The Big Short: yes, the jumpy camera was annoying.
The Producers Guild picked Big Short as the best picture of the year. They have correctly picked the last 7 eventual Oscar Best Picture winners…fwiw…
Just saw The Big Short earlier today. Just need to see Room now to complete my Best Picture nominee watching. I liked The Big Short but its not in my top 3. I thought they tried a little too hard, got a little too “cute” with all the film school angles and shots. I also think they tried a little too hard on some of the dialogue/personas making everything seem a little more out there, everyone a real character. I’m sure some of that is true but having worked in the business for decades it seemed a bit much. I also find Steve Carell’s acting over the top in most movies he’s in. He’s not a favorite of mine. Christian Bale was very good, though. And the guy who played Vinny the trader - spot on and realistic. The script did a decent job explaining some of the mortgage debacle but I bet most folks are still somewhat confused.
Now, I’ve got to get myself to see Room. My mother, who isn’t one to like disturbing movies, thought it was wonderful and that it left a lasting impression.
DH and I saw Spotlight tonight. I thought it was good, though not so compelling as everyone else seems to think. I’d put it along side Bridge of Spies.
So that leaves Room, The Revenant, Mad Max, and The Martian to see by 2/28. I really have zero desire to see Mad Max. Hopefully, I can get to the other 3.
I really like this time of year, as I feel motivated to go to the movies before the Oscars. The rest of the year, I can always come up with reasons to stay home and comfortable. That’s not always a good thing.
@Nrdsb4 I really liked Mad Max. It’s one of my top 3 thus far but I always was a big fan of the original Road Warrior. The effects and visual eye candy are what makes the film IMO.
Watching all these Oscar films in the dead and bitter cold of February is a little something to look forward.
I saw Room. It was a very compelling film. Acting was top notch. I will be shocked if Brie Larson doesn’t win the acting award.
I finally saw Bridge of Spies. I liked it and loved the message of negotiating (now a lost art). I thought they could have done more with it. What were the backgrounds of the two American hostages? Was that really Rudolph’s family? What evidence did they have on Rudolph? Did they find that note he hid in the rag? I assume the public knew nothing of the exchange.
Yikes, I’m running out of time. A neighborhood theater is showing all of the nominated short action films as one performance. I’d love to see that. I still need to see Carol, The Martian, DH wants to see The Revenant, and I still haven’t seen Joy. I should probably also catch The Danish Girl, but haven’t seen that anywhere in theaters near me, even the “art house” type theaters.
Too much to see, so little time left!
@toledo One of the American held captive is an Economics professor at Swarthmore.
http://www.swarthmore.edu/news-events/economist-frederic-pryor-recounts-life-a-spy
Very interesting, doschicos. I would have added some of those details to the movie.
I’m pretty sure they included that information at the end, toledo. If you missed the very end, where it told you what happened to everyone, you missed an important part of the movie. Tom Hanks character (okay I’ve forgotten his name already!) kept on negotiating, continuing to be a real hero.
And I’m assuming the ladies were not Rudolph’s real family, because in the movie, Tom Hanks responded that they mixed up the names, so it was implied they were not. I want to see that movie again, so many things I missed.
Finally finished watching all the Best Picture nominees yesterday by watching Room. (It’s rentable on On Demand and Apple TV if anyone is interested.) Well written, very well acted, definitely a little disturbing, much more layered and deep than I was expecting.
I thought all the movies this year were worth watching, unlike last year when I really disliked Foxcatcher. Here’s my order of preference:
Spotlight - great acting across the board, great pace, just great storytelling. This is one of those movies I’d watch multiple times
Room - Amazing what they did on a tiny budget, the script is intelligently written and brings you to unexpected places, great acting. It’s one of those movies you’ll think about for awhile, one that reminds you how complex humans and their emotions are.
Bridge of Spies - Very atmospheric, interesting story, great attention to details re: costuming, settings, etc. I would definitely watch this again.
Mad Max: Fury Road - Ok, I am a huge Tom Hardy fan. 
And the visuals and creativity gives one so much to watch. A well done action flick. I know I’m in the minority on this one on this thread.
The Martian - Interesting story (hadn’t read the book), I liked the humor added to the script, I’m not the biggest fan of scifi/space movies as some things always seem a little farfetched to my pragmatic mind.
Brooklyn - Definitely a pretty picture. The main character’s actions kind of bothered me a little which made me somewhat unsympathetic but also made her seem more human. I was surprised by how this movie stayed in my thoughts for days afterward. It had a quiet complexity to it.
The Revenant - Tom Hardy deserves a best supporting actor award but he won’t get it. Stunning scenery but I don’t think that should be enough to win an Oscar. How many close ups of a horse’s eyeball do you need in one film? I’m glad I saw it but I thought the pace was a little plodding at times.
The Big Short - Entertaining but a little overwrought for my taste, in a way that came across as a bit gimmicky.
So, my preferences definitely don’t mesh with others nor the movie pundits. I’m glad I saw them all as they are all worth seeing.
Great post, doschicos! Now we need your run down for the acting categories!
@doschicos like your list. Just saw “spotlight”'last night and hope an oscar win would encourage more people to see it.
Only other two I’ve seen " Bridge of spies" and “the Martian”, are fine movies but don’t have the significance of a movie like “spotlight”.
@nottelling Unfortunately, I haven’t seen many of the movies for the acting awards. I do think Brie Larson will win Best Actress. Sounds like Stallone is a shoe in for Best Supporting Actor but I really liked Tom Hardy in The Revenant and Mark Ruffalo in Spotlight and Christian Bale in The Big Short AND Rylance in The Bridge of Spies. Creed is the only movie I haven’t seen in this category. Stellar performances all around in this category!
Okay, I’m really tired, but I’m watching the Oscars and thinking, WOW. Just…wow.
Surprise win for Rylance. Well deserved. So far I have no issues with how things have gone in terms of awards.
Do you want to elaborate on that WOW, @Nrdsb4 ? 
Rylance! Yes! He was great.
“Aren’t you worried?”
“Why? Would it help?”
Very pleased with Spotlight’s Best Picture win!
Spotlight shines on “spotlight” - yes!!!
Michael Keaton…in two best picture winners in a row.