The Oscar nominations were released in late January bringing more surprises than snubs. While best picture is always a stacked category this year the race for best picture is more competitive than ever; the nominees are also atypical with one international film nominated and two blockbuster hits nominated. 

10. “Triangle of Sadness”

Out of all the nominees on this list “Triangle of Sadness” seems to be the least known and talked about movie. Two factors that play into this is the fact that “Triangle of Sadness” is an independent film which also means that it’s hard to watch. The talk around this movie has not been negative, but at the same time there’s not much buzz around the film. 

9. “Avatar: The Way of Water”

There are many odds going against “Avatar: The Way of Water”, of course they are the same odds which are against “Top Gun: Maverick”. First off, it is atypical of the Oscars to nominate a blockbuster film. Another point is the fact that there has only ever been two sequels to have won best picture: “The Godfather: Part 2” in 1974 and “Lord of the Rings: Return of the King” in 2003. Now there is some basis in my reasoning for placing this movie so low on the list, after all I’m truly not a fan of “Avatar”. On another note I felt the CGI in “The Way of Water” made it look less like a movie and more like a video game.

8. Women Talking”

While I have yet to watch this film I do know the story because I read the book this movie was adapted from. I thought it was a heartbreaking story and I was shocked to learn the story was based on real events. The film has not had much buzz, but I think the main factor for why it’s highly unlikely “Women Talking” will win has to do with the demographic of the voters of the Academy. Those a part of the Academy are known to be older conservative males so it can be assumed that they would not favor the female empowering kind of movie that is “Women Talking”.

7. “TAR”

I have not watched “TAR”; all the talk I’ve heard about this film has been about Cate Blanchett’s performance. A movie that truly has the potential to win best picture must have buzz over multiple aspects of the film, and that does not describe “TAR”. So while I can’t see this movie winning best picture Blanchett has a high chance at winning best leading actress (if she does not win then it will most likely end up going to Michelle Yeoh for “Everything Everywhere All At Once”). 

6. “Elvis”

While I’ve already watched “Elvis” two times and enjoyed it each time, there were some major faults that break its chances at winning best picture. The film editing was messy and the timeline did not feel accurate to real life events. Also I felt Tom Hanks’ performance messed up this film a whole lot. Austin Butler’s performance truly saved the film and he does deserve to win best leading actor. 

5. “The Fablemans 

“The Fablemans” does not compare to some of Stephen Spielberg’s past films that have been up for best picture, not to mention the ones which have won best picture. It’s not one of Spielberg’s worst movies, but it also was not one of his best movies. This film does not have much going and is also very simple, but maybe that was Spielberg’s point – to just tell a story.

4. “All Quiet on the Western Front”

“All Quiet on the Western Front” is a foreign film which means it’s at an odd to win; only 14 international films have ever been nominated for best picture; only one international film has ever won best picture and that was “Parasite” in 2020. While the film was bone chilling it was not on the same level as “Parasite”, however it does so far seem that “All Quiet on the Western Front” will win best international feature film. Although the film is at odds the fact that Netflix is the production and distribution company gives it a chance. 

3. “Everything Everywhere All At Once” 

Leading the Oscars with the most nominations is “Everything Everywhere All At Once” scoring 11 nominations. The film came out early 2022 and even though it will almost be a year after its release the buzz around the film has not stopped. All of this may make it seem like it will be the one to win best picture, but historically the best picture win has never been the one with the most nominees. 

2. “Top Gun: Maverick”

“Top Gun: Maverick” is not the type of movie the Academy usually nominates, but with viewing and popularity having gone down for the Oscars over the past couple of years the Academy needs something to draw people in, that’s where “Top Gun” comes into play . This film is balanced in its excellence with great acting, cinematography, music, and storyline. While “Top Gun: Maverick” deserves to win best picture it’s highly unlikely that it actually will because it’s so mainstream.

1. “The Banshees of Inisherin”

Lately many of the movies to have been released were either sequels, remakes/adaptations, or the typical CGI heavy kind of movies; “The Banshees of Inisherin” had none of those aspects which made it so refreshing to watch. Not only was it original but it was also such a unique film with not one but multiple notable acting performances from the cast. What particularly stood out about this movie was how some inspiration was taken from Irish folk tales.

There’s no telling what the Oscars will bring this year, any notable moment from Oscar history was always completely unexpected. The Academy Awards are set to take place where it does everywhere in the Dolby theater on Sunday March 12th 7pm CT on ABC.