Oscar season is upon us! While there have been plenty of movies worth your attention over this past year, we’re here to give you five films that stood out amongst the rest. Whether they win or lose their respective nominations on Oscar night, these are all must-see:
1. "The Big Short"
(Courtesy: Paramount Pictures)
Pretty much everyone is aware of the financial crisis in 2008 that led the United States into a great recession; but how much do you really know about it? The Big Short explains exactly how badly things could’ve been avoided, and is an all too true tale of American greed at its worst. This dark comedy, featuring Brad Pitt, Steve Carrell, Christian Bale, & Ryan Gosling, tells the story of those who knew the housing crisis was upon us, and bet against the major banks.
2. "Inside Out"
(Courtesy: Disney)
No animated film since Toy Story 3 has managed to make even its most mature viewer shed a tear. This charming Pixar movie tells the story of 5 emotions in a young teen’s head: Anger, Joy, Sadness, Disgust, & Fear. The voices are casted perfectly. You couldn’t have picked a better actor to voice the character of Anger than Lewis Black himself! It is one of those films that has a chance to stand out as a classic amongst Pixar’s best.
3. "The Revenant"
(Courtesy: Regency)
This movie could’ve been titled Leonardo DiCaprio Is a Badass and that would’ve been completely fine. The tale of a frontiersman in the 1800s attacked by a bear, then left for dead by his fellow peers (who also kill his son) plays out in a legendary story of revenge. This is a film that will be appreciated by buffs for its attention to detail, only filming in natural light. DiCaprio said it was his toughest filming experience, and it definitely shows.
4. "Spotlight"
(Courtesy: Open Road Films)
A disturbing story simply based on its subject matter, "Spotlight" is the true story of the initial exposure of the Catholic church’s worldwide sex scandal. While this film only tells of how the story first broke in Boston over a decade ago, the end credits are even more disturbing: listing every location a similar scandal has been uncovered all around the world. Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, & Mark Ruffalo make up a stellar cast that keeps you engaged every second.
5. "Steve Jobs"
(Courtesy: Universal Pictures)
If you saw Ashton Kutcher’s rendition of this influential icon in Jobs, forget it ever existed! Steve Jobs is the story we deserved to hear about the Apple co-founder. Michael Fassbender portrays him in a way that most accurately portrays Jobs’ raw personality. Kate Winslet, Jeff Daniels, & Seth Rogan make up a perfectly chosen supporting cast. The film’s style is somewhat play-like, consisting of three acts that all take place during major product launches. This allows for us to truly digest the growth process Steve Jobs had as a person throughout his life, while also not being afraid the scrutinize his legacy.
