The quest to tackle the list of candidates for specialized feature films is always a fun adventure. Fifteen films make the shortlist for both International and Documentary, while the Animated field is just whatever eligible movies get submitted regardless of individual merit or quality. But it's always exciting to see as many of them as … Continue reading Back Row Thoughts – The End of the Tour
Tag: Riz Ahmed
Oscar Gold 2022 – Live Action Short
I think if I ever got to be a part of the Academy, I'd probably end up in the Writers Branch, as that's my biggest forte, and you never know when you'll be lucky enough to sell a screenplay that actually gets an insane amount of recognition and praise. But if there was some sort … Continue reading Oscar Gold 2022 – Live Action Short
Safe Haven in Animation – Flee
Denmark is the defending champion when it comes to the Oscar for International Feature, and their follow-up entry may pull off a bit of Academy history once the nominations come out. The unique and captivating Flee is not only submitted as a foreign film, but it is also up for Documentary Feature AND Animated Feature, … Continue reading Safe Haven in Animation – Flee
Oscar Gold 2021 – Best Actor
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
Time For the Delayed Blitz! – 93rd Academy Award Nominations!
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!
… And the Rest! – Nominations for PGA, DGA, and BAFTA Awards!
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!
Acting! Genius! – 27th Screen Actors Guild Nominations
Yesterday we got the Golden Globe nominations, and the list of snubs in favor of poppy bullshit is so large that my gag reflex is only just now recovering. The next stage of Awards Season concerns the major trade guilds and specialty fields. That stage began today with the announcement of the Screen Actors Guild … Continue reading Acting! Genius! – 27th Screen Actors Guild Nominations
Here’s Some Money, Please Validate Me! – 78th Golden Globe Nominees Announced
For the purposes of legal protection, I will say upfront that I can't prove that the 90+ members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association are bribed for their votes at the Golden Globes. It is merely an opinion, mostly presented tongue-in-cheek, based on the history of truly baffling nominations and awards that repeatedly smack of … Continue reading Here’s Some Money, Please Validate Me! – 78th Golden Globe Nominees Announced
Spirit Fingers, Everyone! – 36th Independent Spirit Nominations
Damn, this has been a busy week so far, and it's only Thursday. Awards Season got itself into full swing basically overnight, and already I'm doing my best to keep up. For example, over the last 48 hours I've been trying to get a handle on foreign films in anticipation of the Academy's announcement of … Continue reading Spirit Fingers, Everyone! – 36th Independent Spirit Nominations
The Best (and Worst) of 2020, Way After the Fact
Let's just state the plain and honest truth. 2020 was the shittiest year any of us have experienced. Everything closed, Donald Trump tried to lead an insurrection, and 1 out of every 1,000 Americans died from a virus that could have been mitigated - if not contained - if we had a competent government response … Continue reading The Best (and Worst) of 2020, Way After the Fact