Flash Frames

Well, here we are. The Oscars are airing very soon, and we’re cutting right through. I’ve seen all 10 movies nominated for Best Picture, and this is how I’d rank them. 10. Emilia Pérez [dir. Jacques Audiard] [Also Nominated for: Director, Actress, Supporting Actress, Adapted Screenplay, International Film, Original Score, Original Song x2, Sound, Cinematography, Makeup & Hairstyling, Editing] I’m still blown away that this ended up getting the acclaim it got. Every win it’s gotten at other awards bodies feels like I’ve been gaslit by Netflix. Not even mentioning the many controversies that have to do with comments from the movie’s director and the lead actress, Emilia Pérez is a big mess of a movie. While it’s admittedly ambitious in some filmmaking techniques, the story is just so misguided and oddly reminds me of Mrs. Doubtfire in one of its main plot elements. There are many thinkpieces online from members of the trans community and Mexican people on how they feel about Emilia...

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in Wicked Alright, here we are. We’re basically at the finish line, but I’ve now seen every single nominee for Best Picture at the Oscars this year (I’m ranking all 10 of them tomorrow before the ceremony starts). The last of them, as you can see, is Wicked . The beloved musical took a very long time to hit the silver screen, with an official announcement of a movie coming all the way back in 2012. Admittedly, I wanted to watch this much sooner, but I was in the middle of my final semester in college. Them’s the breaks, but I got it at home and was able to get through the just-under three hour runtime at my own leisure. At this point, I’d usually go into what Wicked is, but come on, I don’t think I really have to. It’s Wicked . That being said, I should mention that this is the first part of a two-parter, with the second act, titled For Good, set to release this Thanksgiving. I mention that because I think this was a game-changing decision that really b...