Oscars 2018: The nominees are out!

The nominations for the 90th Academy Awards are finally out and... they are a mixed bag for me. At least in the Costume Design Category, which is the one I'll focus on here today.

These are the nominees for Best Achievement in Costume Design:

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Costume Design by Jacqueline Durran

I have talked at length before about Disney live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast, and not in a very positive light (see here). It is no secret that I hate this movie and this Costume Design. So this nomination is really painful for me.

Despite that hate, I must recognize that there are some parts of the design that I like and that are worthy to look at. Still, considering the amazing Costume Designs that we've seen this year (Lady Macbeth, Wonder Woman...), it is terribly unfair that this gets nominated only because it's Disney and because it's a grand and flashy Costume Design.

DARKEST HOUR. Costume Design by Jacqueline Durran

I still haven't seen Joe Wright's war drama about Winston Churchill (mainly because it has not been released in Spain, where I happen to live) so I cannot offer an informed opinion on the costumes of the movie.

All I can say is that it feels like a movie we've seen a million times before and I am not really excited to see.

PHANTOM THREAD. Costume Design by Mark Bridges

Paul Thomas Anderson's new film has also not been released, as of yet, in my home country, so I only speak from what I've seen in the trailers and promotions, but still, this looks like an amazingly rich design. And it feels like a movie worth watching.

Since the first trailer was released, I knew this was going to get a Costume Design nomination, and I am really glad that it did.

THE SHAPE OF WATER. Costume Design by Luis Sequeira

Again, this is starting to feel repetitive, but the movie hasn't been released in Spain yet, so I do not have a particular opinion on it.

But, being as familiar as I am with Guillermo del Toro's filmography, I am certain that this will be a gorgeous movie with wonderful designs, and I cannot wait to see it.

VICTORIA & ABDUL. Costume Design by Consolata Boyle

After last year's Florence Foster Jenkins, I was not particularly excited about this movie, even though I love the historical figure of Queen Victoria and I have read a ton about it.

This movie feels tired and predictable and corny... and so I skipped it when it was in cinemas because I couldn't even fathom the possibility of it being nominated in any category. I guess I suck at predictions.

TO SUM UP

I am terribly sorry that I couldn't bring more insight into these nominations, but, all in all, I am disappointed in some of these choices, particularly with the inclusion of Beauty and the Beast and the fact that Lady Macbeth was left out at all.

As for hopes and predictions, I cannot have realistic hopes because I haven't seen any movie aside Beauty and the Beast (which I do hope it doesn't win), but my guess is that the Oscar will go to Phantom Thread if only because is a movie focusing on fashion and it's an easy choice.

So, to wrap it up, tell you that do not fret, I will catch up and see all these movies and talk at length about each of the nominees during our third Oscars Retrospective that will take place during March and April, much the same way we did last year.

Why March and April? Just to leave a realistic margin to be able to see them all...

In the meantime, I'll leave you with the links to this past years' Oscars Retrospectives to entertain yourselves with.

2015
The Revenant (here)
Cinderella (here)
The Danish Girl (here)
Carol (here)
Mad Max: Fury Road (here)

2016
La La Land (here)
Jackie (here)

Florence Foster Jenkins (here)

Allied (here)

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (here)

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STATUS UPDATE: coming up next will be our 2017's Favorite Costume Designs list. Unfortunately, we've bumped out into a couple of work-heavy weeks and we've been somehow delayed. We are doing all we can. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

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