It’s Oscar season — that time of the year when all the best movies come out to play in hopes of getting nominations and wins at the various awards shows designed to honor the best in film. Idaho State University’s Bengal Theater in the Pond Student Union will feature many of those films in what literally amounts to a month of Sundays, beginning this Sunday, Feb. 16, with acclaimed French movie, “The Count of Monte Cristo” showing at 3:30 and 7 p.m. in the Bengal Theater. This 2024 film has been nominated for 14 Cesar awards, the French Academy’s equivalent of the Oscar, including best picture, director, actor and supporting actress. Based on the classic tale by Alexandre Dumas, a young sailor is falsely accused of treason and imprisoned on the island of Château d’If, where he befriends a fellow prisoner who reveals the location of a hidden treasure. Upon escaping, he adopts the identity of the wealthy Count of Monte Cristo and meticulously plans his revenge against those who betrayed him using his newfound wealth and knowledge to manipulate and expose their darkest secrets. Variety magazine calls it, “A stunning, emotionally satisfying adventure tale, built on rock-solid source material. Compared to earlier adaptations, this latest version is briskly paced and rousingly acted by an all-around stellar ensemble.” Admission is $3 for the public, $2 for ISU staff and free for ISU students with Bengal ID. The movie is in French with English subtitles. For trailer and more information, go to isucinema.com/count.

Then Oscar nominee “A Real Pain” plays Feb. 23 at 4 and 7 p.m. in the Bengal Theater. Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin star as mismatched cousins David and Benji who tour Poland to honour their grandmother. Their adventure becomes complicated as old tensions resurface while exploring their family history. Time magazine writes, “What’s most wonderful about the movie is its radiant generosity. Eisenberg’s performance is terrific, muted and hyperkinetic in all the right ways. But most often, he’s subtly directing attention to his co-star. Culkin is extraordinary.” Admission is $3 for the public, $2 for ISU staff and free for ISU students with a Bengal ID. For trailer and more information, go to isucinema.com/realpain.

Oscar-nominated “Sing Sing” will be shown on March 2 at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Bengal Theater. Garnering three nominations, including a best actor nod, the film tells the true story of Divine G, imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit, who finds purpose by acting in a theater group alongside other incarcerated men, including a wary newcomer who challenges him to the core. ABC News writes, “The first indisputably great movie of 2024 is a blazing Oscar contender about a real-life prison arts program that helps caged birds, led by a simply stupendous Colman Domingo, to regain humanity with a heart full to bursting and a spirit that soars.” Admission is $3 for the public, $2 for ISU staff and free for ISU students with Bengal ID. For trailer and more information, go to isucinema.com/sing.

Best picture Oscar nominee “Conclave” will be featured on March 9 at 4 and 7 p.m. in the Bengal Theater. Cardinal Lawrence is overseeing the selection of a new pope. Surrounded by powerful religious leaders in the halls of the Vatican, he soon uncovers a trail of deep secrets that could shake the very foundation of the Roman Catholic Church. Vanity Fair writes, “Conclave is a literate treat, a movie that stirs the mind just enough to feel substantial,” while ABC News writes, “Ralph Fiennes delivers a master class in acting in Edward Berger’s juicy, jolting mystery thriller.” Admission is $3 for the public, $2 for ISU staff and free for ISU students with a valid Bengal ID. For trailer and more information, go to isucinema.com/conclave.

Oscar nominee “September 5” plays March 16 at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Bengal Theater. Based on a true story, during the 1972 Munich Olympics, an American sports broadcasting crew finds itself thrust into covering the hostage crisis involving Israeli athletes. Empire Magazine calls it, “Compelling and excellently acted, September 5 is a shining study of journalistic integrity,” while Associated Press adds, “It’s an undeniably riveting and compelling watch.” Admission is $3 for the public, $2 for ISU staff/faculty and free for ISU students with Bengal ID. For trailer and more information, go to isucinema.com/september5.

And after spring break, best picture Oscar nominee “A Complete Unknown” will be featured on April 6 at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Bengal Theater. Timothée Chalamet stars as an unknown 19-year-old Bob Dylan who arrives in New York City with his guitar and forges relationships with music icons on his meteoric rise. Associated Press calls it, “Utterly fascinating, capturing a moment in time when songs had weight, when they could move the culture — even if the singer who made them was as puzzling as a rolling stone.” Admission is $3 for the public, $2 for ISU staff/faculty and free for ISU students with Bengal ID. For trailer and more information, go to isucinema.com/complete.

Also look for other Oscar potentials “Nickel Boys” and “I’m Still Here” to come to ISU later in April and May. For more on these and other movies coming to Idaho State University, go to isucinema.com.