Notes on all of them

by Mike (Embrey), Mountain Holler, Monday, March 16, 2026, 10:01 (16 days ago) @ Jay

I've seen all ten nominees, and honestly didn't think any of them were actively bad or wholly undeserving.

Bugonia - Weird. Fun. Like most people, I typically enjoy both Plemons and Stone and felt like they delivered here. Good stuff.

F1- Okay, I do think it's a bit odd that this one was nominated, but I agree with your take. It's absolutely a fun popcorn movie. I enjoyed it a lot, despite the plot being very by-the-book. Cars go fast, vroom!

Frankenstein - Fine? Maybe the film I enjoyed the least of this year's nominees, and I probably won't watch it again, but I thought it was a perfectly fine telling of the story.

Hamnet - For 100 minutes I thought this was merely okay. But the final sequence at The Globe Theater really worked for me. I'll grant that using "On the Nature of Daylight" as the music during the climax is almost cheating, but I don't mind being manipulated like that.

Marty Supreme - Will echo KGB's notes; this is basically a spiritual sequel to Uncut Gems. I think Chalamet is terrific, but it's not a movie I'll spend time watching in the future.

One Battle After Another - I think I liked this more than some of the other participants in the thread did, but I understand finding it a bit uneven. I think the chase sequence during the 3rd act is riveting as they speed across the rolling hills. I don't recall seeing a scene quite like that before.

The Secret Agent - Boy I wanted to enjoy this more than I did. Wagner Moura was really good, and I particularly enjoyed the scenes with him and his father-in-law. Overall just okay imo.

Sentimental Value - Great performances. I wish there was a touch more meat on the bone; perhaps a bit more growth from the characters by the end. But the bedroom scene between the sisters hit really hard.

Sinners - My favorite scene of the year is the juke joint music video sequence. I loved that. Saw it twice. Really enjoyed it. Appreciate the discussion on it elsewhere in this thread.

Train Dreams - The movie that will stay with me the longest from 2025. A simple story about a simple man living a simple life. He suffered. He died. He was forgotten. A story about loss and grief - not merely the trauma we experience, but also of the unrealized dreams so many people experience. Dreams that you begin to grasp but slip through your fingers. Hopes that never come to pass. Beautiful.