My Verdict for Films in Oscars 2017

Mia, an aspiring actress, serves lattes to movie stars in between auditions and Sebastian, a jazz musician, scrapes by playing cocktail party gigs in dingy bars, but as success mounts they are faced with decisions that begin to fray the fragile fabric of their love affair, and the dreams they worked so hard to maintain in each other threaten to rip them apart. 

Got fall in love with this film together with its charming performance, visuals and musics. An awesome realistic love story that will truly melt your heart.

My Verdict: 5/5

Linguistics professor Louise Banks leads an elite team of investigators when gigantic spaceships touchdown in 12 locations around the world. As nations teeter on the verge of global war, Banks and her crew must race against time to find a way to communicate with the extraterrestrial visitors. Hoping to unravel the mystery, she takes a chance that could threaten her life and quite possibly all of mankind.

Smartly written that works as a big puzzle. Throughout the film there are pieces revealed and by the end you are required to assemble them on your own. A unique take on a science fiction, alien film with an underlying message of communication and understanding.

My Verdict: 4/5

The true story of Desmond Doss, the conscientious objector who, at the Battle of Okinawa, won the Medal of Honor for his incredible bravery and regard for his fellow soldiers. We see his upbringing and how this shaped his views, especially his religious view and anti-killing stance. We see Doss's trials and tribulations after enlisting in the US Army and trying to become a medic. Finally, we see the hell on Earth that was Hacksaw Ridge.

 Violent, but a touching tale of courage and strength. Andrew Garfield gives an excellent, believable performance in this movie based on a true story. Incredibly intense and powerful. One of the best Hollywood film for me of 2016.

My Verdict: 5/5

A young man deals with his dysfunctional home life and comes of age in Miami during the "War on Drugs" era. The story of his struggle to find himself is told across three defining chapters in his life as he experiences the ecstasy, pain, and beauty of falling in love while grappling with his own sexuality.

Beautiful story. A quiet, intimate film with a universally strong cast. Moonlight is a timeless tale of growing up and finding oneself. I like how the story was tell in three different perspective. A different kind of compelling drama that deserves to be watched.

My Verdict: 4.5/5

Lee Chandler is a brooding, irritable loner who works as a handyman for a Boston apartment block. One damp winter day he gets a call summoning him to his hometown, north of the city. His brother's heart has given out suddenly, and he's been named guardian to his 16-year-old nephew. As if losing his only sibling and doubts about raising a teenager weren't enough, his return to the past re-opens an unspeakable tragedy.

 Brilliant film with engaging, realistic drama and excellent performances. I love its cinematography. I like how the film brilliantly tell a story of depression and struggles of one's man life trying to overcome it. Casey Affleck was great and a fine discovery of this film.  All of the emotions in this movie come from a natural place, which makes them even more powerful.

My Verdict: 5/5

As the United States raced against Russia to put a man in space, NASA found untapped talent in a group of African-American female mathematicians that served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in U.S. history. Based on the unbelievably true life stories of three of these women, known as "human computers", we follow these women as they quickly rose the ranks of NASA alongside many of history's greatest minds specifically tasked with calculating the momentous launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, and guaranteeing his safe return. Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Katherine Johnson crossed all gender, race, and professional lines while their brilliance and desire to dream big, beyond anything ever accomplished before by the human race, firmly cemented them in U.S. history as true American heroes. 

Powerful touching historical film on women empowerment. True and inspirational story, making sure the audience leaves the theater with a warm, happy feeling. Hidden Figures is nothing out of the ordinary, but its story and cast make it enjoyable.

My Verdict: 3.5/5

Troy Maxson makes his living as a sanitation worker in 1950s Pittsburgh. Maxson once dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player, but was deemed too old when the major leagues began admitting black athletes. Bitter over his missed opportunity, Troy creates further tension in his family when he squashes his son's chance to meet a college football recruiter.

Outstanding performance from Viola and Denzel with theatrical treatment, intimate, long and developing scenes

My Verdict: 3.5/5

In 1986, Saroo was a five-year-old child in India of a poor but happy rural family. On a trip with his brother, Saroo soon finds himself alone and trapped in a moving decommissioned passenger train that takes him to Calcutta, 1500 miles away from home. Now totally lost in an alien urban environment and too young to identify either himself or his home to the authorities, Saroo struggles to survive as a street child until he is sent to an orphanage. Soon, Saroo is selected to be adopted by the Brierley family in Tasmania, where he grows up in a loving, prosperous home. However, for all his material good fortune, Saroo finds himself plagued by his memories of his lost family in his adulthood and tries to search for them even as his guilt drives him to hide this quest from his adoptive parents and his girlfriend. Only when he has an epiphany does he realize not only the answers he needs, but also the steadfast love that he has always had with all his loved ones in both worlds. 

A touching and heartwarming film that will make your heart cry out out loud. An exceptional film based on a true story that I may considers as one of the best film of 2016. An amazing, captivating story with good cinematography, well acted and well-paced. Great performances from Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman up to Sunny Pawar. Its only not a heartfelt film but also brings up some earnest humanitarian issues.

My Verdict: 5/5

Following a series of armed robberies at a number of branches of Texas Midland Bank where very little money was taken, we learn that the motive of unemployed oil and gas worker Toby Howard (Chris Pine) and his brother -- just released from prison -- is to raise enough money to pay off the reverse mortgage that will forfeit their recently deceased mother's ranch if not paid off. Oil was discovered on the ranch and in order to secure the future of his sons and ex wife, Toby needs $43,000. After two of the robberies, curmudgeonly Texas Ranger Marcus Hamilton (Jeff Bridges) and his American Indian deputy partner pick up the trail and just miss foiling the next, and last robbery. 

A well made and different kind of west American crime thriller film anchored by solid performances by Chris Pine, Ben Foster, and Jeff Bridges

My Verdict: 4/5

Jackie is a portrait of one of the most important and tragic moments in American history, seen through the eyes of the iconic First Lady, then Jacqueline Kennedy. Jackie places us in her world during the days immediately following her husband's assassination. Known for her extraordinary dignity and poise, here we see a portrait of the First Lady as she fights to establish her husband's legacy and the world of "Camelot" that she created and loved so well. 

Featuring an effective performance by Natalie Portman, Jackie is a subtle, dark, and quietly powerful film.

My Verdict: 4/5

My Ranking for the Best Picture

                             1. Lion
                             2. Manchester by the Sea
                             3. La La Land
                             4. Hacksaw Ridge
                             5. Moonlight
                             6. Arrival
                             7. Hell or High Water
                             8. Hidden Figures
                             9. Fences

                              
Best Picture: Lion

Best Director: Kenneth Lonergan - Manchester by the Sea

Best Actor: Casey Affleck - Manchester by the Sea

Best Actress: Natalie Portman - Jackie

Best Supporting Actor: Dev Patel - Lion
Best Supporting Actress: Michelle Williams - Manchester by the Sea

Best Cinematography: Lion

Best Production Design: La La Land

Best Costume Design: Jackie

Best Film Editing: Hacksaw Ridge

Best Writing - Adapted Screenplay: Lion

Best Writing - Original Screenplay: Manchester by the Sea