The 90^th Academy Awards ceremony, otherwise known as the Oscars, are happening this coming Sunday, March 4, airing at 8 p.m. Awards are presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and renowned actors and actresses fill the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California for the star struck night. If you’re a fashion enthusiast don’t miss out on E! channel’s red carpet event where you can see interviews of celebs and close ups of their designer gowns. 

This year’s top films cover an array of genres from sci-fi to documentations of real life events. The actors and actresses nominated play prominent roles in the highlighted films of 2018 for their individuality and pursuit of their character to create an overall satisfying performance. Some of the nominated films are “The Shape of Water,” “Lady Bird,” and “Call Me by Your Name,” recognized for their humanistic themes and depiction of natural behavior and emotion.

Among the nine movies nominated for Best Picture, “Dunkirk” recounts the advancement of Germany into France during World War II, trapping allied troops on the beaches of Dunkirk. During the film, troops were carefully and methodically evacuated from the beach using every serviceable naval vessel that could be found. At the end of the heroic mission, 330,000 Dutch soldiers were safely evacuated. The characters in the film are based in history but are fictional, and the rest of the film demonstrates accurate historical representation from the event at Dunkirk. Former One Direction member, Harry Styles, plays a soldier in the film — a dramatic change from his lighthearted boy band image. The impeccable acting, along with the film’s accuracy, gives it the potential to earn Best Picture this Oscar awards.

“Get Out” was another 2018 Hollywood film that had the media buzzing about its twisted plot and incorporation of current racial issues. The mystery/horror film presents a black male, Chris, played by Daniel Kaluuya, going to meet his white girlfriend’s parents for the first time. At arrival, the parents are accommodating, welcoming, and warm to Chris, but soon he will discover disturbing secrets the parents have. Eventually, events turn for the worst against Chris and the film dives into a nightmarish land that intrigues yet perturbs an audience. The themes and messages relayed in “Get Out” places it at the top of its competition for Best Picture, because they coincide with issues circulating our nation and world today. Kaluuya has also been nominated for Best Lead Actor for his memorable and raw performance in “Get Out.”

“The Post” also stands out as a phenomenal Academy pick for Best Picture starring big Hollywood names, Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep, as main characters. Streep plays the role of the first female publisher of The Washington Post, who races with the New York Times in exposing massive government secrets that have been kept hidden for nearly four decades. Although based off a true event that occurred in the U.S.’ past, this film also touches upon discussions and happenings occurring in the now, pulling in the audience’s interest. Meryl Streep is nominated for her prominent role in this film as Best Lead Actress. Streep has taken home three Academy Awards in the past and competes against Margot Robbie, Sally Hawkins, and others for the top actress of 2018.