|
Movies Books Music Food Tv Shows Technology Politics Video Games Parenting Fashion Green Living more >

Top Best Picture Nominated Films to See Before the Oscars!

  • Feb 8, 2010
  • by
With the number of films being pushed up from five to ten, that means you have to get a lot in before the Oscars.  Here is an easy list of those movies in preferential order to help you out.  As I see the rest of them, I will update the list.  
1
Avatar
By now, after reading my review, everyone knows that Avatar is my favorite film of all time.  With all of the years of perfecting the film and hard work that went into it, it totally deserves to win Best Picture.  If you haven't seen the the film 

Avatar is also nominated for eight other Academy Awards which include Art Direction, Cinematography, Directing, Film Editing, Music (Original Score; James Horner), Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Visual Effects.
See the full review, "The Greatest Science Fiction Epic of All Time!".
2
Inglorious Poster
If I could put two films at number 2, I would and they would be Inglourious Basterds and The Hurt Locker.  Both films deserve the number two spot, but since I am a huge Quentin Tarantino fan, I'm putting Basterds at number 2.  Along with Pulp Fiction, Basterds is Tarantino's second masterpiece and definitely deserves the Oscar Nod.  You can also check out my Blu-ray review of the film.

Inglourious Basterds is nominated for seven other Academy Awards including Actor in a Supporting Role (Christoph Waltz), Cinematography, Directing (Quentin Tarantino), Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Writing (Original Screenplay; Quentin Tarantino).
See the full review, ""We're in the Business...of Killin' Nazis!" and That's Exactly What the "Basterds" Did!".
3
The Hurt Locker (2009)
The Hurt Locker was critiqued as being "A near perfect war movie" and that truly is the case.  The Hurt Locker goes deep into the minds of an EOD teams shows how soldiers during wartime get a high/rush when faced with life or death situation.  Director Kathryn Bigelow did an outstanding job making this movie and is definitely a front runner for best picture.

The Hurt Locker is available on Blu-ray and DVD now and has been nominated for eight other Academy Awards including Actor In a Leading Role (Jeremy Renner; an OScar he should definitely win), Cinematography, Directing (Kathryn Bigelow; a favorite to win as well), Film Editing, Music (Original Score; Marco Beltrami and Buck Sander), Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Writing (Original Screenplay; Mark Boal).
See the full review, "Brilliant! An Honest and Suspenseful Look Into the Thrill of War!".
4
Up in the Air
Up in the Air is nominated for five other Academy Awards including Actor in a Leading Role (George Clooney), two nominations for Actress in a Supporting Role (Vara Farmiga and Anna Kendrick), Directing (Jason Reitman), and Writing (Adapted Screenplay; Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner).

UPDATE ON FILM SOON
5
Serious Man
This is another film that doesn't belong on the Best Picture list, but is anyway.  While A Serious Man is really good for about the first 45 minutes, the film takes a large nose dive shortly after.  I'm leaving it at number five only because of the Jewish aspect of Hollywood, which unfortunately gives this film a chance to win.  (Disclaimer:  I was born and raised Jewish, if you don't like the above comments, I'm sorry, but it's kind of true).

A Serious Man
is nominated for one other Academy Award in Writing (Original Screenplay; The Cohen Brothers).

UPDATE SOON
See the full review, "The Coen Brothers Show Their Versatility, But Leave More to be Desired...".
6
Precious: Based on the Novel
Precious is nominated for five other Academy Awards including Actress in a Leading Role (Gabourey Sidibe), Actress in a Supporting Role (Mo'Nique), Directing (Lee Daniels), Film Editing and Writing (Adapted Screenplay; Geoffrey Fletcher).

UPDATE SOON
7
An Education
An Education is up for two other Academy Awards including Actress in a Leading Role (Carey Mulligan) and Writing (Adapted Screenplay; Nick Hornby).

UPDATE SOON
8
The Blind Side
The Blind Side is up for one other Academy Award for Actress in a Leading Role (Sandra Bullock).

UPDATE SOON
9
Up
Up
I think that it is truly amazing that the Academy has finally nominated an animated film like UP for Best Picture again.  In all honesty, Wall-E Should have been nominated last year, but oh well.  While UP was fantastic, its chances of winning best picture are slim.  There is no doubt in my mind however that it will win Best Animated Picture.  If you haven't seen UP yet, you need to.

Up is nominated for four other Academy Awards including Best Animated Feature, Music (Original Score; Michael Giacchino), Sound Editing and Writing (Original Screenplay; Screenplay by Bob Peterson, Pete Doctor.  Story by Pete Doctor Bob Peterson and Tom McCarthy).
See the full review, "UP is a Tearjearker that Will Leave You Seeking Adventure From the Word... UP!".
10
District 9
Why District 9 is nominated for Best Picture is beyond me.  I realize that this was either a love or hate film and I couldn't stand it.  As much rave as D9 got, I really don't think it deserves to get a Best Picture nod.  At the expense of sounding like a total geek, Star Trek should have been in its place.  Blah...  If you have no desire to see this film, trust me, don't.

District 9 is up for three other Academy Awards including Film Editing, Visual Effects and Writing (Adapted Screenplay; Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell).
See the full review, "Politically Intriguing Yet Chaotic at Best, "District 9" Doesn't Quite Hit its Marks...".

What did you think of this list?

Helpful
9
Thought-Provoking
8
Fun to Read
9
Well-Organized
9
Post a Comment
March 14, 2010
Of that list, I've seen 5 and will be seeing another (Precious) tonight. Friends are coming over to watch it on Netflix rental. The Hurt Locker is next up on my Netflix queue so I'll probably be seeing that one next weekend. I thought Avatar was visually spectactular but fell short in storytelling. It got a little gooey (treacly, overwrought) from time to time, but I still enjoyed it.
 
March 08, 2010
OK, Hush, the Oscar night is over. Update please! :)
 
February 10, 2010
Great list, can't wait for the updates. Sorry you did not like District 9. I thought it was quite realistic and thought-provoking but that's just me. We do agree on UP, and AVATAR, so all is not lost. :)
 
February 10, 2010
Great list. I've already seen Avatar and Inglourious Basterds, but I've been wanting to see The Hurt Locker, Up In The Air, and A Serious Man. Thanks!
February 10, 2010
No problem. I have to get crunching in order to see the rest of those films. :)
 
1
About the list creator
Julian Brown ()
Ranked #36
Hi, my name is Julian Brown. I currently write for The Brotherly Game, a local Philadelphia soccer website where I cover the US Women's National Team and the local WPS Philadelphia Independence. I … more
© 2013 Lunch.com, LLC All Rights Reserved
Lunch.com - Relevant reviews by real people.
()
This is you!
Ranked #
Last login
Member since
reviews
comments
ratings
questions
compliments
lists