Now that’s it Everything Everywhere At Once officially dominating the 95th Academy Awards, film fans have some down time before the next awards season is in full swing. That makes this a good time to reflect on some of the Academy’s greatest hits and misses. Many would say these films fall into the latter category.
According to a critic’s score on Rotten Tomatoes, this is the 21st century’s worst Oscar nomination for Best Picture. It’s safe to name some of this polarizing, at best—perhaps downright bad in some cases.
‘Les Misérables’ (2012)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 70%
Seven years before the Razzies’ historic sweep together Cat, Tom Hopper brought to the stage one of the longest running shows in world history. Her first big-screen musical had defenders and was critically acclaimed, but it would be an understatement to call it divisive. Opponents criticize the film for tacky and claustrophobic close-ups that betray the epic scope of the material, as well as live singing that feels more amateur than innovative — then of course there’s Russell Croweit’s a supporter’s turn to be booed, which maybe isn’t even entirely his fault.
Les Mis received seven Oscar nominations including Best Actor and Best Picture, winning for Best Supporting Actress (Anne Hathaway) This film has a lot of haters (it was one of the last films Roger Ebert dumped before his death in early 2013), and questionable filmmaking instincts brought on massive blows Cat.
‘Jokers’ (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 68%
From this moment Todd PhillipsThe Scorsese-inspired DC Comics psychological thriller is premiering on the festival circuit, and maybe even before it, it’s clear it’s going to be a game changer. Joaquin Phoenix cleaned the house on the awards circuit in the Best Actor category, but not everyone thought the sour drama deserved the level of acclaim it received.
Phoenix’s performance and the film’s numerous technical achievements (production design, cinematography, music) were widely praised, but many critics considered the film’s plotting and characterization to be overly simplistic, especially in comparison to Taxi driverand other images that explicitly inspired it. Still, comedian rremains the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, the only one in the billion-dollar club.
‘Vice’ (2018)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 65%
Before dividing critics and audiences with Don’t Look Up, Adam McKay received a slightly, only slightly, more homogeneous response to this Dick Cheney starring biopic Christian Bale, Amy Adams And Sam Rockwell on top of an attention-grabbing A-list ensemble cast.
The bad grumpy, unbalanced, ambitious, and sometimes downright funny. It’s made with a tone that feels like Funny or die, only performed by world-class actors at the top of their game. Acting is something that no one really gets confused about; The bad was nominated in three of the show’s four acting categories.
‘Chocolate’ (2000)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 62%
It was about a decade and a half before the internet came around for her when a disturbing video about alleged dog abuse on her set was shot A Dog’s Purpose appear, Lasse Hallstrom made this really good, forgettable English-speaking European romance star Juliet Binoch, Judi Dench And Johnny Depp.
chocolate is a whimsical, lighthearted tale about the influence of chocolatière on a sleepy, square French village. Luckily, his cool air is based on his performances—especially Oscar-nominated Binoche, who is absolutely terrific here. For decades, he has remained one of the greats of world cinema.
‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (2018)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 60%
20th Century Fox’s Queen biopics have a tough production, to put it mildly. Troubled director (now effectively cancelled?). Bryan Singer simply dismissed from production, replaced with Dexter Fletcher. Starring Rami Malek as Freddie Mercurysparkling rock image was a surprise juggernaut at the box office, grossing $911 million worldwide.
Critics are hardly gung ho for Bohemian Rhapsody, criticizing the flashy presentation bordering on clichés, historical inaccuracies, and even the acting. That didn’t stop the Academy from giving the film four Oscars, out of five nominations.
‘Don’t Look Up’ (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 56%
Even though it broke the record for most-viewed Netflix film, critics weren’t very kindDon’t Look Up. Star studded Adam McKay (Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Tyler Perry, Yunus Hillthe list goes on) the apocalyptic comedy has been criticized for its swelling length, missed jokes, and even awkward filmmaking.
This is a notable example of the split between audience and critics: Don’t Look Up sits at an approval rating of 78% from the audience, 23 points higher than the critic’s rating. The film was nominated in a total of four Oscar categories including Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing.
‘So Loud & So Close’ (2011)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 45%
A film best forgotten. Most likely you already have one. Stephen DaldryA schmaltzy, perverted drama based on the better-received 2005 book about a little boy who seeks closure after his father is murdered on 9/11. On paper: the ingredients are pure Oscar stuff (or just Oscar bait): a heartwarming story based on true events, and a terrific cast including Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock And Max von Sydow. in execution,So Loud & So Closeveering between corny, bland and ridiculous.
The events and aftermath of 9/11 deserve to be handled with care, and made into a captivating work of art. The high water mark remains Paul Greengrassstartling United 93. So Loud & So Close very, very close to being worthless.