This past year, The Daily Mississippian reviewed many of the movies that drove conversations, sold tickets and earned Oscar nominations for the 2019 Academy Awards. We’ve taken the time to compile these reviews here, so you can prepare yourself for the Sunday night awards show.
Throughout the year, we wrote about all but one (“The Favourite”) of the films up for Best Picture. There isn’t necessarily a standout film among this year’s nominees since they were all important on different terms and in different ways.
Avery Ruth wrote about “Vice,” which tells the story of former Vice President Dick Cheney’s rise to power, but, in Ruth’s view, never actually got at why Cheney acted the way he did. Ruth also reviewed “Green Book,” praising its acting, writing, and directorial decision-making.
Spike Lee’s return-to-form, “BlackKklansman,” seemed to be about the 1970s, but as I wrote in my review, was really about today’s politics. It confronted its viewers with white supremacy in literally breathtaking ways.
Though we didn’t review “Bohemian Rhapsody,” we ran a story written by Emma McCabe and Meredith Enger that included some campus Queen fans’ thoughts on the film.
Another musical blockbuster was the remake of “A Star Is Born.” It starred Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, who, wrote Kennedy Pope, both gave impressive performances.
“Black Panther,” which Jyesha Johnson called “a cultural jewel,” made headlines as the first superhero movie to ever earn a nomination for Best Picture. Jordan Maury reviewed Kendrick Lamar’s soundtrack for the film, which also has a song up for an award.
In her review of “Roma,” Jeanne Torp encouraged readers to take their time with the film and enjoy it in all of its cinematic auteur beauty.
We also enjoyed some films that are up for less high-profile awards.In the past few weeks, Ruth reviewed “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” and “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.” Last spring, Jax Dallas highlighted Wes Anderson’s filmmaking precision in “Isle of Dogs,” which is vying for Best Animated Feature.
