Best Song Bonus: "A Star is Born" (2018)

Scene from A Star is Born

Welcome to a very special bonus Best Song column dedicated to the soundtrack for the 2018 film A Star is Born. Considering that this column was created to recognize all things relevant to the Best Original Song category, it only seems right that there would be a deep dive into one of the year's strongest contenders for the category not with just one song, but a whole handful of catchy, memorable tunes that will probably dominate radio and be lodged in your ears for years to come. With this bonus entry, the goal is to determine which of the many original songs from Bradley Cooper's directorial debut deserves a shot at the prize, and which ones actually stand a chance of winning. If all goes right, there will be a few of these awaiting prize consideration on Oscar night.

Check This Out: Watch the Previous "A Star is Born" Movies on FilmStruck

Scene from A Star is Born (1954)

As most people already know, yesterday marked the release of the fourth adaptation of Hollywood's favorite franchise A Star is Born, this time directed by Bradley Cooper and starring Lady Gaga. Early talk has been that it's great and that the song "Shallow" is set to dominate the Best Original Song category. While it's encouraged that you go out and see it just for the sheer energy on display, those who want to see the wide berth of history for this franchise need not go out and buy the DVD's. If that's too pricey of a measure, there is a simpler way, and it involves having a subscription to the great streaming service FilmStruck. Right now, you can go to their website and watch the 1937, 1954, and 1976 versions of the films that have in total earned 17 Oscar nominations (including 1 Best Picture), 2 wins, and an Honorary Award. It's a franchise that's likely to outlast us all, so get on board and see what all of the fuss is about.

A24 A-to-Z: #50. "The Exception" (2017)

Scene from The Exception

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.

How "The Place Beyond the Pines" Turned Bradley Cooper Into a Serious Actor

Bradley Cooper in The Place Beyond the Pines

*NOTE: Spoilers

It's something that can be taken for granted, especially given the buzz surrounding the 2018 adaptation of A Star is Born. Bradley Cooper wasn't always a prestigious actor, producing enough quality work to earn him four Oscar-nominations over three years and a status as a charismatic lead in comedies like Silver Linings Playbook as well as heavy dramas like American Sniper. However, there was a time only five years ago when considering him an Oscar stalwart was worthy of a few laughs. At the start of 2013, his highest credits were in frat boy comedies like The Hangover and Wedding Crashers. He had little to distinguish himself as someone worth paying attention to beyond a fluke Oscar nomination. However, anyone questioning his potential only needed to wait a few months for a film that should've changed the conversation with a powerful drama about fathers and sons that also saw fellow 2018 Oscar Best Actor competitor Ryan Gosling in a duel role. The Place Beyond the Pines was ambitious and nuanced in ways that Cooper hasn't really been allowed to play before or since, and he really should've gotten more chances before A Star is Born.