"I, Tonya," "Molly's Game," and the Idea of the Modern Olympic Movie

Scene from I, Tonya

*Note: Spoilers for I, Tonya and Molly's Game

If a sports movie is supposed to be a triumphant vision of the self, then an Olympics movie should be something grader; like the combination of athletes competing for the gold medal in an Avengers-esque story. After all, it is a journey on the world stage where many countries have risen to the challenge and the country is sometimes more important than the individual. It's the type of logic that has fueled Olympic movies like Best Picture winner Chariots of Fire before, depicting the strength of a country in time of need. With the Pyeonchang Olympics set to begin this weekend, it seems like a chance to see triumph on film. So why then are the films currently available (and Oscar-nominated) a bit more of a down note? While there have been upbeat stories in recent years (Eddie the Eagle, Race), there's a sense that an Olympic movie in 2018 isn't about the competition, but a metaphor for self-identity. The films I, Tonya and Molly's Game depict this struggle in different ways - often with Olympics being the last thing on their mind - but come clear on one point. The Olympics are a game of personality politics, and these two films capture it in the news media age.

Nothing But the Best: "Chariots of Fire" (1982)

Scene from Chariots of Fire

Welcome to the series Nothing But the Best in which I chronicle all of the Academy Award Best Picture winners as they celebrate their anniversaries. Instead of going in chronological order, this series will be presented on each film's anniversary and will feature personal opinions as well as facts regarding its legacy and behind the scenes information. The goal is to create an in depth essay for each film while looking not only how the medium progressed, but how the film is integral to pop culture. In some cases, it will be easy. Others not so much. Without further ado, let's start the show.

Theory Thursday: "Chariots of Fire" is the Worst Best Picture Winner Ever

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. 

R.I.P. Colin Welland (1934-2015)

Colin Welland

Actor and writer Colin Welland passed away on November 2, 2015 at the age of 81. Over the course of his career, he won various awards such as a BAFTA for acting and an Oscar for writing. Among his many achievements is writing the screenplay for the 1981 film Chariots of Fire, directed by Hugh Hudson and featuring an iconic score by Vangelis. While he would have a career in writing, he was more prominently an actor, having appeared in films such as Kes and the controversial Straw Dogs. Despite it all, he will likely be remembered for his overt patriotism to his British homestead, of which he made note to in his acceptance speech claiming that "The British are coming." It's a statement that has since rang true not only for the film, but for most of foreseen future.

There's a Sorta "Chariots of Fire" Sequel Coming Next Year

Scene from Chariots of Fire

It has been awhile since director Hugh Hudson's film Chariots of Fire has been publicly thought of. While it won Best Picture back in 1982, it has since been reduced to being that film that had that Vangelis score we all kind of liked (for good reason). However, by some shocking forces of nature, the film's subject Eric Liddell is getting another film. No, it's not a remake of Chariots of Fire nor does it necessarily involve anyone from the 30-year-old film. However, it may as well serve as an unofficial sequel to the film as it follows the runner following these events as he became a teacher in China called The Last Race. More details after the jump.

Is "From Up on Poppy Hill" the First Best Animated Feature Contender?

This week, director Goro Miyazaki's From Up on Poppy Hill receives limited release. For many, Studio Ghibli is the premiere animation studio from Asia, having given us such gems as Princess Mononoke and the Oscar-winning Spirited Away. The only difference is that those were made by Goro's father Hayao. While the studio continues to regale with quality work each year, they haven't had any success with the Academy Awards since 2005's Howl's Moving Castle. Is it possible that as one of the first notable animated features of 2013 that this will be the year that they return to the Best Animated Feature category?