The 2022 nominations for the Oscars were announced yesterday. In the run up to the award ceremony, let us look at the 10 wonderful movies that have been nominated in the Best Film category.

The Power of the Dog

One of the year's highly acclaimed movies, "The Power of Dog" is adapted by Jane Campion from Thomas Savage's novel of the same name. We follow the story of two brothers Phil and George who are like chalk and cheese. Set in 1925 Montana, it delves into the impact of psychological torture and toxic masculinity on a person.  

With a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Drama, NBR and AFI citations as well as a PGA nomination, this film has a good chance of winning the Oscar for Best Film. However, the film was slammed for animal cruelty by People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, also known as PETA.

Belfast

Sir Kenneth Branagh's semi-autobiographical, black and white film is about a young boy's life in Belfast during the Northern Ireland riots. It superbly portrays crippling affliction that the religious turmoil has on the families and residents of Belfast.  

So far, "Belfast" has won the Toronto International Film Festival People's Choice Award, and listed as one of the best films of the year by New York's National Board of Review (NBR) and American Film Institute (AFI). The film has also won the Golden Globe for Best Screenplay.  

CODA

"CODA" is a coming-of-age story about Ruby, a child of deaf adults, from a small town of New England and her pursuit of music. The dialogues brilliantly depicts the family drama and challenges of growing up deaf in a stigmatised society. It makes a genuine effort to make a statement about life's universal struggles that go beyond anyone's disabilities.

The film is the recipient of the prestigious AFI award and a Production Guild of America award nomination.

Don't Look Up

As two wary astronomers go to great lengths to warn mankind of a comet that will be the harbinger of an apocalypse, they are met with very strong resistance. From Leonardo DiCaprio to Meryl Streep, the film is rife with a marquee of talent.

Earning a nomination from NBR, AFI and PGA, "Don't Look Up" is one of the top contenders at the Oscars this year.

Drive My Car

 In "Drive My Car", Yusuke Kafuku's life comes tumbling down when his wife Oto suddenly dies.  Although Kafuku still hasn't recovered from this loss two years later, the silver lining is that he gets the offer to direct a play at a theatre festival, so, he drives to Hiroshima. What ensues is a movie that celebrates solidarity and perseverance in difficult times.

The film has received top prizes from the New York Film Critics Circle, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, and the National Society of Film Critics. It is the first Japanese movie to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Film. 

Dune

There could not have been anyone better than Denis Villeneuve to take on the herculean task of transforming Frank Herbert's beloved novel, "Dune", into a film. Young Paul Atreides is destined for greatness but the weight on his shoulders gets heavier as he is haunted by prophetic dreams and has to preserve his family's stewardship of the world's most valued resource – the mystic spice mélange. The spellbinding visuals and excellent ensemble are the hallmark of this movie.

"Dune" has received NBR and AFI citations and a PGA nomination. 

King Richard

This is a rags-to-riches biopic about the famous Venus and Serena Williams as they ascent to the world of tennis. The powerful duo's father, Richard Williams, is determined that they not only succeed but become the greatest tennis players the world has ever seen. The screenplay explicitly showcases the toxicity that the father inflicts on his daughters and how they spared no effort to ingratiate themselves to him. 

"King Richard" landed itself as the top films of the year on the NBR and AFI list. It also got a nod from the PGA. 

Licorice Pizza

Fifteen- year-old Gary Valentine experiences love at first sight when he meets 20- year-old Alana Kane. Time is relative as the two lovers only get closer to each other despite their age difference, opposite personalities, and life's hardships. It's one of the most delightful films of the year that will tug at heartstrings.

"Licorice Pizza" has received the award for Best Screenplay at NYFCC, an AFI citation and a PGA nomination. 

Nightmare Alley

Guillermo del Toro's noir drama about carnivals, clairvoyant acts and swindlers is based on the 1946 novel of the same name. The protagonist Stan Carlisle intends to leave his sordid past behind by joining a nomadic carnival troupe. In doing so, he begins a new life as an aristocratic psychic, and eventually plans to con a mogul with a psychiatrist, who ends up being his most formidable foe yet.

The film has received NBR and AFI plaudits. 

West Side Story

Steven Spielberg ensured that this remake of the beloved musical stays true to the appeal of the original story but differs artistically. In 1950s New York City, two street gangs clash while two young people fall in love and struggle to build a peaceful future of their own. Renowned screenwriter Tony Kushner added nuances to some of the characters to translate the conflict between race and classes.

It has won the Golden Globe for Best Musical or Comedy and a PGA nomination.