On Feb. 28, the 78th Annual Golden Globes will commence. Before you take a trip down the red carpet, here are some films you should familiarize yourself with.

Sound of Metal

“Sound of Metal” tells the story of a touring drummer who begins to lose his hearing. When Reuben (Riz Ahmed) discovers he will never be able to hear sound again, he has an existential crisis. Reuben must find his true identity apart from his passion for music. 

Ahmed gives a breathtaking performance that will leave you speechless from the opening scene until the final shot fades to black. Ahmed’s role has landed him a nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama.

Outside of Ahmed’s performance, the film has received praise for its representation of the deaf community. Director Darious Marder hired real people of the deaf community to portray the deaf characters in the film.

 “This film is a wake-up. Most people think of deafness as a physical disability. We don’t understand that it is in fact a culture,” said Marder in an interview with Variety

Palm Springs 

“Palm Springs” originally debuted at the Sundance Film Festival before being released to wide audiences on Hulu in July of 2020. The film follows Nyles (Andy Samberg) and Sarah (Cristin Milioti) who, after meeting by chance at a wedding, are thrust into a “Groundhog Day” style timeloop. If that wasn’t enough of a problem, a mysterious man (J.K. Simmons) is trying to hunt and kill Nyles. 

“Along with a sharp sense of humor and compelling performances, Palm Springs delivers an absolutely charming rom-com with a fun sci-fi twist,” said Molly Freeman lead news editor at ScreenRant. 

The role of Nyles was written as if Andy Samberg was already cast during pre-production. His demeanor and style of humor elevates the character and the ridiculous situations he is put in.

“Palm Springs” is nominated for Best Picture Musical/Comedy, and Andy Samberg is nominated for Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy. 

Minari

“Minari” follows a Korean immigrant family relocating from California to Arkansas in the 1980s. They must learn the ways of this unfamiliar location and stick together as a family. The film showcases the ways  a western way of living affects people who were not born in it. Though “Minari” has not  been released to wide audiences yet, it has been received incredibly well by Sundance film festival viewers and critics alike. 

In a review from the Roger Ebert website, Matt Zoller Seitz writes, “Lee Isaac Chung’s ‘Minari’ casts a spell from its opening moments, a Terrence Malick-like evocation of human beings trying to stay in harmony with the natural world. As a family car travels through a green American landscape, the earth itself seems to be speaking to the characters, and through them, to us.”

“Minari” shows that home does not necessarily have to be a location, but instead the people you are with. The movie represents the importance of resilience and dedication of family.

Minari” is nominated for Best Picture Foriegn Language.

On the Rocks

“On the Rocks” is Sofia Coppola’s 8th directorial effort and stars Bill Murray and Rashida Jones. “On the Rocks” tells the story of a father and daughter who suspect her husband is cheating. This film takes on a much more lighthearted tone than the majority of Sofia Coppola’s work, but remains equally as introspective in its themes and ideas. 

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Murray says he loves working with Sofia Coppola and speaks on how he has developed a “great trust” in her — not only as a filmmaker, but as a friend. “I’m having more fun watching her all the time. She was just a child when she made [Lost in Translation] and she just keeps getting better.”

Bill Murray is nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for his role in “On the Rocks.”