Will the Summer of 2015 Produce Any Oscar Contenders?
Earlier this week, I previewed this summer’s crop of big-budget would-be blockbusters and asked the question: What will be the biggest and best movie of the 2015 summer season? Today, my attention gets turned to the smaller films—the ones that would be happy to crack $30 million at the box office—in an attempt to jumpstart […]
Final 2015 Oscar Predictions
It’s show time! Here are my final 2015 Oscar predictions for all 24 categories: Best Picture American Sniper Birdman Boyhood The Grand Budapest Hotel The Imitation Game Selma The Theory of Everything Whiplash Predicted winner: Boyhood Alt: Birdman (Click here for my thoughts on all eight 2015 Best Picture nominees.) ***** Best Director Alejandro G. […]
My 2015 Indie Spirits Ballot
I’m voting in Film Independent’s Spirit Awards for the first time this year, and it’s been fun to catch up with some titles I might not have otherwise sought out had they not been nominated, like The Guest and Kumiko The Treasure Hunter and this lovely little flick called Selma. Anyway, Film Independent asks us […]
If I Had a 2015 Oscar Ballot
I’m pretty far along when it comes to catching up with every 2015 Oscar nominee. (The foreign-language films are mostly blind spots, but what else is new.) So now is as good a time as any to share my choices for the best in show. It’s been a weird year for me watching the Oscars […]
So, About Those 2015 Oscar Nominations…
What in the name of Dick Poop just happened?!?!?!? It was a wild morning that saw the announcement of the 2015 Oscar nominees, and I just can’t get past Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs’ all-time great mispronunciation of a name. Congratulations to Mr. Turner cinematographer Dick Pope on your Oscar nomination. I’m sorry you’ll live […]
2015 Oscar Predictions: Nominations Eve
I’m not going to say too much up front because this post should speak for itself. I’ll have more to say when we know something tomorrow. Some people are super down about awards this year, but I’m excited! Here goes nothing: Best Picture American Sniper Birdman Boyhood Gone Girl The Grand Budapest Hotel The Imitation […]
Why Do We Take Awards So Seriously Anyway?
Like clockwork, the Directors Guild of America announced its five nominees for Best Director of 2014, and the internet exploded in anger. Two years ago, it was Tom Hooper and the nerve he had, I don’t know, using too many Dutch angles in his adaptation of Les Miserables. Last year was relatively quiet on the […]
2015 Golden Globes Predictions
When it comes to making 2015 Golden Globes predictions, everyone knows quality shouldn’t come into the picture too much. The Globes are notorious for some decisions—most notably Zsa Zsa Gabor and The Tourist. I’m not sure why we take them seriously other than the fact that it’s a show on primetime, but to be fair, […]
2015 Golden Globes Nominations Predictions
The ultra-prestigious and never ridiculous Hollywood Foreign Press Association is on the cusp of announcing its nominees for the 2015 Golden Globes. We should take these nominations very seriously, as the many, many dedicated and serious-minded members of this fine organization consider only the artistic merits of each film, performance, and craft achievement in a […]
The 2014 OFCS Nominations
Today, the Online Film Critics Society announced its nominees for its 18th annnual year-end awards. I had the privledge of voting as a member of the OFCS for a second year, and while these wouldn’t necessarily be my choices for best films/performances/craft achievements of 2014, I’m genuinely excited that my colleagues and I have selected […]
2015 Oscar Predictions: The Calm Before ‘Unbroken’
One of the things I’m thankful for this year is a relatively pleasant Oscar season. Granted, it’s only Thanksgiving, and we haven’t yet gotten into the guilds and critics groups. We don’t yet know what awful narratives will be made up to drag down competing films. We don’t yet know who will win the second-annual […]
FYC 2014: Participant Media
We’re approaching the end of the year, and I’ll be using these FYC posts to share as many thoughts as I can about 2014’s crop of movies. And while I, like most others, might be considering these films for categories like Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Screenplay, I’m going a little more creative. I […]
FYC 2014: Magnolia Films and Magnet Releasing
We’re approaching the end of the year, and I’ll be using these FYC posts to share as many thoughts as I can about 2014’s crop of movies. And while I, like most others, might be considering these films for categories like Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Screenplay, I’m going a little more creative. First […]
2015 Best Supporting Actor and Actress Predictions: Simmons, Arquette, and…
Since my last 2015 Oscar predictions update, Interstellar landed…interestingly. I actually haven’t seen the film yet, so I can’t say too much, but it’s discouraging to see how much Nolan-related baggage—both positive and negative—writers are bringing into their reviews of the guy’s movie. But that’s neither here nor there for the purpose of this post […]
2015 Oscar Predictions: Riddle, Mystery, Enigma, Etc.
It feels like I’ve been gone a long time. Since my last 2015 Oscar predictions post, a bunch of potential awards films screened and opened. (I also visited three other countries. That was fun.) Some of those films have exited the Oscar conversation before I even had a chance to contemplate their chances. (I’m looking […]
Post-TIFF Best Picture Power Rankings
Now that the fall festivals have come and gone, it’s time to start thinking seriously (and in a guilt-free way) about the 2015 Oscars. Pundits everywhere have been sharing their 2015 Oscar predictions for weeks, sometimes months, and I’m no different (check out my first set of 2015 Oscar predictions, published about a month ago). […]
