31 Days of Oscar 2025

During TCM’s 31 Days of Oscar every year I like to keep a running log of what I see. It’s a great chance to check off a number of films I should’ve seen already. My goals are: At least 31 films, 100 nominations accounted for by the films seen. As of this writing I’ve not yet seen a TCM selection this year. When I see either those or something from my To Be Watched list I’ll try to guess what the nominations are as I watch the film.

In 2024, I made a huge dent in the Best Animated Short category seeing all the shorts I’d not yet seen through 1969. I will be logging these films both here and on my Letterboxd.

1 Nickel Boys (2024)

A film shot in the POV of Elwood and Turner two boys who meet in the late 1960s at a boys reformatory in Florida. The cinematography in this film is engaging, breathtaking and unique. It was seriously snubbed of a nomination in that category. However, the Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay nods are richly deserved as the film is engaging and flows brilliantly.

Nominations: 2

Wins: ?

2 Is it Always Right to be Right? (1970)

Aside from obvious stylistic choices of the era, this film could be about America now.

Nominations: 1

Wins: 1

3 The Shepherd (1969)

Nominations: 1

Wins: 0

4 Seven (1995)

This addition is a bit of a cheat, but I went to see the 30th Anniversary re-release of Seven today. When I went to log it on Letterboxd and realized it wasn’t a movie I’ve marked as seen. I knew I had seen it if not beginning-to-end in pieces on cable long ago.

Coming out of it, I speculated on it’s nominations and I’m shocked it was only one. I know it’s become more beloved over the years, but still…and that one in Editing one of the most important categories and shutout elsewhere is stunning.

Nominations: 1

Wins: 0

5 I’m Still Here (Ainda Estou Aqui) (2024)

Finally got to see Brazil’s most nominated film ever it and it was more than worth the wait.

Nominations: 3

Wins: ?

6 Evolution (1971)

Nominations: 1

Wins: 0

7 Kama Sutra Rides Again (1972)

Nominations: 1

Wins: 0

Overall Totals

Films Viewed: 7

Nominations: 10

Wins: 1+