2025 Oscars Platter

Here for the long haul

Author

Julie Jones
April 04, 2025

The average length of this year’s Oscar nominated films is 2 hours and 29 minutes. 24 frames per second at 60 seconds per minute and 60 minutes per hour gives you 214,560 frames of risk and dedication and vulnerability and success (and failure) and another person in this fucked up, beautiful world trying desperately to show you how they see it. At a time when the digital overlords have trained our brains to crave the mindless, fleeting dopamine hit of “content,” movies aren’t just a recreational escape, they are an antidote to intellectual degradation. They have the power to jolt us out of complacency. To invigorate culture. To incite action. Even a bad movie fires the synapses of personal taste and critical thinking. A 3-second, AI-generated meme conjures a momentary exchange at best. But the painstaking, collaborative effort of a film deserves prolonged, analytical discourse. It demands it! If what sets our species apart is cognitive functioning, movies have the power to keep us human!

Truth is, I don’t really give a shit about the Oscars. I saw countless movies better than half the films nominated. But if a red carpet fashion show and a drunk lot of celebrities encourage people to get off their butts and go see a damn movie, I’m in. With 149 average minutes of creativity, these movies remind us that filmmaking has not succumb to digital malaise. And neither should you.

BEST PICTURE

*Oscar Winner*

A spunky stripper falls for a bratty heir, and when his aristocratic Russian family finds out, hijinks ensue. I did not like this movie all the way up until the end. And then the final scene was so heartbreakingly brilliant, I questioned my entire movie experience. Apparently it helps to know that this movie is meant to be a comedy.

*Midweek Pick*

Battling the abuse of a Jim Crow-era reform school, two young boys forge a formidable bond as they negotiate the price of freedom. This movie stunned me. Luminous and wildly innovative, Nickel Boys propels you into the moment with everyday beauty and immersive horror. Each aspect of the film deserves a dissertation, but what struck me most was the propulsive yet seamless weaving of archival footage throughout this fictional story. It takes a minute to connect beyond the cinematic technicalities of it all, but by the end I was in tears.

*Midweek Runner-Up*

In the midst of her fade to irrelevancy, a 50-year-old starlet acquires a quick-fix pill that takes the forgotten idol from fountain-of-youth to a grotesque blood-and-guts spectacle. A wild ride, an absolute blast, two fantastic female leads, I left asking “wtf” and “can we go again??” I think it could afford to lose 20 minutes, but then again big swings and unapologetic camp are what make it in a class of its own.

Following the unexpected death of the current pope, cardinals gather for the arcane process of electing a successor. What one would imagine as a quiet and refined process reveals itself to ripple with manipulation, power-grabs, and scandal. An interesting story told with mismatched pacing, IMHO. The too-slow build up suddenly mounts to a twist with dialogue that feels didactic. Then abruptly the whole thing is over. I imagine the source-material book hits harder.

The true story of a woman in 1970s Brazil who survives and overcomes the brutality of military dictatorship. After the abduction of her husband, she refuses to recoil into the shadows, and instead commits her life to the demand for answers and retribution. Fernanda Torres’ performance is a masterclass on acting, and the unhurried direction of Walter Salles drops audiences into the emotional depths of this commanding story.

A brilliant Hungarian-Jewish architect and Holocaust survivor flees to America, struggling through trauma and prejudice to rebuild his life and maintain his family. Pause at any moment and the frozen frame will be a painting. And yet, despite its gorgeous imagery, I had little invested in the main character, and so the vivid renderings eventually fell flat.

A remake of the Broadway hit, this story serves as a “there’s more than meets the eye” prequel to the good-vs-evil Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch of the classic Wizard of Oz. A delight! Enviro’s voice shook my bones and Ariana Grande was marvelously funny. Do I think it belongs at the Oscars? Not really! I’d rather keep theatre alive and recommend the live production. Or perhaps something less corporate if you’re up for it!

Battle of the tribes in a far-off desert land + worms: part two. Ya know, this movie just isn’t for me. But the scene where Timmy rides a worm is a good time!

A Bob Dylan biopic depicting the all-too-familiar dickishness of a young musician who finds fame. Timothée Chalamet actually performed every Dylan note in the film, and that’s super cool! Beyond this fun fact, I cared very little about what difficulties came his selfish way. 

A Mexican drug lord uses blood money to leave family to receive gender-affirming care then misses family so gaslights ex-wife into toxic captivity and, but, also atones for previous bad behavior by starting a non-profit. Plus, a musical. Laughably bad. This Slate article drags the movie so brilliantly, it’s worth the read without the watch.

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE

*Oscar Winner*

I’m still lovin’ it!

*Midweek Pick*

Set in 1919 Copenhagen, a dark, twisted portrait of women going to depraved means just to get by. The movie is brutal and grim and meticulously made, with haunting imagery and an eerie hush throughout. The sound design and perplexing score build suspense in even the quietest moments. The themes of the film pierce by the end, leaving the audience soaked in moral contradiction and emotional disarray. 

*Midweek Runner-Up*

Amidst the Iranian rebellion, a father of 3 girls is promoted to investigating judge in the tyrannical, patriarchal courts of Tehran. Acting against his moral code, his cognitive dissonance fractures family bonds and leaves his wife deciding between her duty as a wife and her duty as a mother. Powerful on its own, the making of this film brims with bravery. The film was shot in Tehran entirely in secret, with director Mohammad Rasoulof smuggling footage out of the country for editing. He soon followed, fleeing Iran after an 8-year sentencing due to his criticism of the regime. Despite harsh interrogation of every member of cast and crew, and an attempt to ban the film from festival circuits, The Seed of a Sacred Fig persists. Striking performances, a compelling story, and use of real protest footage construct a searing indictment of Iran’s oppressive and deadly reality.

Following a great flood, a ragtag group of animals finds refuge on an abandoned boat. As they sail through trials and tribulations, their survival depends on togetherness over individualism. Sweet and thought-provoking, this free-flowing film challenges the desire for instant gratification and formulaic plot. But its meditative meandering is the very thing that makes the film so powerful. Fun fact: all the animal sounds were created by recordings of real-life animals!

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

*Oscar Winner* & *Midweek Pick*

While I didn’t give it my pick above, it was an easy win in this category.

*Midweek Runner-Up*

A wacky inventor’s newest invention falls to pieces after a vengeful penguin-behind-bars reprograms the “smart gnome” from good to evil. Per usual, the inventor’s loyal and more reasonable dog companion saves the day in this battle of man against machine. I could wax of this film’s poeticism for weeks. The risk of AI in insidious hands, the folly of man and his creations, the inevitable destruction of quick fixes and technological reliance, the simple solutions and obvious insights from other species. The themes are exponential. And it’s all quite fun even still!

A misfit woman breaks free of her shell as she develops her sense of self and purpose through a series of misfortunes. A tender exploration of grief and trauma and the wake of general existence through quirky claymation, the charming voice of Sarah Snook (Succession!), and a bittersweet narrative - I adore this film! Memoir of a Snail demonstrates the capacity of animation, creating an elegant balance of darkness and levity.

The various and emerging emotions and experiences that make us who we are anthropomorphized through the story of a young girl as she grows up: part 2. While not entirely revelatory, there are many genuinely sweet moments and sweetly impactful themes. And fine, okay, I’ll say it: I cried.

A stranded robot develops empathy by way of an orphaned gosling. Colors burst through the screen and the mastery of light is present in nearly every frame. Although it is visually captivating with touching sentiments about nature & nurture, the story was a bit predictable and formulaic for my tastes.

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

*Oscar Winner* & *Midweek Pick*

Palestinian and Israeli documentarians team up to depict the destruction and systematic elimination of century-old Palestinian villages in the West Bank. Raw. Uninhibited. Honest. The story is heartbreaking and demands that we reckon with the brutal genocidal efforts of a U.S. political ally. Despite winning an Oscar, U.S. distributors aren’t picking this film up, and a week ago one of the Palestinian directors was brutally beaten by Israeli settlers and detained by soldiers. Here are a few ways you can help.

*Midweek Runner-Up*

After being raped by a prominent figure, journalist Shiori Ito provides real-time documentation of her efforts to bring him to justice despite his determination to keep her silenced. Ito’s storytelling methods are thoughtful and accessible, fostering approachability to this all-too-familiar story. Its pedestrianess, while at first seemingly amateur, lends itself to an achingly intimate lens. Shiori Ito’s courageous story reminds as that through vulnerability there is immense power.

Two Ukrainian artists take up arms amidst the ruthless Russian invasion. As civilians-turned-soldiers, they invigorate their serenity and resiliency through the creation of delicate porcelain figurines. Vivid footage and a galvanizing score create a heightened cinematic experience that actually puts distance between the audience and the humanity of it all. Though happy to see a Ukrainian story take center stage, I often felt disengaged.

An investigation of abuse and death at an Indian residential school in Canada unearths generational trauma that continues to haunt the community. A well-shot portrait of a substantial issue, but the storyline could use some streamlined editing to maintain viewers’ attention. Even still, glad it exists!

A critical breakdown of the American use of “Jazz Ambassadors” as smoke & mirrors during a CIA-backed coup in Congo. A fantastic feat of archival excavation and organization and editing. But without a personal lens through which the story is told, the result is more educational than emotionally impactful. 

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT

*Oscar Winner*

A failed CAPTCHA test propels one woman into questions about her true identity with potentially disturbing results. This short starts off strong with a distinct tone of voice, a clear visual language, and a good amount of laughs. But as the narrative begins to lag it loses its succinct and witty appeal.

*Midweek Pick*

A portrait of the counterintuitive, exhausting, terrifying process of the U.S. immigration system. The unrelenting pace and frenetic cinematography thrust you into the protagonists’ shoes and refuses to let up. Though there are some frustratingly unbelievable moments, the film as a whole is highly effective. And depressingly timely.

*Midweek Runner-Up*

One man dares to stand against the paramilitary forces of 1990s Bosnia as a passenger train is stopped and quiet terror ensues. One might desire a bit more action from this arrestingly true story, but I’d argue the lean dialogue and cinematic restraint is key to the heart-stopping tension.

A uniquely bright little girl in Dehli must make a difficult decision, one that pits her own security against that of her big sister’s. There are some surprisingly sweet moments, but a chaotic blend of visual styles and tone leads to a generic and incohesive result.

One little girl learns the dark secrets of poaching in a ride-along-gone-wrong in a South African game reserve. I am all about centering wildlife protection, but this short was a mess!

BEST ANIMATED SHORT

*Oscar Winner* & *Midweek Pick*

An Iranian man and his daughter live in solitude, both haunted by the father’s PTSD, when an unexpected visitor will either bring them together or tear them apart completely. The stark yet beautiful animation is complimented with measured, detailed sound design. I’ve seen more affecting Oscar nominated shorts in the past, but I thought this one was still lovely.

*Midweek Runner-Up*

A group of tiny actors are left to rot after their normal-sized master dies, and their rotten brains are left to their own devices as they continue to make weird-ass films. This stop motion feat is delightfully demented, and also leaves you thinking “huh?” in a way both satisfying and kinda disorienting? I could also argue there is an allegory here about celebrity? All I know is that I actually kind of loved it at the end of the day!

When a young boy eats magic marbles, things get trippy! Unexpected twists and turns are highlighted by whimsical animation. A fun premise, but could do without the clunky expositional dialogue and the whomp-whomp ending.

The innocent transition from “kissing is gross” to “I think you’re kinda cute.” It was fine! I did try to Shazam the groovy club jam that reprises throughout.

Three men travel to Istanbul for a hair transplant, where their male fragility erupts to the surface. A cool story to focus on, but no real narrative direction or reason to care :0/

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT

*Oscar Winner*

A portrait of legendary double bassist, Orin O'Brien - the first woman hired by the New York Philharmonic. Clever editing keeps things moving in this warm and quippy profile. While Orin is a darling and interesting person, the short isn’t particularly compelling.

*Midweek Pick*

The gut-wrenching account of the deadly police shooting of Harith (Snoop) Augustus. This film had the entire theatre stunned. The story is told entirely through surveillance and body cam footage, without commentary or superfluous sound design, creating a real-time horror that is impossible to ignore or defend. Perhaps one of the most powerful filmic creations I’ve seen.

*Midweek Runner-Up*

A group of first-graders learns the satisfaction of hard work and personal development through nerve-racking auditions and rigorous rehearsals for one culminating performance. A joyful, tender reminder of lessons about life and growth even adults need from time to time. Sentiments like “Can someone who isn’t a good listener be a good leader?” and “Apply these emotions to your future” are a welcome rattle in my own heart.

The final weeks of a man who has spent years on death row. This short shines by the filmmakers getting out of the way and letting the subjects tell their stories uninhibited. A gripping, emotionally complex exploration that begs the question, “What is justice?”

Parkland massacre survivor, Sam Fuentes, bravely shares her struggles with trauma and justice as she prepares to confront her shooter. Many of the creative choices feel very on the nose, but the gift of access peaks in the final moments during Sam’s powerful victim impact testimony. Another reminder that sometimes the best thing a filmmaker can do is simply provide a platform.

For all my Best Readers,

<3 Julie

Reply

or to participate.