Mark Ruffalo Takes the Spotlight to Expose More Cover-ups – Dark Waters

Four years ago, Mark Ruffalo earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his work in Best Picture winner, Spotlight. In Tom McCarthy's brilliant procedural, Ruffalo was part of a team of journalists who helped to expose the Catholic Church and its calculated cover-up of sexual assault against children. Ruffalo's passionate performance, coupled with the … Continue reading Mark Ruffalo Takes the Spotlight to Expose More Cover-ups – Dark Waters →

The Long Arm of Murphy’s Law – Queen & Slim

In the trailers for Queen & Slim, the feature directorial debut for Melina Matsoukas (known for music videos until now), a character known as Uncle Earl (Bokeem Woodbine) refers to the two title characters as "The Black Bonnie & Clyde," a reference to the couple being on the run from the law. However, there's a big … Continue reading The Long Arm of Murphy’s Law – Queen & Slim →

DownStream – Doc Around the Clock

I'm really running low on "doc" puns at this point. Anyway, tomorrow the Academy announces its shortlists for several categories outside the main ballot, including Documentary Feature. Since the list of submissions was announced, I've tried to find time to view as many that are available as possible. Sadly, at the moment I'm working two … Continue reading DownStream – Doc Around the Clock →

Back Row Thoughts: Toontown, Part 3

At last we come to the end of our animated adventure. In this column I'll break down four more entries for next year's Oscar for Best Animated Feature. A grand total of 32 films were submitted, and I tracked down as many as I could, to the point that I've now seen 20 of the … Continue reading Back Row Thoughts: Toontown, Part 3 →

Like Father, Like Shia – Honey Boy

Shia LaBeouf has definitely earned himself some career rehabilitation this year. The first step was his absolutely wonderful performance with Zack Gottsagen in The Peanut Butter Falcon back in August. Now, he's followed it up with one of the best examples of art therapy in recent memory with Honey Boy. Written by LaBeouf and directed by … Continue reading Like Father, Like Shia – Honey Boy →

DownStream – Netflix and Shill, Part 1

Last year was a tremendous boon for Netflix when it came to the Oscar stage. The success of Roma (as well as The Ballad of Buster Scruggs to a lesser extent, not to mention a slew of documentaries over the years), followed by the Academy's rebuke of traditionalists like Steven Spielberg emboldened the world's premiere streaming … Continue reading DownStream – Netflix and Shill, Part 1 →

Slashing Throats and Genre Conventions – Knives Out

Two years ago, Rian Johnson directed Star Wars - Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, arguably the most polarizing film in the entire saga. Some loved it, others hated it. As for me personally, I rated it as my #10 film of 2017 in one of the first ever posts I wrote on this blog. I wasn't … Continue reading Slashing Throats and Genre Conventions – Knives Out →

Back Row Thoughts: Toontown, Part 2

Good news, everyone! I was planning on this column being the conclusion of my pre-nomination coverage of the Animated Feature category. I did four movies last time, and the plan was for five tonight. However, we ain't done yet! Thanks to a surprise release and rentals on YouTube, I'll be able to do a third … Continue reading Back Row Thoughts: Toontown, Part 2 →

I’m Still Not Crying! Continue Shutting Up! – A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

It's a curious thing to see the world unfold around you. No matter how unimportant or irrelevant something might be to the grand scheme of life, it's amazing how we all can compartmentalize what we see and hear, and contextualize it within our own life experience, and with our own biases. I say this because … Continue reading I’m Still Not Crying! Continue Shutting Up! – A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood →

Just As Every Cop, No Seriously EVERY Cop, is a Criminal – 21 Bridges

Joe and Anthony Russo have earned themselves quite a lot of clout over the last few years, thanks to successful TV work (Arrested Development and Community) and their blockbuster work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where they helmed two Captain America movies and the conclusion of Phase 3 via the Infinity War. Given the amount of … Continue reading Just As Every Cop, No Seriously EVERY Cop, is a Criminal – 21 Bridges →