Right off the bat, I should apologize for the relative lateness of this month's column. Today, April 5, is the first day of the month for new theatrical releases, and typically I have this piece out well in advance of that. However, two variables came into play that I did not expect. One is that … Continue reading This Film is Not Yet Watchable – April 2024
We're but a few more days away from this year's Oscar nominations, and as such, it's time to continue our marathon through Netflix's "For Your Consideration" campaign (click here for Part One and Part Two of this mini-series). I have to admit this marketing strategy doesn't make all that much sense to me, as the … Continue reading DownStream – The Big Red N-velope, Part Three: The Undercard
Adapting a play from stage to screen is tricky business. Ideally, you want to convey the drama in a way that doesn't feel stilted or artificial. This is usually done by expanding scenery to multiple locations or enlarging the scope of the few that are already on the page. It also doesn't hurt to have … Continue reading The God Complex – Freud’s Last Session
I like to think that, overall, 2022 was a better year than 2021. There were some down moments, to be sure - Billie Eilish won an Oscar before Lin-Manuel Miranda, I had to move my mother into hospice, Republicans retook the House, basically every celebrity we still cared about died, AMC charged us more money … Continue reading The Best (and Worst) of 2022
Florian Zeller shocked the world two years ago with the cinematic adaptation of his stage play, The Father. Through clever editing, poignant dialogue, masterful set design, and incredible performances from Olivia Colman and Anthony Hopkins (the latter winning the Oscar for Best Actor), the film presented dementia in the starkest terms ever seen on screen. … Continue reading Severe Daddy Issues – The Son
I think we can all agree that racism and bigotry are bad. At least, I wish that was the case, as we see all the time that those horrid ideas are still alive and well in American society (and if you subscribe to them, please leave, as I want nothing to do with you). But … Continue reading Be a Mensch – Armageddon Time
As I type this out, the Independent Spirit Awards are taking place. Normally held the night before the Oscars, this year it was moved up a couple of days to give us a little bit of breathing room between the last major ceremony of Awards Season and the Main Event that is the Academy Awards. … Continue reading A Short Circuit – 2021 Awards Season Update
Every year there are a few categories at the Oscars where the result basically goes without saying. A lot of those times, we're talking about the Acting categories. Over the last decade, a minimum of two of the four winners were decided well in advance of Oscar Night, and even among the ones that weren't … Continue reading Oscar Gold 2021 – Best Actor
It's here. It's time. We've made it at last. After the most tumultuous year in cinema history, we finally arrive at Nomination Day. Twenty-three categories have been filled with hopefuls vying for the top prize in the film industry, and the annual Blitz is officially on! It's not lost on me that it's been exactly … Continue reading Time For the Delayed Blitz! – 93rd Academy Award Nominations!
Okay folks, this is it. The undercard has been officially filled out. Over the last 24 hours we've gotten the final film nominations for the Producers Guild of America, the Directors Guild of America, and the British Academy! These three ceremonies, which will take place over the next month, represent the last batch of major … Continue reading … And the Rest! – Nominations for PGA, DGA, and BAFTA Awards!
I Actually Paid To See This 