It’s that time of year again. Actors and film-makers are pounding the awards-campaign trails, publicists are dashing off for-your-consideration adverts and voters are desperately catching up with 2019’s most acclaimed releases. You guessed it: Oscar season is right around the corner, and even sooner this time with the ceremony’s earlier-than-usual 9 February airdate. From Booksmart to A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood, these are the movies you need to know about. The race is on...
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
What’s it about?
An over-the-hill TV cowboy and his stuntman struggling to come to terms with their increasing irrelevance in 1969, Manson-era Los Angeles, a city that now dances to the beat of the Village Callers while free-loving hippies hitchhike along sidewalks.
Who’s in it?
The ineffably perfect pairing that is Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt in raucous, buddy-movie mode, with Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate.
Why should you watch it?
For my money, this is unquestionably one of the best movies of the year. Visually stunning and emotionally impactful, Once Upon a Time cuts across genres as it lovingly pays homage to the golden age of the silver screen. It was the most talked-about film of the summer, keeping franchise-fatigued audiences chattering about its enveloping laid-back charm and – ahem – surprising final twist.
Who has awards buzz?
Shockingly, Brad Pitt has never won an Oscar for acting (he does have one, thank goodness, for producing 2013’s Best Picture winner 12 Years a Slave). He is the current frontrunner in the supporting-actor line-up. Elsewhere, we’re expecting Once Upon a Time to notch up a slew of nominations – nods for DiCaprio, the sumptuous production design and cinematography, and the film as a whole seem inevitable at this point. A Best Director win for Quentin Tarantino is also on the cards; although a two-time Academy Award recipient for the screenplays of Pulp Fiction and Django Unchained, the film-maker has yet to be victorious in this category.
‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ is available on DVD, Blu-Ray and digital download now.
