Celebrating Excellence at 96th Oscars
As The Globes, BAFTAs, SAG and WGA awards seem like a long time ago we are now less than 24hrs away from the grandest awards show of the season, the Oscars,, the unveiling of the best actors, movies, and other outstanding categories, where you receive well-deserved accolades for cinematic contributions. This year, we eagerly cheer on our exceptionally talented directors, actors and actresses, hopeful for their triumphs at the 96th Oscars, set to broadcast live tonight March 10, 2024.
For those unfamiliar with the nominated movies from 2024, we’ve curated a list of films that you should get to know, excellence in front of and behind the camera.
American Fiction
In this satire film nominated in five categories, the charismatic EBONY cover star, Wright, takes on the role of Monk, an upper-class writer frustrated with his lack of success. The movie humorously explores Monk’s journey as his book, filled with stereotypes about the Black community, becomes a bestseller. American Fiction” is including best picture, best adapted screenplay (by the movie’s director, Cord Jefferson, from Percival Everett’s novel “Erasure”) and best actor, for the performance by D.C. native Jeffrey Wright.. Sterling K. Brown, Monk’s co-star, is also nominated for Best Supporting Actor.
Release date: 2 February 2024 (UK)
Director: Cord Jefferson
Nominations: Academy Award for Best Picture
Rustin
Colman Domingo receives his first-ever Oscar nomination in the Best Actor category for his portrayal of Bayard Rustin, a Black openly gay activist pivotal in orchestrating the 1963 March on Washington. Domingo, a versatile actor, pays homage to Rustin, a powerful figure advocating for Black rights and the LGBTQ+ community in the 1960s, long overlooked in Black history.
Release date: 3 November 2023 (USA)
Director: George C. Wolfe
Nominations: Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role,
Story by: Julian Breece
Distributed by: Netflix
The Holdovers
With five award nominations, including Best Picture and Film Editing, “The Holdovers” features Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s exceptional performance as Mary Lamb, a grieving mother coping with the loss of her son in the Vietnam War. The movie poignantly follows Mary’s journey toward acceptance and the future. Gets nomination for a Best Supporting Actress
Release date: 19 January 2024 (UK)
Director: Alexander Payne
Nominations: Academy Award for Best Picture,
Awards: Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Actor,
Distributed by: Focus Features
The Color Purple
Danielle Brooks from “Orange Is the New Black” earns a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in this musical remake. Brooks portrays Sofia, a confident woman leaving her abusive husband, delivering a powerful performance, including the iconic punch scene.
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
The second instalment of the animated series follows Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy as they navigate the Multiverse and confront new threats. Nominated for Best Animated Feature Film, this movie, featuring a Black Latino teenager, continues the success of the first Spider-Verse film.
Release date: 1 June 2023 (UK)
Directors: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson
Sequel: Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse
Distributed by: Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group, Sony Pictures Releasing
Based on: Marvel Comics
Box office: $690.9 million
Bobi Wine: The People’s President
This documentary explores the story of Bobi Wine, a Ugandan musician who ran for the presidency against Yoweri Museveni. Nominated for Best Documentary Feature, the film delves into the challenges faced during this political journey.
The Barber of Little Rock
A nominated short film documenting Arlo Washington’s story from Little Rock, Arkansas, who founded a non-profit community bank called People Trust to bridge the racial gap in banking and provide financial stability.
The Last Repair Shop
Nominated for Best Documentary, Short Film, “The Last Repair Shop” narrates the tale of a downtown warehouse housing 80,000 students’ instruments. Skilled craftspeople ensure these instruments are kept in good repair, emphasizing the profound impact of music in our lives.
Initial release: 1 September 2023
Directors: Ben Proudfoot, Kris Bowers
Nominations: Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film
Io Capitano
Based on the true story of two Senegalese brothers, Moussa and Seydou, traveling to Italy from Dakar, this film is nominated for Best International Feature Film. Despite facing numerous challenges, their unbreakable brotherhood is beautifully captured, deserving recognition for showcasing incredible endurance.
The Creator
In this sci-fi film nominated for Best Movie with Visual Effects, robots take centre stage. John David Washington, the handsome son of Denzel Washington, plays Joshua, a former special forces agent assigned to hunt down the Creator, an AI architect with the power to develop a world-ending weapon.
The After (Netflix) – A Neon Films Production
Adding to the rich array of nominated films, “The After,” a short film available on Netflix and produced by Neon Films, presents a unique cinematic experience. Directed by Misan Harriman, the film explores themes of resilience, hope, and the human spirit in the face of adversity. Nominated for Best Short Film.
Initial release: 10 August 2023
Director: Misan Harriman
Nominations: Academy Award for Best Short Film (Live Action), NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Short-Form (Live Action)
Distributed by: Netflix
So lets root for more diversity and that the excellence that a diverse range of creatives bring to the cinema is celebrated. The Oscars are free to view this year. The whole ceremony, and red carpet bits, will be airing on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK. Hosted by Jonathan Ross, it all gets underway at 10.30pm.
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