It’s that time of year again when we all gather around the TV for a 3 – 4.5 hour showcasing of everything great… and maybe not so great about Hollywood. That’s right, it’s the 89th Annual Academy Awards. This year we are celebrating a hugely diverse crowd of nominees… which has NOTHING to do with the controversies of the last two years in which no minority actors were nominated. Below you will find my insta-reviews, blurbs I wrote about each Oscar nominated film immediately after finishing them in the order I watched them, my rankings, and predictions. So let’s get to it…
Hacksaw Ridge Blu-ray l DVD l 4K Ultra HD
Director: Mel Gibson
Screenwriter: Andrew Knight and Robert Schenkkan
Cast: Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Teresa Palmer, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, Vince Vaughn
Distributor: Summit Entertainment
Rated PG | 104 Minutes
Release Date: February 21, 2017
I’m not one for the over-dramatized, based on a true story kind of movie. But for most of them, there is something special and inspirational that makes me want to know more about the subject’s story. Case in point, Hacksaw Ridge.
Now I didn’t know anything about Desmond Doss’ harrowing story of how he refused to take up arms during World War II, but ended up saving multiple lives during the Battle of Okinawa. But to see it on the big screen was something else. The fact that it was also directed by Mel Gibson did add some concern to it, given his outrageous behavior and reputation. Still, the film managed to meet my expectations. Check out my review below.
Students of the Unusual™ comic cover used with permission of 3BoysProductions
The Mercuri Bros.™ comic cover used with permission of Prodigal Son Press