The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially unveiled the films of 2014 they deem to be the most important with the announcement of this year's Oscar nominees. But it seems they may have left out one cute, British bear -- Paddington.
Normally a film like Paddington wouldn't be anywhere near a discussion of the Oscar nominees for Best Picture, except for the small detail that the family movie currently boasts a mighty impressive 97 percent on the review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes. Even if the numbers do change slightly in the next few days as more reviews come in, that still puts this year's Best Picture Oscar noms in one of two camps: those that can compete with the fuzzy CGI bear and those that don't stand a chance.
Movies That Don't Hold A Candle To Paddington
American Sniper (73 Percent)
Clint Eastwood's tale of the deadliest sniper in American history wasn't poorly received by critics, but its RT score of 73% does put it far below other Oscar best picture contenders. And Paddington.
The Theory of Everything (79 Percent)
This love story based on the memoir of Jane Hawking is a look into the fascinating life of one of the world's brightest minds, Stephen Hawking. After he is diagnosed with ALS at the age of 21, a young Stephen begins his journey into trying to understand the very nature of the universe. Perhaps he should study why critics can't get enough of Paddington as well?
Movies That Are (Almost) As Good As Paddington
The Imitation Game (90 percent)
Benedict Cumberbatch delivers a phenomenal performance as mathematician Alan Turing, who, during World War II, helped break Germany's codes and in turn saved thousands of Allied lives. That doesn't stop British authorities from arresting Turing for his homosexuality in 1952, however. Perhaps if Cumberbatch had instead played a cartoon bear, The Imitation Game would have been better received?
Birdman (92 Percent)
In an age where superhero films have become a dime a dozen, Birdman is a fictional examination of an actor best known for portraying an iconic hero on the silver screen and what happens to his career afterwards. Birdman stars Michael Keaton, the star of Tim Burton's two Batman films, as he looks to make it on Broadway. Paddington is about a CGI bear that makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (95 Percent)
Wes Anderson's latest film takes viewers to The Grand Budapest Hotel, where one Gustave H. is staying in between World Wars and the lobby boy he befriends there. In typical Anderson style, it's a stylish yet thoughtful comedy that also knows how to explore some deep emotional ideas. But alas, Paddington Bear is not in this film, making it inferior.
Whiplash (95 Percent)
Whiplash is the story of Andrew Newman, a jazz drummer obsessed with becoming the best in the world. Too bad he will never be as good as Paddington.
Movies "Better" Than Paddington
Boyhood (98 Percent)
Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, Boyhood depicts growing up on screen like never before. As we watch the child, Mason, grow from a young boy to a young man before our eyes, it's impossible not to think about our own experiences growing up. Paddington Bear, on the other hand, is practically ageless and immortal. Perhaps the Academy should have considered that. After all, everybody grows up. Not everybody gets to live with a talking bear.
Selma (99 Percent)
Selma is the story of a movement, as Dr. Martin Luther King leads a dangerous campaign to secure voting rights for African-Americans in the deep south of Selma, Alabama, a campaign that culminates in a march to the Alabama capital of Montgomery. All along the way peaceful protesters are harassed and attacked by police and those who don't think them worthy of equal rights. But it would be the brave actions of King and the thousands of other men and women involved that would prompt then President Lyndon Johnson to sign the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law, changing Civil Rights in America forever. You know what, this movie actually deserves to win. Sorry, Paddington.
