The Academy Awards or the Oscars is an annual award show in America meant for the purposes of celebrating success in film. But, of course, the select few that are lucky enough to be chosen are just a small fraction of the thousands and thousands of other films released throughout the year. With such a small pool of nominees, it’s easy for the Oscars to miss some great films especially in a year like 2019, where there were so many of them. That’s why this list exists. Here are some films released 2019 that were either no-shows, or underrepresented at the 2020 Academy Awards, but are totally worth watching regardless.
Knives Out
Knives Out is a “whodunit” mystery comedy film directed by Rian Johnson that tells the story of a private detective investigating a tense family after the death of their wealthy patriarch. Though it did receive an Oscar nod for Best Original Screenplay for Rian Johnson who also wrote the film, it deserved so much more with a hysterical performance by Daniel Craig who leads the film with charm and humour, and excellent performances by the entire ensemble of actors and actress including Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jaime Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, and Toni Collette. Johnson also gives great direction which fully realizes his witty script. An absolute blast to watch, Knives Out leaves you wondering what twists will unravel as you laugh at its brilliant dialogue until the credits roll.
John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum
It is no secret that the Oscars usually do not recognize action movies in its annual celebration of film and this year was no different. The third entry in the John Wick series, starring Keanu Reeves, did not receive a single Oscar nod. However, it’s still a fantastic film that holds its own against its predecessors. Parabellum continues the story of John Wick, master assassin, immediately after the events of the second film, where Wick finds himself pitted against hundreds of other assassins determined to claim the bounty on his head. As it’s directed by a former stuntman, it is no wonder how this film boasts such clean fight sequences and spectacular stunts. John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum is worth a watch just for its action alone. Though, fair warning, it can get pretty gory at times (it is rated R).
Zombieland: Double Tap
Zombieland: Double Tap is another sequel that, unsurprisingly, did not make an appearance at the Oscars. It follows the story of Columbus, Tallahassee, Wichita, and Little Rock, who, after the events of the first film, have become a tight-knit family surviving the zombie apocalypse. Though it does not boast anything new or extraordinary, its talented cast, clever dialogue, and solid action makes it a fun watch. And although it isn’t completely necessary, I highly recommend watching the first one before proceeding with this one.
Booksmart
This was my personal favourite film of the year, so I was naturally disheartened to see the lack of any recognition for it at the Oscars this year. Booksmart is a teen comedy film that follows Molly and Amy, two seniors who have gone through high school doing nothing but work and study. However, on their last day before graduating they decide to party for the first time in their high school lives. At first glance, it looks like another one of the hundreds of coming-of-age films released in the last decade, but upon actually watching the film, one will discover that it is a completely new experience made up of hearty laughs, heartwarming episodes, and a bittersweet ending. If there’s one film that you should watch on this list, it’s Booksmart.
The Farewell
The Farewell is a drama film tells the story of Billi and her Chinese-American family, who withhold information regarding their grandmother’s terminal illness, and instead arrange a family gathering to say their goodbye without her knowing of such. It’s a heartwarming and bittersweet tale that also presents themes of the cultural clash between the Western and Eastern part of the world. Another highlight is the performance by Awkwafina who plays the lead. An enjoyable film that did not make an appearance at the Oscars, The Farewell is a movie worthy of your time.
Midsommar
If you’re into horror, Midsommar is the movie for you. Director Ari Aster works his magic once again following his 2018 masterpiece Hereditary to create the terror that is Midsommar. It follows Dani, a travelling college student that falls victim to a pagan cult. Aster’s horror is impressive in that he doesn’t rely on jumpscares and other cheap tactics to generate scares, which actually creates an even more horrifying experience. A terror to watch, but like many horror films, Midsommar did garner any Oscar nods.
Uncut Gems
Did you know that Adam Sandler can act? Yes, that Adam Sandler. The one that starred in Click (2006). He can act, and Uncut Gems serves as a testament to such. Following a jeweler named Howard Ratner as he goes through hell to retrieve a gem and pay off his debts, Uncut Gems is a roller coaster that never stops. Scene after scene, the movie amps up the stakes to a thousand and lets the tension go through the roof, and just when you think it’s over, it goes back to a thousand all over again. With an Oscar-worthy performance by Adam Sandler, Uncut Gems is an Oscar no-show worth every minute of your time.
The Lighthouse
Perhaps the biggest letdown at the Oscars this year was the lack of nominations for The Lighthouse. Its only nod was for Best Cinematography, which it didn’t win. But with superb performances by Robert Pattinson and William Defoe, and brilliant writing and direction by Robert Eggers, it deserved so much more. The Lighthouse tells the story of two lighthouse keepers who struggle to maintain their sanity in black and white, and it’s a story definitely worth watching.
… And that’s it!!!
I’d like to finish this list off by saying that at the end of the day, the awards a film has has no correlation on the quality of the film or how much you will enjoy the film. Just because a film doesn’t make an appearance at the Oscars, it is not worth any less of your time than any Oscar-nominated or Oscar-winning film. So, grab some popcorn, get comfy and give these films a go!
Work Cited (Images)
“Booksmart.” IMDb, IMDb.com, 24 May 2019, www.imdb.com/title/tt1489887/.
“The Farewell (2019 Film).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Feb. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Farewell_(2019_film).
“File:X Mark.svg.” Wikidata, m.wikidata.org/wiki/File:X_mark.svg.
“John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Feb. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wick:_Chapter_3_%E2%80%93_Parabellum.
“Knives Out.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Feb. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knives_Out.
“The Lighthouse (2019 Film).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Feb. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lighthouse_(2019_film).
“Midsommar (Film).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Feb. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midsommar_(film).
Oscar.go.com, oscar.go.com/nominees.
“Uncut Gems.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Feb. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncut_Gems.