First things first, a lesson in category distinctions. Today we're focusing on Sound Editing, which previously had the more clear name of Sound Effects (Editing). What this means is that this category awards the artificial sounds, particularly the sound effects done in post-production, recorded by a foley artist. This is different from the other sound category, … Continue reading Oscar Gold 2018 – Sound Editing
The screenwriting categories are among my favorites, y'know, being a writer and all. And there's an interesting dichotomy in results between the Original and Adapted Screenplay awards. Since 2000, half of the Adapted Screenplay winners have gone on to win Best Picture. Conversely, only five Original Screenplay winners have won the top prize in that … Continue reading Oscar Gold 2018 – Adapted Screenplay
Costume Design has been a competitive category since the 1940s, one of the oldest artistic realms the Academy has recognized. In fact, when it first began there were two separate awards for movies in color and those in black and white. The other odd mainstay in this particular category is that modern settings basically never … Continue reading Oscar Gold 2018 – Costume Design
Today it's time to take a look at Oscar's youngest child, the award for Animated Feature. First presented to Shrek in 2002, the category has fluctuated between having three and five nominees since its inception, depending on how many eligible films are submitted, though it's been a full slate of five since 2011. The category has … Continue reading Oscar Gold 2018 – Animated Feature
The Supporting Actor category is always one of the more fun ones. It's one of the few "major" Oscars that really takes all comers. At times I've honestly wondered if they should change the name to Best Character Actor, because it truly allows for great performances and character development, because the supporting roles are by … Continue reading Oscar Gold 2018 – Best Supporting Actor
After its debut at the Telluride Film Festival in September, Scott Cooper's western odyssey, Hostiles, earned critical praise and got a limited release in late December, just before the deadline for Oscar eligibility. Unfortunately, after a month-long marketing campaign, the film was released nationwide today after being shut out of the nominations. After spending the afternoon … Continue reading Watching People Walk Many, Many Miles in Each Others’ Shoes – Hostiles
Hello, and welcome to the first entry in this year's analysis for the Academy Awards. Between now and the ceremony on March 4, I'll be taking a look at the nominees in each category for the Oscars, complete with my personal rankings and vote - y'know, if I actually had one. Once we've run down … Continue reading Oscar Gold 2018 – Makeup & Hairstyling
This is my absolute favorite time of year. I've loved the Academy Awards since I was a child, and it's one of my bucket list dreams to just be nominated, or even get to attend. Today, for me, is like the end of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, when Santa Claus arrives to end the … Continue reading The Blitz is On! 90th Oscar Nominations Revealed!
With just a few days to go before Oscar nominations come out, it's fitting to take a look at a film that is likely to pick up a few nods come Tuesday. The eighth film from writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson, Phantom Thread has been available in "select cities" (i.e. Los Angeles and New York) for a … Continue reading Daniel Day-Lewis Reaps What He Sews – Phantom Thread
It's mid-January, and this is the first official film of 2018 to get a look (the previous two reviews were technically 2017 releases). The winter months tend to be dumping grounds for the major studios - films they either don't believe will make money or just don't believe are any good. With the main focus … Continue reading Liam Neeson Meets a Stranger on a Train, and Some Other Movie References – The Commuter
I Actually Paid To See This 