A note in advance: This will likely be one of the longest reviews I've ever written, if not THE longest. Part of that is because this is something of a double feature critique. But more importantly, there's some major heavy stuff that I'm going to talk about here that you may not be comfortable with. … Continue reading Kids Really Can Be So Cruel – Playground
There's no strict definition as to what constitutes a supporting performance versus a lead one. It's basically an eye test. A film's studio or production company may submit any number of actors in any number of categories, but when it comes right down to it, the Acting Branch divvies up the nominations however they collectively … Continue reading Oscar Gold 2022 – Supporting Actor
The orchestral score of a film serves many different purposes, from setting moods to serving as an omniscient commentary on the thematic weight of a scene (or lack thereof). But in a year like 2021, where music was a central component of an uncommon number of movies, many of which got nominated in other categories, … Continue reading Oscar Gold 2022 – Original Score
Steven Soderbergh's newest tech thriller, KIMI, raises one of the more interesting questions I've had to ask in recent cinema. Namely, how unlikable can you make your ostensible protagonist before the viewers start rooting for the bad guys to win? Because, wow, just wow did I hate this lead character, so much so that an … Continue reading Manic Pixie Stream Girl – KIMI
As I approach my 40s, I find myself turning more and more into what the kids call a "grandpa," even though I don't even have direct children of my own. And one of the areas where I'm at my "Old Man Yells At Cloud" best is when it comes to the Oscar for Visual Effects. … Continue reading Oscar Gold 2022 – Visual Effects
I didn't watch Kenneth Branagh's 2017 remake of Murder on the Orient Express, for two main reasons. One, the original 1974 adaptation by Sidney Lumet is, to me, one of the greatest mystery films ever made, and Albert Finney's performance as Hercule Poirot was absolutely flawless. Two, while I am a fan of Branagh's, the … Continue reading Come Slay Away – Death on the Nile
When the Oscar nominations came out this past Tuesday, I ended up with more than half the categories already covered, which was definitely a good start. And all told, I only had eight total movies to watch to complete the viewing portion of this year's Blitz. Despite that, there were two categories that were not … Continue reading Back Row Thoughts – Best? Actress Blitz
The moment has come! Welcome one and all to the 2022 Oscar Blitz! Get ready for seven weeks of poring over every category, every film, and every minute detail in this annual quest to provide an educated guess as to who deserves - and who will receive - the highest honor in the film industry. … Continue reading Oscar Gold 2022 – Adapted Screenplay
The nominations are out. The Blitz has begun. The remaining queue of films I haven't seen is being diligently ticked off day by day. And starting tomorrow, we begin the annual breakdown of every single category for this year's Academy Awards. This post will serve as the central hub for all the Oscar coverage from … Continue reading Oscar Gold 2022 – The Hub
The Oscar nominations have finally been announced, and as such, the annual Blitz is in full effect. In the final days leading up to the reveal, I was able to squeeze in two more movies via Netflix in the hopes of checking off a couple nominees in advance. Well, I half succeeded. One of these … Continue reading DownStream – The Netflix Pre-Blitz
I Actually Paid To See This 