This year there is a lot of buzz following the announcement of the 87th Academy Awards nominees. “Selma,” which is considered by most critics and viewers to be a breathtaking film, has only been nominated in a few categories.
Director Alejandro G. Iñárritu of “Birdman”, the front runner for best acting, best picture, and best director, is from Mexico. Iñárritu is the first Mexican born director to be nominated for both the Golden Globes and an Oscar.
“Birdman” stands against some stiff competition, having lost the Golden Globe for best picture against another outstanding movie, “The Grand Budapest Hotel.”
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” sports an amazing cast of actresses and actors all at the top of their game. The movie is both witty and charming, and it is simply a classic that could be watched over and over again.
The two movies that might just push everything aside, though, could be “Whiplash” or “Selma.”
“Selma” tells an uncompromising story of one of the most iconic heroes of the last century. Unlike most films that tackle this issue; “Selma” tells you the story of the man behind the legend of Martin Luther King Jr. Not for one second does the movie flinch or shy away from the turmoil of the civil rights movement.
“Whiplash,” is just that: a whirlwind of a movie that will leave you breathless. J.K. Simmons plays one of the greatest performances of the year in a story about passion, sacrifice, and determination.
Steve Carell gave one of the best performance of 2014, not many actors went through such a transformation of character. There isn’t a second of this movie where you see him on set—you see his character—and nothing else. It is truly one of the most riveting dark performances of 2014.
There are only two performances that could rival Carell’s performance this year: Jake Gyllenhaal in “Nightcrawler,” and David Oyelowo in “Selma.”
Oyelowo gave us so much in his performance, we saw both the legend and the man who changed a generation and a country. We saw the passion and we saw mistakes. He was real, and it was amazing.
Gyllenhall was another transformative role close to the depth that Carell brought. It was so nerve-racking and he kept your toes curled the whole time. Possibly Gyllenhall’s best performance to date. Sadly, Gyllenhall is not up for a nomination.
Reese Witherspoon is the frontrunner for best actress, and it is easy to understand why. Witherspoon’s performance was outstanding. She is on a whole other level than all the other performances this year, it was so moving and captivating.
There were so many good movies last year, it is difficult to say who is the clear front runner for best directing, but to say the list of nominations is complete would be a lie, because it really is a tragedy that Ava DuVernay, director of Selma wasn’t nominated.
The Oscars certainly made a huge mistake not nominating DuVernay.
