The 2024 Oscars are less than six weeks away, and the release of nominations last week put the spotlight on the Academy’s most-loved films of the year.
From “Oppenheimer” sweeping 13 nominations to the viral upset regarding those left out of “Barbie's” accolades, the 96th Academy Awards already have audiences captivated.
Carly’s Best Director: This year’s directing award is difficult to predict, with Martin Scorsese and Christopher Nolan as the obvious frontrunners for “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “Oppenheimer,” respectively.
Though Nolan’s film is nominated for more awards, I think Scorsese will take home his second directing honor (Nolan has yet to clinch an Academy Award).
Most conversations around the best director contenders, however, had little to do with those nominated. "Barbie" director Greta Gerwig’s omission fueled outrage online, but a Gerwig nomination would be ceremonial at best — “Barbie” was already rewarded with a billion-dollar box office, fitting for an entertainment movie that has somehow usurped credit for feminism in the film industry.
(Writer’s note: Three of the Best Picture nominees were directed by women.)
Ellie’s Best Director: Christopher Nolan, director of “Oppenheimer,” is my personal choice for best director. He has an extensive resume, producing several blockbuster films with high reviews and strong technical abilities.
The way he portrayed the movie from Oppenheimer’s point of view through both cinematography and script details makes him the obvious candidate for Best Director.
Carly’s Best Actor: With three biopics making the list, the best actor category loves a true story. Of the spread, the award clearly belongs to Cillian Murphy for his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer. Murphy’s performance spans more than three decades of the physicist’s life, and I can’t imagine another actor capturing the complexity of Oppenheimer’s character as well as he did.
