With the glamour and anticipation growing for the 96th Academy Awards, film enthusiasts are eager to explore the top-tier slate of cinematic masterpieces that have earned their places among this year’s Oscar nominations. The film industry in 2024 has witnessed the emergence of notable blockbusters, including ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’, captivating audiences with their engaging narratives and stellar performances. Here’s a spotlight on five Oscar-nominated films that have not only seized critical acclaim but are also essential viewing for any movie aficionado.
Oppenheimer
Leading the nominations with a total of 13, ‘Oppenheimer’ features Cillian Murphy in a riveting portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the enigmatic scientist at the heart of the Manhattan Project. This historical drama is set during the tumultuous times of World War II, chronicling the intense efforts of Oppenheimer and his team as they embark on the secretive mission to develop the atomic bomb. The film arcs to its climax with the first nuclear detonation on July 16, 1945, a turning point that forever redefined global politics and warfare. Viewers can immerse themselves in this tale of ambition, morality, and the dawn of the Atomic Age through JioCinema.
Poor Things
With an impressive 11 Oscar nods, ‘Poor Things’ brings forth an eccentric narrative featuring Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, and Willem Dafoe. This off-kilter film spins the story of Bella Baxter, an unusual patient in a Victorian-era mental ward who possesses a curiously childlike demeanor. A young medical assistant, entranced by Bella’s innocence, uncovers her bizarre origins – a groundbreaking surgical feat that transplanted an infant’s brain into her mother’s skull to save her life. The story progresses as Bella and the assistant embark on a matrimonial adventure that triggers the evolution of Bella’s consciousness. This peculiar tale is available for rent or purchase at Apple TV or Google Play Movies.
Killers of the Flower Moon
Adapted from real-life events, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ unfolds the dark narrative set within the Osage Nation of Oklahoma in the 1920s. As oil discoveries make the Osage people the wealthiest in the world, a sinister plot of murder unravels, targeting the affluent tribal members. Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Lily Gladstone breathe life into this gripping saga that received a total of 10 nominations. As greed and prejudice lead to an escalating body count, the intricacies of a chilling conspiracy are exposed. This intense historical crime film can be found streaming on Apple TV.
Barbie
Enthralling audiences and critics alike, ‘Barbie’ has obtained 8 nominations, presenting a colorful and imaginative interpretation of the classic doll’s universe. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling embody the iconic Barbie and Ken, who lead viewers out of the fantastical, utopian Barbie Land and into the stark realities of the human world. Confronting social expectations and existential quandaries, Barbie and Ken’s journey is a vibrant exploration of identity and freedom, ready to be watched on JioCinema.
American Fiction
Lastly, ‘American Fiction’ rounds out the list with a well-deserved 5 nominations, starring Jeffrey Wright as Thelonious Monk Ellison – an African-American writer wrestling with societal pressures and literary rejection. Ellison’s journey back to Boston evokes a profound contemplation of self and society, pushing the boundaries on themes of racial discourse and personal integrity. This thought-provoking drama awaits audiences on Amazon Prime Video.
As the stars prepare to align for the grandest night in Hollywood, these films stand as testaments to the power of storytelling and the richness of the cinematic craft. Each title presents a unique perspective and invites viewers to a world both familiar and extraordinary. Whether through the eyes of a visionary physicist, a woman with the mind of a child, or a doll navigating humanity, these Oscar favorites are nothing short of a cultural phenomenon worthy of the silver screen’s most coveted accolades.
