After the massive commercial success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie three years ago, a sequel was a guarantee, and with Nintendo's massive marketing machine behind the follow-up, it was impossible that The Super Mario Galaxy Movie wouldn't also be a smash hit. However, just like its predecessor, the critical response is miles away from … Continue reading Plug and Play – The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
There are a lot of reasons why The Martian was one of my favorite films of 2015, and why it ranks in my top five for the entire decade of the 2010s. It's smart, funny, visually spellbinding, and in one of the greatest miracles in cinema history, it made math actually seem cool. When Matt … Continue reading Yo Adrian! – Project Hail Mary
At the beginning of this year's Oscar Blitz, I hinted that it might be the last time I'm able to do this annual excursion into cinematic excellence. Obviously, that still remains to be seen. Things haven't improved for me, but like Marty Mauser himself, I continue to believe that I will come out the other … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2026 – Postmortem
Well, folks, we finally made it. It's the big night at last, the 98th Academy Awards! Over the span of about four hours, we'll see lifelong dreams realized, hearts broken, and Diane Warren continuing to eat shit. As we go, I'll continue my annual tradition of commenting in real time right here on the blog. … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2026 – Live Diary
What's the opposite of a perfect storm? Whatever it is, I think that's what describes the circumstances surrounding the final two films from 2025 that I have yet to review, at least in this space. Usually I try to review something pretty much as soon as I see it, within 48 hours if I can … Continue reading Back Row Thoughts – Womp Womp
We made it, everyone! The votes have been cast, the analysis doled out, the arguments begun, ended, and begun again. But finally, at long last, it's time to just sit back and enjoy this year's Academy Awards. We're less than 48 hours away from the ceremony, where hopefully Conan O'Brien will be able to duplicate … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2026 – Predictions
Every year, the Academy Awards serve two basic purposes. One is, ostensibly, to recognize the best and brightest achievements in film, celebrating talented artists who go that extra mile to entertain, inform, and give audiences a unique experience. The second is to act as a sort of State of the Union mile marker for the … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2026 – Best Picture (VIDEO)
When it comes to Blitz coverage, the final week is my favorite. It's not because I'm particularly excited about any of the categories, more that I know I'm coming to the end, and sleep awaits. The stress level goes down significantly, because I'm rapidly running out of deadlines. I finished the video for Best Picture … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2026 – Documentary Feature
The Live Action Short category has come a long way since I first started watching the curated screenings in 2014. In that first interaction with any of the Short contests, the entries were prefaced by interstitial interviews with several A-list directors and producers who cut their teeth in short films. The most memorable sound bites … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2026 – Live Action Short
We're in the home stretch, folks! The Oscars are this Sunday, all the major undercard ceremonies have concluded, and we're in our final four categories for this year's Blitz. Tonight, it's the last of the so-called "majors" (sans Best Picture), Best Supporting Actress. And just like their gentlemen counterparts, this has been a very competitive … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2026 – Best Supporting Actress
I Actually Paid To See This 