2013 Oscar Hopefuls

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Blog Exclusive!
 

The 3 films below are my favorite pieces of cinema from 2013. I haven't seen every movie this year. However, I think these three films should be nominated for the awards listed below.
 

"12 Years a Slave"
  • Best Picture
  • Best Director
  • Best Actor in a Leading Role
  • Best Actress in a Supporting Role
  • Best Adapted Screenplay

What did I personally like best about "12 Years a Slave"? 
 

Director Steve McQueen helms a picture so grandiose in scope, yet so uneasy to watch, that I doubt you will get through it in one sitting without crying. "12 Years a Slave" is based upon Solomon Northup's (Chiwetel Ejiofor) stolen life. McQueen shows all the ills of slavery: rape, kidnapping, assault, vilification, dehumanization. And most importantly McQueen and shows us (the viewers) that hope is humanity's most precious asset. It's the most important film of the year and quite simply the best film of the decade.
 




 
"Gravity"

  • Best Cinematography
  • Best Actress in a Leading Role
  • Best Art Direction
  • Best Visual Effects
  • Best Sound Mixing
  • Best Sound Editing

What did I personally like best about "Gravity"? 

 

Performance wise Sandra Bullock is top-notch, but what really captivated me where the visual elements acting in concert with the sound scape. The moments of pure silence punctuated with jarring destruction caught me off guard. It all sounded so real. The visuals were no slouch either.
Emmanuel Lubezki, the cinematographer behind the best looking Bond film in recent memory ("Skyfall"), continues his hot streak by utilizing 3D stereoscopic technology unlike anyone since Mauro Fiore's lensing of "Avatar". Seeing Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) recede into the silver screen perhaps never to be seen again was miraculous.
 




 
"Captain Phillips"

  • Best Actor in a Supporting Role
  • Best Film Editing

What did I personally like best about "Captain Phillips"? 



Barkhad Abdi's performance was and is a revelation. Abdi absolutely morphs into Abuduwali Muse, a lanky Somali pirate with grand ambitions and terrible foresight, who hijacks an American ship captained by Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks). Based on a true story "Captain Phillips" refuses to be an American propaganda piece. The film humanizes the hijackers to an extent and tells a multi-facated story of betrayal, opportunity and regret. I applaud Tom Hanks' performance as well.
 


 

So what do you guys think? Are my nominations spot on or off base?
 

As always thanks for reading!

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