"Ford V Ferrari" and the Power of Good Editing

Scene from Ford v Ferrari

On the surface, director James Mangold's work on Ford v Ferrari doesn't seem that impressive. After all, how many times has a camera zoomed in on Vin Diesel pulling the hammer down as he prepares to start a drag race? It has to be a few dozen at this point. People love watching cars go fast, and that only begins to explain why Mangold's latest has gotten where it is. True, it has some fun performances by Matt Damon and Christian Bale, but what it does in its third act is one of the most magnificent uses of editing and sound design by any film in 2019. So what if it's a period piece grounded in realism and not Furious 7 jumping from skyscraper to skyscraper? It still has a lot to achieve, and it does so over the course of one of the most daunting 40 minutes of cinema of the past year.

Review: "Ford V Ferrari" Gears Up for a Good Time

Scene from Ford V Ferrari

In recent years, no film has captured American ingenuity quite like director James Mangold's Ford V Ferrari: a true story of the Ford Motor Company's attempt to beat Ferrari in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. There is that dream of being the best, the fastest, pushing the boundaries of what's capable, and no film has felt as accomplished as this one. To watch Ken Miles (Christian Bale) take a corner while spouting comical Cockney slang like he's in an episode of Wacky Races is to see filmmaking at its most confident. The film almost doesn't need an audience's approval. The editing, sound design, and floating camera angles serve as an incredible feat of style as smooth as the car's paint job. If this isn't the best film in decades about why people get behind the wheel, then it still serves as a drama about the human spirit's desire to compete. No feeling can match the joy of its third act, and thankfully it all zooms along like a finely oiled machine.

Failed Oscar Campaigns: "Logan" (2017)

Scene from Logan (2017)

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 First "Ford v. Ferrari" Trailer Looks to Speed Things Up This Oscar Season

Scene from Ford v. Ferrari

As the summer months warm up, it's time to start looking forward to Oscar season. While it has become more of a year-round event, it's still dominated by Fall releases. There's been plenty to look forward to, such as John Crowley's The Goldfinch, but few feel as anticipatory as the latest from director James Mangold. In what is one of the buzziest films yet, Ford v. Ferrari released a trailer featuring Oscar-winners Christian Bale and Matt Damon. Along with Mangold's recent Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay for Logan (a rare comic book nomination), the film has a lot of fire in its belly and looks to be one of the more exciting period pieces of 2019. If anything, the racing looks cool and the chemistry between its leads look to be a big enough reason to see the film, even if it turns out to just be fine.

Long Shot Week: Best Adapted Screenplay - "Logan"

Scene from Logan

Welcome to the first Long Shot Week, where I will attempt to persuade you to think outside of the Oscar box. While it's too late to change voters' minds, I believe that audiences need to take a moment to look at the other contenders in any category and give them a chance. Long Shot Week is designed as a way to highlight these talents that likely don't stand a chance of winning, but more than deserve a chance to be appreciated for what they bring to the game. In a way, this is my list of "Films that should've won," though it's not always indicative of my favorite. Join me all week as I look at different categories and pose the question "Why not?" in hopes that The Oscars still have a few surprises up their sleeve.