STORY BY MOLLY ADAMSON
The Oscars is a night of glamour, expensive outfits and a chance to honor the movies that caught everyone’s eyes over the past year.
This year’s, which will be the 87th, brings together actors, directors, productions staff and all the working hands of a film for a night of celebration that another year has come and gone. The movies that follow are nominated for Best Motion Picture of 2014.
“American Sniper”
“American Sniper” honors the true story of Iraq war hero Chris Kyle, who has an astounding number of 160 sniper kills to his name. Kyle became a Navy SEAL after witnessing the terrorists attacks on American embassies in 1998 on TV. The movie focuses on his family life and how his service affected them individually. Bradley Cooper portrays Kyle, not only as a hero, but as a relatable human.
“Selma”
“Selma” pays respect Martin Luther King Jr. and the struggles he went through to fight for equal rights for African Americans, including the right to vote. The film concentrates on the famous march from Selma, Alabama to Montgomery, Alabama.
The cast of this movie consists of new faces and some veteran actors. David Oyelowo plays Dr. King and Carmen Ejogo plays his supporting wife. Oprah Winfrey plays Annie Lee Cooper, a civil rights activist who worked alongside the civil rights movement.
“The Theory of Everything”
“The Theory of Everything” follows the true story of one of the greatest minds of this time, Stephen Hawking, played by Eddie Redmayne. Hawking was a successful student at Cambridge University when he learned that he had ALS.
Doctors said would it eventually demobilize him, and maybe even lead to his death. Although he had gotten this news, Hawking continued his studies and wrote many papers about different scientific theories. Not only does the movie depict Hawking’s career it also features his journey to true love. The story about triumph was directed by James Marsh.
“The Imitation Game”
“The Imitation Game” is another true story about Alan Turing, a brilliant mathematician played by the famous Benedict Cumberbatch, who must try to decode a German Enigma encryption machine during World War II.
England’s fate is almost balancing on this man’s shoulders. Yet along with this job pressure, Turing also has the pressure of hiding his homosexuality from a world which has not come close to accepting it.
Keira Knightley plays Joan Clarke, a friend of Turing, who he actually proposed to before coming out to her in the summer of 1941. Morton Tyldum directs this movie.
“Boyhood”
“Boyhood” is a story about something everyone can relate to: growing up. This movie, which does something no other movie has done before, follows a young boy for 12 years of his life. While the movie is scripted, it depicts real life scenarios such as divorce. It took 12 years to make because they didn’t want to change actors, and wanted to portray the boy, played by Ellar Coltrane through the years. This movie is directed by Richard Linklater.
“Birdman”
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” presents a story of washed up actor Riggan Thomson (played by Michael Keaton) who is trying to build his career back up after portraying the main character in a popular superhero show, “Birdman.” He tries to do so by writing, directing and starring in a play based on the short story “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love” by Raymond Carver.
A rather eccentric but wildly popular actor helps Thomson out, but soon ends up ruining the play. Many disasters occur, but the question is, will Thomson succeed? Emma Stone plays Keaton’s daughter.
Zach Galifianakis plays his lawyer and best friend. This movie, directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, tackles topics of depression, rape, drug abuse and suicide.
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” tells a story of a lobby boy of a once famous hotel, his boss, and the adventure they find themselves in. Manager of the hotel Monsieur Gustave, often enjoys sleeping with the older women who stay as guests at his hotel. Until one day, when one of them turns up dead and he is suspected of the murder. Hilarity ensues as he and his lobby boy try to evade authority.
They also end up discovering that the dead woman left Gustave a rather expensive painting in her will. Ralph Fiennes, who played Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter series, portrays Gustav. The film is directed by Wes Anderson.
“Whiplash”
In “Whiplash”, a 19-year-old boy, Andrew (Miles Teller), chases his dream to become a jazz drummer, and soon begins lessons with his school’s strictest teacher. Fletcher (J.K. Simmons) believes in pushing his students to their best, even if that means having to physically and verbally abuse them.
Andrew just wants to achieve greatness, and Fletcher will do whatever it takes to stop him form reaching this goal. Andrew’s goal ends up costing him relationships, including ones with his girlfriend and father. This movie is directed by Damien Chazelle.
