R.I.P. Kirk Douglas (1916-2020)

Kirk Douglas

On February 5, 2020, actor Kirk Douglas passed away at the age of 103 in Beverly Hills, California. He is best known for his career of playing tough men in films like Spartacus and Ace in the Hole, earning acclaim as one of the best actors of his generation. He is considered to be one of the last surviving members from the Golden Age of Hollywood and lives his life with a tough work aesthetic that he carried over from his youth. With a prolific career that includes breaking up the blacklist, he leaves behind an impressive body of work and one that shows the defiant power of his generation in its purest form. His work will continue to live on unwilling to die just like the man himself.

Review: "Pain and Glory" Finds Creative Freedom in Vulnerability

Scene from Pain and Glory

Over the course of a career, the best of artists will have expressed themselves on levels so personal that it's hard to think that there's anything left to cover. For Pedro Almodovar's Pain and Gain, the struggles of Salvador Mallo (Antonio Banderas) feel like they've only readjusted themselves following a career of international acclaim. Are his best days behind him, or is he bound to turn his latest project into the next big masterpiece? Following the reappraisal of a 30-year-old film, Salvador has a chance to look back on his life, especially in relation to his collaborators and youth, going on a mission to find where meaning comes from at a time when he's worn, his body falling apart on him as he does everything to maintain his vibrancy. As far as dramas looking back on a life well-lived, Almodovar has made one of the most beautiful and touching tales, finding the intricate balance between inspiration and human flaw. By the end, truth and reality have mixed so ambiguously that one has to wonder if life imitates art, or if art gives reason to live. Maybe it's both and we just don't realize it.

Failed Oscar Campaigns: "Bohemian Rhapsody" (2018)

Scene from Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

As awards seasons pick up, so do the campaigns to make your film have the best chances at the Best Picture race. However, like a drunken stupor, sometimes these efforts come off as trying too hard and leave behind a trailer of ridiculous flamboyance. Join me on every other Saturday for a highlight of the failed campaigns that make this season as much about prestige as it does about train wrecks. Come for the Harvey Weinstein comments and stay for the history. It's going to be a fun time as I explore cinema's rich history of attempting to matter.

R.I.P. Albert Finney (1936-2019)

Albert Finney in Tom Jones

On February 7, 2019, actor Albert Finney passed away at the age of 82 in London, England. Over the course of his illustrious career, he has done acclaimed work on stage in Shakespeare productions as well as headlining Oscar-winning films including Tom Jones. Over a career spanning 60 years, he has continually proven himself to be a charismatic performer, complimenting his co-stars and elevating productions ranging from romance (Two for the Road), mystery (Murder on the Orient Express), and legal dramas (Erin Brockovich). His career knew no bounds and saw him willing to try anything in favor of enhancing the cinematic experience. There's few who could claim to have a career full of as many highs as he did. His work will continue to live on as new audiences discover the magic that he brings to every role he every did.

The First "Vice" Trailer Finds Christian Bale Immersed in Another Oscar Campaign

Christian Bale in Vice

It continues to seem ridiculous, almost as much so as one of his broad comedies of yesteryear, but director Adam McKay has become an Oscar darling. With most of the Oscar season seemingly laid out with heavyweights, people have been holding out for his Dick Cheney film now called Vice. Considering how little presence it has had at film festivals, it's amazing to think of how anticipated the first trailer has been for months now. Well, it is here and from the looks of it, this is another Christian Bale performance primed for Oscar consideration. He looks immersed in the role to an impeccable degree, and the supporting cast doesn't look too bad either - filled with Oscar-nominees and winners who round out a cast of characters from one of the 21st century's most notorious American presidencies. To say the least, Vice looks like McKay is once again going to enjoy a cozy seat at the awards table.

The First Trailer for "At Eternity's Gate" Draws Willem Dafoe Back into the Oscar Race

Willem Dafoe in At Eternity's Gate

Following last week's Telluride and Venice Film Festivals, there's a lot to already look forward to in regards to awards season. With many already staking their claim, it's interesting to see what changes are likely to still come. Among those is a film from director Julian Schnabel (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) starring Willem Dafoe as iconic artist Vincent Van Gogh. With many at the festivals already hailing it as a career-best performance, it looks like it will be what is needed to finally earn the legendary actor an Oscar. If nothing else, the trailer looks to capture the artistry of a man who redefined how we look at art with a performance that is just as staggering to look at as the gorgeous scenery. 

Casey Affleck Bows Out of Oscar Presenter Duties

Casey Affleck

It's a tradition almost as old as The Academy Awards. Every year the acting categories play a cute game in which the Best Actor winner of the previous year awards the Best Actress category of that year (and vice versa). There's been one controversy however present in an era defined by the Me Too and Time's Up movement: what are they going to do about Casey Affleck, last year's Best Actor winner for Manchester By the Sea. He has become a figure of notoriety thanks to his sexual harassment lawsuit that almost cost him the Oscar. Many wanted him to vetoed out of the role. However, today marks a different turn: Affleck himself is stepping down, breaking an Oscar tradition. It may be an expected move amid controversy, but it still is quite an odd development.

Failed Oscar Campaigns: "Manchester By the Sea" (2016)

Scene from Manchester By the Sea

As awards seasons pick up, so do the campaigns to make your film have the best chances at the Best Picture race. However, like a drunken stupor, sometimes these efforts come off as trying too hard and leave behind a trailer of ridiculous flamboyance. Join me on every other Saturday for a highlight of the failed campaigns that make this season as much about prestige as it does about train wrecks. Come for the Harvey Weinstein comments and stay for the history. It's going to be a fun time as I explore cinema's rich history of attempting to matter.

Failed Oscar Campaigns: "Lincoln" (2012)

Scene from Lincoln

As awards seasons pick up, so do the campaigns to make your film have the best chances at the Best Picture race. However, like a drunken stupor, sometimes these efforts come off as trying too hard and leave behind a trailer of ridiculous flamboyance. Join me on every other Saturday for a highlight of the failed campaigns that make this season as much about prestige as it does about train wrecks. Come for the Harvey Weinstein comments and stay for the history. It's going to be a fun time as I explore cinema's rich history of attempting to matter.

The First "Phantom Thread" Trailer Starts an Elegant Swan Song for Daniel Day-Lewis

Daniel Day Lewis in Phantom Thread

It's the partnership that cinephiles have been clamoring for over the past 10 years. In 2007, director Paul Thomas Anderson teamed with acclaimed actor Daniel Day-Lewis for arguably one of the 21st century's greatest achievements: There Will Be Blood. In the time since, Lewis has become the first actor to receive three Best Actor statues, and has announced his next pairing with Anderson would be his swan song. Phantom Thread would be the most anticipated movie of 2017 even without the departure of a cinematic icon. With the first trailer, everyone looks to be in top form with Anderson doing a largely more refined movie than he has in the past, though not without its idiosyncrasies. It looks like an elegant period drama that won't just get Lewis a potential and largely unbeatable fourth Oscar, but may finally get Anderson back into the Best Picture race for the first time in a decade. If the trailer has anything to say about it, the chances are very good.

The First "Roman J. Israel, Esq." Trailer is an Enema of Sunshine

Denzel Washington

There are few actors with a towering and intimidating excellence as that of Denzel Washington. Over his career, he has turned in so many charismatic performances that it's almost too easy to attach Oscar buzz to any of his latest projects. In the case of director Dan Gilroy's Roman J. Israel, Esq., he looks to be pulling one of his most elaborate roles in years by donning an afro, glasses, and a lot of weight. Is it more than stunt casting? Well, the first trailer for the film would suggest that it's actually going to be a pretty entertaining trip to the movies. If nothing else, it's further proof that Washington can sell anything, and this is definitely a very strong start to a late entry in the Oscar race.

Birthday Take: Steve Carell in "Foxcatcher" (2014)

Scene from Foxcatcher

Welcome to The Birthday Take, a column dedicated to celebrating Oscar nominees and winners' birthdays by paying tribute to the work that got them noticed. This isn't meant to be an exhaustive retrospective, but more of a highlight of one nominated work that makes them noteworthy. The column will run whenever there is a birthday and will hopefully give a dense exploration of the finest performances and techniques applied to film. So please join me as we blow out the candles and dig into the delicious substance.

Theory Thursday: Denzel Washington is Winning the Best Actor Oscar for "Fences"

Denzel Washington as SAG Awards

Welcome to a weekly column called Theory Thursdays, which will be released every Thursday and discuss my "controversial opinion" related to something relative to the week of release. Sometimes it will be birthdays while others is current events or a new film release. Whatever the case may be, this is a personal defense for why I disagree with the general opinion and hope to convince you of the same. While I don't expect you to be on my side, I do hope for a rational argument. After all, film is a subjective medium and this is merely just a theory that can be proven either way. 

R.I.P. John Hurt (1940-2017)

John Hurt

On January 25, 2017, actor John Hurt died at the age of 77 in Norfolk, England. With a career spanning 60 years and over 120 movie and TV roles, the charismatic actor was considered to be one of the best at depicting outsiders. Among his most noteworthy roles are many performances that reflect this, including Alien, The Elephant Man, and Midnight Express. Even then, the actor was game for any role, giving it his all and bringing the character to life in invigorating fashion. He leaves behind an impressive and massive body of work that will leave audiences laughing and crying for generations to come. He may not always have the most recognizable face, but he always knew how to make movies better.

Constance Wu is Not Wild About Casey Affleck's Oscar Nomination

Constance Wu

For a lot of people, the Oscar nominations announcement was a big deal. It was a moment where La La Land tied with Titanic and All About Eve for the most Oscars. It was the moment that the black LGBTQ movie Moonlight became an Oscar front runner with eight nominations. However, there is one person who isn't happy: Constance Wu. In particular, she isn't too thrilled with the news of Best Actor nominee Casey Affleck (Manchester By the Sea) getting nominated, believing that he doesn't deserve it due to the recent news of his sexual harassment lawsuits. Her frustration is only the latest in a long line of potential trouble for Affleck's Oscar chances, but it nevertheless could sway votes.

Looking at Oscar Predictions: How Did I Do?

Scene from Hell or High Water

Well, the moment has come. The Oscars have been announced and La La Land leads the pack with 14 nominations. While we predict what's to come, why not take this opportunity to look at how things went before. I am talking specifically about my own predictions that I made yesterday regarding who was going to make the cut. As you'll see, I didn't do terribly, though betting on horses like 20th Century Women didn't exactly pan out either. The following is a rundown of the main categories as well as what I picked. 

Here's the Predictions for the 2017 Oscar Nominations

Scene from Moonlight

The big day is almost here. With Oscar Sunday approaching slowly but surely, it's time to see what the big nominations will be. Who will be in Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress? Ahead of tomorrow's nominations at 5:18 AM (check your local listings for more information), I will be doing the annual tradition of trying to predict these major fields (I'm not ambitious enough to do the entire slate). You can read my predictions after the jump, and prepare for regular coverage following the announcement. It's guaranteed to be a fun day full of highlights and snub talk. See you then.

Failed Oscar Campaigns: "The Revenant" (2015)

Scene from The Revenant

As awards seasons pick up, so do the campaigns to make your film have the best chances at the Best Picture race. However, like a drunken stupor, sometimes these efforts come off as trying too hard and leave behind a trailer of ridiculous flamboyance. Join me on every other Saturday for a highlight of the failed campaigns that make this season as much about prestige as it does about train wrecks. Come for the Harvey Weinstein comments and stay for the history. It's going to be a fun time as I explore cinema's rich history of attempting to matter.

Super Delegates: Harry S. Truman in "Give 'em Hell, Harry!" (1975)

James Whitmore

Welcome to Super Delegates, a bi-monthly column released on Tuesdays and are done in part to recognize politics on film, specifically in regards to Oscar-nominated works. With this being an election year in the United States, it feels like a good time to revisit film history's vast relationship with politicians of any era and determine what makes them interesting while potentially connecting them to the modern era. The series plans to run until the end of this 2016 election cycle, so stay tuned for every installment and feel free to share your thoughts on films worthy of discussion in the comments section.

Ranking Robert De Niro's 7 Oscar Nominated Roles

Robert De Niro in Joy

Today marks the 73rd birthday of actor Robert De Niro. While it may be easy to ignore among his later and lesser films, he is an actor that so deftly earned the honor of being one of the greatest actors of his generation. One can easily see it in his impressive work between the 70's and 90's where he constantly embodied the roles with rigorous attention to detail and enough crazy stories to make Jared Leto look tame. Still, can you name all seven of his Oscar-nominated performances? Better yet, can you name the two of his that won? The following is a ranking of his nominations that reflect an actor at various stages of his career doing his work so well that lesser actors can only hope to achieve half of the level of gravitas.