It seems every other conversation in the ELLE office – besides talk of our favourite snacks to gorge during London Fashion Week and Alessandro Michele's brilliantly bonkers Gucci AW17 collection – is about which 2017 Oscar-nominated films we've been watching.
However, with mounting deadlines, commutes, the weekly shop and endless Netflix series we've promised to watch but never got round to, we're finding it pretty difficult to find the time to dedicate an evening to an award-nominated film with the ceaseless demands of daily life.
At the same time, no one wants to be the loser missing out on conversations about the intense portrayal of Casey Affleck's character Lee in Manchester by the Sea or the chance to see Ruth Negga's heartbreaking portrayal of Mildred in Loving.
But, fear not. ELLE's resident astrologers, the Saturn Sisters, have come to our rescue by rounding up a list of the best Oscar-nominated films you have to watch, tailored specifically to your zodiac sign:
Aries: Elle
Oscar nomination: Actress in a Leading Role Nominee (Isabelle Huppert)
If you want to see a spitting image of your own warrior goddess archetype on the big screen, Isabelle Huppert's performance in Elle is the ideal case study.
In this stunningly feminist film, Huppert plays a woman who has been victimized and brutally attacked – but no one would dare call her a victim. Her immense, fiery power leaps off of every frame: you'll never forget her, or how she reminds you of yourself.
Taurus: Captain Fantastic
Oscar Nomination: Actor in a Leading Role Nominee (Viggo Mortensen)
Set in the great outdoors, Captain Fantastic is about a family that lives in the forest of the Pacific Northwest, relying on what you love the most: nature.
Wilderness is one of the stars of this movie, along with the handsome Mortensen, who plays the father of six children who are raised to survive off the grid and away from corporations. In other words: heaven for a tree-hugging Taurus.
Gemini: Hidden Figures
Oscar Nomination: Best Picture
Hello, genius.
The African-American women in Hidden Figures are also intellectual virtuosos, even though they were forced to toil in the background as at NASA in the early 60s. This biographical drama finally gives them the credit they deserved as mathematical prodigies, credit they did not get at the time because of ugliness and racism in the segregated South.
These women changed politics on our terra firma, and changed life beyond – by sending astronauts into space. Your mind is capable of such amazing leaps too, Gemini.
Cancer: Moonlight
Oscar Nomination: Best Picture
See this movie not just because you're ruled by the Moon, but because it draws on a deep well of endless compassion and humanity. Every emotion you ever had is likely to come out while watching this beautiful film about African-American life, mothers and sons, and yes – swimming. Tissues and compassionate company are a must. This film comes with an astro-addendum: the protagonist's name is 'Chiron' known in the cosmic parlance as the wounded healer.
Leo: Lion
Oscar Nomination: Best Picture
You should see this not just because its title is your namesake, but because it's a gorgeous drama about loyalty and finding one's roots. Dev Patel gives a stunning performance as a young man who was ripped away from his biological family in India as a boy.
As he finds his way back to them, he spares no emotion – showing the full range of feeling that you, Leo, are capable of feeling at any moment of the day. This will remind you that even if acting is not your job, being a thespian is in your DNA.
Virgo: Fences
Oscar Nomination: Best Picture
The sheer perfection of Denzel Washington's impeccably crafted performance is why Fences is the right movie for you pre-Oscars. Watching Denzel is gazing upon something that looks so completely effortless, yet was years in the making.
No detail is left unturned, just the way you do life, Virgo. Not only that, but the filmmaking and adaptation from August Wilson's play is also perfect – you won't have a single criticism, and that's rare.
Libra: La La Land
Oscar Nomination: Best Picture
Sweetness and light and everything nice are just what you're made of, Libra – and this is also the stuff of La La Land, a self-referential film about the beauty and wonder of Hollywood.
This is a delightful treat, a candy-romp – offering just what you want when you go to the movies – a blissful escape. Beautiful actors (Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone) and stunning sets – what more do you need?
Scorpio: Nocturnal Animals
Oscar Nomination: Actor in a Supporting Role (Michael Shannon)
Well, this is pretty literal – because no sign is more nocturnal than you are. But Nocturnal Animals is more than that – it's a gritty psychological thriller that takes place half in the 'real world' and half in a novel being read by Susan Morrow (played by Amy Adams). Directed by designer Tom Ford, it's a modern-day film noir – which is to say a Scorpio's favourite escape.
Sagittarius: Loving
Oscar Nomination: Actress in a Leading (Ruth Negga)
Craving some sweet justice? Loving delivers. A historical drama set in 1967 – when mixed race marriage was still illegal in the United States (seriously!) this is also a movie about enduring romance.
The Lovings (their real name) were an interracial couple whose landmark civil rights case went to the Supreme Court. Just like you know in your own heart, justice and love are deeply intertwined – fighting for one is fighting for the other. You'll leave this movie knowing that your star-given mission to change the world is still necessary – maybe more than ever.
Capricorn: Jackie
Oscar Nomination: Actress in a Leading Role (Natalie Portman)
The pure tenacity and strength on display in Natalie Portman's portrayal of Jackie Kennedy will remind you what you're made of, Capricorn – the power to move mountains.
Jackie's ability to keep pushing passed not just the death of her husband, but against a backdrop of seemingly endless tragedy – it's a story of surviving and thriving without a hair of place. In other words, something that you do daily.
Aquarius: Arrival
Oscar Nomination: Best Picture
You come from the future, and so do the aliens in this beautiful feature about the language of time and space. Amy Adams stars as a linguist who learns to translate the aliens' messages – deciphering that what they want is what you want, Aquarius – a more humane world.
This movie will remind you of what we're capable of when we're willing to cooperate. As you already know, this is also message you came to earth to deliver.
Pisces: Manchester By the Sea
Oscar Nomination (Best Picture)
Water, water everywhere – this movie is gut-wrenchingly emotional – exactly like you like it. If you want to purge some of your feelings (and when do you not?) this is the perfect vehicle. There's enough pathos in Manchester By the Sea to keep you nourished for a long time, Pisces.
Have a good, long, cry during this beautiful film set by the ocean – your astrological home – and emerge washed clean of any melancholy.
Horoscopes provided for ELLE by astrologers, the Saturn Sisters
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
