10 Oscar Snubs From The 2010s

Posted on March 12, 2023 by Lisa Marie Bowman

And now, we reach the present day! A lot has changed over the past few decades but one thing has remained consistent. No matter how hard the Academy tries, some good movies and performances are always going to get snubbed. Here are ten snubs from the previous decade.

2011: Shame Is Totally Ignored

Despite being critically acclaimed and receiving nominations from other groups, Steve McQueen’s Shame was totally ignored by the Academy. My theory is a lot of people looked at Michael Fassbender playing an emotionally detached, self-destructive sex addict and they basically saw aspects of themselves that they didn’t want to acknowledge. Shame caused too much shame amongst the voters.

2012: The Master Is Not Nominates For Best Picture

When The Master was first released, a lot of people didn’t really know what to make of Paul Thomas Anderson’s barely disguised portrait of Scientology. The film received only three nominations, for Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams. It deserved quite a bit more but, in 2012, I imagine the film’s portrait of a charismatic cult leader taking advantage of his wealthy followers seemed a bit too familiar to some voters.

2013: Tom Hanks Is Not Nominated For Best Actor For Captain Phillips

Looking over today’s list of snubs, a recurring theme seems to be actors who were not nominated because the Academy took them and their talent for granted. That’s the only possible reason that I can come up with for the Academy to have not nominated Tom Hanks for his outstanding lead performance in Captain Phillips. Just consider the scene at the end of the film, when the shellshocked and exhausted Captain Phillips is examined by a nurse and he can’t stop talking about the blood on his clothes. It’s a devastating scene, largely because the audience doesn’t feel as if they’re watching Tom Hanks give a performance. At that moment, they feel that they are watching a man who has just been through the worst experience of his life and who, even though he is now safe, will be forever haunted by what he has witnessed.

2014: Guardians of the Galaxy Is Not Nominated For Best Picture

Seriously, if any MCU film deserved to be nominated for Best Picture, it was Guardians of the Galaxy. It was a fun movie with a charismatic cast and, despite what some critics claimed, it actually did have something to say about the importance of tolerance and individual freedom. It even holds up well to repeat viewings, which is not exactly something that you can say about a few of the other MCU film.

2016: Amy Adams Is Not Nominated For Best Actress For Arrival

Much as they did with Tom Hanks and his performance in Captain Phillips, the Academy took Amy Adams for granted and failed to nominate her for Arrival, despite the fact that it was her best performance to date. At this point, if I’m Amy Adams, I would be wondering just what it is that I’m going to have to do to finally get my Oscar.

2017: Ethan Hawke Is Not Nominates For Best Actor For First Reformed

This is another snub that I can’t get my head around. Ethan Hawke has been nominated in the past. The Academy is obviously not resistant to honoring Ethan Hawke. So how was it that one of his best performances went unnominated? For that matter, how is it that First Reformed itself only received one Oscar nomination?

2019: The Souvenir Is Ignored

Despite being one of the best films of the past ten years, The Souvenir was ignored by Academy. The things that made the film work, like its low-key but honest performances and its refusal to pass easy judgment on its characters, are probably the same things that caused the Academy to overlook it.

2020: The Assistant Is Ignored

This was a powerful film and it featured an award-worthy performance from Julia Garner. It was also about Harvey Weinstein so I guess I shouldn’t be too shocked that the Academy snubbed it. The Assistant is a film that probably hit too close to home for many members of the Academy.

2021: Val Is Not Nominated For Best Documentary Feature

Val is one of the most affecting documentaries that I’ve ever seen but the Documentary Branch failed to even give it a nomination. Maybe, like The Assistant, Val just hit too close to home for some of the voters.

2021: Mass Is Ignored

Again, I will never understand how the Academy can fail to give even one nomination to a film as good as Mass. As with The Souvenir, I can only guess that the Academy did not know how to react to Mass’s honest approach to its subject matter. Mass worked because it avoided easy judgments and solutions. That’s probably the same thing that led to the Academy ignoring both the film and its outstanding cast.

Agree? Disagree? Do you have any bigger Oscar snub that you’d like to mention? Let us know in the comments!

And now, get ready to enjoy the show! And, if you don’t care about the Oscars, fear not! My review of The Black Godfather will be posting in an hour.

Here’s The Super Bowl Trailer For Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3!

Posted on February 12, 2023 by Lisa Marie Bowman

Yay! That’s all I can say. Though I’ve gotten a bit bored with the MCU as of late, I still look forward to another chance to hang out with Guardians of the Galaxy!

Here’s the new trailer.

Here’s The Trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3!

Posted on December 1, 2022 by Lisa Marie Bowman

To be honest, I’ve been a little bit bored with the MCU lately. I mean, the Spider-Man films were fun and WandaVision was certainly better than I was expecting it to be but, for the most part, it’s been hard to shake the feeling that, post-Endgame, the MCU has lost a bit of its spark. Endgame was such a logical place to stop that everything that’s come after it has felt a bit superfluous.

Still, if anyone can respark my interest in the MCU, it would be James Gunn and the Guardians of the Galaxy. And, fortunately, they’ve got a new film coming out next year! Here’s the trailer, which seems to promise that the Guardians will continue to poke subtle fun at the conventions of the MCU while also using those conventions to their advantage.

At the very least, it should have a good soundtrack.

Scenes I Love: The Opening of Guardians of the Galaxy

Posted on August 5, 2022 by Lisa Marie Bowman

Today, the Shattered Lens wises director James Gunn a happy 56th birthday!

My favorite James Gunn film remains 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Not coincidentally, that’s also my favorite comic book film. A good deal of that love has to do with the film’s absolutely brilliant introduction of Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord. In the scene below, both the film and Gunn announce that this is a comic book movie that actually has a sense of humor. Let the other franchises specialize in depressed heroes and grim themes. The Guardians of the Galaxy are all about dancing.

Here’s a scene that I love, directed by James Gunn:

E3 2021 Trailers, Part One: Advance Wars 1+ 2: Re-Boot Camp, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Babylon’s Fall, Cruis’n Blast, Dead Island 2, Death Stranding Director’s Cut, Elden Ring, Evil Dead: The Game, Forza Horizon 5, Guardians of the Galaxy

Posted on June 16, 2021 by Jedadiah Leland

Another E3 is in the books. After being canceled last year due to COVID, E3 returned this year as a purely virtual event. Hopefully, next year, E3 will again be both an in-person and a virtual event.

This year, several new games were announced. Here is part one of some of the best and biggest trailers from E3:

Advance Wars 1+ 2: Re-Boot Camp

Advance Wars is back, re-imagined and rebut for the Nintendo Switch!

2. Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

With a 2022 release date, this game should be coming out just in time to either capitalize or contribute to the success of Avatar 2. The trailer looks good but it doesn’t really tell me much about the game, other than it’s a playable version of Avatar. That should be enough for some.

3. Babylon’s Fall

This was a strange trailer for me. It looked good up until the combat started and then it didn’t look good at all.

4. Cruis’n Blast

A good racing game is something that I am definitely looking forward to.

5. Dead Island 2

After seven years of development, Dead Island 2 is finally coming out! Or is it? It’s hard to tell from this Jack Black-narrated trailer, which features a lot shots but not any actual gameplay or an actual release date beyond “coming 2021.”

6. Death Stranding Director’s Cut

I still haven’t been able to get into Death Stranding. During the lockdowns, I replayed Spider–Man, Miles Morales, Red Dead Redemption 2, and all of the Quantic Dream games multiple times. I even replayed the old EA Godfather games (Don of New York, baby!) but, somehow, Death Stranding just hasn’t been able to hold my interest. Maybe I’ll have more luck with the director’s cut.

7. Elden Ring

The trailer for Elden Ring looks great. This is what I wish the Babylon’s Fall trailer had looked like.

8. Evil Dead: The Game

All the trailer needed to win me over was Bruce Campbell. And it delivered!

9. Forza Horizon 5

‘As a fan of racing games, I’m definitely looking forward to this one.

10. Guardians of the Galaxy

If nothing else, this looks better than The Avengers game.

To be continued!

Film Review: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (dir by James Gunn)

Posted on May 5, 2017 by Lisa Marie Bowman

(MINOR SPOILERS! SPECIFICALLY, THE IDENTITY OF THIS FILM’S MAIN VILLAIN WILL BE REVEALED)

The Guardians of the Galaxy are back!

And this time, they’ve brought some new friends with them, friends with names like Kurt Russell, Sylvester Stallone, and … David Hasselhoff?

That’s right. David Hasselhoff is now a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and somehow, it feels totally appropriate. For all the words that have been written comparing Guardians of the Galaxy to the Star Wars franchise, it’s true ancestor is the 1978 Italian film, Starcrash. (Perhaps not coincidentally, Starcrash was Hasselhoff’s film debut.) Watch the trailer below and just try to tell me that you can’t imagine Chris Pratt and Zoe Saldana in the lead roles.

But enough about my obsession with Italian exploitation films. I know the question that you want answered. Is Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 as good as the first one?

Well, it depends on how you look at it. Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 is an absolute blast, a wonderfully entertaining film that mixes subversive comedy with sci-fi action. Everyone from the first film — Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Michael Rooker, and the voices of Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel — is back and they’ve still got the same winning chemistry that made the first film so much fun. Everyone is still committed to their roles, delivering even the strangest of dialogue with undeniable flair. Nobody’s gotten bored with saving the universe yet. The new additions to the cast are all well selected. Kurt Russell totally disproves the assumption that MCU villains are never as interesting as their heroic opponents but, then again, it helps that he’s playing a character who has a memorable and odd backstory. Once again, director James Gunn combines crowd-pleasing moments with his own sharp sense of humor. If the pompous tone of Man of Steel and Batman v Superman made you sick, Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 is the perfect antidote.

Unfortunately, Volume 2 doesn’t provide the same thrill of discovery as the first film. It’s easy to forget that, before the first film came out, a lot of people were predicting that Guardians of the Galaxy would be the first MCU film to flop at the box office. The conventional wisdom was that, as opposed to a character like Captain America, no one, outside of a few comic book readers, knew who the Guardians of the Galaxy were. Chris Pratt was just the goofy guy from Parks and Recreation. A talking raccoon? A walking tree? It was all way too weird, the naysayers proclaimed, to appeal to a mainstream audience.

However, James Gunn proved them wrong. Guardians of the Galaxy was not only the most successful MCU film to that date but it was also my pick for the best film of 2014. I can still remember watching it for the first time and immediately falling in love with both the film’s skewered sensibility and Chris Pratt’s funny but soulful performance. As opposed to a lot of films that were nominated for and won Oscars that year, Guardians of the Galaxy actually holds up after repeat viewings.

(Seriously, has anyone tried to rewatch Birdman lately?)

Going into the sequel, everyone now knows who the Guardians are and Chris Pratt is now a beloved film star. Volume 2 has a lot to live up to and, for the most part, it succeeds. It’s a tremendous amount of fun and, at the same time, it has a heart. (The heart at the center of the Guardian of the Galaxy films is perhaps the biggest heart in the MCU.)

What is the film about? Much like the first film, it’s about family. After years of telling everyone that his father was David Hasselhoff, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) finally meets his real father (Kurt Russell), a God-like figure named Ego. Charismatic, cheerful, and just a little bit odd, Ego seems like the perfect father figure but he has some secrets of his own. Russell gives a wonderful performance, making Ego one of the few MCU villains to be as interesting as the heroes.

While Peter is bonding with his dad, he is also being pursued by his adoptive father, the blue-skinned space pirate named Yondu (Michael Rooker). Yondu has been rejected by both his adopted son and the rest of his adopted family. The other space pirates are no longer loyal to him. His former boss (Sylvester Stallone) wants nothing to do with him. As silly as it all may sound, it’s also unexpectedly poignant, thanks to Michael Rooker’s performance. Rooker has appeared in several of Gunn’s films. He’s almost the Cary Grant to Gunn’s Alfred Hitchcock. Rooker gives one of the best performances of his careeer in the role of Yondu. It’s tempting to be dismissive of Yondu, with his blue-skin and his Alabama accent, but Rooker makes him one of the most compelling characters to ever be found in an MCU film.

Meanwhile, Rocket Raccoon (voiced again by Bradley Cooper) has become a surrogate father figure to Groot (voice by Vin Diesel), who is still just a baby tree. (Groot, a living tree, was reduced to just a twig at the end of the first film. Fortunately, Rocket planted the twig and, in another few movies, we’ll hopefully have a fully grown Groot.) Yes, Baby Groot does get to dance, again. At one point, one of the film’s villains forbids any of his henchmen from attacking Baby Groot because he’s just too adorable to destroy. And he’s right! After this movie, everyone will want a Baby Groot of their own.

Gamora (Zoe Saldana) has been reunited with her sister, Nebula (Karen Gilliam) and, once again, they spend most of the movie trying to kill each other. I have three older sisters so I related to their relationship.

And finally, Drax (Dave Bautista) is still mourning his family. Fortunately, he gets to spend some quality time with Ego’s odd assistant, an empath named Mantis (Pom Klementieff). Drax and Mantis both have no idea how social interaction is supposed to work and their scenes together are definitely a highlight of the film. Bautista and Klementieff share a really likable chemistry. Bautista is one of those actors who can make you laugh just be giving the camera a quizzical look. Drax may not be as a complicated as the other Guardians but that simplicity often makes him as interesting as his more complex compatriots.

The film’s not only about family. It’s also a strike against elitism and a celebration for freedom. Over the course of two films, the Guardians have battled against both an actual god and a fanatic who claimed to speak for God. At a time when so many movie heroes are tools of authoritarianism, the Guardians of the Galaxy stand for freedom. In many ways, Peter Quill is as much of a symbol for liberty as Captain America. Captain America makes his point with a shield while Peter Quill makes his case by dancing.

As might be expected from an MCU film, Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 is full of thrilling visuals, exciting battles, and quotable one liners. Even if it never reaches the heights of the first one, it’s a blast of a film and, as Arleigh told me it would, the finale brought tears to my mismatched eyes. See it and have a good time.

Also, be sure to stick around through the entire end credits. Along with a lot of clues about what might happen in the future of the MCU, there’s also one final Groot joke that made me laugh out loud.

Enjoy!

Here’s the Latest Trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2!

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Lisa Marie Bowman

Hey, look! It’s Kurt Russell!

What I’ve been told is that, apparently, Kurt is playing an entire planet in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. I’m not sure how exactly that works but if anyone can pull off being a planet, I imagine it would be Kurt Russell.

Anyway, if I haven’t already mentioned it, there is probably no film that I am currently looking forward to more than I am looking forward to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2!

10 Sci-Fi Films That Should Have Been Nominated For Best Picture

Posted on February 26, 2017 by Lisa Marie Bowman

Over the past few years, it’s gotten a little bit more common to see science fiction films nominated for best picture. While a sci-fi film has yet to win best picture, it is no longer as much of a shock to see a science fiction film nominated. At least not as much as it is to see a horror film nominated.

That said, it’s still an uphill fight. Here are 10 science fiction films that I feel could and should have been nominated for best picture:

Metropolis (1927)

Fritz Lang’s expressionistic silent epic remains one of the most influential films of all time. Metropolis was eligible to be nominated during the first year of the Oscars, a year in which not one but two awards for best picture were handed out. That Metropolis was nominated for neither Best Production nor Unique and Artistic Picture was a huge missed opportunity.

2. The War of the Worlds (1953)

This film may be over 60 years old but it’s still one of the best alien invasion films ever made. And yes, I prefer the original to the Spielberg version.

3. The Time Machine (1960)

Morlocks, Eloi, and war … oh my!

4. Planet of the Apes (1968)

“A planet where apes evolved from man?” No, not quite. “YOU BLEW IT UP! GODDAMN YOU TO HELL!” Yes, that’s better. Today, Planet of the Apes may seem more than a little bit campy but it’s still an unusually intelligent social satire. Charlton Heston’s persona has never been better used.

5. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Can you believe that this classic from Stanley Kubrick was not nominated? Kubrick got a directing nomination but, when it came to picking the best films of the year, the Academy nominated Oliver! and Rachel, Rachel.

6. Blade Runner (1982)

Blade Runner is today recognized as a classic but it originally received mixed reviews and was ignored by the Academy. At the very least, Rutger Hauer deserved a nomination.

7. Never Let Me Go (2010)

This underrated clone drama was sadly overlooked. Andrew Garfield’s performance is heartbreaking.

8. Under the Skin (2014)

This enigmatic film was probably too bizarre and unsettling for the Academy but Jonathan Glazer’s direction and Scarlett Johansson’s performance make Under the Skin a classic.

9. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Whenever I rewatch Guardians of the Galaxy, I’m happy to discover that it still holds up as a wonderful piece of entertainment. It remains my favorite film of 2014.

10. Ex Machina (2015)

Quite simply an amazing film, this is a Metropolis for the 21st Century.

Here’s That Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Super Bowl Spot!

Posted on February 5, 2017 by Lisa Marie Bowman

It’s Super Bowl Sunday, which means that people like me — who know little about football and care even less — will be having a great time watching commercials!

Speaking of which, here’s the Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 Super Bowl spot! I can’t wait until this movie comes out!

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Teaser Trailer Arrives

Posted on December 3, 2016 by Arleigh

“I am Groot.”

James Gunn finally unleashes the first full teaser trailer for his upcoming space opera superhero film out on May 2017. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 remains one of the 2017’s highly-anticipated films and looking back at how the first film there’s a great chance this band of galactic misfits’ next adventure could join the billion-dollar club. Not bad for a film that earned its popularity on the shoulders of a talking, psychotic raccoon and a talking tree (if I remember correctly, that tree made Lisa Marie cry).

This teaser trailer definitely focuses on the smallest member of the team in Baby Groot and from the reaction on the internet since the teaser trailer’s release it might have just broken the internet in some fashion. The humor from the first film looks to return as well with the cast staying the same and more in tuned with one another.

As all teaser trailer should do, this one doesn’t reveal much of the film’s plot. Just enough action and great visuals to whet the appetites of those already eagerly awaiting the film to arrive.

Consider appetites to be whetted.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is set for release on May 5, 2017 in 3D and IMAX everywhere in the galaxy.