2022 brought us the highly anticipated “Avatar: The Way of Water,” highly praised “Top Gun Maverick” and highly controversial “Don’t Worry Darling.”. As the 95th Academy Awards approach, UCCS students discuss some of their favorite films from the past year and thoughts on what makes a good movie.
Robert Raulerson (he/him), freshman mechanical engineering major
What’s your favorite film from the past year?
There’s not something that immediately comes to mind. I guess I’d say “Top Gun Maverick.”
What do you think is going to win best picture at the Oscars this year?
I think the only two that I actually saw were “Top Gun Maverick” and “All Quiet on the Western Front.” If I had to pick from those, I think it’s going to be “All Quiet on the Western Front.”
What do you think makes something an award-winning film?
The way it captures the actual essence of something, like war. It’s usually romanticized. Like in “Top Gun Maverick,” most people aren’t actually thinking about what war is really like, but in “All Quiet on the Western Front” it captures the real essence of it, there’s no real winners in that one.
What makes a movie something you want to go see?
When it’s real. Sometimes you get your propaganda flicks that are just eye candy, but when a film is real and you can feel or understand it, that’s when I think I recognize it as something I want to see.
Evan Johnson (he/him), freshman marketing major
What was your favorite film from the past year?
The new “Halloween” movie, “Halloween Ends.” I liked that
What do you think is going to win best picture at the Oscars this year?
I haven’t seen many of them, probably only one or two. I know “Avatar,” but I heard it really wasn’t that good though.
What do you think makes something an award-winning film?
I think if it has something to do with today’s society, something maybe political, that’s what makes people see it. If it’s a really good movie too, obviously. If it’s put together well.
What makes a movie something you want to go see?
I think when it’s a sequel I’m interested. The ratings have a lot to do with it too.
Caitlin Bolduc (she/her), freshman criminal justice and psychology dual major
What was your favorite film from the past year?
The new “Magic Mike” movie I saw last week was actually… really good!
What do you think is going to win best picture at the Oscars this year?
“Everything Everywhere All at Once.” I haven’t seen many of them, but I did see “Elvis!”
What do you think makes something an award-winning film?
I would say the storyline, the actors and the director.
What makes a movie something you want to go see?
Again, the storyline, and the actors… Especially when I think they’re cute. Like in “Magic Mike” with Channing Tatum! He’s cute.
Tanner Bloomer (he/him), senior finance major
What’s your favorite film from the past year?
I went and saw the new “Puss and Boots” movie, that was pretty good. Brings me back to my childhood, and definitely sets it up for another “Shrek” movie which is cool.
What do you think is going to win best picture at the Oscars this year?
Probably “Avatar,” but I’m not too literate in films lately.
What do you think makes an award-winning film?
Probably the people behind the film, ultimately. If it’s a big name that produced it, then they’re probably going to be nominated. You can have a really good film made by a small studio and it’s probably not going to get the publicity that it deserves.
What makes a movie something you want to go see?
Probably what my peers think of it and how popular it is. Of course, everybody had to see “Top Gun Maverick,” but probably advertising and hype have a lot to do with the movie itself.
