My blogging has obviously become infrequent, so I'm posting here mostly for history's sake. The gap in time has also given me lots of time to reevaluate my choices!
Overall, tons of movies I really really liked, but few that will make my best of decade list.
My Top 10 of 2018
1. Leave No Trace
2. If Beale Street Could Talk
3. Roma
4. Private Life
5. Widows
6. First Reformed
7. Minding the Gap
8. The Favourite
9. Eighth Grade
10. Cold War
Runners-Up: Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Hereditary, Jane in 5 Acts, Paddington 2, Sorry to Bother You, A Star is Born, Shoplifters, Support the Girls, Tully, Wildlife
Matches with Oscar: Just 2 in my top 10 (Roma and The Favourite) and 1 in runners-up (A Star is Born)
Actress
Toni Colette, Hereditary
Olivia Colman, The Favourite
Kathryn Hahn, Private Life
Melissa McCarthy, Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Charlize Theron, Tully
Winner: Colman
Runner-Up: Colette
Actor
Bradley Cooper, A Star is Born
Ben Foster, Leave No Trace
Paul Giamatti, Private Life
Ethan Hawke, First Reformed
Stephen James, If Beale Street Could Talk
Winner: Foster
Runner-Up: Hawke
Supporting Actress
Kayli Carter, Private Life
Elizabeth Debicki, Widows
Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk
Rachel Weisz, The Favourite
Michelle Yeoh, Crazy Rich Asians
Winner: King
Runner-Up: Weisz
Supporting Actor
Hugh Grant, Paddington 2
Richard E. Grant, Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Michael B. Jordan, Black Panther
Alex Wolff, Hereditary
Steven Yuan, Burning
Winner: Richard E. Grant
Runner-Up: Hugh Grant
Sunday, December 22, 2019
Sunday, February 24, 2019
Best Picture? Ask your family!
Welcome to the 9th annual family Oscar blog. We’re a little lighter than usual this year, with full participation from my siblings Jason and Sarah and my brother-in-law Tyler, as well as some thoughts from my mother-in-law Barb, who didn’t make it to all the movies this year.
This year saw a fair bit of consensus, with all of us having the same 3 movies in our bottom 3. Our consensus Best Picture goes to...
Roma!
I’m crossing my fingers and hope the Academy agrees.
Here are our compiled rankings for those of us who saw all 8:
For the directing, acting, and screenplay winners, here is where our votes would go:
Director
Alfonso Cuaron, Roma: Ben, Sarah, Tyler
Spike Lee, BlacKkKlansman: Jason, Barb
Actress
Lady Gaga, A Star is Born: Jason, Barb
Yalitza Aparicio, Roma: Tyler
Glenn Close, The Wife: Sarah
Olivia Colman, The Favourite: Ben
Actor
Bradley Cooper, A Star is Born: Ben, Sarah, Tyler
Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody: Barb, Jason
Supporting Actress
Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk: Ben, Sarah, Barb
Amy Adams, Vice: Jason
Rachel Weisz, The Favourite: Tyler
Supporting Actor
Mahershala Ali, Green Book: Sarah, Tyler, Jason
Adam Driver, BlacKkKlansman: Barb
Richard E. Grant, Can You Ever Forgive Me?: Ben
Original Screenplay
First Reformed: Ben, Sarah, Tyler
The Favourite: Jason
Green Book: Barb
Adapted Screenplay
If Beale Street Could Talk: Ben, Sarah, Tyler
BlacKkKlansman: Jason
A Star is Born: Barb
Now to our individual thoughts:
Ben
2018 was a great year for movies. 2018 was not, alas, a great year for the Oscar Best Picture lineup. As opposed to last year, when many of my absolute favorites (Lady Bird, Phantom Thread, Get Out, Dunkirk, Call Me By Your Name) all received Best Picture nominations, this movie’s lineup includes one movie I love, a few I like quite a bit, and several I’m mixed-to-negative on.
If it were up to me, I’d keep Roma and replace the other 7 with this list:
-Eighth Grade
-First Reformed
-If Beale Street Could Talk
-Leave No Trace
-Minding the Gap
-Private Life
-Widows
But, that’s not how it worked, right? Here are my rankings of the movies the Academy did decide to nominate.
1. Roma
When describing his movie, director Alfonso Cuaron (one of my absolute favorite directors) said, “I wanted the camera to be like a ghost of the present visiting the past, objectively without getting involved, just observing, not trying to make judgment or commentary, that everything there would be the commentary itself.” In his highly personal tribute to his own nanny, Cuaron shows us Cleo, a woman whose days are filled with tasks, often mundane but occasionally momentous. Some have found this movie slow, but for me, its episodic and meditative structure builds to something incredible. Every image is a work of art, and I think this is a movie that will be remembered as a true classic.
2. The Favourite
Speaking of directors I love, here’s Greek provocateur Yorgos Lanthimos (Dogtooth, The Lobster) with a… costume drama? No worries, though. While this might have some Masterpiece Theater trappings, it’s filled with a wicked sense of humor, the wittiest dialogue of the year, three amazing performances, and a hauntingly provocative ending. It’s one I definitely want to watch again, and I have a hunch I’ll probably like it even more the second time. My one caveat is the cinematography. While I loved pieces of it, I found the fish-eye lenses distracting.
3. A Star is Born
What possessed Bradley Cooper to make his directorial debut the fourth version of a classic Hollywood story already told so many times? Who knows, but I’m glad he did, as my constant playing of the soundtrack can attest. The first 45 minutes or so of this movie, as Ally and Jackson meet, connect, and form a musical and romantic partnership, is perhaps the best first half of any movie this year. After that, things get a little bit more conventional and less gripping, but it’s still a highly entertaining and emotionally affecting movie. Lady Gaga is great, and Bradley Cooper is even better, burrowing into his role with incredible depth. I’m frankly flabbergasted he’s on a course to lose the Oscar to Rami Malek.
4. Black Panther
To be honest, superhero movies usually exhaust and disappoint me. But… Black Panther is really good! A good superhero movie needs psychological depth, and this movie has ideas and stakes behind everything. Micahel B. Jordan’s Killmonger is no cardboard villain, but a character with real emotions and motivations. This movie is also a thrilling showcase of Black Excellence in every sense of the word, from the acting to the costumes (Oscar for Ruth E. Carter please!) to the direction by Ryan Coogler. The only reason it’s not a bit higher is it still falls into certain tropes (namely an overly long final action sequence), that often keep me from 100% love of superhero movies.
5. BlacKkKlansman
While by no means my least favorite movie in the lineup, this was probably my biggest disappointment of this year’s nominees. I’m a pretty big Spike Lee fan, and I was hoping for a major comeback and triumph for him. Many have found this movie to be just that but honestly, I felt this movie was a bit of a mess. The story is fascinating, and the actors are quite strong, but the movie seems to constantly be switching between tones, from jokiness to tragedy to didacticism. Even the ending using real-life footage, while undeniably powerful, strikes me as a bit of a cheat and an easy way to score emotional points. That said, there are several moments that show what Spike is capable of when he's firing on all cylinders, especially the Kwame Ture speech showcasing the faces of the African-American college students. To be fair, I also watched this when I was a bit tired, so I may owe it another shot.
6. Green Book
I watched this movie on a couch during the afternoon of a snow day, which was probably the right way to see it. It feels a lot like a movie from 30 years ago, both in its inoffensive style and its pat racial politics. It was mostly entertaining and pleasant enough to watch, but not a movie I’ll ever come back to. The script is very broad and surface-level, as is Viggo Mortensen’s performance as Tony Lip. Mahershala Ali’s performance belongs in a better movie, as he is able to bring depth and unspoken backstory to his performance as pianist Don Shirley. It’s also the kind of movie where, when you read the true story afterward, you’re a little annoyed at many of the historical inaccuracies made in order to make its point about simple friendship overcoming systemic racism.
7. Vice
I really liked director Adam McKay’s 2013 movie The Big Short because it used an irreverent, breezy style to illuminate the financial crisis, something I definitely needed to understand better. I learned a lot, but I was also entertained. Vice uses a very similar style, but to look at the life of Dick Cheney. Why did I respond so differently then? I think because this movie relies mostly on conjecture, and McKay seems to be throwing everything at the wall to prove why Dick Cheney is the source of our country’s downfall. I have no problem throwing dirt at Cheney the war criminal, but this movie didn’t illuminate anything new about him to me, and also didn’t have a clear take on WHY he took the actions he did. That said, I think Christian Bale is a great actor does the very best he can with what he’s given, and there are a few genuine laughs in the movie.
8. Bohemian Rhapsody
Is this a mediocre VH1 Behind the Music special, or a Best Picture nominee? OK, I'll admit I also enjoyed the moments of hearing Queen’s music, especially the last 15 minutes with the Live Aid concert, but everything else about this movie ranges from mediocre (Rami Malek’s SNL-level impersonation relying mostly on the teeth) to pretty awful (the script which conforms to every biopic stereotype, the incoherent editing). I know this was a megahit, and people really like Queen, but this literally might be one of the worst Best Picture nominees of all time.
Director: Alfonso Cuaron, Roma
Actor: Bradley Cooper, A Star is Born (By a mile!)
Actress: Olivia Colman, The Favourite
Supporting Actor: Richard E. Grant, Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Supporting Actress: Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk
Original Screenplay: First Reformed
Adapted Screenplay: If Beale Street Could Talk
Jason
This year is the toughest year that I can remember to put together my rankings. I've got a clear number one, four films that I loved that I could easily swap around and a bottom three.
1. BlacKkKlansman
Spike Lee nailed the tone, the pacing and spot on casting for my favorite film of the year. This movie is so much fun and I'm definitely checking it out again. I loved how current events got tied into the very ending of the film.
2. The Favourite
Unbelievable performances and one of sharpest written movies I've ever seen made watching this film a blast. I didn't know anything about this historical story and was pleasantly surprised to find out that much of what is portrayed in the film is accurate.
3. A Star Is Born
I've admittedly never seen any other version of this movie, so I didn't know what to expect. I really enjoyed the film and thought Gaga and Cooper gave performances of a lifetime. It's a bummer that Cooper wasn't recognized for directing, the concerts scenes are stunning.
4. Roma
A beautiful story that is obviously very personal to the director. Between the performances, the tight script and complete feeling of realism, I very much appreciate this film. My bet is that it wins Best Picture and would be well deserved if it does.
5. Black Panther
Black Panther was awesome, my second favorite superhero movie after the gold standard, "The Dark Knight". The action pieces were amazing, the acting was spot on (Killmonger!) and the underlying social messages hit the mark. I haven't seen this one since it came out last year in the theater and I'm excited to catch it again.
6. Green Book
I had a good time watching this movie and it certainly has a good message. I didn't know anything about Dr. Shirley and I liked getting to learn about who he was. The movie felt pretty contrived at times and a bit to "feel-good" for me.
7. Vice
Bale, Adams and Rockwell were spectacular and I'm glad the academy gave them their dues with the respective nominations. This movie was well done but had quite a few editing choices that I felt didn't work well. I'm also ranking Vice here because I can't say that I "enjoyed" watching this film because of the subject matter.
8. Bohemian Rhapsody
I love Queen and Malek's performance is legendary. Other than that, Bohemian Rhapsody was filled with cliches, oversimplified plot devices and in my opinion, just not a very well done movie.
Director: Spike Lee
Actor: Rami Malek
Supporting Actor: Mahershala Ali
Actress: Lady Gaga (I didn't see The Wife, so I can't comment on the defacto favorite performance in this category)
Supporting Actress: Amy Adams
Adapted Screenplay: BlackKkKlansman
Original Screenplay: The Favourite
Sarah
1. Roma
All the other films nominated this year fell a little short for me, except for Roma which is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time. At times, it reminded me of one of my very favorites, ‘Boyhood” in its quiet portrayals of day to day moments and how they make up a life, and then it took that concept to another level by intersplicing those moments seamlessly with larger societal movements and moments without losing the intimacy of how it really feels to live through them. Subtle, beautiful performances and breathtaking cinematography made this a clear number one for me.
2. A Star is Born
I’m all about the modern revival of the Hollywood musical- more of this please! Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper both gave amazing performances. I also really loved Sam Elliot’s quiet, stoic performance as Bobby. The movie felt very realistic in its portrayal of the devastation of addiction and suicide.. I did feel the first half of the movie was much stronger than the second which fell a bit more into cliches, and I really did not like Ally’s final song which was a shame to be so dentist office-y after so many other beautiful numbers.
3. Black Panther
Comic book movies aren’t usually my favorites as I find them a little long and too many action scenes without enough character development, but Black Panther is up there for me, along with Spiderman as one of the best. The core conflict and Killmonger’s motivations for his actions lead to a lot of thought-provoking questions about the history of Africans and African Americans and don’t offer simple answers.
Also- how breathtaking were those costumes and cinematography during the fight scenes at the waterfall?
4. Black KkKlansman
What I liked: Spike Lee did a great job at keeping this movie moving, and maintaining dramatic tension spliced with humor. I still cannot get over the fact that this was a true story! The performances were solid (Topher Grace especially was an eerily convincing David Duke!). What I didn’t: I was expecting (especially from Spike Lee) a more complex portrayal of institutional racism (such as within the police department)- I think that most people who would be watching this movie (I think we all know Trump and Richard Spencer didn’t line up for opening night!) already get that that the KKK is bad, and I think there was a missed opportunity to go a little deeper and look at more insidious forms of racism. Also, I would’ve liked to know more about Ron’s motivations as a character.
5. The Favourite
On an objective level, the Favourite was a real achievement- the acting was excellent, the pacing and absurdist humor creative, and the editing sharp and new. For some reason though, I just didn’t like the Favourite as much as Lanthimos’ “The Lobster” and I haven’t quite been able to put my finger on why. I think part of it has to do with all the characters being so unlikeable, which isn’t always something that bothers me but left me feeling a little cold and kept it from being higher on my list.
6. Green Book
I ended up liking Green Book more than I thought I would- I wasn’t looking forward to seeing it, but was pleasantly surprised. Performances by Mortenson and Ali were strong and I appreciated this portrayal of how proximity and relationship building can lead to changes in behaviors and prejudices. From rom everything I’ve read, Tony’s changes in character really did change after his time with Shirley. The controversy surrounding the accuracy of the movie is complicated and problematic and that keeps it from being higher on my list. There were also some scenes that really watered it down, like the scene where Tony is driving through the snow and gets pulled over by the police officer with the fear they will be profiled again, and then, surprise- its a nice cop in the north who is just there to help!
7. Vice
Well, I can’t say it was boring, but I don’t think Vice was a very good movie. I thought the pacing was overall pretty good and Christian Bale gave a strong performance, but there were too many things I didn’t like about it to put it higher on my list. Maybe I’m more of a stickler than most, but one of the first things I do when I see a true story is check out “History vs. Hollywood” to see how it holds up. I understand the ambition of the project and the disclaimer in the beginning of the film that a lot of the truth surrounding the Cheneys is shrouded in secrecy and lies, so the filmmakers claimed they did the best they could. That being said, I was really frustrated by allegations in the film that had no basis in fact. There are enough terrible things about Dick Cheney that would make good cinema without making things up (for example- no evidence that Lynn’s mom was murdered, Cheney’s role in the Fairness doctrine was overblown, etc)
In this era of fake news (I understand it's not claiming to be “news” but it's still a narrative) and polarization, I am afraid that just adds fuel to the fire. Also, I was really annoyed at how pretty much every female in the movie, whether a major character or an extra (with the exception of Mary Cheney), was portrayed as either evil or vapid and clueless.
8. Bohemian Rhapsody
So, the musical performances (in particular the Live Aid concert) and costumes were fun, but I’m really scratching my head that not only was it nominated for best picture but did so well at the Golden Globes. The script and editing were disorganized and there were a lot of really cheesy scenes.
Actor: Bradley Cooper, A Star is Born
Actress: Glenn Close, The Wife
Director: Alejandro Cuaron, Roma
Supporting actress: Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk
Supporting actor: Mahershela Ali, Green Book
Adapted screenplay: If Beale Street Could Talk
Original screenplay: First Reformed (side note, I’m really sad this movie didn’t get more recognition in other categories, especially actor!)
Tyler
1. Roma
Cuaron is retelling a very personal origin story. Like another memoir film on this list, the creator is only a child barely present in the story, which instead focuses on the people who raised him. In this case that includes his family, but is most importantly the nanny, who Roma is centered around. Like another memoir film on this list, individual lives intersect in expected and unexpected ways with a turbulent world. Cuaron’s approach doesn’t pretend to have easy answers to questions of race, class, politics, and belonging, but seeks exploration and honesty. This film is visually and thematically full of beauty and ugliness in a way that few films seem to achieve. This film does one particular thing in a way I’ve never seen before- most of the film is incredibly subtle; the “action” is often completely mundane and banal but the subtext is engrossing, which put me into a certain frame of mind, focusing on the little details much like we focus on the little details of our own lives. The story of this woman and this family don’t exist in a bubble however, and there a few amazing moments in this film where that subtlety is punctured by big events of the outside world. Combined they create a beautiful and truthful, though not simple, story.
2. Black Panther
I’ve seen and enjoy most of the Marvel movies. The humor is silly, the action scenes are formulaic, but at their best these movies attempt to be the popular morality tales for our time. Black Panther squarely fits in there but is propelled head and shoulders above the rest by substance and style. The style part is obvious; the combination of American hip-hop with African roots and Afrofuturism already puts this movie above the more bland worlds of many superheroes. Most of these films are about good vs. evil, but at its heart this is a tale of differing opinions, about means not ends. Spiderman may own the tagline “with great power comes great responsibility”, but this movie takes that theme to a new level. This isn’t about putting on a mask to stop muggers in an alley, this is about how to deal with inequality and oppression in a globalized world. What does someone with privilege owe the rest of the world? And to who does one owe it? Wakanda is full of distinct brightly-colored tribes, but the question of “who is your tribe” is central. Killmonger is the greatest MCU villain because he is barely a villain, and this very realistic and balanced difference of opinions is incredibly compelling and offers no easy answers.
3. A Star Is Born
The first half of this film is a really well done love story- the actors chemistry just works and the career storylines don’t get in the way. If the love story part of this move didn’t work, then the tragic downfall part would certainly not work either. There were a lot of films over the past few years exploring the concept of being in love with one’s “creation” (Her, Phantom Thread, mother!, etc) and what it means when that creation has autonomy and changes in ways you didn’t except, and I think this is a wonderful addition to the genre. There are a number of ways to understand exactly what Cooper is in love with, GaGa herself or the GaGa he can create and control, and however you feel about their relationship greatly colors in the end how you feel about the love story section of the film. That kind of ambiguity is an amazing achievement for a film that seems so straightforward on the surface.
4. The Favourite
While many of the characters in this story are powerful and worldly people involved in affairs of international impact, the royal court feels like an incredibly small, isolated, and insular world. Everything from the fisheye surveillance shots to the way they show the passing of time added to this sense that the royal court was really a beautiful prison (although I don’t know how common trap shooting is during yard time in most prisons). The film uses this small world like a pressure cooker to examine the wackiest and most mundane of power dynamics. I never did know exactly how to feel about the relationship between the queen and Rachel Weiz, and as a result never know exactly how to feel about the plot. I think that’s exactly where this film wants me to land.
5. BlacKkKlansman
In a lot of ways, this movie’s racial politics weren’t all that different from Green Book. In the Trump era, old fashioned blunt prideful racism has made a resurgence. The thing is, it’s not revolutionary, subversive, or even interesting to point out that the Klan then is still around in much the same way, just with their man in charge. The “let’s remember what real racists look like” theme gets old fast. What I found most interesting in this one is that the two characters at the center are both navigating two identities, which land on spectrums of privilege in different places. While “White Ron Stallworth” (Adam Driver) can generally pass as White, his heritage wouldn’t be considered acceptable to the institutions he has to infiltrate, and he denies Ron’s prodding into any personal connection to the case as a member of one of the hated groups. The real Ron is living in two worlds as well, one as a Black man becoming introduced to a world of activism he had previously avoided, and his world as a police officer where he is (begrudgingly) accepted as security for David Duke himself. The movie was a fun watch, although the plot holes covered up with zany coincidences were a little too much for a semi-comedy that otherwise tries to achieve a balance of realism.
6. Green Book
As a memoir piece, a son recreating a personal story of his mother’s that was told to him as family legend, this movie works pretty well. The story is told through a long series of distinct little vignettes, each a little too perfect and clean but each signifying something meaningful. Don Shirly being introduced to fried chicken, Don Shirly being introduced to the radio, and the variety of scenarios contrived to let us see exactly one of each particular type of racist one might encounter in this country. This feels like someone recreating a narrative from a jumble of anecdotes told to them over time, and watching it in that lense, not that this is a recreation of history but a recreation of a memory, it works pretty. Not all art has to follow the same rules, and what is acceptable in a memoir about your parents can become a problem when characterizing other real people, and especially when commenting on racial history. Those oversimplified anecdotes about Blackness, racism, and class become problematic when they create a fiction about how clean and simple these issues are, and how easy redemption and change can come. The part I did really like about this movie was the ample opportunities for both characters to navigate their positions on spectrums of privilege.
7. Bohemian Rhapsody
The end result made more sense to me when I found out that the surviving members of Queen had final approval on the film for the legal requirements to license the music. This bargain plays out clearly in what ended up on the screen- the music-related parts were the highlight and the Freddy personal story was the drag, told through cliches and boring melodrama, which from my understanding is very antithetical to the real person. The ending was riveting as a musical experience, in fact all the music scenes were entertaining. The scenes with the record label execs were fun, relying heavily on dramatic irony (Mike Myers saying no teenagers would ever head bang to their opera song). This is only funny if you are aware of fandom around Queen, and I think the film as a whole works on this level. It has been wildly successful because it is made for fans. This film is a lot like Queen the band in that way; critics be damned, this is about fun, belonging, catharsis, and rocking out.
8. Vice
I didn’t know going into this if the focus would be retelling recent history (like The Big Short) or a semi-historical character study about an individual rising to power (like Citizen Kane or The Social Network), and I think the biggest problem was the filmmakers didn’t either.
Filled with some great moments, it never really came together. For a movie about a man who deceived the public into a massive war in order to line his pockets and those of his friends, who knowingly put an undercover agent’s life in danger to settle a personal score,
the biggest condemnation this movie could muster was that he was just a yes man obsessed with being near power. A movie like this either needs either retell an objective history (it didn’t), explore this man as an archetype of humanity (it didn’t), or at least present a clear thesis. Instead we got a muddled movie with no real point. The film ends with a monologue that essentially boils down to, “I did it all because someone had to, you needed me to, and I did it.” I think this was a lazy attempt to try to turn the criticism away from Cheney and the apparatuses that allow people like him to get away with it, and instead put the onus on us, the viewer, that we are both responsible for, and should be grateful for, humble civil servants like Cheney. I think that could be an interesting idea, but in no way was that explored in the preceding two hours. This tacked on redirection of liability fails miserably and leaves the entire film even more hollow.
Director: Alfonso Cuaron, Roma
Actor: Bradley Cooper, A Star is Born
Actress: Yalitza Aparicio, Roma
Supporting Actor: Mahershla Ali, Green Book
Supporting Actress: Rachel Weisz, The Favourite
Original Screenplay: First Reformed
Adapted Screenplay: If Beale Street Could Talk
Barb
For a variety of reasons, I did not see all the nominated movies this year. I would, however, like to weigh in on the movies I did see. What struck me about this year’s nominees is there is no La La Land. This year’s nominees involve deception, addiction, betrayal, racism, homophobia, AIDS, suicide etc. Like I said, no La La Land.
1. A Star is Born
Fading musician mentor’s unknown who rises to stardom while fading musician falls deeper and deeper into depression and substance abuse. Sound familiar? I loved this movie! I thought GaGa gave a remarkable performance in her first acting role. And who knew Bradley Cooper could sing? I have to admit, I liked Ally (GaGa) much more in the first half of the movie before she was all tarted up. Loved the music and hope Shallow wins best original song.
2. BlacKkKlansman
Based on the true story of Ron Stallworth, a Black police officer who infiltrated the
Ku Klux Klan in the early 70’s. Spike Lee does a flawless job tying the past to the present. Footage used in the movie, especially that of Charlottesville, is particularly powerful. John David Washington gave a brilliant performance as Stallworth, as did Adam Driver as his somewhat reluctant partner. At times so tense and frightening, Washington’s frequent over-the-top scenes provided some much needed comic relief.
3. Bohemian Rhapsody
Unknown musician rises to rock stardom, crashes and burns, gets a second chance, rises to stardom and then dies. Sound familiar? A pretty predictable story. I think I liked this movie so much because it conjured up such fond memories of ‘80’s music. I remember the Live Aid Concert vividly. Rami Malek was a very believable Freddie Mercury. I loved the music, especially the performance at Live Aid. I actually rewound and watched the last 20 minutes a second time.
4. Green Book
I’m embarrassed to say, I didn’t know what a ‘Green Book’ was. I have since learned that it is a segregation guide book for African American motorists that alerted them to where they could eat, sleep etc. in the South.
Green Book is based on the true story of Dr. Don Shirley and his unlikely friendship with Tony ‘Lip’ Vallelonga. Dr. Shirley, a highly educated, classically trained African American pianist is about to begin a concert tour in the Deep South in 1962. Due to a rash of violence against African Americans, Dr. Shirley hires Tony Lip, a brash Italian American ex-bouncer to be his driver and protecter. I liked how their long journey unfolded. Forced to band together while facing danger and racism in the South, we see their mutual respect and friendship slowly develop. Outstanding performances by both Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali.
ACTOR: Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody
SUPPORTING ACTOR: Adam Driver, Blackkklansman
ACTRESS: Lady Gaga, A Star is Born
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk
DIRECTOR: Spike Lee, Blackkklansman
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Green Book
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: A Star is Born
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Oscar Winner Predictions
For anyone filling out Oscar pools, here are my picks for what will, could, and should win.
If you don’t feel like reading through the whole thing, I’m predicting the multiple winners will be:
-Roma with 4 (Picture, Director, Cinematography, Foreign)
-Bohemian Rhapsody with 2 (Actor and Sound Mixing)
-If Beale Street Could Talk with 2 (Supporting Actress and Original Score)
-The Favourite with 2 (Original Screenplay and Production Design)
-Black Panther with 2 (Costume Design and Sound Editing)
-Vice with 2 (Makeup and Film Editing)
Best Picture:
“Black Panther”
“BlacKkKlansman”
“Bohemian Rhapsody”
“The Favourite”
“Green Book”
“Roma”
“A Star Is Born”
“Vice”
Will Win: Roma
Could Win: Green Book
Should Win: Roma
On paper, none of these movies really seem to be primed for the win. Let’s go down the list, in my order of most to least likely (although it’s really hard to figure out this year)
Roma
Pros: Critical hit of the year, won most of the critics’ groups, Broadcast Film Critics award, and got a ton of nominations (10).
Con: Can it become the only foreign language film to ever win? AND the first Netflix film ever? On paper, it seems unlikely. Will some Oscar voters find it “too slow” or “too arty”?
Green Book
Pros: Won the Golden Globe and the Producers Guild award, a pleasant movie that most viewers will probably enjoy.
Cons: Like 3 Billboards last year, it has faced some tough criticism due to its racial politics. Also, no Best Director nomination.
Black Panther
Pros: Won the SAG ensemble award, humongous hit that everyone either likes or loves, which could help in a year of divisive movies.
Cons: No Best Director nomination, and I question whether the Academy will give a win to a superhero movie.
Bohemian Rhapsody
Pros: Huge hit, for some reason many people seem to love it, Rami Malek will probably win.
Cons: Not critically praised, surely some Academy members are putting this one on the bottom.
BlackKklansman:
Pros: Topical, has gotten lots of precursor support, many people would like to see Spike Lee triumph.
Cons: Always nominated, but hasn’t really won anything important in the precursor races.
A Star is Born
Pros: Seemed like an early frontrunner that everyone liked.
Cons: Also seems like it’s run out of steam. Cooper missing Best Director was a sign.
The Favourite
Pros: Tied for most nominations, a movie many love.
Cons: Too British or too weird for the Academy? Probably has a few haters that will keep it from the win.
Vice
Pros: Lots of nominations, including Best Director.
Cons: The one movie I honestly can’t even imagine winning. Does anyone really LOVE it?
Lead Actress:
Yalitza Aparicio, “Roma”
Glenn Close, “The Wife”
Olivia Colman, “The Favourite”
Lady Gaga, “A Star Is Born”
Melissa McCarthy, “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”
Will Win: Close
Could Win: Colman
Should Win: Colman
A great category this year. Glenn Close is actually my least favorite performance of the five, but I won’t mind seeing her finally win on her 7th nomination.
Lead Actor:
Christian Bale, “Vice”
Bradley Cooper, “A Star Is Born”
Willem Dafoe, “At Eternity’s Gate”
Rami Malek, “Bohemian Rhapsody”
Viggo Mortensen, “Green Book”
Will Win: Malek
Could Win: Bale
Should Win: Cooper
Unlike the lead actresses, this is such a lackluster category this year. I’m so sick of actors playing real people always winning. Cooper is clearly the MVP of the nominees.
Supporting Actress:
Amy Adams, “Vice”
Marina de Tavira, “Roma”
Regina King, “If Beale Street Could Talk”
Emma Stone, “The Favourite”
Rachel Weisz, “The Favourite”
Will Win: King
Could Win: Weisz
Should Win: King
Another really strong category. This seems like a genuine race between King and Weisz, who are both amazing.
Supporting Actor:
Mahershala Ali, “Green Book”
Adam Driver, “BlacKkKlansman”
Sam Elliott, “A Star Is Born”
Richard E. Grant, “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”
Sam Rockwell, “Vice”
Will Win: Ali
Could Win: Grant
Should Win: Grant
It seems locked up, although I would LOVE to see Grant win.
Director:
Spike Lee, “BlacKkKlansman”
Pawel Pawlikowski, “Cold War”
Yorgos Lanthimos, “The Favourite”
Alfonso Cuarón, “Roma”
Adam McKay, “Vice”
Will Win: Cuaron
Could Win: Lee
Should Win: Cuaron
Anyone besides Cuaron winning would be a huge shock.
Adapted Screenplay:
“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs,” Joel Coen , Ethan Coen
“BlacKkKlansman,” Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, Kevin Willmott, Spike Lee
“Can You Ever Forgive Me?,” Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty
“If Beale Street Could Talk,” Barry Jenkins
“A Star Is Born,” Eric Roth, Bradley Cooper, Will Fetters
Will Win: BlacKkKlansman
Could Win: Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Should Win: If Beale Street Could Talk
This feels like a 3-way race between Klansman, Beal Street, and Can You Ever… My guess is they take the opportunity to award Klansman and Spike Lee here.
Original Screenplay:
“The Favourite,” Deborah Davis, Tony McNamara
“First Reformed,” Paul Schrader
“Green Book,” Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly
“Roma,” Alfonso Cuarón
“Vice,” Adam McKay
Will Win: The Favourite
Could Win: Green Book
Should Win: First Reformed
Although Green Book won the Golden Globe, The Favourite’s witty dialogue feels like a classic Original Screenplay winner.
Cinematography:
“Cold War,” Lukasz Zal
“The Favourite,” Robbie Ryan
“Never Look Away,” Caleb Deschanel
“Roma,” Alfonso Cuarón
“A Star Is Born,” Matthew Libatique
Will Win: Roma
Could Win: Cold War
Should Win: Cold War
Film Editing:
“BlacKkKlansman,” Barry Alexander Brown
“Bohemian Rhapsody,” John Ottman
“Green Book,” Patrick J. Don Vito
“The Favourite,” Yorgos Mavropsaridis
“Vice,” Hank Corwin
Will Win: Vice
Could Win: Bohemian Rhapsody
Should Win: The Favourite
I actually have no idea who is winning this… although they often go for “Most Editing,” which gives Vice an advantage.
Production Design:
“Black Panther,” Hannah Beachler
“First Man,” Nathan Crowley, Kathy Lucas
“The Favourite,” Fiona Crombie, Alice Felton
“Mary Poppins Returns,” John Myhre, Gordon Sim
“Roma,” Eugenio Caballero, Bárbara Enrı́quez
Will Win: The Favourite
Could Win: Black Panther
Should Win: Roma
Costume Design:
“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs,” Mary Zophres
“Black Panther,” Ruth E. Carter
“The Favourite,” Sandy Powell
“Mary Poppins Returns,” Sandy Powell
“Mary Queen of Scots,” Alexandra Byrne
Will Win: Black Panther
Could Win: The Favourite
Should Win: Black Panther
Both Costumes and Production design feel like VERY close races between The Favourite and Black Panther, so I’m predicting a split.
Original Score:
“BlacKkKlansman,” Terence Blanchard
“Black Panther,” Ludwig Goransson
“If Beale Street Could Talk,” Nicholas Britell
“Isle of Dogs,” Alexandre Desplat
“Mary Poppins Returns,” Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman
Will Win: If Beale Street Could Talk
Could Win: BlacKkKlansman
Should Win: If Beale Street Could Talk
Beale Street is one of the best scores ever. If it loses, I’ll be very upset.
Original Song:
“All The Stars” from “Black Panther” by Kendrick Lamar, SZA
“I’ll Fight” from “RBG” by Diane Warren, Jennifer Hudson
“The Place Where Lost Things Go” from “Mary Poppins Returns” by Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman
“Shallow” from “A Star Is Born” by Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando, Andrew Wyatt and Benjamin Rice
“When A Cowboy Trades His Spurs For Wings” from “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” by David Rawlings and Gillian Welch
Will Win: In the sha-low, the sha-la-low….
Could Win: “All the Stars” (but….nope)
Should Win: “Shallow” (although props to my all-time faves Dave and Gillian for getting nominated for their lovely song from Buster Scruggs)
Biggest lock of the night.
Makeup and Hair:
“Border”
“Mary Queen of Scots”
“Vice”
Will Win: Vice
Could Win: Mary Queen of Scots
Visual Effects:
“Avengers: Infinity War”
“Christopher Robin”
“First Man”
“Ready Player One”
“Solo: A Star Wars Story”
Will Win: First Man
Could Win: Avengers: Infinity War
While Avengers: Infinity War might seem like an effects winner, the Oscar often goes a little more highbrow.
Animated Feature:
“Incredibles 2,” Brad Bird
“Isle of Dogs,” Wes Anderson
“Mirai,” Mamoru Hosoda
“Ralph Breaks the Internet,” Rich Moore, Phil Johnston
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman
Will Win: Spider-Man
Could Win: Incredibles 2
Animated Short:
“Animal Behaviour,” Alison Snowden, David Fine
“Bao,” Domee Shi
“Late Afternoon,” Louise Bagnall
“One Small Step,” Andrew Chesworth, Bobby Pontillas
“Weekends,” Trevor Jimenez
Will Win: Bao
Could Win: Weekends
Best Documentary Feature:
“Free Solo,” Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
“Hale County This Morning, This Evening,” RaMell Ross
“Minding the Gap,” Bing Liu
“Of Fathers and Sons,” Talal Derki
“RBG,” Betsy West, Julie Cohen
Will Win: Free Solo
Could Win: RBG
Should Win: Minding the Gap
While I don’t think it will win, Minding the Gap is AMAZING. Check it out if you haven’t.
Best Documentary Short Subject:
“Black Sheep,” Ed Perkins
“End Game,” Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman
“Lifeboat,” Skye Fitzgerald
“A Night at the Garden,” Marshall Curry
“Period. End of Sentence.,” Rayka Zehtabchi
Will Win: Period. End of Sentence
Could Win: Black Sheep
Best Live Action Short Film:
“Detainment,” Vincent Lambe
“Fauve,” Jeremy Comte
“Marguerite,” Marianne Farley
“Mother,” Rodrigo Sorogoyen
“Skin,” Guy Nattiv
Will Win: Marguerite
Could Win: Skin
Best Foreign Language Film:
“Capernaum” (Lebanon)
“Cold War” (Poland)
“Never Look Away” (Germany)
“Roma” (Mexico)
“Shoplifters” (Japan)
Will Win: Roma
Could Win: Cold War
Sound Editing:
“Black Panther,” Benjamin A. Burtt, Steve Boeddeker
“Bohemian Rhapsody,” John Warhurst
“First Man,” Ai-Ling Lee, Mildred Iatrou Morgan
“A Quiet Place,” Ethan Van der Ryn, Erik Aadahl
“Roma,” Sergio Diaz, Skip Lievsay
Will Win: Black Panther
Could Win: A Quiet Place
Should Win: First Man
Sound Mixing:
“Black Panther”
“Bohemian Rhapsody”
“First Man”
“Roma”
“A Star Is Born”
Will Win: Bohemian Rhapsody
Could Win: A Star is Born
Should Win: Roma
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)