Oscar Nominees That Are Damn Good

And were damn good whether or not the institution deigned to give their approval

I’ve already shared my thoughts on the Oscars as an institution and recommended some nominated films/performances for this year’s Oscars including Turning Red (Animated Feature); Causeway (Supporting Actor Bryan Tyree Henry); Women Talking (Screenplay and Picture); Everything Everywhere All At Once (All the things!). Below are a few more nominees that are worth your time, whether they win or not, and some sneak peaks for my favorites.

All That Breathes (HBOMax): Documentary Feature nominee. This movie was one of the best things I’ve experienced in recent memory. Ostensibly about brothers who rescue and care for the Kites (birds) of Delhi, India, it’s so much more. They started their work with Kites because existing wildlife rescues wouldn’t help “Non Vegetarian” birds. IYKYK. All That Breathes is about the birds that are falling from the sky due to pollution and climate change. All That Breathes is about Muslims in India fighting to be treated as full citizens, including the wife and mother of this family - who runs a home while her husband is very pre-occupied with the bird rescue - and still goes to women led anti-CAA protests. All That Breathes is about a young boy struggling with respiratory issues in Delhi’s smothering pollution. All That Breathes is about brothers whose mother taught them to love all things including the birds, and who yearn to do other things, including study abroad, without disappointing each other.

And All That Breathes is about Salik, one of the bird helpers and the “star” for me (he’s in the freeze frame below) - he is sweet and quiet and asked these simple but philosophical questions (about nuclear war, about waste consumption, why the kites took his glasses) while busily doing his Kite rescue work. Cannot recommend this movie enough.

The Elephant Whisperers (Netflix): Documentary Short Nominee about 2 members of the indigenous Kattunayakan community in Tamil Nadu, southern India caretaking a baby Asian Elephant, a species which is being threatened by development and climate change. Bellie and Bomman were amazing in their life’s work and approach. The baby elephant Raghu, and another elephant they cared for, Amma, will always be in my heart.

Fire of Love (Hulu and rental on all major streaming outlets): Documentary Feature nominee about a French volcanologist couple, Katia and Maurice Krafft, and their love, to the death, of studying volcanos. I’m a sucker for amazing volcano footage, even 50-year old footage, it’s amazing and awe-inspiring to watch.

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (Showtime and rental on all major streaming outlets): Animated Feature nominee about Marcel, the shell with shoes on. I was totally unaware of the stop-motion animated you tube series (3 eps only) that started over 12 years ago - created by Jenny Slate and her then boyfriend Dean Fleischer Camp. This movie was one of the more joyous things I experienced in 2022. Jenny Slate shines as the voice of Marcel and Isabella Rossellini is iconic as Nana Connie. It’s sweet, funny, and about the family you have and the family you choose. The movie is worth it and to hold you over until you watch it, enjoy these first three short eps on you tube! Sometimes when I need a smile, I will just watch one of these.

Marcel Episode One:

Marcel Episode Two:

Marcel Episode Three: