I know it has been way too long since I posted, but here is my delayed list of the TOP TEN MOVIES of 2018:
1. THE FAVOURITE
2. COLD WAR (Poland)
3. If Beale Street Could Talk
4. The Rider
5. A Star Is Born
6. Roma (Mexico)
7. Can You Ever Forgive Me?
8. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
9. Leave No Trace
10. Eighth Grade
Honorable mention:
Black Panther
The Guardians (France)
At Eternity's Gate
Isle of Dogs
Saw & enjoyed:
Mary Poppins Returns
Becoming Astrid (Sweden)
1945 (Hungary)
Beast (UK)
Green Book
Saw & didn't enjoy!
BlackKklansman
First Reformed
Mary, Queen of Scots
The Seagull
Sicario 2: Day of the Soldado
Occasional reviews of hard to find foreign and indie films (with a dose of mainstream, too)
Monday, April 22, 2019
Saturday, February 02, 2019
OSCAR noms 2019: the (delayed) Outrage!
I know it has been over a week since the academy released its nominations, but since I hadn't seen many of the movies under consideration, I had a delayed reaction. But never fear, I am OUTRAGED!
1. Bradley Cooper got 'Afflecked.'
Remember 2012, when the movie of the year was ARGO, yet its director, Ben Affleck, got snubbed as Best Director? History repeats this year, as Cooper's A STAR IS BORN received 8 nominations, yet NOT one for Best Director. That snub virtually assures that STAR will not win Best Picture (unless it gets 'ARGO-ed', which won Best Picture despite the Director snub).
2. A First: Outrage in the BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT category!
Our friends in Great Britain are rightfully outraged that someone made a film about the notorious murder of a 2-year-old boy by two 10-year-old boys back in 1993. "Detainment" tells the story by using police interrogation transcripts of the two offenders. That such a dubious film would be nominated for an Oscar is an affront to everyone involved in this tragedy, no matter how many years have passed.
3. Individual SNUBS
Deserving Actors overlooked: Ethan Hawke (FIRST REFORMED) and Emily Blunt (MARY POPPINS RETURNS) were robbed!
Deserving Songs overlooked: IMHO, this category should only consist of songs from A STAR IS BORN and MARY POPPINS RETURNS (the songs were that good!)
Deserving DOCS overlooked:
How could the nominators NOT recognise the two most-talked about Docs this year:
WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? (about Mr. Rogers) and
THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS ??
4. I have renamed this spot The Honorary John Williams "Best Original Score' Outrage. Mr. Williams did not receive a nomination this year, but even if he had, I would reserve my outrage for what is the most-overrated film composer in the most over-praised movie this year: Terence Blanchard for BlackKKlansman. For a movie that repeatedly hits you over the head with its message, the soundtrack likewise incessantly drums into you how you are supposed to feel at every moment. That is what a good screenplay is supposed to do, but if you don't trust the dialogue or your own audience, drown both of them out with your self-important music! Check this space for a separate review of Spike Lee's latest joint.
OSCAR Want-Think List to follow soon!
1. Bradley Cooper got 'Afflecked.'
Remember 2012, when the movie of the year was ARGO, yet its director, Ben Affleck, got snubbed as Best Director? History repeats this year, as Cooper's A STAR IS BORN received 8 nominations, yet NOT one for Best Director. That snub virtually assures that STAR will not win Best Picture (unless it gets 'ARGO-ed', which won Best Picture despite the Director snub).
2. A First: Outrage in the BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT category!
Our friends in Great Britain are rightfully outraged that someone made a film about the notorious murder of a 2-year-old boy by two 10-year-old boys back in 1993. "Detainment" tells the story by using police interrogation transcripts of the two offenders. That such a dubious film would be nominated for an Oscar is an affront to everyone involved in this tragedy, no matter how many years have passed.
3. Individual SNUBS
Deserving Actors overlooked: Ethan Hawke (FIRST REFORMED) and Emily Blunt (MARY POPPINS RETURNS) were robbed!
Deserving Songs overlooked: IMHO, this category should only consist of songs from A STAR IS BORN and MARY POPPINS RETURNS (the songs were that good!)
Deserving DOCS overlooked:
How could the nominators NOT recognise the two most-talked about Docs this year:
WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? (about Mr. Rogers) and
THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS ??
4. I have renamed this spot The Honorary John Williams "Best Original Score' Outrage. Mr. Williams did not receive a nomination this year, but even if he had, I would reserve my outrage for what is the most-overrated film composer in the most over-praised movie this year: Terence Blanchard for BlackKKlansman. For a movie that repeatedly hits you over the head with its message, the soundtrack likewise incessantly drums into you how you are supposed to feel at every moment. That is what a good screenplay is supposed to do, but if you don't trust the dialogue or your own audience, drown both of them out with your self-important music! Check this space for a separate review of Spike Lee's latest joint.
OSCAR Want-Think List to follow soon!
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