Film has been a major part of American society for generations, and 89 years ago it was decided those who produced and performed in these films should be awarded for the entertainment they provide.

2017 marks the 89th year of the most revered Academy Award show, The Oscars, providing the opportunity to look back and review all of the amazingly brilliant films of the past year. This year, The Oscars are being hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and aired Feb. 26. All photos courtesy of IMDB.

The following movies were some of the films nominated for Best Picture and are still playing in most theaters. After a mix-up with the announcing of the prestigious prize, Moonlight eventually took the win. 

1. Moonlight (2016):

Released in October of 2016, Moonlight has quickly become one of the most critically acclaimed movies of the year. The film follows a young man from Miami in three separate stages of his life. Throughout the film he grapples with his sexuality and his mother’s drug addiction. Moonlight is a breathtaking piece of cinema that comments on the significance of identity, family, and culture. Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, and Trevante Rhodes all delivered powerful performances in which they each highlighted their monumental struggles within themselves. Moonlight is truly the most beautiful and revolutionary film of 2016.

2.        Manchester by the Sea (2016):

Manchester By the Sea was released in November of 2016 and featured Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams–among others. Manchester by the Sea tracks an irritable middle aged
handyman who must leave his habitual lifestyle and return to his hometown to watch over his nephew after his brother passes away. This film was beautifully told and utterly heartbreaking. Kenneth Lonergan brilliantly captivated his audiences. Affleck and Williams delivered incredibly raw performances that flawlessly chronicled the process of unhealable trauma. Manchester by the Sea is compelling and real; there is no doubt that this masterful film was a top contender for the Academy Award.

     3.   Lion (2016):

Based on a true story, Lion tracks the story of five year old Saroo after he gets separated from his family and a train takes him a thousand miles across India. After he learns how to survive by himself, Saroo is fortunate enough to get adopted by a nurturing Australian couple. 25 years later, Saroo (Dev Patel), is determined to find his family and find his home. Lion is an engaging, remarkable film that fosters so many different emotions. Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel, and Rooney Mara deliver performances of the year that will put anyone in t-shirt drenching tears. Garth Davis successfully stayed away from over top drama and conveyed a very real struggle of love, loss, and the meaning of home.

   4.   Arrival (2016):

Historically speaking, science fiction films have never dominated the Academy Awards; however, this year, Denis Villeneuve has delivered the Academy with an invigorating and incredibly important piece of cinema. Arrival follows the story of linguistic professor, Louise (Amy Adams), who is enlisted to assist the United States military in a time of an international “crisis”: extraterrestrials have just landed on Earth. Louise soon realizes that the only way to really connect with the foreign species is to learn their language and them to learn her’s. Despite being a film all about an alien invasion, Arrival suggests what it means to be human. Villeneuve delves deep into human experience and questions the linearity of time. Arrival, will have one on the edge of their seat and in tears in minutes. This film is soaked in tragedy, but serves as a subtle reminder that love and pain are always simultaneous.

5.   La La Land (2016):  

In a world full of vibrant colors, sunny dispositions, and hope for the stars, Los Angeles is home to those who dream of making it big; directed by Damien Chazelle, La La Land depicts just that. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling play exuberant and witty characters that dream of a life full of music and movies. Told mostly through song and dance, La La Land features both the whimsical and disheartening aspects of life in Hollywood. The film romanticizes the dying jazz culture and the thriving movie industry through Gosling’s and Stone’s love for each other and Hollywood. Nominated for over ten Oscar awards, La La Land jumps off the screen and into the heart of any Southern California native.

6.  Hidden Figures (2016):

A biographical drama set around black women in the workplace during the 60’s, Hidden Figures pulls viewers of all ages into its influential and riveting storyline. The film follows three African American women–Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn and Mary Jackson–and their mathematical work for NASA. Johnson’s findings were pivotal to America’s first space orbit when using a human pilot, and Jackson and Vaughn’s engineering and computer skills opened the minds of the prejudiced and brought new opportunities for not only women, but African American women in the workforce. The film stars Taraji Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, and several others who all bring tear jerking and inspiring performances to the films brilliant plot. One does not have to be a fan of history to enjoy the film, which fits into not only the drama genre, but humor, as several heavily weighted scenes were balanced out with subtle and witty humor. Anyone can find themselves easily engrossed in Hidden Figures, as it leaves a lasting impression inspiring for past and future generations.

7.   Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

Mel Gibson’s Hacksaw Ridge tells the incredible true story of Desmond T. Doss who saved 75 men in one of the bloodiest battles of World War II, without firing one shot. Doss, portrayed by Andrew Garfield, was the only soldier to fight on the front lines without a weapon. Teresa Palmer, Luke Bracey, and Vince Vaughn all give stunning performances that only enhance the film and keep the audience on the edge of their seat. Hacksaw Ridge explores the relationship between right and wrong and the tug-a-war between bravery and sacrifice. This fascinating film exposes the harshness of war and shines the light on those few brave enough to endure it.

8.  Hell or High Water (2016)

Released in August of 2016, Hell or High Water has captivated audiences everywhere and kept them hanging on to the edge of their seat. Following two brothers who join forces to rob the different branches of the bank that is foreclosing on their family’s land. David Mackenzie produced a fast paced iconic American story that transcends eras and genres alike. Performances by Chris Pine and Jeff Bridges were critical in the success of the film. Mackenzie managed to find and explore the relationship between justice and crime and the argument between good and bad.