Failed Oscar Campaigns: "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" (2019)

Scene from Star Wars: The Last Jedi

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 Runner-Ups: Carrie Fisher in "Star Wars" (1977)

Carrie Fisher

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 other 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.

Why "Star Wars" Continues to Endure 40 Years On

Scene from Star Wars

"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..."

Those were the last 10 words everyone saw before Star Wars played its tricks on audiences on May 25, 1977. It was the calm before a storm that would only continue to rage on through many incarnations and in many forms. For a simple fantasy movie about good fighting evil, director George Lucas' vision managed to resonate in ways that have entered our lexicon, fashion, and general mentality. It was with the triumphant horns of John Williams' score that Star Wars announced once and for all that it was here to stay. There was cinema before it existed, but chances are that it will be the film to outlive everything else. It took a hold of pop culture upon its release and hasn't let go yet. Even if the franchise has had some highs and lows, there's no denying just how different the world would be without this movie.

R.I.P. Debbie Reynolds (1932-2016)

Debbie Reynolds

On December 28, 2016, actress and singer Debbie Reynolds died at the age of 84 in Los Angeles, California after suffering from a stroke. Over the course of her lengthy career, she has entertained audiences both on the silver screen as well as on TV. Best known for her role in Singin' in the Rain, she is known for performing complicated song and dance numbers effortlessly. However, she was a charismatic woman whose talents ranged into theater, film preservation, and even running an organization for mental health issues. No matter what the cause, she dedicated herself to making the world a better place. She leaves behind an impressive body of work that transcends media that will entertain audiences for generations to come.