Award: Oscar

Poor Things

Bella is a young woman, whose brilliant yet eccentric scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter brings back to life. Initially, Bella is eager to learn about life under Baxter’s wing. However, in her thirst for life, she embarks on a turbulent journey across continents with the slick and debauched lawyer Duncan Wedderburn. Through this, Bella, who has shed her previous prejudices, grows into a steadfast advocate for freedom and equality.

The film was awarded four Oscars:

1. Best Actress: Emma Stone received this prestigious award for her portrayal of the young Victorian woman named Bella Baxter, brought back to life.
2. Best Production Design: James Price and Shona Heath were recognized for the visual world of the film.
3. Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier, and Josh Weston created impressive makeup and hairstyling.
4. Best Costume Design: Holly Waddington was responsible for the stunning costumes, transporting viewers to the Victorian era and the steampunk adventure.

Raiders of the Lost Ark

“Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” is an adventure film released in 1981, directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by George Lucas. The movie follows the adventures of the archaeologist Indiana Jones as he tries to find the legendary archaeological treasure before it falls into the wrong hands, especially the Nazis’. The film combines action, adventure, historical mysteries, and humor. It became a huge success and a cult classic. Harrison Ford portrays the lead role of Indiana Jones, and the movie’s iconic scene where Indy dodges a large boulder is one of the most famous moments in film history.

The film won four Academy Awards:
Best Sound Editing – Richard L. Anderson, Ben Burtt
Best Visual Effects – Richard Edlund, Kit West, Bruce Nicholson, Joe Johnston
Best Sound Mixing – Bill Varney, Steve Maslow, Gregg Landaker, Roy Charman
Best Editing – Michael Kahn

Saving Private Ryan

The story begins on the historical “D-Day” during World War II. An American unit receives a perilous special mission after the landing. Captain John Miller is tasked with taking his men behind enemy lines to find Private James Ryan, whose three brothers have already perished in battle. The men question the success of this extremely dangerous mission. Why should eight men risk their lives to save one soldier? Amid the madness of war, each of them must seek their answers—and muster the courage to confront the ruthless and demanding face of war.

The film won five Academy Awards in 1999:

Best Director: Steven Spielberg
Best Sound Editing: Gary Rydstrom and Richard Hymns
Best Sound Mixing: Gary Rydstrom and Gary Summers
Best Cinematography: Janusz Kamiński
Best Film Editing: Michael Kahn

Shrek

“Shrek” is an animated film released in 2001. It tells the story of a green, yet kind-hearted ogre named Shrek, who lives alone and unappreciated in a swamp. However, Shrek’s peace is disturbed when the expulsion of fairy tale creatures is ordered to his swamp by the ruler of Duloc, Lord Farquaad.

Shrek wants to regain his peace, so he strikes a deal with Farquaad: he agrees to rescue Princess Fiona, so that Farquaad can marry her and Shrek can get his swamp back. On the journey to save the princess, Shrek receives help from a donkey named Donkey, who accompanies him on his adventures.

When Shrek and Donkey arrive at Princess Fiona’s castle, they realize that Fiona is not quite an ordinary princess. Along the way, Shrek and Fiona grow closer, but Shrek soon faces the truth about Farquaad’s true intentions.

“Shrek” is an adventure filled with humor, romance, and twists related to the world of fairy tale creatures. It has become known for its memorable characters, clever dialogue, and unique storytelling.

“Shrek” won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature at the 2001 Academy Awards. This was the first time the award for Best Animated Feature was presented, and “Shrek” was the first film to be honored in this category.

The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby tells the story of Nick Carraway, a young man who moves to Long Island, New York, in 1920s America. Nick’s neighbor is the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby, who hosts extravagant parties but whose past and true identity are kept as secret.

Nick soon discovers that Gatsby is in love with his cousin, the beautiful yet carefree Daisy Buchanan, who is married to the wealthy and unfaithful Tom Buchanan. Gatsby endeavors to win back Daisy’s love, using all his means to lure her back to him.

The story revolves around themes of love, wealth, and deceit, revealing the superficiality and moral decay of 1920s American society. Ultimately, the tale ends tragically as plot twists and conflicting passions lead to a fatal conclusion for the main characters.

The film received two Oscars for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design.

Avatar: The Way of Water

Ten years have passed since Jake Sully joined the Na’vi clan on the planet Pandora. Nowadays, he is married to Neytiri, and together they have explored the underwater realms of Pandora with their children Neteyam, Lo’ak, and their adopted daughter Kirina. The elder Na’vi, Tonowari, closely oversees tranquility amidst everything.

Although time has passed since the war, humans have not forgotten their bitterness and still seek to exploit Pandora’s natural resources. General Ardmore, who has risen to command the humans, ruthlessly cloned the consciousness of Miles Quaritch and merged it with his own Avatar body. Together, they plan a massive strike against Pandora to completely destroy the Na’vi people.

Now, Jake must join forces with Neytiri and the Na’vi army to protect their home planet.

The film was awarded an Oscar for its outstanding visual effects. The movie utilized motion-capture technology, followed by computer-generated animation.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

After the death of King T’Challa, Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M’Baku, Okoye and the Dora Milaje set out to fight the world powers that threaten their nation. As Wakandans seek to begin a new phase in their lives, the warriors must join forces with the help of Nakia and Everett Ross and build a new future for the Kingdom of Wakanda.

Jaws

Jaws is an iconic thriller film from 1975 directed by Steven Spielberg. The story takes place on Amity Island, a popular summer vacation spot, where brutal shark attacks begin to occur. Police Chief Martin Brody tries to protect the residents, but the city management wants to cover up the threat due to tourism. Together with marine biologist Matt Hooper and local shark resident Quint, they go on a shark hunting expedition to stop a great white shark.

The film combines suspense, horror and drama. Killer sharks feature memorable scenes such as shark attacks and scary moments in the water. The film achieved immense popularity and had a significant impact on the film industry and popular culture. It elevated the shark to a fearsome figure and created an iconic atmosphere that continues to inspire and terrify viewers today.

Killer Shark won three Oscars. Steven Spielberg won the Oscar for Best Director, Robert L. Hoyt and Roger Heman Jr. won the Oscar for Best Sound Recording, and John Williams won the Oscar for Best Original Score.

Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) is a good-hearted man who observes the world in his peculiar way. At the beginning of the film, he tells the vent guest his life story, because he wants to and doesn’t see anything strange about it.

Through chance, Forrest becomes involved in significant events in world history, such as the Vietnam War, Elvis, John Lennon, and President Nixon. Forrest’s differency is by no means an insurmountable obstacle. He owns a successful seafood company, is a war hero, and has visited the White House several times. Forrest is an affectionate individual; you could say that he just wants to bring as much good as possible into the world. But can he get the love of his life?

The film won a whopping six Oscars: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Special Effects.

Little Miss Sunshine

The dramatic comedy is about the Hoover family, where everyone has their challenges, and this is a boundary-breaking film about a happy family idyll.

The father is a motivational trainer who unsuccessfully tries to market the “nine steps to success” program. On the other hand, the conservative mother balances her own family and her brother – the brother has just gotten out of the hospital to recover from his traumas, which are caused by the loss of his boyfriend. The brother is still suicidal and depressed. Grandpa Edwin is a loud-mouthed hedonist who wants to enjoy pleasure by all means.

The children of the Hoover family include Olive and Dwayne. Dwayne is a boy who reads passionately the philosopher Nietzsche. In the film, he sulks strongly. When Olive accidentally receives an invitation to participate in a nationally known “Little Miss Sunshine” race in California, the whole family goes on a trip to cheer her on to success by cramming them into a small, yellow, rusty Volkswagen van. During the trip, the family encounters a breakthrough that changes their lives forever.

The film tells the story of how even those who make a poor living in society, can succeed.

The film won two Oscars: Best Supporting Actor and Best Screenplay.