The Academy Awards are coming up, and what an odd group of films it is that are getting recognized. The 2015 Oscar nominated films present no frontrunner for Best Picture, no single film that you've just gotta see that encapsulates the year that was in film. In order to make your Academy Award homework easier, I've devised a cheat sheet of 17 Oscar nominated films summarized in emojis. There are mild spoilers ahead, so don't read on if you don't want to know and can't resist a good cryptic message.
So, if you don't have time to see this year's nominated films, or read the screenplays, let this be your guide. I can tell you everything you need to know to help you make it through your Oscar party. For example, there are three female protagonists in Oscar-nominated movies named "Joy" this year: Inside Out, Room, and of course Joy. Isn't that wild? The elephant emoji in the room, of course, is that #OscarsSoWhite became a trending topic for the second year in a row, proving (for those who didn't know already) that diversity and recognition is more than a hashtag and actually a serious issue in Hollywood. That means films like Creed, Concussion, and Beasts of No Nation were snubbed despite featuring many of the year's best performances and directorial talent. We can only hope that the more we talk about it, the more will change in the future. The fact that the Academy has already amended the voting process is a promising first step.
As for the films that will be featured at the Academy Awards, here is every Best Picture nominee, alongside a few other notable nominees in other acting and screenplay categories, described in the best way I know how — tiny texting pictures! Some represent plot points, characters, or overall theme. If you're already familiar with the picks, see if you can guess below.
1.
We are not things. We are emojis! This action movie isn't for everybody, but it's breaking genre barriers with its Oscar success.
2.
Most hilarious comedy of the year, am I right? If you want to fake having seen it, make sure you talk about Sean Bean explaining the Council of Elrond from Lord of the Rings.
3.
If only I could communicate via emoji how glaringly 2001 this movie is. Flip phones! They had flip phones, and AOL billboards!
4.
It's a comedy, but it may leave you feeling more panicked about your student loans than usual.
5.
Ireland! America! Romance! Featuring an actor who is in two other films on this list!
6.
I don't know if you've noticed, but between this, film #16, and 2016's Hail! Caesar, Communism (or rather, the Red Scare) is very hot this year.
7.
And hopefully 👦 will finally get a 🏆.
8.
One of this film's stars has been charming the pants off of every awards season event.
9.
I haven't decided whether I'm ashamed or proud of what that orange is supposed to be.
10.
This movie is about custody battles as much as a romance based on a groundbreaking novel. Also, Jake Lacey is in it, and chances are you like him!
11.
This medium is particularly appropriate for the film in question.
12.
This movie is about a mop. I can't stress that enough. It's about a mop.
13.
Come for the philosophical discussions, stay for the disco dancing.
14.
One of the performers nominated is probably going to get some votes thanks to #13 as well.
15.
You've seen any biopic about any musician, right? This is basically the same, but with a different genre.
16.
This is a true story about a cool dude, but I preferred Elle Fanning and Louis C.K.'s performances over the nominated actor.
17.
Emojis are also appropriate for this film's subject matter.
That's all for this year's Oscar contenders. Here's the big reveal below...
Answers:
- Mad Max: Fury Road
- The Martian
- Spotlight
- The Big Short
- Brooklyn
- Bridge of Spies
- The Revenant
- Room
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens
- Carol
- Steve Jobes
- Joy
- Ex Machina
- The Danish Girl
- Straight Outta Compton
- Trumbo
- Inside Out
Images: Disney, Leah Thomas (17)
