While critically acclaimed crowd-pleasers like “Sinners,” “One Battle After Another” and “Marty Supreme” have nabbed the majority of Oscar nominations, several hidden gems from this year’s crop deserve your consideration. Each of these Oscar underdogs are based on the lives of real people and celebrate the determination of the human spirit.
Documentary shorts
“The Devil Is Busy” (Crave)
“Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud” (Crave)
This pair of short docs pays tribute to two paragons of kindness: war photographer Brent Renaud and abortion clinic security head Tracii. Each of them plies their trade with astonishing warmth and compassion. In his 50 years on earth, Renaud traversed the globe, capturing some of history’s most scarring horrors so that others could bear witness. Tracii spends her days at a busy Atlanta abortion clinic, where women come from all over the country seeking health care. They are welcomed with dignity and respect by Tracii, who must grapple with hordes of screaming protesters (and the threat that one may kill her) every day. — Briony Smith, culture and lifestyle reporter
Documentary feature
“Come See Me in the Good Light” (Apple TV)
In the throes of terminal ovarian cancer, poet Andrea Gibson still insisted their story was about happiness. This documentary follows the final year of Gibson’s life while they fought to put on one last spoken-word performance with the help of their wife and fellow writer, Megan Falley. It’s all propped up by the couple’s inherent likability, as they stare down early death with inside jokes and lessons about appreciating the little things in life. Everyone should hope for an ending that births a piece of art so devastating, heartwarming and empowering. — Kristjan Lautens, staff reporter
Visual effects
“The Lost Bus” (Apple TV)
Matthew McConaughey casts off his carefree surfer-dude persona to portray real-life California school bus driver Kevin McKay. With an ailing mother and a troubled teen son at home, McKay faces a third hurdle when he must save 22 children from the deadliest wildfire in the state’s history. “United 93” director Paul Greengrass brings nail-biting urgency to the screen adaptation of Lizzie Johnson’s 2021 book, “Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire,” using his signature documentary-style cinematography. — David Friend, culture reporter
Actor in a leading role and original screenplay
“Blue Moon” (available for rent)
Sad-sack songwriter Lorenz Hart, played by bald-capped Oscar nominee Ethan Hawke, is a man left behind. Richard Linklater’s latest is an imagined tale about the “Blue Moon” lyricist coping with the success of his ex-collaborator Richard Rodgers on the opening night of “Oklahoma!” In between the barrage of musical-theatre references are Hart’s rambling barroom speeches about love and art, which slowly crystallize the bleak future ahead of him. The nominated script, by Robert Kaplow, captures all the painful yearning of the 1934 song that gives the film its title. — Kristjan Lautens
Actress in a leading role
“Song Sung Blue” (available for rent)
On first glance, “Song Sung Blue” seems like it could be the stuff of nightmares: Hugh Jackman and Oscar nominee Kate Hudson portray the members of a Neil Diamond tribute band? But this unique film — inspired by a documentary — is guaranteed to win you over with its rollicking musical numbers and one of the year’s most touching screen romances. Surrender to the cheesy-biopic camp and you will fall for Lightning and Thunder and their sweet (Caroline) love story. — Briony Smith
