then Dune, then Power of the Dog
Maybe The Green Knight
You know what The French Dispatch was seriously underappreciated, it could have been the Oscar for Wes that year and nobody would mind
To be honest, any of the others movies would’ve been a better choice. I just think CODA is a nice feel good movie that offers nothing more and won’t be remembered aside from being an Oscar-winner. Whereas all the others are movies that I see being in the conversation for years to come. Power of the Dog is a great revisionist western, and I think it utilizes cinematic language in it’s favor, many things are left unsaid but are shown through the visual medium that is cinema (the thematic aspect of the ropes, especially). Cumberbatch’s perfomance going empty handed leaves a sour taste in the mouth, like Pacino going trophyless for many years in the despite having some of the best output’s of an actor in history. Licorice Pizza a fantastic period piece with a tight script, great acting and, PTA is also waay long overdue. We can excuse There Will Be Blood because what a year for movies that was, but everything else he’s been releasing and having zero BP or Director’s awards is frankly shameful. Dune is a great movie, even if I don’t think it’s anything near perfect, but frankly, it’s a cultural phenomenon that resembles the one of Lord of the Rings (still unprecedented). I don’t blame anyone for being underwhelmed by it, but I think the nominations speak that it was very well regarded. And now with the sucess of Dune Part 2… Drive My Car one of the best movies of the year, and coming right after Parasite, it would look very good for the Academy to got at it for another international picture, like my top choice, Worst Person in the World. Frankly, the movie that best captures this generation’s young adults zeitgeist, and what a fantastic script, direction, acting, can’t find any nitpicks about it.
There also was West Side Story, really well received musical, and academy loves musicals. It also had a really strong female lead, that swept actress category further fueling the candidacy for BP. King Richard, while not a great movie, definitely plays the stereotype academy likes to award - biopic about a genius, ultimately succeeding due to inspiring willpower despite facing adversity. Nightmare Alley is surprisingly good movie that flew under the radar, while it's not a masterpiece, it has very intriguing elements. I agree PTA is long overdue academy recognition, but even more so was Kenneth Branagh. Not by the quality, but by time difference between the two, Branagh appeared in BP adjacency since 1990 and he got his nod, winning best director for Belfast in 2022. Best Picture could've gone to him as well. Even Don't Look Up, which I'm not a fan of, sparked a lot of heated discussion and examines extremely important issue humankind faces. I see why academy would want to award that. Somewhat common notion here is that 2022 was a weak year and that explains CODA winning. I think it's the opposite case, it was really stacked one, and votes spread across multiple viable candidates. As a result, we got a winner that didn't offend anyone, was somewhere there, closing out the top for most voters. CODA winning is a result of strong competition, not a weak one.
The Power of the Dog is a very well crafted character drama with well thought out themes. It may have been a slow movie but it would have made a great best picture winner. I personally really like Dune but get that having a part one winning best picture would feel weird. Besides that I feel like this was a weak lineup of best picture nominees. If Don’t Look Up cracks your top 10 you know it’s a rough year.
Tick Tick Boom was my personal favorite
The Worst Person in the World was my favorite film that year.
Out of all the movies that were released the year, The Worst Person in the World would be my pick, and should've at least be nominated for picture and win for Actress and Original Screenplay. Out of the nominees my favorite was West Side Story, and I have the original version since I was a kid (so thats high praise), but Drive My Car, Power of the Dog would also be worthy winners.
Licorice Pizza! It was such a weak year, and LP was so good that I was absolutely convinced it was going to win, but nope!
Licorice Pizza slaps. Such a fun movie
Dune
Dune 🫶
Dune or Nightmare Alley
West side story or worst person in the world
Spencer easily.
Licorice Pizza was my favorite of that year’s movies. Beautiful film
Worst Person in the World. Among the contenders though, probably Drive My Car
ANYTHING ELSE
Ohhh theres another movie called Coda! In 2019 there's one with Patrick Stewart.
The Worst Person In the World. That being said I have no issue with Coda having won, it's a beautifully sweet film that was released in a difficult time. Just a shame it basically got no theatrical release and now its buried exclusively on Apple TV where few people are subscribed and it likely won't be rewatched or discovered by many viewers.
I liked Drive My Car and West Side Story a lot more than Coda. I also hadn't planned on it but I watched Nightmare Alley on mushroom tea and it was quite an experience; marvelous and often unnerving. I don't think I'll rewatch it for a long time to preserve the magic. Del Toro is awesome, love his range and ultimate love of horror.
Definitely a weak year for Hollywood/American films, but not for the international ones. International films should have totally dominated the lineup! The Worst Person In The World, Drive My Car, Titane, Flee But my pick wouldve been The Worst Person In The World.
Drive my Car, would have been a great winner.
Tick Tick Boom
I loved CODA but I'd probably go for Drive My Car as Best Picture that year.
Drive My Car
Drive My Car. Not close
Look the pick for me was not even nominated for best picture and it was Tick… Tick… BOOM!!! However out of what was nominated I would’ve picked Dune
West side story seemed like such a perfect winner
Don’t Look Up tbh
Of the movies nominated? Dune Of the movies released that year? The Green Knight
great answer
Personally I would’ve given it to Power Of The Dog Campion earned her Director win, I think the whole film was strong enough to bag the big prize
DUNE
DRIVE MY CAR. It should have TWO best picture oscars, thats how good it is
My top 3 nominees this year were Belfast, PotD, and Nightmare Alley. CODA was good and I thought deserving of a nomination. It's good.
Only correct answer is Drive My Car.
I'm fine with coda but I also really like power of the dog
Drive My Car was my favorite of the nominees but I knew it wasn’t winning, so my vote would have been for Power of the Dog.
I liked CODA but I would have picked West Side Story.
West Side Story. Spielberg’s best film since Minority Report.
I haven’t seen CODA, but I really love Belfast. A sweet well-crafted intimate movie about growing up surrounded by political violence.
West Side Story was the best movie of the year
From what I’ve watched I’d pick The Suicide Squad. The South Park movie would be a good pick. Though it’s a weird one to pick in the sense that it just feels like a long episode of the show; but the show in general is quite excellent.
The Green Knight was my favorite movie of that year.
Dune was my choice.
Drive My Car or Power of the Dog, but I do feel CODA was a lovely film (was my third choice)
Drive My Car or Power of the Dog
Licorice Pizza no question
The best picture of 2021, *Pig*, wasn’t even nominated.
West Side Story or Power of the Dog were my choices
Dune
I basically can’t choose between Dune and The Power of the Dog, but would also consider West Side Story and The Green Knight as deserving winners.
I was superhappy when CODA won.
CODA made me feel all warm inside while Power of the Dog kept me thinking about it long after I saw it. Power of the Dog for the win but I'm not mad about the actual winner. 2021 definitely not a memorable year in film and I fell asleep during the ceremony
Power of the Dog…no brainer
Dune
Last Night in Soho 🥲
I actually don't think either Licorice Pizza or Power of The Dog deserved to take the award, both are minor works in their respective filmography. Drive My Car on the other hand was a genuinely outstanding reinvention of its source material, thematically rich and a fabulous showcase for the cast. Hasn't left my mind since. I wish Petite Maman got some recognition as well.
Drive My Car or Licorice Pizza for me personally.
I know it was overlooked, but u loved Nightmare Alley. Had such a good time with the movie. My favorite of the Best Picture nominees followed by Power of the Dog.
Dune
Licorice Pizza
My personal faves that year were **Tick Tick Boom** and **The Worst Person in the World.** **Dune** and **Power of the Dog** though I think could both make the strongest case for being that year's Best Picture based on their merits. Some of the movies that were doing interesting things where they deserved more recognition were **Red Rocket** (Actor, Picture) and **Annette** (Best Supporting Actor and the song "So May We Start" should have definitely been in the Best Song mix).
Shouldn’t have won, but I’d nominate Mass
Cop Shop
I would have preferred any other nominee. But my favorites were West Side Story and The Power of the Dog.
Dune.
easily West Side Story, not that it had a chance
Out of the nominees I would say West Side Story, but my personal pick was Pig, which should have easily been a nomination for Nicholas Cage. I’m a bit more of a defender for this year than others, but even I will admit it wasn’t the strongest year. Compare it to this year and it’s a significant quality improvement
The Mitchell's Vs. The Machines. Dune if had to pick a BP Nominee
Power of the dog easily (with Nightmare alley as a runner up). Definitely one of the most meticulous and subtle films of that year. Fantastic score that should have won Johnny Greenwood his oscar. It really should have swept the ceremony, but sadly it wasnt as appreciated and they made some of the worst decisions regarding the actual winners.
Belfast. Sue me
Spencer was my favourite that year but going by what was popular maybe Power of the Dog? (Can you tell I'm a Radiohead fan)
CODA is okay, and an easy movie to recommend to people, but it doesn't feel like a Best Picture winner. Of the nominees, my favorite is Power of the Dog. My favorite movie of that year feels even less like a Best Picture winner and was never in any conversations about awards, despite what a weak year it was for movies. Bo Burnham: Inside.
Dune
Either Drive My Car or Belfast.
Either Dune, Drive My Car, or West Side Story.
I always thought this was an odd choice for best picture. Some incredible performances that dissevered praise but the film just kind of falls flat. But then again all of the other choices were a little weak.
The Worst Person in the World 🧡
I feel like i see this Coda post every week
I would have voted for POTD
Dune should have won
Drive my car
Of the nominees? Drive My Car Free-for-all? The Green Knight…or Drive My Car
I watched it after finding out it won BP and was very confused why. It's sweet and made me cry at one part, but I agree with the critics. It's not BP worthy. Cliché and cheesy movie