One of the more depressing aspects of life in these United States over the last decade or so is the systematic eradication of facts. One individual at the center of our government has been the focal point of this problem, employing a campaign of just making up the most hateful shit imaginable so that those … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2025 – Documentary Feature
If you're a regular reader, you might have noticed a bit of an unintentional trend in recent years. As time has gone on, one of the odder changes in how I view films is that I find myself much more aware of runtime. A big part of this is just the fact that I'm a … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2025 – Documentary Short
Believe it or not, folks, this is the end of my backlog! At long last, every feature I saw for the 2024 canon will get its proper review, and I can move on to 2025 stuff (I already have four new releases in my back pocket, and I plan on two more before the week … Continue reading Back Row Thoughts – The True Warriors
A few weeks ago, I began my crash course through this year's Documentary Feature shortlist. I make it my mission every year to see all 15 semifinalists, preferably before Oscar nominations are announced. For the past few years, I've succeeded more times than not, and that includes the class of 2024. This is far from … Continue reading Back Row Thoughts – The True Killers
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
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
Every year I make it a personal mission to not just see all of the eventual Oscar nominees in each category, but wherever possible, to clear the entire shortlist of semifinalists. This began several years ago with my first attempt to view all 15 films vying for Documentary Feature, and the goal has remained ever … Continue reading Back Row Thoughts – Witness to Truth, Part One
As you may know, I have a particular set of issues when it comes to the Oscars every year. Sometimes it's who gets nominated. Sometimes it's the naked corporate fealty to Disney. Sometimes it's the exercise in utter cringe that the ceremony itself has become. Sometimes it's all of the above. But I keep following … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2023 – Documentary Feature
We're about 48 hours away from Oscar nominations, just enough time to squeeze in one more "Back Row Thoughts" column tackling this year's Documentary Feature shortlist (here are Part 1 and Part 2 if you want/need to catch up). Of the 15 films up for the prize, this set of reviews will bring us up … Continue reading Back Row Thoughts – Doc’s Orders, Part 3
We're in the thick of it this Awards Season, with the Oscar Blitz fast approaching. The Academy announces its nominations in just over a week, the major guilds have already released their lists (with the Writers Guild of America curiously waiting until a day after AMPAS), the BAFTA nods are coming later this week, and … Continue reading Back Row Thoughts – Doc’s Orders, Part 2
I Actually Paid To See This 