The Academy Award for Best Film is as controversial as it is coveted—everyone has an opinion, but few of us have votes. What are the criteria for choosing the “best film” of the year…and what should the criteria be? In this class, we will decide for ourselves with a deep dive into the major contenders: We’ll explore the narrative structures, photography, editing, and sound to understand what makes us love the film—or hate it! We’ll consider factors outside the film that may impact our choices. And importantly: how do the messages in these films—and yes, they all have messages! —speak to us and our times? (Warning: Watch the films first, because there will be spoilers!) Bring your opinions, and we’ll start from there!
Where to see the films:
These listings are as accurate as I could find, for right now--they'll undoubtedly change as time goes by and may be inaccurate and incomplete...but I hope it helps! And do try when you can to see the films in the theater! It's a much better experience! The Museum of Fine Arts and the River Oaks Theater will be showing nominated films between now and the Academy Awards program as well.
Feb. 19 films:
• Bugonia: Comcast on Demand, Peacock, Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV
• F1: Comcast on Demand, Fandango at Home, selected Cinemark and AMC theaters
• Frankenstein: Netflix
Feb. 26 films:
• Hamnet: selected suburban Cinemark and AMC theaters, Peacock
• Marty Supreme: Greenway, MarqE, selected Cinemark and AMC theaters; possibly after Feb. 3 on Prime, Apple TV, Fandango at Home
• One Battle After Another: Comcast, selected suburban AMC theaters, Fandango at Home, HBO Max, Prime, Apple TV, YouTube
• The Secret Agent: Alamo Drafthouse, Jan. 22-28, River Oaks Feb. 6-11; possibly after Jan. 27: Apple TV, Prime, Fandango at Home
Mar. 5 films:
• Sentimental Value: River Oaks Feb. 6-11, Comcast, Fandango at Home, Prime, Apple TV, YouTube
• Sinners: selected AMC suburban theaters, Comcast, HBO Max, Prime, Apple TV, Fandango at Home
• Train Dreams: Netflix
Best International Feature Film nominees:
• The Secret Agent: Alamo Drafthouse, Jan. 22-28, River Oaks Feb. 6-11; possibly after Jan. 27: Apple TV, Prime, Fandango at Home
• It Was Just an Accident: River Oaks Feb 6-11; Comcast
• Sentimental Value: River Oaks Feb. 6-11, Comcast, Fandango at Home, Prime, Apple TV, YouTube
• Sirāt: none that I can find at this time
• The Voice of Hind Rajab: River Oaks Jan. 22-29
Thursdays | Three sessions: February 19-March 5 | 1:00-3:00
In person and simulcast
