Review by Jonathan Berk

By Camden Ferrell

​Flying Lotus debuted as a filmmaker with his film Kuso, an utterly disgusting and provocative anthology film that inspired walkouts at its premiere in 2017. For better or worse, it marked the cataclysmic arrival of a bold and visionary creator. Several years later, he is releasing his next feature Ash (although he did direct a segment from V/H/S/99). While both of his features feel completely different, there seems to be a few threads that bind the bodies of work from their visual style, shock value, and often subtle subtext.
 
Both films tackle humanity in the context of change. Whether that’s interstellar pioneers on the precipice of a new era of humankind, or if it’s disconnected stories following a mutated world in the wake of a catastrophic earthquake. In Ash, we follow Riya, an astronaut who wakes up bloodied to the horrors of her dead colleagues with no memories of what happened. In a moment of fear and confusion, Riya asks herself, “Who Am I?”
 
I think this question serves as the foundation for Flying Lotus’s main fascination in his newest movie. He seems particularly fascinated with the concept of memory, and how we are able to define ourselves through our memory. If we forget who we are, then what do we have left? How can we understand who we are, if we can’t even remember? This is a thematic thread that is rarely front and center in Ash, but it’s one that feels ever-present in this survival thriller. Even if the story itself can feel derivative and sometimes meandering in its execution, Flying Lotus never makes it feel boring, and this looming exploration of the self contributes to that.

​This doesn't seem to be a new concept for the filmmaker. Underneath all of the fecal matter and bodily fluids in Kuso, it seems he spent some of the segments exploring cultural identity in a unique and idiosyncratic way. I find myself thinking of the segment Smear which follows Charlie, a boy who is force-fed nauseating food by his mother, leading him to embarrassment and discomfort. I viewed that as a rejection of culture and values from those who came before, and I found this story to contain similar questions about who we are in this world. In a strange world after disaster, Charlie grapples with this desire to figure out who he is amidst the fear of continual inundation of quite literal toxic material. Within this segment, Flying Lotus seems to also plant some ideas regarding racial politics in our tumultuous world as we see an unnamed and uninvolved Black student getting punished when Charlie defecates himself. Understanding who you are is already complicated as is, but it’s exacerbated when you’re in a world that is cruel and confusing.
 
One of the more surface-level ties between both films is its ability to shock viewers with disturbing imagery. While his first film uses this imagery in excess (seemingly without reason quite often), Ash feels more intentional in its use of shock value. It contributes to the more sinister narrative of this story, and it serves as a reminder of the horrors that humans are capable of as well as the horrors of the unknown.
 
Even if one does not enjoy the films of Flying Lotus, it’s hard to deny he has a singular voice and talent for creating unique and unnerving atmospheres. In Kuso, he creates an unsettling and almost dystopian wasteland. It’s literal waste, moral waste, or both. In Ash, he unsettles viewers not with dystopia but with more conventional mortal horrors and more indescribable existential dread. It’s more straightforward than his debut feature, but it’s one that feels more mature in practice, and it doesn’t sacrifice the cinematic staples that gave him a unique voice back in 2017.
 
Ash is in theaters on March 21.

By Camden Ferrell

The 97th Academy Awards take place this weekend, and I have watched all 35 feature nominees. I'd like to detail below my personal rankings for all nominated films before the awards while also highlighting what I think should win in every category.

Below, I will rank the 35 features, talk briefly about them, detail the categories for which they are nominated, and bold/underline the category name if I think that particular movie should win (not necessarily what I think will win).

Without further ado, let's begin.

35. Elton John: Never Too Late
Nominations: Music (Original Song)

Maybe it’s moderately engaging for novices to Elton John and his music, but even then, it’s not particularly compelling. It has good music as expected, but it’s not enough to support a blandly executed documentary that doesn’t shine any new light on the iconic singer.
 
34. The Six Triple Eight
Nominations: Music (Original Song)

One of Tyler Perry’s better efforts, this is still a pretty boilerplate historical film that suffers due to its own inability to take creative risks. It covers a piece of history that deserves the spotlight, but it also deserves a more interesting movie.
 
33. Sugarcane
Nominations: Documentary

Gorgeously shot and undeniably important, this documentary both shines and suffers in its prolonged meditative pace. It never really finds a good rhythm but that doesn’t discredit its occasional moments of artistic brilliance.
 
32. Black Box Diaries
Nominations: Documentary

Another documentary that is fiercely brave and important, this is a movie that also suffers from its pacing problems. It’s a harrowing investigation into a horrific crime but often feels like it could benefit from tighter cuts.
 
31. A Complete Unknown
Nominations: Picture, Director, Lead Actor, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Adapted Screenplay, Sound, Costume Design
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The most underwhelming of the Best Picture nominees. It’s a perfectly adequate biopic, but I didn’t feel any particularly strong emotions in one direction or the other. Chalamet is decent as Bob Dylan, but I can’t find much to celebrate beyond that.

30. Porcelain War
Nominations: Documentary

When this documentary hits its stride, it’s beautiful and engaging, but it suffers from a bit of an identity crisis. It splits its time between the subjects’ porcelain creations and their role in combat, and it’s a balance that the movie doesn’t always handle well. Like other nominees, this is still a timely and important story.
 
29. Flow
Nominations: Animated Feature, International Feature

My least favorite of the Animated Feature nominees. It boasts gorgeous visuals throughout, but despite its already abbreviated length, it feels like a slog more than it should.
 
28. Gladiator II
Nominations: Costume Design

As someone who only mildly enjoyed the original, I thought this was just as good. This is probably an unpopular opinion, but I thought this was entertaining enough for what it was, even if it hit a lot the same beats as the predecessor.
 
27. Better Man
Nominations: Visual Effects

It’s easy to use the film’s box office failure as an indictment of its quality, but this film is far more good than bad. Feels like Rocketman with less artistic competence, but it still is quite an enjoyable film with entertaining songs, dances, and set pieces.
 
26. Maria
Nominations: Cinematography
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Pablo Larraín's newest film has his signature snail’s pace, and it works well for the most part. It features some amazing visuals and a compelling performance from Jolie without whom the movie could easily fall apart.

25. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Nominations: Visual Effects

Even though it drags in certain places, this is a very enjoyable adventure film with some truly epic action set pieces. Not as good as the previous trilogy’s entries, but it’s still a fun movie with great visual effects.
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24. No Other Land
Nominations: Documentary

A heartbreaking look at the devastating treatment of Palestinians in their own homeland, this is a documentary that is incredibly urgent. It’s difficult to see such inhumane acts captured by those being displaced and stripped of their humanity, but it’s a timely film that I certainly hope gets more widespread distribution.
 
23. Soundtrack to a Coup d’État
Nominations: Documentary

Fast paced and incredibly dense, this is a great documentary that feels like going down an online rabbit hole. An absolute marvel in editing and archival footage curation, this feels a lot quicker than its 2.5-hour runtime would suggest.
 
22. September 5
Nominations: Original Screenplay

A harrowing look into a television station during the events of the Munich Massacre. This is a tightly scripted and well-acted historical film that overcomes its adherence to convention with a gripping final product.
 
21. The Seed of the Sacred Fig
Nominations: International Feature
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Mohammad Rasoulof is no stranger to punishment from the Iranian government, and his newest film is a scathing indictment of that same regime. Fleeing to Germany to avoid a prison sentence in Iran, his film is one that feels timely and extremely important. It uses intense family drama and societal unrest to paint a picture that is critical of the current state of affairs in Iran. It’s a little bloated in length, but it feels undeniably significant.

20. Inside Out 2
Nominations: Animated Feature
           
Not nearly as good as the first film, Pixar still delivers another relatable and funny tale about growing up. The voice cast continues to excel, and the movie still packs an emotional punch even with a new director at the helm.
 
19. The Girl with the Needle
Nominations: International Feature

This international feature is a compelling and bleak story that is supported by a brilliant lead performance and mesmerizingly gorgeous cinematography. It’s undeniably one of the most beautifully shot movies of the year.
 
18. Nosferatu
Nominations: Cinematography

Another well-shot film, Robert Eggers’ newest movie is compelling and everything we’ve come to expect from him as a filmmaker. It has a great ensemble of actors and is a testament to the power and artistry of gothic horror stories.
 
17. Alien: Romulus
Nominations: Visual Effects

There’s nothing quite like a thrilling popcorn flick to get you through another long year, and this might be the best nominee of the year on a pure entertainment level. There’s not a single wasted second, and it features some classic thrills to keep you on the edge of your seat.
 
16. Sing Sing
Nominations: Lead Actor, Adapted Screenplay, Music (Original Song)
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An inspirational and emotionally powerful story about redemption, humanity, and the power of art. It features a fantastic ensemble including many non-actors playing themselves, and it’s a crowd-pleasing film that feels like it should be more of an Oscar darling than it ended up being.

15. Emilia Perez
Nominations: Picture, Director, Lead Actress, Supporting Actress, Adapted Screenplay, International Feature, Music (Original Score), Music (Original Song) x2, Sound, Makeup and Hairstyling, Film Editing

Easily the most controversial film out of these nominees, I quite enjoyed this musical. I agree with a lot of the common complaints, but I also found myself compelled by its creative and daring choices in its narrative and execution. It’s easy to join the online hate train and discredit the movie in bad faith, but with an open mind, I think there’s more to enjoy about this film than the internet would have you believe.
 
14. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
Nominations: Animated Feature

Decades later, this claymation duo remains as funny and endearing as always. It may not be the best work in their canon, but it’s a fun and lighthearted adventure that reminds us of why we love this inventor and his dog getting into various hijinks.
 
13. Wicked
Nominations: Picture, Lead Actress, Supporting Actress, Music (Original Score), Sound, Production Design, Makeup and Hairstyling, Costume Design, Film Editing, Visual Effects

As a fan of movie musicals, this was quite enjoyable. Great musical numbers paired with some impressive vocal performances and exquisite production design. The runtime does feel bloated in between musical numbers, but it’s a forgivable flaw just because of how entertaining it is otherwise.
 
12. I’m Still Here
Nominations: Picture, Lead Actress, International Feature

This Brazilian film is incredibly well-made from a filmmaking standpoint, but it’s also led by an incredible performance from Fernanda Torres. It’s gripping, raw, and a reminder of the power of cinema even when it’s about events from decades prior.
 
11. The Wild Robot
Nominations: Animated Feature, Music (Original Score), Sound
​
This animated movie is a few narrative choices away from being an all-timer in the medium. This was an incredibly emotional film that knew how to earn its moments of genuine human emotion. Great animation but even better storytelling.

10. Anora
Nominations: Picture, Director, Lead Actress, Supporting Actor, Original Screenplay, Film Editing

Not my favorite of Baker’s filmography but another solid addition nonetheless. Mikey Madison steals the show as Ani, and it’s a movie the excels amidst its unending chaos. It’s a bit of a pacing nightmare at times, but it’s emotional, funny, and has balances its subtext with vulgarity beautifully.
 
9. Conclave
Nominations: Picture, Lead Actor, Supporting Actress, Adapted Screenplay, Music (Original Score), Production Design, Costume Design, Film Editing

This drama is as tightly scripted as they come. It feels incredibly well-paced and boasts some intense and powerful performances from the entire ensemble. On a technical level it also excels with beautiful cinematography, mesmerizing production design, and a wonderfully intense score.
 
8. The Brutalist
Nominations: Picture, Director, Lead Actor, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Original Screenplay, Music (Original Score), Production Design, Cinematography, Film Editing

Arguably the most challenging of the nominees, Brady Corbet’s epic is unwavering in its scope and themes. It beautifully constructs a story about the American dream before crushing it mercilessly. It features career best work from Brody and Pearce, and it’s an enthralling movie that doesn’t feel slow for a single minute of its lengthy runtime.
 
7. A Real Pain
Nominations: Supporting Actor, Original Screenplay

Jesse Eisenberg’s sophomore feature is a massive improvement over his debut. This movie is full of witty and emotional dialogue that is elevated by its wonderful lead performances. It balances its comedy well with more intense themes regarding generational trauma and personal turmoil between cousins.
 
6. The Apprentice
Nominations: Lead Actor, Supporting Actor
​
Extremely topical, this movie paints a portrait of a young Donald Trump, and it does so fantastically. It’s difficult to tackle such a controversial figure, but to do it with the ferocity and occasional empathy that Ali Abassi displays is commendable. It features stellar performances and some of the most captivating cinematography of the year, and it’s absolutely worth checking out even if it’s something you’ve been putting off due to the subject.

5. The Substance
Nominations: Picture, Director, Lead Actress, Original Screenplay, Makeup and Hairstyling

It’s wonderful to see horror being recognized in these categories, and The Substance truly earned every nomination it received. Coralie Fargeat directs an insanely effective Demi Moore in a chaotic body horror film that is impossible to look away from.
 
4. Dune: Part Two
Nominations: Picture, Sound, Production Design, Cinematography, Visual Effects

Denis Villeneuve follows the fantastic first Dune film with a sequel that lives up to its predecessor’s epic proportions. This movie is grand in scale, and it’s an utter spectacle in every sense of the word. Great effects, execution, and storytelling make this one of the most impressive film series in recent years.
 
3. Memoir of a Snail
Nominations: Animated Feature

Adam Elliot’s second feature is a gorgeous yet devastating story about a misfit girl and her tumultuous life. He instills his signature dark humor, adult themes, and recognizable animation style into every frame, and it ends up being one of the finest animated movies ever made. It’s a beautiful and emotional journey of life that will bring you to tears if you let it.
 
2. Nickel Boys
Nominations: Picture, Adapted Screenplay

It would have been extremely easy to take Colson Whitehead's fantastic novel and adapt it in a safe and serviceable manner for the screen, but I'm absolutely grateful RaMell Ross took a massive swing for his first narrative feature. Visually profound and masterfully executed, this is a major work from a major artist. There's some themes and nuances from the novel that don't translate well, but Ross' vision is so exquisite that I really didn't mind it at all.
 
 
1. A Different Man
Nominations: Makeup and Hairstyling
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The best of this year’s nominees, A Different Man is an utter delight. Aaron Schimberg’s script and direction are insanely clever and profoundly smart. It tackles important themes with a unique vision that is bold and effective. It features great performances and is an unforgettable movie that should have gotten more recognition beyond its makeup and hairstyling.

The Academy Awards will be held on Sunday March, 2 on ABC.

By Camden Ferrell

As the final part of our series on this year's Oscar nominated short films, we are going to talk about the whimsy and magic of animation. This year's nominees feature different mediums of animation and a variety of stories from a kid who discovers candy with magical properties, to a short about three brothers as they await a hair transplant. This is typically the more light-hearted of the three short categories, and we're here to let you know what we think and what might win on Oscar night.

5. In the Shadow of the Cypress

This movie follows a former captain who is suffering from PTSD as he lives by the sea with his daughter. While this short takes ambitious thematic swings, trying to tackle complex topics like trauma, parenthood, and human connection, it just never feels completely cohesive as a film. The animation, while still gorgeous, doesn't really compare to the animation of its competitors that are more engaging and creative if nothing else. This is still an apt movie that mostly breezes through its 20 minute run time, but I just had a difficult time finding myself captivated by its narrative.

4. Wander to Wonder

If the Oscar's voted on weirdness, this would definitely have it in the bag. Mary, Billybud, and Fumbleton are all stars in a 1980's children's program but are left to their own devices in the studio after the show's creator dies. This is one that gets very weird very fast. I'm all for strangeness and general tomfoolery, but this short is hit or miss with its attempts at absurdism. Some moments are quite engaging while others feel weird for the sake of being weird. The darker elements and unique blend of live-action and animation do elevate this at times for me though. I love to see movies be outlandish, but it just doesn't always work out.

3. Beautiful Men

This movie follows three brothers as they await hair transplants in Turkey as they grapple with their own insecurities. One of the more solemn entries in this category, this is a movie that has a serviceable story but is mostly carried by its phenomenal stop-motion animation. As a narrative, it's quite conventional and maybe not as strong as the movies that are lower on this list, but it's hard not to admire the subtle, slow, and beautiful craftsmanship on display here. Not one that I was super entertained by, but it's one I admire greatly.

2. Magic Candies

Another stop-motion animated short, Dong-Dong is a kid who doesn't have a lot of friends, but one day he buys a bag of magic candies that gives him a new view on life. This one would be easy to write off as a drug metaphor, but I found myself quite captivated by this young child slowly expanding his worldview whether that's through communicating with his dog or his living room couch. It's beautifully animated and tells a simple yet wholesome story that all viewers will relate to in some way.

1. Yuck!

Couples kissing each other on the lips, what's grosser than that to a group of young kids? Just like all of the other kids, Léo likes to make fun of people kissing until one day he finds himself curious about it. This is easily the most straightforward of all the animated shorts, but it's hard not to see a little bit of your younger self in a short like this. It's cheesy and predictable, but it does something that good movies do: it reminds you of what life used to be like when you were younger. It features the most underwhelming animation of all the nominees, but it's hard not to find this cute little short infectiously saccharine and adorable.

Will Win: Beautiful Men
Can Win: Wander to Wonder
Should Win: Yuck!

The 20th annual Oscar® Nominated Short Films theatrical release, presented by SHORTS, is coming to cinemas starting February 14, 2025.​

By Camden Ferrell

Documentaries can highlight important issues plaguing our complex and layered world, and they can also inspire and find joy in people's achievements and their passions. Whether that's watching a young Japanese girl prepare for her school concert, or watching a brave victim of a school shooting stand up for herself in front of the world, this year's Oscar-nominated documentary shorts are full of pain, joy, tragedy, and hope. Below, I will highlight each of the films while also giving my best guess as to what will end up winning on Oscar night.

5. The Only Girl in the Orchestra

As someone who spends a lot of their free time playing in a community orchestra, I truly wish I could appreciate this more. It's competently made, but I can't say there's a real unique vision guiding it. Orin O'Brien has had a wonderous career, and she is a legend in every way imaginable, but it's a shame the doc can't do her the justice she deserves. I'm hard pressed to find any major flaws other than it's far too conventional and underwhelming to leave a lasting impact. O'Brien has some very interesting musings on art and working with an ensemble, but it's mostly muddied by a documentary that isn't interested in trying new things with this particular medium of storytelling.

4. I Am Ready, Warden

Each year, there's always a documentary that has good intentions, preaches a message I can personally get behind, but is ultimately let down by its execution. While I did mostly enjoy this documentary and its nuanced way of viewing the death penalty, it feels borderline manipulative in its execution, and it doesn't sit quite right with me as a viewer. While it's not asking you to forgive the crimes committed by its subject, it also tries to create a sympathetic character in an effort to push its thesis, a tactic that has mixed results. There are some extraordinarily moving moments in this doc, but I just wish it dug a little deeper without any cheap emotional wins. 

3. Instruments of a Beating Heart

Definitely the most enjoyable documentary short this year, this tells the story of a Japanese girl who is given the job of playing the cymbal at her school performance. What we see is a conventional yet still unique perspective of this young, ambitious, and emotional girl. There's something wholesome yet heartbreaking about watching a kid take something so trivial so seriously. It reminds us of our own youth, where we would also cry because of a minor failure that seemed so important at the time. It's a cute documentary that worked more than it didn't.

2. Death by Numbers

This short film follows Samantha Fuentes, a victim of a school shooting in Parkland, Florida. Watching someone my age show such sincerity and bravery in the face of utter tragedy is always admirable, and this doc honors her story without feeling like it's exploitative. Her words are powerful, and it feels like an act of catharsis. It won't ever heal the wounds that were created that day, but I'd argue the world is a better place because people like her speak up. If this doc can be faulted for anything, it can be that its runtime can sometimes undermine it's message, but this is an emotional and brave documentary showcasing the lasting impacts to such an unnecessary and tragic epidemic in America.

1. Incident

Another unfortunately timely documentary short, this film uses security cameras and police body camera footage to showcase an incident that occurred in Chicago in 2018. Told mostly in real time, this is an utterly devastating and angering experience. It is so meticulously crafted by its filmmakers, and it helps paint a vivid and upsetting picture of what went down in such a short period of time. It's hard to imagine putting any other movie in this top spot, because Incident is so incredibly harrowing and well-made, I'd be remiss to put it anywhere but the top. This is definitely something that everyone should be watching.

Will Win: Incident
Can Win: Death by Numbers
Should Win: Incident

The 20th annual Oscar® Nominated Short Films theatrical release, presented by SHORTS, is coming to cinemas starting February 14, 2025.​