A24 A-to-Z: #79. "Gloria Bell" (2019)

Scene from Gloria Bell

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 years to come.

Review: "Wonderstruck" is an Inspiring Exploration of Life and Acceptance

Scene from Wonderstruck

Outside of animated movies, it seems very difficult to make a great family movie. The live action format is generally populated with films reliant on cheap jokes and pandering plots. It becomes difficult to see them as being art, or something that encourages kids to see the world in more perplexing manners. Director Todd Haynes has set out with writer Brian Selznick to fix this with Wonderstruck, whose execution is just as hard to summarize as its plot. Even then, it creates the wonder of cinema and youth in a manner that is inspiring. With two intersecting plots, the story challenges basic perceptions of what a family movie can be, and in the process develops a tangible art film for kids. It's heartfelt and moving, as well as smart. There isn't anything like this silent film/70's kids adventure hybrid, and that alone makes it worth checking out.

Review: "Suburbicon" is Messy and Mean-Spirited Satire With Fleeting Moments of Inspiration

Scene from Suburbicon

When one thinks of the 1950's American suburbs, there's a certain image that comes to mind. It's the land of TV shows like Leave It To Beaver, where conflicts are so pedestrian that one would be forgiven for thinking that baby boomers were wimps. It's an image that has been satirized both loving and mawkishly, and director George Clooney is the latest to throw his name into the ring with a film that not only subverts the suburban mentality, but attempts to explore it through a modern political prism. The film isn't as funny as its Joel and Ethan Coen script (also co-penned by Clooney and frequent partner Grant Heslov) would suggest, but it's one of the year's more interesting messes that attempts to take fake conservatism down a peg with a liberal agenda that is as obvious as it is prescient in 2017. The film is a mess, but at least Clooney keeps it interesting.

The Official "Wonderstruck" Trailer is a Whirlwind of Visual Delight

In 2015, director Todd Haynes released his most critically acclaimed movie to date, Carol. Despite not showing up strong with Oscar wins, it rejuvenated his career and made many wonder what would be next up for the filmmaker. With Wonderstruck, Haynes has decided to move from an elegant period drama to something more ambitious. It's a story that is even more visually stimulating than what's come before. It's a film that has taken most of the film festivals by storm. While this is only the first official trailer, it looks like Haynes wasn't kidding. If this isn't great, it at least has an awe-inspiring approach that blends styles and creates something new and exciting. With David Bowie's "Space Oddity" to back things up, the trailer is a work of art, and hopefully another knockout for Haynes.

Ranking the Oscar Winning Mothers (Since 2010)

Scene from Room

With today marking Mother's Day, it only feels right to pay some sort of tribute to the women who helped to raise and make all of us the people that we are. For many, it is a joyous celebration that is met with feasts an gifts. In the case of the Oscars, it is one of the most nominated professions in the organization's existence. To say the least, there aren't too many years where an actress portraying a mother hasn't at very least been nominated somewhere - thus making a thorough listing of every performance a tad difficult. That is why I am choosing to focus on the Oscar-winning mothers since 2010. While the limitations would suggest that there wouldn't be many, there's actually seven between the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress category. The following is a ranking of these mothers, who in some way embody the complex and rich tapestry of what their jobs entail.

The First "Freeheld" Trailer is Full of Promising Performances

Left to right: Julianne Moore and Ellen Page

With America currently living in an era where gay marriage is legal and LGBT culture has become more accepted, it is exciting to see what the landscape ahead looks like. There's a plethora of gay-themed movies coming out this Fall that all stand some chance of making a splash. Among them is director Peter Sollett's Freeheld, which follows a lesbian couple as they deal with a series of legal issues regarding penchants in time of crisis. Starring last year's Oscar winner Julianne Moore (Best Actress - Still Alice) and Oscar nominee Ellen Page (Best Actress - Juno), it is looking to enter the raise strong with a potentially uplifting and unique look into love and hope in the modern era.

The Highlights of the 87th Academy Awards Ceremony

The moment has come and gone. The 87th Annual Academy Awards happened at the Dolby Theater and handed out 24 awards throughout the night, including Best Picture winner Birdman. What were some of the highlights of the evening? The following is a list of the various moments that stand out above the rest and prove just why Neil Patrick Harris, and the show in general, was in top form and knew how to make the overlong program move fast enough to keep attentive while also lacking in self-involvement. It may have not been the best ceremony ever, but at least it was a lot better than most years.

A Theory on Why Julianne Moore Will Win Best Actress

Julianne Moore

With the Oscars closing in, it's time to finalize the votes for who is likely going to win the top prizes. While I have already discussed the three pronged Best Picture race (Selma, Birdman, Boyhood), but now it is time to get into the other big categories. Over the next few days, I will be sharing quick pieces on who is likely to win in each of the major categories as well as any discussion of a potential upset. Coming up is a piece on why Julianne Moore (Still Alice) is pretty much going to walk away with the Best Actress trophy on Oscar night.

A Discussion on the Oscars and The Norbit Effect

Eddie Redmayne in Jupiter Ascending

For those unaware, there is a common conspiracy trend known as "The Norbit Effect." In 2007, actor Eddie Murphy was posed to win Best Supporting Actor for his excellent turn in Dreamgirls. It was considered a comeback and proof that the actor wasn't just some hack. However, he released what is widely regarded as his worst film around the time that Oscar voters were turning in their ballots called Norbit. As history shows, Alan Arkin for Little Miss Sunshine won this category. However, with Norbit in wide release on Oscar Night, many suspect that it was the cause of Murphy's loss. After this weekend, does any of the main front runners stand any chance of falling to this trap?

Check Out the First Trailer for "Still Alice"

Julianne Moore

I have already given my review for the amazing new film Still Alice. The film is a highly effective and powerful drama that will likely get Julianne Moore that Best Actress statue at the Oscars. While I don't plan to rehash my sentiments at length here, I want to simply share the news that there has finally been the release of a trailer for the film about a woman with early Alzheimer's disease. It is powerful and thankfully, the trailer does an excellent job depicting what you can expect to get, which is a very overwhelming amount of emotions.

Review: "Still Alice" is a Heartbreaking Masterpiece on the Fragility of the Mind

Left to right: Kristen Stewart and Julianne Moore

There's nothing trickier to depict in cinema than neurological disorders. It is by nature not a very cinematic problem as mental problems are almost always invisible to those around the suffering victim. While extroverted diseases can be compelling, they're often brought into question on authenticity. With co-directors Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland's Still Alice,  they manage to do something profoundly simple: create a heart-wrenching drama about a young woman (Julianne Moore) suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. We know how the story ends, yet the ride along the way is a fascinating look into something so tragic that everyone around is deemed helpless at a point. In lesser words, it is a masterpiece of a neurological character study.

"Birdman" Surprises Everyone By Beating "Boyhood" for Best Picture at the Gotham Awards

Michael Keaton

There were more than a few surprises that came out of tonight's Gotham Awards. Hosted by Uma Thurman, the show gave out awards to the best of independent cinema. While many were expecting Boyhood to come away with all of the top prizes, the film didn't do so well. Instead, a lot of surprising moments came and Boyhood only came away with one win. Following the jump is a list of all of the nominations as well as a few thoughts on the overall winners.