Check This Out: The Academy Holds Its 11th Annual Governors Awards

Wes Studi

This past weekend, the 11th annual Governors Awards took place to honor the best of Hollywood. The four recipients this year included Wes Studi, Geena Davis, David Lynch, and Lina Wertmuller. Along with these four were a series of presenters paying tribute to their many accomplishments within the industry. While most of us were unable to be in the room, the fine folks at The Academy's YouTube page were able to compile the various speeches for everyone to see. Below are the highlights from the show, including all presenters and recipients giving memorable speeches calling for progress in the industry. Watch and enjoy it.

This Year's Governor Awards Recipients Are...

David Lynch

As fun as it is to see who wins competitive Oscars every year, it's just as exciting to see who is going to receive a Governor's Award. Every year has produced an interesting collection of recipients, all voted upon by Oscar voters. This year is no different, as the results have produced an exciting array of talent that ranges from directors to actors who have made a strong impact on the industry. the Class of 2019 has indeed an interesting group, which includes David Lynch, Wes Studi, Lina Wertmuller, and the Jean Herscholt Award recipient Geena Davis. It's an exciting group and features one of the most eclectic mixes in recent years.

Theory Thursday: "Wild At Heart" is Overrated

Laura Dern

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. John Morris (1926-2018)

John Morris

On January 25, 2018, composer John Morris died at the age of 91 in Red Hook, New York. over the course of his career, he has produced some of the most iconic scores ranging from films by Mel Brooks such as The Producers and Blazing Saddles; to more mature work like The Elephant Man. Even if he wasn't a household name, he managed to create some of the most empathetic and effective music in comedy and drama, and leaves behind an impressive body of work. Who could forget the melodies of a Brooks film? A lot of the credit is owed to Morris, who foudn a way to make melodies funny and catchy. With an impressive career spanning 30 years, he leaves behind an impressive body of work that will leave film fans happy and dancing, no matter how much they try to resist.

Theory Thursday: "The Elephant Man" is David Lynch's Best Movie

Scene from The Elephant Man

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. John Hurt (1940-2017)

John Hurt

On January 25, 2017, actor John Hurt died at the age of 77 in Norfolk, England. With a career spanning 60 years and over 120 movie and TV roles, the charismatic actor was considered to be one of the best at depicting outsiders. Among his most noteworthy roles are many performances that reflect this, including Alien, The Elephant Man, and Midnight Express. Even then, the actor was game for any role, giving it his all and bringing the character to life in invigorating fashion. He leaves behind an impressive and massive body of work that will leave audiences laughing and crying for generations to come. He may not always have the most recognizable face, but he always knew how to make movies better.

What is Your Favorite 21st Century Movie?

Scene from Mulholland Drive

The century may only be 16 years deep, but it never feels like the wrong time to ask one simple question: what is the best film of the century? Considering that the 20th is a pretty tough nut to crack in itself, looking at the modern masterpieces as they happen is even more difficult. The BBC decided to hold a poll where they asked critics to name their favorites. To say the least, it didn't go in any conventional way - or at least any that makes sense if you're an Oscar fan. Very few of them are Oscar-nominated films. With director David Lynch's Mulholland Drive topping the list, the question is pretty easy, and one that I want to pose to the reader: What is your favorite 21st century movie so far?

R.I.P. Eric Bergren (1954-2016)

On July 14, writer Eric Bergren died at the age of 62 in Pasadena, California. He was suffering from liver cancer at the time. While not a lot is known about him, his one claim to fame is that he penned the screenplay for director David Lynch's adaptation of The Elephant Man - which earned eight Oscar nominations. His career remained consistent if understated in the years since with scripts for Jessica Lange's Frances and Errol Morris' The Dark Wind. While he lost the Best Adapted Screenplay nomination for The Elephant Man, he continued to remain busy while producing an impressive body of work. Not bad for a student from University of Southern California. While he doesn't leave behind the most impressive body of work, he definitely left a strong mark on cinema that is sure to be felt forever. 

Failed Oscar Campaigns: "Inland Empire" (2006)

Scene from Inland Empire

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.