On Jan. 16, the nominations for this year’s Academy Awards were announced. Being nominated for multiple Oscars is the ultimate form of advertising for a film. Never heard of Dallas Buyer’s Club? Well, it’s nominated for six Oscars, so go get it on DVD. This is also why many of the Oscar nominated movies are released in the month of December.
The nominations help bring people to the theater, and if it wins some awards, then it will look good on the commercial for the DVD. Since not every movie can be nominated, some fine works of art go ignored. Because the Academy didn’t recognize these films, I will. These are the best movies of 2013 that weren’t nominated for Oscars.
Director Ron Howard’s movies have ranged wildly over the years from good to bad, but he has impressed the Academy with films such as Apollo 13, Cinderella Man, and Frost/Nixon. Though Rush will not join that list of nominations, I consider it one of Howard’s best works. The film captures the real life rivalry of British Formula One racecar drivers, James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Nikki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl), taking place in the late 1970s. The two personalities are polar opposites. Hunt is a partying playboy with marriage problems, while Lauda is a calculating, confident prodigy with a dedicated wife.
The film examines the meaning of competition through the various interactions between characters and the intensity of the racing scenes, and showcases the risks in one of the most dangerous sports ever conceived. Daniel Bruhl does a fantastic job portraying the prestigious Lauda, while Chris Hemsworth proves that he can work well with dramas and he is not just for summer blockbusters.
Ron Howard’s films have been criticized for historical inaccuracy, but the real Nikki Lauda even admitted, “When I saw it the first time, I was impressed. There was no Hollywood changes or things changed a little bit Hollywood-like. It is very accurate. And this really surprised me very positively.” I highly recommend movie-goers rush on over to see this movie.
I’ll admit I am cheating a little with this one, since it was nominated for Best Score, but I don’t think that’s enough to convince people to see this wonderfully-made production. Saving Mr. Banks focuses on author P. L. Travers, who wrote the famous book, Mary Poppins. She reluctantly goes to Los Angeles to meet with the big man himself, Walt Disney, who wants to adapt Travers’ character and story for a live action film. Travers is deeply attached to the character and overly critical of any changes made to the story and certain production values. We see her troubled past leading her to become the woman she is in the 1960s.
The actors truly bring their A-game as Emma Thompson does a phenomenal job as the uptight Travers, while Tom Hanks breathes life into the iconic Disney himself (which thankfully the film doesn’t portray as a flawless being despite being under the Disney name). The supporting cast, including Paul Giamatti as the likeable limousine driver, and Jason Schwartzman and B.J. Novak as the musically talented Sherman Brothers, also adds to the film’s charm. Not only is it interesting to see how the cinematic masterpiece Mary Poppins was made, but the story is relatable to modern times as well. People complain about films not being like the original book and artists having a hard time selling the rights to the characters and stories they loved and created. The only problem I have is the ending as it is abrupt and inaccurate (if you knew about the real Travers), but it doesn’t stop me from highly recommending this movie. It’s supercalifrad… you get the idea.
Oscar nominated movies are usually released in December. To have a movie released in August and get people talking about the Oscars takes some talent, and that’s what The Butler did. The film centers on the life of Cecil Gaines, a story inspired by former White House servant, Eugene Allen. Cecil originates from a troubled past on a cotton plantation, but after escaping he takes jobs at various hotels, eventually leading him to become a butler at the White House.
The film revolves around his family as they witness various acts of segregation and racism, and on landmark events of desegregation throughout the 20th century. His son Louis participates in various acts of rebellion against segregation, much to his father’s dismay. Cecil’s relationship with Louis and long hours at the White House also put a toll on his wife, Gloria. The film is emotionally gripping thanks to the efforts of actors Forest Whitaker and former talk show host, Oprah Winfrey. Its earlier release may have contributed to its lack of recognition from the Academy, but it certainly did not stop audiences from flocking to this gut-wrenching drama.