Top 5 Reasons You Need to See A Star Is Born (2018)

Top 5 Reasons to Watch A Star Is Born Whether you’re gazing up at the night sky or at the silver screen, few stars shine brighter than this one. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 5 Reasons to Watch A Star Is Born. For this list, we’re taking a look at why this 2018 musical drama is one of the year’s most acclaimed movies. #5: It Balances Old & New Whenever a beloved film is remade, the new version is often deemed uncalled-for. “A Star Is Born” is a strange anomaly, however, as it’s been successfully retold three times now. The original 1937 film won an Oscar for its story, and the 1954 adaptation starring Judy Garland is regarded as one of the greatest musicals ever. While the 1976 version with Barbra Streisand wasn’t as well-received critically, it still became a box office hit and won several awards, securing its respected legacy. This 2018 remake has been praised for maintaining everything that made its predecessors classics while also adding a more modern look, feel, and sound, making it one of the absolute best versions. #4: The Music In this story of an alcoholic country musician who makes a harmonious connection with an unknown singer, music, of course, plays an essential role. Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga (Stefani Germanotta) both sing, and worked on the soundtrack with a diverse group of artists, including Diane Warren, Mark Ronson, and Willie Nelson’s son, Lukas. Gaga even re-teamed with longtime collaborator DJ White Shadow for the more pop-centric numbers. Billboard described the film’s music as “timeless, emotional, gritty and earnest.” Between “Shallow,” “Always Remember Us This Way” and “I’ll Never Love Again,” the film has more than a few potential candidates for the Best Original Song Oscar. #3: Bradley Cooper’s Directorial Debut After years of primarily being known for comedic roles, Bradley Cooper demonstrated his range with Oscar-nominated performances in “Silver Linings Playbook,” “American Hustle,” and “American Sniper.” Cooper continues to expand his horizons by directing and co-producing “A Star Is Born.” He also co-wrote the screenplay with Will Fetters and Oscar-winner Eric Roth. A successful acting career doesn’t always equal a smooth directorial debut, but Cooper is a natural filmmaker, with Variety saying that he “gets right onto the high wire,” and co-star Gaga describing him as a “visionary.” Cooper just might be the next Clint Eastwood, another actor-turned-director (who was, ironically, attached to helm this film at one point). #2: Lady Gaga’s Performance Although Lady Gaga is one of the most influential and prolific musical artists of our generation, audiences weren’t sure if she had a future in acting after “Machete Kills.” People started to sing a different tune, though, when Germanotta won a Golden Globe for her performance in “American Horror Story.” It’s entirely possible that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association will recognize Gaga again for her passionate, vulnerable, and transformative performance in “A Star Is Born.” Many industry experts have also pegged Gaga as a possible frontrunner for the Best Actress Academy Award. It wouldn’t be Gaga’s first Oscar nomination, as she was previously recognized for co-writing “Til It Happens to You” from “The Hunting Ground.” #1: Rave Reviews Lady Gaga isn’t the only one generating major award buzz. Websites like GoldDerby and AwardsCircuit have cited the film as a strong contender in several Oscar categories, including Best Picture. This isn’t surprising given the overwhelmingly positive reception it received at the 75th Venice International Film Festival. Since the film was screened out of competition, it’s hard to say if “A Star Is Born” can beat out other Oscar favorites like Damien Chazelle’s “First Man” and Alfonso Cuarón’s “Roma,” which won the Golden Lion. The film is most certainly in the running, though, earning a 95% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes out of the gate, with numerous critics calling it one of the year’s finest.