Ranking the 2022 Best Picture Nominations

Another year, another Oscars that is around the corner. Not gonna waste any time and just get right into it.

Disclaimer: I think #1-3 are great, #4-6 are solid, #7-8 are mixed bags, and #9-10 are pretty darn bad. A rather “meh” lineup of nominations despite a handful of legit impressive films.

10.) Licorice Pizza

Okay, even taken out the obvious reasons why this is bad (the pedophlic romance, racist jokes, dated setting, etc.), this is by far the worst of the ten nominees and one that was clearly only nominated because of the name of the man behind the camera alone. I’ve never been the biggest fan of Paul Thomas Anderson but I could at least respect the majority of his filmography with the way he goes on making his films and become one of the very first of the “movie store” generations of filmmakers. This one however, falls apart even if you are somehow able to buy into it’s incredibly lost in time premise.

It’s overlong, the two leads have zero chemistry, subplots are brought up but never resolve, side characters constantly appear and then just disappear, and it doesn’t even have the slightest idea why this is the kind of a movie that could only work back in the 1970s but can’t work whatsoever in the 21st century. Thrown in the fact that the only entertaining character in the whole movie played by Bradley Cooper is only in it for 5 to 10 minutes top and you probably get the big (but nowhere near the best) picture.

Alana Halm and Cooper Hoffman are potential young talent but it’s a shame they had to start their Hollywood career with a movie this obnoxious. Although, just like with these ten nominations, there’s at least no where to go but up.

Or if the next film on the list is any indication , maybe looking up isn’t the best idea.

9.) Don’t Look Up

I never want to come across as that one arrogant person who claims that directors should stay out of politics with their films, especially since where now in an age where just about EVERYTHING is consider political in the eyes of one-sided groups. But, I do honestly wish Adam McKay would stop making films based around real world politics and global events because he’s just not really good at it.

Don’t Look Up basically brings home the point that The Big Short was an absolute fluke. After the notable misfire of Vice, a film that spend nearly it’s entire running time trying to beat you over the head with “George Bush=bad”, came this one which spend the majority of it’s running time trying to beat you over the head with “cell phones=bad” and “Fox News is for demwitts”. Even if you find yourself in on the “it’s funny because it’s true” joke that this film constantly points out, it’s not really something you should make an entire film based around it as it does nothing but show the overall lack of substance.

Regardless of what political side you are on (and please don’t tell me which side you are on in the comments) or even if you agree on what the film has to say on today’s technology obsessions and “fake news” (which I admittedly do to some degree), there are definitely much better ways to convey it than with what is presented here.

It’s nice to have J-Law and Leo back in movies though.

8.) The Power of the Dog

This might baffle some folks considering I had this as a nomination on my Best Movies of 2021 list but time hasn’t been quite kind to this (To be honest, there’s a lot I would change on that list now). Even taking out the recent controversy over Sam Elliot’s homophobic comments of the picture, Power of the Dog is a very well-made and acted motion picture but really lacks an emotional connection or any sort of staying power.

Despite great performances from the whole cast, none of the characters they play are particularly memorable and have very little depth to them. The central dynamic between McPhee and Cumberbatch’s character comes across as hollow and not worth getting invested in. The pacing itself is also incredibly slow which despite clocking it at just a little over two hours, it can’t help but feel longer than that.

That being said the production values are top notch with great lightning and cinematography throughout and the cast are strong enough to hold their own that might even keep you engaged when watching it but will most likely fade away from your mind just a few days afterwards.

While this is certainly not the worst nomination, this is the one that I would argue is the most forgettable one.

Although, I wouldn’t keep this on my honorable mentions, I do stand by my statement that Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, and Kodi Smit-McPhee are exceptionally underrated talents that deserve much more recognition!

Also, I would now replace this movie with No Time To Die on my honorable mentions.

Anyways, onto the next one.

7.) West Side Story

Steven Spielberg had already made a musical in the past before this one. It’s called Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. And I’m not just saying that because the opening of that movie featured a musical sequence but because it was that exact scene that showcases what the rest of the movie was going to consist of, that anything goes. With West Side Story, it’s half of exactly that and half of that is just well, not.

If there’s every a movie that will make you believe life after death, it’s this one. Whenever Ansel Eligort is on the screen, the movie instantly dies (and that’s not even just remotely because of the multiple allegations that have come out against him that Hollywood is trying to pretend doesn’t exist). However, every time he leaves the screen and the movies focuses on anyone else from the cast, it’s brought back to alive and well.

Arian DeBose and Mike Faist are the absolute standouts here and there are plenty of enjoyable and upbeat musical numbers that will most likely keep you interested throughout it’s near two and a half hour runtime; at least until Eligort reveres his ugly head once again and the film suffers repeatedly. Perhaps with some better pacing and a more compelling lead (Rachel Ziegler is fine here btw), this could have been a musical for the ages and even superior to that of the original (which I think is also just fine btw). As it stands now, it’s generally okay but definitely not the best that musicals or the mighty Steven Spielberg has had to offer.

Seriously though, Hollywood! It’s time for Angel Eligort to be be held accountable!.

6.) Belfast

You ever watched a movie that you think is overall pretty good and worthwhile but shouldn’t really be considered for an Oscar. Well, Belfast is the one that fits that criteria for me.

There’s certainly plenty to admire and enjoy here. The cast members are great, the material is engaging, Kenneth Branagh’s direction is top-notch, and it’s overall transition to black and white feels extremely appropriate for the time and place that this movie is set in. That being said, I still can’t help but think that perhaps this movie bites off a bit more than it can chew.

It tries to balance between a family drama and a political drama but can’t quite find that consistent through line that even say Taika Waititi was able to do with Jojo Rabbit. There’s are also times to where it feels the movie is trying way too hard to make you like the characters that you can’t help but wish the movie would back off every once in a while and let us as the viewers get sucked into the conflict that is actually presented in the story.

This is Oscar bait as it’s finest without a doubt, but this is the mostly kind of Oscar bait that I don’t mind seeing nominated even if it really doesn’t deserve it.

5.) Coda

The one nominee that “Film Twitter” seems to have the biggest grudge against for whatever reason. Which is odd considering the great reviews this got from most critics and the mostly positive audience reception to this smash hit on Apple +. I’m not quiet sure how accurate this is to overall sign language or the deaf community as a whole response to this movie but taken as it’s own thing, Coda is a very enjoyable and compelling movie in it’s own right.

The performances from it’s cast are very strong, especially Emila Jones who stands out well as being this young girl on the verge towards a distinct future that could separate her from her own deaf family. The other deaf/non-hearing cast members are superb as well and will certainly make at least a handful of viewers want to look up and study foreign language. Between this, Sound of Metal, and Eternals, it does feel quite nice to have that level of representation to make deaf people feel more understood.

One can definitely argue that the film’s overall representation is focused on more than the actual quality of the movie but the movie we have is quite solid that I could see a reason or two for winning. For what some are claiming this as the next Crash or Green Book if this ends up taking home the Best Picture Oscar, this might be one of the very few times I will find myself rooting for exactly that outcome even if I don’t exactly think it’s the best or my personal favorite.

Also, I’m just someone that likes to watch the world burn.

4.) Dune

Denis Villeneuve’s Dune is a remarkable and impressive visual achievement that was hands down one of the biggest “must-see” experiences in IMAX theaters in 2021. With it’s enormous scale, diverse cast, and world building like we haven’t seen before in recent memory, this sci-fi epic is just ready to insert itself into every book of “movies you must watch before you die” imaginable!

That being said, Dune doesn’t so much feel like a whole movie but more like Dune: Part I. While it does end on an intriguing cliffhanger, we won’t know how worthwhile this experience will be until after we have seen the complete picture in a year or two from now.

I do kinda get the sense that this was also a nomination mostly due to the director’s name himself than the actual film but unlike with Licorice Pizza or Don’t Look Up, it still at least functions as an actual good film and I could see why it would get a nomination. Two years from now, I wouldn’t be surprised if this ends becoming the next big sci-fi epic that Hollywood will desperately try to copy and replicate with iffy results.

3.) King Richard

When it comes to young children becoming famous and getting exposed to the paparazzi-like media, one side that is not looked much upon by people is the side of the parents. Sure, children comes first and foremost but the parents are as equally responsible for being able to guide and teach their kids on how to get through life with the lights shining directly on them.

In comes King Richard, this biopic sports drama showing the success and growth of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams as young girls through the perspective of their overprotective but still very meaningful father, Richard Williams. This dives deep into the process and difficulty of being a parent having to guide their children through fame and glory. Manage to display all the accomplishments and achievements that the Williams sisters were able to gain as superb tennis players while showing how they got to where they are thanks to the folks who gave birth to them!

Whether or not you’re a fan of tennis, this will engage you thanks to it’s sharp directing and terrific performances. Will Smith hasn’t been this good in a long time and should certainly be a front runner for Best Actor. Aunjanue Ellis is also great as the mother as well as Demi Singelton and Saniyya Sidney who played the two William sisters respectively.

Some might be underwhelmed that the movie don’t put as much focus on the sisters themselves as much as the father but it’s a very good sports movie regardless.

Also, what were you expecting about a movie titled, King Richard? Just saying.

2.) Nightmare Alley

It’s absolutely insane the way that Guillermo del Toro continues to either top or at least matches himself as a filmmaker! Easily one of the most creative, inventive, and visually pleasing directors today, Nightmare Alley see del Toro putting his own spin on the 1946 classic of the same name along with the book it’s based on.

Whether it manages to top or match the 1947 version or the book is up for debate but there’s no denying he created a version of Nightmare Alley that stands perfectly well as it’s own unique thing. Using all the trademarks and skillset that del Toro is well known for, this tells a great tale in the neo-noir sub genre about a man facing the consequences of his action that was driving by his own pride.

Bradley Cooper suits the role well as a manipulative and despicable a-hole, Cate Blanchett and Toni Collette continues to find ways to out-hot themselves as the femme fatales, and when is Willem Dafoe ever not been awesome (Between this and Spider-Man: No Way Home, Christmas 2021 will be remember as the holiday where Willem Dafoe is able to show the world once again what an absolute national treasure he is!)

This is one I loved when I first saw and love it even more on a second viewing. It’s one of my favorite movies of last year and easily one of my favorites of the nominees. However, there’s just one that I liked just a hair more.

1.) Drive My Car

Not gonna lie, the fact this movie is even a nomination in the first place is a miracle. Not because it isn’t a great film, it clearly is as that’s why it’s #1. But it was a movie overseas that felt too small to get any sort of recognition and even in the wake of Parasite, did seem like a foreign movie that the Academy would easily gloss over. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case because Drive My Car is the best of the nomination by a country mile.

The three hour runtime might be taunting to some viewers but there isn’t a single second on screen that feels like a waste. What we have here is a very long but moving meditation on loss, mourning, and trying to move on with an incredibly compelling lead performance by Hidetoshi Nishijima who makes this an emotional journey like no other film I’ve seen for quite some time. The characters throughout the film are greatly developed, it’s themes are fleshed out to it’s absolute best execution, and has an incredibly relatable message that anyone who has dealt with pain and death with a loved one can get behind. Sometimes the best way to deal with such tragic times is to take a sweet, long drive that can make that missing part of you feel whole again.

Ryusuke Hamaguchi directs the hell out of his feature film which may be long but will no doubt leave an impact on you even days after you have watched it. While I’m not 100% confident that this will be the one that will take home the big prize, this will be the movie that I will undoubtedly be rooting for come Sunday evening.

Other comments:

And those are my ranking of the best picture nominations. While I don’t necessarily love or even like every single entry that is presented here, it does at least feel nice to have at least a complete total of the allowed amount of best picture nominees at full ten.

As for other movies I’m shocked didn’t get nominated or would at least swap for I believe is a more “Oscar-worthy” movie, the fact that Pig or The Last Duel didn’t get a single nomination of anything, let along best picture, is absolutely criminal. I would easily swap Licorice Pizza and Don’t Look Up for those two easily. Also, I swap West Side Story for Tick, tick..Boom! as that was undoubtedly the superior musical between the two. Lastly, I might just be speaking because it was my favorite film of last year but I do feel like The Mitchell vs the Machines is great enough to at least find a spot among the ten nominations. I highly doubt anybody would cry themselves to sleep if Belfast or Power of the Dog weren’t one of the front runners.

I was also gonna share my overall pics for all 24 Oscar nominations but because I don’t enjoy watching the Oscars anywhere near as much as I used to or might not be able to watch it at all (I do have plans for a work party on that exact same night.), I can’t be bothered to waste precious time just copying directly off of the first website I see of their own picks for every single winner out there and pretend to make those choices as my own. So, apologies if there was anyone that was looking forward to that.

Anyways, I hope everyone has a good weekend and go Drive My Car!