Behind the scenes with the best actor Oscar nominees ahead of the 2024 Academy Awards ceremony
Oscar nominees below. The 2024 Oscars
The presentation will take place on Sunday, March 10.
Bradley Cooper, “Maestro”
“West Side Story” and “Candide.”
The dramatic change in his appearance (with the makeup and hair being nominated for an Oscar) is impressive, but Bernstein’s children stated that Cooper did an excellent job in portraying their father’s mannerisms and actions.
Bernstein is being interviewed by CBS News’ Edward R. Murrow about his career as a prominent conductor and composer.
“I wanted to make the movie because ‘Maestro’ delves into the enduring connection between Bernstein and his wife, Felicia Montealegre (portrayed by Oscar-nominee Carey Mulligan). However, their love was complicated by the fact that Bernstein also had romantic relationships with men. Despite this, I truly believe that they were each other’s true soulmates.”
According to Cooper, during his interview on “CBS Mornings,”
He states that their bond was intricate and pervasive.
The clip “Maestro” features actors Bradley Cooper and Maya Hawke.CBS Sunday Morning on
YouTube
“Maestro” is not only a tale of a marriage, but also a tribute to Bernstein’s passion for music. During the production of Mahler’s Second Symphony at Ely Cathedral in England, Cooper actively directed the orchestral performance, mirroring Bernstein’s legendary concert in 1973. This piece of music, lasting only six minutes and 25 seconds, required six-and-a-half years of meticulous effort.
He mentioned “Sunday Morning.”
“I have never encountered a scenario like this before, and it is possible that it may not occur in my lifetime again.”
Cannot reword
This marks Cooper’s fifth nomination for Best Actor at the Academy Awards. In addition, he has received seven other nominations for his work as a producer and writer.
The show “Maestro” is now available for streaming on Netflix.
Colman Domingo, “Rustin”
“Angelic troublemakers” is how civil rights advocate and master strategist Bayard Rustin referred to those fighting for social justice through non-violent means. Raised by his Quaker grandmother, Rustin was a pacifist who still got arrested more than 20 times and jailed during the long fight against Jim Crow.
When the documentary “Rustin” came out, “Sunday Morning” published a detailed feature on Bayard Rustin, who passed away in 1987 and was later honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The piece includes an interview with producer and previous President Barack Obama. Their hope for “Rustin” is to inspire and remind the new and younger generation of activists of their potential for change.Obama told “Sunday Morning.”
Bayard Rustin: The man who transformed the civil rights movement
09:21
Rustin, portrayed by Colman Domingo, operated from a brownstone in Harlem known as the Utopia Neighborhood Club House. With a limited staff, he was able to successfully organize the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in just under two months. Speaking of Rustin’s role, Eleanor Holmes Norton, a Yale Law student at the time, noted that his natural charisma was essential in motivating others to join the march. Norton was responsible for securing buses to transport individuals to the event.
During this moment, Rustin initiates the flame that would spark the largest nonviolent gathering of demonstrators in U.S. history at the time. This event brought together 250,000 individuals who would go on to witness Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic “I have a dream” address.
The civil rights movement, which gained momentum on that day in Washington, also led to Rustin being pushed aside due to fears that his homosexuality would damage the progress of the movement.
Actor Domingo spent approximately five months immersing himself in the writings of organizer Bayard Rustin and studying documentary footage to accurately portray his mannerisms and vocal patterns for the role. He emphasizes the importance of not mimicking someone, but instead channeling their charisma and spirit to inspire others, particularly young people, to join and drive the movement.
Colman Domingo discusses his roles in upcoming films “Rustin” and “The Color Purple” in an interview at 06:30.
In this Netflix special feature, Domingo provides a thorough examination of the moment where he confronts King (played by Aml Ameen) about the possibility of being kicked out of the NAACP due to Rustin’s controversial background. The scene serves as a strong statement against oppression and a call for equality and fairness for everyone.
Domingo refers to himself as a versatile actor, having appeared in popular movies such as “The Butler,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “North Star,” “The Birth of a Nation,” and “Candyman.” He also received an Emmy for his role in the TV show “Euphoria” and was nominated for two Tony Awards – for his performance in the musical “The Scottsboro Boys” and as a producer for the play “Fat Ham.” This marks Domingo’s first Oscar nomination with “Rustin.”
The show “Rustin” is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
“The Holdovers” featuring Paul Giamatti
Paul Giamatti, known for his role in “Sideways,” reunited with director Alexander Payne in “The Holdovers.” In the film, Giamatti plays Paul Hunham, a classics professor at a prep school in the year 1970. Despite the tumultuous time period marked by cultural shifts and the Vietnam War, the sheltered environment of Barton Academy offers Hunham a sense of security. He strives to impart timeless knowledge to his students while shielding himself from the chaos of the outside world.
During this scene, Hunham is distributing exam scores for Ancient Civilizations and is understandably shocked by the low level of academic success among his students.
As the holiday break approaches, Hunham is tasked with watching over a student who will not be going home for Christmas. While in Boston, where he accompanies Angus (played by Dominic Sessa), he discovers the complex and distressing family background that is plaguing the young man. Hunham reluctantly teaches Angus about self-awareness in this situation.
“I often contemplate that, in reality, I simply portray intricately layered individuals with complex connections to society.”
Giamatti stated during an interview with “Sunday Morning.”
The movie has been referred to as a “Scrooge-esque Christmas tale,” with Hunham playing the role of Scrooge. Giamatti agrees with this comparison, stating that it has elements similar to “A Christmas Carol.” He believes that all the characters have a bit of Scrooge in them and must break free from their stagnant state.
“The Holdovers” brought back familiar memories for Giamatti. He had teachers who resembled the character in the film. Although schools may have changed, Giamatti recalls having strict disciplinarians as teachers.
Paul Giamatti, nominee for the 2024 Academy Awards for his role in “The Holdovers”.
Giamatti has received previous recognition for his role in “Cinderella Man” with a nomination for best supporting actor. This marks his first Academy Award nomination for best actor. He has been recognized for his performance in “The Holdovers” with both the Critics Choice Award and the Golden Globe in the musical or comedy category.
You can watch “The Holdovers” on Peacock and rent it through VOD.
Cillian Murphy, “Oppenheimer”
Christopher Nolan’s film about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist responsible for creating the first atomic bomb, is a grand and intimate epic. It delves into Oppenheimer’s personal life, which was later used against him by those who persecuted him for speaking out against nuclear weapons.
The movie follows Oppenheimer (portrayed by Cillian Murphy, who was nominated for his role) as he transitions from studying quantum physics and contemplating the immense power it holds, to leading a team of scientists and engineers in developing the bomb test site in Los Alamos and creating a weapon that, according to one theory, could potentially annihilate all life on the planet.
Murphy plays a pivotal role in a dramatic story that involves both historical events – the Americans’ race against time with Nazi scientists developing a similar weapon – and personal relationships, such as the love triangle between Oppenheimer, his wife (portrayed by Emily Blunt), and his lingering feelings for his past lover (played by Florence Pugh).
During this part, Oppenheimer has a conversation with General Leslie Groves (played by Matt Damon) about the concepts behind the upcoming nuclear test. The test has the potential to completely destroy our planet.
After the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, effectively ending the war, Oppenheimer addresses the Los Alamos team about their accomplishment. In the midst of a visual distortion, he envisions the devastation caused by nuclear weapons, including radiation poisoning, aftermath pollution, and loss of human life – all consequences of their invention.
A veteran of stage for nearly three decades, Murphy starred for six seasons in “Peaky Blinders” as a crime boss in post-WWI England. In films he’s appeared in “28 Days Later,” “The Wind That Shakes the Barley,” “Sunshine,” Nolan’s Batman trilogy (as the Scarecrow), and “Inception.”
Next, a request was made for Nolan to portray the man that he referred to as “the most significant individual in history.” “I recall reading about him early on and discovering that he was more of a puzzle than a solution.”Murphy told “60 Minutes.”
In the video, Murphy discusses his reaction to reading Nolan’s script on “60 Minutes,” explaining that for security reasons, the script was printed on red paper.
Murphy dedicated time to studying and listening to Oppenheimer’s lectures, as well as practicing the role for months while taking walks along the beach. He even went as far as learning Dutch to match Oppenheimer’s fluency in lecturing. Additionally, he lost 28 pounds in order to accurately embody the physicist’s physical appearance.
However, in addition to preparation, Murphy also relied on his instincts, stating, “I believe instinct is the most valuable tool an actor possesses.” He emphasized the importance of not over-planning and instead allowing oneself to react naturally in the moment, describing it as being swept up by the forces of wind and emotion.
View the conversation with Cillian Murphy on “60 Minutes”
“Oppenheimer,” captured in Imax and 70mm format and released, exceeded all expectations as a hit, surprising even the director behind blockbuster films like the “Batman” trilogy, “Interstellar,” and “Dunkirk.” With a worldwide box office revenue of almost $1 billion, “Oppenheimer” has received 13 Academy Award nominations.
To Murphy, the anchor of the iconic film, it comes down to the narrative. He believes that when a movie resonates with someone and they feel understood, or a book or song has the ability to impact someone’s life, it showcases the strength of great art.
Murphy won the Screen Actors Guild Award and the Golden Globe (drama) for his performance in “Oppenheimer.” This is his first Academy Award nomination.
The film “Oppenheimer” can be streamed on Peacock and is also accessible through VOD.
Additional information about the creation of “Oppenheimer”:
Reworded: The author, Jeffrey Wright, wrote a collection of stories titled “American Fiction”.
In the movie “American Fiction” directed and written by Cord Jefferson, Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (played by Jeffrey Wright) is portrayed as a struggling Black author who is dissatisfied with how White people perceive Black individuals, based on the novel “Erasure” by Percival Everett. Monk is not only struggling to find success with his books, but he also believes that they have been labeled incorrectly.
In a brief moment of anger, Monk decides to create a fake account of the life of Stagg R. Leigh, a former convict who is currently on the run from the law. His book, “Ma Pafology”, portrays a cookie-cutter version of the Black experience, featuring vulgar conversations, broken families, and the prevalence of drugs and violence. Monk believes that this is exactly what publishers are looking for. He explains to his agent, “The story has irresponsible fathers, rappers, and drugs, with the main character being killed by the police in the end. That’s what it means to be Black, right? Just look at what the publishing industry puts out. They expect us to write about these topics. I am fed up with it all. This book is my way of expressing my frustration.”
What’s meant as a protest, however, becomes a cause-célèbre. The manuscript of “Ma Pafology” is scooped up by a publishing house anticipating a bestseller (just in time for Juneteenth!). And, of course, it’s a hit.
2005 “Into the West” star Irene Bedard), to
Monk’s request
Monk is asking for a favor from Sintara, who is portrayed by Irene Bedard, known for her role in the 2005 mini-series “Into the West.”Issa Rae) about the popular book that he has secretly written (whose title has been changed to consist of an Anglo-Saxon term that must be blurred during television appearances). Her opinion matters: she wrote “We’s Lives in Da Ghetto,” a bestseller:
Monk’s fascination with crafting a false identity and narrative, and the sacrifices he must make to satisfy himself and his morals, are partly driven by the pressure he feels from his family. This includes his elderly mother who is struggling with Alzheimer’s, as well as his strained relationships with his siblings. At the time of the film’s creation, Wright was emotionally connected to this theme due to the recent passing of his own mother. He explained to Variety that the movie’s social commentary and satire serve as a wrapper for the core story of a man who is forced to take on the role of the responsible adult within his crumbling family. This emotional and personal connection is what drew Wright to the project.
“According to Wright, one of the most rebellious elements of the film is its departure from common storytelling stereotypes and cliches. In a previous interview with Vanity Fair, she expressed how the film brings attention to lesser-known stories and characters that are often overlooked. Throughout her career, Wright had never been given the opportunity to play such a multi-faceted and dynamic role within a family, making this project even more unique in her filmography. As she reflected on the experience, she realized that she had never explored these aspects of her acting abilities before.”
Wright, known for his role in the 1996 biographical film “Basquiat,” has also been featured in several other movies such as “Ali,” “Syriana,” “Casino Royale,” “W.,” “Cadillac Records,” “The Ides of March,” “Only Lovers Left Alive,” “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts I & II,” “Broken Flowers,” “The French Dispatch,” “O.G.,” “The Batman,” and “Asteroid City.” He has also made appearances on television shows including “Westworld” and “Boardwalk Empire.” Wright has received both a Tony Award and an Emmy for his acclaimed performances in “Angels in America.”
“I have discovered a form of resilience through being adaptable, which has benefited me,” he shared with Vanity Fair. “In addition, I enjoy being productive. I prefer not to portray the same kind of character repeatedly in a similar storyline. I admired performers such as Dustin Hoffman and Peter Sellers, who were able to transform themselves, and I appreciate that aspect of our profession.”
This is the initial time Wright has been nominated for an Oscar.
You can watch “American Fiction” by streaming it through VOD.
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Source: cbsnews.com