By Sophia Rutti
It’s award season again, and the endless lists of which movies deserve to be seen are flooding the unsuspecting public. With the Oscars coming up on February 22, most of us have been caught unprepared and have seen less than half of the Best Picture nominees. With eight nominees and seven of them still showing in local theaters, this year’s list is steep. So sort through them, watch the ones that catch your eye and start making bets on who is going to win and who is going to receive the classic Oscars’ snub. Vote here for your choice for the Best Picture Winner.
1. Selma
It isn’t too late to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. day by watching David Oyelowo as the Reverend himself in this historical drama that depicts the world-altering march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, to secure the rights of black citizens.
Showing in local theaters:
Regal Fairfax Towne Center 10: 4110 West Ox Road, Suite 12110, Fairfax, 22033
Centreville 12: 6201 Multiplex Drive, Centreville, 20121
AMC Worldgate 9: 13025 Worldgate Drive, Herndon, 20170
Bow Tie Reston Town Center 11 & BTX Theater: 11940 Market St., Reston, 20195
Cinema Arts Theatre: 9650 Main St., Fairfax, 22031
AMC Tyson Corner 16: 7850 Tysons Corner Center, McLean, 22102
Regal Manassas Stadium 14 & IMAX: 11380 Bulloch Drive, Manassas, 20109
Regal Dulles Town Center 10: 21010 Dulles Town Circle, Sterling, 20164
Regal Fox Stadium 16 & IMAX: 22875 Brambleton Plaza, Ashburn, 20148
Regal Virginia Gateway Stadium 14 & RPX: 8001 Gateway Promenade Place, Gainesville, 20155
Regal Springfield Town Center 12: 6859 Springfield Mall, Springfield, 22150
Regal Ballston Common Stadium 12: 671 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, 22203
2. The Theory of Everything
Directed by James Marsh, this biopic follows the life of renowned scientist Stephen Hawking played by Eddie Redmayne. The film follows Hawking’s life through romance, scientific breakthroughs and his struggle with ALS.
Showing at local theaters:
Regal Fairfax Towne Center 10: 4110 West Ox Road, Suite 12110, Fairfax, 22033
Cinema Arts Theatre: 9650 Main St., Fairfax, 22031
Regal Countryside Stadium 20: 45980 Regal Plaza, Sterling, 20165
3. The Imitation Game
Benedict Cumberbatch plays Alan Turing in this film about World War II, relationships and what it takes to break an unbreakable code.
Showing at local theaters:
Fairfax Corner 14 + Xtreme: 11900 Palace Way, Fairfax, 22030
AMC Worldgate 9: 13025 Worldgate Drive, Herndon, 20170
Bow Tie Reston Town Center 11 & BTX Theater: 11940 Market St., Reston, 20195
Cinema Arts Theatre: 9650 Main St., Fairfax, 22031
Angelika Film Center & Cafe at Mosaic: 2911 District Ave., Fairfax, 22031
AMC Tysons Corner 16: 7850 Tysons Corner Center, McLean, 22102
Regal Manassas Stadium 14 & IMAX: 11380 Bulloch Drive, Manassas, 20109
Regal Fox Stadium 16 & IMAX: 22875 Brambleton Plaza, Ashburn, 20148
Regal Countryside Stadium 20: 45980 Regal Plaza, Sterling, 20165
Regal Springfield Town Center 12: 6859 Springfield Mall, Springfield, 22150
Regal Virginia Gateway Stadium 14 & RPX: 8001 Gateway Promenade Place, Gainesville, 20155
Regal Ballston Common Stadium 12: 671 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, 22203
4. Birdman
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu directs Michael Keaton in his role as a has-been actor who was once famous for his role as ‘Birdman’ and his attempt to reach his former glory by starring in a Broadway play.
Showing in local theaters:
Fairfax Corner 14 + Xtreme: 11900 Palace Way, Fairfax, 22030
Cinema Arts Theatre: 9650 Main St., Fairfax, 22031
Regal Countryside Stadium 20: 45980 Regal Plaza, Sterling, 20165
Regal Ballston Common Stadium 12: 671 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, 22203
5. Whiplash
J.K. Simmons earned a Best Supporting Actor nomination as Terrence Fletcher, an esteemed music teacher who is known for his abrasive and forceful style of teaching. When a young jazz drummer, Andrew Neyman, played by Miles Teller, catches Fletcher’s eye, he is put through his test of greatness.
Showing in local theaters:
Regal Countryside Stadium 20: 45980 Regal Plaza, Sterling, 20165
Regal Ballston Common Stadium 12: 671 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, 22203
6. Boyhood
Directed by Richard Linklater, “Boyhood” was filmed over more than a decade, which allows the audience to watch the cast grow throughout the film. It follows a young boy named Mason as he ages from 6 years old to 18 years old and faces the trials of both childhood and life.
Showing in local theaters:
Regal Countryside Stadium 20: 45980 Regal Plaza, Sterling, 20165
Regal Ballston Common Stadium 12: 671 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, 22203
7. American Sniper
Bradley Cooper earns a Best Actor nomination for his role as Chris Kyle, one of the most successful and celebrated snipers in American military history. This biopic follows Kyle, a Navy SEAL, on his tumultuous journey.
Showing in local theaters:
Regal Fairfax Towne Center 10: 4110 West Ox Road, Suite 12110, Fairfax, 22033
Centreville 12: 6201 Multiplex Drive, Centreville, 20121
AMC Worldgate 9: 13025 Worldgate Drive, Herndon, 20170
Bow Tie Reston Town Center 11 & BTX Theater: 11940 Market St., Reston, 20195
Cinema Arts Theatre: 9650 Main St., Fairfax, 22031
Angelika Film Center & Cafe at Mosaic: 2911 District Ave., Fairfax, 22031
AMC Tysons Corner 16: 7850 Tysons Corner Center, McLean, 22102
Regal Manassas Stadium 14 & IMAX: 11380 Bulloch Drive, Manassas, 20109
Regal Dulles Town Center 10: 21010 Dulles Town Circle, Sterling, 20164
Regal Fox Stadium 16 & IMAX: 22875 Brambleton Plaza, Ashburn, 20148
Regal Virginia Gateway Stadium 14 & RPX: 8001 Gateway Promenade Place, Gainesville, 20155
Regal Springfield Town Center 12: 6859 Springfield Mall, Springfield, 22150
8. The Grand Budapest Hotel
This is the only Best Picture nominees that can’t be found in theaters. Released on March 7, 2014, and then on DVD on June 17, 2014, “The Grand Budapest Hotel” is a quirky and colorful spectacle of a film directed by Wes Anderson. It follows the story of concierge Gustave H., played by Ralph Fiennes, and Zero, his junior lobby boy and protege, through their wild adventures and growing friendship. To watch this one, stream it on Amazon, Google Play or iTunes, or swing by a RedBox or DVD store to pick up a physical copy.
