The race for the 96th Academy Awards kicked off with a bang, as “Oppenheimer,” a sprawling examination of the dawn of the Atomic Age, earned a whopping 13 nominations. Not far behind was “Poor Things,” a feminist fantasy set in a steampunk world, which secured 11 nominations.
But it wasn’t just the number of nominations that made these films stand out. Both “Oppenheimer” and “Poor Things” tackled dark subject matter, drawing from painful chapters of American history. This seemed to resonate with a country facing political unrest and division, further adding to the impact of these films.
Another film that made waves was “Killers of the Flower Moon,” a historical crime drama centered around a conspiracy to rob the Osage Nation of its oil wealth. It received 10 nominations and shared the spotlight with “Oppenheimer” and “Poor Things.”
Surprisingly, “Barbie,” last year’s biggest box office hit, earned eight nominations. This film became a viral phenomenon, especially when paired with “Oppenheimer” in theaters, leading to the creation of the “Barbenheimer” meme. Together, these movies raked in over $2 billion globally, a considerable feat considering the ongoing struggles faced by movie theaters due to the pandemic.
The Best Picture category showcased a diverse range of nominees, including “Oppenheimer,” “Barbie,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Poor Things,” “American Fiction,” “Anatomy of a Fall,” “The Holdovers,” “Maestro,” “Past Lives,” and “The Zone of Interest.” It’s worth noting that three of the Best Picture contenders were directed by women, a notable milestone in the industry.
The directing category also brought some surprises. At 81 years old, Martin Scorsese made history by becoming the oldest nominee in the category. He will face off against other talented directors like Justine Triet, Yorgos Lanthimos, Christopher Nolan, and Jonathan Glazer.
The Best Actor race promises to be intense, with standout performances by Paul Giamatti, Cillian Murphy, Bradley Cooper, Colman Domingo, and Jeffrey Wright. On the other side, the Best Actress category features strong contenders such as Lily Gladstone, Emma Stone, Annette Bening, Sandra Hüller, and Carey Mulligan.
As with any awards season, some deserving performers were snubbed, while others received unexpected nominations. Charles Melton and Leonardo DiCaprio were overlooked, despite delivering acclaimed performances. On the other hand, America Ferrera and Sterling K. Brown received surprise nominations for their supporting roles.
The Oscars come at a challenging time for the movie industry. Streaming services have disrupted traditional viewing habits, leading to financial concerns. Additionally, labor unrest has caused production shutdowns, potentially impacting next year’s awards season.
The Walt Disney Company and Netflix dominated the nominations, with 20 and 18 nods respectively. Late-night star Jimmy Kimmel is set to host the Oscars for the fourth time, with hopes of boosting the show’s ratings, which have dwindled in recent years.
The 2024 Oscars will take place on Sunday, March 10, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Stay tuned for the winners of this highly anticipated event!
For more entertainment news and updates, visit F5mag.com.
