The worst year ever... since the one before it, is finally over, and today, we officially begin our journey through the 2022 canon of cinema (even though the book is not yet closed on 2021). Unfortunately, it's only January, a bleak, cold month where the days are darkest and spirits tank after the highs of … Continue reading This Film is Not Yet Watchable – January 2022
When I reviewed The Trial of the Chicago 7 last year, I made note of a lot of the creative hallmarks of Aaron Sorkin's career, both positive and negative. But there was one element I left out of the equation, mostly because it wasn't relevant to that particular film. He has a somewhat elitist penchant … Continue reading WAAAAHHHH! – Being the Ricardos
The Academy Award nominations are just under a week away, and as the final preview, we now have the list of contenders for the major Hollywood labor unions and the British Film Academy! There's a lot to sift through, and as the results trickle in over the next few weeks, we'll get a lot of … Continue reading Unions, Jack! – BAFTA and Guild Nominations Announced!
In my review of Richard Jewell, I mentioned that the Atlanta Journal-Constitution demanded the film contain a disclaimer that the events and characters within were mostly imagined for dramatic purposes, due to the film's harsh, sexist, ill-conceived, and almost certainly fabricated depiction of Kathy Scruggs, who's been dead nearly 20 years and has no way of … Continue reading The Existence of a Villain Does Not Make Heroes – Bombshell
It was inevitable. It's September, we're officially into awards season, and that means we get the prestige films that studios think will attract critics and voters for the highest prizes. Most of these films range from middling to great, with even the mediocre ones showcasing a single amazing acting performance, or some inspired camera work, … Continue reading A Little Birdie Told Me This Sucks – The Goldfinch
Nicole Kidman received a Best Actress nomination at this year's Golden Globes for her performance in Karyn Kusama's noir thriller, Destroyer, and it's possible she could get an Academy Award nomination next week. As such, it's only proper that we take a look at this thematic departure for the past Oscar-winner, and see if the hefty … Continue reading About As Far From Stepford As it Gets – Destroyer
I hope you enjoyed my weeklong streak of reviews, and if not, I hope you enjoyed the week off you had from my ramblings. I was on vacation, visiting my family in upstate New York, introducing them to my girlfriend, and meeting my newborn nephew. He was due this week, but he came early on … Continue reading Gaga on Dick – Golden Globe Nominees Announced!
Gender and sexual identity has been a major source for Hollywood stories for the better part of the last three decades, and it would be fascinating to see the evolution of LGBT characters in film over that span. It's also instant Oscar bait for those involved, as sexual diversity is a big box check during … Continue reading God’s Not Here, But Your Son Is – Boy Erased
I Actually Paid To See This 