9 Best movies at Oscar 2022

‘Thappad'!! Not the 2020 Bollywood movie. A Thappad or a slap grabbed eyeballs and raised eyebrows at Oscar 2022. Did that distract you from the limelight of the event? Well, leave it as it may. Moving on…oh wait, the Oscar goes to none other than Will Smith!

The 94th Academy Awards, 2022 held at Ovation Hollywood on March 27, 2022, announced the best from the film industry for the year 2021. We are taking a peep at nine of the best movies at Oscar 2022.

Movie: Coda

Year: 2021

Language: English

Duration: 1h 50m

Cast: Emilia Jones, Troy Kotsur, Daniel Durant, Marlee Matlin

Director: Sian Heder

Ruby is a Child Of Deaf Adults. She is an ordinary teenager, but the only one in her family who can hear while her parents and brother are deaf. After toiling hard at their family fishing boat she attends school. Following her secret lover Miles, she signs up for the school choir. Her music teacher discovering her talent, wishes she attends Berklee College of Music. Her own passion versus supporting her deaf family which is financially struggling is the dilemma in front of her now.

Besides winning the Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay awards at the Oscar 2022, there are a plethora of other accolades won by the movie. No doubt it is on my list as one of the best movies at Oscar 2022.

Movie: Belfast

Year: 2021

Language: English

Duration: 1h 35m

Cast: Jude Hill, Jamie Dornan, Caitriona Balfe, Judi Dench

Director: Kenneth Branagh

The plot is set against the backdrop of late 1960s Belfast, Ireland. A jovial atmosphere is tarnished by atrocities unleashed by a group of rioters. Nine-year-old Buddy and his family among others in the street are havocked by the attack. While the tension is brewing between Catholics and Protestants, young Buddy is attracted to a classmate. Buddy's family is considering leaving Belfast as the tension doesn't subside and the financial burdens escalate on the family. But, Buddy cannot digest the fact of leaving Belfast. Nevertheless, a decision is to be made for the ones who stayed and for the ones who left.

After winning the People's Choice Award at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival, Belfast won more of it at Oscar 2022.  At the Academy Awards, the movie was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Actor in a Supporting Role, and Actress in a Supporting Role. I had to include it on the list of the best movies at Oscar 2022.

Movie: Nightmare Alley

Year: 2021

Language: English

Duration: 2h 25m

Cast: Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, Rooney Mara

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Having burned down his house, Stan leaves the place and ends up far away at a carnival. He is immediately hired as a carny and his carnival journey begins. At the next carnival arena, where they camp, he is attracted to the show by “Madame Zeena”. Her husband Pete teaches his secret codes and tricks of the trade albeit with a catch. Meanwhile, Molly from another show attracts him.  Gradually Stan spreads his charm and the “second sight” to become popular. With Molly, Stan leaves the paraphernalia of ordinary carnival to become a successful supernatural performer. However, Dr. Lilith questions the transparency of the show at one event. In his quest to outwit Dr. Lilith, does he cross the boundaries set by late Pete?

Nightmare Alley did have its Oscar 2022 moments with nominations for Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, and Best Production Design.

Movie: Dune

Year: 2021

Language: English

Duration: 2h 31m

Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Jason Momoa

Director: Denis Villeneuve

A science-fiction movie that has its plot set in the distant future. It is the first part of a sequel.  The House Atreides is forced to enter a war in order to claim reins over a desert planet that has tremendous value. The task of claiming the planet is deadly. Paul Atreides of the House Atreides has to ensure that his House and people are safe. Physical and metaphysical hindrances should be overcome. Logical and tactical decisions to be employed to lessen grave results. Can Paul lives up to the expectation of the prophesied messiah?

Dune had a magnificent time at Oscar 2022. Won Cinematography, Film Editing, Music, Production Design, Sound, and Visual Effects and nominated for Best Picture, Costume Design, Makeup and Hairstyling, and Writing. One of the incredible entries in my list of best movies at Oscar 2022.

Movie: The Power Of The Dog

Year: 2021

Language: English

Duration: 2h 4m

Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Kodi Smit-McPhee

Director: Jane Campion

Brothers Phil and George are wealthy and well settled in Montana. One glance at them would reveal that Phil is strong, rough, and authoritative while George is simple and approachable. A halt at an inn while on a cattle drive paves way for them to meet the hotelier Rose and her teenage son Peter. Although Phil in the company of his cowboys humiliates Peter and Rose, George makes up for it. He later marries the widow and brings her and Peter to their mansion. Phil's disdain continues and Rose ends up an alcoholic. Later, however, Phil begins to smoothen his ways with Peter and new bond blossoms between them.

At Oscar 2022, the film was nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, Best Production Design, and Best Sound and won Best Director award.

Movie: King Richard

Year: 2021

Language: English      

Duration: 2h 21m

Cast: Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Jon Bernthal, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton

Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green

Story of two star tennis players Venus Williams and Serena Williams. The stellar performances and success stories on the court are known to the world. The unknown side is the determination, planning, self-belief, and work culture, Richard instilled in his daughters. Despite the limitations and hardships, he knew his two daughters would be world-famous. He leaves no stones unturned to reach there.

Will Smith won the best actor Academy Award. The film also was nominated for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, and Best Original Song at Oscar 2022.

Movie: West Side Story

Year: 2021

Language: English

Duration: 2h 32m

Cast: Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez

Director: Steven Spielberg

Another story from the mid-1950s. Spat between rival gangs Riff's Jets and Bernardo's Puerto Rican Sharks isn't uncommon in the San Juan Hill neighborhood. The opening scene of the movie gives a foretaste to that effect. Turf scuffle coupled with musical accompaniment thrives. Love for Maria, Bernardo's sister by Tony who is Riff's friend sounds clichéd. But the story takes a turn thence with the future unknown.

Besides winning the Best Supporting Actress Award at Oscar 2022, the film was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Sound.

Movie: Don't Look Up

Year: 2021

Language: English

Duration: 2h 17m

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett

Director: Adam McKay

Dr. Oglethorpe at The Planet Defense Coordination Office receives a call via Kennedy Space Center to inform him of a NEO. The discovery is made by Kate Dibiasky, one of the Michigan State students under Professor Dr. Randall Mindy. Upon doing the orbital calculations with his students, Dr. Mindy realizes it is a very large comet. The trajectory reveals a direct hit on the Earth in about six months. Given its size, the experts realize it is an extinction-level event. This isn't happening, right?

A plot apparently of critical nature, yet the subtle narration infused with black comedy catches your complete attention.

At the Oscar 2022, the film was nominated for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score, and Best Film Editing. A unique film truly deserves an entry into the list of best movies at Oscar 2022.

Movie: Licorice Pizza

Year: 2021

Language: English

Duration: 2h 12m

Cast: Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman, Sean Penn

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

The plot is set in the 1970s. An unlikely bond blossoms between 15-years old Gary and 25-years old Alana. Gary, who is a stage actor, goes on a PR trip to New York for the Jerry Best Show. Since his mother doesn't take him, Alana chaperones him. On the way, however, Gary's fellow actor Lance fascinates Alana and they go out together. Differences in religious beliefs play spoilsport and they break up after dinner at her home. She soon moves back to Gary. Do you think it is weird for an older woman to hang out with Gary and his friends all the time? Their friendship; business; bond is all weird yet there is something special about it all.  

The film was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screen Play at the Oscar 2022.

Hope you liked my recommended list of best movies at Oscar 2022.