Post #9
IMMEDIATE REFLECTIONS ON THE 2022 OSCAR NOMINATIONS – Barry Steelman
(Date: Feb 8, 2022)
Photo credit: LA Times
9,500 voting members of the Motion Picture Academy made their nominated choices public this morning. The most honors went to POWER OF THE DOG (12 nominations) and DUNE (10 nominations). Steven Spielberg’s remake of WEST SIDE STORY got nods in 7 categories. Kenneth Branagh’s BELFAST also received 7 nominations (including best picture) and will return to a Red River screen this Friday (2/11).
The two films currently playing at Red River got nominations: LICORICE PIZZA (best picture/ director-Paul Thomas Anderson/ original screenplay) and PARALLEL MOTHERS (actress–Penelope Cruz/ original score).
As usual, some of the biggest surprises were in the omission category. Lady Gaga’s campaigning efforts for her very effective performance in HOUSE OF GUCCI went unrewarded. Same can be said for Jared Leto’s totally off-the-wall portrayal in GUCCI. Mahershala Ali’s dual role in SWAN SONG apparently didn’t impress strongly enough. The worthy Caitriona Balfe (BELFAST), Alana Haim (LICORICE PIZZA) and Renate Reinsve (WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD) were among those overlooked this year.
It was nice to see CODA remembered—initially released in August—in three prominent categories (best picture/ adapted screenplay/ supporting actor–Troy Kotsur). The Academy rarely reaches back that far for award consideration.
The three hour DRIVE MY CAR got impressive recognition (best picture/ international feature film/ director–Ryusuke Hamaguchi/ adapted screenplay). OK, truth be told, DRIVE is 2 hours and 59 minutes.
I believe OSCAR history was made today. The animated Danish documentary FLEE received three “best film” nominations (animated feature/ documentary feature/ international feature film). It would be incredible (but unlikely) if it won all three awards!
Guillermo del Toro’s really dark noir thriller NIGHTMARE ALLEY was ignored by moviegoers and got numerous negative notices–but managed to garner a Best Picture and three technical nominations (cinematography/ production design/ costume design). Is this a case of visual style trumping dramatic content?
Red River will present the 2022 NOMINATED SHORTS (animated, live action and documentary)–starting on Friday, February 25. This is a unique opportunity to view all these nominated efforts in a theatrical setting. And we will also offer several titles from the diverse mix which was acknowledged today (like FLEE and THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD) in upcoming weeks.
Thanks for supporting Red River Theatres!
The 94th Academy Award ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 27.
Barry Steelman
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Red River is the best cinematic experience that my wife and I have ever had – viewing angle, sound, seating, snacks, staff, web site are top shelf, and the movie selections themselves are talked about for days.
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My favorite place to see a movie. I always know that whenever I drop in to Red River Theatres, I’ll have a great cinematic experience.
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Red River Theatres enhances the quality of life in Concord and throughout New Hampshire by offering a continuous selection of the finest and most critically acclaimed movies ranging from independent gems to documentaries to foreign films.
Red River Theatres, Inc.
11 S. Main Street Suite L1-1
Concord, NH 03301
Phone Numbers
Movie Phone: 603.224.4600
Main Office: 603.224.4697
Email Address
info@redrivertheatres.org