The Oscars have come back once again to present the best films of the year, from show-stopping sequels such as “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” to great original films such as “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “The Whale.” Now, I’ll recap a few of the winners and most influential films to come out of the Oscars, as well as what students of Loudoun Valley think of this year’s show.

Everything, Everywhere All at Once

By far, “Everything Everywhere all at Once,” also known as EEAO, was the biggest winner at the Oscars. It won seven categories and was nominated for three others. The story of EEAO follows a Chinese-American immigrant who must unite with other versions of herself to try and stop the multiverse from being torn apart. While EEAO uses that main premise, it also dives into philosophical principles and nihilism. EEAO made history by having the first Oscar given to an Asian woman for an actress in a leading role. Overall, EEAO covers many genres and themes while providing hope for future awards given to minorities.

All Quiet on the Western Front

Based on the 1929 novel of the same name, the third adaptation of “All Quiet on the Western Front” earned a total of nine nominations, winning four. Originally made in Germany, “All Quiet on the Western Front” won best foreign film and cinematography. “All Quiet on the Western Front” follows Paul Bäumer, a young German enlisted in the army during World War, and life in the trenches as he and his friends try to survive.  

Banshees of Inisherin

Probably the movie with the least to gain at the Oscars, “Banshees of Inisherin” was nominated for nine Oscars, but won none of them, making it one of the few films since the Oscars’ release to have been nominated for multiple awards and to have won none. “Banshees of Inisherin” is a comedy-drama directed by Martin McDonagh starring Colin Farrell. The story is set on an island off the coast of Ireland, where the protagonist, Pádraick, is shocked after his lifelong friend Colm suddenly breaks off their friendship. On a mission to try and repair it, Pádraick, along with his sister and another local, try to change Colm’s mind. 

All three of these movies had many nominations at this year’s Academy Awards, along with many other films, but what do the students of Valley think of these nominations and what or who do they think should have won?

According to a poll put out on Instagram, 45% of students voted that Lady Gaga should have won an Oscar for her work on “Top Gun: Maverick.” Lady Gaga created the original song “Hold My Hand for the movie.” As for the best movie of 2022, “Top Gun: Maverick” won out with 57% of the votes, with EEAO following behind with 24%.