Outside of 2020 being known as the year of the pandemic, it could also go down as the year events finally embraced the virtual. Virtual film festivals and conventions have existed prior to our current global health crisis, but this new normal marks the first time major events like San Diego Comic-Con have moved the physical experience of being in the room where it happens to the online sphere.
Comic-Con 2020 At Home was a gamble, and it’s one that had to come together quickly. The resulting event this week should receive some credit for existing at all — it would have been far easier to postpone or cancel the entire convention. But what transpired over the past few days can serve as a lesson to other organizations facing similar real-world restrictions. A key takeaway: Putting pre-recorded panels online and closing off the comment section on YouTube does not equal true interactivity...
Comic-Con 2020 At Home was a gamble, and it’s one that had to come together quickly. The resulting event this week should receive some credit for existing at all — it would have been far easier to postpone or cancel the entire convention. But what transpired over the past few days can serve as a lesson to other organizations facing similar real-world restrictions. A key takeaway: Putting pre-recorded panels online and closing off the comment section on YouTube does not equal true interactivity...
- 7/26/2020
- by Kristen Lopez
- Indiewire
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
Well folks, it’s almost over. This crazy awards season is going to come to an end tomorrow and we’ll know what that Academy thinks the best films, techs, and performances of 2013 were. It’s been tough to get a true gauge of the season and the Oscars could really go any way. So here are the final predictions that I have made for the Oscars.
Best Picture
Gravity 12 Years a Slave American Hustle Dallas Buyers Club Philomena Captain Phillips The Wolf of Wall Street Nebraska Her
Best Director
Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave David O. Russell, American Hustle Martin Scorsese, The Wolf of Wall Street Alexander Payne, Nebraksa
Best Actor
Matthew McConaughey, Dalllas Buyer’s Club Chiwetel Ejiofer, 12 Years a Slave Bruce Dern, Nebraska Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street Christian Bale, American Hustle
Best Actress
Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine Amy Adams,...
Managing Editor
Well folks, it’s almost over. This crazy awards season is going to come to an end tomorrow and we’ll know what that Academy thinks the best films, techs, and performances of 2013 were. It’s been tough to get a true gauge of the season and the Oscars could really go any way. So here are the final predictions that I have made for the Oscars.
Best Picture
Gravity 12 Years a Slave American Hustle Dallas Buyers Club Philomena Captain Phillips The Wolf of Wall Street Nebraska Her
Best Director
Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave David O. Russell, American Hustle Martin Scorsese, The Wolf of Wall Street Alexander Payne, Nebraksa
Best Actor
Matthew McConaughey, Dalllas Buyer’s Club Chiwetel Ejiofer, 12 Years a Slave Bruce Dern, Nebraska Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street Christian Bale, American Hustle
Best Actress
Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine Amy Adams,...
- 3/1/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
As much as we talk about the stats and trends of the Oscars, each year of the awards seems to present us with a new piece of history. This year, Dallas Buyers Club could make history as the first film to win both Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor in a film that did not receive a Best Director nomination. While Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto seem to be locked into their wins, this did provide an interesting jumping off point to look at the recent history of this category.
Here are the films in the past 25 years that have managed a Best Actor and Supporting Actor nomination:
1989: Driving Ms. Daisy – Morgan Freeman and Dan Ackroyd
1991: Bugsy – Warren Beatty and Ben Kingsley/Harvey Keitel
1992: Unforgiven – Clint Eastwood and Gene Hackman
1992: The Crying Game – Stephen Rea and Jaye Davidson
1993: Schindler’s...
Managing Editor
As much as we talk about the stats and trends of the Oscars, each year of the awards seems to present us with a new piece of history. This year, Dallas Buyers Club could make history as the first film to win both Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor in a film that did not receive a Best Director nomination. While Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto seem to be locked into their wins, this did provide an interesting jumping off point to look at the recent history of this category.
Here are the films in the past 25 years that have managed a Best Actor and Supporting Actor nomination:
1989: Driving Ms. Daisy – Morgan Freeman and Dan Ackroyd
1991: Bugsy – Warren Beatty and Ben Kingsley/Harvey Keitel
1992: Unforgiven – Clint Eastwood and Gene Hackman
1992: The Crying Game – Stephen Rea and Jaye Davidson
1993: Schindler’s...
- 2/28/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
It’s common knowledge that while the Oscar often tout rewarding the best in film, that the notion of what’s best is entirely subjective, depending on the voter. So when trying to make informed Oscar decisions, one has to look past subjective thoughts and search for the trends. One of the major trends that has been appearing has been the success of films with heavy visual effects or 3D in the cinematography category. With Emmanuel Lubezki all but on stage to accept the Oscar in cinematography, it was worth taking a look at the category’s evolution.
There have always been epic films or movies that have had some visual effects that have competed in, and won cinematography Oscars. Yet after Titanic won 11 Oscars, including Cinematography, there seems to have been a wave of films that have relied on visual effects to tell their tale succeeding in this category.
Managing Editor
It’s common knowledge that while the Oscar often tout rewarding the best in film, that the notion of what’s best is entirely subjective, depending on the voter. So when trying to make informed Oscar decisions, one has to look past subjective thoughts and search for the trends. One of the major trends that has been appearing has been the success of films with heavy visual effects or 3D in the cinematography category. With Emmanuel Lubezki all but on stage to accept the Oscar in cinematography, it was worth taking a look at the category’s evolution.
There have always been epic films or movies that have had some visual effects that have competed in, and won cinematography Oscars. Yet after Titanic won 11 Oscars, including Cinematography, there seems to have been a wave of films that have relied on visual effects to tell their tale succeeding in this category.
- 2/27/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
The ability to get viewers to suspened disbelief is an important part of the cinema going experience. It’s the reason we can enjoy movies set in a galaxy far, far away or watch a man age backwards with no qualms. The Academy has often looked to these films as nominees and with Her in the race, and gunning for a screenplay prize, it might behoove us to look at films that required the audience to engage in a different way.
There’s always been widespread like for movies that embrace fantastical elements and many of those movies have found themselves in conetnion for Oscar. More specifically, since 1985 when the twin bill of Back to the Future and Brazil was nominated for Best Original Screenplay, there have been several strong contenders for the two major categories Her finds itself nominated in, Best Picture and Original Screenplay.
Managing Editor
The ability to get viewers to suspened disbelief is an important part of the cinema going experience. It’s the reason we can enjoy movies set in a galaxy far, far away or watch a man age backwards with no qualms. The Academy has often looked to these films as nominees and with Her in the race, and gunning for a screenplay prize, it might behoove us to look at films that required the audience to engage in a different way.
There’s always been widespread like for movies that embrace fantastical elements and many of those movies have found themselves in conetnion for Oscar. More specifically, since 1985 when the twin bill of Back to the Future and Brazil was nominated for Best Original Screenplay, there have been several strong contenders for the two major categories Her finds itself nominated in, Best Picture and Original Screenplay.
- 2/26/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
When the Los Angeles Times published the study of the Academy two years ago, many people were equally shocked and not surprised at the information given about the demographics. Since the piece, many have trumpeted the 94% white, 77% male, and average age of 62 years old as a way to justify certain predictions. With several veteran contenders in the race this year, how much affect will the Academy’s demographic have on the race.
Though I tend to think stats like this become overblown during the season, it’s hard to deny the impact. One only need look at the Best Actress lineup, the oldest ever in this category, and see that veterans can often times get behind their own even when there are younger actors in competition. This year’s race saw several veteran actors in competition. Robert Redford, Tom Hanks, and Emma Thompson were in...
Managing Editor
When the Los Angeles Times published the study of the Academy two years ago, many people were equally shocked and not surprised at the information given about the demographics. Since the piece, many have trumpeted the 94% white, 77% male, and average age of 62 years old as a way to justify certain predictions. With several veteran contenders in the race this year, how much affect will the Academy’s demographic have on the race.
Though I tend to think stats like this become overblown during the season, it’s hard to deny the impact. One only need look at the Best Actress lineup, the oldest ever in this category, and see that veterans can often times get behind their own even when there are younger actors in competition. This year’s race saw several veteran actors in competition. Robert Redford, Tom Hanks, and Emma Thompson were in...
- 2/25/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
American Hustle earned itself a place alongside some great films in Oscar history when it managed to nab four acting nominations in the four acting categories. Amy Adams, Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence all find themselves in competition once again, but many are predicting American Hustle to go home empty handed. However, odds are that a film with four acting nominations, never mind the 10 overall nominations including Picture, Director and Screenplay. So what is most likely for American Hustle to pick up acting wise?
In the 86 year history of the Academy Awards, there have been 15 films that have managed the all four acting nominations feat. Below are the films and listed beside are the acting awards each of them won.
1936: My Man Godfrey – 0 wins
1942: Mrs. Miniver – Best Actress (Greer Garson), Best Supporting Actress (Teresa Wright) [Best Picture Winner]
1943: For Whom the Bell Tolls...
Managing Editor
American Hustle earned itself a place alongside some great films in Oscar history when it managed to nab four acting nominations in the four acting categories. Amy Adams, Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence all find themselves in competition once again, but many are predicting American Hustle to go home empty handed. However, odds are that a film with four acting nominations, never mind the 10 overall nominations including Picture, Director and Screenplay. So what is most likely for American Hustle to pick up acting wise?
In the 86 year history of the Academy Awards, there have been 15 films that have managed the all four acting nominations feat. Below are the films and listed beside are the acting awards each of them won.
1936: My Man Godfrey – 0 wins
1942: Mrs. Miniver – Best Actress (Greer Garson), Best Supporting Actress (Teresa Wright) [Best Picture Winner]
1943: For Whom the Bell Tolls...
- 2/24/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
Of the many categories that will presented next Sunday, the screenplay awards are the most eclectic. You have battles between films set in the 70s and the future, between a freed slave and a disgraced Wall Street exec and everything in between.
Though much has been decided in the race, it still feels like there is some wiggle room in these categories, depending on what the Academy is looking for. It’s all but assured that the most liked film (not most loved or best) will take the crown and provided these contenders have not fallen into any issues. We’ve seen recently in the screenplay categories that this is a branch that doesn’t take to kindly to problems and controversy. For example, in 2009, Up in the Air was locked and loaded to win the Oscar before the troubles with who should be credited on a script came up.
Managing Editor
Of the many categories that will presented next Sunday, the screenplay awards are the most eclectic. You have battles between films set in the 70s and the future, between a freed slave and a disgraced Wall Street exec and everything in between.
Though much has been decided in the race, it still feels like there is some wiggle room in these categories, depending on what the Academy is looking for. It’s all but assured that the most liked film (not most loved or best) will take the crown and provided these contenders have not fallen into any issues. We’ve seen recently in the screenplay categories that this is a branch that doesn’t take to kindly to problems and controversy. For example, in 2009, Up in the Air was locked and loaded to win the Oscar before the troubles with who should be credited on a script came up.
- 2/23/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
When the Oscars roll around on March 2 one of the winners we could possibly have another film centered around the Holocaust taking home an Oscar prize. The Lady in Number 6, currently up for Documentary Short, has been making some waves and announced itself as one of the frontrunners for the Oscar.
Looking over the history of the Academy, films that cover WWII or the Holocaust are like catnip to Oscar voters. Almost an eigth of the films awarded Best Picture have dealt in some way with that period in history and many more have won major awards. Think about how The Pianist almost upset Chicago in 2002 or Schindler’s List‘s dominated awards run in 1993 and one can see that when a movie with this subject matter is good that awards usually follow. So with The Lady in Number 6 in competition it’ll...
Managing Editor
When the Oscars roll around on March 2 one of the winners we could possibly have another film centered around the Holocaust taking home an Oscar prize. The Lady in Number 6, currently up for Documentary Short, has been making some waves and announced itself as one of the frontrunners for the Oscar.
Looking over the history of the Academy, films that cover WWII or the Holocaust are like catnip to Oscar voters. Almost an eigth of the films awarded Best Picture have dealt in some way with that period in history and many more have won major awards. Think about how The Pianist almost upset Chicago in 2002 or Schindler’s List‘s dominated awards run in 1993 and one can see that when a movie with this subject matter is good that awards usually follow. So with The Lady in Number 6 in competition it’ll...
- 2/22/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
Hollywood is a business of looking forward to the next thing and trying to predict what changes will come. It’s also not out of the ordinary for Oscar nominees to parlay that nomination/win into future work. So with that, let’s take a look at the next projects for the actors and directors nominated at the Oscars.
Best Actress
Amy Adams
Next Project: Lullaby and Big Eyes
Oscar Potential: There is already rumblings of a campaign being crafted for her to win the Oscar for Big Eyes. She’s now a five time nominated actress and those “overdue!” voices will only get louder.
Cate Blanchett
Next Project: The Monuments Men, How to Train Your Dragon 2, The Hobbit: There and Back Again, Knight of Cups, Untitled Terrence Malick Project
Oscar Potential: There doesn’t seem to be much in the way of Oscar...
Managing Editor
Hollywood is a business of looking forward to the next thing and trying to predict what changes will come. It’s also not out of the ordinary for Oscar nominees to parlay that nomination/win into future work. So with that, let’s take a look at the next projects for the actors and directors nominated at the Oscars.
Best Actress
Amy Adams
Next Project: Lullaby and Big Eyes
Oscar Potential: There is already rumblings of a campaign being crafted for her to win the Oscar for Big Eyes. She’s now a five time nominated actress and those “overdue!” voices will only get louder.
Cate Blanchett
Next Project: The Monuments Men, How to Train Your Dragon 2, The Hobbit: There and Back Again, Knight of Cups, Untitled Terrence Malick Project
Oscar Potential: There doesn’t seem to be much in the way of Oscar...
- 2/21/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
Anyone who had the opportunity to catch Frozen in theaters was treated to a wonderful sort before the film started. Get a Horse! is the front runner for animated short film at the Oscars and many people were excited to see Mickey Mouse and company back on the big screen, and in a particularly inventive way.
There are a lot of reasons why people are excited for this short. It’s the first short featuring Mickey Mouse since 2003 and the first one starring the lovable mouse to air in front of a theatrical release since 1995. On top of playing with that nostalgia, Get a Horse! is a great mix of standard animation and 3D computer generated images. There’s a great moment in the short when Mickey falls through the screen into the 3D world and you can see the 3D/color version of the...
Managing Editor
Anyone who had the opportunity to catch Frozen in theaters was treated to a wonderful sort before the film started. Get a Horse! is the front runner for animated short film at the Oscars and many people were excited to see Mickey Mouse and company back on the big screen, and in a particularly inventive way.
There are a lot of reasons why people are excited for this short. It’s the first short featuring Mickey Mouse since 2003 and the first one starring the lovable mouse to air in front of a theatrical release since 1995. On top of playing with that nostalgia, Get a Horse! is a great mix of standard animation and 3D computer generated images. There’s a great moment in the short when Mickey falls through the screen into the 3D world and you can see the 3D/color version of the...
- 2/20/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
Oscar Diget continues with the look at an engrossing category, Best Foreign Language Film. From an aging playboy facing the end to a documentary about war torn Cambodia, the films in foreign language this year are an eclectic group with something to offer everyone. But which film will come out on top?
The Great Beauty
Logline: Jep Gambardella has seduced his way through the lavish nightlife of Rome for decades, but after his 65th birthday and a shock from the past, Jep looks past the nightclubs and parties to find a timeless landscape of absurd, exquisite beauty.
Pros: Fellini-esque storytelling, about dealing with age and past experiences, gorgeous visuals
Cons: ”It’s rich white people problems: The Moive!”, the movie doesn’t really leave you feeling anything, not an “important” film
History of the Country: Italy has one of the richest Oscar histories, having amassed...
Managing Editor
Oscar Diget continues with the look at an engrossing category, Best Foreign Language Film. From an aging playboy facing the end to a documentary about war torn Cambodia, the films in foreign language this year are an eclectic group with something to offer everyone. But which film will come out on top?
The Great Beauty
Logline: Jep Gambardella has seduced his way through the lavish nightlife of Rome for decades, but after his 65th birthday and a shock from the past, Jep looks past the nightclubs and parties to find a timeless landscape of absurd, exquisite beauty.
Pros: Fellini-esque storytelling, about dealing with age and past experiences, gorgeous visuals
Cons: ”It’s rich white people problems: The Moive!”, the movie doesn’t really leave you feeling anything, not an “important” film
History of the Country: Italy has one of the richest Oscar histories, having amassed...
- 2/19/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
Prior to the 86th Oscars on March 2, THR’s awards analyst Scott Feinberg will present an eight-part series of posts breaking down the key facts and figures pertaining to each of the “big eight” Oscar categories. (For his predictions, see the weekly “Feinberg Forecast” post.) This post focuses on the best actor Oscar race. And the nominees are…
Read the rest of this entry…...
Managing Editor
Prior to the 86th Oscars on March 2, THR’s awards analyst Scott Feinberg will present an eight-part series of posts breaking down the key facts and figures pertaining to each of the “big eight” Oscar categories. (For his predictions, see the weekly “Feinberg Forecast” post.) This post focuses on the best actor Oscar race. And the nominees are…
Read the rest of this entry…...
- 2/19/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
Continuing on in our series of Oscar digests is to take a look at the Production Design category. Much like the Costumes, the Production Design category is incredibly ecclectic in both their choice for nominees and winners over the years. Period pieces, scifi, drama and comedy all collide in this category. Let’s do some analysis.
American Hustle
Pros: Showy work (clubs, banquet halls, Brooklyn town homes) like the film itself, period piece, movie tied for the most nominations
Cons: Doesn’t have the feel of a winner, the luster on American Hustle is fading fast, how much was built vs. just used as is?
Gravity
Pros: Visual effects films have won here before, Best Picture frontrunner, geography/crafting of the set essential to the narrative
Cons: How much was real and what wasn’t?, unlike past winners it isn’t showy (think Avatar), there...
Managing Editor
Continuing on in our series of Oscar digests is to take a look at the Production Design category. Much like the Costumes, the Production Design category is incredibly ecclectic in both their choice for nominees and winners over the years. Period pieces, scifi, drama and comedy all collide in this category. Let’s do some analysis.
American Hustle
Pros: Showy work (clubs, banquet halls, Brooklyn town homes) like the film itself, period piece, movie tied for the most nominations
Cons: Doesn’t have the feel of a winner, the luster on American Hustle is fading fast, how much was built vs. just used as is?
Gravity
Pros: Visual effects films have won here before, Best Picture frontrunner, geography/crafting of the set essential to the narrative
Cons: How much was real and what wasn’t?, unlike past winners it isn’t showy (think Avatar), there...
- 2/17/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
We’re two weeks out from Oscar nominations and now it seems to be about endurance. Which film can make it through the much the cleanest? Are the front runners wavering any? Those are answers we won’t get until the Oscars but with the BAFTAs having just ended its clear that we are in for a great race to the finish.
-The BAFTAs certainly made for an interesting wrench in some of these predictions. 12 Years a Slave had a paltry showing for the majority of the day before taking Best Actor and Best Picture, whereas Gravity and American Hustle both did very well. So where does that put us for Oscars? I’m still going to stick with Gravity for now since the likelihood of a split with preferential balloting isn’t good. More confusing is Supporting Actress were Jennifer Lawrence seems to be...
Managing Editor
We’re two weeks out from Oscar nominations and now it seems to be about endurance. Which film can make it through the much the cleanest? Are the front runners wavering any? Those are answers we won’t get until the Oscars but with the BAFTAs having just ended its clear that we are in for a great race to the finish.
-The BAFTAs certainly made for an interesting wrench in some of these predictions. 12 Years a Slave had a paltry showing for the majority of the day before taking Best Actor and Best Picture, whereas Gravity and American Hustle both did very well. So where does that put us for Oscars? I’m still going to stick with Gravity for now since the likelihood of a split with preferential balloting isn’t good. More confusing is Supporting Actress were Jennifer Lawrence seems to be...
- 2/16/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
While the Animated Feature and Short Films category seems to be for the kids, Documentary Short is for the adults, with some difficult subject matter and dealing with the complexities of human life.
The Lady in Number 6
Loglines: At 109, Alice Herz Sommer is the world’s oldest pianist…and its oldest Holocaust survivor. At the heart of her remarkable story of courage and endurance is her passion for music.
Pros: Holocaust subject matter (WWII is Academy’s favorite genre), incredibly engaging protagonists, nice blend of archival material
Cons: None
Facing Fear
Logline: As a gay 13-year-old, Matthew Boger endured a savage beating at the hands of a group of neo-Nazis. Twenty-five years later, he meets one of them again by chance.
Pros: harrowing subject matter that blends into a message of forgiveness, sympathetic talking heads
Cons: Where is the filmmaking flourish? Visually not engaging...
Managing Editor
While the Animated Feature and Short Films category seems to be for the kids, Documentary Short is for the adults, with some difficult subject matter and dealing with the complexities of human life.
The Lady in Number 6
Loglines: At 109, Alice Herz Sommer is the world’s oldest pianist…and its oldest Holocaust survivor. At the heart of her remarkable story of courage and endurance is her passion for music.
Pros: Holocaust subject matter (WWII is Academy’s favorite genre), incredibly engaging protagonists, nice blend of archival material
Cons: None
Facing Fear
Logline: As a gay 13-year-old, Matthew Boger endured a savage beating at the hands of a group of neo-Nazis. Twenty-five years later, he meets one of them again by chance.
Pros: harrowing subject matter that blends into a message of forgiveness, sympathetic talking heads
Cons: Where is the filmmaking flourish? Visually not engaging...
- 2/14/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
The battle for the Foreign Language Film Oscar has been one of the most interesting races in the past few Oscar years. We’ve had a mix of classics (A Separation, Amour), solid wins and upsets (The Secret in Their Eyes, The Lives of Others). So what will the category leave us with this year?
Two films that seem to be in the “happy to be nominated” roles are Omar and The Missing Picture. Omar was a film many prognosticators had in their lineups. It’s a Palestinian film that has an incredibly dense structure and is thematically pretty weighty. If you were to look over the recent history of the Academy a film such as this has upset a few times. But unfortunately there are bigger contenders and given the politics of the film will probably keep it from triumphing. The Missing Picture was...
Managing Editor
The battle for the Foreign Language Film Oscar has been one of the most interesting races in the past few Oscar years. We’ve had a mix of classics (A Separation, Amour), solid wins and upsets (The Secret in Their Eyes, The Lives of Others). So what will the category leave us with this year?
Two films that seem to be in the “happy to be nominated” roles are Omar and The Missing Picture. Omar was a film many prognosticators had in their lineups. It’s a Palestinian film that has an incredibly dense structure and is thematically pretty weighty. If you were to look over the recent history of the Academy a film such as this has upset a few times. But unfortunately there are bigger contenders and given the politics of the film will probably keep it from triumphing. The Missing Picture was...
- 2/13/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
The Oscar race is an interesting beast in that you can at once read the tea leaves perfectly and in a moment everything could change. Much of the chatter has been devoted to whether Gravity or 12 Years a Slave would win Best Picture, but the longer the season has gone on the more doubt has come into the minds of prognosticators. Philomena for Best Original Score? Amy Adams for Best Actress? Lot’s of scenarios are being thrown out, and where there’s smoke in the Oscar race there’s usually fire. But are the frontrunners really not safe?
This year, unlike previous Oscar seasons, seems to be ripe for something out of the ordinary to happen. Because of the Winter Olypmics, the awards season has been lengthened, with the Oscars occurring in March for the first time since 2006. Throw in the 24 hr news cycle,...
Managing Editor
The Oscar race is an interesting beast in that you can at once read the tea leaves perfectly and in a moment everything could change. Much of the chatter has been devoted to whether Gravity or 12 Years a Slave would win Best Picture, but the longer the season has gone on the more doubt has come into the minds of prognosticators. Philomena for Best Original Score? Amy Adams for Best Actress? Lot’s of scenarios are being thrown out, and where there’s smoke in the Oscar race there’s usually fire. But are the frontrunners really not safe?
This year, unlike previous Oscar seasons, seems to be ripe for something out of the ordinary to happen. Because of the Winter Olypmics, the awards season has been lengthened, with the Oscars occurring in March for the first time since 2006. Throw in the 24 hr news cycle,...
- 2/12/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
As we get closer to the Oscars, ScottFeinberg.com will be breaking down some of the Oscar categories to give you the best idea of what the race will bear out. One of the categories that will differentiate the good Oscar prognosticator from the ok is Best Animated Short Film. Often viewed as one of those categories that will help you win your Oscar pool, Best Animated Short Film normally contains some fantastic films that really push the medium forward and contain a lot of imagination. So let’s take a look and this year’s field.
Get a Horse
Logline: Mickey Mouse and his friends are enjoying a wagon ride until Peg-Leg Pete shows up with plans to ruin their day.
Pros: Wildly inventive mix of 2D and 3D, beloved characters, probably the most widely seen (it played in front of Frozen), big studio...
Managing Editor
As we get closer to the Oscars, ScottFeinberg.com will be breaking down some of the Oscar categories to give you the best idea of what the race will bear out. One of the categories that will differentiate the good Oscar prognosticator from the ok is Best Animated Short Film. Often viewed as one of those categories that will help you win your Oscar pool, Best Animated Short Film normally contains some fantastic films that really push the medium forward and contain a lot of imagination. So let’s take a look and this year’s field.
Get a Horse
Logline: Mickey Mouse and his friends are enjoying a wagon ride until Peg-Leg Pete shows up with plans to ruin their day.
Pros: Wildly inventive mix of 2D and 3D, beloved characters, probably the most widely seen (it played in front of Frozen), big studio...
- 2/11/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
Every year the Best Picture race gets narrowed down to the films that have the best shot of winning. Especially with these expanded fields, the films that aren’t real threats for the win seem to become after thoughts. With Gravity, 12 Years a Slave, and American Hustle hogging up all the air, it seemed like a good idea to devote some print to the other contenders and see what has them in the conversation.
The Wolf of Wall Street – Of the films on this list, The Wolf of Wall Street easily has the most pedigree and is the only movie that feels like it’s dealing with the issues Americans are currently facing with the financial crisis. It’s a period piece with the kind of urgency and relevancy that other contenders can’t match subject matter wise. Wolf is also one of the biggest...
Managing Editor
Every year the Best Picture race gets narrowed down to the films that have the best shot of winning. Especially with these expanded fields, the films that aren’t real threats for the win seem to become after thoughts. With Gravity, 12 Years a Slave, and American Hustle hogging up all the air, it seemed like a good idea to devote some print to the other contenders and see what has them in the conversation.
The Wolf of Wall Street – Of the films on this list, The Wolf of Wall Street easily has the most pedigree and is the only movie that feels like it’s dealing with the issues Americans are currently facing with the financial crisis. It’s a period piece with the kind of urgency and relevancy that other contenders can’t match subject matter wise. Wolf is also one of the biggest...
- 2/10/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
Well folks, we’ve reached the point in the Oscar season where every scenario starts playing in Oscar watchers heads. This longer phase two has made everyone a bit jumpy and all of the categories that aren’t locked up begin to look baity. With the USC Scripter and Adg Awards to add into the equation, let’s take a look at the race.
-The Ace Eddies handed their prizes to Captain Phillips, American Hustle, and Stories We Tell. Phillips and Stories We Tell are both admirable choices, and Hustle was expected, if a bit disappointing. Where does this put us for Oscar? Well Captain Phillips has long been the threat to Gravity in many of the tech categories and they’ve gone for Paul Greengrass films in this category before. The one thing that hurts Gravity here is that the edits aren’t showy...
Managing Editor
Well folks, we’ve reached the point in the Oscar season where every scenario starts playing in Oscar watchers heads. This longer phase two has made everyone a bit jumpy and all of the categories that aren’t locked up begin to look baity. With the USC Scripter and Adg Awards to add into the equation, let’s take a look at the race.
-The Ace Eddies handed their prizes to Captain Phillips, American Hustle, and Stories We Tell. Phillips and Stories We Tell are both admirable choices, and Hustle was expected, if a bit disappointing. Where does this put us for Oscar? Well Captain Phillips has long been the threat to Gravity in many of the tech categories and they’ve gone for Paul Greengrass films in this category before. The one thing that hurts Gravity here is that the edits aren’t showy...
- 2/9/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
One of the more predictable categories of any Oscar year is Best Costume Design given that the nominees are weeded out so thoroughly that the best/most showy of the final five is usually locked and loaded for the win. But looking a bit deeper into the category, it’s one of the few places that has nominees that are the sole representation for their film, as is the case with The Invisible Woman this year.
Yesterday, I wrote about how bad movies in the tech branches have a reasonable shot of nominations due to how voters view these categories. Which brings us to Costume Design, which historically has been a branch that honors all matter of film. Looking at the history of the category, you can see that a single nomination for a film, like The Invisible Woman is incredibly common. But does that...
Managing Editor
One of the more predictable categories of any Oscar year is Best Costume Design given that the nominees are weeded out so thoroughly that the best/most showy of the final five is usually locked and loaded for the win. But looking a bit deeper into the category, it’s one of the few places that has nominees that are the sole representation for their film, as is the case with The Invisible Woman this year.
Yesterday, I wrote about how bad movies in the tech branches have a reasonable shot of nominations due to how voters view these categories. Which brings us to Costume Design, which historically has been a branch that honors all matter of film. Looking at the history of the category, you can see that a single nomination for a film, like The Invisible Woman is incredibly common. But does that...
- 2/7/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Magaging Editor
Trying to figure out the Academy’s reasoning for why they pick certain performances, tech aspects and films to honor is to court chaos. Just when you think a film like Saving Mr. Banks or Lee Daniels’ The Butler has a good shot at making the field, The Lone Ranger gets more nominations than both of those films combined.
The aforementioned scenario isn’t uncommon over the history of the Oscar as many films that have buzz are replaced by the next buzzy title and forgotten or just not even considered at the Oscars. This is what makes it all the more interesting when a badly reviewed movie manages to pick up a nomination. There are several films in contention this year, from Jackass presents Bad Grandpa to Pacific Rim.
Determining what’s a bad movie/performance/tech is an incredibly subjective process that varies from voter to voter.
Magaging Editor
Trying to figure out the Academy’s reasoning for why they pick certain performances, tech aspects and films to honor is to court chaos. Just when you think a film like Saving Mr. Banks or Lee Daniels’ The Butler has a good shot at making the field, The Lone Ranger gets more nominations than both of those films combined.
The aforementioned scenario isn’t uncommon over the history of the Oscar as many films that have buzz are replaced by the next buzzy title and forgotten or just not even considered at the Oscars. This is what makes it all the more interesting when a badly reviewed movie manages to pick up a nomination. There are several films in contention this year, from Jackass presents Bad Grandpa to Pacific Rim.
Determining what’s a bad movie/performance/tech is an incredibly subjective process that varies from voter to voter.
- 2/6/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
One of the bright spots this past film year was the success of Disney’s Frozen. On the strength of it’s more modern princesses and an infectious score, the film set box office records and has garnered two Oscar nominations, Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “Let It Go”, its infectious hit. In honor of Frozen’s nomination, we figured it was time to take a look at the history of animated movies in Original Song.
The history of animated films picking up nominations and wins in Best Original Song is a tale as old as time (see what I did there?). Since the 1930s, animated films have won this award 13 times and over 50 nominations, which you can see below. This is an even greater feat when you think about the consideration that animated films get when lists of musicals are made (they...
Managing Editor
One of the bright spots this past film year was the success of Disney’s Frozen. On the strength of it’s more modern princesses and an infectious score, the film set box office records and has garnered two Oscar nominations, Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “Let It Go”, its infectious hit. In honor of Frozen’s nomination, we figured it was time to take a look at the history of animated movies in Original Song.
The history of animated films picking up nominations and wins in Best Original Song is a tale as old as time (see what I did there?). Since the 1930s, animated films have won this award 13 times and over 50 nominations, which you can see below. This is an even greater feat when you think about the consideration that animated films get when lists of musicals are made (they...
- 2/5/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
When the Academy Award nominations were announced last month, American Hustle was one of the darlings of the town. It tied Gravity with 10 nominations to lead the field and managed surprise nominations for Christian Bale in Lead Actor. However, the tide has steadily been turning against the film, despite the SAG win, and as the stock of other films are rising, American Hustle seems to be losing steam. So much steam in fact that many seem to be predicting it to go 0-10 at the Oscars in March. This would be a historic fall from grace, as far as the Academy is concerned, so I though I’d dig into the history of the Oscars biggest losers and see what could be gleaned.
The Turning Point and The Color Purple: 0-11
The two films that share this unfortunate record of gaining 11 nominations and no...
Managing Editor
When the Academy Award nominations were announced last month, American Hustle was one of the darlings of the town. It tied Gravity with 10 nominations to lead the field and managed surprise nominations for Christian Bale in Lead Actor. However, the tide has steadily been turning against the film, despite the SAG win, and as the stock of other films are rising, American Hustle seems to be losing steam. So much steam in fact that many seem to be predicting it to go 0-10 at the Oscars in March. This would be a historic fall from grace, as far as the Academy is concerned, so I though I’d dig into the history of the Oscars biggest losers and see what could be gleaned.
The Turning Point and The Color Purple: 0-11
The two films that share this unfortunate record of gaining 11 nominations and no...
- 2/4/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
Of the acting races, Supporting Actress seems to be the only acting category that’s really up in the air. Much of the conversation has surrounded Jennifer Lawrence and Lupita Nyong’o, who both have won precursors, but June Squibb has also been nominated for each of this awards. With much of the talk of a split between the two, could Squibb step in and nab her first Oscar?
If Squibb were to win, she would be the oldest Supporting Actress winner, besting the previous oldest (Peggy Ashcroft) by nearly 7 years come Oscar night. No Supporting Actress Oscar winner has ever gotten the statue in their 80s, so Squibb would have her work cut out for her. However, it’s not nearly as bleak as those first two stats would have you believe. There have been several winners that fit the mold of Squibb (older,...
Managing Editor
Of the acting races, Supporting Actress seems to be the only acting category that’s really up in the air. Much of the conversation has surrounded Jennifer Lawrence and Lupita Nyong’o, who both have won precursors, but June Squibb has also been nominated for each of this awards. With much of the talk of a split between the two, could Squibb step in and nab her first Oscar?
If Squibb were to win, she would be the oldest Supporting Actress winner, besting the previous oldest (Peggy Ashcroft) by nearly 7 years come Oscar night. No Supporting Actress Oscar winner has ever gotten the statue in their 80s, so Squibb would have her work cut out for her. However, it’s not nearly as bleak as those first two stats would have you believe. There have been several winners that fit the mold of Squibb (older,...
- 2/3/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
It’s been a pretty busy week in the movie industry, especially on Saturday when three major guilds handed out prizes. Surprisingly though, nothing much seems to have changed in the race. The Oscar Predictions were due for a polish though, and so I’ve updated them to reflect the newest information.
-No film has ever lost Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress and Screenplay in the same night. Could American Hustle become the first? Looks like it. I wrote last week that if Her won the WGA prize for screenplay that the race could be over, so the predictions reflect that. Still seems off that American Hustle won’t win a single Oscar.
-Frozen‘s win at the Annies combined with Pixar not being in the race all but assure it a win now. Also, with Get a Horse! we could...
Managing Editor
It’s been a pretty busy week in the movie industry, especially on Saturday when three major guilds handed out prizes. Surprisingly though, nothing much seems to have changed in the race. The Oscar Predictions were due for a polish though, and so I’ve updated them to reflect the newest information.
-No film has ever lost Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress and Screenplay in the same night. Could American Hustle become the first? Looks like it. I wrote last week that if Her won the WGA prize for screenplay that the race could be over, so the predictions reflect that. Still seems off that American Hustle won’t win a single Oscar.
-Frozen‘s win at the Annies combined with Pixar not being in the race all but assure it a win now. Also, with Get a Horse! we could...
- 2/2/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
On a day with such a joyous event like the Super Bowl, it’s sad to have to report news like this. The Wall Street Journal has reported that Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead today in his New York home.
The official said Mr. Hoffman, 46 years old, was found dead at his apartment at 35 Bethune St. in the West Village neighborhood of Manhattan and other outlets are reporting that it was a possible drug overdose. Hoffman had recently been in rehab to try and work through his problems.
It’s incredibly sad his passing as he was one of the most respected actors in Hollywood. He won the Oscar for his great performance in Capote and was nominated for Charlie Wilson’s War, Doubt and The Master. He just announced that he would have directed “Ezekiel Moss” with Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal...
Managing Editor
On a day with such a joyous event like the Super Bowl, it’s sad to have to report news like this. The Wall Street Journal has reported that Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead today in his New York home.
The official said Mr. Hoffman, 46 years old, was found dead at his apartment at 35 Bethune St. in the West Village neighborhood of Manhattan and other outlets are reporting that it was a possible drug overdose. Hoffman had recently been in rehab to try and work through his problems.
It’s incredibly sad his passing as he was one of the most respected actors in Hollywood. He won the Oscar for his great performance in Capote and was nominated for Charlie Wilson’s War, Doubt and The Master. He just announced that he would have directed “Ezekiel Moss” with Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal...
- 2/2/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
One of the things good Oscar prognosticator will do is work out all of the possible scenarios that could happen before arriving at a sound judgement. However, there seems to be one aspect that many people haven’t discussed is the possibility that the queen of Oscar nominations, Meryl Streep, could pull an upset and win her fourth Oscar for her performance in August: Osage County.
Before the season even started, many Oscar watchers had Meryl at or near the top of thier predictions. Her role was an award winner on stage, taking everything from the Tony to the Olivier award, the play won the Pulitzer Prize and the movie was filled with a ton of well regarded actors. Therefore it seemed inevitable that Oscars were sure to follow and even with the less than ecstatic critical response, she managed to make it through to her 18th nomination.
Managing Editor
One of the things good Oscar prognosticator will do is work out all of the possible scenarios that could happen before arriving at a sound judgement. However, there seems to be one aspect that many people haven’t discussed is the possibility that the queen of Oscar nominations, Meryl Streep, could pull an upset and win her fourth Oscar for her performance in August: Osage County.
Before the season even started, many Oscar watchers had Meryl at or near the top of thier predictions. Her role was an award winner on stage, taking everything from the Tony to the Olivier award, the play won the Pulitzer Prize and the movie was filled with a ton of well regarded actors. Therefore it seemed inevitable that Oscars were sure to follow and even with the less than ecstatic critical response, she managed to make it through to her 18th nomination.
- 1/31/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
Dallas Buyers Club, Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa and The Lone Ranger. Raise your hand if these were the films you had pegged throughout the year to be named Best Makeup and Hairstyling by the Academy. Not many, I imagine, would have even considered these to make the shortlist. But does Dallas Buyers Club have the edge because it’s a Best Picture nominee?
In the history of this category (1981-now), Best Picture nominated films have accounted for 20 nominations and 8 wins. That averages out to 2 nominations every 3 years and a win every four years. Not a terrible percentage for a category whose nominees have to contend with a branch that is more adventurous than the others. Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate that this is a branch that is unafraid to honor every type of makeup and hairstyling, regardless of genre or film quality.
Managing Editor
Dallas Buyers Club, Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa and The Lone Ranger. Raise your hand if these were the films you had pegged throughout the year to be named Best Makeup and Hairstyling by the Academy. Not many, I imagine, would have even considered these to make the shortlist. But does Dallas Buyers Club have the edge because it’s a Best Picture nominee?
In the history of this category (1981-now), Best Picture nominated films have accounted for 20 nominations and 8 wins. That averages out to 2 nominations every 3 years and a win every four years. Not a terrible percentage for a category whose nominees have to contend with a branch that is more adventurous than the others. Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate that this is a branch that is unafraid to honor every type of makeup and hairstyling, regardless of genre or film quality.
- 1/30/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
Given that President Obama delivered his State of the Union address last night which highlights places where America is doing well and where it could use some improvement, it seemed fitting that we’d look at the movies that attempt to do the same. There’s a rich history of documentaries taking on the issues of the times and often find themselves nominated for the Best Documentary Oscar. This year’s version of that film is Dirty Wars.
The film, based off the book Dirty Wars: The World is a Battlefield, the movie investigates the United States military and government cover-up of the deaths of five civilians killed by Us soldiers from the Joint Special Operations Command and the U.S. assassination of an American citizen named Anwar al-Awlaki. Mixing in testimonies from a variety of parties, this movie managed to nab a surprise...
Managing Editor
Given that President Obama delivered his State of the Union address last night which highlights places where America is doing well and where it could use some improvement, it seemed fitting that we’d look at the movies that attempt to do the same. There’s a rich history of documentaries taking on the issues of the times and often find themselves nominated for the Best Documentary Oscar. This year’s version of that film is Dirty Wars.
The film, based off the book Dirty Wars: The World is a Battlefield, the movie investigates the United States military and government cover-up of the deaths of five civilians killed by Us soldiers from the Joint Special Operations Command and the U.S. assassination of an American citizen named Anwar al-Awlaki. Mixing in testimonies from a variety of parties, this movie managed to nab a surprise...
- 1/29/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
The Oscar for Best Film Editing has been one of the most closely watched Oscar categories in the past few years. As one of the best indicators of the Best Picture winner (a nomination all but ensures you’re one of the top 5), prognosticators have been eyeing the nominees to try and discern any clues. However, not always does the nomination or wins in this category pan out the way people think they will.
In the past 25 years, there have been 11 films that have the Best Film Editing prize without winning Best Picture and they form quite an interesting group:
1989: Born on the Fourth of July
1991: JFK
1995: Apollo 13
1998: Saving Private Ryan
1999: Matrix
2000: Traffic
2001: Black Hawk Down
2004: The Aviator
2007: Bourne Ultimatum
2010: The Social Network
2011: Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
In this selection you have 3 war films,...
Managing Editor
The Oscar for Best Film Editing has been one of the most closely watched Oscar categories in the past few years. As one of the best indicators of the Best Picture winner (a nomination all but ensures you’re one of the top 5), prognosticators have been eyeing the nominees to try and discern any clues. However, not always does the nomination or wins in this category pan out the way people think they will.
In the past 25 years, there have been 11 films that have the Best Film Editing prize without winning Best Picture and they form quite an interesting group:
1989: Born on the Fourth of July
1991: JFK
1995: Apollo 13
1998: Saving Private Ryan
1999: Matrix
2000: Traffic
2001: Black Hawk Down
2004: The Aviator
2007: Bourne Ultimatum
2010: The Social Network
2011: Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
In this selection you have 3 war films,...
- 1/28/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
The Writers Guild awards are going to be held this weekend and if there’s one race that’s still up for grabs it’s the Original Screenplay category. Despite the limited fields dude to eligibility rules, there’s still a lot riding on the choices the WGA will make. The two big contenders for the prize this year are American Hustle and Her. But which film is in the top position to win the Oscar?
If we look at the era of the Bfca, Golden Globe, and WGA all handing out prizes (ie. since 1995), there has never been a film that has won all three precursors and lost the Oscar. The films that have won are:
1998: Shakespeare in Love
1999: American Beauty
2011: Midnight in Paris
In addition, these are the films that won two or more of those precursors and won the...
Managing Editor
The Writers Guild awards are going to be held this weekend and if there’s one race that’s still up for grabs it’s the Original Screenplay category. Despite the limited fields dude to eligibility rules, there’s still a lot riding on the choices the WGA will make. The two big contenders for the prize this year are American Hustle and Her. But which film is in the top position to win the Oscar?
If we look at the era of the Bfca, Golden Globe, and WGA all handing out prizes (ie. since 1995), there has never been a film that has won all three precursors and lost the Oscar. The films that have won are:
1998: Shakespeare in Love
1999: American Beauty
2011: Midnight in Paris
In addition, these are the films that won two or more of those precursors and won the...
- 1/27/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
It’s been two weeks since the Oscar nominations were announced and after most of the major guilds have announced their awards, the Oscar race has really taken shape. We’re just a little more than a month out and it’s time to take stock of the race with an Oscar prediction update.
Analysis of a Picture/Director Split
Picking a director/picture split is not a really smart enterprise. 62 out of the 85 winners of Best Picture have won along with their directors and four of those case were when the director of the film wasn’t even nominated. Particularly since the DGA has been giving awards, the winner of that prize nearly always goes on to Best Picture glory (only four winners in the past 25 years has seen their films lose Best Picture). In that same time speak, only two directors have lost...
Managing Editor
It’s been two weeks since the Oscar nominations were announced and after most of the major guilds have announced their awards, the Oscar race has really taken shape. We’re just a little more than a month out and it’s time to take stock of the race with an Oscar prediction update.
Analysis of a Picture/Director Split
Picking a director/picture split is not a really smart enterprise. 62 out of the 85 winners of Best Picture have won along with their directors and four of those case were when the director of the film wasn’t even nominated. Particularly since the DGA has been giving awards, the winner of that prize nearly always goes on to Best Picture glory (only four winners in the past 25 years has seen their films lose Best Picture). In that same time speak, only two directors have lost...
- 1/26/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
Well folks, we have reached that moment. The Sundance Film Festival is winding down and it’s definitely been a whirlwind. I’ve enjoyed covering the festival for the site, although I am very glad to be back in the SoCal warmth. There are some final reviews that will be posted soon but I decided to take stock of all the films I saw at the festival to determine what was the best of the fest.
Best Picture: Boyhood
Best Director: Gareth Evans, The Raid 2
Best Actor: Josh Wiggins, Hellion
Best Actress: Tessa Thompson, Dear White People
Best Supporting Actor: Tyler James Williams, Dear White People
Best Supporting Actress: Eva Green, White Bird in a Blizzard
Best Original Screenplay: Boyhood
Best Adapted Screenplay: A Girl Walks Home at Night
Best Film Editing: The Raid 2
Best Cinematography: The Signal
Best Production Design: The Raid 2
Best Costumes:...
Managing Editor
Well folks, we have reached that moment. The Sundance Film Festival is winding down and it’s definitely been a whirlwind. I’ve enjoyed covering the festival for the site, although I am very glad to be back in the SoCal warmth. There are some final reviews that will be posted soon but I decided to take stock of all the films I saw at the festival to determine what was the best of the fest.
Best Picture: Boyhood
Best Director: Gareth Evans, The Raid 2
Best Actor: Josh Wiggins, Hellion
Best Actress: Tessa Thompson, Dear White People
Best Supporting Actor: Tyler James Williams, Dear White People
Best Supporting Actress: Eva Green, White Bird in a Blizzard
Best Original Screenplay: Boyhood
Best Adapted Screenplay: A Girl Walks Home at Night
Best Film Editing: The Raid 2
Best Cinematography: The Signal
Best Production Design: The Raid 2
Best Costumes:...
- 1/26/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
A film as lost as it’s characters, Young Ones is what happens when big ideas meet terrible execution and a lackluster script, combining for a film that’s a chore to watch.
Young Ones is an epic film, a neowestern sci-fi film, spilt into chapters to show what happens when scarce resources force people to the breaking point. Ernest Holm (Michael Shannon) lives and works on the harsh frontier, delivering supplies to the workers on the water line with his son Jerome (Kodi Smit McPhee). Meanwhile at home his daughter Mary (Elle Fanning) is tired of the struggles and wants a better life, something presented to her in the form of Flem Lever (Nicholas Hoult). Unbeknownst to the clan, Lever has bigger designs than just Mary and longs to have Ernrest’s land for himself and to return it to it’s former glory.
Managing Editor
A film as lost as it’s characters, Young Ones is what happens when big ideas meet terrible execution and a lackluster script, combining for a film that’s a chore to watch.
Young Ones is an epic film, a neowestern sci-fi film, spilt into chapters to show what happens when scarce resources force people to the breaking point. Ernest Holm (Michael Shannon) lives and works on the harsh frontier, delivering supplies to the workers on the water line with his son Jerome (Kodi Smit McPhee). Meanwhile at home his daughter Mary (Elle Fanning) is tired of the struggles and wants a better life, something presented to her in the form of Flem Lever (Nicholas Hoult). Unbeknownst to the clan, Lever has bigger designs than just Mary and longs to have Ernrest’s land for himself and to return it to it’s former glory.
- 1/25/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
A stylish and soulful film, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night is a film of bad men, dangerous women, love and beautiful images. More than just a vampire film, Ana Lily Amirpour crafts an eerie, moody tone poem that’s a fantastic film to watch.
Bad City an industrial town, filled by all matter of folks from the scrupulous to the shady. Arash (Arash Marandi), one such citizen, longs to just get in his nice car and go. Working as a landscaper and living with his junkie father is proving more difficult, when his father runs afoul of a local drug dealer. A local prostitute (Mozhan Marnò) has just turned 30 and wants to escape as well. They all long for better lives, but are unable to move from their station. This relatively tranquil, yet unfulfilling existence, is slowly shattered as a vampire (Sheila Vand) begins stalking the streets,...
Managing Editor
A stylish and soulful film, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night is a film of bad men, dangerous women, love and beautiful images. More than just a vampire film, Ana Lily Amirpour crafts an eerie, moody tone poem that’s a fantastic film to watch.
Bad City an industrial town, filled by all matter of folks from the scrupulous to the shady. Arash (Arash Marandi), one such citizen, longs to just get in his nice car and go. Working as a landscaper and living with his junkie father is proving more difficult, when his father runs afoul of a local drug dealer. A local prostitute (Mozhan Marnò) has just turned 30 and wants to escape as well. They all long for better lives, but are unable to move from their station. This relatively tranquil, yet unfulfilling existence, is slowly shattered as a vampire (Sheila Vand) begins stalking the streets,...
- 1/24/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
Independent sci-fi can be a dicey proposition. Lower budgets can mean terrible special effects, the need to create intimacy can lead to poor execution. Luckily, director William Eubank avoids most, if not all of the problems, with his new film The Signal, one of the most compelling indie sci-fi films in the past few years.
The story of The Signal is one of twists and turns and yet everything feels like it happened as it should. Nick (Brenton Thwaites), Jonah and Hailey, Nick’s girlfriend are traveling across the country. Nick and Jonah are MIT freshman who are chasing after the illusive Nomad, a hacker who almost got them expelled. When they get a clue about his location, they drive to the middle of the desert where they have a frightening confrontation that leaves the trio in a government facility. What starts as just a...
Managing Editor
Independent sci-fi can be a dicey proposition. Lower budgets can mean terrible special effects, the need to create intimacy can lead to poor execution. Luckily, director William Eubank avoids most, if not all of the problems, with his new film The Signal, one of the most compelling indie sci-fi films in the past few years.
The story of The Signal is one of twists and turns and yet everything feels like it happened as it should. Nick (Brenton Thwaites), Jonah and Hailey, Nick’s girlfriend are traveling across the country. Nick and Jonah are MIT freshman who are chasing after the illusive Nomad, a hacker who almost got them expelled. When they get a clue about his location, they drive to the middle of the desert where they have a frightening confrontation that leaves the trio in a government facility. What starts as just a...
- 1/24/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
There are so many ways that one could start a review of White Bird in a Blizzard that it was tough to figure out where to begin but here’s a shot: this film is an interesting look at depression, teenage angst, and life in the suburbs for about 86 minutes of it’s 91 minute running time that completely comes undone in the final 5 minutes of the film.
Kat (Shailene Woodley) is a girl who is coming into her own. She’s a few months away from college, enjoying a romance with the boy next door (Shiloh Fernandez), and is really beginning to understand her sexuality. But all is not well in paradise, her father is distant and her mother (Eva Green) is a mess, drinking heavily and struggling to hold on. One day her mother vanishes, and Kat and her father try to resume their lives.
Managing Editor
There are so many ways that one could start a review of White Bird in a Blizzard that it was tough to figure out where to begin but here’s a shot: this film is an interesting look at depression, teenage angst, and life in the suburbs for about 86 minutes of it’s 91 minute running time that completely comes undone in the final 5 minutes of the film.
Kat (Shailene Woodley) is a girl who is coming into her own. She’s a few months away from college, enjoying a romance with the boy next door (Shiloh Fernandez), and is really beginning to understand her sexuality. But all is not well in paradise, her father is distant and her mother (Eva Green) is a mess, drinking heavily and struggling to hold on. One day her mother vanishes, and Kat and her father try to resume their lives.
- 1/23/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
Hellion, the new drama from Kat Candler, is one angry and emotional film. From the opening moments till the credits rolled, this movie channels adolescent rage, loss, and the struggles of life into one intense experience that will play with your emotions.
Hellion tells the story of the Wilson clan. Jacob (Josh Wiggins) is a 13 year old motocrossed-obsessed teenager with a wild streak that ends up with him on the path to juvie. He’s idolized by his younger brother Wes and struggles in his relationship with his father (Aaron Paul), who is still reeling from his wife’s death and hasn’t done the best at caring for the boys. One day, Child Protective Services arrives and removes Wes, taking her to live with Aunt Pam (Juliette Lewis), and both Jacob and his father try and deal with their issues in order to bring him back.
Managing Editor
Hellion, the new drama from Kat Candler, is one angry and emotional film. From the opening moments till the credits rolled, this movie channels adolescent rage, loss, and the struggles of life into one intense experience that will play with your emotions.
Hellion tells the story of the Wilson clan. Jacob (Josh Wiggins) is a 13 year old motocrossed-obsessed teenager with a wild streak that ends up with him on the path to juvie. He’s idolized by his younger brother Wes and struggles in his relationship with his father (Aaron Paul), who is still reeling from his wife’s death and hasn’t done the best at caring for the boys. One day, Child Protective Services arrives and removes Wes, taking her to live with Aunt Pam (Juliette Lewis), and both Jacob and his father try and deal with their issues in order to bring him back.
- 1/22/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
The Raid 2 is a film fans have been clamoring for since the original in 2011 and it’s easy to see that this film will satisfy those ardent supporters. While the film does contain many exciting elements and some of the most daring fights you’ll ever seen, the film left me pretty detached by the nature of its thin and ever shifting plot.
The movie picks up where the last one left off with Officer Rama meeting with the anti-corruption task force. He is pressured into joining because he is worried for the safety of his wife and son. It’s his safety that he should be really concerned about as he is sent to prison to befriend a mob boss’ son named Uco and has to quite literally fight for his life while in the slammer. After saving Uco from a particularly brutal battle,...
Managing Editor
The Raid 2 is a film fans have been clamoring for since the original in 2011 and it’s easy to see that this film will satisfy those ardent supporters. While the film does contain many exciting elements and some of the most daring fights you’ll ever seen, the film left me pretty detached by the nature of its thin and ever shifting plot.
The movie picks up where the last one left off with Officer Rama meeting with the anti-corruption task force. He is pressured into joining because he is worried for the safety of his wife and son. It’s his safety that he should be really concerned about as he is sent to prison to befriend a mob boss’ son named Uco and has to quite literally fight for his life while in the slammer. After saving Uco from a particularly brutal battle,...
- 1/22/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
Way back in 2005, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and his brother created HitRecord.org, a collaborative website where artists could work together to create new works of art. Nine years later, the group has grown exponentially, to the point that they have developed a variety show, hitRECord on TV, to highlight the collaborations and tell unique stories.
HitRecord on TV is one of the more interesting TV ventures I’ve seen in a while. It’s kind of a Generation Y variety show, with it’s kinetic energy, wild inventiveness and the sense of community each piece has created. I screened the first three episodes and there’s a lot to like with this show. Each show has a given theme (Number One, Fantasy, and Trash, respectively) and the show works as like a patchwork of ideas. There’s a musical number per episode, some sort of short film,...
Managing Editor
Way back in 2005, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and his brother created HitRecord.org, a collaborative website where artists could work together to create new works of art. Nine years later, the group has grown exponentially, to the point that they have developed a variety show, hitRECord on TV, to highlight the collaborations and tell unique stories.
HitRecord on TV is one of the more interesting TV ventures I’ve seen in a while. It’s kind of a Generation Y variety show, with it’s kinetic energy, wild inventiveness and the sense of community each piece has created. I screened the first three episodes and there’s a lot to like with this show. Each show has a given theme (Number One, Fantasy, and Trash, respectively) and the show works as like a patchwork of ideas. There’s a musical number per episode, some sort of short film,...
- 1/21/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
There is such a thing as putting too much of one’s self into something. Wish I Was Here, the new Zach Braff film that was partially funded by Kickstarter, is sort of the kind of film you’d expect from him. Unfortunately, the movie does nothing truly innovative and a moving second half can’t save a film that’s all over the place.
Wish I Was Here is a film about the Bloom family. Aiden (Zach Braff) is a 30 something father of two who is chasing after his dream of being an actor. It’s not working out well for him however (he’s months out of his last gig, a dandruff commercial) and this is putting a strain on his family. His wife (Kate Hudson) is working a dead-end job with a creepy coworker, his two children are defiant, and his father...
Managing Editor
There is such a thing as putting too much of one’s self into something. Wish I Was Here, the new Zach Braff film that was partially funded by Kickstarter, is sort of the kind of film you’d expect from him. Unfortunately, the movie does nothing truly innovative and a moving second half can’t save a film that’s all over the place.
Wish I Was Here is a film about the Bloom family. Aiden (Zach Braff) is a 30 something father of two who is chasing after his dream of being an actor. It’s not working out well for him however (he’s months out of his last gig, a dandruff commercial) and this is putting a strain on his family. His wife (Kate Hudson) is working a dead-end job with a creepy coworker, his two children are defiant, and his father...
- 1/21/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
I don’t think I can recall having as transformative screening experience at a film festival as I did with Boyhood. This new film from Richard Linklater was a picture 12 years in the making and the finished product is a wonderfully epic sojourn into the life of a child as he grows into a young man. Dazzling without being over the top, soulful without being pandering, Boyhood is a great film that leaves you a changed person at the end.
We first meet Mason Jr. (Ellar Coltrane) at age 6. His parents (Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke) are divorced and he’s concerned more with riding his bike with a friend and painting graffiti on random bridges. As the film progresses, we see the family move from their house, his mother get remarried twice, and all the while track Mason’s growth as a person and how his experiences shape him.
Managing Editor
I don’t think I can recall having as transformative screening experience at a film festival as I did with Boyhood. This new film from Richard Linklater was a picture 12 years in the making and the finished product is a wonderfully epic sojourn into the life of a child as he grows into a young man. Dazzling without being over the top, soulful without being pandering, Boyhood is a great film that leaves you a changed person at the end.
We first meet Mason Jr. (Ellar Coltrane) at age 6. His parents (Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke) are divorced and he’s concerned more with riding his bike with a friend and painting graffiti on random bridges. As the film progresses, we see the family move from their house, his mother get remarried twice, and all the while track Mason’s growth as a person and how his experiences shape him.
- 1/20/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
The sign of a good documentary is if it gets a visceral reaction from an audience member. That reaction could be emotional or the desire to learn more, a documentary can’t succeed unless it has that. Ivory Tower, the documentary that takes on the topics of education costs and the models with which students are taught, certainly engenders much emotion and should spark further conversation about these topics.
That being said, Ivory Tower was one of the most infuriating movie watching experiences I’ve had in a while. I spent that last hour of the 90 minute running time pretty much livid at the film, despite it’s impeccable crafting. The film seems to be in the business of asking questions and shaping the narrative to fit it’s own importance, which is does extremely well, but it also detracts from the film. This is...
Managing Editor
The sign of a good documentary is if it gets a visceral reaction from an audience member. That reaction could be emotional or the desire to learn more, a documentary can’t succeed unless it has that. Ivory Tower, the documentary that takes on the topics of education costs and the models with which students are taught, certainly engenders much emotion and should spark further conversation about these topics.
That being said, Ivory Tower was one of the most infuriating movie watching experiences I’ve had in a while. I spent that last hour of the 90 minute running time pretty much livid at the film, despite it’s impeccable crafting. The film seems to be in the business of asking questions and shaping the narrative to fit it’s own importance, which is does extremely well, but it also detracts from the film. This is...
- 1/19/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
Cold in July is a classic study on when expectations for a film don’t meet reality. That’s not to say that is a bad thing as the film, a celebration of 80s pastiche and pulp noirs, the film is just different than what you think. But isn’t that what ones looks for a film, an interesting exploration of themes that aren’t what you expected?
Which is probably why this film is so difficult to review (and why there will be a spoiler section at the end of this review). The movie shows how a life can change in an instant. Richard Dane (Michael C. Hall), a mild mannered owner of a frame store, goes to investigate noises in his house one night in 1989 and ends up shooting a small time burglar Freddy Russell. After pleading self defense, he goes on about his life,...
Managing Editor
Cold in July is a classic study on when expectations for a film don’t meet reality. That’s not to say that is a bad thing as the film, a celebration of 80s pastiche and pulp noirs, the film is just different than what you think. But isn’t that what ones looks for a film, an interesting exploration of themes that aren’t what you expected?
Which is probably why this film is so difficult to review (and why there will be a spoiler section at the end of this review). The movie shows how a life can change in an instant. Richard Dane (Michael C. Hall), a mild mannered owner of a frame store, goes to investigate noises in his house one night in 1989 and ends up shooting a small time burglar Freddy Russell. After pleading self defense, he goes on about his life,...
- 1/19/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
There are movies that manage to touch upon current issues and then there are films that speak to you, as an audience member, and your life experiences. Luckily, for me, Dear White People managed to be both of those films, and extremely successful at that. While Justin Simien does encounter some minor stumbles, in his capable hands Dear White People is a perfect film for today’s generation.
The plot for Dear White People is pretty simple. Samantha White (a revelatory Tessa Thompson), a media arts major and host of the popular show “Dear White People”, is fed up with the state of the all-black residence hall Parker/Armstrong and decides to run for Head of House against the golden boy son of the Dean of Students, and her former flame, Troy (Brandon P. Bell). She wins just as a reality TV show comes onto...
Managing Editor
There are movies that manage to touch upon current issues and then there are films that speak to you, as an audience member, and your life experiences. Luckily, for me, Dear White People managed to be both of those films, and extremely successful at that. While Justin Simien does encounter some minor stumbles, in his capable hands Dear White People is a perfect film for today’s generation.
The plot for Dear White People is pretty simple. Samantha White (a revelatory Tessa Thompson), a media arts major and host of the popular show “Dear White People”, is fed up with the state of the all-black residence hall Parker/Armstrong and decides to run for Head of House against the golden boy son of the Dean of Students, and her former flame, Troy (Brandon P. Bell). She wins just as a reality TV show comes onto...
- 1/19/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
Not all of the films at the Sundance Film Festival can be winners. God’s Pocket, the feature film directorial debut of Mad Men‘s John Slattery, is a mildly competent film that outside of a few visual gags and famous actors, doesn’t manage to do anything of note or really impresses at any turn.
God’s Pocket is a movie about a blue-collar town filled with crazy characters whose lives can’t help but intersect after Leon Scarpato (Caleb Landry Jones) is killed in a construction “accident.” Mickey (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) just wants to bury his son, but financial troubles and his wife’s (Christina Hendricks) insistence that the death wasn’t an accident force him to address much of his circumstance and deal with his crumbling life. In addition to this, he has to deal with a friend (John Turturro) who has...
Managing Editor
Not all of the films at the Sundance Film Festival can be winners. God’s Pocket, the feature film directorial debut of Mad Men‘s John Slattery, is a mildly competent film that outside of a few visual gags and famous actors, doesn’t manage to do anything of note or really impresses at any turn.
God’s Pocket is a movie about a blue-collar town filled with crazy characters whose lives can’t help but intersect after Leon Scarpato (Caleb Landry Jones) is killed in a construction “accident.” Mickey (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) just wants to bury his son, but financial troubles and his wife’s (Christina Hendricks) insistence that the death wasn’t an accident force him to address much of his circumstance and deal with his crumbling life. In addition to this, he has to deal with a friend (John Turturro) who has...
- 1/18/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
As you read this post, I will be on a plane headed to Park City to cover the Sundance Film Festival. Over the next nine days, I’ll be bringing you the goings on from the festival as well as reviewing the films. Here’s the top 10 films I’m most excited for at Sundance.
10. The Raid 2 dir. Gareth Evans
Cast: Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, Arifin Putra, Oka Antara, Tio Pakusadewo, Alex Abbad
Reason: I have a good friend who swears by the original and this movie is different enough from the rest of the slate to make an impression.
Synopsis: Immediately following the events of the original, The Raid 2 tracks Officer Rama as he is pressured to join an anticorruption task force to guarantee protection for his wife and child. His mission is to get close to a new mob boss, Bangun, by befriending his incarcerated son,...
Managing Editor
As you read this post, I will be on a plane headed to Park City to cover the Sundance Film Festival. Over the next nine days, I’ll be bringing you the goings on from the festival as well as reviewing the films. Here’s the top 10 films I’m most excited for at Sundance.
10. The Raid 2 dir. Gareth Evans
Cast: Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, Arifin Putra, Oka Antara, Tio Pakusadewo, Alex Abbad
Reason: I have a good friend who swears by the original and this movie is different enough from the rest of the slate to make an impression.
Synopsis: Immediately following the events of the original, The Raid 2 tracks Officer Rama as he is pressured to join an anticorruption task force to guarantee protection for his wife and child. His mission is to get close to a new mob boss, Bangun, by befriending his incarcerated son,...
- 1/17/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
Today is one of the high holy days for awards watchers as the Oscar nominations were announced and the Academy, as they are wont to do, gave us an interesting slate of nominees. Gravity and American Hustle lead the nominations with 10 nominations and there were some big surprises and snubs along the way. Let’s do some quick analysis.
1. American Hustle pulls in 4 Oscar nominations for acting en route to 10 Oscar nominations. When the Academy loves a David O. Russell film they sure love it. Russell is the only director in history to have two of films get four acting nominations and the fact that the movie also managed to tie for the nominations lead means that it’s a serious threat to win Best Picture. Also, the “Amy Adams is overdue” campaign should be starting up any time now…
2. Tom Hanks missing out on...
Managing Editor
Today is one of the high holy days for awards watchers as the Oscar nominations were announced and the Academy, as they are wont to do, gave us an interesting slate of nominees. Gravity and American Hustle lead the nominations with 10 nominations and there were some big surprises and snubs along the way. Let’s do some quick analysis.
1. American Hustle pulls in 4 Oscar nominations for acting en route to 10 Oscar nominations. When the Academy loves a David O. Russell film they sure love it. Russell is the only director in history to have two of films get four acting nominations and the fact that the movie also managed to tie for the nominations lead means that it’s a serious threat to win Best Picture. Also, the “Amy Adams is overdue” campaign should be starting up any time now…
2. Tom Hanks missing out on...
- 1/16/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
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