reviewing all nine of this year's Best Picture nominees... I think I discovered a sure-fire

formula to grab that little gold statue. So here goes...

Sir, we've just received your lab results. // Was this med-school drop-out an accredited

physician? Absolutely not! // I'm sorry, but I'm afraid you've tested positive for AIDS.

Also, you're being sold into slavery tomorrow. // Nooo.... // *It's okay Jon, I still love

you.* This is Movie Night!

Hello and welcome to the fourth annual Movie Night Oscar Special, I'm your host, Jonathan

Paula. As with previous installments, this is the biggest and most ambitious project

I produce each year - so if you enjoy any or all of it, please LIKE this video, add

it to your favorites, or share it on social media. And it goes without saying, don't be

afraid to leave a comment or two, as I always, I will be reading them all. Let's get down

to business though... this year's group of contenders is a familiar lot of unambitious

movies. Of the nine nominees for "Best Picture", six are based on true events, five are period

pieces, and only a couple actually impressed me. Tonight, we'll be examining each of them,

followed by my predictions for which ones I think will win during the 86th Annual Academy

Awards that air live on March 2nd on ABC. Beginning in alpha-numerical order, let's

review "12 Years A Slave".

Produced on a budget of $20 million by director Steve McQueen - this historical adaptation

of Solomon Northup's 1853 memoir of the same name has grossed over $90 in profit since

its November 8, 2013 release. Filmed on location around historic antebellum plantations in

Louisiana, we follow the heartbreakingly painful true story of Northup, a free black man who

is kidnapped and sold into slavery. After declaring, "I don't want to survive. I want

to live", he suffers through is captivity... constantly hoping for salvation. Chiwetel

Ejiofor is positively remarkable as the imprisoned, but well-educated slave, deservedly earning

an Oscar-nomination. Even if playing a beaten down slave is sort of a "gimme"-role. A long

time character actor, it's great to see Ejiofor truly shine in a lead role that explores the

depths of perseverance, and refusing to be victimized. Meanwhile, Michael Fassbender

is extraordinarily evil as the violent slave-owner, taunting his "property" just for sport. The

breakout performer here though is Lupita Nyong'o. Although she doesn't have much screen time

in her film debut, she bears her soul in the picture's centerpiece: a single, unbroken,

five-minute shot that has her being whipped against a post, constantly crying out in pain.

It's an unsettling sequence that's masterfully filmed from a hand-held camera, aided by Hans

Zimmer's moody score. Extremely talented individuals like Paul Giamatti, Alfre Woodard, Brat Pitt,

and Paul Dano are relegated to criminally minor roles. The slow-moving 131-minute film

shows us that even the polite white people are still ignorant racists. Littered with

uncomfortable, but period-accurate language, the lush land of the deep south is vividly

brought to life with beautiful cinematography and impeccable costumes and art-design. One

major flaw, is that outside of its title - the film does a poor job of indicating the passage

of time. We never see evidence that Ejiofor was enslaved beyond a season or two. Objectively,

I can't deny that this film is extremely well-made, but remove the "kidnapping twist", and this

R-rated story is an extremely familiar one - drawing many parallels to "Roots", "Shawshank

Redemption", and "Glory" - and in each instance, the original did it better. When the depressing,

bittersweet ending finally arrives, this picture left me applauding the artistry of those involved,

but otherwise indifferent. "12 Years A Slave", "Derivative story, but wonderfully presented."

Here are your thoughts now from the YouTube comments.

A NINE and a SEVEN for "12 Years A Slave". You felt the depiction was brilliant, especially

the acting and subject matter, rating this an AWESOME. Technically speaking, I completely

agree... I just can't shake the feeling that this story, these performances, have all been

done before. I'll give it a strong COOL. Our second film is "American Hustle".

This David O. Russel crime-comedy-drama film was released on December 13, 2013, and quickly

quintupled its $40 million dollar budget. Inventively narrated by two separate characters,

the sprawling 138-minute plot is loosely based on the FBI "ABSCAM" operation of the late

1970's, as we follow a pair of con-artists forced to cooperate with the elaborate scheme.

Including Russell's previous effort, "Silver Linings Playbook" this R-rated picture is

only the 15th in history to receive acting nominations in all four categories. And indeed,

the performance of the colorfully dressed leads really is the main attraction here,

with the director even rebuffing criticisms about the largely improvised story, "I hate

plots. I am all about characters, that's it." Unfortunately, that's also the movie's biggest

weakness: the haphazard narrative has too many moving parts, and is far more convoluted

that it needs to be. Gaining over 40-pounds for the role, and adopting a bad comb-over,

Christian Bale is totally seamless in the lead. Practically falling out of her low-cut

dresses, the beautiful Amy Adams contributes a delicate and varied performance, aggressively

complaining to Bale that, "You're nothing to me until you're everything." Complete with

an unsightly perm, Bradley Cooper is a perfect foil for the bickering couple, energizing

the plot with his amusing charisma. Jeremy Renner plays a slick, but honest politician

while Jennifer Lawrence is featured in a few powerful scenes as Bale's unpredictable Jersey

housewife. She is as incredible, and gorgeous as ever - making everyone around her that

much better, especially in a funny sc ene where warns against the dangers of Bale's

new "science oven". In a rare dramatic role, stand-up comedian Louis C.K. works perfectly alongside his nominated

co-stars. However, the great Michael Pena is absolutely wasted in his minor role, as

are the talents of another big-name actor who has a surprise cameo. The costumes, editing,

and camera work are all top-notch, but the film's inconsistent tone eliminates any tension

in the confusing plot. Danny Elfman's original score takes a backseat to the 70's-era pop

sounds of Chicago, Steely Dan, and even an Arabic version of "White Rabbit" - that bolster

many scenes. Repeatedly focusing on themes of lies, deceit, and what we "want to believe",

this picture is worth watching for the characters, but it's ultimately an underwhelming experience.

"American Hustle", "Incredible acting doesn't outshine problems." Here are some of your

comments now.

Here's our scores for "American Hustle", an EIGHT and a SIX. While many agreed the plot

was overly involved, you absolutely loved the acting, grading this a GREAT. I was very

disappointed by this picture. With a tighter-script, and a more sensible ending, this might have

been worthy of its ten nominations. Sadly, it's overrated, I thought it was GOOD. Our

third film tonight is one we've already reviewed, but here again - if only for completion's

sake - are my thoughts on "Captain Phillips".

Based on the true events of a 2009-hihacking at sea in the Indian Ocean, this picture has

already quadrupled its $55 million dollar budget, and scored six Academy Award nominations,

following its October 11, 2013 release. Veteran A-lister Tom Hanks stars in the title role

of this suspenseful 134-minute picture directed by the talented Paul Greengrass. Hanks brings

his absolute best, showcasing a marvelous performance that'll having you rooting for

him the whole way - especially in his finale scene, where his emotions are pushed to the

brink, overcome with shock at his circumstances. Sticking to what he's known for, Greengrass

relies heavily on a handheld cinéma vérité style, which works well to illicit a documentary-feeling,

but becomes noticeably claustrophobic by the picture's end. Another trademark is populating

the cast with no name participants, and this film includes a breakout role from Barkad

Abdi as the lead pirate, who sternly warns Hanks after taking over his cargo ship, "I'm

the captain now". His nominated performance is not only terrifying, and believable, it

also manages to be relatable. The remainder of the cast is largely inconsequential, including

Catherine Keener, who is featured as Hanks' wife, but is gone after only three minutes

of screen time. Breathlessly tense throughout, the adversarial relationship between Adbi

and Hanks showcases all the cunning strategy of a chess match, with each player positioning

himself to come out on top. The

subtle score from Henry Jackman is used sparingly, instead dropping out entirely to allow for

the actor's own anxiety to carry each scene, especially during the stressful bridge-takeover

sequence. Although it takes a while to really get going, and many portions are repetitive,

if for no other reason than historical accuracy, the movie is - thankfully, incredibly realistic

- with production taking place on an actual container ship, on the open ocean, with actual

Somali actors playing the pirates. The PG-13 rated experience doesn't make any political

statements about the heroism or sensibility of the massive rescue operation, nor does

it ever escape the small physical confines of its story, leaving everything feeling very

immediate, but unfinished. However, as a believable and dramatic thriller, it certainly accomplishes.

"Captain Phillips", "Captivating portrayal of harrowing events." Here are some of your

thoughts now from the comments.

A double EIGHT for "Captain Phillips", while praise was obviously unanimous for Hanks'

outstanding performance, criticism over the length, and familiar hostage-scenario theme

resulting in you rating this a GREAT. I have to agree... definitely an enjoyable time,

I too thought it was GREAT. Now for tonight's poll question: what's your pick for 2013's

"Best Picture"? Leave your response as a comment below. Next up, let's review, "Dallas Buyers

Club".

Grossing over $30 million against its meager $5 million dollar budget, this biographical

drama film quickly wowed audiences after its November 1, 2013 release. Based on the true

story of an AIDS patient turned pharmaceutical drug smuggler, the original screenplay by

Craig Borten had been kicked around Hollywood for the better half of two decades before

director Jean-Marc Vallée was finally able to get it finished. Following the turbulent

life of a homophobic rodeo cowboy diagnosed with AIDS, the 116-minute story is a fascinating

look at the struggles faced by HIV-stricken individuals during the 1980's. The R-rated

film is anchored by a landmark performance from Matthew McConaughey, who physically transformed

himself for the part - and truly gives it his all, especially when he accepts his terminal

illness, screaming to himself in an empty car. But later, it's his determination that

makes him a powerful figure worth rooting for, defending risky decisions by yelling,

" I prefer to die with my boots on." Following years of shamlazty-rom-coms, it's great to

see this talented actor finally get a vehicle where he can really showcase his immensely

emotional talent - his best actor nomination is very well-deserved. Alongside him in a

marvelous supporting-role is an unrecognizable Jared Leto as a caring transgender woman that

becomes an unlikely ally

to McConaughey. The always pretty Jennifer Garner is a welcome addition to the cast as

well, acting as a more rational observer to the proceedings. Expertly filmed almost entirely

with handheld cameras, sans traditional lighting setups... this cheaply produced picture is

as realistic as they get... the actors, environments, and diegetic sound pair together perfectly.

Exploring concepts of life, and fighting against the system, this is an inspiring story that

remains interesting without ever surprising. "Dallas Buyers Club", a "Sensitive, but dignified

portrayal of survival." Here now are some of your thoughts from the YouTube comments.

Our final scores... a double GREAT. While I feel like something was missing here to

truly put it over the top, the acting was obviously top-shelf. We both rated this an

EIGHT. Now for a shortened version of my earlier review of "Gravity".

Earning nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars, this 3D-sci-fi epic would become

the eight-highest grossing film of the year, following its October 4, 2013 release.

The extremely ambitious action thriller is the latest effort from visionary director

Alfonso Cuarón. Using every bit of its $100-million dollar budget, this stunning space epic opens

with a single, 12-minute shot that defies cinematic conventions -- bringing to life

perhaps the most impressive shot in film history. Things quickly turn ugly when the dynamically

unbroken scene is interrupted by an incoming debris field that threatens the astronaut's

lives. George Clooney remains cool and collected during the terrifying ordeal, sarcastically

quipping to his fellow astronauts that they have, "Clear skies with a chance of satellite

debris". Meanwhile, Sandra Bullock does a magnificent job exhibiting a figurative roller

coaster of emotions, scoring her a well-served Oscar-nod. Virtually helpless in the deep

void of space, the rookie mission specialist silently prays to herself during an pivotal

point for the picture. Unfolding in near-real-time, this is a completely immersive and visceral

experience, especially when tensions are heightened during foggy POV shots, inside Bullock's claustrophobic

helmet. Tensions remain high, as a the perfectly paced 90-minute adventure isn't the type of

story where a 'happy ending' is guaranteed. Utilizing brand new technology specifically

built for this picture, the PG-13 rated drama is the most visually stunning movie since

"Avatar", and equally as groundbreaking. The effects aren't only seamless and realistic,

they're captivating and artistic as well... resulting in an absolutely gorgeous experience.

Composer Steven Price lends an inspirational and nail-biting original score that swells

in intensity at all the right moments. Although the narrative perpetually flirts with the

implausible, it is never outright unbelievable, maintaining an almost nonstop sense of danger

and urgency throughout. A realistic, exciting, and gripping journey certainly worth watching

again, "Gravity" is a "Visual masterpiece, with outstanding thrills." Now let's see what

you had to say about this space epic in the YouTube comments.

A NINE and a TEN for "Gravity"... while there was across-the-board praise for the remarkable

visuals, there were some criticisms, from the plot to the scientific accuracy of the

film, bringing your overall average down to an AWESOME. Hardly a flawless film... but

easily one of the best I've seen in ages, I thought it was simply AMAZING. More than

halfway done now, let's review "Her".

This intriguing Spike Jonze sci-fi romantic drama was released on December 18, 2013, and

has since grossed nearly $30 million. The slow-paced, 126-minute story shares the quirky

life of Joaquin Phoenix... a peculiar individual living in an idealized version of the not-too-distant

future who falls in love with a talking, learning, and sophisticated operating system, played

by the disembodied voice of Scarlett Johansson. As Phoenix spends a majority of his time basically

talking to himself, the weight of the picture's success rests squarely on his ability to carry

a scene: and fortunately, he's able to do so quite well. And while we never get to see