The 2022 Oscars proved to be a memorable experience for many reasons. Still, it was terribly easy to forget the nominees who did not take home any awards in all the excitement and scandal by the end of the night. There were a few upsets throughout the ceremony that saw success for films that were not predicted to win, and the unfortunate consequence of that is that there were several amazing works of cinema lost in the mix.
But they shouldn’t be. Many of the other nominees in various categories were well-deserved to win in their own right. Even if they didn’t get an Oscar, viewers are still missing out if they skip them when it comes time for movie night.
The Mitchells vs. the Machines Is an Energetic Adventure Story
In a lot of ways, The Mitchells vs. the Machines was the underdog in the category for Best Animated Feature Film this year, as the powerhouses of Disney and Pixar so often dominate the category. Yet, in looking at the film itself, it is hard to believe it was anything but a frontrunner.
As an energetic and bold adventure story that pushed the medium to its extremes, The Mitchells vs. the Machines exhibited many of the qualities that should exemplify a Best Animated Feature winner. Following the post-apocalyptic road trip of a kooky family after a robot uprising, The Mitchells vs. the Machines never lets up as it conveys a constantly evolving and entertaining story fit for anyone of any age.
The Lost Daughter Features Stellar Performances
Though actor Olivia Coleman has become an Oscars mainstay in recent years for her powerful performances, few were predicting her Lost Daughter performance would shine through to win the category in the lead up for 2022’s Best Actress in a Leading Role. Her fellow actor from the film, Jessie Buckley, was similarly passed over in many of the predictions.
But the truth is, both gave juggernaut performances that individually make the film a must-watch. Portraying the same character at radically different stages in her life, both performances stand out as excellent viewing for anyone studying or even vaguely interested in the thespian arts.
Parallel Mothers Is Packed With Unexpected Turns
Also nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role was Penélope Cruz for Parallel Mothers, but whereas The Lost Daughter is worthwhile viewing for the performances alone, there is so much more to Parallel Mothers that demands viewing. The story takes so many unexpected turns that it spoils the experience to give too much away ahead of time.
The companion roles of the mothers the title references make for fascinating fodder not only in a heart-wrenching story but also sets up larger themes about legacy and honesty against the backdrop of a woman trying to recover the remains of her great-grandfather from the Spanish Civil War. Yet, that sparse description cannot possibly do the twists within the story justice, and any viewer would do well to see Parallel Mothers for themselves before anyone else can spoil it for them.
tick, tick…BOOM! Spotlights Andrew Garfield’s Skills as a Performer
Andrew Garfield’s nomination in the Best Actor in a Leading Role category left him little attention in the buildup to the Oscars, given the almost unanimous assurance that Will Smith would win the category, and Garfield gets even less attention in the shocking aftermath of Smith’s altercation with Chris Rock. But the lack of attention proves a shame because tick, tick…BOOM! stands out as an epic yet intimate musical experience sure to resonate with anyone who has struggled with their own creative ambitions.
It was a successful year for live-action musicals at the Oscars as both West Side Story and Cyrano also saw nominations, but tick, tick…BOOM! stands out as the more creative, unique and energetic production among the three. Its nomination in Best Film Editing was also fitting, as the story dizzyingly jumps through the life of its main character without ever confusing the audience.
Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom Is a Best International Feature Film Snub
The trend seems to be that any Best International Feature Film nominee at the Academy Awards is sure to win if it is also nominated for Best Picture. For that reason, Drive My Car‘s win in the category seemed to be a foregone conclusion. As such, many movie fans may have overlooked Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom, but the Bhutanese drama portrayed a heartwarming story that could have well won were it against different competition.
Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom follows a young man with aspirations of moving to Australia to pursue his singing career who begrudgingly accepts a temporary teaching position in a remote mountaintop village. In a lot of ways, the film is about the deep impact and importance individuals can have on those the rest of the world so readily forgets, and it’s for exactly that reason the film is worth seeking out, even when it receives so little attention in the wake of Drive My Car‘s win in the category.
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