Another good year for history on Oscars. Superhero movies maybe bring money, but history movies get you Academy Award nomination, at least the good ones. We could say history and Oscar get along.
WORLD WAR II
Of course, if it is war movie is probably about World War II and we are not complaining about that. Nolan’s Dunkirk leads historical genre with 8 nominations including Best Picture, Directing and Cinematography. Without a full-blooded lead actor, there could not nominations for best and supporting actor for Dunkirk and any nomination for best or supporting actress is failed in a start.
Contrary to, the Darkest Hour‘s strongest part is lead actor Gary Oldman, as Winston Churchill, and who is competing for Academy Award for best actor. Darkest Hour has 6 nominations including for Best Picture.
OTHERS
Beside two Second World War movies, there are few more movies based on true events or fictional stories who’s the action takes place in history.
The Post depicts the true story of attempts by journalists at The Washington Post to publish the Pentagon Papers, classified documents regarding the 30-year involvement of the United States government in the Vietnam War. Director is Steven Spielberg and in main roles are Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep who is nominated for best actress.
Phantom Thread is a historical period drama set in London in the 1950s. Beside nomination for Best Pictures, there is 5 more nomination for Phantom Thread. Although this is the last movie from Daniel Day-Lewis, we set our hopes on Gary Oldman.
Mudbound is also a historical period drama that depicts two World War II veterans – one white, one black – who return to rural Mississippi each to address racism and PTSD in his own way.
Several movies are more or less loosely based on true stories: Molly’s Game, The Disaster Artist, Victoria & Abdul and I, Tonya starring Margot Robbie as Tonya Harding received three nominations.
All the Money in the World recieved one nomination, Christopher Plummer in leading actor for portraying J. Paul Getty. This role was originally played by Kevin Spacey, but after multiple sexual misconduct allegations against Spacey, the role was recast with Plummer. Scenes were reshot a month prior to the film’s release.
RAZZIES
There is a key to avoid Razzie nominee and award; just make good history movie. The second key is to avoid fabrication of Egyptian history. Last year Gods of Egypt won two Razzies and this year Tom Cruise received Razzie for his part in The Mummy. Perhaps there is Egyptian curse for fabricating their history.
