It’s that time of year again. Much like Phil the Gopher, I too arise one time a year to a blinding light, and I too wish to burrow myself further into the ground to avoid the upcoming cold and bitter winter. But I find myself shockingly surprised. Surprised and heartwarmed. You see, despite my resurrection from my yearly slumber to unrelentingly mock celebrities who have no idea my beady little eyes even exist, I find my heart growing three times bigger than normal this year. 

Despite my absolute inner desire to poke and prod to find flaws in movies I’ve never even heard of to cut down on someone’s ego other than my own, I find my soul uplifted by a few choice pictures (particularly in the animated film department). And I have decided this year to be much kinder. 

The Oscars this year have not disappointed me as thoroughly as last year, rather I find myself an equal mixture of confused and emotionally charged by the candidates.  Brendan Fraser, how I’ve missed you, and how proud I am for your nomination in The Whale. Jamie Lee Curtis, thank you for finally finishing Halloween forever (hopefully) and for expressing yourself beyond the franchise with your nomination in Everything Everywhere All at Once. Thank you Dreamworks, for inspiring us with yet another Shrek cinematic universe masterpiece in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. 

And of course, a hidden gem in the rough. Everyone and their mother, God rest her, deserve to watch The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, which is a harrowing children’s story about the importance of love in a world that seems so unforgiving. If you want to cry to a few British men narrating you sweet reassurances of your importance in the world, I’d give it a peek. 

Some well deserved nominations in the Best Picture category include Top Gun: Maverick, Avatar: The Way of Water, and Elvis. Some interesting pictures that I had no idea existed until about sixty seconds ago also include Women Talking, Everything Everywhere All at Once, All Quiet on the Western Front, and The Banshees of Inisherin. This is the first time I’ve ever personally seen Marvel with so many nominations as well, including best actress and best sound design in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Triangle of Sadness and Tar are notable in their nominations in directing and best picture. 

So who’s gonna win this year? Who’s gonna come out on top? Am I going to just decide to rewatch Pitch Perfect instead of watching my top pictures getting dropped due to a fraction of a vote? Find out this 95th award ceremony. Watch the rich and famous give themselves a pat on the back while I tear up over a British horse giving me life advice through the miracle that is modern animation.