NIGHT 4: ACTING – 2018 Oscar Blog/Podcast

March 3, 2018

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

• Christopher Plummer - All the Money in the World
• Richard Jenkins - The Shape of Water
• Sam Rockwell - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
• Willem Dafoe - The Florida Project
• Woody Harrelson - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Who I’d vote for: Christopher Plummer – Plummer was put it in unenviable position when Ridley Scott asked him to reshoot Kevin Spacey’s scenes in All the Money in the World. His performance is remarkable considering how little time he had to prepare but after all he is a seasoned veteran and a consummate professional. He is the only actor in this category who has previously won an Oscar; I think he should have a second.Embed from Getty Images

Who will win: Sam Rockwell – He has won all the pre-cursers going into Sunday and I don’t see anything changing. His portrayal of the racist cop ranged from humorous to infuriating. The story of redemption and Rockwell’s charm cut through the racism just enough for you to like the character or at least empathize with him. For a long time Rockwell has been a strong supporting actor with few leading roles; that is all about to change.Embed from Getty Images

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

• Allison Janney - I, Tonya
• Laurie Metcalf - Lady Bird
• Lesley Manville - Phantom Thread
• Mary J. Blige - Mudbound
• Octavia Spencer - The Shape of Water

Who I’d vote for: Allison Janney – She should win just for dealing with that dang bird on her shoulder. Janney steals every scene she is in and you really hate not seeing more of her in the latter part of the film; and she’s in scenes with fellow Academy Award nominee Margot Robbie. The mother / daughter dysfunctional relationship is at the heart of the story and Janney’s the one that really makes it beat.

Who will win: Allison Janney – Octavia Spencer is the only previously nominated actress here but she won’t be winning it this year like she did for The Help. Janney is cleaning up on the award circuit for her role as Tonya Harding’s abusive mother. I believe the only other person who has a chance is Laurie Metcalf but it’s a slim chance. It’s a safe bet that Janney will have more hardware for her mantle.Embed from Getty Images

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

• Daniel Day-Lewis - Phantom Thread
• Daniel Kaluuya - Get Out
• Denzel Washington - Roman J. Israel, Esq.
• Gary Oldman - Darkest Hour
• Timothée Chalamet - Call Me by Your Name

Who I’d vote for: Daniel Day-Lewis – There is no greater living actor than Daniel Day-Lewis. As far as I’m concerned, it is unfair for him to be compared to anyone else. He once again disappears into his character; this time Russell Woodcock, a workaholic genius clothing designer who struggles to find balance between the personal and professional. This disturbing love story reaches its peak in a bizarre dinner scene that drives the point of the film home without any dialogue. Day-Lewis conveyed it with no words necessary: a feat that very few actors could pull off. If this truly is the final performance of his career: what a way to go.Embed from Getty Images

Who will win: Gary Oldman – First time nominees Kaluuya and Chalamet are intriguing nominations. Kaluuya’s descent to the sunken place and Chalamet’s journey of self-discovery are hints of great things to come from the two young actors. Denzel and Day-Lewis have been there, done that at the Oscars both taking home multiple statuettes in the past. This year, it’s Oldman’s turn. Oldman is quite possibly the most versatile actor out there with incredible performances in Immortal Beloved, State of Grace, True Romance, Hannibal, and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (his only other Oscar nomination). With the help of great hair and makeup styling, Oldman becomes Winston Churchill and gives a performance for the ages.Embed from Getty Images

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

• Frances McDormand - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
• Margot Robbie - I, Tonya
• Meryl Streep - The Post
• Sally Hawkins - The Shape of Water
• Saoirse Ronan - Lady Bird

Who I’d vote for: Sally Hawkins – Here’s the challenge: we want you to play a character that is mute, lonely and inevitably falls in love with a giant amphibious creature who loves jazz music. And oh yeah, we’re going to be filming a lot of this while soaking wet or actually under water. Guillermo del Toro had no other actress in mind; this role was specifically written for Sally Hawkins and she triumphs. Hawkins delivers a performance much like Day-Lewis’s: with a brilliant conveyance of emotion without the use of words. Ronan is a close second here but Hawkins is my top lead actress for the year.Embed from Getty Images

Who will win: Frances McDormand – There were so many tremendous lead actress performances this year that snubs were going to happen. I was surprised to not see Michelle Williams (All the Money in the World) or Jessica Chastain (Molly’s Game) listed among the nominees. Ultimately, it will be McDormand who represents all the amazing actresses when she wins her 2nd Oscar (Fargo) this Sunday. Her portrayal of an acerbic grieving mother who stops at nothing to find her daughter’s murderer (including kicking a teenage girl in the groin) is heartbreaking and funny. I’m always impressed when a film can straddle the line between comedy and drama effectively. McDormand was vital to that success.Embed from Getty Images

Check back tomorrow for the final installment - Part 5: The Top Awards!

NIGHT 3: VISUALS – 2018 Oscar Blog/Podcast

March 2, 2018

Best Animated Feature Film

·         Coco - Lee Unkrich, Darla K. Anderson

·         Ferdinand - Carlos Saldanha

·         Loving Vincent - Dorota Kobiela, Hugh Welchman, Ivan Mactaggart

·         The Boss Baby - Tom McGrath, Ramsey Ann Naito

·         The Breadwinner - Nora Twomey, Anthony Leo

Who I’d vote for: Coco – Admittedly, I haven’t seen some of these but I don’t think it would matter one bit. I did think there weren’t enough musical numbers (perhaps Moana spoiled me) but there was no lack of visual stimulation. The colorful world built by the animators delivered on all levels. The visual feast would have been enough to dazzle me but the theme of never forgetting your ancestors still resonates. Disney did it again… surprise, surprise.

Who will win: Coco – Sometimes there is a colossal upset in this category where the barely seen independent or foreign film topples the big budget or domestic frontrunner. Loving Vincent could do just that since it can boast being the first fully painted animated film. That’s right, I said painted. The film was shot in live action and then painstakingly painted by hand in the style of Van Gogh. The Academy could reward this innovation but ultimately I think Coco wins. Hollywood will relish the opportunity to crown this cultural film in Trump’s America. Plus, it’s a pretty moving film that could ultimately help a generation of kids understand death a little better.

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Best Achievement in Visual Effects

·         Blade Runner 2049 - John Nelson, Gerd Nefzer, Paul Lambert, Richard R. Hoover

·         Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - Christopher Townsend, Guy Williams, Jonathan Fawkner, Daniel Sudick

·         Kong: Skull Island - Stephen Rosenbaum, Jeff White, Scott Benza, Michael Meinardus

·         Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi - Ben Morris, Michael Mulholland, Neal Scanlan, Chris Corbould

·         War for the Planet of the Apes - Joe Letteri, Daniel Barrett, Dan Lemmon, Joel Whist

Who I’d vote for: War for the Planet of the Apes – This is one of the toughest categories for me to decide on. I’m tempted to say Blade Runner 2049 because it should win any award with the word visual in the title. Kong: Skull Island was extremely realistic despite the far-fetched premise. But I have to give credit where credit is due: War for the Planet of the Apes delivers on a massive scale.

Who will win: War for the Planet of the Apes - This ground-breaking trilogy revolutionized motion capture. The previous two installments were both nominated but ultimately lost out on Oscar night; which is pretty hard to believe. I think the Academy rights those wrongs by rewarding this statuette to the third and final installment. Hail Caesar!

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Best Achievement in Film Editing

·         Baby Driver - Paul Machliss, Jonathan Amos

·         Dunkirk - Lee Smith

·         I, Tonya - Tatiana S. Riegel

·         The Shape of Water - Sidney Wolinsky

·         Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri - Jon Gregory

Who I’d vote for: Dunkirk- Three different perspectives: one week on land, one day at sea, one hour in the air coming together in a perfect crescendo. Christopher Nolan has always had a fascination of playing with time in his films: Memento, Insomnia, Inception, and Interstellar. But this time he has outdone himself.

Who will win: Dunkirk – I think Baby Driver and The Shape of Water have a real chance here but there has never been a film put together like Dunkirk. Lee Smith, the film’s editor, deserves to take home his 1^st Oscar on his 3^rd nomination. All the other editors are first-time nominees, so that may enhance Smith’s odds even more.

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Best Achievement in Cinematography

·         Blade Runner 2049 - Roger Deakins

·         Darkest Hour - Bruno Delbonnel

·         Dunkirk - Hoyte Van Hoytema

·         Mudbound - Rachel Morrison

·         The Shape of Water - Dan Laustsen

Who I’d vote for: Blade Runner 2049 – I have two favorite cinematographers of all time: Conrad L. Hall and Roger Deakins. There is no living DP who I respect more. Deakins’ collaboration with the Coen Brothers is second to none in my humble opinion but his work with Denis Villeneuve is slowing creeping up. No film this year was as beautifully shot as Blade Runner 2049.

Who will win: Blade Runner 2049 – While it would be tempting to vote for Rachel Morrison, the first women ever nominated in this category, I believe this is the year Deakins finally takes home his Oscar. There have been 14 nominations over the years for the legendary cinematographer for films including Shawshank Redemption, Fargo, No Country for Old Men, Skyfall, and Sicario. Deakins is due and the members of the Academy are well aware of it.

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Check back tomorrow for Part 4: Acting!

NIGHT 2: SOUND – 2018 Oscar Blog/Podcast

March 1, 2018

 Tonight we focus on the aural. Music and sound are instrumental to filmmaking and allow for some of our favorite movie moments. Dunkirk & Baby Driver are two of my top films this year; both utilized their sound designs to the fullest. Let’s check out the nominees and what to expect in the music and sound categories…

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score)

·         Dunkirk - Hans Zimmer

·         Phantom Thread - Jonny Greenwood

·         Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi - John Williams

·         The Shape of Water - Alexandre Desplat

·         Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri - Carter Burwell

Who I’d vote for: The Shape of Water – Del Toro’s masterpiece crosses many genres: science fiction, romance, comedy, horror and heist are at the core of this film. I’m especially drawn to the moments that are reminiscent of French new wave cinema. Desplat’s score seamlessly maneuvers between genre switches and gives the film a consistent tone.

Who will win: The Shape of Water – This is Alexandre Desplat’s 9^th Oscar nomination and will likely be his 2^nd win (The Grand Budapest Hotel). John Williams got his unprecedented 51^st nomination with The Last Jedi but Hans Zimmer’s experimental score for Dunkirk and Jonny Greenwood’s luscious composition for Phantom Thread are the only real threats to Desplat’s chances. Still, I see this being one of multiple awards taken home by the crew of The Shape of Water.

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song)

·         Call Me by Your Name - Sufjan Stevens “Mystery of Love”

·         Coco - Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez “Remember Me”

·         Marshall - Common, Diane Warren “Stand Up for Something”

·         Mudbound - Raphael Saadiq, Mary J. Blige, Taura Stinson “Mighty River”

·         The Greatest Showman - Benj Pasek, Justin Paul “This is Me”

Who I’d vote for: The Greatest Showman – If it were up to me Pasek and Paul would win their 2^nd Oscar in as many years (La La Land). “This is Me” is a catchy showstopper that will have you humming it all the way home. It also has a message of acceptance, tolerance and self-empowerment sung by a bearded-lady; everyone should be looking forward to Keala Settle’s performance this Sunday.

Who will win: Coco – The songwriters behind Frozen’s “Let it Go” will likely win their 2^nd Oscar instead of Pasek & Paul. “Remember Me” is the beautiful spine of this animated film that deals with death so poignantly. The song entertainingly drives the film’s point home that our ancestors should never be forgotten.

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Best Achievement in Sound Mixing

·         Baby Driver - Tim Cavagin, Mary H. Ellis, Julian Slater

·         Blade Runner 2049 - Ron Bartlett, Doug Hemphill, Mac Ruth

·         Dunkirk - Gregg Landaker, Gary Rizzo, Mark Weingarten

·         Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi - Michael Semanick, David Parker, Stuart Wilson, Ren Klyce

·         The Shape of Water - Christian T. Cooke, Glen Gauthier, Brad Zoern

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Who I’d vote for: Baby Driver – Although Dunkirk’s sound design is pretty incredible, I’m inclined to back one of my favorite films of the year, Baby Driver. Director Edgar Wright had a clear sound design long before the script was ever written; he wanted the actions to follow the music and vice versa. Baby Driver’s sound mixing is a thing of poetic beauty. Watch this film intently and see how many actions match the sounds and music; the symphony is something to behold.

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Who will win: Dunkirk – This film has a minimalist script with very little dialogue and still comes away as one of the best films of the year. Why? The sound design. Whether on land, sea or air the audience is put right in the middle of this harrowing event from World War II. War movies are always a safe bet in the sound categories; this year is no different.

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Best Achievement in Sound Editing

·         Baby Driver - Julian Slater

·         Blade Runner 2049 - Mark A. Mangini, Theo Green

·         Dunkirk - Richard King, Alex Gibson

·         Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi - Matthew Wood, Ren Klyce

·         The Shape of Water - Nathan Robitaille, Nelson Ferreira

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Who I’d vote for: Baby Driver – See above. This is my favorite sound design for a film in many years. This is a unique take on a musical. It’s not a musical in the traditional sense but a musical nonetheless. Every scene and plot point is propelled by music; and eclectic music at that. This wasn’t the hackneyed collection of radio hits so many films mindlessly use (I’m looking at you Suicide Squad). Baby Driver showed the world that a popcorn movie can also be intelligently crafted.

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Who will win: Dunkirk – Again, see above. How can a film be so riveting with little to no dialogue? The intensity comes from the sound design and, of course, Hans Zimmer’s score. Dunkirk will likely lose out on most of its other nominations which is certainly a shame for Christopher Nolan, who finally got his 1^st Oscar nod for directing. The Academy will make sure that Dunkirk won’t go home empty-handed by rewarding the film with both Sound statuettes.

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Check back in tomorrow for Night 3: Visuals!

NIGHT 1: DESIGN, FEATURES & SHORTS –

2018 Oscar Blog/Podcast February 28, 2018

2017 was a great year in film and this Sunday the best of the best are being honored at the 90^th annual Academy Awards. In this five-part blog, I’ll guide you through the nominations and what to expect when the envelopes are opened; that is if the right envelopes are opened.

Let’s start with the toughest categories to predict: the short films, documentary feature and foreign film. Predicting these is like playing pin the tail on the donkey, so if you can get them correct in your Oscar office pool then you are well on your way to winning. The following films seem to be the front-runners in their respective categories…

Best Animated Short Film - Dear Basketball - Glen Keane, Kobe Bryant

Best Live Action Short Film - DeKalb Elementary - Reed Van Dyk

Best Documentary Short Subject - Heaven is a Traffic Jam on the 405 - Frank Stiefel

Best Documentary Feature - Visages villages (Faces Places) - Agnès Varda, Rosalie Varda, JR

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year - Una Mujer Fantástica (A Fantastic Woman)

Now let’s get to the Design categories (Makeup/Hair, Costume & Production Design). There were some impeccably designed films this past year and here’s the cream of the crop according to the Academy.

Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling

·         Darkest Hour - Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski, Lucy Sibbick

·         Victoria & Abdul - Daniel Phillips, Loulia Sheppard

·         Wonder - Arjen Tuiten

Who I’d vote for: Darkest Hour – Gary Oldman’s transformation into Winston Churchill is an astounding accomplishment. When he wins his first Oscar this Sunday, I guarantee you he will mention his 200 hours in the makeup chair and appreciatively thank his hair and makeup team.

Who will win: Darkest Hour – Oldman’s hair and makeup team will have their own chance to thank whoever they want. The other nominees just don’t compare. I understand why Victoria & Abdul was nominated for costume but I’m not convinced it should be in this category. Wonder will get some votes but this is Darkest Hour in a landslide.

Best Achievement in Costume Design

·         Beauty and the Beast - Jacqueline Durran

·         Darkest Hour - Jacqueline Durran

·         Phantom Thread - Mark Bridges

·         The Shape of Water - Luis Sequeira

·         Victoria & Abdul - Consolata Boyle

Who I’d vote for: Beauty and the Beast – With a March release date I was a little afraid that Beauty and the Beast would get overlooked this year. That wasn’t the case with its multiple nominations. Anyone who loved the original animated film should be blown away by the wardrobe replications.

Who will win: Phantom Thread – The Academy will more than likely lean in the direction of a film where the costumes are central to the story; as central to the story as the unforgettable acting performances. And in this particular case that is saying a lot. Consider Phantom Thread a lock for Best Costume.

Best Achievement in Production Design

·         Beauty and the Beast - Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer

·         Blade Runner 2049 - Dennis Gassner, Alessandra Querzola

·         Darkest Hour - Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer

·         Dunkirk - Nathan Crowley, Gary Fettis

·         The Shape of Water - Paul D. Austerberry, Shane Vieau, Jeffrey A. Melvin

Who I’d vote for: Blade Runner 2049 – Without a question. As beautiful and intricate as the other nominees are, Blade Runner 2049’s design is a marvel. It’s easily the best looking film of the year in large part due to its production design and cinematography by Roger Deakins. I’m rooting hard for this one but…

Who will win: The Shape of Water – This film is the Academy’s darling this year. If it doesn’t take the big prize of Best Picture home, it will more than likely have at least one consolation prize in Best Production Design. Cronos, Hellboy, Pan’s Labyrinth, Pacific Rim, Crimson Peak: Guillermo del Toro’s films always have a unique and beautiful look. This year his design team will be rewarded.

Check back in tomorrow for Part 2: Music & Sound!