Commentary: The Best Movies Have The Best Actors

Hollywood loves to award itself. As a result, there are numerous entertainment trophy ceremonies for your viewing pleasure.

This is great if you like the pomp and circumstance of award shows or if you are looking for some ideas for new content to binge. The Oscars are top dog when it comes to said award shows so most people outside the entertainment business don’t get too excited about some of the less prestigious trophy ceremonies like the Screen Actors Guild Awards. But here is a reason you might want to pay attention to next month’s SAG Awards, Oscar fans. 

On the heels of Sunday night’s Golden Globes ceremony, the Screen Actor’s Guild which began in 1995,  just announced their nominations for this year’s ceremony. If you plan on tuning in, pay attention to the Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture category. Nominated in the category this year are “Wicked,” “Conclave,” “Anora,” “Emilia Perez” and “A Complete Unknown.”

Since the SAG awards stay focused on acting, there is no Best Motion Picture category award given out. Frequently, however, the winner of the best ensemble award also brings home the Academy Award for Oscar Best Picture at the Oscars. 

It’s understood that all of the films nominated for Best Ensemble have outstanding actors from top to bottom. Several actors in these films are being mentioned in various best actor categories on different award shows. The nominated films are not just well cast as “Wicked” has five total nominations which ties a SAG record. “A Complete Unknown” received four, “Anora” and “Emilia Perez” each received three, and “Conclave,” two so expect a few if not all to nab a best picture nomination from Oscar.

In the last 30 years, only four best picture Oscar winners did not win the SAG Award for Best Ensemble. If the stats don’t lie, the flick with the best actors will bring home the Oscar for Best Picture. 

To be honest, sometimes great actors appear in absolutely terrible films. Yes, I’m talking to you, Nicolas Cage. That is a column for another day. Enjoy awards season!

Editor’s note: For more movie and entertainment talk, join Pete Schwaba weeknights from 6 p.m. to 8 p .m. for “Nite Lite” on the Civic Media radio network.