Oscar Nominees 2015: Best Picture

by Laura Pampin

@laurapampin

AMERICAN SNIPER

Already skilled with a rifle before he joins the Navy SEALS and departs for Iraq, Chris Kyle, played by Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper, becomes one of the most skilled snipers in U.S. military history. However he must deal with the high levels of stress and the toll on his personal life that is an unavoidable part of his harrowing work.

The movie is directed by Clint Eastwood, who has been previously nominated for Letters From Iwo Jima (2006), Million Dollar Baby (2004) and Mystic River (2003).

Robert Lorenz is one of the producers of the film and he also, has been nominated before for his work in Letters From Iwo Jima (2006) and Mystic River (2003), however this is the first Oscar nominee for Andrew Lazar and Peter Morgan, who are also producers.

BIRDMAN OR (THE UNEXPECTED VIRTUE OF IGNORANCE)

Best known to the public as Birdman, this film is one of the favorites to win the Oscar for Best Picture. Tells the story of Riggan Thomson, played by Oscar nominee Michael Keaton, who hopes to reestablish himself as a serious actor by mounting his own dramatic production on Broadway. With his self-doubt hindering the project, Thomson also finds threatened by the presence of a high-profile, egotistical movie star in his cast.

The film was directed by Alejandro G. Iñarritu, who was previously nominated for Babel (2006).

The film was produced by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Arnon Milchan, John Lesher and James W. Skotchdopole, this last two are nominee for first time.

BOYHOOD

Filmed annually for 12 years, Boyhood tells the story of a boy named Mason who experiences the joys and difficulties of childhood.

This film is another big favorite to win, when was premiered in Sundance Festival attracted the attention not only of the press, but also the public.

The film is directed by Richard Linklater, who was previously nominated for Before Midnight (2013) and Before Sunset (2004).

Produced by Richard Linklater, Jonathan Sehring, John Sloss and Cathleen Sutherland, who is nominee for first time.

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

As the owner of a once-luxurious Alpine hotel relates its history to a visiting writer, he describes his youth as a lobby boy at the Grand Budapest, where he was the protégé of the hotel’s concierge, Monsieur Gustave. Gustave runs the five-star establishment with panache and an iron fist, while also offering his services as a lover to the older, wealthy women guests.

The film have a unique cast including Ralph Fiennes, Adrien Brody, Jude Law, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Léa Seydoux, Tilda Swintn, Owen Wilson, among many others.

Directed by Wes Anderson, this comedy makes is his sixth Academy Award nomination, including Directing and Original Screenplay, in the past Wes Anderson was nominee for Moonrise Kingdom (2012), Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), and The Royal Tenenbaums (2001).

Produced by Wes Anderson, Scott Rudin, - who was previously nominee for Captain Phillips (2013), Extremely Loud & Incredible Close (2011), The Social Network (2010), True Grit (2010), No Country For Old Men (2007) and The Hours (2002) – Steven Rales and Jeremy Dawson, who are nominee for first time.

THE IMITATION GAME

Based on the brilliant, eccentric Alan Turning, the film tell the story about a group of English mathematicians who work in secret at Bletchley Park, to crack the code of a captured German Enigma encryption machine, the group led by Alan Turing have the fate of England on their hands, while Turing must hide his homosexuality or risk arrest and persecution by the country he is fighting to save.

A historical thriller directed by Morten Tyldum.

Produced by Nora Grossman, Ido Ostrowsky and Teddy Schwarzman, who are nominee for first time.

SELMA

The life of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. is examined through the dramatic events surrounding the historic 1965 freedom marches from Selma to Montgomery. Determined to fight the injustice and discrimination that African Americans continue to face in southern states despite the Civil Rights Act of 1964, King chooses Selma as the starting point for the peaceful protest marches that will focus the world’s attention on the city and its response.

The film is directed by Ava DuVernay.

Produced by Christian Colson, who was previously nominated for 127 Hours (2010) and Slumdog Millionaire (2008); Oprah Winfrey, who was previously nominated as Actress in a Supporting Role for The Color Purple (1985); Dede Gardner, previously nominated by 12 Years A Slave (2013), and The Tree of Life (2011); and Jeremy Kleiner, previously nominated for 12 Years A Slave (2013).

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING

A film with brilliant performances, tells the story of Stephen Hawking, a brilliant Cambridge graduate student when he learns that he has a progressive motor neuron disease and may die within two years. For Jane Wiilde, Sthephen’s fellow student and future wife, the prognosis represents not a certainly but a challenge that her faith and Stephen’s passionate determination can overcome.

Directed by James Marsh.

Produced by Tim Bevan, previously nominated for Les Misérables (2012), Atonement (2007) and Elizabeth (1998); Eric Fellner previously nominated for Les Misérables (2012), Frost/Nixon (2008), Atonement (2007) and Elizabeth (1998); Lisa Bruce who is nominee for first time and Anthony McCarten, who is also nominee this year for Adapted Screenplay.

WHIPLASH

Andrew is a 19 year-old music conservatory student who is determined to become a great jazz drummer. His talent and fierce passion draw the attention of the school’s most intimidating teacher, Terence Fletcher, who believes that students excel not through praise and encouragement, but through relentless humiliation and fear.

Directed by Damien Chazelle, and produced by Jason Blum, Helen Estabrook and David Lancaster, who are nominee for first time.

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