As we come ever so much nearer to closing the book on 2023 cinema, it is time to return to the realm of documentaries. I've already covered the Documentary Feature category on the Oscar Blitz, including my admission of defeat in my annual quest to clear the shortlist, having come up one short. I did … Continue reading Back Row Thoughts – Witness to Truth, Part Two
As I write this, there are less than 48 hours until the voting deadline for the Independent Spirit Awards, and I have... seven more films to watch so that I can make as informed a choice as possible. Nothing like waiting until the last minute, eh? I feel like I'm back in high school writing … Continue reading Back Row Thoughts – The Spirit Stragglers, Part Two
We're at the end of our first full week of Blitz coverage, and I have earned myself a nap and a night off. As such, the plan goes that every week I will include a video breakdown of one of the categories. You can see the draw of those special fields in the Hub post … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2024 – Adapted Screenplay (VIDEO)
Before we get to tonight's breakdown, we actually have some fresh Oscars news to report. The Academy surprised the press today by announcing a new category! Starting two years from now, with the 98th annual ceremony, we will have an award for Casting! This is very intriguing, as there's been an official Casting Directors Branch … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2024 – Documentary Feature
Last year, the Best Actor category was one of the most exciting for the Oscars. You had a legitimate three-way race between Colin Farrell, Austin Butler, and eventual winner Brendan Fraser. You also got a bit of a reprieve from the coronation ceremony for Everything Everywhere All at Once - assuming you wanted one - … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2024 – Best Actor
Ten years ago, a monumental film came out that took the world by storm, racking up a ton of Oscar wins, and while it appropriately lost to Spotlight for Best Picture, it remains one of the greatest movies of the 21st Century. I'm speaking of course, about Mad Max: Fury Road, a seminal achievement in … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2024 – Costume Design
If you've followed this process for any decent length of time, you know two things about me. One is that I go out of my way to see as many submissions for International Feature as I possibly can. The second is that I get extremely annoyed when any category at the Academy Awards is taken … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2024 – International Feature
It's been said time and time again that great writers simply write what they know. If we extend the old adage to screenwriter Jason Fuchs, who penned Matthew Vaughn's latest, Argylle, then we're left to assume that all he knows is spy movie clichés. At minimum the basic ideas of "plot" and "character" may be … Continue reading Kitty Litter – Argylle
Every year the goal in the leadup to the Oscar Blitz is to see as many films as possible shortlisted by the Academy in various fields. It's not always possible, but I still make the attempt. Of the 10 categories that get these semifinal treatments, I was able to complete four of them, which is … Continue reading Back Row Thoughts – Coming Up Short(list)
It's appropriate that I write this today on Groundhog Day. I mean, what could be more appropriate for a column such as this? It's a day where idiots cheer for the nonsensical prognostication abilities of a rodent, and in film form it's a day of torture for a guy named Bill. I mean, that's this … Continue reading This Film is Not Yet Watchable – February 2024
I Actually Paid To See This 