The Sessions

Ranking the 2013 Oscar Nominees

Ranking the 2013 Oscar Nominees

It’s become an annual tradition for me to rip off In Contention’s annual tradition of ranking the Oscar nominees from best to worst. I did it in 2011. I did it in 2012. See my 2013 rankings below. But first, a list of the films I regrettably haven’t caught up with yet: Mirror Mirror, Chasing […]

The Sessions Review

The Sessions Review

RATING: (3 STARS) There’s a monologue just past the halfway point of Ben Lewin’s The Sessions that’s so lovingly written it could bring a tear to your eye. It isn’t a thoughtful poem (though the film has plenty of those) but more of a love letter—a love letter to sex. It seems like Mark O’Brien […]

2013 OSCAR PREDICTIONS: A Truly Wide-Open Race

2013 OSCAR PREDICTIONS: A Truly Wide-Open Race

As good as 2012 was for films in general, it’s been an even better Oscar race. Unpredictability reigns supreme in a field filled with mostly great films. Phase 2 will kick into gear Thursday morning after Seth MacFarlane and Emma Stone announce the official nominees. It was tough, but here’s what I’ve got: Best Picture […]

2013 OSCAR PREDICTIONS: Official and Unofficial Shortlists

2013 OSCAR PREDICTIONS: Official and Unofficial Shortlists

With Django Unchained and Les Miserables finally hitting theaters, we can finally remove a certain amount of speculation from the Oscar race. Audiences everywhere will officially have their say over this year’s crop of contenders, which will ultimately mean crossing some names/films of our lists (and maybe adding a name here and there). In other […]

2013 OSCAR PREDICTIONS: Director and Screenplay

2013 OSCAR PREDICTIONS: Director and Screenplay

This, for me, is probably the most interesting time of the year as far as Oscars are concerned. In the midst of the fall festival season, anything seems possible, but by the time we close the curtain on the Toronto International Film Festival, it’ll be a just handful of films still left as genuine contenders. […]

2012 TIFF Titles to Watch: #30-#21

2012 TIFF Titles to Watch: #30-#21

Continuing my TIFF preview today with a trio of major Oscar contenders, a star-studded ensemble drama, and some of the more unique documentaries of the festival. 30.) Reality Program: Special Presentation Distributor: Oscilloscope Laboratories Directed by: Matteo Garrone Written by: Maurizio Braucci, Ugo Chiti, Massimo Gaudioso, Matteo Garrone Starring: Aniello Arena , Loredana Simioli, Nando […]