# 94th Academy Awards Nominees are out. Let's discuss

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/94th-academy-awards-nominees-are-out-lets-discuss/959575>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Tags:** movies\
**Created:** [February 16, 2022, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/94th-academy-awards-nominees-are-out-lets-discuss/959575 "2022-02-16T03:28:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
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**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2022, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/94th-academy-awards-nominees-are-out-lets-discuss/959575/1 "2022-02-16T03:28:03Z")

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The Oscar nominations were announced last week (full list is [**here**](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2022)). I don’t see a thread on these yet, so I figured I’d start one.

Below are the most popular categories. How many have you seen? Which nominees do you think will win? Which ones should win? What nominees are missing? Which nominees simply don’t belong?

**BEST PICTURE**  
_Belfast_  
_CODA_  
_Don’t Look Up_  
_Drive My Car_  
_Dune_  
_King Richard_  
_Licorice Pizza_  
_Nightmare Alley_  
_The Power of the Dog_  
_West Side Story_

**BEST DIRECTOR**  
_Paul Thomas Anderson (Licorice Pizza)_  
_Kenneth Branagh (Belfast)_  
_Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog)_  
_Ryûsuke Hamaguchi (Drive My Car)_  
_Steven Spielberg (West Side Story)_

**BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE**  
_Drive My Car (Japan)_  
_Flee (Denmark)_  
_The Hand of God (Italy)_  
_Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (Bhutan)_  
_The Worst Person in the World (Norway)_

**BEST ANIMATED FEATURE**  
_Encanto_  
_Flee_  
_Luca_  
_The Mitchells vs. the Machines_  
_Raya and the Last Dragon_

**BEST ACTRESS**  
_Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye)_  
_Olivia Colman (The Lost Daughter)_  
_Penélope Cruz (Parallel Mothers)_  
_Nicole Kidman (Being the Ricardos)_  
_Kristen Stewart (Spencer)_

**BEST ACTOR**  
_Javier Bardem (Being the Ricardos)_  
_Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog)_  
_Andrew Garfield (Tick, Tick … Boom!)_  
_Will Smith (King Richard)_  
_Denzel Washington (The Tragedy of Macbeth)_

**BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS**  
_Jessie Buckley (The Lost Daughter)_  
_Ariana DeBose (West Side Story)_  
_Judi Dench (Belfast)_  
_Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog)_  
_Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard)_

**BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR**  
_Ciarán Hinds (Belfast)_  
_Troy Kotsur (CODA)_  
_Jesse Plemons (The Power of the Dog)_  
_J.K. Simmons (Being the Ricardos)_  
_Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog)_

For once, I’ve seen all the **Best Picture** nominees before they were announced. I don’t see any real clunkers on the list, though I would probably replace _King Richard_ with _C’mon, C’mon_ if I could. Will win: _The Power of the Dog_. Should win: _Licorice Pizza_.

I’ve also seen all but one (_The Hand of God_) of the **International Feature** nominees. My favorite is _Lunana_, but _Drive My Car_ is a mortal lock in this category. It’s a crime that both _A Hero_ and _Parallel Mothers_ were left out. (_Parallel Mothers_ was not even nominated by Spain). Will Win: _Drive My Car_. Should Win: I’d Love to see the little film that could from Bhutan, _Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom_, win

I’ve only seen three of the five **Animated Feature** nominees, so I don’t have a strong opinion. I figure _Encanto_ will probably win. Should Win: _Flee_ is a real grown-up (and powerful) use of animation. It almost doesn’t belong with the others.

I need to ponder more on the **Acting** categories and come back with another post. Besides, I haven’t seen Andrew Garfield in _Tick, Tick…Boom!_ yet, so maybe I’ll remedy that before weighing in. (I’ve sen all the other performances).

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**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2022, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/94th-academy-awards-nominees-are-out-lets-discuss/959575/2 "2022-02-16T12:16:46Z")

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For several years I’ve made it my mission to see all best picture nominees before the Oscars. This ended with COVID, and I’ll certainly not see them all this year. I have seen the five that are available at this time for home viewing: CODA, Don’t Look Up, King Richard, Nightmare Alley, and The Power of the Dog.

Of these, CODA is my favorite, closely followed by “Dog”. My prediction is that The Power of the Dog will win.

I need to mention that I watched Don’t Look Up last night, and found it to be extremely unpleasant. A piece of crap, in fact. It is a disjointed, cringe-fest in need of severe re-editing and re-writing. The all star cast strains to be funny, and the strain shows. The worst movie I’ve seen in a long time, I only finished it out of a sense of obligation.

mmm

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**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2022, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/94th-academy-awards-nominees-are-out-lets-discuss/959575/3 "2022-02-16T13:20:56Z")

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Power of the Dog is a good movie, but not great. I actually think this is a fairly common opinion that isn’t being voiced too loudly. I mean…is Benedict even the best actor in it?

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**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2022, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/94th-academy-awards-nominees-are-out-lets-discuss/959575/4 "2022-02-16T14:13:31Z")

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> [@Mahaloth](#):
>
> Power of the Dog is a good movie

I’m trying to place it in that category, but so far it hasn’t made the grade. Tried twice, but it just looks like a low budget oater.

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**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2022, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/94th-academy-awards-nominees-are-out-lets-discuss/959575/5 "2022-02-16T15:34:47Z")

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> [@Crane](#):
>
> I’m trying to place it in that category, but so far it hasn’t made the grade. Tried twice, but it just looks like a low budget oater.

I don’t know my rating, but probably 6 out of 10 or possibly 6.5.

The “kid” in the movie was better and more interesting than Benedict Cumberbatch’s character.

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**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2022, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/94th-academy-awards-nominees-are-out-lets-discuss/959575/6 "2022-02-16T15:58:22Z")

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> [@Mahaloth](#):
>
> I don’t know my rating, but probably 6 out of 10 or possibly 6.5.
> 
> The “kid” in the movie was better and more interesting than Benedict Cumberbatch’s character .

My view too. It wasn’t a “bad” movie, but nothing to write home about. I liked, but didn’t love, _Don’t Look Up_ as well. Those are the only two on the list I’ve seen, so I hope there are better ones to win some awards.

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**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\
**Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/94th-academy-awards-nominees-are-out-lets-discuss/959575/7 "2022-02-17T00:12:21Z")

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> [@peccavi](#):
>
> **BEST PICTURE**  
> _Belfast_  
> _CODA_  
> _Don’t Look Up_  
> _Drive My Car_  
> _Dune_  
> _King Richard_  
> _Licorice Pizza_  
> _Nightmare Alley_  
> _The Power of the Dog_  
> _West Side Story_

I’ve seen all except CODA and Drive My Car. I’ll see CODA probably this weekend and Drive My Car will be on HBOMax on March 2. I thought the two best films of the year were West Side Story and Licorice Pizza so I’d love if one of those won! Power of the Dog was… eh. Fine, but nothing special.

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**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\
**Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/94th-academy-awards-nominees-are-out-lets-discuss/959575/8 "2022-02-17T00:27:08Z")

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I’ve seen Belfast, Don’t Look Up and Licorice Pizza this season DLU is by far the worst of the three. I’m sort of baffled that it got a nomination.

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**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\
**Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/94th-academy-awards-nominees-are-out-lets-discuss/959575/9 "2022-02-17T14:27:08Z")

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Just watched Power of the Dog yesterday. My wife walked out \<halfway thru, as she was falling asleep. Pretty scenery, but good lord, was it slow! The boy - Peter - was the most interesting character. And I found the tinkly music repetitive and irritating.

Just about the only thing I found at all interesting was the glimpse into Montana (NZ?) life in the 1920s - a time/location I’ve never thought of before.

Only other nom I’ve seen is Don’t Look Up. Not sure how much effort we’ll make to try to watch how many of the others - something we used to enjoy.

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**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\
**Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/94th-academy-awards-nominees-are-out-lets-discuss/959575/10 "2022-02-17T14:38:49Z")

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“Dos Orguitas” is a wonderful song that comes at a particularly emotional point in _Encanto,_ and would be a worthy Oscar winner, but Disney really screwed the pooch in not putting “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” up for consideration. For the live concert, if for no other reason!

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**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\
**Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/94th-academy-awards-nominees-are-out-lets-discuss/959575/11 "2022-02-17T22:39:36Z")

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I’d like to see _The Power of the Dog_, _Drive My Car_, and _West Side Story_. I haven’t seen any of the best picture nominees yet.

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**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2022, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/94th-academy-awards-nominees-are-out-lets-discuss/959575/12 "2022-02-18T06:12:53Z")

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I’ve seen _Belfast, Dune_, and _Don’t Look Up_, I’d consider _Belfast_ head and shoulders above the other two. I am also somewhat baffed that DLU was nominated.

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**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\
**Post date:** [March 6, 2022, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/94th-academy-awards-nominees-are-out-lets-discuss/959575/13 "2022-03-06T18:35:07Z")

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> [@peccavi](#):
>
> **BEST ACTRESS**  
> _Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye)_  
> _Olivia Colman (The Lost Daughter)_  
> _Penélope Cruz (Parallel Mothers)_  
> _Nicole Kidman (Being the Ricardos)_  
> _Kristen Stewart (Spencer)_
> 
> **BEST ACTOR**  
> _Javier Bardem (Being the Ricardos)_  
> _Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog)_  
> _Andrew Garfield (Tick, Tick … Boom!)_  
> _Will Smith (King Richard)_  
> _Denzel Washington (The Tragedy of Macbeth)_
> 
> **BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS**  
> _Jessie Buckley (The Lost Daughter)_  
> _Ariana DeBose (West Side Story)_  
> _Judi Dench (Belfast)_  
> _Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog)_  
> _Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard)_
> 
> **BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR**  
> _Ciarán Hinds (Belfast)_  
> _Troy Kotsur (CODA)_  
> _Jesse Plemons (The Power of the Dog)_  
> _J.K. Simmons (Being the Ricardos)_  
> _Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog)_

Just remembered I promised to come back and weigh in on the acting categories. What with the SAG Awards results (a complete shut out of _Power of the Dog_, which surprised me), my takes are:

Despite the ongoing myth that _Kristen Stewart_ can’t act, there are  
no clunkers in the **Best Actress** category. I would have probably substituted _Alana Haim_ for _Nicole Kidman_, but that’s because I consider the degree of difficulty for an accomplished actor imitating a well known figure to be lower than other roles. Will Win: _Jessica Chastain_, Should Win: _Olivia Colman_, who gives another deeply lived performance (is she the new _Meryl Streep_?).

In the **Best Actor** category, it looks like all the momentum is with _Will Smith_. _Denzel_ proved up to the task of **Macbeth** and I thought _Javier Bardem_ is being underrated for his embodiment of Desi Arnaz, the canny producer. Will Win: _Will Smith_, Should Win: _Denzel Washington_.

I think they got the nominations right in the **Best Supporting Actress** category. All of the performances were worthy, though _Judi Dench_ could give her performance in her sleep. Will Win: _Ariana DeBose_, Should Win: _Kirsten Dunst_.

**Best Supporting Actor** is the usual collection of, “It wasn’t that big a part, but hey, I really like that actor” performances mixed with performances that could almost be called co-lead performances. Will Win: _Kodi Smit-McPhee_, Should Win: _Jesse Plemons_

Next post: The **Oscar Shorts** were released a couple of weeks ago, so are up for discussion.

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**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\
**Post date:** [March 6, 2022, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/94th-academy-awards-nominees-are-out-lets-discuss/959575/14 "2022-03-06T18:47:56Z")

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> [@peccavi](#):
>
> Despite the ongoing myth that _Kristen Stewart_ can’t act, there are  
> no clunkers in the **Best Actress** category.

I want so much to believe an SDMB post back when says, _Kristen Stewart ever being up for an Oscar is like Robert Pattinson being #1 at the box office as Bruce Wayne…_

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**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\
**Post date:** [March 6, 2022, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/94th-academy-awards-nominees-are-out-lets-discuss/959575/15 "2022-03-06T22:10:55Z")

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> [@peccavi](#):
>
> and I thought _Javier Bardem_ is being underrated for his embodiment of Desi Arnaz

From my POV, the problem was that he doesn’t look anything like Desi Arnaz, and I find it hard to get past that. Whereas Nicole Kidman, who I personally dislike because she’s an airhead, is a pretty good actress who managed to get the look, voice, and personality of Lucille Ball down pat. She deserves credit for that.

I was disappointed that _Macbeth_ wasn’t nominated for Best Picture. IMO it was a creative masterpiece. And again I side with the female lead: although Denzel Washington was great, so was Frances McDormand (who I didn’t realize was Joel Coen’s wife). McDormand was one of the favourites for at least a nomination, but didn’t make the list.

* * *

In other news, I just watched _Licorice Pizza_. I now understand the diversity of opinion on it. _Rotten Tomatoes_ gives it a super-high critics’ rating, and a relatively mediocre audience rating. Comments from the general audience tend to be either extremely negative or extremely positive.

Me? I’m still processing it, and think I’ll have to see it again. The plot really is somewhat incoherent, more like a bunch of different stories strung together. And yet there’s something underlying it all that is very skillfully done, not the least of which is the terrific performances of the two young and inexperienced leads. Alana Haim is a musician and this was her first feature film; Cooper Hoffman is Philip Seymour Hoffman’s son and this is his first film. It’s sometimes been billed as a “coming of age romantic comedy”, but anyone expecting anything even remotely resembling a conventional rom-com is going to be very surprised and either disappointed or delighted.

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**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\
**Post date:** [March 6, 2022, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/94th-academy-awards-nominees-are-out-lets-discuss/959575/16 "2022-03-06T23:49:37Z")

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> [@wolfpup](#):
>
> In other news, I just watched _Licorice Pizza_ . I now understand the diversity of opinion on it. _Rotten Tomatoes_ gives it a super-high critics’ rating, and a relatively mediocre audience rating. Comments from the general audience tend to be either extremely negative or extremely positive.

The core story is a love story (of sorts, I think the film is realistic as to the long term prospects for the couple) told through a series of stories specific to the Valley in the 70’s.

I really liked the way the usual tropes of teenage coming of age movies were subverted. From the very first scene you are constantly anticipating a familiar plot to emerge:

It’s going to be about a shy, overweight loser who manages to overcome his own feelings of inferiority and win his love…But no! It’s about a teenage loser who is trying to bat way out of his class…But no! It’s about a child actor aging out and how he copes with aging out of cuteness, trying to cling to his career and running afoul of the law over drugs…But no! It’s about a child actor who is a survivor and a hustler, who overreaches in his hustling and then at his lowest point, finds love…But no! It’s about the two of them, with complementary personalities and definite attraction, but they don’t recognize how good they are together, and the various twists and turns they go through to find one another (but does anyone believe they are still together 10 years later?)

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**Author:** ![Noelq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noelq/32/16438_2.png) [@Noelq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noelq)\
**Post date:** [March 7, 2022, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/94th-academy-awards-nominees-are-out-lets-discuss/959575/17 "2022-03-07T21:14:11Z")

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I’m not trying to thread-crap. Out of all of these, I’ve seen Encanto.

To me, every year, the difference between what gets nominated and what actually people watch and spend money on gets larger and larger. My friends and I used to love watching the Oscars to see what was going on, or the Tonys, or other shows like that. But when you haven’t seen any of the movies because they just look so dreadful, it makes you not want to watch the awards shows.

I loathe being told I need to see a movie For The ART Of It or For Its Social Message.

… I guess I’m threadcrapping if I go further. I’ll stop now.

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**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\
**Post date:** [March 7, 2022, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/94th-academy-awards-nominees-are-out-lets-discuss/959575/18 "2022-03-07T21:42:52Z")

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> [@Noelq](#):
>
> I’m not trying to thread-crap. Out of all of these, I’ve seen Encanto.

You probably have Disney+, then. The new _West Side Story_ just came out on it. A worthy selection for a Best Picture nomination. Actually, I liked it even better than the original, and I _love_ the original.

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**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\
**Post date:** [March 7, 2022, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/94th-academy-awards-nominees-are-out-lets-discuss/959575/19 "2022-03-07T21:43:45Z")

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> [@Noelq](#):
>
> I loathe being told I need to see a movie For The ART Of It or For Its Social Message.

I think you have something of a point, but the Oscars are specifically an award “[to honor outstanding artistic and scientific achievements in theatrically released feature-length motion pictures](https://www.oscars.org/sites/oscars/files/94aa_rules.pdf)”, not a popularity contest. That’s more the domain of the People’s Choice Awards.

So I don’t think anyone is “telling you” to see a movie for the art of it, but an Oscar or nomination does indicate it is artistically interesting regardless of its relevance to any particular audience.

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**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\
**Post date:** [March 7, 2022, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/94th-academy-awards-nominees-are-out-lets-discuss/959575/20 "2022-03-07T22:54:13Z")

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So far I’ve seen all but two of the Best Picture nominees (Belfast, CODA, Don’t Look Up, Drive My Car, Dune, King Richard, Licorice Pizza, Nightmare Alley, The Power of the Dog and West Side Story). I still have yet to see Drive My Car or King Richard. My vote might go for The Power of the Dog or West Side Story or Belfast.

[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/94th-academy-awards-nominees-are-out-lets-discuss/959575.md?page=2)