The 2020 Oscar nominations were announced Monday morning, and they gave us one of the most frustrating lists of honorees on public record in recent history. But on the other hand, you might be happy to learn that South Korean director Bong Joon-ho’s magnificent film Parasite has managed to clear any foreign language barriers and reigns as one of the most nominated films of the year. So, as the Bible says, the Academy giveth, and it taketh away.
Let’s unpack it all.
11 | ADAM SANDLER WASN’T A HUMAN PUNCHING BAG FOR TWO HOURS IN UNCUT GEMS FOR HIM, AND THE FILM, TO GET SHUT OUT LIKE THIS.
I jest, but Adam Sandler’s character in the Benny and Josh Safdie–directed film goes through a lot. And in turn, it’s stressful AF to watch. The actor is much more than the man-child character he’s made a career out of (though his jewelry store character, Howard, isn’t exactly the sharpest screw in the toolshed). His moments of earnestness, mixed with genuine comedy and hopelessness, is what elevates the filmmaker’s already airtight film. It is certainly more fascinating to watch than Jonathan Pryce’s work in The Two Popes, the only mind-boggling best actor nomination among the bunch. Surely, Sandler could have slid in there instead.
Everett
