Each year there is a huge focus on those pictures that have been nominated for best picture and rightly so, it is the most prestigious award in Hollywood. However, other films that don’t quite make the cut can still be celebrated for their feats in movie making. They tend to not be your standard Oscar nominated fair, but their technical ability is worth a closer look.

So here are the movies that have gained more nominations than The Post (a best picture nominee with only two award nominations) and a quick study into the categories they’re nominated for.

Check out the multi-nominated films and tell us you thoughts on them in the comments below!

I, Tonya
Three Nominations (Best Actress, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Film Editing)

I, Tonya is the “true” story of Tonya Harding, an infamous Olympic figure skater, and the “incident” that occurred in the 1994 Winter Olympic. The film stars Australia’s own Margot Robbie, who’s company also produced the picture.

This film is a vehicle for some truly stellar performances, so the fact that two of its awards are for Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Tonya, and Alison Janney’s viciously indelicate performance of LaVona (Tonya’s mother) comes as no surprise. These characters are larger than life and could easily have been overplayed, but both Robbie and Janney never venture into caricature. Robbie underwent four months of training in order to play the part and her intense dedication is clearly viable. She also brings a vulnerability to a rather harsh character, especially in a particular scene where she’s forcing herself to smile through her tears.

The standout here, however, is Janney as LaVona is deeply repulsive in every way. She swears at children, frequently abuses her daughter and treats every person she meets like dirt. Yet, every time she is on-screen is an absolute treat with her comedic timing driving the movie. A special mention should also be made to Sebastian Stan’s performance as Jeff, Tonyas’s abusive yet engaging husband, and Paul Walter Hauser’s perfect resemblance to the real Shawn.

The third award that I, Tonya has been nominated for is for Film Editing. This is due to its interesting narrative device, especially since the real life accounts of this story are filled with so many contradictions. There would have been no way to tell a true account of this horrible event. So instead of fighting this, the filmmakers have played wildly with the unreliable narrator. The way the film cuts between different characters accounts of the events draws you in and connects you to the film in a way not often seen with these true stories.

It is surprising that I, Tonya wasn’t nominated for best picture, especially when compared to some of the other nominees. However, its strengths have been recognised and its unique telling of a true story makes it a much watch.

Baby Driver
Three Nominations (Film Editing, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing)

If you’ve ever wondered what these three categories actually are, then Baby Driver is the perfect demo reel for you. Directed by Edgar Wright, it’s a meticulously constructed film that pushes editing and sound design to its limits.

Baby Driver is the story of a young getaway driver named Baby, with an awful case of tinnitus, who is constantly listening to music to tune out the ring in his ear. After being coerced into driving for one more job, Baby comes face to face with the cities’ most dangerous criminals, putting the people close to him in danger.

Any fan of Edgar Wright knows what to expect here; fast paced editing with clever use of sound effects. But in Baby Driver, Wright has taken it to a whole other level with every single moment of the film has been choreographed and edited to the music playing on Baby’s iPod. Each action scene is elevated to something beyond your standard heist movie. Every punch hits harder to the beat of the music, every gun shot is ingrained into the soundtrack and the energy of the movie drives along at a kinetic pace. The editing and music played such a huge part in the story that the editor was actually on set, editing the film as they shot it, making sure that each take would match the songs perfectly.

There is one particular shot near the start of the movie that showcases these strong elements; Baby is walking along the street getting coffee for the rest of the gang. This might sound like a mundane task that has no place in an action movie, but Edgar Wright uses this moment to set up the world and uniqueness of the movie. Harlem Shuffle plays as Baby struts along; each step matching the beat of the music with each following action perfectly timed to the beat an lyrics. There are words in graffiti and signs at various points along the street that enter the frame at the exact moment the lyrics are sung in the song. And then there’s the sound design as every sound that we hear in the outside world has been layered to compliment the music. Bells ring when doors open at just the right pitch and beat to add a whole other level to the already great song.

Baby Driver is a technical masterpiece and while it might not be a best picture winning movie, it completely deserves the awards its been nominated for.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Four Nominations (Original Score, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Visual Effects)

The Last Jedi has been talked about nonstop since its December release, dividing fans right down the middle. Some consider it a fantastic addition to the franchise, while others want it removed completely. Its plot and plot holes have been examined and re-examined many times, but let’s talk about something else, the technical aspects, which is where this movie shines. Fair warning, there will be spoilers.

The Last Jedi is filled with grand shots of CGI worlds, loud action pieces, and a swelling score by John Williams. There is one point in the movie where all of these elements work seamlessly together, which justifies the four nominations. The scene in mention is the point when Vice Admiral Holdo sends the sole remaining rebel ship straight into the pursuing Star Destroyer at lightspeed. Rey And Ren have just teamed up to fight the royal guards, with John Williams beautiful track ‘A New Alliance’ underscoring the fight. This track is a fantastic mix of old themes from the original trilogy combined with new tracks that really drives the emotional beats of the sequence. The music continues to build as it seems like all hope is lost for the Rebels. The usual Star Wars Sound Effects of lightsaber clashing and blasters firing amp up the tension to this exceptional point. When Holdo makes her heroic move something unusual happens for a blockbuster; the sound cuts out. The images on-screen are left for the viewer to really take in without distractions, and they’re beautiful. The Star Destroyer being torn apart is an example of when CGI really excels. It’s big, bright, believable and leaves you with a sense of wonder. Then the sound kicks back in and you get a second hit of the event on display.

This one scene alone puts Star Wars thoroughly in the run to win the nominated awards. Although, if there is one thing letting it down, it would be some of the creatures CGI in the rest of the film as it is inconsistent in quality.

Blade Runner 2049 – Five Nominations (Cinematography, Production Design, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Visual Effects)

And now we move on to a completely different science fiction movie, Blade Runner 2049. While it is great that the academy is acknowledging a fantasy based movie in The Shape of Water, it is a shame that they couldn’t stretch the nominations to include Blade Runner. This film created a slow burning experience that asked some deeply personal questions, whilst doing it all beautifully. Again, spoilers ahead.

Blade Runner 2049 continues with the themes and questions left from the original; predominantly “What does it mean to be human?” The story follows Blade Runner K who is investigating a replicant that has supposedly given birth. What starts as a manhunt quickly becomes a tale of personal discovery; the feeling of thinking you’re special before realising you’re just like everyone else. But do you have to stay that way? Sci-fi can be an escapist piece of entertainment, at its best though, it can leave you thinking for days about yourself and the world we live in.

There are so many elements at play here, but lets focus on what the film has been nominated for.

Roger Deakins has been nominated for Best Cinematography fourteen times, and has never won. With tough competition coming from Dunkirk this year, it might not be his to win again, but he definitely deserves it. Every single shot in Blade Runner 2049 is an artwork. If someone doesn’t know what the job of a cinematographer is, show them this movie. The colour, lighting, framing all works together to help convey emotion in each and every scene. The shots linger and you’re drawn into every detail of the frame. Then you add the digital colour correction to create striking contrast.

Visual Effects doesn’t necessarily only include CGI, it’s any effect, practical or digital. Unlike other current films in its genre, Blade Runner surprisingly uses a large amount of practical effects. The design of the city and world is a nice blend of futuristic and modern architecture that creates something distant, yet eerily similar to modern-day. This design has been brought to life by incredibly detailed miniatures that were then touched up with digital imagery. It works perfectly and sets up an absolutely chilling climax.

The film comes to a confrontation at the edge of the city’s walls, that are constantly hit by the crashing waves of the ocean. K struggles to save Deckard from a sinking car whilst fighting the main antagonist. The sound here is intense and hard-hitting with each wave crashing emphasising every punch. The threat feels real and visceral.

Blade Runner 2049 unfortunately underperformed at the box office, and in today’s day and age of big blockbuster movies with lavish budgets, that can affect a whole genre of movies. Hopefully the awards recognition justifies such a brave move from this studio. Yes, it could have been nominated for many more awards, particularly Ryan Gosling’s subtle performance as K, but where the movie excels is where its gotten the most recognition.

All of the above movies are worthy of the Oscar recognition and should not be overlooked this Oscar season. They demonstrate an understanding of very specific skills that don’t tend to be highlighted in all the best picture nominees. If you’re catching up on the Oscar films and want something different from the usual Oscar fair, be sure to check out these entertaining and skilfully constructed films.

Tune in on March 4th (US) to see who wins in this tight Oscar race!

What did you think of these films? Who do you think will win? Tell us in the comments below!

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Can’t make it to the movies? No problem because Netflix is releasing their $90 million fantasy film this month and it looks very interesting!

Check out what’s coming out this month and tell us in the comments below what film you’re most excited for!

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Rey develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker, who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance prepares to do battle with the First Order.

Starring Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, John Boyega, Carrie Fisher, Billie Lourd, Domhnall Gleeson, Mark Hamill, Andy Serkis, and Gwendoline Christie.

The Greatest Showman | Trailer

Inspired by the imagination of P. T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman is an original musical that celebrates the birth of show business & tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.

Starring Hugh Jackman (The Wolverine), Michelle Williams (My Week With Marilyn), Zac Efron (Baywatch), Zendaya (Spider-Man Homecoming), Rebecca Ferguson (The Girl on The Train).

Bright

Set in an alternate present-day follows two cops from very different backgrounds.  Ward, a human, and Jakoby, an orc, embark on a routine night patrol that will alter the future of their world as they know it.  Battling both their own personal differences as well as an onslaught of enemies, they must work together to protect a deadly, thought-to-be-forgotten relic, which in the wrong hands could destroy everything.

Starring Will Smith (Men In Black), Joel Edgerton (Warrior), Noomi Rapace (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo), Lucy Fry (Vampire Academy), Edgar Ramirez (The Girl on the Train), Ike Barinholtz (The Mindy Project), Enrique Murciano, Jay Hernandez, Andrea Navedo (Jane the Virgin), Dawn Olivieri (House of Lies), and Kenneth Choi (American Crime Story).

Pitch Perfect 3 | Trailer

After the highs of winning the world championships, the Bellas find themselves split apart and discovering there aren’t job prospects for making music with your mouth. But when they get the chance to reunite for an overseas USO tour, this group of awesome nerds will come together to make some music, and some questionable decisions, one last time.

Starring Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp, Hailee Steinfield, Elizabeth Banks, and Ruby Rose (Orange is the New Black).

Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle

Four high school kids discover an old video game console and are drawn into the game’s jungle setting, literally becoming the adult avatars they chose. To beat the game and return to the real world, they’ll have to go on the most dangerous adventure of their lives, discover what Alan Parrish left 20 years ago, and change the way they think about themselves – or they’ll be stuck in the game forever.

Starring Dwayne Johnson (Baywatch), Kevin Hart (Get Hard), Karen Gillian (Guardians of the Galaxy), Jack Black (School of Rock), Missi Pyle (Gone Girl), Tim Matheson (Hart of Dixie) and Nick Jonas (Scream Queens).

Ferdinand | Trailer

After Ferdinand, a bull with a big heart, is mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team on the ultimate adventure.

Featuring the voices of Kate McKinnon (Ghostbusters 2017), Bobby Cannavale (Mr Robot), John Cena (Trainwreck), David Tennant (Jessica Jones), Gina Rodriguez (Jane The Virgin), Daveed Diggs (The Get Down), and Miguel Ángel Silvestre (Sense8).

Downsizing

When scientists discover how to shrink humans to five inches tall as a solution to overpopulation, Paul and his wife Audrey decide to abandon their stressed lives in order to get small and move to a new downsized community — a choice that triggers life-changing adventures.

Starring Matt Damon (The Martian), Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids), Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained), and Hong Chau (Big Little Lies).

Wonder Wheel | Trailer

Four peoples’ lives intertwine amid the hustle and bustle of the Coney Island amusement park in the 1950s: Ginny, an emotionally volatile former actress now working as a waitress in a clam house; Humpty, Ginny’s rough-hewn carousel operator husband; Mickey, a handsome young lifeguard who dreams of becoming a playwright; and Carolina, Humpty’s long-estranged daughter, who is now hiding out from gangsters at her father’s apartment.

Starring Justin Timberlake, Kate Winslet (The Dressmaker), Juno Temple (The Dark Knight Rises), and Jim Belushi (Good Girls Revolt).

All The Money In The World

After the kidnapping of 16-year-old John Paul Getty III, his mother desperately attempts to convince his billionaire grandfather to pay the ransom. When Getty Sr. refuses, she attempts to sway him as her son’s captors become increasingly volatile and brutal. With her son’s life in the balance, Gail and Getty’s advisor become unlikely allies in the race against time that ultimately reveals the true and lasting value of love over money.

Starring Mark Wahlberg (Transformers: The Last Knight), Christopher Plummer (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo), Michelle Williams (My Week With Marilyn), and Charlie Plummer (Granite Flats).

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