Best Picture Power Rankings. Plus: Is ‘Emilia Pérez’ Really a Front-Runner?

In 'Wicked', Gregory Maguire delves into the life of Elphaba, the green-skinned girl who becomes the infamous Wicked Witch of the West. The story begins with Elphaba's childhood, marked by her unique appearance and her father's missionary work in Quadling country. As she grows older, Elphaba attends Shiz University, where she meets Galinda, who will later become Glinda. The novel follows Elphaba's journey through her involvement in resistance against the Wizard, her personal struggles, and her eventual transformation into the Wicked Witch. Maguire's narrative explores themes of social class, political oppression, and the nature of evil, creating a rich and vivid world that challenges the traditional view of Oz[1][3][4].

When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she finds herself alone on a remote, wild island after a shipwreck. With no idea how she got there or what her purpose is, Roz must adapt to her harsh surroundings by learning from the island's hostile animal inhabitants. She befriends the animals, including an orphaned gosling named Brightbill, and becomes a part of the island community. However, her mysterious past eventually comes back to haunt her, forcing her to make difficult choices that impact her new family and the island itself. The novel explores themes of technology vs. nature, community, and personal responsibility[2][3][5].

Blitz, written by Hetty Burlingame Beatty, is a historical fiction novel that takes place during World War II. The story revolves around the life of a young girl and her connection with a horse named Blitz. Blitz, initially a fire-horse, faces various challenges including an injury, being bought by a cruel owner, and eventually finding a better life. The novel highlights themes of resilience, compassion, and the bond between humans and animals.

Conclave, written by Lawrence D. Klausner, is a novel that explores themes and settings that were relevant at the time of its publication in 1981. The book is known for its engaging narrative, although specific details about the plot are not widely available. It is a work of fiction that has been cataloged and sold through various bookstores and libraries.

Unfortunately, the provided sources do not offer a detailed description of the book's plot or themes. It is listed as a hardcover book published by Collins.

Dune, written by Frank Herbert, is set in a feudal interstellar society where noble houses control planetary fiefs. The story follows Paul Atreides, whose family is tasked with ruling the inhospitable desert planet Arrakis, the sole source of melange, a substance crucial for extending life and enhancing mental abilities. The novel delves into the intricate politics, religion, ecology, and technology of this futuristic world, as various factions vie for control of Arrakis and its valuable spice. Paul, with his unique abilities and training by the Bene Gesserit, becomes a key figure in this struggle and eventually assumes the role of a messianic leader among the native Fremen people[2][5][4].

Directed by Jesse Eisenberg, 'A Real Pain' follows David and Benji, cousins who embark on a week-long road trip to Poland to honor their recently deceased grandmother. The film balances humor and heartbreak as the cousins navigate their differences and confront their family's history, including the Holocaust. The movie features a cast that includes Kieran Culkin, Jesse Eisenberg, and Jennifer Grey, and it has received praise for its original screenplay and the performances of its leads.

The Sing Sing Files is Dan Slepian’s cinematic account of challenging the broken criminal justice system. The book follows Slepian’s years of prison visits, court hearings, and street reporting that led to a series of powerful Dateline episodes and eventually to the freedom of six innocent men. At the heart of the story is Slepian’s deep and lasting friendship with Jon-Adrian “JJ” Velazquez, who aided Slepian in his investigations from his cell in Sing Sing until his own release in 2021. The book is a powerful argument for reckoning and accountability, highlighting the flaws in the justice system and the impact of wrongful convictions on individuals and society.

The Nickel Boys is a powerful and disturbing novel that delves into the horrors of Nickel Academy, a segregated juvenile reform school in Jim Crow-era Florida. The story follows Elwood Curtis, a bright and idealistic young man who is falsely accused of stealing a car and sent to Nickel Academy. There, he and his friend Turner navigate the brutal and corrupt environment, marked by physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. The novel explores themes of systemic injustice, human perseverance, and the lasting impact of trauma. It alternates between the 1960s and the present, as the dark history of Nickel Academy is uncovered and its survivors come forward to share their experiences.

Set in 1936 Pittsburgh, 'The Piano Lesson' by August Wilson is the fourth play in his Pittsburgh Cycle. The play revolves around the Charles family, particularly the siblings Boy Willie and Berniece, who argue over whether to sell their family's heirloom piano. The piano, decorated with carvings of their ancestors, was originally traded by their white slave owner for two of the family's members. The conflict between Boy Willie, who wants to sell the piano to buy land, and Berniece, who insists on keeping it as a family legacy, is intertwined with themes of family history, cultural heritage, and the haunting presence of their ancestors' ghosts. The play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1990 and is a powerful exploration of African American identity and the struggle to come to terms with the past[2][3][4].

This book is a riveting memoir that details Efrem Sigel's experience as a juror in a murder trial in East Harlem. It goes beyond the trial itself, delving into the author's two-year investigation of the conditions in NYCHA housing projects, schools, and the criminal justice system that contributed to the involvement of young people in drug-selling and criminal activity. The book highlights the efforts of educators, nonprofit leaders, and criminal justice reformers to find pathways to success for these young people.

This would depend on the specific content of the book. Sartre's works often delve into existentialist philosophy, human freedom, and the responsibility that comes with it.

This one-act play, 'I'm Still Here,' is a work by Ramona Baillie that has been performed at several venues including Central Alberta Theatre, New Ideas Festival, and The Arts & Letters Club. The play is part of Baillie's body of work that reflects her expertise in both stage and screen writing.

Anora is the first book in the Elven Princess series by Tessa Escalera. It follows the journey of a 12-year-old elven princess as she navigates the onset of war. The series is designed for middle-grade readers and explores themes of adventure, magic, and personal growth.

This landmark volume documents the Brutalist architecture movement by profiling the architects behind the style. It includes more than 250 historic and contemporary architects, along with specially selected examples of their work, and features 350 stunning images of over 200 iconic Brutalist buildings from 1936 to the present day.