Composing Greatness: #1. Rachel Portman - "Emma" (1996)

Scene from Emma

Welcome to Composing Greatness: a column dedicated to exploring the work of film composers. This will specifically focus on the films that earned them Oscar nominations while exploring what makes it so special. This will be broken down into a look at the overall style, interesting moments within the composition, and what made the score worth nominating in the first place. This will also include various subcategories where I will rank the themes of each film along with any time that the composer actually wins. This is a column meant to explore a side of film that doesn't get enough credit while hopefully introducing audiences to an enriched view of more prolific composers' work. This will only cover scores/songs that are compiled in an easily accessible format (so no extended scores will be considered). Join me every Sunday as I cover these talents that if you don't know by name, you recognize by sound.

A24 A-to-Z: #14. "Son of a Gun" (2014)

Scene from Son of a Gun

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.

Review: "T2 Transpotting" is a Fun Return to a Deranged World

Scene from T2 Transpotting

A lot has changed since Trainspotting was released in 1996. In director Danny Boyle's career, he has had three Oscar nominations, including one win for Best Director (Slumdog Millionaire). He directed the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England. Jonny Lee Miller is now Sherlock Holmes in Elementary. Even Ewan McGregor became Obi-Wan Kenobi in a few Star Wars movies. To say the least, the rough and tumble gang of Scottish drug addicts had quite a career ahead of them. It makes sense then why it was so hard for Boyle to bring the cast back together for a sequel to the breakout indie hit. To say the least, it's a miracle that everyone managed to show up. It's even more surprising then that the performances are great - it's the writing that unfortunately takes some of the good will out of the nostalgically named T2 Trainspotting.

After 20 Years, "Trainspotting" Still Has a Lively and Enduring High

Scene from Trainspotting

There are few opening scenes in 90's cinema with the electricity and iconography of director Danny Boyle's Trainspotting. Without notice, Renton (Ewan McGregor) is running from police as the heavy drums of Iggy Pop's "Lust for Life" accompanies a mantra on how to live a good life. It's something that since has been emblazoned on posters without recognition that the three minute scene's voice over monologue is a subversion. Renton is one of those who didn't get his life together. Instead, he chose drugs. Not because it makes him feel sad, but elated. Over the course of the next 90 minutes, Boyle's adaptation of Irvine Welsh's phenomenal book of the same name took audiences through the world of Scottish junkies that helped to popularize Britpop and electronica while making drugs seem like both the greatest thing in the world, and the absolute worst. Trainspotting is a furious ball of doped-out energy that it creates a natural high that holds up after 20 years.

The Runner-Ups: Ewan McGregor in "Big Fish" (2003)

Ewan McGregor

Every Oscar season, there are a handful of actors who get tagged with the "snubbed" moniker. While it is always unfortunate to see our favorites not honored with at very least a nomination, there's another trend that goes largely unnoticed: those who never even got that far. The Runner-Ups is a column meant to honor the greats in cinema who put in phenomenal work without getting the credit that they deserved from The Academy. Join me every Saturday as I honor those who never received any love. This list will hopefully come to cover both the acting community, and the many crew members who put the production together.

Theory Thursday: "Moulin Rouge!" is the Worst Best Picture Nominee of the 21st Century (So Far)

Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge!

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.