With the drab Super Bowl behind us, we can finally focus on what’s really important in this country: the arts.  The Oscares are right around the corner, and I couldn’t be more giddy.  So many great flicks came out this year that it will be hard to choose a winner; nevertheless, I am up to the task.  I will be your personal guide through the 2017 Oscarrs Best Picture Award nominees.  Lets see what we’re working with:

1. Lala Land- This romance film follows the roller coaster love of a beautiful jazz pianist, Sebastian (Ryan Goosling), and the ever-handsome aspiring actress, Mia (Emma Pebble).  The duo fall heels-over-head in love for each other for adult reasons my mom refuses to tell me about.  They soon realize, however, that love is hard to do and that life keeps getting in the way.  Audience members will be glued to their seats as this enticing romance unfolds to the unforgettable finish.  Ooh La La!

3. Lion- This true story is a narrative of the real life, true story of the life of an Indian boy named Saroo, and it’s all based on a true story.  Basically, young Kangaroo grows up as a poor boy in India before his mom forgets him in a train station so he goes to Calcutta. Calliou finds himself in an orphanage only to be adopted by an Australian couple. 25 years later he goes on an impossible journey to find his biological family by using google maps. Overall, pretty good cinematic experience, but there was a disturbing lack of lions in the film, 4 out of 5.

6. Manchester by the Sea- Tells the story of Lee Chandler (K.C. Affleck (no relation to the insurance company with those funny duck commercials (he is related to Ben Affleck (but he is no longer related to Jennifer Garner because Ben and Jen got divorced)))) who is forced to take care of his teenage nephew after the boys father, and Chandler’s brother, dies. He has to face the reality of raising his nephew, dealing with his estranged wife, and other demons that plague his life. Really grown up material on here. Ben Affleck was great in the lead role, he looked like he dropped a couple years.

10. Hidden Figures- Truth be told, I did not watch this movie because it sounded like a spooky movie with ghosts and ghouls.  Turns out it wasn’t, but I’m not taking any chances.  From what I have been told, it is the untold story of the African-American women involved in the moon landing.  Because of their race, they are discriminated in their NASA workplace because it is set during the Civil Rights Movement.  This movie really makes one think, was the moon landing of 1969 faked by the US government?

2. Moonlight- A raw look into the life of an inner-city teenager growing up on the streets.  The movie chronicles the life, from child to man, of a boy named Chiron.  Its raw nature touches on subjects of masculinity, malfunctioning families, and the boy’s sexuality.  This movie is very real and will leave you speechless.  When I saw this movie I was like, “whoa this is going to be hard to find humor in,” so I didn’t.

1 1/2. Arrival- This sci-fi thriller is absolutely incredible.  As aliens arrive on earth, it is the task of master-linguist Louis Banks (Amy Adam’s Apple) to communicate with the extra-terrestrials.  The movie is a testament to the relationship of humans and other life forms.  The first words she is able to decipher of the alien species is “ayy lmao”.

9. Hacksaw Ridge- Say what you will about director Mel Gibson in regards to his personal life and choices he has made, but the guy knows how to make a movie, plain and simple.  This WWII film is the story of Desmond Dawes (Andrew Garfield) who, because of his religious beliefs, refused to fire a single gun in basic training but is thrust onto the battlefield anyway.  He saves 70 men in battle without using any firearms or taking any human lives.  The only explanation for this phenomenal feat is that Andrew Garfield uses his Spider-Man powers to save the men.

42. Fences- Portrays the life of Troy Maxson (Denzel Washes-a-ton) as he navigates the choppy waters of a segregated south with his wife and two sons.  This masterful work perfectly displays the social dynamic of the Civil Rights Movement.  Directed by Watchington himself, many are calling it his breakout movie as a director as he earns his first Oxecar nomination as both the director and lead actor.

00. Hell or High Water- The story of two brothers, Toby and Tanner, who lead very different lives but come together for a common purpose.  Toby is a boring house dad who isn’t very cool and probably makes annoying uncle jokes like when his kids say, “Dad I’m tired,” he replies, “Hi tired, I’m Dad.”  You get the point.  Tanner, on the other hand, is a take-no-prisoners career criminal who thinks it’s a nuisance to try and stay out of jail.  Cool right? Anyway, their family farm is in jeopardy of being taken by the banks so they decide to rob the banks and pay them back with their own money.  Probably Tanner’s idea cause it’s actually cool.

No doubt the Academy will have their work cut out for them in choosing a victor for this Ocsar.  So many amazing stories were told, so many dreams born into reality, so many amazing performances; it all comes down to one decision.  I will do them all a favor and choose a winner for Best Picture for this round of nominees.  One movie stood out from all else in its splendor and imaginative ideas.  Each component of this movie was brilliant in its own right.  Surely, it will go down as one of our generation’s best films.  And this Oscar Meyer Winner is… Zootopia.