I tried seeing every single Oscar nominated film, but failed.

When the oscar nominees were announced back in late January, I decided that I would try to see every single one. I had moviepass, so movies were basically free, and I’d already watched some. The challenge didn’t seem impossible. In fact I was well on my way to doing it..., until I wasn’t. I will now attempt to take you through my journey of the movies I did see. I will write my thoughts about each one, or the fleeting memories, or who I went with, or what I remember about the theater.

Call me by your name: Saw it with Ali. It was long, but I enjoyed it. The last half hour or so I had to pee a lot so it was difficult to really follow. There was also a family behind us who wouldn’t stop talking and looking at their phones. Both Ali and I asked them to stop. They didn’t. Eventually they left.

Darkest Hour: Saw it alone, and Gary Oldman’s performance was great! One thing that bothered me was the theater cut off the top and bottom of the screen. I wasn’t 100% certain it was happening until a character spoke french and the subtitle was cut off.

Dunkirk: I was visiting my parents and my mom loved the movie so much she was willing to order it again on Demand. That was a big win for me. Great movie. Though intentionally confusing, but I’m into that.

Get Out: Saw this with Ali in theaters way back whenever it came out and loved it. Fun, smart, scary and funny. I would never call it a docudrama, or documentary or blah blah blah, but it was great.

Lady Bird: Saw this with Ali at the Village East Cinema, and this was my first time seeing a film in their gorgeous and gigantic screening room. Felt very old fashioned. The movie reminded me of my own high school experience because it was only one year off.

Phantom Thread: Saw this with Ali, Jared and Anna. I didn’t get it. I kept turning to Ali and asking her what was going on. Apparently it was about S&M. I just didn’t get it. I thought it looked great, and was shot beautifully, and the acting was superb, but I couldn’t understand any character’s motivation.

The Post: Saw this with Anna, Jared, and Jon. It’s a good movie, but just felt like it was heavily saying “THIS IS ABOUT DONALD TRUMP! DON’T YOU SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING?!” And I’m not an idiot and I don’t like being told how to think. Sure there are allegories, but I felt like Spielberg felt impelled to make this movie so he could save America, and that’s not really how things work. Acting was A+!

The Shape of Water: Saw it alone. I was into it. Beautifully shot. Great Film. Classic Story (sort of). Yes, there is Fish-Human sex, but it was tasteful. Also, I didn’t see this mentioned anywhere, though I could be wrong about that, but I think the fish monster had the same eyes as Guillermo Del Toro. Just something to think about. Also This is my best picture, best director pick.

Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri: Saw this movie alone. Honestly, this movie is a trainwreck. The acting is great, but what is going on. I’ve told multiple people that three billboards is like a bad improv scene that goes off the rails. “My daughter was raped and murdered” — “Oh yeah? I have Cancer!” Non stop one upping. No listening. I don’t think the movie is racist, I just think it’s insane.

Roman J. Israel Esq. Saw this movie alone. Denzel was great but this movie was too much. It was comedic and then tragic, but overall not great. Watchable sure, but something was missing.

The Florida Project. Saw this movie alone late one night, and was blown away. Heartbreaking and wonderful. Willem Dafoe was excellent, and deserves an oscar. For me his performance was the heart of this excellent film.

All The Money In The World: Saw this movie with Matt. I was into it. Very suspenseful. and you know what? Michelle Williams should be nominated for an oscar. She was great!

I, Tonya: Saw this with Ali one weekend morning. We snuck egg and cheeses into the theater. Funny and well done. Should have been nominated for best picture too. So interesting. Also, at the end of the film a homeless woman walked in and sat down, so that’s something.

Mudbound: Tried watching one night but couldn’t get into it. I figured I would have time later, but that didn’t happen. Spoke to Scott about it and he said it was dark and heartbreaking. Maybe next time!

The Boss Baby: This is nominated for an oscar?! Well, I watched it. It was fine. Okay message. Okay movie.

Breadwinner: Saw this alone though Brad was supposed to come out too. But he slept in, or the trains, or I don’t know. Excellent film about living under the Taliban. I was into it. Life seemed impossible.

Coco: Saw it with Arya, Alex, Aggi, Cassandra, and more. I loved it. Pixar movies know how to pull at the heartstrings and this one was no different. Were there some story choices I might not have made? Sure. The murder subplot was a bit unnecessary for me, but it made me cry, so you win again pixar. This is also my pick for best animated movie, though if Pixar wasn’t a lock I would vote for another.

Ferdinand: Didn’t see it.

Loving Vincent: Saw it with Ali at the Quad Cinemas. We almost saw another movie by accident though. Such a cool film. Actors were filmed against a green screen. Backgrounds were all painted and put in the film. The film was printed out, and then 125 painters painted over each frame. The result a beautiful film. Also the story was really interesting. This would by my pick for best animated if I wasn’t sure Pixar was getting it.

Abacus: didn’t see it.

Faces Places: Sweet movie that I saw alone at the Quad. Very watchable documentary. And my best Documentary pick.

Icarus: Supersize me of steroids, until it was about something else entirely. Cool movie and I learned a lot.

Last Men in Aleppo. Heartbreaking and sad. I don’t know how anyone could stay in syria, let alone Aleppo.

Strong Island: didn’t see it.

Edith+Eddie: didn’t see it.

Heaven is a Traffic Jam on the 405: Didn’t see it.

Heroin(e): The fire chief was the best. I didn’t care as much about the other people in it, so I’m not sure what that says about the movie. Also, wow! Heroine is killing so many people.

Knife Skills: Felt like top chef, but if you lose you go back to prison. There are some great people in this world doing some incredible things.

Traffic Stop: didn’t see it.

A Fantastic Woman: Fantastic film. Great story, told well, shot beautifully, ending with ambiguity. My pick for best foreign language film.

The Insult: Honestly I wasn’t as in to it as I expected. There was a lot of hate in this movie, but it seemed like the only thing anyone could agree with was that it was the Jews fault. Maybe that’s just me, and maybe I’m just projecting, but who knows? If you feel otherwise let me know!

Loveless: Didn’t see it.

On Body and Soul: Weird and creepy, and maybe unnecessary. Shot beautifully, but I struggled to get through it. Not for me.

The Square: Saw this with Nick, and I loved it. There were plenty of times when I wasn’t 100 percent sure what was happening, but, and this is one reason I loved it, there was an ape acting like a human, and a human acting like an ape, and no one ever talked about it. It just was. Funny and satirical. The movie made me feel! The movie made me angry! It’s not often you can say that about a film.

The Disaster Artist: Saw it with Ali, and James Franco deserves a nomination for his performance. He transformed for the role. I found the movie inspirational.

Logan: Saw it alone way before Oscars were announced. Good movie, but I didn’t like the ending. **spoiler** Everyone said oh Wolverine had to die. No he didn’t.

Molly’s Game: Saw it alone, and I liked it. Though there was one part where Jessica Chastain gives an oscar moment speech. It was just too much for me and that one speech took me out of the movie “This is my name! If I give that up what else do I have??!” Come on Aaron Sorkin, give us something else!

The Big Sick: I liked it. I watched it on a plane and it made my ride a little better.

Marshall: I really liked this movie a lot! A lot more than I thought I would, and I would love a sequel. I want more Thurgood Marshall movies. The acting and story was great.

Beauty and the Beast: Another plane movie, and this one felt very familiar, you know, because it’s a tale as old as time.

Blade Runner 2049: What was going on here? I guess it was a good movie. As I look back on it, I think I remember colors more than anything else. I’m not exactly sure what the story was, but I guess things all worked out in the end. It certainly looked cool.

Victoria and Abdul: Didn’t see it.

Baby Driver: Plane Movie: I liked it. And I guess this is also Kevin Spacey’s last film???

Star Wars the Last Jedi: Saw it with my brother and **Spoilers** I didn’t love it. So much unnecessary filler. I’d get into a bigger argument about it, but I’m really trying to get through this list. Those ships went so slow though, and Luke should have been there! Why’d he have to die? I just don’t get it. And I don’t like killing characters for the sake of it.

Dear Basketball — eh

Garden Party — My pick for best short animated

Negative Space-Good

Lou-okay, not pixar’s best

Revolting Rhymes -Okay, but a little long for me.

Regarding all the short animated films, I wish they were better. I produce a one minute video show and I’ve seen better films there. Garden Party was excellent however. And obviously the animation is always impressive, but the stories that were being told just couldn’t do it for me.

DeKalb Elementary — Didn’t see it.

The Eleven O’Clock — Didn’t see it.

The Silent Child — Didn’t see it.

All of Us — Didn’t see it.

My Nephew Emmett — Didn’t see it.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 — Plane movie, and it was okay. Not as good as the first. Again a major character dies, and I’m not into that.

Kong: Skull Island: I like the vietnam imagery mixed with King Kong. Pretty good adaptation.

War for the Planet of the Apes: Definitely a watchable Ape Movie, but a little too long. Make these 90 minutes, please!

Wonder- Didn’t see it.

Well, those are all the oscar nominated movies for every single category. I tried to see them all but came up short. Instead of seeing those final films I went to a bachelor party, made a comedy video, and auditioned for and got a callback for UCB house team (came up short there too). You set goals for yourself and while sometimes you achieve them, sometimes you don’t. Seeing all of these films was still an experience. I had wanted so badly to finish, but it became too daunting at the end. Anyway I guess this year was a wash and I’m sorry if I let you down. All I can say now is that 2019 is going to be the year Mike Muntner sees every single Oscar Nominated Film — No Matter What (except if something comes up).