Failed Oscar Campaigns: "On the Basis of Sex" (2018)

Scene from On the Basis of Sex

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. D.A. Pennebaker (1925-2019)

D.A. Pennebaker

On August 1, 2019, documentarian D.A. Pennebaker passed away at the age of 94 in Sag Harbor, New York. Over the course of 60 years, he helped to document many of the major events in politics and pop culture, most notably the rise of Bob Dylan, the Monterey Pop music festival, and the presidential campaign of Bill Clinton. His work is some of the most influential in the documentary field, helping to create the modern sense of the medium by choosing to shoot reality instead of relying on interviews. His work has been praised for its authenticity and his ability to capture the world as it was. With several noteworthy works, he leaves behind a time capsule of history that is unlike any other and helps to better understand the artists who made the world into what it is. There have been few with as much inspiration as him.

Review: "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" Adds Excellent Depth to TV's Nicest Man

Scene from Won't You Be My Neighbor?

How do you make a documentary on Fred Rogers? It's actually a tough question when thinking about his credentials. He was once an ordained minister who turned to TV and became an icon with Mister Rogers' Neighborhood as the quintessential nice man. There's no real conflict to be driven from this narrative, as his actions were as genuine as his slow paced earnestness. Yet in director Morgan Neville's loving tribute to the unlikely star, Won't You Be My Neighbor?, there's a certain sense that being nice is arguably even more challenging than going for easy gut reactions that titillate in the moment but leave little to be desired hours or even days later. For Neville, Rogers is a fascinating figure not only for what he did on the show but for how he managed to live up to his integrity for over 50 years as an entertainer. He was one of the most welcoming faces on TV, and the documentary does a lot of justice to capturing why that was. It was a great exploration of the man, but for those expecting an in-depth look into his iconic show, prepare to be somewhat disappointed. 

A24 A-to-Z: #23."Amy" (2015)

Scene from Amy

In case you didn't know, A24 is one of the great purveyors of modern cinema. Since 2013, the studio has found a way to innovate independent cinema by turning each release into an event. As a result, A24 A-to-Z will be an ongoing series that looks at every release from the studio by analyzing its production history, release, criticisms, and any awards attention that it might've received. Join me on a quest to explore the modern heroes of cinema by exploring every hit and miss that comes with that magnificent logo. They may not all be great, but they more than make A24 what it is and what it will hopefully continue to be for ears to come.

A Look at the New Rules for Oscar Season 2017

Scene from O.J.: Made in America

It is likely that if you saw O.J.: Made in America that you think it's a one of a kind experience. Its journey into the tumultuous celebrity around O.J. Simpson created one of the most fascinating documentaries of 2016. What if I were to tell you that O.J. was a one of a kind experience in another way? The Academy has recently announced their new rules for this upcoming Oscar Season, and there's been a heavy blow to the documentary nominees-to-be. There will no longer be documentaries eligible that are released in multiple parts. This is one of the major rules to come out. Read on to find out new rules involving Best Animated Film, Best Original Score, Best Picture, and more.

Review: "13th" is a Vital Documentary That Defines America in 2016

One of the biggest conflicts surrounding the 2016 presidential elections has been the unsettling and rampant nature of racism. With one candidate suggesting banning Muslims and "rapist" Mexicans as well as fixing the hellish slums of black communities; the idea of America being a nation of progress becomes hard to believe. As the election gets closer, it feels right to become introspective about why this remains such an issue and  how the culture seeks to face any change. Director Ava Duvernay jumps into the documentary world with the vital 13th: a documentary chronicling how despite the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery, it ended up creating a new form of racial bias. It may be specifically about the prison system, but in just 100 minutes, Duvernay's dissection creates a strong indication of the bigger racial problems in America.

Super Delegates: Bill Clinton in "The War Room" (1993)

Scene from The War Room

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.

A Look at the 15 Final Titles Vying for Best Documentary

Scene from Amy

Back in October, The Academy released their short list of 124 titles all vying for the Best Documentary nomination. As the deadline gets ever closer, it has been announced that there are now a final 15 duking it out for the final five positions. While there's plenty of the familiar big subject fare that you've come to expect from this category, it also features a few more zeitgeist-prone entries. The following is a list of those entries followed by a few thoughts of what's likely to come from all of this.

A Look at the 124 Titles on the Best Documentary Shortlist

L. Ron Hubbard in Going Clear

Last week marked the release of the shortlist for the Best Foreign Film nominees for this year's Oscars. Today marks the latest shortlist, this time for Best Documentary. Featuring an impressive 124 selections (the highest total was 151 nominees in 2013), the list is an eclectic bunch of titles, including a few name grabbing films ranging from the highly successful Amy to the controversial Going Clear and The Look of Silence. The following is a rundown of every nominee on the list, which will be followed by a few opinions on the various titles featured.

Birthday Take: Werner Herzog in "Encounters at the End of the World" (2009)

Scene from Encounters at the End of the World

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.

Can "The Look of Silence" Top Its Predecessor?

In 2013, director Joshua Oppenheimer released a documentary that was rather revolutionary to the medium. The Act of Killing took on the subject of Indonesian genocide from the unlikeliest of angles. Using the central figures in the historical genocide, he had them reenact the events in a Hollywood-esque production that included genre motifs. The results were staggering, sometimes tragic and comic, and unveiled something impressive in the documentary structure. This Friday marks the release of the companion piece The Look of Silence, which promises to discuss the same events, but from the innocent public's perspective. Is it possible that the filmmaker has another masterpiece on his hands?

Review: "Citizenfour" is a Hard Hitting Glimpse Into Personal Freedoms

Every now and then there is a documentary that feels like a more important piece of fabric to how we perceive society. Super Size Me altered our views on fast food. An Inconvenient Truth made us reconsider global warming. Now, with director Lauren Poitras' Citizenfour, a more pressing matter that affects us all has come forward: privacy. Over the course of the Oscar winning documentary, the film explores Edward Snowden's life as he unleashes news to the public about the N.S.A. and sacrifices his freedom in the process. The results may be known, but the back story is staggering.

An Open Apology to Jon Blair

Jon Blair

Earlier this morning through an e-mail correspondence, I was informed that an article I published on this blog presented false information regarding some Oscar history. After some discussion and reviewing the initial article, I have come to the conclusion that an apology is in order not only for the artist, but for the readers out there who likely took my statements as fact. As a credible writer, it is my goal to give work that is reflective of effort and research in order to make legitimate discussion pieces regarding all topics surrounding the Academy Awards. As evident here, I encourage any additional feedback regarding overlooked errors in all of my work, which I will do my best to diligently fix in a timely manner.

Save the Date: "Citizenfour" to Premiere on HBO Day After Oscars Ceremony

It is the documentary everyone has been raving about. For the most part, it has quickly become one of the quintessential modern documentaries alongside titles like The Act of Killing. However, for all the good that hearing about it does, most people don't have the advantage of seeing director Lauren Poitras' Citizenfour due to limited resources. For those who are interested in seeing the likely Oscar nominee that has already swept up plenty of Golden Globe, SAG and BAFTA nominations, there's some good news. You won't be able to see it in time for the Oscars ceremony, but you'll be able to see it very, very soon.

A Look at the 20 Finalists in the Best Documentary Running

As we get closer and closer to the final Oscar nominations next month, the lists dwindle down to the most likely targets. In the case of Best Documentary, the list has shrunk impressively from its initial 134 selections. Now sitting at a meager 20, we are getting a better look at what will likely make the cut. For those that have been wondering, there's a lot of familiar faces still among them and a few snubs as well.

A Look at the 134 Best Documentary Eligible Nominees

Alejandro Jodorowsky in Jodorowsky's Dune

With the recent announcement of the Best Foreign Film nominees, it seems like the Academy isn't taking its time to get any and all information out regarding potential nominees. Up next is the field that is clogged with potential and a lot of familiar names: Best Documentary. The list of nominees were released and an impressive 134 entries are eligible for the top honor. But what will make the cut? Read on to see what all of the nominees are and my brief thoughts on the films that I have seen and the few that look to be runaway stars.

"The Look of Silence" Trailer Promises a Great Follow-up from Oppenheimer

In 2013, director Joshua Oppenheimer released a documentary that will likely come to redefine how the format is shot. Following Anwar Congo, he filmed a story of his militant power restaging events during the Indonesian genocide from decades past. In the process, it opened up Congo and his crew in haunting ways that were candid and full of fascinating results. With his follow-up, he has chosen to show the other side: the victims. With the success of The Act of Killing firmly placing Oppenheimer as a master documentarian, how will The Look of Silence help to present a more rounded picture of a tragedy that not too many Americans knew too much about?

A Look at the Acclaimed New Documentary "Citizenfour"

Edward Snowden

It was a common cry coming out of the New York Film Festival: Citizenfour is a highly important documentary. From director Laura Poitras, the documentary follows the infamous scandal revolving around Edward Snowden who revealed that the government was spying on its citizens. It follows the days leading up to the day that he went public and features a lot of personal footage of the man as he discovers all of this incriminating evidence. Still, in the midst of a compelling subject, what exactly makes it so exceptional? Last year saw We Steal Secrets feature a documentary with another high profile renegade named Julian Assange. Despite initial acclaim, it disappeared quickly. Can Citizenfour manage to get a Best Documentary nomination based on subject matter alone?

Review: "Life Itself" is a Wondrous Origin Story of Film's Most Powerful Thumb

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was a titan in film criticism. Along with winning the Pulitzer Prize, his long and storied career has come to be the iconic portrayal of a film critic. More-so than his contemporaries including Andrew Sarris, Pauline Kael, or even Gene Siskel, he made the art of film discussion accessible in ways that are most likely formative to every film fan with a blog to this day (myself included). It wasn't just the words that he wrote, but the passion and sincerity that he brought to his work that made him so tangible. In director Steve James' documentary Life Itself, based off of Ebert's self-penned biography, the writer's life is explored in great detail with help from Ebert as well as family, friends, and even a few celebrities. The results are a loving tribute not just to one of film's most recognized fans, but to the power of optimism and using your influence to better other people's lives.

Review: "Blackfish" is a Powerful, Striking Look at Orca Whales in Captivity

One of the most talked about documentaries of 2013 remains director Gabriela Cowperthwaite's Blackfish: a horrific look at the maintenance and care that goes into taking care of the orca whales at various sea parks. Throughout the decades, these majestic creatures have inspired awe and splashed their share of audiences. Yet there is an even more haunting truth behind these performing sea life animals. They aren't always the friendliest of creatures and rarely kill their trainers. It is a horrific truth that becomes the center of one of the strongest documentaries of the year.