“American Sniper”
"Birdman"
"Boyhood"
"The Grand Budapest Hotel"
"The Imitation Game"
"Selma"
"The Theory of Everything"
“Whiplash"
This year’s Best Picture Nominees popularize elements often considered unpopular by the average movie going audience. Blockbusters have had to compete at the box office this year with films of substance. Proving that this year’s nominees share a common ground that forges new ground.
Films like Boyhood which filmed over the course of 12 years, and Mr. Turner, though not nominated in the Best Picture category, took numerous years of research to prepare before production. Not to mention the unique signature style of filmmaker Wes Anderson who wows us this year with his stylish yet deceptively thoughtful farce, The Grand Budapest Hotel. The commitment to these unorthodox styles of filmmaking sparked a much needed renewed interest in the viability of the Indie film industry.
Introspective Dramas are back:
Birdman tells the story of Riggan Thomson a former film star as he pursues a broadway career in hopes of reviving his career and seeking artistic relevance, while Whiplash follows Miles Teller a first-year music student who wins a seat playing drums in a jazz band led by conservatory teacher J.K. Simmons, who uses fear and intimidation to push his students to perfection. Both of these films have successfully captivated audiences in the often unpopular genre of psychological drama.
Historical Dramas Inspire:
The Theory of Everything recounts the remarkable life of scientist Stephen Hawking, and his first wife Jane Wilde as they struggle with Hawking's motor neuron disease. The film Selma covers Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement of the 1960s. The Imitation Game follows Alan Turing and an a elite team of Code-breakers who’s work is partly responsible for ending WWII. Even The Grand Budapest pays homage to a lifestyle and a gentler time forever altered by war, yet manages to uplift us nonetheless. Besides the historical relevance, these stories also inspire movie goers through the character’s real life struggles against the odds.
The official Oscar nominees were released via livestream Thursday January 15. Check out the complete schedule here: http://oscar.go.com/blogs/oscar-news/oscars-2015-nominees-announcement-and-live-stream
American Sniper website: http://www.americansnipermovie.com/
Birdman website: http://www.birdmanthemovie.com/
Boyhood website: http://boyhoodmovie.tumblr.com/
The Grand Budapest Hotel website: http://www.grandbudapesthotel.com/
Imitation Game website: http://theimitationgamemovie.com/
Selma website: http://www.selmamovie.com/
The Theory of Everything website: http://www.thetheoryofeverythingmovie.co.uk/
Whiplash website: http://sonyclassics.com/whiplash/