With "A Rainy Day in New York" Being Shelved, is this the End of Woody Allen's Career?

Woody Allen

Whether or not you like him, there is one thing apparent: Woody Allen is one of the most prolific filmmakers of the past 50 years. With limited exceptions, he has stuck a movie-a-year release schedule since the 1970's and has earned four Oscars for his writing and a Best Picture win for the romantic comedy Annie Hall. With all of this said, he has once again fallen under fire for an old scandal regarding sexual allegations against his daughter Dylan Farrow. With the Me Too and Time's Up movements causing The Academy to kick out other members with notorious reputations Harvey Weinstein and Roman Polanski, one has to wonder if Allen's days are numbered. Considering that Amazon has shelved his next film, A Rainy Day in New York, and his previous film, Wonder Wheel, was a legitimate Failed Oscar Campaign contender, it does seem like maybe just maybe this is the end of his career.

A Roundup of Movie Trailers for Oscar Season Hopefuls

Margot Robbie in Mary Queen of Scots

With the end of August upon us and the Venice Film Festival currently going on, it's time to get prepped for the 2018 Oscar season. That means that there'll be a lot of returning goodies (see this post for all of the details) and a lot of prognostication as the season heats up. But before the summer ends officially, it's as good of a time as any to look back at the trailers that premiered in the past few months and have already promised to make this Oscar season a fascinating and exciting one. The following is a rundown of the films that have already staked their claim in the race, making it difficult for the films that still need to make their presence known, such as Adam McKay's Dick Cheney biopic Backseat. But for now, these are the films that may be worth keeping an eye on, at least until the film festivals say otherwise.

It's Almost Time for Oscar Season Coverage to Begin!

Scene from A Star is Born (2018)

Tomorrow marks the end of August and the summer movie season. For those who enjoy Oscar culture, it's the perfect time to begin warming up for another fun season full of big contenders. Who knows what lies ahead in September and onward, and what already has made a strong case for itself. Still, there's a lot to look forward to with The Oscar Buzz, as per usual. While it's been a bit too quiet around here (I apologize), I hope to begin picking up the slack as the season gets more interesting and the prognostication becomes more serious. But before things get too serious, what is there to look forward to? It's time to start the guessing game with a round of goodies coming as soon as this weekend. 

Theory Thursday: "Inside Llewyn Davis" is Oscar Isaac's Best Performance

Scene from Inside Llewyn Davis

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. 

Legitimate Theater Bonus #5: "Promises Promises" (1968)

Promises Promises

Welcome to Legitimate Theater: a column dedicated to movie-based stage musicals. The goal of this series is to explore those stories that originated in films and eventually worked their way onto Broadway and beyond. By the end of each entry, there will hopefully be a better understanding of this odd but rampant trend in modern entertainment. Are these stories really worth telling through song and dance? How can it even compare to the technical prowess of a camera and seamless editing? Join me on this quest as I explore the highs and lows of this trend on the third Wednesday of every month and hopefully answer what makes this Legitimate Theater.

R.I.P. Neil Simon (1927-2018)

Neil Simon

On August 26, 2018, playwright and screenwriter Neil Simon died at the age of 91 in New York City, New York. Over the course of his storied career, he has become the most nominated writer for combined Tony and Oscar nominations. It's for good reason, as his work on stage has included such iconic hits as The Odd Couple and Sweet Charity. He has released a few dozen plays and just as many movies (some based on the plays) and became known for his penchant sympathetic humor that pitted the average man into odd situations. Along with being the only living playwright to have a New York theater named after him, he has had a legacy that is unmatched just in terms of output and laughs. He will be missed for everything that he contributed to the world of theater and film.

A24 A-to-Z: #46. "Trespass Against Us" (2017)

Scene from Trespass Against Us

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.

R.I.P. Barbara Harris (1935-2018)

Barbara Harris in Nashville

Actress of stage and screen Barbara Harris died on August 21, 2018 at the age of 83 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Among the accomplishments of her career were several Tony and Golden Globe-nominated performances as well as prominent work in films like Nashville, Peggy Sue Got Married, and Grosse Pointe Blank. With a rich career that spanned several decades, she leaves behind an impressive legacy of quality performances and Broadway shows that were inspired by her charisma. Her work continues to live on in the students that she taught after retiring from acting as well as the great work that she did on camera. She had an exciting, unique career that's hard to match, and it makes her all the more fascinating as a result.

Legitimate Theater: #4. "Freaky Friday" (2016)

Freaky Friday

Welcome to Legitimate Theater: a column dedicated to movie-based stage musicals. The goal of this series is to explore those stories that originated in films and eventually worked their way onto Broadway and beyond. By the end of each entry, there will hopefully be a better understanding of this odd but rampant trend in modern entertainment. Are these stories really worth telling through song and dance? How can it even compare to the technical prowess of a camera and seamless editing? Join me on this quest as I explore the highs and lows of this trend on the third Wednesday of every month and hopefully answer what makes this Legitimate Theater.

Composing Greatness: #3. Rachel Portman - "Chocolat" (2000)

Scene from Chocolat

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.

Review: "BlacKkKlansman" is a Giant Gut Punch of Profound Film Making

Scene from BlacKkKlansman

By the age of 61, most storied filmmakers have done their best work and are in the "safe" era of their careers. Not Spike Lee. While his career has never been nothing short of abrasive and confrontational, his latest BlacKkKlansman is a film that comes like a foot knocking down a door. Much like the general discourse, he's mad at the problematic race relations of the modern era and wants to have a blunt discussion of why we should be angrier about it. Over the course of his film, he has created one of the most delightful, uncomfortable, prophetic, energetic, scary films of his career. Even from its title, which alludes to the Ku Klux Klan characters at the center of the story, it doesn't come subtle. But on the bright side, Lee is one of the few old hats that are angry with a purpose, and it's so nice to have a film this immediate to prove the value of art to change discourse, provided everyone stops and listens.

Theory Thursday: "Step Up 3D" is One of the Best Films of the 21st Century (So Far)

Scene from Step Up 3D

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. 

A24 A-to-Z: #45. "20th Century Women" (2016)

Scene from 20th Century Women

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.

Composing Greatness: #2. Rachel Portman - "The Cider House Rules" (1999)

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.

Theory Thursday: Spike Lee's Netflix Series "She's Gotta Have It" is Underrated

Scene from She's Gotta Have It

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. 

The Academy Announces a Best Popular Film Category, and It's Not Good

Scene from Birdman

It wouldn't be an Oscar season without a summer of new changes being added. Whereas it's usually rules regarding voting or changes in regulations. Today however saw The Academy put forward a series of changes that caused quite a stir. On the least controversial side was an earlier broadcast date for the 2020 ceremony. On the side that's causing the most uproar is a new category that is meant to recognize popular films. What does that even mean? While The Academy has remained coy about it, there is already an uproar over the idea of separating what is "popular" from what is "best." To say the least, there is a change coming, and it's maybe not for the best. 

A24 A-to-Z: #44. "The Monster" (2016)

Scene from The Monster

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.

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.

The First Trailer for "If Beale Street Could Talk" Finds the "Moonlight" Director Returning to Oscar Conversation

Scene from If Beale Street Could Talk

It was only last year that the Academy experienced one of the most exciting Best Picture wins in over a decade. Director Barry Jenkin's Moonlight was a film that undid a long pattern of milquetoast winners dominated by white leads and filmmakers. It was rejuvenating and just what cinema needed in 2016. So, what does Jenkins have in store next? He's returned with another film, based on a James Baldwin story, called If Beale Street Could Talk. With positive reviews swelling ahead of the film festivals, it's already an exciting time to expect another return to Oscar glory. If the teaser, released on Baldwin's birthday, is any indication, this is going to be another great turn for Jenkins and another impeccable cast likely to dominate the season.