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Carey Mulligan in "Promising Young Woman" and Chadwick Boseman in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom."
Merie Weismiller Wallace/Focus Features; David Lee/Netflix
Good news! There's still time to win your Oscars pool — but you have to know the contenders. Because of the pandemic, a record number of nominated films are available to watch from your couch on streaming media before the stars hit the (virtual) red carpet. For your consideration, then: the lowdown on the 30 best nominees for Hollywood's top awards and where to click to watch them (ABC, April 25, 8 p.m. ET).
Another Round
Nominated for: Best Director, International Feature
Mads Mikkelsen, who plays a schoolteacher battling a midlife crisis by obeying Baudelaire's command to “be drunk always,” gives a performance so vibrant that Thomas Vinterberg got nominated for best director and the film for best international feature.
Watch it: Another Round, on Hulu
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Nominated for: Best Supporting Actress
Kazakhstan's most famous fictional TV reporter Borat Sagdiyev (Sacha Baron Cohen) returns to spoof Americans in ambush-comedy skits, but the real star (and best supporting actress nominee) is Bulgarian actress Maria Bakalova as Borat's daughter. She's the unexpected Cinderella of this year's Oscar race. Cohen said “I mean, if she doesn't win an Oscar, then I don't know what the Academy's for."
Watch it: Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, on Amazon Prime
The Collective
Nominated for: Best Documentary, International Feature
If you liked Spotlight, you'll be riveted by this Oscar contender about Romanian citizens and journalists who uncovered the authorities’ corrupt response to a fire that killed 64 people — and toppled the government.
Watch it: The Collective, on Amazon Prime
Da 5 Bloods
Nominated for: Best Original Score
Longtime Spike Lee collaborator Lindo outdoes himself as a PTSD-afflicted, MAGA hat-wearing veteran who returns with war buddies to Vietnam to search for their leader's lost remains. But only Terence Blanchard's score managed to nab a nomination.
Watch it: Da 5 Bloods, on Netflix
Emma.
Nominated for: Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Costume Design
Anya Taylor-Joy, skyrocketing star of The Queen's Gambit, lights up Jane Austen's story of a selfishly meddlesome maiden, but what the Academy applauded was the film's looks in costume, hair and makeup.
Watch it: Emma., on HBO
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga
Nominated for: Best Original Song
Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams are irresistible as a couple of Icelandic singers trying to follow ABBA's route to fame on Europe's big song contest, and the movie's tune “Husavik” is up for best original song in the real world.
Watch it: Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga, on Netflix
The Father
Nominated for: Best Picture, Actor, Supporting Actress, Adapted Screenplay, Production Design, Film Editing
Sir Anthony Hopkins masterfully portrays a man facing a scarier monster than Hannibal Lecter: Alzheimer's disease. His performance brings viewers inside a mind in the fight of its life. He's up for best actor, Olivia Colman for supporting actress as his daughter. It could also win best picture, among other nominations.
Watch it: The Father, on Amazon Prime
Greyhound
Nominated for: Best Sound
Tom Hanks ably plays a self-doubting captain struggling to protect his ships from Nazi U-boats in a movie that makes you feel like a WWII battle veteran, in large part thanks to how authentic it all sounds — hence its nomination.
Watch it: Greyhound, on Apple TV+
Hillbilly Elegy
Nominated for: Best Makeup and Hair Styling, Supporting Actress
In a flick about a persnickety rural grandma who steps in to save a grandchild when her own daughter isn't up to the task of parenthood, Glenn Close might finally win an Oscar (this is her eighth acting nomination).
Watch it: Hillbilly Elegy, on Netflix
Judas and the Black Messiah
Nominated for: Best Supporting Actor (2 nominations), Picture, Original Screenplay, Cinematography, Original Song
Weirdly, LaKeith Stanfield, who plays the Judas who betrayed assassinated Black Panther leader Fred Hampton, is nominated for best supporting actor, and so is Daniel Kaluuya as Hampton — even though Stanfield is obviously the lead actor. “I'm confused, too,” he said. Both deserve it, and the fact-based film could also win best picture among other honors.
Watch it: Judas and the Black Messiah, on YouTube
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