My Verdict For Films in Oscars 2018

From master storyteller Guillermo del Toro comes The Shape of Water, an otherworldly fable set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1962. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is trapped in a life of isolation. Elisa's life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda (Octavia Spencer) discover a secret classified experiment. Rounding out the cast are Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Doug Jones.

A heartfelt different kind of love story that boasts of it visuals and well-paced story telling.

My Verdict: 4/5

Christine "Lady Bird" MacPherson is a high school senior from the "wrong side of the tracks." She longs for adventure, sophistication, and opportunity, but finds none of that in her Sacramento Catholic high school. LADY BIRD follows the title character's senior year in high school, including her first romance, her participation in the school play, and most importantly, her applying for college.

A heartfelt coming-of-age story that perfectly captures the bittersweet transition from adolescence to early adulthood. I cried and relate to this compelling coming of age film. So fresh, relatable, realistic and touching on every aspect of a teenager's life. One of the best film I've seen in recent years.  

My Verdict: 5/5

Call Me By Your Name, the new film by Luca Guadagnino, is a sensual and transcendent tale of first love, based on the acclaimed novel by André Aciman. It's the summer of 1983 in the north of Italy, and Elio Perlman (Timothée Chalamet), a precocious 17-year-old young man, spends his days in his family's 17th century villa transcribing and playing classical music, reading, and flirting with his friend Marzia (Esther Garrel). Elio enjoys a close relationship with his father (Michael Stuhlbarg), an eminent professor specializing in Greco-Roman culture, and his mother Annella (Amira Casar), a translator, who favor him with the fruits of high culture in a setting that overflows with natural delights. While Elio's sophistication and intellectual gifts suggest he is already a fully-fledged adult, there is much that yet remains innocent and unformed about him, particularly about matters of the heart. One day, Oliver (Armie Hammer), a 24-year-old American college graduate student working on his doctorate, arrives as the annual summer intern tasked with helping Elio's father. Amid the sun-drenched splendor of the setting, Elio and Oliver discover the heady beauty of awakening desire over the course of a summer that will alter their lives forever.

With beautiful scenery and remarkable performance by Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer, Call Me Ny Your Name succeeds in telling a poignant coming of age story through texture, tone and nuance. The chemistry between the two lead actors just elevated a summer love story into a sensual and emotionally moving touching portrait of romance in early 80's.

My Verdict: 5/5

 

The film depicts the dramatic and true story of the Dunkirk evacuations from a war torn beach and harbour in France, following the seemingly doomed plight of allied soldiers in World War II. As the enemy forces close in it seems the troops have nowhere to go, but help is at hand and a fierce battle ensues.

Dunkirk is a one of kind war film that feels larger than life. Feels like I'm in the war zone inside the IMAX cinema. Technically awesome with incredible sound design, great cinematography and polished editing.

My Verdict: 5/5

Chris and his girlfriend Rose go upstate to visit her parents for the weekend. At first, Chris reads the family's overly accommodating behavior as nervous attempts to deal with their daughter's interracial relationship, but as the weekend progresses, a series of increasingly disturbing discoveries lead him to a truth that he never could have imagined

A different kind of suspense film with sharp social satire and dark comedy
on the side. It successfully blends a bunch of different elements together
that audiences can enjoy which makes the movie what it is. A good debut film
with the promising director Jordan Peele.

My Verdict: 4/5

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a darkly comic drama from Academy Award nominee Martin McDonagh (In Bruges). After months have passed without a culprit in her daughter's murder case, Mildred Hayes (Academy Award winner Frances McDormand) makes a bold move, painting three signs leading into her town with a controversial message directed at William Willoughby (Academy Award nominee Woody Harrelson), the town's revered chief of police. When his second-in-command Officer Dixon (Sam Rockwell), an immature mother's boy with a penchant for violence, gets involved, the battle between Mildred and Ebbing's law enforcement is only exacerbated.

A one of a kind story telling with ensemble acting and fine direction.. I like how the film progress that gradually release new layers in this socio political story together with the characters that repeatedly reveal new sides to themselves.

My Verdict: 4.5/5

When American military analyst, Daniel Ellsberg, realizes to his disgust the depths of the US government's deceptions about the futility of the Vietnam War, he takes action by copying top-secret documents that would become the Pentagon Papers. Later, Washington Post owner, Kay Graham, is still adjusting to taking over her late husband's business when editor Ben Bradlee discovers the New York Times has scooped them with an explosive expose on those papers. Determined to compete, Post reporters find Ellsberg himself and a complete copy of those papers. However, the Post's plans to publish their findings are put in jeopardy with a Federal restraining order that could get them all indicted for Contempt. Now, Kay Graham must decide whether to back down for the safety of her paper or publish and fight for the Freedom of the Press. In doing so, Graham and her staff join a fight that would have America's democratic ideals in the balance.

An outstanding performance by Meryl Streep. The film offers a tight and lucid story of Pentagon Papers from the point of view of the its publisher, Kay Graham. You'll never get wrong with the combination of the three cinematic powerhouses, Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, and Steven Spielberg.

My Verdict: 4/5

Set in the glamour of 1950s post-war London, renowned dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) and his sister Cyril (Lesley Manville) are at the center of British fashion, dressing royalty, movie stars, heiresses, socialites, debutants, and dames with the distinct style of The House of Woodcock. Women come and go through Woodcock's life, providing the confirmed bachelor with inspiration and companionship, until he comes across a young, strong-willed woman, Alma (Vicky Krieps), who soon becomes a fixture in his life as his muse and lover. Once controlled and planned, he finds his carefully tailored life disrupted by love.

Phantom Thread's set design, costume ans various props bring 50'ss London back to life & achieve an artistically & aesthetically beautiful film.

My Verdict: 3.5/5

With Europe on the threshold of World War II as Hitler's armies rampage across the continent's once proud nations, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Neville Chamberlain, is forced to resign, appointing Winston Churchill as his replacement. But even in his early days as the country's leader, Churchill is under pressure to commence peace negotiations with the German dictator or to fight head-on the seemingly invincible Nazi regime, whatever the cost. However difficult and dangerous his decision may be, Winston Churchill has no choice, but to shine in his darkest hour.

Gary Oldman brings Winston Churchill to life with his powerful performance that 

really standout in this film. A decent historical film to remember this remarkable period in Europe.

My Verdict: 4/5

 

My Ranking for the Best Picture

                             1. Ladybird
                             2. Call Me By Your Name
                             3. Dunkirk
                             4. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
                             5. The Shape of Water
                             6. Get Out
                             7. The Post
                             8. Darkest Hour
                             9. Phantom Thread

                             

Best Picture: Ladybird

Best Director: Christopher Nolan - Dunkirk

Best Actor: Timothée Chalamet - Call Me By Your Name

Best Actress: Meryl Streep - The Post

Best Supporting Actor: Sam Rockwell - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Supporting Actress: Allison Janney - I, Tonya

Best Cinematography: Blade Runner 2049

Best Production Design: The Shape of Water

Best Costume Design: Beauty and the Beast

Best Film Editing: Dunkirk

Best Writing - Adapted Screenplay: Call Me By Your Name

Best Writing - Original Screenplay: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri