“Passengers”
In the same categories as “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” both for Production Design and How the Fresh Hell Did This Movie Get More Oscar Nominations Than “Silence?!,” Morten Tyldum‘s controversial sci-fantasy wannabe “romance,” is also nominated for Best Original Score (?!?!).
Where to watch: Now playing in theaters.
“Deepwater Horizon”
Peter Berg‘s first of two real-life dramatizations, alongside the awards-ignored “Patriots Day,” didn’t find its audience. The intense, emotionally gripping ensemble drama was suspenseful and captivating, and its Best Visual Effects and Sound Editing noms are well-earned.
Where to watch: It’s on DVD/Blu-Ray and streaming on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, Vudu, PlayStation Store, Microsoft and Fandango Now.
“Kubo and the Two Strings”
Laika‘s incredible feat in stop-motion animation and storytelling wasn’t the box office smash it should’ve been in a right, just world, but perhaps its potential Best Animated Feature win will set the ship straight? The radiant, eye-popping, utterly captivating near-masterpiece and soon-to-be cult classic, is also the first animated film nominated for Best Visual Effects in decades.
Where to watch: Available on DVD/Blu-Ray, and for streaming on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, Vudu, PlayStation Store, Microsoft and Fandango Now.
“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”
2016’s “Star Wars” contribution earned as much praise as it did criticism, but you can’t ignore its technical marvels. Even if you outright hated the movie, you can’t easily dismiss its high-quality Visual Effects and glorious Sound Mixing, both of which are recognized by the Academy.
Where to watch: Now playing in theaters.
“Captain Fantastic”
Actor/filmmaker Matt Ross‘ quirky family indie dramedy was quick to charm Sundance audiences and general audiences alike, and Viggo Mortensen, nominated for Best Actor, earned a great deal of the film’s loving praise.
Where to watch: On DVD/Blu-Ray, and you can stream it on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, Vudu, PlayStation Store, Microsoft and Fandango Now.
“Elle”
Paul Verhoeven‘s beloved/condemned rape-centered character study, lead by Best Actress nominee Isabelle Huppert, isn’t considered an easy watch by those who trekked to see it, but it’s one people can’t stop discussing.
Where to watch: It’s available on DVD/Blu-Ray, and will arrive on Amazon Instant Video and iTunes, on March 14th.
“Loving”
Jeff Nichols‘ introspective bi-racial romance drama didn’t get the recognition it deserved, but its Best Actress nomination (Ruth Negga) hopefully gives it a wider audience.
Where to watch: It’s available on DVD/Blu-Ray, and on multiple streaming sites, such as iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, PlayStation Store, Microsoft and Fandango Now.
“Nocturnal Animals”
Tom Ford‘s ravishing, uncompromising arthouse drama isn’t necessarily everyone’s favorite, but it’s one that, nevertheless, provokes a conversation from anyone and everyone willing to see it. At the very least, it’s worth it for Michael Shannon‘s performance, which is nominated for Best Supporting Actor. If you haven’t seen it, you don’t have to wait much longer.
Where to watch: DVD/Blu-Ray starting Tuesday, and it’s streaming on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, PlayStation Store, Vudu and Microsoft.
“My Life as a Zucchini”
Claude Barras‘ stop-motion animated coming-of-age adaptation, also known as “My Life as A Courgette,” might only come in at 66 minutes, but this tender French film is yet another worthy contender inside the hotly-contested Best Animated Feature category.
Where to watch: Opens in select theaters this Friday.
“The Red Turtle”
Studio Ghibli‘s newest film, a dialogue-free animated fable involving a deserted man and a giant red turtle, provides some tough competition in an already-fierce Best Animation Feature category.
Where to watch: now playing in limited release.
“Zootopia”
Disney’s other beloved animated 2016 film is in firm competition with its Mouse Hour peer, “Moana,” but we’ll soon see if either of them end up virtuous or if they both lose to Laika’s “Kubo and the Two Strings.”
Where to watch: Netflix, as well as Amazon Instant Video, PlayStation Store, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu and Microsoft, and it’s on DVD/Blu-Ray.
“Silence”
Martin Scorsese‘s under-appreciated religious drama was tragically overlooked by the Academy. It only ended up with one nomination in total, and that’s for Best Cinematography.
Where to watch: Now playing in cinemas.
“Allied”
Robert Zemeckis‘ period war drama/would-be awards contender ended up with one sole nomination, for Best Costume Design.
Where to watch: It’s on DVD/Blu-Ray starting next week, on February 28th, and it’s currently available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, Microsoft and Vudu.
“Fire at Sea”
Gianfranco Rosi‘s Italian Best Documentary Feature nominee is as timely as ever, and one well worth tracking down.
Where to watch: Now available on iTunes and Vudu, and scheduled to hit DVD/Blu-Ray on March 21st.
“Life, Animated”
Roger Ross Williams‘ tremendously touching Autism documentary is nominated for Best Documentary Feature.
Where to watch: Now available on DVD/Blu-Ray, and currently streaming on Amazon Prime. It’s also on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Vudu, Google Play, PlayStation Store, Microsoft and Fandango Now.
“I Am Not Your Negro”
Raoul Peck‘s James Baldwin documentary, which features narration from Samuel L. Jackson, is nominated for Best Documentary Feature, and it might just win the award.
Where to watch: Now paying in limited release, and hits home video on May 2nd.
“O.J.: Made In America”
Ezra Edelman‘s captivating eight-hour O.J. Simpson documentary is nominated for Best Documentary Feature, and it’s one of finest efforts the form has ever seen.
Where to watch: Currently available to stream on Hulu and WatchESPN, and will hit hit DVD/Blu-Ray on July 19th.
“13th”
Whether it wins Best Documentary feature or not, Ava DuVernay‘s acclaimed, powerful film is must-see stuff.
Where to watch: Netflix
“Land of Mine”
Martin Zandvliet‘s Best Foreign Film nominee tells a WWII story of soldiers faced with the ever-present danger of land mines.
Where to watch: The film is sorta in limbo. It’s no longer playing in theaters, yet there’s no DVD/Blu-Ray date and as far as we can tell, it’s also not on any streaming sites. Huh.
“The Salesman”
The latest from Oscar-winning filmmaker Asghar Farhadi, which is nominated for Best Foreign Film, has stepped into the spotlight, with the filmmaker refusing to attend the ceremony due to Donald Trump’s court-challenged Muslim ban.
Where to watch: Now playing in limited release.
