The 92nd Academy Awards ceremony takes place on Sunday, and a wide range of films will be recognized for their achievements.
To help you prepare for Sunday’s event, we’ve gathered reviews and commentary from Deseret News writers about the films that have been nominated.
Get caught up on what people are saying about Best Picture nominees “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood,” “Joker” and “Little Women,” International Feature Film nominees “Honeyland” and “Les Miserables,” Animated Feature Film nominees “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” and “The Missing Link,” and more.
‘1917’
Nominated for: Best picture, cinematography, directing—Sam Mendes, makeup and hairstyling, music (original score), production design, sound editing, sound mixing, visual effects, writing (original Scrsenplay)
“1917” received a rating of 3.5 out of 4 stars from the Deseret News.
- “‘1917’ is grand in its scope and haunting in its visuals, but its simplicity is what makes Sam Mendes’ film such a resonant portrait of its subject,” according to the Deseret News. The film has been recognized in particular for its “one-shot” filming technique, which “is paired with some spectacular cinematography from Roger Deakins.”
‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood’
Nominated for: Actor in a supporting role—Tom Hanks
“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” received a rating of 3.5 out of 4 stars from the Deseret News.
- “Naturally, ‘Beautiful Day’s’ biggest selling point is Hanks, who slides into the Mister Rogers role so effortlessly that you struggle not only to differentiate him from his character, but also to think of anyone else possibly handling the part,” according to the Deseret News. “Under (Marielle) Heller’s direction, Hanks embodies the same sense of unconditional love.”
‘Ad Astra’
Nominated for: Sound mixing
“Ad Astra” received a rating of 3 out of 4 stars from the Deseret News.
- “‘Ad Astra’ is ultimately less about dramatic interstellar action than it is about interpersonal relationships,” according to the Deseret News, noting that “it would be easy to see people walking out of the Imax theater trying to reconcile mixed feelings over an ending that whispers instead of bangs.”
“Avengers: Endgame”
Nominated for: Visual effects
“Avengers: Endgame” received a rating of 4 out of 4 stars from the Deseret News.
- “For a three-hour movie, ‘Endgame’ is anything but bloated, with a wealth of poetic and pleasing moments,” according to the Deseret News. “It truly represents the best of the Marvel effort — from well-developed characters to exciting action sequences to a fun sense of humor that actually blends a bit better this time around than in ‘Infinity War,’ even though this new film still has its somber moments.”
‘Breakthrough’
Nominated for: Music (original song)—“I’m Standing With You”
“Breakthrough” received a rating of 2 out of 4 stars from the Deseret News.
- “On paper, ‘Breakthrough’ offers a dynamic and inspirational story, and the way it finally resolves Joyce’s character arc with an important lesson about the limits of stubborn faith is poignant,” according to the Deseret News. “(Mike) Colter’s subtle performance as a man working to reconcile his faith is also effective. Unfortunately, the story struggles to translate to the screen, and some execution issues keep (director Roxann) Dawson’s film from hitting its mark.”
‘Ford v Ferrari’
Nominated for: Best picture, film editing, sound editing, sound mixing
“Ford v Ferrari” received a rating of 3 .5 out of 4 stars from the Deseret News.
- “You don’t have to be a car nut or a ‘Top Gear’ devotee to enjoy (James) Mangold’s tapestry of drama and action, which benefits from rock solid performances across the cast sheet,” according to the Deseret News. “(Matt) Damon and (Christian) Bale really shine as the protagonist tandem dedicated to succeeding in a lethal field, and the human element they add to the film emotes a classic can-do message.”
‘Frozen 2’
Nominated for: Music (original song)—“Into the Unknown”
“Frozen 2” received a rating of 2.5 out of 4 stars from the Deseret News.
- “Fans of the first film — young and old — will be happy to see (and hear) a lot of the same things that made ‘Frozen’ such a phenomenon six years ago. The beloved characters return, each with at least one new song in tow, and their different personalities — especially Olaf — mostly carry the movie,” according to the Deseret News. “Among the new songs, Elsa’s ‘Into the Unknown’ is an obvious attempt to match the soaring grandiosity of ‘Let it Go’ — which won an Oscar for best original song — but it falls a little short.”
‘Harriet’
Nominated for: Actress in a leading role—Cynthia Erivo, music (original song)—“Stand Up”
“Harriet” received a rating of 3.5 out of 4 stars from the Deseret News.
- “As a nuts and bolts portrait of (Civil Rights heroine Harriet) Tubman, ‘Harriet’ gets the job done in generally accurate fashion and features enough emotional moments to give Lemmons’ film some gravity,” according to the Deseret News, adding, “(Cynthia) Erivo’s performance is sincere, like the film in general, but it doesn’t hit the depth that would usually attend a strong character arc. ‘Harriet’ is a powerful story about a powerful person in American history, but it still feels like it belongs on the second tier of biopics and needs a bit more meat to make the tribute truly resonate.”
‘Honeyland’
Nominated for: Documentary (feature), international feature film
“Honeyland” received a rating of 3.5 out of 4 stars from the Deseret News.
- “‘Honeyland’ is fascinating, presented at a natural pace in a way that feels like a scripted, live-action film but remains an intimate documentary,” according to the Deseret News. “Thanks to rich cinematography from Fejmi Daut and Samir Ljuma, ‘Honeyland’ is a joy just to watch.”
“How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World”
Nominated for: Animated feature film
“How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” received a rating of 3 out of 4 stars from the Deseret News.
- “‘Hidden World’s’ greatest strength, though, is its consistently striking visual style, which blends kid-friendly CGI characters with amazing landscapes and the kind of gorgeous lighting that will inspire your inner explorer,” according to the Deseret News. “Overall, ‘How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World’ is a nice little movie about growing up, with enough positives to keep the kids happy and the adults interested.”
‘The Irishman’
Nominated for: Actor in a supporting role—Al Pacino, actor in a supporting role—Joe Pesci, best picture, cinematography, costume design, directing—Martin Scorsese, film editing, production design, visual effects, writing (adapted screenplay)
“The Irishman” received a rating of 3.5 out of 4 stars from the Deseret News.
- “Despite its historical context, the heart of ‘The Irishman’ lies in the relationships between its characters,” according to the Deseret News, adding, “The performances are excellent, and aside from an early exception, the aging transformations used for the film’s principal characters — especially (Robert) De Niro — are fantastic.”
‘Jojo Rabbit’
Nominated for: Actress in a supporting role—Scarlett Johansson, best picture, costume design, film editing, production design, writing (adapted screenplay)
“Jojo Rabbit” received a rating of 4 out of 4 stars from the Deseret News.
- “The first 30 minutes of ‘Jojo Rabbit’ is a surreal comic uppercut, but the whole bout is one of the most sincere and moving films of 2019,” according to the Deseret News. “In spite of the film’s unconventional and off-the-wall style, it isn’t hard to see where the different dynamics of ‘Jojo Rabbit’s’ principal characters are headed. But the journey is delightful, heartbreaking and truly remarkable.”
‘Joker’
Nominated for: Actor in a leading role—Joaquin Phoenix, best picture, cinematography, costume design, directing—Todd Philips, film editing, makeup and hairstyling, music (original score), sound editing, sound mixing, writing (adapted screenplay)
- “The comic book origin story is merely a device; it’s an excuse to explore the relationship between mental illness and violence, and hold up a mirror to the dark side of contemporary society,” according to the Deseret News. “The result is utterly engrossing. Driven by Phoenix’s staggering performance, Phillips’ pitch-perfect directing, and Lawrence Sher’s haunting cinematography, it might be the best film of the year. But ‘Joker’s’ open-ended ambiguity also makes it dangerous. It defies the idea of a simple good/bad rating, and to categorically recommend or condemn ‘Joker’ feels incomplete, if not irresponsible.”
‘Judy’
Nominated for: Actress in a leading role—Renee Zellweger, makeup and hairstyling
“Judy” received a rating of 2.5 out of 4 stars from the Deseret News.
“‘Judy’ never quite captures the highs of a career that put Judy’s name alongside the other icons of her era,” according to the Deseret News. “The acting is spectacular, the singing is serviceable (and honestly pretty scant considering the subject) and the story is heartbreaking, if not epic. What we get from ‘Judy’ is good, but you get the feeling Judy — and her fans — would appreciate a bit more.”
‘Knives Out’
Nominated for: Writing (original screenplay)
“Knives Out” received a rating of 31⁄2 out of 4 stars from the Deseret News.
- “Knives Out” “adds a fun element to a tried and true formula, and fans of Agatha Christie-style murder mysteries or old family classics like ‘Clue’ will enjoy watching the proceedings play out,” according to the Deseret News. “The story is clever enough to keep you on your toes, and a fantastic cast fills in all the gaps, with especially enjoyable performances from (Chris) Evans and (Daniel) Craig.”
‘Les Miserables’
Nominated for: International feature film
“Les Miserables” received a rating of 4 out of 4 stars from the Deseret News.
- “‘Les Miserables’ is a French film, but it brilliantly addresses a very American issue with universal themes and highlights the humanity of its characters in a way few efforts have accomplished,” according to the Deseret News. “It’s a rare cinematic sermon that allows its audience to have the final word.”
‘The Lighthouse’
Nominated for: Cinematography
“The Lighthouse” received a rating of 3 out of 4 stars from the Deseret News.
- “‘The Lighthouse’ is a work of atmosphere, using stark visuals — in this case, black and white imagery shot at an unusual square aspect ratio — and a scant soundtrack to build an unsettling atmosphere of dread,” according to the Deseret News. “‘The Lighthouse’ benefits from (director Robert) Eggers’ effort to build a saturating atmosphere, and while both performances are suitably bonkers, (Willem) Dafoe especially channels the madness onscreen. The result has some clear merits, but lives far enough into the realm of indie art and cinematic metaphor to narrow its audience.”
‘The Lion King’
Nominated for: Visual effects
“The Lion King” received a rating of 3 out of 4 stars from the Deseret News.
- “Simply put, the new ‘Lion King’ gets an A for special effects and a D for originality,” according to the Deseret News. “It’s a visually staggering, beat-for-beat remake of the first movie, and aside from some new dialogue and a semi-consequential extra scene midway through the film, everything else remains intact.”
‘Little Women’
Nominated for: Actress in a leading role—Saoirse Ronan, actress in a supporting role—Florence Pugh, best picture, costume design, music (original score), writing (adapted screenplay)
“Little Women” received a rating of 3 out of 4 stars for the Deseret News.
- “As expected, (Saoirse) Ronan’s performance as Jo is on point,” according to the Deseret News, and “(Timothee) Chalamet is a standout as Laurie.” “‘Little Women’ is a worthwhile addition to (director Greta) Gerwig’s expanding resume. The director has given us a sharp telling of a beloved story — a version that manages to make a story that has now been around for 150 years feel both familiar and new.”
‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil’
Nominated for: Makeup and hairstyling
“Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” received a rating of 21⁄2 out of 4 stars from the Deseret News.
- “As with the first film, (Angelina) Jolie is the strongest part of ‘Mistress of Evil,’” according to the Deseret News. “She relishes in her role and does an excellent job of hitting that sweet spot between villainy and redemption, sort of like Darth Vader in ‘Return of the Jedi.’ ... Outside of Maleficent herself, pretty much everyone struggles to get out of their two-dimensional holds, and the grandiose finale doesn’t feel like the dramatic payoff it clearly wants to be.”
‘Marriage Story’
Nominated for: Actor in a leading role—Adam Driver, actress in a leading role—Scarlett Johansson, actress in a supporting role—Laura Dern, best picture, music (original score), writing (original screenplay)
- “Director Noah Baumbach’s much-vaunted divorce tale — ironically titled ‘Marriage Story’ — received a best-in-show six nominations at the Golden Globes and is now riding into the Oscars with the prospect of winning not only the Academy Award for best picture but also for best actor, actress and screenplay,” according to the Deseret News. “As the chorus of praise swells, however, this expletive laden, vein-popping portrait of marriage’s descent into divorce also raises questions about how popular depictions of romance and marriage (or its demise) influence the scripts of our own intimate relationships.”
‘Missing Link’
Nominated for: Animated feature film
“Missing Link” received a rating of 3 out of 4 stars from the Deseret News.
- “This entertaining, thoughtful movie about a lonely Bigfoot is one of the better looking animated films out right now, and while it probably won’t make the top of your all-time animation list, ‘Missing Link’ still makes a good case for stop-motion animation,” according to the Deseret News.
‘Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood’
Nominated for: Actor in a leading role—Leonardo DiCaprio, actor in a supporting role—Brad Pitt, best picture, cinematography, costume design, directing—Quentin Tarantino, production design, sound editing, sound mixing, writing (original screenplay)
“Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood” received a rating of 3.5 out of 4 stars from the Deseret News.
- “The soundtrack, as fans might expect, is loaded with familiar and not-so-familiar tunes from the era, and (director Quentin) Tarantino packs in enough pop culture references that the whole film begins to feel like the ultimate 1969 time capsule,” according to the Deseret News. “All three of ‘Hollywood’s’ leads nail their roles, and Tarantino’s knack for building tension comes in spades. But ‘Hollywood’ also comes with enough of the director’s usual R-rated content to justify a substantial audience warning.”
‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’
Nominated for: Music (original score), sound editing, visual effects
“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” received a rating of 3.5 out of 4 stars from the Deseret News.
- The film “is packed with enough ‘Star Wars’ staples — mind-blowing visual effects, exotic set pieces and high-octane action sequences built around layers of character drama — to keep hard-core and casual fans happy,” according to the Deseret News. It doesn’t quite have the ‘money moment’ of ‘Last Jedi’ ... but there are enough twists and surprises and payoffs to make ‘Rise of Skywalker’ a worthy finale for the new trilogy.”
‘Toy Story 4’
Nominated for: Animated feature film, music (original song)—“I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away”
“Toy Story 4” received a rating of 3 out of 4 stars from the Deseret News.
- “‘Toy Story 4’ is more of a coda than a capstone. But given its strengths, maybe that’s OK,” according to the Deseret News. “‘Toy Story 4’ feels like some of Pixar’s most economical storytelling. It knows what it wants to be, and what message it wants to deliver. That message is, at its core, the same as all other ‘Toy Story’ films. It’s about our willingness to accept new circumstances, and find fulfillment in them — to infinity, and beyond.”