For the last several years, there's been an odd association when it comes to the screenwriting categories at the Academy Awards. The perception has been that Original Screenplay is more prestigious than Adapted, because turning previously created work (oftentimes done by someone else) into your own is somehow considered an easier task. This is one … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2024 – Original Screenplay
The art of editing is a tricky one. I know because I did it for a living for close to a decade. As great as a writer or director can be, if a film is not properly paced, delivering satisfying images in a timely and appropriately dramatic manner, the story will seem tedious and boring. … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2024 – Film Editing
We're almost done, everyone. The Academy Awards are less than two weeks away, and tonight begins the final full week of Blitz coverage! I can feel the softness of my pillow as we speak, yearning for the day when I will rest my head upon it, knowing I have no obligations the following day. Hell, … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2024 – Documentary Short
This year's race for Best Director is pretty much already over. Christopher Nolan has swept Awards Season so far, picking up the prize at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and Directors Guild. It's a done deal at this point, unless something massive happens in the next two weeks, like he eats a baby or gives a … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2024 – Best Director (VIDEO)
One of the cooler side effects of the last decade of Oscar viewing is in how short films are getting much more attention and praise. I first saw the shorts 10 years ago. I don't know if ShortsTV had done any curated screenings before that, but even if they did, what I saw back in … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2024 – Live Action Short
As the artform of cinema continues to evolve, and the business of it continues to devolve, it becomes more and more important to recognize the achievements of talented professionals and the definition of words. The Oscar for Production Design is the only one that's technically awarded to two different parties with separate job titles - … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2024 – Production Design
There's no right or wrong way to judge the Original Score category, mostly because each film requires a different atmospheric touch from the orchestral music to properly convey the tone. For some, like Star Wars or Jurassic Park, a bold, sweeping theme locks the scenes and the overall movie in your memory for all time. … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2024 – Original Score
I accomplished a lot this weekend. I was able to make my screening of Robot Dreams, so all features for this year's Oscars are in the books. I took in Madame Web, what is almost certain to be the worst movie of the year. I got my taxes done. I kept my blogging streak going. … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2024 – Animated Short
The last year has been a trying one if you're a fan of blockbuster films with great effects. We're approaching a nadir for CGI overuse, from Marvel shitting out one terrible movie after another (with the exception of tonight's sole MCU nominee) that are basically just shot on green screens now, to science fiction shlock … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2024 – Visual Effects (VIDEO)
When I first started learning about media and communications, it was so I could work on my high school's public access broadcasts of football and basketball games. It was like, the one advanced thing we had going in this semi-rural community. All of our home games in the three major sports had full-on productions where … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2024 – Cinematography
I Actually Paid To See This 