Four for the Price of One: Oscar Movies Reivews

If you're like me, and you failed to watch all of the Oscar-worthy films before the big night, I have a cheat sheet here for you to determine if the Best Pic noms are worth binge-watching. Here are four of the eight best picture nominations and whether they are still worthy watching even after the buzz has died down.

"The Theory of Everything"

Nominations: Best Picture, Actor (Eddie Redmayne), Actress (Felicity Jones), Adapted Screenplay (Anthony McCarten), Original Score (Johann Johannsson)
Wins: Actor (Eddie Redmayne)
Deserved: None of the Above
Worth Watching?: Yes, but not to own. It's a great look into a very important figure in modern science and medicine. He has had huge obstacles to face and he has done it with dignity and still given more to the world than people who aren't in science will never understand.
It's an enjoyable watch for a thoughtful night.
Theaters/DVD/On Demand: All of the Above

"Whiplash"

Nominations: Best Picture, Supporting Actor (J.K. Simmons), Adapted Screenplay (Damien Chazelle), Editing, Sound Mixing
Wins: Supporting Actor (J.K. Simmons), Editing, Sound Mixing
Deserved: Supporting Actor (J.K. Simmons), a Nom for Actor (Miles Teller)
Worth Watching?: J.K. Simmons is the Farmers Insurance guy and you would never guess that he makes commercials in his spare time. Never. He rocks his part of the violent, abusive teacher of Miles Teller who also puts out a moving performance. If you love music, specifically jazz, this is a must-see for you. If you had one of those teachers who pushed you in all the wrong ways, this is the movie for you. If you like either of these actors, this is the movie for you. It was very stressful to watch (I freaked out for the poor kid the whole time), but it's a thinker. What would you do?
Theaters/DVD/On Demand: DVD and On Demand

"Birdman"

Nominations: Best Picture, Actor (Michael Keaton), Supporting Actor (Edward Norton), Supporting Actress (Emma Stone), Original Screenplay, Cinematography, Director (Alejandro Inarritu), Sound Editing, Sound Mixing
Wins: Best Picture, Cinematography, Director (Alejandro Innarritu), Original Screenplay
Deserved: Cinematography!! and Michael Keaton for Best Actor
Worth Watching?: This is a strange one because it is very much an art film. It has great character development and character exploration but the main reason people watch it is for its critically acclaimed cinematography. I have never seen Michael Keaton like this before-- so open, vulnerable, and yet utterly crazy. If you're up for something completely different, give this a try. But remember to go with the flow and don't think too much about the logistics of it all. It's just supposed to be fun to look at.
Theaters/DVD/On Demand: All of the Above

"The Grand Budapest Hotel"

Nominations: Best Picture, Cinematography, Costume Design, Director (Wes Anderson), Film Editing, Makeup & Hair, Original Score, Production Design, Original Screenplay
Wins: Costume Design, Makeup & Hair, Original Score, Production Design
Deserved: Production Design, Director (Wes Anderson)- Someone give this man an Oscar! How does he not have one yet?!
Worth Watching?: Just like all of Wes Anderson's other films ("Royal Tenenbaums", "Moonrise Kingdom") this is a buffet for the eyes. With pastels and sarcasm everywhere, you can't help but giggle in all the right places.
Theaters/DVD/On Demand: Few theaters, DVD, On Demand

I already did a full review of "American Sniper" that you can check out here.

There you go! Now you have reviews for 5 of the 8. That's more than half.