The Oscars with Optus SubHub

The Academy Awards have come and gone once again after celebrating the best of the best in the world of film.

If you were not fortunate enough to head to catch these nominated pictures when they premiered, not to worry – Optus SubHub has you covered.

Oppenheimer (MA15+)

Winner of the Best Motion Picture award, Oppenheimer was written and directed by Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight trilogy, Inception) and tells the epic biographical story of theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer (played by Cillian Murphy) and his development of the atomic bomb.

Oppenheimer follows the life and career of J. Robert particularly focusing on his contribution to the Manhattan project during World War II as well as his eventual downfall during the 1954 security hearing. Oppenheimer swept the Oscar season – nabbing awards for Best Lead Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, Best Film Editing and Best Original Score.

The film also stars an ensemble cast including Emily Blunt, Casey Affleck, Kenneth Branagh and Robert Downey Jr.

Available on: Netflix

Barbie (PG)

Hello, Barbie.

Hello, Margot Robbie.

Starring and produced by Australia’s very own Margot Robbie (Suicide Squad, Wolf of Wall Street), Robbie plays the titular character alongside Ryan Goslings (Drive, La La Land) who takes on the role of Ken.

Based on the iconic fashion dolls from Mattel, this live action film follows various Barbie dolls living in the matriarchal society where the female characters hold prestigious professions in science, media, politics and medicine while the male characters believe it is their duty to be eye candy.

One night, our main Barbie (Robbie) has a sudden revelation and is given the chance to go to the real world with Ken. Thinking it would be a fun adventure – the two soon discover the perils of living in a patriarchal human society.

Available on: Amazon Prime.

Poor Things (MA15+)

If you liked Frankenstein, The Favourite or The Shape of Water, then Poor Things directed by the acclaimed Yorgos Lanthimos will be right up your alley – and if you were not familiar with any of the above titles, Poor Things will undoubtedly still be an enjoyable watch (strange but enjoyable nonetheless).

Poor Things stars Emma Stone (Easy A, Birdman) and follows the fantastical tale of Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by the fascinating and unorthodox scientist, Dr Godwin Baxter played by Willem Dafoe (The Lighthouse, Spider-Man).

Poor Things is a science and fantasy black comedy that comically shows what would happen if someone on the verge of depression is given a second chance to discover themselves and liberate the life they formally lead.

Available on: Amazon Prime

Killers of the Flower Moon (M)

Martin Scorsese reunites once again with Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro – need we say more?

If so, Killers of the Flower Moon is an extraordinary Western crime drama set in the 1920’s in Oklahoma under Osage Nation land. Elders of the Osage Nation people discover oil gushing from the ground and suddenly find themselves wealthy and at the envy of some very jealous businessmen.

Yet as much good fortune as this discovery was, the merriment was short lived as a string of murders start to occur within the community, a serial murdering which later became to be known as the Reign of Terror. The FBI are brought to uncover this crime spree only to unravel a more sinister mystery.

Available on: Amazon Prime

Past Lives (M)

Over the past decade, the film production company A24 has released a series of independent movies that has certainly left its mark on cinematic history. Past Lives directed by Celine Song is no different.

Growing up as childhood sweethearts, Nora (played by Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (played by Teo Yoo) were deeply connected to one another and even began to envision a future together, until Nora’s family emigrate away from South Korea to begin a new life for themselves in the United States.

Decades later, the two are reunited for one fateful week in New York city to confront the time lost and the reexamine the decisions that they have made. Past Lives is a stunning portrayal of two worlds colliding again and shows that love and/or friendships does not have a language barrier.

Available on: Amazon Prime

Maestro (M)

Yet again, another great film from 12-time Oscar nominee – Bradley Cooper.

An interesting behind the scenes fact about this move is that at one point, both legendary directors Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg were attached to direct this original screenplay. Asking for feedback on his first film, Bradley Cooper had showed them both snippets of “A Star Is Born” and after viewing, both directors decided that Cooper should direct Maestro, so much so they both stayed on as producers.

Maestro chronicles the love story of conductor-composer Leonard Bernstein and actress Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein. On the verge an incredible opportunity that Leonard has always dreamed about, their marriage is tested, and their artistic relationship begins to unravel.

Available on: Netflix

American Fiction (R18+)

Based on the 2001 novel Erasure by Percival, American Fiction is comedy-drama that stars Jeffrey Wright as a frustrated novelist who is growing increasingly tired of the entertainment industry profiting from “Black media”.

In an attempt to provide commentary of the literary world as well as keep his identity a secret, Wright’s character “Thelonious Ellison” invents an author pen name to write a satire book about the stereotypical “black culture” only for it to be interpreted as literary genius with high sales and critical public praise.

American Fiction won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay and rightfully so.

Available on: Amazon Prime

Anatomy of a Fall (MA15+)

Within the past couple years, it’s been so great to see foreign language films be celebrated outside the ‘Best International Feature Film’ category.  In this French legal drama film, Anatomie d'une chute or Anatomy of a Fall for English speaking viewers, it follows the events after the sudden death of a man whose wife played by Oscar nominated Sandra Voyter is the main suspect and the only main witness is their blind son.

It’s a fascinating take on the “whodunnit” trope but done in a subtle yet intriguing way so much so you’re not entirely sure who’s innocent and who’s not.

Available on: Amazon Prime

The Holdovers (R18+)

Director Alexander Payne is notorious for clever comedy-drama films and The Holdovers is no exception.

Set over the holiday period between December 1970 and January 1971, a cranky history (played by Paul Giamatti) at a remote boarding school is forced by his school principal to remain on campus with a grieving cook to supervise students who have no place to go for Christmas.

One of the remaining students is Angus Tully, who has been left behind last minute by his newly married mother as she honeymoons with her new husband and begins the next chapter of her life seemingly without him. The three characters are abandoned by their better circumstances and must come together to get through the holiday period and make it to the new year.

Available on: Amazon Prime

The Zone of Interest (PG 13+)

Coming from the production studios A24, responsible for Everything, Everywhere All at Once and Good Time, comes their latest film The Zone of Interest.

The Zone of Interest is a 2003 historical drama loosely based on the 2014 novel written by Martin Amis and is set in 1943 during World War II. Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Hoss lives with his wife Hedwig and their five children in an idyllic house with a beautifully tended garden not far from a concentration camp.

This movie is a serious one that will make you think and feel like you have never before. On top of being a movie about the devastating atrocities of the Holocaust and the aftermath of some evil decision, it’s also movie about friendship and the lengths parents will go to protect and provide the very best for their children.

Available on: Amazon Prime

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