4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Todd Haynes Edition


4 Shots From 4 Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films lets the visuals do the talking.

Today, the Shattered Lens wishes a happy birthday to director Todd Haynes!  It’s time for….

4 Shots From 4 Todd Haynes Films

Safe (1995, dir by Todd Haynes, DP: Alex Nepomniaschy)

I’m Not There (2007, dir by Todd Haynes, DP: Edward Lachman)

Carol (2015, dir by Todd Haynes, DP: Edward Lachman)

Dark Waters (2019, dir by Todd Haynes, DP: Edward Lachman)

6 Things That I Am Looking Forward To In January of 2024


Ah, January.

Traditionally, as far as pop culture goes, January doesn’t get much respect.  If a studio has a film that they knew isn’t going to be a hit with critics or audiences, January is where they usually dump it.  The same can often be said of publishers.  Everyone is so busy getting caught up on what they missed during the last few months of the previous year, chances are that they won’t notice a few bombs dropped on the cultural landscape.  That’s the theory anyways.

But, you know me!  I’m an optimist.  And I remain convinced that, even in January, there are things to which we can look forward,  And here’s six of those things!

(Why six?  Because Lisa doesn’t do odd numbers.)

  1. The Iowa Caucus

That’s right!  It’s an election year!  And the first contest of 2024, the Iowa Presidential Caucus, is just two weeks away!  Remember how much fun we all had in 2020 when the Democrats couldn’t figure out who had actually won their caucus?  Who knows what fun this year has in store for us!  The Iowa Caucus will be held on January 15th.

(Okay, this may seem like a lame thing to look forward to but it’s January and beggars can’t be choosers.)

2. The Sundance Film Festival

While the 2023 race waits to be determined, the 2024 Oscar Race will begin at the Sundance Film Festival!  It seems like, every year, there is at least one Sundance Film that makes it into the Best Picture lineup.  In 2023, Past Lives and Magazine Dreams were huge hits at Sundance and now, it looks like Past Lives has a great chance of being nominated for Best Picture.  As for Magazine Dreams ….. well, yeah.  Which contenders will come out of this year’s festival?  We’ll find out when Sundance opens on January 18th.

3. I.S.S. — This film, about strange happenings on the International Space Station, is set to be released on January 19th.  I always enjoy a good mix of horror and science fiction.  Plus, once this film comes out, maybe YouTube will stop trying to make me watch the trailer.

4. Mean Girls — The Mean Girls musical will be released in theaters on January 12th.  I’m not really sure that we need a new version of the film when the original holds up perfectly well but whatever.  Originally, this was going to go straight to Paramount Plus but it was decided to give the film a theatrical release instead.  Normally, that would be a sign of huge confidence if not for the fact that it was given a January release.

5. The Bricklayer — For those of us wondering whatever happened to Renny Harlin, he’s got a new film set to be released on January 5th.  Hey, that’s this week!

6. The Oscar Nominations — The nominations will be announced on January 23rd and I’ve got a lot of movies that I still need to watch!  So I better get to it!

What are you looking forward to in January?

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special New Year’s Edition


4 Shots From 4 Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films lets the visuals do the talking.

Happy New Year’s Day!  Did you have as wonderful a celebration as the characters featured in today’s special edition of 4 Shots From 4 Films?

4 Shots From 4 Films

The Poseidon Adventure (1972, dir by Ronald Neame, DP: Harold E. Stine)

The Godfather Part II (1974, dir by Francis Ford Coppola, DP: Gordon Willis)

New Year’s Evil (1980, dir by Emmett Alston, DP: Edward Thomas)

Strange Days (1995, dir by Kathryn Bigelow, DP: Matthew F. Leonetti)

Lisa Marie’s Oscar Predictions For December


Here they are!  These are my final Oscar predictions for 2023.  The critics groups have certainly helped to show us which films are major contenders.  That said, the Guilds are even more important so I can’t wait to see who they nominate and honor in January.

Below are my predictions for December.  Be sure to also check out my predictions for March and April and May and June and July and August and September and October and November!

Best Picture 

American Fiction

Barbie

Godzilla Minus One

The Holdovers

Killers of the Flower Moon

Maestro

Oppenheimer

Past Lives

Poor Things

The Zone of Interest

(Before anyone gives me a hard time about Godzilla Minus One, I always toss in one critically acclaimed long shot so that I can brag — or perhaps even gloat — if it actually happens.  Plus, everyone knows that having Godzilla at the Oscars would be entertainment gold.)

Best Director

Greta Gerwig for Barbie

Yorgos Lanthimos for Poor Things

Christopher Nolan for Oppenheimer

Alexander Payne for The Holdovers

Martin Scorsese for Killers of the Flower Moon

Best Actor

Bradley Cooper in Maestro

Colman Domingo in Rustin

Paul Giamatti in The Holdovers

Cillian Murphy in Oppenheimer

Jeffrey Wright in American Fiction

Best Actress

Lily Gladstone in Killers of the Flower Moon

Sandra Huller in Anatomy of a Fall

Greta Lee in Past Lives

Carey Mulligan in Maestro

Emma Stone in Poor Things

Best Supporting Actor

Robert De Niro in Killers of the Flower Moon

Robert Downey, Jr. in Oppenheimer

Ryan Gosling in Barbie

Charles Melton in May/December

Mark Ruffalo in Poor Things

Best Supporting Actress

Emily Blunt in Oppenheimer

Danielle Brooks in The Color Purple

Jodie Foster in Nyad

Rachel McAdams in Are You There God?  It’s Me, Margaret.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph in The Holdovers

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Carol Reed Edition


4 Shots From 4 Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films lets the visuals do the talking.

Today, we celebrate the birth of the great British director, Carol Reed!  It’s time for….

4 Shots From 4 Carol Reed Films

Odd Man Out (1947, dir by Carol Reed, DP: Robert Krasker)

The Fallen Idol (1948, dir by Carol Reed, DP: Georges Perinal)

The Third Man (1949, dir by Carol Reed, DP: Robert Krasker)

Flap (1970, dir by Carol Reed, DP: Fred J. Koenekamp)

The Georgia Film Critics Association Nominates Godzilla!


The Georgia Film Critics Association announced their nominees for the best of 2023 and look who snagged a spot in the Best Picture lineup!  Way to go, Godzilla!

The winners will be announced on January 5th, 2024.

Best Picture
“American Fiction”
“Barbie”
“Godzilla Minus One”
“The Holdovers”
“Killers of the Flower Moon”
“May December”
“Oppenheimer”
“Past Lives”
“Poor Things”
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”

Best Director
“American Fiction” – Cord Jefferson
“Barbie” – Greta Gerwig
“Killers of the Flower Moon” – Martin Scorsese
“Oppenheimer” – Christopher Nolan
“Past Lives” – Celine Song

Best Actor
Bradley Cooper (“Maestro”)
Colman Domingo (“Rustin”)
Paul Giamatti (“The Holdovers”)
Cillian Murphy (“Oppenheimer”)
Jeffrey Wright (“American Fiction”)

Best Actress
Lily Gladstone (“Killers of the Flower Moon”)
Sandra Hüller (“Anatomy of a Fall”)
Greta Lee (“Past Lives”)
Carey Mulligan (“Maestro”)
Emma Stone (“Poor Things”)

Best Supporting Actor
Sterling K. Brown (“American Fiction”)
Robert Downey, Jr. (“Oppenheimer”)
Ryan Gosling (“Barbie”)
Glenn Howerton (“BlackBerry”)
Charles Melton (“May December”)

Best Supporting Actress
Emily Blunt (“Oppenheimer”)
Danielle Brooks (“The Color Purple”)
Penélope Cruz (“Ferrari”)
Rachel McAdams (“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.”)
Da’Vine Joy Randolph (“The Holdovers”)

Best Original Screenplay
“Barbie” – Greta Gerwig, Noah Baumbach
“Dream Scenario” – Kristoffer Borgli
“The Holdovers” – David Hemingson
“May December” – Samy Burch
“Past Lives” – Celine Song

Best Adapted Screenplay
“American Fiction” – Cord Jefferson
“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” – Kelly Fremon Craig
“Killers of the Flower Moon” – Eric Roth, Martin Scorsese
“Oppenheimer” – Christopher Nolan
“Poor Things” – Tony McNamara

Best Cinematography
“All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt” – Jomo Fray
“Killers of the Flower Moon” – Rodrigo Prieto
“Maestro” – Matthew Libatique
“Oppenheimer” – Hoyte Van Hoytema
“Poor Things” – Robbie Ryan

Best Production Design
“Asteroid City” – Adam Stockhausen, Kris Moran
“Barbie” – Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer
“The Creator” – James Clyne, Chris DiPaola, Matt Sims, Lek Chaiyan Chunsuttiwat
“Killers of the Flower Moon” – Jack Fisk, Adam Willis
“Oppenheimer” – Ruth De Jong, Claire Kaufman
“Poor Things” – James Price, Shona Heath, Szusza Mihalek

Best Original Score
“Killers of the Flower Moon” – Robbie Robertson
“Oppenheimer” – Ludwig Göransson
“Poor Things” – Jerskin Fendrix
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” – Daniel Pemberton
“The Zone of Interest” – Mica Levi

Best Original Song
“Am I Dreaming” – Mike Dean, Peter Lee Johnson, Rakim Mayers, Roisee, Landon Wayne, Leland Wayne (“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”)
“I’m Just Ken” – Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt (“Barbie”)
“Peaches” – Jack Black, John Spiker, Eric Osmond, Michael Jelenic, Aaron Horvath (“The Super Mario Bros. Movie”)
“Quiet Eyes” – Sharon Van Etten, Zach Dawes (“Past Lives”)
“What Was I Made For?” – Billie Eillish, Finneas O’Connell (“Barbie”)

Best Ensemble
“American Fiction”
“Asteroid City”
“Barbie”
“The Color Purple”
“The Holdovers”
“Killers of the Flower Moon”
“Oppenheimer”

Best International Film
“Anatomy of a Fall”
“The Boy and the Heron”
“Godzilla Minus One”
“Perfect Days”
“The Taste of Things”
“The Zone of Interest”

Best Animated Film
“The Boy and the Heron”
“Elemental”
“Robot Dreams”
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem”

Best Documentary Film
“Beyond Utopia”
“Four Daughters”
“The Mission”
“The Pigeon Tunnel”
“Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie”

Breakthrough Award
Ayo Edebiri
Abby Ryder Fortson
Charlles Melton
Dominic Sessa
Celine Song

Oglethorpe Award for Excellence in Georgia Cinema
“Blue Beetle” (Angel Manuel Soto, Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer)
“Chipper” (short; Shaun MacLean, Lane Skye, Ruckus Skye)
“The Color Purple” (Blitz Bazawule, Marcus Gardley)
“Creed III” (Michael B. Jordan, Keenan Coogler, Zach Baylin)
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (James Gunn)
“May December” (Todd Haynes, Samy Burch)
“Origin” (Ava DuVernay)
“She Watches Blindly” (Bryan Tan)
“They Cloned Tyrone” (Juel Taylor, Tony Rettenmaier)
“This World is Not My Own” (Petter Ringbom, Marquise Stillwell, Ruchi Mital)

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special F.W. Murnau Edition


4 Shots From 4 Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films lets the visuals do the talking.

Today was celebrate the visionary director, F.W. Murnau!  Murnau was born 135 years ago today, in Germany.  He went on to become a leading expressionist and one of the most influential filmmakers of all time.  Needless to say, it’s time for….

4 Shots From 4 F.W. Murnau Films

The Hunchback and the Dancer (1920, dir by F.W. Murnau)

Nosferatu (1922, dir by F.W. Murnau)

Faust (1926, dir by F.W. Murnau)

Sunrise: The Story of Two Humans (1927, dir by F.W. Murnau)

Here Are The 2023 DiscussingFilm Critics Awards!


Here are the 2023 nominations of the DiscussingFilm Critics Awards!  The winners will be announced on January 6th!

BEST PICTURE
All Of Us Strangers
Anatomy Of A Fall
Barbie
Killers Of The Flower Moon
May December
Oppenheimer
Past Lives
Poor Things
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
The Zone Of Interest

BEST DIRECTOR
Martin Scorsese – Killers Of The Flower Moon
Todd Haynes – May December
Christopher Nolan – Oppenheimer
Yorgos Lanthimos – Poor Things
Jonathan Glazer – The Zone Of Interest

BEST ACTRESS
Sandra Huller – Anatomy Of A Fall
Teyana Taylor – A Thousand And One
Lily Gladstone – Killers Of The Flower Moon
Greta Lee – Past Lives
Emma Stone – Poor Things

BEST ACTOR
Andrew Scott – All Of Us Strangers
Zac Efron – The Iron Claw
Bradley Cooper – Maestro
Cillian Murphy – Oppenheimer
Colman Domingo – Rustin

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Ryan Gosling – Barbie
Glenn Howerton – BlackBerry
Robert De Niro – Killers Of The Flower Moon
Charles Melton – May December
Robert Downey Jr. – Oppenheimer

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Rachel McAdams – Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
Danielle Brooks – The Color Purple
Da’Vine Joy Randolph – The Holdovers
Julianne Moore – May December
Emily Blunt – Oppenheimer

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM
Anatomy Of A Fall
The Boy And The Heron
Fallen Leaves
Godzilla Minus One
Monster
Perfect Days
Society Of The Snow
The Taste Of Things
Totem
The Zone Of Interest

BEST ENSEMBLE
Barbie
The Color Purple
Killers Of The Flower Moon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Anatomy Of A Fall
Barbie
The Holdovers
May December
Past Lives

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
All Of Us Strangers
American Fiction
Killers Of The Flower Moon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Killers Of The Flower Moon
Maestro
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
Saltburn

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
The Boy And The Heron
Killers Of The Flower Moon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Barbie
The Color Purple
Killers Of The Flower Moon
Poor Things
Priscilla

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Asteroid City
Barbie
Beau is Afraid
Oppenheimer
Poor Things

BEST FILM EDITING
Anatomy Of A Fall
John Wick: Chapter 4
Killers Of The Flower Moon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things

BEST SOUND
Killers Of The Flower Moon
Maestro
Oppenheimer
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
The Zone Of Interest

BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
Barbie
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Maestro
Oppenheimer
Poor Things

BEST ORIGINAL SONG
“I’m Just Ken” – Barbie
“What was I Made For” – Barbie
“Road To Freedom” – Rustin
“Peaches” – The Super Mario Bros. Movie
“Camp Isn’t Home” – Theater Camp

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
The Creator
Godzilla Minus One
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Oppenheimer
Poor Things

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
American Symphony
Beyond Utopia
Four Daughters
Still: A Michael J Fox Movie
20 Days in Mariupol

BEST ANIMATED FILM
The Boy And The Heron
Elemental
The Peasants
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

BEST DEBUT FEATURE
American Fiction
A Thousand And One
Past Lives
Rye Lane
Talk To Me

BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE
Abby Ryder Forston – Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
Dominic Sessa – The Holdovers
Charles Melton – May December
Cailee Spaney – Priscilla
Sophie Wilde – Talk To Me

BEST STUNT ENSEMBLE
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Extraction 2
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
John Wick: Chapter 4
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

BEST INDEPENDENT FILM
A Thousand And One
How To Have Sex
Passages
Past Lives
Skinamarink

BEST COMEDY
Barbie
Bottoms
Dream Scenario
The Holdovers
Poor Things

BEST HORROR FILM
Evil Dead Rise
Saw X
Scream VI
Skinamarink
Talk To Me

Oppenheimer Wins In Nevada (Again)


On the 23rd, the Nevada Film Critics Society announced their picks for the best of 2023!  Appropriately, given that he left the state with a glowing reputation, Oppenheimer was named Best Picture.

Here are the winners!

Best Film – Oppenheimer
Best Actor – Bradley Cooper (Maestro)
Best Actress – Emma Stone (Poor Things)
Best Supporting Actor – Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer)
Best Supporting Actress – Julianne Moore (May December)
Best Director – Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer)
Best Original Screenplay – The Holdovers (David Hemingson)
Best Adapted Screenplay – Oppenheimer (Christopher Nolan, Kai Bird & Martin Sherwin)
Best Documentary – 20 Days in Mariupol
Best Animated Movie – Robot Dreams
Best Production Design – Barbie (Sarah Greenwood)
Best Cinematography – Oppenheimer (Hoyt van Hoytema)
Best Visual Effects – The Creator

4 Shots From 4 Films: Special Michael Curtiz Edition


4 Shots From 4 Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films lets the visuals do the talking.

December 24th is not just Christmas Eve!  It’s also the anniversary of the birth of Michael Curtiz!  Michael Curtiz was born in Budapest in 1886 and, after getting his start making silent films in Hungary, he eventually came to the United States and became one of the most important directors of Hollywood’s Golden Age!  Curtiz mastered every genre and worked with every star and the end result was some of the greatest films ever made.

Today, we honor the legacy of Michael Curtiz with….

4 Shots From 4 Michael Curtiz Films

The Walking Dead (1936, dir by Michael Curtiz, DP: Hal Mohr)

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938, dir by Michael Curtiz, DP: W. Howard Greene)

Casablanca (1942, dir by Michael Curtiz, DP: Arthur Edeson)

Mildred Pierce (1945, dir by Michael Curtiz, DP: Ernest Haller)