Oscar nominations have always made for great conversation and friendship-ending debates. Some cling to masters of cinema including Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino, since they are a safe bet to prove you know “good cinema.” Others choose the underdogs who might surprise viewers such as “Moonlight,” the unimaginable but miraculous win for Best Picture in 2017.
This year, Scorsese’s gangster epic: “The Irishman,” Noah Baumbach’s touching “Marriage Story,” Tarantino’s homage to Los Angeles: “Once Upon A Time in Hollywood,” Sam Mendes’ “1917,” Todd Phillips’ “Joker,” Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women” and Bong Joon Ho’s “Parasite,” along with others are competing for Best Picture.
“Joker” made headlines earlier this year. Initially with a wave of controversy, then by becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time and now by nabbing 11 Oscar nominations. Bong Joon Ho’s “Parasite” became the first Korean film to be nominated for Best Picture and won the Cannes film festival’s top prize, the Palme d’Or.
What do UF students make of all this hype — hate or indifference?
Sebastian Georgiev, a 20-year-old UF film and media studies junior and president of the University Film Society, says the Oscars are struggling to find an identity.
“I was pretty upset by the lack of A24 presence in the Oscars,” he said.
A24 is a New York City production company responsible for distributing 2019 movies such as “The Lighthouse,” “The Farewell,” “Uncut Gems,” “Midsommar,” and “The Last Black Man in San Francisco.”
Georgiev said he loves watching the Oscars because it validates the amount of time he spends watching films each year, and it acts as a period of reflection, looking over the previous years’ movies.
“It is basically my alternate Super Bowl,” he said.
Georgiev would like “Parasite” to win Best Picture, but says it will most likely go to “1917” based on what he knows the Academy leans towards. He would like to see the stars of “Marriage Story,” Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson, win best actor and best actress, respectively.
Katelyn Wahl, a 20-year-old UF biomedical engineering sophomore, was surprised at how many snubs there were. She said Lupita Nyong'o, Awkwafina, “The Last Black Man in San Francisco,” and “The Farewell,” all deserved nominations.
Wahl said more women need to be recognized by the Academy, especially in the category of Directing. She pointed to examples including Olivia Wilde’s “Booksmart,” Lulu Wang’s “The Farewell,” and Greta Gerwig's “Little Women.”
“There are so many women that could have gotten recognized and didn't,” she said.
Vote which films, directors and actors you think should be recognized at the 92nd Academy Awards here.
Contact Christopher S. Cann at ccann@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @chrstophercann.
Greta Gerwig's "Little Women" is one of the films competing for Best Picture at the upcoming 92nd Academy Awards. Soairse Ronan, who plays Jo March, is also nominated for Actress in a Leading Role.
