Oscars 2019

Last year I got 23 out of 25 on my Oscar ballot. That is not going to happen this year. As I've said in the past, I enjoy seeing these movies because it gets me out of the house during my least favorite time of year. Also, any excuse to get together with friends and drink cocktails and eat pizza is fine by me. The Oscars themselves, however, hold less and less interest for me as the years go on.

8. Bohemian Rhapsody: The director is a terrible, gross person and I am glad he is now a Hollywood pariah. I did not like this movie. I love Queen. However, I flames on the sides of my cheeks hated Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury. And he is probably going to win an Oscar.

7. Black Panther: I mean, I liked it. It's a better than average Avengers movie. Best Picture, though? Seems like a stretch. ( Although the way this awards season is going it will probably win.)

6. Green Book: This is a mildly entertaining movie. There are some tough scenes involving racism. However, it really did feel like too much of a redemption of a racist white guy story rather than focusing on what musician Don Shelby's life was really like.  Mahershala Ali is great, though.

5. Vice: Very similar style to The Big Short from few years ago, which is no surprise since it is the same director. Christian Bale is good as Dick Cheney, but I never really forgot that it was Christian Bale playing Dick Cheney. And of course, revisiting all of the evil things Dick Cheney did wasn't exactly uplifting. And I have now written Dick Cheney four times too many.

4. BlacKkKLansman: This was hard to watch in many ways, especially knowing how little has changed since the film took place. It was also hilarious at parts, and I liked the actors.

3. The Favourite: I did not fully know that this was about, but I loved it. Rachel Weisz and Olivia Colman are brilliant. And I am sucker for a period piece.

2. Roma: This was a beautifully shot film. Very artistic. I really felt like I was seeing Mexico City in the 70s. There are some heartbreaking parts to the story, but it is very well done.

1. A Star is Born: I know, I am surprised this is number one, too. I loved this movie. I loved Bradley Cooper. The music is great, and the story well told. I didn't love the end, but overall I thought this was really well done.

Should win: Roma
Will win: Roma