Happy birthday, Clara Bow!
4 Shots From 4 Films
Dancing Mothers (1926, dir by Herbert Brenon)
It (1927, directed by Clarence Badger)
Wings (1927, dir by William Wellman)
The Wild Party (1929, dir by Dorothy Arzner)
With each passing month, the Oscar race becomes just a little bit clearer. We are still a few months away from the true Oscar season but a few contenders have emerged.
My predictions are below. Previously, my predictions were all based on wishful thinking and instinct. Well, there’s still a lot of wishful thinking to be found below but, at the same time, the festival season is providing a guide and there are some early reviews that have started to come in. I’ve never been a 100% correct in my predictions and I doubt this year is going to be any different. (For one thing, I always predict 10 best picture nominees, even though that’s close to being a mathematical impossibility under the current Academy rules.)
One final note: Some day, the Academy will get over their resistance to Netflix and streaming. I don’t think that’s going to happen this year, though. I kept that in mind while considering the chances of such heavily hyped (and, for that matter, less heavily hyped) contenders as Mudbound and The Meyerowitz Stories.
Anyway, here are my predictions for July! Be sure to check out my predictions for January, February, March, April, May, and June as well!
Best Picture
Call Me By Your Name
Darkest Hour
Detroit
The Disaster Artist
Dunkirk
The Florida Project
Goodbye Christopher Robin
The Greatest Showman
Wonderstruck
Best Director
Sean Baker for The Florida Project
Kathryn Bigelow for Detroit
Michael Gracey for The Greatest Showman
Christopher Nolan for Dunkirk
Joe Wright for Darkest Hour
Best Actor
Chadwick Boseman in Marshall
Willem DaFoe in The Florida Project
Hugh Jackman in The Greatest Showman
Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Donald Sutherland in The Leisure Seeker
Best Actress
Judi Dench in Victoria and Abdul
Kirsten Dunst in Woodshock
Frances McDormand in Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing Missouri
Emma Stone in Battle of the Sexes
Meryl Streep in The Papers
Best Supporting Actor
Steve Carell in Battle of the Sexes
James Franco in The Disaster Artist
Armie Hammer in Call Me By Your Name
Will Poulter in Detroit
Patrick Stewart in Logan
Best Supporting Actress
Penelope Cruz in Murder on the Orient Express
Holly Hunter in The Big Sick
Melissa Leo in The Novitiate
Julianne Moore in Wonderstuck
Margot Robbie in Goodbye Christopher Robin
George Romero has died, at the age of 77.
When I say “George Romero,” you probably immediately think of zombies. And why not? Night of the Living Dead is perhaps the best known zombie film ever made and Dawn of the Dead is perhaps the second best known. Day of the Dead and Land of the Dead both have their fervent admirers. Without the work of George Romero, there would be no Walking Dead. Without the zombie films of George Romero, countless children would have never grown up to become horror filmmakers. Without George Romero, there would have been no Italian zombie films, which means that I would never have fallen in love with Italian horror and I wouldn’t have been tweeting about it that day in 2010 when Arleigh asked me if I wanted to be a contributor to this website.
Though he had directed commercials and a few industrial films, 1968’s Night of the Living Dead was George Romero’s first feature film. His first! I cannot even imagine what it must feel like to totally change the face and history of cinema with your very first feature film. All modern horror films owe a debt not only to Night of the Living Dead but to all of Romero’s subsequent films as well.
Romero, himself, didn’t necessarily set out to be a horror film director. As he himself often said, the main reason that he and his associates made Night of the Living Dead was because they knew there was a market for cheap horror films. He followed up Night of the Living Dead with Touch of Vanilla, a hippie love story that few people saw. And while Romero eventually did accept that he would be forever known as a horror filmmaker, his films were always concerned with more than just scaring people. Whether intentional or not, Night of the Living Dead is a powerful allegory about prejudice and mankind’s inability to work together. (For all the zombies, the film’s scariest scene comes at the end when the African-American Ben is shot by a redneck deputy and casually tossed onto a pile of bodies.) The Dario Argento-produced Dawn of the Dead was a satire of consumerism while The Crazies suggested that people were already so crazy that it was hardly necessary for a chemical spill to bring out the worst in us. In Martin, Romero cast a weary eye on organized religion while Land of the Dead was perhaps Romero’s angriest film, taking on the state of post-911 America. With films like Creepshow and The Dark Half, Romero showed that he was one of the few directors who could successfully adapt the sometimes unwieldy prose of Stephen King to the screen. It’s a shame that his long-rumored adaptations of The Stand and The Dark Tower turned out to be just that, rumors.
Yes, George Romero was a great horror filmmaker but more than that, he was a great director period. He never sacrificed his independence, choosing to make some of his best-regarded movies in Philadelphia. He never compromised his message, offering up visions of the world that continued to grow bleaker and bleaker. Though he never received the awards that he deserved or, to be honest, the critical acclaim that he was owed, George Romero will be remembered as one of the most important American filmmakers of all time.
George Romero died, of lung cancer, surrounded by his loved ones. Reportedly, he died listening to The Quiet Man soundtrack.
Rest in peace, George.
Hi there!
Well, it’s time for me to make my monthly Oscar predictions! Though my predictions are no longer “too early,” they are still definitely early. Most of these predictions are based on a combination of wild speculation and wishful thinking.
For instance, do I really think that Wonder Woman will be an Oscar contender?
Well, I think it could be. I’d like it if it was. If really pressed, I’ll say that I think it has a better chance of being nominated than Logan does. And, as you’ll remember, I had Logan listed as a best picture nominee back in March.
I guess what I’m saying is that these predictions should always be taken with a grain of salt. To be honest, right now, the only precursor that we have is Cannes and Cannes is notoriously unreliable when it comes to being used as a tool to predict what will actually be nominated.
Anyway, these predictions will probably be good for a laugh or two next February. Be sure to check out my previous predictions for January, February, March, April, and May!
Best Picture
The Beguiled
Call Me By Your Name
Darkest Hour
Detroit
The Disaster Artist
Dunkirk
Goodbye, Christopher Robin
Best Director
Sofia Coppola for The Beguiled
Simon Curtis for Goodbye, Christopher Robin
Christopher Nolan for Dunkirk
Dee Rees for Mudbound
Joe Wright for Darkest Hour
Best Actor
Chadwick Boseman in Marshall
Hugh Jackman in The Greatest Showman
Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Robert Pattinson in Good Time
Joaquin Phoenix in You Were Never Really Here
Best Actress
Judi Dench in Victoria and Abdul
Kirsten Dunst in Woodshock
Gal Gadot in Wonder Woman
Carey Mulligan in Mudbound
Michelle Pfieffer in Where Is Kyra?
Best Supporting Actor
Steve Carell in Battle of the Sexes
James Franco in The Disaster Artist
Woody Harrelson in The Glass Castle
Jason Mitchell in Mudbound
Adam Sandler in The Meyerowitz Stories
Best Supporting Actress
Melissa Leo in Novitiate
Julianne Moore in Wonderstruck
Margot Robbie in Goodbye, Christopher Robin
Kristin Scott Thomas in Darkest Hour
Naomi Watts in The Glass Castle
“And out of the smoke locust came down upon the Earth and were given power like that of the scorpions. They were told to destroy the people that did not bear the mark of God. They had tails and stings like scorpions. Thy looked like horses prepared for battle with crowns of gold and wings that thundered like many chariots rushing into battle [SIC]. The people would suffer the agony for five months, and then in those days men will seek death, but death will elude them…….BUT DEATH WILL ELUDE THEM…” Revelations 9: 3-10
Now that I have set the stage for you, let’s get the technical stuff out of the way so we can get on to the movie itself.
Writer and Director: Milko Davis (Raiders of the Damned, Z/Rex)
Co-Director: Thomas Martwick (Mistress of Seduction)
Stars:
Ruselis Aumeen Perry (American Ninja Warrior) as Jay B
Stacey Pederson (Roses in December, Eat) as Sheriff Lindsey Feargo
Maria DeCoste as Chica/Sherica
Shale Le Page (We do monsters, The Attica) as Jessie
Production: Wild Eye Releasing (Jurassic Prey, Shark Exorcist
Preview:
This is gonna sting a little.
After a catastrophe strikes Los Angeles, survivors face an even greater threat, thousands of giant killer bees, ushering in the end of the world!
Writer/Director Milko Davis’s ferociously fun ode to golden age creature makes its digital debut June 13!
Review:
At this point I can not guarantee there will not be spoilers: Read ahead at your on caution!
Weighing heavily on a biblical apocalyptic theme, Milko (director) leads us into a world of turmoil and catastrophe. Starting in the Sambisa Forest of Nigeria leading all the way to post-modern Los Angeles and beyond.
For his first major movie, Milko has a way of challenging social, economic and diversity stereotypes that could well, in a way, define him as a director (and I mean that in a good way).
What did the killer bees bring to the movie? Honestly, not a lot. The CGI was bad, but not unexpected. The acting ways way over-done, but again not unexpected.
I really was surprised with Casandra’s role. Exceptional performance from Thea Saccoliti. She has the best line of the movie. [Jessie: “Did God say anything about me?”] [Casandra: “Nope, but my teddy bear will be ok!”]
If you are looking for a different kind of review:
This movie has ZomBees in it! Literally, I can’t make this up! ZomBees!
“The multidudes [SIC] who sleep in the dust of Earth will awake! Some to everlasting life, others to shame and disgrace.”
Tsunambee will BEE (Ok, forgive that one pun) available on VOD June 13th and for DVD later this summer.
If you want to watch the trailer for Tsunambee (and you do) It is right here!
Here’s what won at this year’s Cannes Film Festival! As always, the list is full of intrigue and surprises.
Also, as always, it’s debatable whether any of this will actually effect that Oscar race. To be honest, other than The Tree of Life, it’s hard to think of any recent Oscar nominee that was undeniably helped by a victory at Cannes. During the Festival, both Robert Pattinson and Adam Sandler (yes, Adam Sandler) started to receive some Oscar buzz but neither of them — nor their films, Good Time or The Meyerowitz Stories — were honored.
(As enjoyably weird as it would be for Adam Sandler to become an Oscar nominee, I imagine The Meyerowitz Stories will be ignored come Oscar time because it’s a Netflix film. If the Academy couldn’t even give one nomination to the previous Netflix contender — the powerful and important Beasts of No Nation — I doubt that they’re going to surrender their bias for a film starring Adam Sandler and Ben Stiller.)
That said, I am very, very happy to see that one of my favorite artists, Sofia Coppola, was honored! I can’t wait to see The Beguiled!
Here’s the winners:
2017 Main Competition winners:
Palme d’Or: The Square (Ruben Ostlund)
Gran Prix: “BPM (Beats Per Minute)” (Robin Campillo)
Jury Prize: “Loveless” (Andrey Zvyagintsev)
Best Director: Sofia Coppola — The Beguiled
Best Actor: Joaquin Phoenix — You Were Never Really Here
Best Actress: Diane Kruger — In The Fade
Best Screenplay: “The Killing of a Sacred Deer” (Yorgos Lanthimos, Efthimis Filippou) and “You Were Never Really Here” (Lynne Ramsay)
Camera d’Or: “Jeune femme” (Montparnasse-Bienvenüe) (Léonor Serraille)
Short Films Palme d’Or: “Xiao Cheng Er Yue” (Qiu Yang)
Short Films Special Mention: “Katto” (Teppo Airaksinen)
Golden Eye Documentary Prize: “Faces Places” (Visages Villages) (Agnès Varda, JR)
Ecumenical Jury Prize: “Radiance” (Naomi Kawase)
2017 Un Certain Regard winners:
Un Certain Regard Prize: Mohammad Rasoulof – A Man of Integrity
Best Actress: Jasmine Trinca – Fortunata
Best Poetic Narrative: Mathieu Amalric – Barbara
Best Direction: Taylor Sheridan – Wind River
Jury Prize: Michel Franco – April’s Daughter
2017 International Critics Week winners:
Nespresso Grand Prize: Emmanuel Gras – Makala
France 4 Visionary Award: Fellipe Gamarano Barbosa – Gabriel and the Mountain
Leica Cine Discovery Prize for Short Film: Laura Ferrés – Los Desheredados
Gan Foundation Support for Distribution Award: Fellipe Gamarano Barbosa – Gabriel and the Mountain
SACD Award: Léa Mysius – Ava
Canal+ Award: Aleksandra Terpińska – The Best Fireworks
2017 Director’s Fortnight winners:
Art Cinema Award: Chloé Zhao – The Rider
SACD Award: Claire Denis – Let the Sunshine In, Philippe Garrel – Lover for a Day
Europa Cinemas Label Award: Jonas Carpignano – A Ciambra
Illy Prize for Short Film: Benoit Grimalt – Back to Genoa City
Be sure to check out my predictions for April, March, February, and January!
Best Picture
Battles of the Sexes
Call Me By Your Name
Darkest Hour
The Disaster Artist
Downsizing
Dunkirk
Wonderstruck
Best Director
Luca Guadagnino for Call Me By Your Name
Alexander Payne for Downsizing
Dee Rees for Mudbound
Denis Villeneuve for Blade Runner 2049
Joe Wright for Darkest Hour
Best Actor
Chadwick Boseman in Marshall
Tom Cruise in American Made
Matt Damon in Downsizing
Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Miles Teller in Thank You For Your Service
Best Actress
Judi Dench in Victoria and Abdul
Kirsten Dunst in Woodshock
Brie Larson in The Glass Castle
Carey Mulligan in Mudbound
Emma Stone in Battle of the Sexes
Best Supporting Actor
Steve Carell in Battle of the Sexes
James Franco in The Disaster Artist
Armie Hammer in Call Me By Your Name
Woody Harrelson in The Glass Castle
Jason Mitchell in Mudbound
Best Supporting Actress
Holly Hunter in The Big Sick
Melissa Leo in Novitiate
Julianne Moore in Wonderstruck
Kristin Scott Thomas in Darkest Hour
Naomi Watts in The Glass Castle
Check out my previous predictions for March, February, and January!
Best Picture
Battles of the Sexes
Call Me By Your Name
Darkest Hour
Downsizing
Dunkirk
The Leisure Seeker
Wonderstruck
Best Director
James Mangold for Logan
Luca Guadagnino for Call Me By Your Name
Alexander Payne for Downsizing
Dee Rees for Mudbound
Joe Wright for Darkest Hour
Best Actor
Chadwick Boseman in Marshall
Tom Cruise in American Made
Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Miles Teller in Thank You For Your Service
Donald Sutherland in The Leisure Seeker
Best Actress
Judi Dench in Victoria and Abdul
Brie Larson in The Glass Castle
Helen Mirren in The Leisure Seeker
Carey Mulligan in Mudbound
Emma Stone in Battle of the Sexes
Best Supporting Actor
James Franco in The Masterpiece
Armie Hammer in Call Me By Your Name
Woody Harrelson in The Glass Castle
John Hurt in Darkest Hour
Patrick Stewart in Logan
Best Supporting Actress
Holly Hunter in The Big Sick
Melissa Leo in Novitiate
Julianne Moore in Wonderstruck
Kristin Scott Thomas in Darkest Hour
Naomi Watts in The Glass Castle
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 is all about letting the visuals do the talking.
I was going to use four other shots for today but then I was inspired by my sister’s pick for artwork of the day.
For those who might question my decision to highlight four grindhouse films on International Women’s Day, I kindly refer them to my essay, Too Sordid To Ever Be Corrupted.
4 Shots From 4 Films
Coffy (1973, dir by Jack Hill)
Thriller, A Cruel Picture a.k.a. They Call Her One Eye (1973, dir by Bo Arne Vibenius)
Cleopatra Jones (1973, dir by Jack Starrett)
Ms. 45 (1981, dir by Abel Ferrara)
It’s that time of month! Here are my Oscar predictions from March. As you can tell by comparing this month’s predictions to my predictions for January and February, I’ve learned a bit more about the films that will be coming out over the next few months and I’ve changed my mind on quite a few of the early contenders.
That said, at this time last year, no one had even heard of Moonlight. At this point, almost all of these predictions are the result of wishful thinking, random guesses, and gut instinct.
Best Picture
Battles of the Sexes
Call Me By Your Name
Darkest Hour
Downsizing
Dunkirk
The Leisure Seeker
Wonderstruck
I went back and forth on whether or not to include Logan in my predictions. On the one hand, I think it could be nominated. On the other hand, regardless of how acclaimed it may be, it is also a comic book movie that came out in March. In the end, since these predictions are mostly just for fun at this point, I decided to imagine a situation where — like Mad Max: Fury Road two years ago — the film’s box office carries it through the summer and it gets some needed support from the precursors in December.
(For the record, if I had decided not to include Logan, I would have replaced it with Blade Runner 2049.)
Best Director
James Mangold for Logan
Luca Guadagnino for Call Me By Your Name
Alexander Payne for Downsizing
Dee Rees for Mudbound
Joe Wright for Darkest Hour
If Logan were to get a best picture nomination, I imagine that James Mangold would get a nomination along with it.
Best Actor
Chadwick Boseman in Marshall
Tom Cruise in American Made
Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Miles Teller in Thank You For Your Service
Donald Sutherland in The Leisure Seeker
The two additions here are Teller and Sutherland. Teller seems destined to be nominated some day, assuming that he spends more time making films like Whiplash and less time on stuff like Fantastic Four. Despite a long and distinguished career, Sutherland has never been nominated. In The Leisure Seeker, he plays a man suffering from Alzheimer’s. It sounds like a role for which he could not only be nominated but for which he could also win.
Best Actress
Judi Dench in Victoria and Abdul
Brie Larson in The Glass Castle
Helen Mirren in The Leisure Seeker
Carey Mulligan in Mudbound
Emma Stone in Battle of the Sexes
The two new contenders here are Mirren and Larson. Mirren always has to be considered to be a contender and Larson’s upcoming film, The Glass Castle, sounds like pure Oscar bait.
Best Supporting Actor
James Franco in The Masterpiece
Armie Hammer in Call Me By Your Name
Woody Harrelson in The Glass Castle
John Hurt in Darkest Hour
Patrick Stewart in Logan
Yes, I’m still predicting that James Franco will be nominated for playing Tommy Wiseau. It may be wishful thinking on my part but so be it. Every year, Armie Hammer seems to be on the verge of being nominated for something. Harrelson is included as a part of The Glass Castle package. Stewart is overdue for a nomination. As for John Hurt, he was nominated but never won an Oscar during his lifetime. Darkest Hour could provide the Academy with a chance to honor the man’s distinguished career, in much the same way that The Dark Knight allowed them to honor Heath Ledger.
Best Supporting Actress
Holly Hunter in The Big Sick
Melissa Leo in Novitiate
Julianne Moore in Wonderstruck
Kristin Scott Thomas in Darkest Hour
Naomi Watts in The Glass Castle
I don’t know much about Moore’s role in Wonderstruck but the film is directed by Todd Haynes, a filmmaker who previously directed Moore in her finest performance in Safe.
Through the Shattered Lens 