All movies day

It's Oscars Day, the cinephile's high holy day. I will start watching the red carpet as early as I can find it (is E! still a network?), and will turn it off after Sinners wins Best Picture. I am 75% certain of that outcome but everything else is a toss-up. Except Jessie Buckley for Best Actress. As New York Magazine said, "this trophy has had Jessie Buckley’s name engraved on it since September."

On that note, here are some movies I liked.

It Was Just an Accident (Hulu)
Nominated for 2 Oscars this year, this Iranian film is about a group of people who kidnap a man they suspect tortured them in prison. Hold ON, gimme a minute. It's actually funny! For a while. And then its not. And the ending will stay with you for a while. But beyond the fact that it's a great movie, its backstory is pretty striking. It was shot in secret, without a permit from the Islamic Republic, over 20 days using only two cars for cast and crew to avoid drawing attention. Give this director an Oscar for effort alone.

Buffaloed (Hulu) 
Meanwhile in another universe... nepo baby Zoey Deutch (her mom's Leah Thompson) might be my new favorite actress. She is hilarious and takes no prisoners, practically devouring every scene she's in. This is a very fun (and darkly informative) tale of a woman who gets into the debt collecting business in a desparate attempt to move out of Buffalo. The accents are delightful, Judy Greer plays her mom - what more do you need?

The Annihilation of Fish (Criterion, Kanopy)
A lovely, deeply weird little movie by renowned director Charles Burnett starring James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave. It's an empathetic, full-hearted take on the intricacies of human loneliness that will have you falling in love right alongside them.

Hope your week is wonderful, friends.

xoxo,
Carla