A list of nominees in the five most popular Oscar categories, with descriptions
Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor
Despite the movie making business taking a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hollywood made the most with what they had in 2021. Now that it’s Oscars season, the relatively few films made last year will get their time to shine. Here’s an in depth list of nominees from the five most popular Oscar categories: best picture, best actress, best actor, best director and best original screenplay.
Best Picture:
- “Belfast”— Shot in mostly black and white, “Belfast” follows a young boy living during the conflicts in Northern Ireland in the late 1960s.
- “CODA” (2021) — Ruby, the only hearing person in her Deaf family, revives her passion for singing when she joins her high school’s choir.
- “Don’t Look Up” — Two astronomers discover a comet headed straight for Earth and must warn the world of its impending doom via press tour.
- “Drive My Car” — A special relationship forms between an aging, widowed actor and a 20-year-old girl he hires as his chauffeur.
- “Dune” (2021) — A young man with a great destiny must travel to a dangerous planet to ensure the survival of his family and his people.
- “Licorice Pizza” — Two young people learn about love and adventure in 1970s San Fernando Valley, California.
- “Nightmare Alley” (2021) — A con man teams up with a clairvoyant and her husband to swindle the wealthy elite.
- “The Power of the Dog” — A charismatic but cruel rancher torments his brother’s new wife and son until he is confronted with the possibility of falling in love.
- “West Side Story” (2021) — Based on the Broadway play, “Romeo and Juliet” meets 1957 New York City when two teenagers fall in love, while warring gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, fight for control of the streets.
Best Writing (Original Screenplay):
- Kenneth Branagh, “Belfast” — A semi-autobiographical take on Branagh’s life in Northern Ireland as the country becomes wrought with violence.
- Adam McKay, “Don’t Look Up” — A political satire and an allegory for climate change.
- Zach Baylin, “King Richard” — Based on the true story of their lives, Richard Williams overcomes great adversity and coaches his daughters Serena and Venus to victory.
- Paul Thomas Anderson, “Licorice Pizza” — With each character based on a real person from the 1970s, the fictional coming-of-age story follows 20-something Alana and 15-year-old Gary as they navigate the Hollywood scene.
- Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier, “The Worst Person in the World” — A dramedy about Oslo native, Julie, who questions her love life and career path in an attempt to discover who she really is.
Best Directing:
- Kenneth Branagh, “Belfast” — Filmography highlights include “Hamlet” (1996), “Thor” and “Murder on the Oreint Express” (2017).
- Ryusuke Hamaguchi, “Drive My Car” — Filmography highlights include “Asako I & II,” “Wife of a Spy” and “The Depths” (2010).
- Paul Thomas Anderson, “Licorice Pizza” — Filmography highlights include “There Will Be Blood,” “Magnolia” (1999) and “Inherent Vice.”
- Jane Campion, “The Power of the Dog” — Filmography highlights include “The Piano,” “Bright Star” and “The Portrait of a Lady” (1996).
- Steven Spielberg, “West Side Story” (2021) — Filmography highlights include “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial,” “Jaws” and “Jurassic Park.”
Best Actor in a Leading Role:
- Javier Bardem, “Being the Ricardos” — As Desi Arnaz, a Cuban musician, producer and partner to Lucille Ball (Nicole Kidman).
- Benedict Cumberbatch, “The Power of the Dog” — As Phil Burbank, a hyper-masculine rancher in 1920s Montana.
- Andrew Garfield, “tick, tick…BOOM!” — As Johnathan Larson, the playwright responsible for the Broadway hit, “Rent.”
- Will Smith, “King Richard” — As Richard Williams, father and coach to tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams.
- Denzel Washington, “The Tragedy of MacBeth” (2021) — As Lord MacBeth, a Scottish lord coerced into vying for the throne.
Best Actress in a Leading Role:
- Jessica Chastain, “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” — As Tammy Faye, a controversial televangelist.
- Olivia Colman, “The Lost Daughter” — As Leda Caruso, a woman confronted with her experiences as a mother on a solo beach trip.
- Penélope Cruz, “Parallel Mothers” — As Janis, a photographer and single mother trying to expose the truth about mass killings in the Franscico Franco regime.
- Nicole Kidman, “Being the Ricardos” — As Lucille Ball, the star of the iconic show, “I Love Lucy.”
- Kristen Stewart, “Spencer” — As Diana, the beloved Princess of Wales.
Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu
