You’re late on the Oscar race. It’s OK. Watch these movies tonight.
Oscar nominations can lead to mild panic attacks.
It’s that sudden realization there are so many great movies to see with a now-looming March 27 deadline when the 94th annual Academy Awards will be handed out. If you mistakenly believe that director Jane Campion’s Western “The Power of the Dog,” which led the pack with 12 nominations, must feature dog whisperer Cesar Millan, fear not. We’ll set you straight.
To ensure maximum movie enjoyment and give you cheering or jeering rights for the Oscars (airing on ABC), here’s our guide to five essential Oscar movies and where you can view them.
Once you finish these, you can hit Neflix for “Don’t Look Up” (four nominations), “The Lost Daughter” (three nominations) and “tick, tick … BOOM!” (two nominations).
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‘The Power of the Dog’
Benedict Cumberbatch’s hardened rancher Phil is the cur from the title of Campion’s tale of toxic masculinity. Phil goes full-tilt mean when his kindly brother George (Jesse Plemons) brings home a new wife (Kirsten Dunst) and her sensitive son (Kodi Smit-McPhee). In true cowboy justice, the entire main cast earned Oscar nominations for their superb performances in the best picture nominee, as did Campion for directing and adapted screenplay. The brotherly struggle is brutal, but the shots of the Montana skies by nominated cinematographer Ari Wegner are simply awe-inspiring.
Where to watch:Netflix
‘Dune’
Director Denis Villeneuve created an epic and terrifying universe in his enthralling sci-fi saga based on Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel. Things get gnarly for noble Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac) and son Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) on the impossibly harsh but spice-rich planet of Arrakis. There are battles against treacherous villains and colossal sandworms that make “Game of Thrones” look like kids’ stuff. With 10 Oscar nominations including best picture, “Dune” is the blast before the nuclear sequel set for release in 2023. It’s made for theaters, but crank the home speakers. Your neighbors won’t mind.
Where to watch: Apple TV, iTunes, Blu-ray and digital download
‘Nightmare Alley’
Director Guillermo del Toro vividly brings the 1930s carnival world alive in his haunting neo-noir thriller that earned “Nightmare Alley” four Oscar nominations, including best picture. Del Toro makes it clear that carnival crowds are not far spiritually from the sideshow freaks they pay to gawk at in horror. Bradley Cooper was overlooked for a nomination as charming, ambitious carnival worker Stanton Carlisle. But Cooper and Cate Blanchett, as his truth-seeking psychologist nemesis Dr. Lilith Ritter, spin an eerie tale that will send a cold chill down the spine that will last for days.
Where to watch: Hulu
‘King Richard’
Best actor nominee Will Smith transforms to tell the story of Richard Williams, the father of tennis phenoms Venus and Serena Williams, in this inspirational family drama. The relentless father’s quest to get his daughters out of Compton includes writing a 78-page plan of attack. His story, produced by the Williams sisters, ultimately led to tennis world domination and superstardom. Additionally, Beyoncé serves up the Oscar-nominated song “Be Alive,” part of the film’s six-nomination haul that includes best picture and Aunjanue Ellis for best supporting actress as Richard’s wife Oracene Williams.
Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play and Vudu.
‘CODA’
After winning top honors at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, this comedic family drama has utterly charmed growing numbers of fans who have fallen under its spell. Now it’s ready for the big stage, with three Oscar nominations including best picture. “CODA” tells the story of 17-year-old Ruby (Emilia Jones), the “Child Of Deaf Adults” who runs a fishing boat in Gloucester, Massachusetts, with her deaf parents (Marlee Matlin and Troy Kotsur) and older brother (Daniel Durant). But the talented Ruby dreams of a singing scholarship at Berklee College of Music. With Matlin and Oscar-nominated Kotsur demonstrating their screen couple’s undimmed and sometimes noisy passion for each other, “CODA” displays heart, romance and will make you laugh until you cry. It’s happy tears, really.
How to view it:Apple TV+
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