Cinematic Addict – Five 5/5 Films Nominated for the 2023 Oscars

Everything Everywhere All At Once

Nominated for eleven Oscars, including Best Picture

Everything Everywhere All At Once is exactly what the world needs: a film with heart. This movie follows Evelyn through the multiverse as she tries to save her family. The concept of the multiverse is delivered incredibly and very uniquely. Each actor thrives in their own role. Michelle Yeoh. (Evelyn Wang), Ke Huy Quan (Waymond Wang), and Jamie Lee Curtis (Deirdre Beaubierdra) all shine in their own unique way. The quirkiness of this movie makes it stand out from the rest of the nominees. Not a single person in an audience is able to sit through this film without questioning the sanity of these filmmakers because it’s impossible to believe that anyone could possibly create such an insanely quirky, creative, and heartfelt film. Between the many crazy fight scenes, multiverse variants, and spin-offs of beloved Disney characters, there are moments of emotions and sorrow that show what this movie is truly about: the importance of kindness and family. It’s the raw moments between characters when they’re able to show their vulnerability and emotion that brings so much meaning to the movie. This film is truly a 5/5.

The Fablemans

Seven Oscar Nominations, including Best Picture

Award-winning director, Steven Speilberg was very vulnerable in his newest film, The Fablemans. From his first encounters with the big screen when he was a young boy, to his teenage full-length films he made with his Boy Scout friends, Speilberg shows us how impactful the art of filmmaking was on him. While falling in love with the art of filmaking was the forefront of the film, he also dives deeply into his childhood hardships. He discusses his family life and the lasting impact his mother and father left on him, yet he also discusses the constant bullying he experienced, both as a young child and a teenager. As a Jewish person, Speilberg has experienced a plethora of different opinions on his religion. And while he was bullied and harassed for his faith, it never altered it in any way. In the end, this film is a love letter to cinema, how it impacted Speilberg, and how it is constantly impacting us. The Fablemans takes us on a journey through the life of an ordinary person, like many of us, who fell in love with something and never let it go. 

Top Gun: Maverick

Six Oscar Nominations, including Best Picture

Tom Cruise returns to play his adored character “Maverick.” In the sequel to the original “Top Gun,” we follow Maverick’s return to Top Gun to train a group of highly trained navy strike faighters for a high-stakes, life-or-death mission. This movie was made for everyone; adults who watch the first Top Gun in theaters and teens who want to watch an exciting action movie with Miles Teller. The love story between Cruise’s character and Penny Benjamin is honestly kind of weak, and the other attempts to bring heart into this film do not really stand out. To be completely transparent, the reason that this film is a 5/5 for me is because of the action scenes and the third act. The stunts done in this film are unlike anything anyone has ever done before. The third act’s suspense could grab anyone’s attention. The numbers speak for themselves. Top Gun: Maverick ranks 12 at the global box office. Films like these are undeniably saving the box office making this a well deserving 5/5 film.

The Batman

Nominated for three Oscars

There have been many adaptations of DC’s Batman including Christian Bale and Michael Keaton’s portrayals. Throughout the years, these two have both been praised for their incredible performances so when the world learned that Robert Pattison will have the chance to take on his spin of Batman in a three-hour film, no one was sure how he would do playing the legendary and beloved detective. When the film dropped, all worries washed away. Pattison exceeded the expectations of everyone, making him one of the best, if not the best Batman. The film itself had a plot and ambiance that I believe the superhero film industry needed. The plot was completely unique, a perfectly crafted mystery for a Batman movie. The mood of the film is dark and grim and features zero jokes, which is extremely opposite from the past years’ funny and light superhero movies. Paul Dano’s (The Joker) brilliant and dark performance as the villain boosts the cruel theme of the movie. Overall, “The Batman” does not disappoint. Viewers of all generations can appreciate Pattison and his portrayal of the dark hero. Not only is this movie an incredible stand-alone film but it also sets up a perfect Batman franchise for the near future.

The Banshees of Inisherin

Nominated for nine Oscars, including Best Picture

The Banshees of Inisherin is set on a remote island just off the coast of Ireland. The film follows a devastated man named Pádraic (Colin Farrell) who gets essentially dumped by his lifelong friend and Colm (Brendan Gleeson). The Banshees of Inisherin push its audience to ask questions about life. What is worth it and what should we get rid of. Colin Farrell (Pádraic) stands out as a somber and slightly unintelligent man that I found myself feeling bad for. Barry Keoghan (Dominic) also shines as a supporting actor. The film carries a grave mood. It’s truly a character study of the dynamic between two friends who are both having their own separate life crises. It’s honestly a beautiful film that is intended to be an allegory for the Irish Civil War, where brothers were against brothers. The Banshees of Inisherin is thought-provoking and thoughtful. I would greatly recommend this film to anyone.