We are now getting closer to the 2022 Academy Awards which is set to take place on March 27 at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood. Many of this year’s nominated movies are already out on different streaming sites, which makes it easier to prepare for the gala by watching the major nominees at home. To help you pick, here is a streaming guide to nine of the most hyped up films this year, which can be found on either Netflix or HBO Max. To spice it up, this guide also includes the current IMDB-rating, so that you can get a sense of what other viewers have thought about these movies!
The Power of the Dog
With its total of 12 nominees in different categories, this movie is something you must not miss out on watching! The story is about a charismatic rancher who is driven by fear, until something changes when his brother brings home a new wife and her son. It shows him new perspectives whereas he suddenly finds himself exposed to the possibility of love.
Streaming site: Netflix
Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role (Benedict Cumberbatch), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Kirsten Dunst), Best Cinematography, Best Music, Best Sound, Best Production Design, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score.
Writer/Director: Jane Campion
IMDB: 7.0/10
Dune
Good things come to those who wait. Dune was originally scheduled for a late 2020 release, but it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dune is an adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 classic novel, primarily covering the first half of the book. Set in the future, the film follows the main character as his family goes to war towards the deadly desert planet Arrakis. This successful movie is lead by the cast of Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Oscar Isaac and Josh Brolin.
Streaming site: HBO Max
Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Original Score, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Visual Effects, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Sound
Writer/Director: Denis Villeneuve
IMDB: 8.1/10
West Side Story
This famous play about forbidden love was already adapted into a beloved film in 1961. It is now again translated into a new form of musical with a setting in the upper west side of New York City. It has a breathtaking story and consists of beautiful singing by Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler. No wonder it has gotten so many nominees.
Streaming site: HBO Max
Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Sound, Best Director (Steven Spielberg), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Ariana DeBose)
Writer/director: Steven Spielberg
IMDB: 7.9/10
Drive my car
Drive My Car tells the story of Yūsuke Kafuku (Hidetoshi Nishijima), a theater director who has to deal with the sudden death of his wife. The film evokes a strong emotional reaction throughout the entire 179 minutes, and you better stay prepared that it might bring out a few tears.
Streaming site: HBO Max
Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Directing (Ryusuke Hamaguchi), Best International Feature Film
Writer/director: Ryusuke Hamaguchi
IMDB: 7.9/10
Don’t Look Up
This star-studded film leaves one to think, since it (in a sarcastic and satire way) explores the reality of a society that ignores the dangers of climate change. The writer has embodied this with a “planet killer” meteor which is headed straight towards planet Earth, yet ignored by everyone but the main characters – who are workers at a science team. The cast consists of many famous actors such as; Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Jonah Hill, Timothée Chalamet, Ariana Grande, Kid Cudi and Tyler Perry.
Streaming site: Netflix
Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Original Score, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing
Writer/director: Adam McKay
IMDB: 7.4/10
Nightmare Alley
Based on the 1946 novel by William Lindsay Gresham, this drama takes place in 1930s New York, while it is still in the depths of the depression. Nightmare Alley stars Bradley Cooper as Stanton Carlisle, a conman who is escaping the past by joining a traveling carnival. He gets to know Zeena the Seer (Toni Collette), a clairvoyant who is struggling with her alcoholic husband.
Streaming site: HBO Max
Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design
Writer/director: Guillermo del Toro
IMDB: 7.4/10
The Lost Daughter
This movie is an adaptation of Elena Farrante’s 2006 novel of the same name. The plot tells the story about a woman whose beach vacation takes a quick turn when she starts analyzing a young mother, which suddenly awakens her own memories. The story allows you to follow through the ups and downs of motherhood and its plot retains the ability to entertain in a thrilling way.
Streaming site: Netflix
Nominated for: Best Actress (Olivia Colman), Best Supporting Actress(Jessie Buckley), Best Adapted Screenplay
Writer/director: Maggie Gyllenhaal
IMDB: 7.0/10
Tick, tick… BOOM!
Based on Jonathan Larson’s classical musical with the same name, this film mixes classic stage numbers with traditional film scenes to create something completely different compared to the original. Andrew Garfield makes an excellent role throughout the whole movie, which makes it not very surprising that he is nominated for the best actor award. He shows a great talent for both song and dance that will leave you speechless – and maybe even a tiny bit in love.
Streaming site: Netflix
Nominated for: Best Actor (Andrew Garfield), Best Film Editing
Writer/director: Lin-Manuel Miranda
IMDB: 7.6/10
The eyes of Tammy Faye
The Eyes of Tammy Faye is a drama film based on the 2000 documentary of the same name by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato. The film tells the entire story of Tammy Faye, starting off with her childhood growing up in a religious community in Minnesota. It pictures the rise and fall of her career and her lovesome marriage to her husband. Jessica Chastain is creating perfection in many ways when playing Faye, which makes it easy to see why she’s in the running to win Best Actress.
Streaming site: HBO Max
Nominated for: Best Actress (Jessica Chastain), Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Writer/director: Michael Showalter
IMDB: 7,0/10
(Featured Photo by Krists Luhaers on Unsplash)