# Oscars: 2016 Best Picture nominees - ongoing tracking thread of which of the films you have seen **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 25, 2017, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-2016-best-picture-nominees-ongoing-tracking-thread-of-which-of-the-films-you-have-seen/778138 "2017-01-25T13:18:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2017, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-2016-best-picture-nominees-ongoing-tracking-thread-of-which-of-the-films-you-have-seen/778138/41 "2017-02-01T14:09:24Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > There have been plenty of non-musical Best Picture winners where people are saying “Geez, really” (if they are saying anything at all). I agree. It was just a few months ago I said I couldn’t believe a movie as bad as “Return of the King” could win Best Picture. I just think it’s generally likelier to be true of a musical. I can’t think of _any_ musical that’s won Best Picture that I think was a good choice. Looking at it just logically, it is inevitable that a slate of Best Picture winners will not represent the best pictures, for the simple fact that they name exactly one Best Picture every year. (It is actually possible more than one could be named if there’s a tie, but that’s never happened and it’s unlikely - I know there have been a few ties, but given the number of votes in a major category it really is a remarkable fluke if it happens.) There’s two clear problems with this; 1. The statistical likelihood that the best movies of all time will be arranged in such a fashion that one, and just one, is released every one calendar year is basically one in a bazillion. It is hardly a stretch to think that there may be two or three movies in one year that are better than any movie in another. 2. The greatness of a movie is to a large extent defined by its lasting impact on culture and cinema. I think it’s fair to say that you cannot necessarily known for sure what the best, most important movie of the year was by the following January. In retrospect, it’s now obvious that films like “Fargo,” “Pulp Fiction” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark” were more important, impactful films than the movies that won Best Picture in those years, but that’s with the benefit of two decades of hindsight. ---
**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 1, 2017, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-2016-best-picture-nominees-ongoing-tracking-thread-of-which-of-the-films-you-have-seen/778138/42 "2017-02-01T18:47:37Z")
**Hell or High Water** - I’m doling out 4-star reviews like Butterfingers on Halloween, but this one deserves every star. This has the look and the feel of a Coen brothers film. Jeff Bridges creates an unforgettable character out of thin air and earned his Supporting Actor nod. Another understated and perfect ending. Seen: La La Land \*\*\* Manchester by the Sea \*\*\*\* Lion \*\*\*\* Moonlight \*\*\*\* Hell or High Water \*\*\*\* Not seen: Arrival Fences Hacksaw Ridge Hidden Figures mmm ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_John_Marcej)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2017, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-2016-best-picture-nominees-ongoing-tracking-thread-of-which-of-the-films-you-have-seen/778138/43 "2017-02-01T21:15:27Z")
Just came back from seeing Moonlight. Seen: Arrival: \*\*\* Hell or High Water \*\*\* Hidden Figures \*\*\* La La Land \*\* 1/2 Manchester by the Sea \*\*\*\* Moonlight \*\*\*\* Fences Hacksaw Ridge Lion I also saw _ **The Founder** _ the other day. I know it’s not a nominated film (not sure if it’s a 2016 release or a 2017 release) but if it was released in 2016 I think Keaton could have earned a Best Actor nom. ---
**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 4, 2017, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-2016-best-picture-nominees-ongoing-tracking-thread-of-which-of-the-films-you-have-seen/778138/44 "2017-02-04T19:41:41Z")
\*\*Hidden Figures \*\*(2 stars) And here we have my first clunker. An interesting story that could have been done so much better. Between the sub-par acting (Taraji Henson), the cliche-ridden dialog, and the one-dimensional characters (Parsons and Dunst’s, primarily, along with an assortment of less-prominent characters), this was a huge disappointment. Worth a watch on streaming or DVD, but certainly not Best Picture nomination worthy. Seen: La La Land \*\*\* Manchester by the Sea \*\*\*\* Lion \*\*\*\* Moonlight \*\*\*\* Hell or High Water \*\*\*\* Hidden Figures \*\* Not seen: Arrival Fences Hacksaw Ridge mmm ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-2016-best-picture-nominees-ongoing-tracking-thread-of-which-of-the-films-you-have-seen/778138/45 "2017-02-05T15:05:05Z")
In the order I would rank them: Moonlight Arrival Fences Hell or High Water La La Land Hidden Figures Plan to see: Lion Manchester by the Sea Will be skipping: Hacksaw Ridge ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-2016-best-picture-nominees-ongoing-tracking-thread-of-which-of-the-films-you-have-seen/778138/46 "2017-02-07T06:49:22Z")
Does anyone know if the Animated and Live Action shorts will be screened in theaters this year? They have in the past but I haven’t heard a word about them this year. Maybe they’ll show up somewhere this weekend. I know the the Documentary shorts will be playing at the Music Box here in Chicago this and next weekend. Three will be shown on Saturday morning and two on Sunday morning, both weekends. It sucks that they’re being split up but better that way than not at all. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Doc shorts prior to the Oscars before. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-2016-best-picture-nominees-ongoing-tracking-thread-of-which-of-the-films-you-have-seen/778138/47 "2017-02-07T13:03:21Z")
Never mind, I found this: > **[2023 Oscar® Nominated Short Films - ShortsTV](http://shorts.tv/theoscarshorts/)** > > ShortsTV presents the 2023 Oscar® Nominated Short Films. Discover this year's Oscar® Nominated Shorts, watch trailers and find out more about release dates. ---
**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 7, 2017, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-2016-best-picture-nominees-ongoing-tracking-thread-of-which-of-the-films-you-have-seen/778138/48 "2017-02-07T15:20:00Z")
I like movies. My wife and I enjoy going to the movies. Somehow, though, I don’t think we’ve seen a movie in the past 12 months, at a theater. I’m going to make a point of seeing some of these, peope seem to think it’s a good crop this year. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2017, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-2016-best-picture-nominees-ongoing-tracking-thread-of-which-of-the-films-you-have-seen/778138/49 "2017-02-09T21:45:24Z")
I saw Hidden Figures last night. I give it \*\*1/2 stars. Was a bit too “Hollywood” for me, but great acting performances. The only other Oscar nominated Best Picture films I have seen this year were Arrival and Manchester by the Sea. I’d give Arrival \*\*\*1/2 and MBTS \*\*\*\*. I thought Arrival was just a fantastic thoughtful sci-fi film with a great twist. I thought Manchester by the Sea was an utterly powerful examination of grief and how far it can affect people. I hope to see Moonlight and LaLa Land in the upcoming weeks so I can actually make a proper list. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2017, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-2016-best-picture-nominees-ongoing-tracking-thread-of-which-of-the-films-you-have-seen/778138/50 "2017-02-09T22:04:36Z")
**Arrival - 3.5 stars**. I thought is was a smarter-than-average sci-fi movie, but dumber-than-average Oscar nominee. **Fences - 3.5 stars**. Washington and Davis were fantastic; among the best performances I saw this year. But on the whole I felt the screenplay worked better as a play than as a film. The dialogue was dynamic but the staging was too static. \*\* Hacksaw Ridge\*\* - not yet seen \*\*Hell or High Water \*\*- not yet seen **Hidden Figures - 5 stars**. Yes, a little too Hollywood-formula, but it was done well and movingly. All three lead actresses were excellent and it’s one of Kevin Costner’s best performances in ages. Plus it is a story that needs to be told. Don’t just go see it; take your kids, especially your daughters. **La La Land - 4.5 stars**. As a film major in college, I _loved_ all the callbacks to classic American musicals. The singing, dancing and choreography ranged from good to stellar. I left the movie smiling and humming, despite the somewhat melancholy ending. I also have a major ongoing crush on Emma Stone. IMO this is a shoe-in to win the award, because it’s a delightful movie about Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Art. The voters will eat it up. My complaints are minor, in that the movie is a little _too_ frivolous and self-centered. \*\*Lion \*\*- haven’t seen yet **Manchester by the Sea - 5 stars**. A shattering, completely devastating performance by Casey Affleck. Also stellar turns by Michelle Williams and Lucas Hedges. This film captures working class New England beautifully, and is heart-achingly brilliant. I think it is too dark to win, but it’s my favorite and would get my vote in a nudge over _Hidden Figures_. \*\*Moonlight \*\*- Haven’t seen yet. Now I’ll go back and read everyone else’s opinions… ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2017, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-2016-best-picture-nominees-ongoing-tracking-thread-of-which-of-the-films-you-have-seen/778138/51 "2017-02-09T22:15:56Z")
I just realized my review of Arrival was pretty spoiler-y. I’ve reported it to have a mod fix that. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2017, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-2016-best-picture-nominees-ongoing-tracking-thread-of-which-of-the-films-you-have-seen/778138/52 "2017-02-09T22:42:02Z")
Seen: La La Land \*\*\*\* Arrival\*\*\* Hidden Figures\*\* Lion \*\*\* Hell or High Water \*\*\* Lion was enjoyable, moving, well-done…but dragged terribly in the middle. We know he’s going to go back to India – get on with it. Hidden Figures … I dunno. I _liked_ it, but it seemed a tad shallow. I was surprised at the end to see that the 3 leads were all real people; I figured they had to be composites. Arrival – surprised by the plot turn at the end. And that’s a good thing. And yay! a film about linguistics, and how language shapes our perception! How often does that happen? We’re going to try to fill in the rest but it’ll be a slog. I can’t say I’m looking forward to Fences at all. If I want to see a stage play I’ll see it on stage. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2017, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-2016-best-picture-nominees-ongoing-tracking-thread-of-which-of-the-films-you-have-seen/778138/53 "2017-02-10T03:12:45Z")
Just saw Hell or High Water on Amazon streaming. It was quite enjoyable, but I’m not exactly sure what propelled it to the Oscar list. Maybe they just felt they needed a western? It kept reminding me of _No Country for Old Men_, but not quite as idiosyncratic, although still Coen-esque. I do like Jeff Bridges, though. I’d give it \*\*\*1/2. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2017, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-2016-best-picture-nominees-ongoing-tracking-thread-of-which-of-the-films-you-have-seen/778138/54 "2017-02-10T03:14:08Z")
I fixed your post and took out what you asked, **Skammer** (what you thought was a spoiler) ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2017, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-2016-best-picture-nominees-ongoing-tracking-thread-of-which-of-the-films-you-have-seen/778138/55 "2017-02-10T17:24:18Z")
Only one on the Oscar list I’ve seen is Arrival. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2017, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-2016-best-picture-nominees-ongoing-tracking-thread-of-which-of-the-films-you-have-seen/778138/56 "2017-02-11T21:51:18Z")
Today I saw La La Land, which is the best movie I’ve seen of the ones that came out last year. (I’ve also seen Arrival and Hidden Figures, which I’ve previously said I thought were excellent.) ---
**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 11, 2017, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-2016-best-picture-nominees-ongoing-tracking-thread-of-which-of-the-films-you-have-seen/778138/57 "2017-02-11T21:52:04Z")
Look like I have a new favorite: **Fences** Funny thing is, I was getting uneasy during the first 15 minutes. It wasn’t grabbing me at all. And then it did. As I sit now reflecting on it I feel that every aspect of Fences is very close to perfect. Seen: La La Land \*\*\* Manchester by the Sea \*\*\*\* Lion \*\*\*\* Moonlight \*\*\*\* Hell or High Water \*\*\*\* Hidden Figures \*\* Fences \*\*\*\* Not seen: Arrival Hacksaw Ridge mmm ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2017, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-2016-best-picture-nominees-ongoing-tracking-thread-of-which-of-the-films-you-have-seen/778138/58 "2017-02-12T04:08:52Z")
We saw Hacksaw Ridge. I am surprised it’s nominated for Best Picture. It was good but wholly unoriginal. I found the battle scenes weirdly unrealistic. Much effort was put on gore but the manner of combat was all wrong… Guys all standing next to each other, weapons used weirdly, intermixing of realism and silly macho shit, long stretches of losing sight of the main character. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2017, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-2016-best-picture-nominees-ongoing-tracking-thread-of-which-of-the-films-you-have-seen/778138/59 "2017-02-13T15:34:40Z")
Saw “Lion.” It’s a tough movie to rate; it was very, very well done in a million ways and Dev Patel was frigging amazing, but the movie’s pace in the middle act is pretty bad, largely due to what I have to assign to pretty bad screenwriting. I’ll add no spoilers; it just felt like we weren’t getting anywhere, on any level of the story, for a stretch of time. But then at the end the film really delivers the goods. It is a much better film than Hacksaw Ridge and much, much better than Arrival, but is it as good as Moonlight? I don’t think so. Moonlight was basically flawless, and Lion isn’t. So, so far: Moonlight: 9/10 Lion: 8/10 Hacksaw Ridge: 7/10 Arrival: 6/10 ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2017, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-2016-best-picture-nominees-ongoing-tracking-thread-of-which-of-the-films-you-have-seen/778138/60 "2017-02-13T18:58:53Z")
I’ve seen all nine. Top Tier (I’d have a hard time choosing among these for my vote): Arrival Moonlight Hell or High Water - This one took me by surprise. Next Tier (Loved them, but not quite as much as the top three): Lion Fences Hidden Figures Bottom Tier (Didn’t like them) Hacksaw Ridge - Interesting story, acted and directed with all the subtlety of a chainsaw Manchester by the Sea - In which Casey Affleck shows his range by playing a schlub from New England La La Land - Didn’t care about the plot or the characters, the songs weren’t very memorable, and Gosling and Stone are charming as hell but don’t have the pipes to carry a musical [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-2016-best-picture-nominees-ongoing-tracking-thread-of-which-of-the-films-you-have-seen/778138.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oscars-2016-best-picture-nominees-ongoing-tracking-thread-of-which-of-the-films-you-have-seen/778138.md?page=4)