Get ready for Oscar. Watch the top pictures.
Our critic recaps ‘Lion’ and other best-picture nominees so you know what you’ve missed and what to see first
ARRIVAL
A linguistics expert PLOT: (Amy Adams) is tasked with deciphering messages from alien visitors. Denis Villeneuve DIRECTOR: PG-13 RATING: It’s a supremely crafted, UPSIDE: well-acted and thought-provoking exploration of humanity. Most every other DOWNSIDE: recent sci-fi movie looks pedestrian in comparison.
FENCES
A Pittsburgh garbage PLOT: man (Denzel Washington) finds success at work but increasing tension at home. Denzel Washington DIRECTOR: PG-13 RATING: Washington and co-star UPSIDE: Viola Davis give powerhouse, award-ready performances. It’s more filmed play DOWNSIDE: than movie, so it doesn’t feel cinematic in scope.
HACKSAW RIDGE
A devout young man PLOT: (Andrew Garfield) enlists in the Army during World War II yet won’t touch a gun. Mel Gibson DIRECTOR: R RATING: Gibson’s latest is a brutal-UPSIDE: ly intense and elegantly crafted war drama. The film wrestles DOWNSIDE: with overt preachiness and military-movie clichés.
HIDDEN FIGURES
PLOT: Three mathematicians (Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe) overcome racial and gender inequality to help America in the space race. DIRECTOR: Theodore Melfi RATING: PG UPSIDE: The film has a strong cast as well as heady themes of civil rights. DOWNSIDE: The space drama sometimes takes the focus off the three stars’ magnetic chemistry.
LION
Two decades after being PLOT: separated from his family, a young Australian man (Dev Patel) plots a path back home to India. Garth Davis DIRECTOR: PG-13 RATING: Patel and newcomer UPSIDE: Sunny Pawar give strong performances as older and younger versions of Saroo Brierley. The ending couldn’t DOWNSIDE: be more emotionally manipulative, though it’s forgivable.
MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
A handyman (Casey PLOT: Affleck) is forced to confront a past tragedy when he’s named sole guardian of his nephew (Lucas Hedges). Kenneth Lonergan DIRECTOR: R RATING: Affleck and Hedges UPSIDE: are tops among an all-around extraordinary cast. Parents will find DOWNSIDE: one scene hard to watch because of the subject matter.
MOONLIGHT
A three-act character study PLOT: that follows the life of a gay black man from struggling child to intimidating adult. Barry Jenkins DIRECTOR: R RATING: The drama is UPSIDE: supremely well-acted and beautifully captures the intimate evolution of its main character. The middle act, while DOWNSIDE: very good, doesn’t rise to the exceptional levels of the film’s beginning and end.