Joey Goes Hollywood

Oscars 2022: My Fantasy Winners and Nominees

Here are my fantasy winners and nominees of this year’s Oscars. And I encourage you all to share yours!

Best Picture

Winner: CODA

Nominees:

Belfast
Dune
King Richard
Last Night in Soho
Licorice Pizza
Mass
tick, tick… BOOM!
West Side Story
Zola

Best Actor

Winner: Andrew Garfield - tick, tick… BOOM!

Nominees:

Nicholas Cage - Pig
Benedict Cumberbatch - The Power of the Dog
Simon Rex - Red Rocket
Will Smith - King Richard

Best Actress

Winner: Jessica Chastain - The Eyes of Tammy Faye

Nominees:

Olivia Colman - The Lost Daughter
Alana Haim - Licorice Pizza
Emilia Jones - CODA
Kristen Stewart - Spencer

Best Supporting Actor

Winner: Troy Kotsur - CODA

Nominees:

Robin de Jesus - tick, tick… BOOM!
Ciarán Hinds - Belfast
Jason Isaacs - Mass
Kodi Smit-McPhee - The Power of the Dog

Best Supporting Actress

Winner: Riley Keough - Zola

Nominees:

Caitriona Balfe - Belfast
Ariana DeRose - West Side Story
Ann Dowd - Mass
Marlee Matlin  - CODA

Best Director

Winner: Kenneth Branagh - Belfast

Nominees:

Janicza Bravo - Zola
Lin-Manuel Miranda - tick, tick… BOOM!
Denis Villeneuve - Dune
Edgar Wright  - Last Night in Soho

Best Original Screenplay

Winner: Licorice Pizza

Nominees:

Being the Ricardos
Belfast
Mass
Nine Days

Best Adapted Screenplay

Winner: CODA

Nominees:

Passing
The Power of the Dog
The Tragedy of Macbeth
Zola

Best Cinematography

Winner: Dune

Nominees:

The Green Knight
The Power of the Dog
The Tragedy of Macbeth
West Side Story

Best Editing

Winner: tick, tick… BOOM!

Nominees:

Belfast
Dune
Last Night in Soho
West Side Story

Best Production Design

Winner: Dune

Nominees:

The French Dispatch
Nightmare Alley
The Tragedy of Macbeth
West Side Story

Best Costume Design

Winner: Cruella

Nominees:

Cyrano
House of Gucci
Last Night in Soho
Spencer

Best Hair & Makeup

Winner: The Eyes of Tammy Faye

Nominees:

Cruella
House of Gucci
Nightmare Alley
The Suicide Squad

Best Visual Effects

Winner: Dune

Nominees:

Free Guy
Godzilla vs. Kong
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Spider-Man: No Way Home

Best Sound

Winner: Dune

Nominees:

Belfast
No Time to Die
tick, tick… BOOM!
West Side Story

Best Score

Winner: Dune

Nominees:

Don’t Look Up
The French Dispatch
Parallel Mothers
The Power of the Dog

Best Original Song

Winner: “Be Alive” - King Richard

Nominees:

“Here I Am” - Respect
“No Time to Die” - No Time to Die
”So May We Start” - Annette
“We Don’t Talk About Bruno” - Encanto

Best Animated Feature

Winner: The Mitchells vs. The Machines

Nominees:

Encanto
Luca
Raya and the Last Dragon

Best International Film

Winner: Drive My Car

Nominees:

Lamb
Parallel Mothers
Titane
The Worst Person in the World

ORIGINAL CATEGORIES

Best Ensemble

Winner: Mass

Nominees:

Belfast
CODA
The Harder They Fall
West Side Story

Best Comedy

Winner: Zola

Nominees:

Bad Trip
Free Guy
Red Rocket
Werewolves Within

Best Stunts

Winner: Nobody

Nominees:

The Harder They Fall
No Time to Die
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
The Suicide Side

Best Breakthrough Filmmaker

Winner: Sian Heder - CODA

Nominees:

Janicza Bravo - Zola
Maggie Gyllenhaal - The Lost Daughter
Edson Oda - Nine Days
Michale Sarnoski - Pig

Best Breakthrough Actor

Winner: Cooper Hoffman - Licorice Pizza

Nominees

Daniel Durant - CODA
Amir El-Masry - Limbo
Jude Hill - Belfast
Woody Norman - C’mon C’mon

Best Breakthrough Actress

Winner: Rachel Zegler - West Side Story

Nominees:

Patti Harrison - Together, Together
Alexis Louder - Copshop
Taylour Page - Zola
Saniyya Sidney - King Richard

My 25 Favorite Films of 2021

I’ll be honest… 2021 was a pretty terrible year, but there were plenty of good movies.

 Here are my 25 favorites of 2021:

25. Nobody 

No one could ever imagine Bob Odenkirk starring in an action flick, but he defied all odds in Nobody. He manages to bring humor to a gun fight as a family man who gets tangled with the Russian mob. With the well-choreographed fight scenes and the unapologetic violence, Nobody is one the most bad-ass films of the year. 

24. Red Rocket

Indie filmmaker Sean Baker (Tangerine, The Florida Project) is back with perhaps his best film yet. Red Rocket follows a washed-up porn star trying to reboot his life in his Texas hometown. Simon Rex returns out of nowhere in a potential comeback role as the selfish but charming Mikey Saber who tries taking every advantage of the people in his life to get ahead. Red Rocket is wild, raunchy, and quite memorable. 

23. Free Guy

One of the only imaginative blockbusters of 2021, Free Guy takes audiences into the video game world where avatars discover the infinite possibilities of free will. Ryan Reynolds stars in his best film in years as the happy-go-lucky Guy who realizes that he’s more than just a background character. This film offers a  ton of action and a ton of laughs the whole family can enjoy. 

22. In the Heights

The perfect summer movie of 2021, In the Heights is a fresh film adaption from musical giant Lin-Manuel Miranda. Director Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) managed to take the lively music from the Broadway hit and match it with dazzling visuals plus he put together such a strong ensemble. In the Heights will put a smile on your face and have your feet tapping. 

21. Werewolves Within 

A rare successful video game-to-film adaptation, Werewolves Within is a fun murder mystery comedy where a classic whodunnit is given a supernatural spin. Sam Richardson is widely known for his comedic supporting roles in various projects, but rarely is he given the chance to be the leading man, which this comedy proves he can certainly do. He does benefit from a rich ensemble cast that will keep you laughing throughout. 

20. The Tragedy of Macbeth

It’s no surprise that Joel Coen, Shakespeare, and Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand are a winning combination. The Tragedy of Macbeth is one of the year’s most visually striking films. Between the stunning cinematography, the haunting production design and a pair of powerhouse performances from two of the greatest actors of our generation, this is perhaps one of the greatest film adaptation of any Shakespearian play. 

19. The Power of the Dog

Jane Campion, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind The Piano, returns to the film director’s chair after over a decade with The Power of the Dog, a haunting western drama filled with powerhouse performances from Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, and rising star Kodi Smit-McPhee.

18. C’mon C’mon

Joaquin Phoenix and newcomer Woody Norman both give raw performances in a road-trip family drama masterfully written by Mike Mills (Beginners, 20th Century Women). Phoenix plays a journalist who rekindles a relationship with his estranged nephew during a family emergency. C’mon C’mon almost feels philosophical the way it tackles complicated family dynamics, which Mills handles tenderly as the director. 

17. The Harder They Fall

The Harder They Fall is a bold, fun, exciting western featuring a powerhouse cast of nearly every trending Black actor in Hollywood from Idris Elba, Regina King, Jonathan Mayers, Zazie Beetz, LaKeith Stanfield to Delroy Lindo. This Netflix film is an adrenaline rush from start to finish with some of the year’s best choreographed action sequences. It appears filmmaker Jeymes Samuel may have gifted the streaming giant with a promising new franchise. 

16. Zack Snyder’s Justice League

The fans have spoken and they finally received the long-awaited “Snyder Cut” of Justice League, which was utterly butchered in 2017 by Warner Bros. and Joss Whedon. Zack Snyder’s artistic vision was able to flourish in what was really a superhero epic. And the inclusion of Superman’s supergalactic foe Darkseid, who was completely cut out from the original release, makes Thanos look like he came from Sesame Street. The Snyder Cut is an Olympian triumph that sadly did not get the proper treatment it deserved years ago. And if you watched the four-hour film uninterrupted like I did, pat yourself on the back. 

15. Pig

Nicholas Cage gives his best performance in decades as a truffle hunter in search of his beloved pig who was kidnapped from his secluded home in the wilderness. While comparisons to John Wick are common, Pig is actually quite a moving drama from newcomer Michael Sarnoski. 

14. The Green Knight

The Green Knight is a visually-stunning medieval fantasy adapted from a 14th-century poem about the nephew of King Arthur and his quest to confront a life-or-death challenge from a mythical being. Dev Patel reminds audiences that he is an actor capable of any genre. 

13. Nine Days

One of the most underrated films of the year was Nine Days, a thought-provoking drama that tackles the concept of life itself. Winston Duke proves he has the dramatic chops to be a leading man playing a man who interviews candidates to become human souls to be born. He’s joined by a strong ensemble which includes Zazie Beetz, Benedict Wong, Tony Hale, and Bill Skarsgârd. Nine Days is a deep, emotionally-enriching feature debut from writer-director Edson Oda. 

12. The Suicide Squad

Never has a film franchise go from absolutely horrible with its first installment with truly awesome with its sequel. The Suicide Squad is an unpredictable, action-packed hilarious entry into the DC Cinematic Universe thanks to writer-director James Gunn, who helmed the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. Margot Robbie returns with her best outing yet as Harley Quinn and is joined by a brilliant roster of B-list villains with standout performances by Edris Alba, John Cena, and Sylvester Stallone. 

11. Bad Trip

Laugh-out-loud comedies have sadly become so rare, but Netflix’s Bad Trip filled the void this year that replicates the formula made famous by Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa, where a central plot weaves together real-life pranks on unsuspecting individuals. Eric André and Lil Rel Howery star in this cross-country buddy comedy which also features a hilarious Tiffany Haddish. If you’re looking to cry with laughter, look no futher. 

10. Last Night in Soho

Edgar Wright is back with yet another imaginative gem. Last Night in Soho is a psychological murder mystery thriller about an aspiring fashion designer who somehow transports herself into 1960s London where she begins living vicariously through an aspiring singer, putting both their lives in danger. Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy anchor this film from beginning to end and the late Diana Rigg blessed the world with one final brilliant performance. Between a wonderful soundtrack and nonstop intrigue, Last Night in Soho will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

9. Dune

Dune is the latest example that filmmaker Denis Villeneuve should be entrusted to every sci-fi franchise in Hollywood. He managed to adapt a film that had a semi-hokey 1980s predecessor into a beautifully-crafted work of art that would make Star Wars blush.  The extemely-high production value and the intense action only increase the anticipation for Part Two.

8. West Side Story

Steven Spielberg successfully revived West Side Story in modern age of cinema with his signature filmmaking style. The stunning cinematography and well-paced editing enhance one of the greatest American musicals. The ensemble is filled with fresh talent including outstanding performances from Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose as well as Rita Moreno, who won the Oscar for playing Anita in the 1961 film and returns as a new character, the widow of the drug store owner who serves as a mother figure for Ansel Elgort’s Tony. 

7. King Richard

Will Smith gives the performance of his career in King Richard as the father of two tennis prodigies in the making, Venus and Serena Williams. The pursuit of the American dream is at the center of this sports drama. Even clocking it at nearly 2.5 hours, King Richard keeps you captivated from beginning to end.

6. Mass

Mass is a devastating yet brilliant film about two sets of parents, one whose son died from a school shooting, the other whose son pulled the trigger. Martha Plimpton, Jason Isaac, Ann Dowd, and Reed Birney all give heartbreaking performances balancing grief and and anger with realistic restraint that prevented this sensitive film from feeling melodramatic. What feels like a one-act play, Mass is takes a difficult subject and allows the human condition to flourish naturally, thanks to actor-turned-filmmaker Fran Kranz. 

5. Licorice Pizza

Part coming-of-age comedy and part period romance, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza is refreshing in so many ways, one of them being that it stars two non-movie stars, one being Cooper Hoffman, the son of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, playing charismatic teenage child actor Gary Valentine, and Alana Haim (of the band Haim) who plays a fiery twenty-something who tries fending off his unrelenting effort to win her heart. Licorice Pizza is a charming film that features big names like Bradley Cooper, Sean Penn, and Maya Rudolph, but Hoffman and Haim brilliantly carry it on their shoulders, a rare feat for two leads making their acting debut. 

4. Zola

Zola was one of 2021′s rare pieces of truly unique filmmaking and perhaps made history as the first-ever feature based off of a viral Twitter thread. Director-writer Janicza Bravo’s sophomore film is trippy, dark, unpredictable, and down-right hilarious. Taylor Paige gives a strong breakthrough performance as the title character, Colman Domingo steps in as a chilling villainous X, Nicholas Braun (of Succession fame) provides amazing comic relief and Riley Keough continues to be a rising star in a role that should (but will unlikely) earn an Oscar nomination as the manipulative Stefani. 

3. Belfast

Kenneth Branagh’s greatest film is also his most personal. Belfast is essentially his childhood memoir about his upbringing in war-torn Northern Ireland and how the cinema was true escapism for young Buddy as his parents strive for a better life for the family. Beautifully shot and terrifically acted, Belfast is a remarkable time capsule that also serves as a love letter to both Branaugh’s hometown and to film itself. 

2. tick, tick… BOOM!

Perhaps the most surprising film of the year is Lin-Manuel Miranda’s feature debut. tick, tick… BOOM! is an adapted autobiographical musical from Jonathan Larson, best known for his Broadway smash hit Rent, but the focus is on struggles of getting his unproduced musical off the ground. Andrew Garfield gives the performance of his career as the genius playwright and composer who is also a remarkable singer. tick, tick… BOOM! is an inspiring film that benefits from Miranda’s artistic vision, a talented ensemble, and really good music.

1. CODA

AppleTV+ has gotten a lot of praise for its Emmy-winning comedy Ted Lasso, but its film CODA is by one of the best things on the streaming service still in its infancy. The title, which is an acronym for “child of death adults,” follows a high schooler struggling to achieve her dream of becoming a singer as her family, all who are deaf, rely on her to keep their fishing business afloat. CODA is soul-nurturing with good laughs and tugs at the heartstrings. Emilia Jones leads the cast with a remarkable breakthrough performance while Oscar-winner Marlee Matlin, Tony Kotsur, and Daniel Durant all elevate the film. CODA will renew your faith in good story-telling, which is what movies should be about. 

Oscars 2021: My Fantasy Winners and Nominees

Here are my fantasy winners and nominees of this year’s Oscars. And I encourage you all to share yours!

Best Picture

Winner: The Climb

Nominees:

Another Round
The Assistant
Da 5 Bloods
The Father
I’m Thinking of Ending Things
Minari
Nomadland
Promising Young Woman
Sound of Metal

Best Actor

Winner: Riz Ahmed - Sound of Metal

Nominees:

Chadwick Boseman - Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Anthony Hopkins - The Father
Delroy Lindo - Da 5 Bloods
Steven Yeun - Minari

Best Actress

Winner: Carey Mulligan - Promising Young Woman

Nominees:

Viola Davis - Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Julia Garner - The Assistant
Vanessa Kirby - Pieces of a Woman
Frances McDormand - Nomadland

Best Supporting Actor

Winner: Daniel Kaluuya - Judas and the Black Messiah 

Nominees:

Hugh Grant - The Gentlemen 
Leslie Odom Jr. - One Night in Miami
Paul Raci - Sound of Metal
LaKeith Stanfield - Judas and the Black Messiah

Best Supporting Actress

Winner: Yuh-jung Youn - Minari

Nominees:

Ellen Burstyn - Pieces of a Woman
Glenn Close - Hillbilly Elegy
Olivia Colman - The Father
Lesley Manville - Let Him Go 

Best Director

Winner: Chloé Zhao - Nomadland

Nominees:

Michael Angelo Covino - The Climb
Emerald Fennell - Promising Young Woman
Spike Lee - Da 5 Bloods
Florian Zeller - The Father

Best Original Screenplay

Winner:  The Climb

Nominees:

Another Round
Mank
Minari
Promising Young Woman

Best Adapted Screenplay

Winner:  The Father

Nominees:

I’m Thinking of Ending Things
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Nomadland
One Night in Miami

Best Cinematography

Winner:  Nomadland

Nominees:

The Climb
Mank
Tenet
Wendy

Best Editing

Winner:  The Trial of the Chicago 7

Nominees:

The Father
Nomadland
Promising Young Woman
Sound of Metal

Best Production Design

Winner:  Mank

Nominees:

Emma
The Father
I’m Thinking of Ending Things
The Personal History of David Copperfield

Best Costume Design

Winner:  Emma

Nominees:

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Mank
The Personal History of David Copperfield
The United States vs. Billie Holiday 

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Winner:  Hillbilly Elegy

Nominees:

Birds of Prey
Emma
Ma Rainy’s Black Bottom
Mank

Best Original Score

Winner:  Soul

Nominees:

Da 5 Bloods
Let Them All Talk
Mank
The Midnight Sky

Best Original Song

Winner: “Io sì”  - The Life Ahead

Nominees:

“Fight For You”  - Judas and the Black Messiah
“Hulsavik (My Home Town)” - Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
“I Ain’t Going Down” - Yellow Rose
“Wuhan Flu”  - Borat Subsequent Moviefilm

Best Sound

Winner:  Sound of Metal

Nominees:

Da 5 Bloods
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
News of the World
The Outpost

Best Visual Effects

Winner: The Midnight Sky

Nominees:

Birds of Prey 
The Invisible Man
Tenet
Wonder Woman 1984

Best Animated Feature

Winner: Wolfwalkers

Nominees:

Onward
A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon
Soul

ORIGINAL CATEGORIES

Best Ensemble

Winner: The Trial of the Chicago 7

Nominees:

Da 5 Bloods
One Night in Miami
Mank
Minari

Best Comedy

Winner: The Climb

Nominees:

Emma
The Kid Detective
Palm Springs
The Wolf of Snow Hallow

Best Stunts

Winner: Birds of Prey

Nominees:

Da 5 Bloods
The Hunt
Tenet
Wonder Woman 1984

Best Breakthrough Filmmaker

Winner: Emerald Fennell  - Promising Young Woman

Nominees:

Kirby Green  - The Assistant 
Regina King  - One Night in Miami
Darius Marder - Sound of Metal
Florian Zeller - The Father 

Best Breakthrough Actor

Winner: Alan Kim - Minari

Nominees:

Owen Asztalos - Hillbilly Elegy 
Jim Cummings - The Wolf of Snow Hollow
Winslow Fegley - Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made
Kyle Marvin - The Climb

Best Breakthrough Actress

Winner: Maria Baklova - Borat Subsequent Moviefilm

Nominees:

Andra Day - The United States vs. Billie Holiday
Sidney Flanigan - Never Rarely Sometimes Always
Eva Noblezada - Yellow Rose
Jo Ellen Pellman - The Prom

My 25 Favorite Films of 2020 (UPDATED)

Well, this was quite the crazy year, especially for movies. While many films that were slated to be released this year were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year still provided some laughs, tears, and thrills both in theaters and in the living room.

Here are my 25 favorite films of the year:

25. The Trial of the Chicago 7

Oscar-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin sits in the director’s chair once again in this courtroom drama about the real-life protesters who showed up in Chicago during the 1968 Democratic National Convention. With themes that resonate today, The Trial of the Chicago 7 benefits from its sharp screenplay, well-paced editing, and an outstanding ensemble cast that includes Eddie Redmayne, Mark Rylance, Yahoo Abdul-Mateen II, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jeremy Strong, Frank Langella, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Michael Keaton.

24. Unhinged

In a year plagued by the pandemic, Unhinged led the way to the revival of movie theaters back in August and perhaps in some ways it was meant to be the film to do so as the themes of a rage-fueled society and the lack of human connection carry weight. Russell Crowe stars, as the title suggests, as an unhinged psychopath whose road rage torments a woman and her adolescent son. Unhinged is the epitome of pure entertainment and is why we go to the movies. While it’s not quite the most sophisticated thriller of the year, it’s still one helluva ride.

23. Emma

Anya Taylor-Joy has had quite the year with both highs (The Queen’s Gambit) and lows (The New Mutants). But it began before the pandemic with the release of Emma, which she stars as the iconic Jane Austen title character, a socialite who meddles in the love life of others while refusing to acknowledge her own shortcomings in that department. Supported with a strong ensemble cast, beautiful production design, and comedic charm, Emma is not to be missed.

22. One Night in Miami

Regina King makes her directorial debut adapting a stage play about a fictionalize meeting of Sam Cooke, Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, and Jim Brown. One Night in Miami is one of those films that’s completely carried by its cast and Leslie Odom Jr., Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, and Aldis Hodge all deliver with powerhouse performances as four American icons. 

21. The Invisible Man

ln the era of remakes and reboots, very few are as good as Universal’s latest monster flick revival of The Invisible Man. Elisabeth Moss stars as a woman who believes she’s being haunted by her abusive ex-husband, someone she becomes convinced faked his own death and is stalking her without being able to be seen. Filmmaker Leigh Whannell, the writer behind the Saw and Insidious horror franchises, generates good thrills and high-wire tension with the help of high production value and a terrifyingly-good performance from Moss.

20. Dick Johnson is Dead

Documentarian Kirsten Johnson filmed a beautiful, intimate tribute to her father Dick Johnson, who has been suffering from Alzheimer’s in the final years of his life. However, instead of dreading his death, both daughter and father embrace it by having him acting out several scenes of his over-the-top demises. Dick Johnson is Dead may focus on the subject manner of death, but this documentary actually celebrates life and the laughs that happen along the way.

19. The Wolf of Snow Hollow

Perhaps one of the littlest-known films of the year, The Wolf of Snow Hollow is not your conventional indie comedy horror flick. Writer/director Jim Cummings stars as an overly-heated police officer who attempts to get to the bottom of a string of murders in his small, snowy Utah town by what appears to be some sort of werewolf, though he remains unconvinced. Featuring one of the final performances from veteran actor Robert Forster, The Wolf of Snow Hollow uses its quirky sense of humor to stand out from the rest of the pack.

18. The Gentlemen

The Gentlemen is a fun, action-packed, crime caper from Guy Ritchie about the London turf war of drug kingpins. Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Goulding, Michelle Dockery, and Colin Ferrell all round out the strong cast, but its Hugh Grant that really steals the show as the comedically manipulative Fletcher, whose only allegiance is to himself. If you like a stylish film with well-choreographed violence and a fast-paced plot, The Gentlemen should be your cup of tea.  

17. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Some of the best play-to-film adaptations are the films that feel like you’re watching a play, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is one of them. Produced by Denzel Washington, Viola Davis gives a transformative performance as Ma Rainey, known as the “mother of the blues” and the clash she had with a pair of White music producers, but she also butts heads with her trumpet player (played by the late Chadwick Boseman), who also has his own music ambitions. While Davis obviously gives other Oscar-worthy performance, it was Boseman who was able to show how incredibly gifted he was as an actor. And while the world lost him far too soon, at least his last role ended up being his greatest.

16. Boys State

Boys State is a fascinating documentary about an annual program that brings a thousand 17-year-old Texan boys together where they’re divided into two groups to form their own parties and election campaigns. The biggest takeaway from this teenage social experiment is how much these youngsters pickup the tactics of actual politicians (which in some ways is horrifying). What really carries the film are the select few it focuses on who are still young enough to be humble but cunning enough to know how the game is played. For better or worse, they make great politicos someday. 

15. Mank

Citizen Kane is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made and Mank is a worthy tribute. Gary Oldman stars as the title character Herman “Mank” Mankiewicz, the Oscar-winning screenwriter behind the iconic film. David Fincher (The Social Network, Gone Girl) managed to capture the epic scale of the 1941 classic that would make Orson Welles proud.

14. Soul

Soul is one of those rare existential Pixar films that goes beyond being children’s entertainment. Following in the footsteps of 2015′s Inside Out, Soul depicts what happens to the soul of a jazz musician who’s convinced his time on Earth isn’t over. While the universe created to explain how souls work and the plot that went along with it falls short of its emotions predecessor, Soul is still high-caliber among Pixar films and a great movie for both kids and adults alike.

13. The Kid Detective

One of the biggest surprises of the year was how good a movie starring and produced by Adam Brody was. Brody plays a washed up former kid detective who attempts to revive his once-celebrated career of solving mysteries by getting to the bottom of a murder in his hometown. The Kid Detective is a brilliant dark comedy from newcomer writer/director Evan Morgan with good laughs, plenty of plot twists, and a career-best performance from Brody, who proves he’s more than just the pretty face from The O.C. we all know him as.

12. Judas and the Black Messiah 

Judas and the Black Messiah is an intense historical drama about FBI informant Bill O’Neal who infiltrates a branch of the Black Panther Party led by Fred Hampton, played by an Oscar-worthy Daniel Kaluuya. What felt like a high-wire thriller, filmmaker Shaka King shows he’s full of talent with likely a long, successful career ahead of him. 

11 . Wolfwalkers

From the Irish filmmakers behind the Oscar-nominated films The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea comes their greatest animated feature yet. Wolfwalkers is a touching fantasy of an aspiring hunter Robyn who befriends a girl who can magically turn into a wolf in her sleep (aka a wolfwalker), but their relationship faces hurdles as Robyn’s father is hired to wipe out the wolves who live in the woods outside of the town’s perimeter. Wolfwalkers is gorgeous, riveting, and far more sophisticated than the average cartoon. It’s also easily the best animated film of the year.

10. Another Round

Perhaps the greatest work from Swedish director Thomas Vinterberg to date, Another Round follows four unsatisfied middle aged men who decide to take a theory of task from a Norwegian psychiatrist, who concluded that maintaining a blood alcohol level of 0.050 will enhance their mental and psychological state. Mads Mikkelsen, who’s best known to American audiences as Hannibal Lecter in the short-lived NBC series Hannibal and the Bond villain in Casino Royale, offers a strong, nuanced performance as one of the four educators who embraces this drinking challenge in a film that provides an equal balance of chuckles, cringes, and emotional gut punches.

9. I’m Thinking of Ending Things

From the crazy mastermind of Charlie Kaufman, the writer behind Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Anomalisa, his latest on Netflix is too a mind-bender. I’m Thinking of Ending Things is a surreal, zany, and at times disturbing examination of the human condition as the nameless female protagonist played by an incredible Jessie Buckley mulls over breaking up with her boyfriend (played by Jesse Plemons) while visiting his parents’ house. Accompanied with a stellar production design and a crazy-good performance from Toni Collette as “Mother,” Kaufman newest cerebral feature lives up to his iconic reputation of filmmaking.

8. Da 5 Bloods

Spike Lee is one of the few genius filmmakers who is able to blend multiple genres together and his latest film is no different. Da 5 Bloods is an action adventure, buddy comedy, dramatic character study, and war movie all wrapped up into one about a group of Vietnam War veterans who return to the former battlegrounds to find the remains of one of their fallen soldiers as well as some treasure that they kept hidden years ago. With a strong ensemble cast that includes the late Chadwick Boseman, its longtime character actor Delroy Lindo who steals the show with his powerful performance. Da 5 Bloods is easily one of Netflix’s strongest films to date.

7. The Assistant

One of the first #MeToo-era films, The Assistant offers the day in the life of a low-level female staffer of a production company who is haunted by the presence of her Harvey Weinstein-like boss (who never actually appears in the film). However, rather than depicting the dramatics of sexual misconduct, The Assistant uses the common subtleties and nuances of the workplace yet maintains the same tension and heartbreak. Anchored by the remarkable, devastating performance by up-and-comer Julia Garner (Ozark), The Assistant is as important as it is well-done.

6. Minari 

No film this year captures the pursuit of the American dream better than Minari. A Korean man moves his family from California to Arkansas to build a farm, which causes strain on his marriage. Writer/Director Lee Isaac Chung delivers a fulfilling and intimate film that is family drama and part coming-of-age with humor sprinkled throughout. Minari also benefits from a strong cast led by Steve Yeun of Walking Dead fame as the aspiring farmer desperate to provide for his kids, Yeri Han as the mother who struggles to adjust to the new lifestyle, and Youn Yuh-jung as the loose cannon grandmother who desperately tries to seek her grandson’s love and approval after she moves in with her daughter’s family.

5. The Father

The Father is a remarkable drama about an aging man named Anthony who refuses his daughter’s desire to hire a caretaker, but there’s a surprise element of suspense as the audience is essentially in the mind of Anthony, whose sense of reality is on shaky grounds. Anthony Hopkins gives his greatest performance in decades as a vulnerable man who simply wants to be left alone in his flat while Olivia Colman offers a painfully brilliant portrayal of a daughters who feels obligated to take care of her ailing father. With sharp writing and superb editing, The Father is one of the few films of the year that resonates after viewing. 

4. Nomadland

Nomadland is an enriching, emotional, beautifully-made film from writer/director Chloé Zhao. Frances McDormand gives yet another stellar performance as a widow who embraces the nomad lifestyle and embarks on a self-discovery journey on the road. The cinematography is so stunning, nearly every shot looks like a painting. Nomadland is full of heart and one the year’s most standout films.

3. Promising Young Woman

What can be described as a #MeToo revenge thriller, Promising Young Woman is a heart-pounding rollercoaster with a dark, biting sense of humor.  Emerald Fennell has proven to be a promising young filmmaker with her unique vision that resulted in a smooth, stylish feature debut. Carey Mulligan truly shines in the role she was born to play as the cunning, relentless Cassandra seeking vengeance on behalf of her best friend. Promising Young Woman is one of those rare films so satisfying yet keeps you begging for more even when it’s over. 

2. Sound of Metal

Riz Ahmed gives the performance of his career as a heavy metal drummer and former addict whose sudden battle with going deaf upends his life. Sound of Metal is an incredible experience that gives a rare glimpse in the American deaf community which is enhanced by the remarkable sound design that helps the audience actually hear what the musician is going through. It’s truly one of the most rewarding films of the year.

1. The Climb

The Climb takes the generic “man sleeps with his best friend’s fiancé” storyline and turns it on its head. In his feature debut as writer and director, Michael Angelo Covino leads as the not-so-apologetic adulterer Mike and Kyle Marvin, who co-wrote the film, is the good-hearted Kyle who struggles to whether or not to forgive his best friend’s ultimately betrayal. Not only is The Climb is quirky and hilariously written, it’s a remarkably well-made comedy with some of the year’s best cinematography. Between a strong cast, a superb screenplay, and the extremely-high production value, The Climb is at the top of the mountain of 2020′s best films.

My 25 Favorite Films of 2020

Well, this was quite the crazy year, especially for movies. While many films that were slated to be released this year were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year still provided some laughs, tears, and thrills both in theaters and in the living room. 

(NOTE: Due to the delayed awards season calendar and postponed Oscar bait films that are unavailable to be seen before the end of 2020, this list will eventually be updated after having seen the following films: The Father, Minari, News of the World, Nomadland, One Night in Miami, Pieces of a Woman, Promising Young Woman)

Here are my 25 favorite films of the year:

25. Kajillionaire 

Quirky filmmaker Miranda July is back with her first feature in nearly a decade. Kajillionaire is a bizarre but captivating tale about a family of criminal grifters and how the daughter reevaluates her strained relationship with her parents after an outsider is welcomed into the fold. Evan Rachel Wood takes what could have easily been dismissed as a goofy caricature in Old Dolio (yes, that’s her name) and turns into a heartfelt portrayal of a woman whose lifestyle of freeloading dictated by her parents (played by Debra Winger and Richard Jenkins) becomes her own crisis. In many ways, Kajillionaire feels like a fantasy that keeps people asking, “What on earth is going on?” And this time, it’s for the best. 

24. Freaky

Revamping decades-old plots like the body-swapping antics from Freaky Friday can either result in a predictable failure or a surprising success. Thankfully, Freaky falls into the latter category. In this horror comedy, a deranged serial killer (played by Vince Vaughn) swaps bodies with his victim, a timid teen girl (played by Kathryn Newton). What makes the film work though are the dedicated lead performances, particularly by Vaughn, who is pretty convincing as young girl trapped in a grown man’s body. With a few good laughs and decent thrills, Freaky is worth the watch. 

23. The Outpost

The Outpost is an intense film about the real-life story of small group of US troops isolated by surrounding mountains in Afghanistan, under the constant threat of the Taliban, which ultimately comes to a head in the Battle of Kamdesh. The film captures the harrowing experiences of these soldiers with heart-pounding action sequences, which are fueled by a solid cast including Scott Eastwood, Caleb Landry Jones, and Orlando Bloom. 

22. Uncle Frank

Paul Bettany may be best known for playing The Vision in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but he should be celebrated as his title character in Uncle Frank, a touching dramedy set in 1973 about an NYU professor who returns home to his estranged family for his father’s funeral while his niece, played by rising star Sophia Lillis, idolizes him for teaching her to be her authentic self while he keeps his sexuality a secret. Bettany brilliantly balances the coolness of his stature with the internal agony that ultimately hits a boiling point, which is counterbalanced by Peter Macdissi’s fun performance as Frank’s happy-go-lucky lover who accompanies him back home despite his wishes. 

21. Hillbilly Elegy

Hillbilly Elegy was panned by critics over politics that had absolutely no role the film. Based on the best-selling memoir by J.D. Vance, the newest feature from Ron Howard shows the journey of a boy who despite all odds growing up in a poor family that constantly struggled with abuse and addition managed to get into Yale Law School and achieve the American dream. While both Gabriel Basso and Owen Asztalos hold the film together as the younger and older Vance in the present and flashback scenes, Amy Adams as the impulsive, irresponsible mother and an unrecognizable Glenn Close as the no-nonsense inspiring grandmother that turn Hillbilly Elegy into an acting tour de force. 

20. The Trial of the Chicago 7

Oscar-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin sits in the director’s chair once again in this courtroom drama about the real-life protesters who showed up in Chicago during the 1968 Democratic National Convention. With themes that resonate today, The Trial of the Chicago 7 benefits from its sharp screenplay, well-paced editing, and an outstanding ensemble cast that includes Eddie Redmayne, Mark Rylance, Yahoo Abdul-Mateen II, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jeremy Strong, Frank Langella, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Michael Keaton. 

19. Yellow Rose

Broadway actress Eva Noblezada makes her film debut as an aspiring country singer on the run after her mother, an illegal immigrant, is obtained for deportation. Yellow Rose presents a nuanced depiction of US immigration, but at the heart of it is a heartbreaking story of a young woman who struggles between putting her family or her dreams first. Between Noblezada’s powerful performance and solid original music, Yellow Rose hits all the right chords. 

18. Palm Springs

Move over, Groundhog Day. While the Bill Murray classic has largely monopolized the time loop film genre, Palm Springs gives it a run for its money. Andy Sandberg and Cristin Milioti star as the unlikely duo who are stranded reliving the same dreaded wedding day involving mutual acquaintances and their desperate efforts to escape the seemingly inescapable. The Hulu comedy stands on its own two feet for the good laughs, the chemistry between the two leads, and the film’s emotionally-grounded plot.  

17. Let Him Go

Kevin Costner and Diane Lane reunite on the big screen after playing farmer parents in Man of Steel to rancher grandparents in Let Him Go, although this time they are able to display their full acting chops. In this period dramatic thriller, they set out to find their only grandchild following the death of their son only to discover that the widowed daughter-in-law remarried into an infamous crime family. While both Costner and Lane tug at the heartstrings, it’s Lesley Manville, who plays the ruthless matriarch of the family, that really takes command of the screen. Ultimately, Let Him Go is all about family and the lengths one is willing to go to protect it. 

16. Unhinged

In a year plagued by the pandemic, Unhinged led the way to the revival of movie theaters back in August and perhaps in some ways it was meant to be the film to do so as the themes of a rage-fueled society and the lack of human connection carry weight. Russell Crowe stars, as the title suggests, as an unhinged psychopath whose road rage torments a woman and her adolescent son. Unhinged is the epitome of pure entertainment and is why we go to the movies. While it’s not quite the most sophisticated thriller of the year, it’s still one helluva ride. 

15. Emma

Anya Taylor-Joy has had quite the year with both highs (The Queen’s Gambit) and lows (The New Mutants). But it began before the pandemic with the release of Emma, which she stars as the iconic Jane Austen title character, a socialite who meddles in the love life of others while refusing to acknowledge her own shortcomings in that department. Supported with a strong ensemble cast, beautiful production design, and comedic charm, Emma is not to be missed. 

14. The Invisible Man

ln the era of remakes and reboots, very few are as good as Universal’s latest monster flick revival of The Invisible Man. Elisabeth Moss stars as a woman who believes she’s being haunted by her abusive ex-husband, someone she becomes convinced faked his own death and is stalking her without being able to be seen. Filmmaker Leigh Whannell, the writer behind the Saw and Insidious horror franchises, generates good thrills and high-wire tension with the help of high production value and a terrifyingly-good performance from Moss. 

13. Dick Johnson is Dead

Documentarian Kirsten Johnson filmed a beautiful, intimate tribute to her father Dick Johnson, who has been suffering from Alzheimer’s in the final years of his life. However, instead of dreading his death, both daughter and father embrace it by having him acting out several scenes of his over-the-top demises. Dick Johnson is Dead may focus on the subject manner of death, but this documentary actually celebrates life and the laughs that happen along the way. 

12. The Wolf of Snow Hollow

Perhaps one of the littlest-known films of the year, The Wolf of Snow Hollow is not your conventional indie comedy horror flick. Writer/director Jim Cummings stars as an overly-heated police officer who attempts to get to the bottom of a string of murders in his small, snowy Utah town by what appears to be some sort of werewolf, though he remains unconvinced. Featuring one of the final performances from veteran actor Robert Forster, The Wolf of Snow Hollow uses its quirky sense of humor to stand out from the rest of the pack. 

11. The Gentlemen 

The Gentlemen is a fun, action-packed, crime caper from Guy Ritchie about the London turf war of drug kingpins. Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Goulding, Michelle Dockery, and Colin Ferrell all round out the strong cast, but its Hugh Grant that really steals the show as the comedically manipulative Fletcher, whose only allegiance is to himself. If you like a stylish film with well-choreographed violence and a fast-paced plot, The Gentlemen should be your cup of tea.  

10. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Some of the best play-to-film adaptations are the films that feel like you’re watching a play, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is one of them. Produced by Denzel Washington, Viola Davis gives a transformative performance as Ma Rainey, known as the “mother of the blues” and the clash she had with a pair of White music producers, but she also butts heads with her trumpet player (played by the late Chadwick Boseman), who also has his own music ambitions. While Davis obviously gives other Oscar-worthy performance, it was Boseman who was able to show how incredibly gifted he was as an actor. And while the world lost him far too soon, at least his last role ended up being his greatest. 

9. The Kid Detective

One of the biggest surprises of the year was how good a movie starring and produced by Adam Brody was. Brody plays a washed up former kid detective who attempts to revive his once-celebrated career of solving mysteries by getting to the bottom of a murder in his hometown. The Kid Detective is a brilliant dark comedy from newcomer writer/director Evan Morgan with good laughs, plenty of plot twists, and a career-best performance from Brody, who proves he’s more than just the pretty face from The O.C. we all know him as. 

8. Mank

Citizen Kane is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made and Mank is a worthy tribute. Gary Oldman stars as the title character Herman “Mank” Mankiewicz, the Oscar-winning screenwriter behind the iconic film. David Fincher (The Social Network, Gone Girl) managed to capture the epic scale of the 1941 classic that would make Orson Welles proud. 

7. Soul

Soul is one of those rare existential Pixar films that goes beyond being children’s entertainment. Following in the footsteps of 2015′s Inside Out, Soul depicts what happens to the soul of a jazz musician who’s convinced his time on Earth isn’t over. While the universe created to explain how souls work and the plot that went along with it falls short of its emotions predecessor, Soul is still high-caliber among Pixar films and a great movie for both kids and adults alike. 

6. Another Round

Perhaps the greatest work from Swedish director Thomas Vinterberg to date, Another Round follows four unsatisfied middle aged men who decide to take a theory of task from a Norwegian psychiatrist, who concluded that maintaining a blood alcohol level of 0.050 will enhance their mental and psychological state. Mads Mikkelsen, who’s best known to American audiences as Hannibal Lecter in the short-lived NBC series Hannibal and the Bond villain in Casino Royale, offers a strong, nuanced performance as one of the four educators who embraces this drinking challenge in a film that provides an equal balance of chuckles, cringes, and emotional gut punches. 

5. I’m Thinking of Ending Things

From the crazy mastermind of Charlie Kaufman, the writer behind Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Anomalisa, his latest on Netflix is too a mind-bender. I’m Thinking of Ending Things is a surreal, zany, and at times disturbing examination of the human condition as the nameless female protagonist played by an incredible Jessie Buckley mulls over breaking up with her boyfriend (played by Jesse Plemons) while visiting his parents’ house. Accompanied with a stellar production design and a crazy-good performance from Toni Collette as “Mother,” Kaufman newest cerebral feature lives up to his iconic reputation of filmmaking. 

4. Da 5 Bloods

Spike Lee is one of the few genius filmmakers who is able to blend multiple genres together and his latest film is no different. Da 5 Bloods is an action adventure, buddy comedy, dramatic character study, and war movie all wrapped up into one about a group of Vietnam War veterans who return to the former battlegrounds to find the remains of one of their fallen soldiers as well as some treasure that they kept hidden years ago. With a strong ensemble cast that includes the late Chadwick Boseman, its longtime character actor Delroy Lindo who steals the show with his powerful performance. Da 5 Bloods is easily one of Netflix’s strongest films to date. 

3. The Assistant

One of the first #MeToo-era films, The Assistant offers the day in the life of a low-level female staffer of a production company who is haunted by the presence of her Harvey Weinstein-like boss (who never actually appears in the film). However, rather than depicting the dramatics of sexual misconduct, The Assistant uses the common subtleties and nuances of the workplace yet maintains the same tension and heartbreak. Anchored by the remarkable, devastating performance by up-and-comer Julia Garner (Ozark), The Assistant is as important as it is well-done. 

2. Sound of Metal

Riz Ahmed gives the performance of his career as a heavy metal drummer and former addict whose sudden battle with going deaf upends his life. Sound of Metal is an incredible experience that gives a rare glimpse in the American deaf community which is enhanced by the remarkable sound design that helps the audience actually hear what the musician is going through. It’s truly one of the most rewarding films of the year. 

1. The Climb

The Climb takes the generic “man sleeps with his best friend’s fiancé” storyline and turns it on its head. In his feature debut as writer and director, Michael Angelo Covino leads as the not-so-apologetic adulterer Mike and Kyle Marvin, who co-wrote the film, is the good-hearted Kyle who struggles to whether or not to forgive his best friend’s ultimately betrayal. Not only is The Climb is quirky and hilariously written, it’s a remarkably well-made comedy with some of the year’s best cinematography. Between a strong cast, a superb screenplay, and the extremely-high production value, The Climb is at the top of the mountain of 2020′s best films. 

The Ten Best Films About Being Quarantined

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, then you have probably been told to stay home amid the coronavirus outbreak. However, instead of freaking yourselves out by watching Contagion, here are the ten best films about being quarantined. 

1. 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

What was initially framed as a “spirit sequel” of the 2008′s Cloverfield, this film stands tall on its own.  Mary Elizabeth Winstead stars as Michelle, a young woman who finds herself in an underground shelter after a car accident and is told by her apparent rescuer (played by John Goodman) that the outside world was hit by some sort of attack. It’s a well-crafted, unpredictable psychological thriller that keeps you at the edge of your seat and with your heart pounding from start to finish.

2. Take Shelter (2011)

The breakout film from writer/director Jeff Nichols (Mud, Loving, Midnight Special), Take Shelter follows a man plagued by apocalyptic visions and becomes so frightened that he builds his own underground shelter despite the doubts from the rest of the people in town. This is Michael Shannon’s greatest performance of his career (accompanied by a strong Jessica Chastain, who plays his wife). The film keeps you guessing as to whether his visions are right or if he is simply driven into madness. 

3. The Shining (1980)

There’s nothing like being snowed in at a haunted hotel for an entire season. The Shining is a classic horror film that’s perfect during a quarantine. Hopefully ours won’t nearly last as long, but between the nearly dozen iconic scenes, the stellar filmmaking from Stanley Kubrick, and Jack Nicholson’s frightening performance, it’s hard to go wrong with The Shining. 

4. It’s a Disaster (2013)

It’s a Disaster is probably the one film on this list that you’ve probably never heard of, but it was a hidden gem among 2013 indies about a couples’ brunch that goes awry when they learn that the country had been attacked by chemical weapons. This dark comedy has an ensemble cast of familiar faces including Julia Stiles, America Ferrera, and Arrested Development’s David Cross. You’ll find yourself laughing at expense of their misery, and that’s the genius of this film.

5. Beetlejuice (1988)

You may be wondering why Beetlejuice is on this list, but you should recall that the protagonists of this film are Adam and Barbara (Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis), who quickly realize they’ve been quarantined to their house after their untimely demise. A quintessential film of the 1980s, Beetlejuice is not your ordinary comedy. It’s classic Tim Burton, classic Michael Keaton, and a classic good time. 

6. The Mist (2007)

Another classic from Stephen King, The Mist is not just about the horrors that are waiting in the unknown outside but the societal breakdown of those trapped inside the grocery store. It’s sort of one of those “What would you do?” type of suspense. But hey, if you’re going to be quarantined anywhere, a fully-stocked grocery store ain’t too shabby. 

7. Dawn of the Dead (1978, 2004)

From the mastermind of George A. Romero, Dawn of the Dead is arguably superior to his own zombie trailblaze\ Night of the Living Dead. Not only is it scary as hell, Romero knows how to have fun with the horror sub-genre, particularly at a time when the shopping mall was becoming the go-to place to be across America (even for zombies). It’s 2004 remake, which was the feature debut of Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen, Batman v Superman), managed to stand on its own two legs as an action-packed bad-ass zombie flick while paying homage to its cherished predecessor. 

8. The Birds (1963)

The Birds may not be as much of a Hitchcock classic as Psycho, but it’s just as frightening, perhaps more. The feathered creatures quickly went from a societal presence to a societal danger as an unexplained plague of birds begins to attack people, forcing them to stay inside. Beware, if you go out for essentials, just leaves the crackers behind. 

9. The Cabin in the Woods (2011)

A horror film that comically spoofs other horror films, The Cabin in the Woods keeps five unsuspecting teenagers fighting for they lives as outside forces torment their physical and psychological safety. It was a genius film for its time. Plus, it features then up-and-comer Chris Hemsworth. 

10. It Comes at Night (2017)

Another one of those “What would you do?” suspenseful dramas, It Comes at Night follows a man, his wife, and son who are secluded in a house in the wildness with limited supply after some sort of biological threat had plagued the world. But when a young family seeks refuge, the patriarch must decide what is best for his family and whether that means he has to go against other morals. Waves writer/director Trey Edward Shults’s debut film is heart-wrenching, chilling, and a thought-provoking quarantine favorite. 

Oscars 2020: My Fantasy Winners and Nominees

If you were like me, then you were completely pissed about this year’s nominees, particularly all the snubs that the Academy made. Well, here are my fantasy winners and nominees. And I encourage you all to do the same!

Best Picture

Winner: Parasite

Nominees:

1917
The Farewell
Hotel Mumbai
Jojo Rabbit
Joker
Richard Jewell
Rocketman
Uncut Jems
Us

Best Actor

Winner: Joaquin Phoenix - Joker

Nominees:

Adam Driver - Marriage Story
Taron Egerton - Rocketman
Paul Walter Hauser - Richard Jewell
Eddie Murphy - Dolemite is My Name
Adam Sandler - Uncut Gems

Best Actress

Winner: Lupita Nyong’o - Us

Nominees:

Awkwafina - The Farewell
Cynthia Erivo - Harriet
Scarlett Johannson - Marriage Story
Renée Zellweger - Judy

Best Supporting Actor

Winner: Alessandro Nivola - The Art of Self-Defense

Nominees:

Willem Dafoe - The Lighthouse 
Zack Gottsagen - The Peanut Butter Falcon
Tom Hanks - A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Brad Pitt - Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood
Kang-ho Song - Parasite

Best Supporting Actress

Winner: Jennifer Lopez - Hustlers

Nominees:

Laura Dern - Marriage Story
Da'Vine Joy Randolph - Dolemite is My Name
Zhao Shuzhen - The Farewell
Julie Walters  - Wild Rose

Best Director

Winner: Bong Joon Ho - Parasite

Nominees:

Sam Mendes - 1917
Jordan Peele - Us
Todd Phillips - Joker
Taika Waititi - Jojo Rabbit

Best Original Screenplay

Winner:  Parasite

Nominees:

The Farewell
Knives Out
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood
Us

Best Adapted Screenplay

Winner:  Jojo Rabbit

Nominees:

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Joker
Little Women
Richard Jewell

Best Cinematography

Winner:  1917

Nominees:

Joker
The Last Black Man in San Francisco 
The Lighthouse
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood
Waves

Best Editing

Winner:  Ford v Ferrari

Nominees:

Hotel Mumbai
Parasite
Joker
Uncut Gems

Best Production Design

Winner:  Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

Nominees:

1917
Little Women
Midsommar
Parasite

Best Costume Design

Winner:  Rocketman

Nominees:

Dolemite is My Name
Judy
Little Women
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Winner:  Bombshell

Nominees:

Dolemite is My Name
Joker
Judy
Rocketman

Best Original Score

Winner:  1917

Nominees:

Joker
Little Women
The Last Black Man in San Francisco
Us

Best Original Song

Winner: “Glasgow (No Place Like Home)”  - Wild Rose

Nominees:

“Catchy Song”  - The LEGO Movie: The Second Part
“I’m Gonna Love Me Again”  - Rocketman
“Into the Unknown” - Frozen II
“Stand Up”  - Harriet

Best Sound Editing

Winner:  Hotel Mumbai

Nominees:

1917
Avengers: Endgame
Ford v Ferrari
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Best Sound Mixing

Winner:  Rocketman

Nominees:

1917
Avengers: Endgame
Ad Astra
Ford v Ferrari

Best Visual Effects

Winner: Avengers: Endgame

Nominees:

1917
The Irishman
The Lion King
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Best Animated Feature

Winner: The Missing Link

Nominees:

Frozen II
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
Toy Story 4

ORIGINAL CATEGORIES

Best Ensemble

Winner: Knives Out

Nominees:

Jojo Rabbit
Little Women
Marriage Story
Parasite

Best Stunts

Winner: Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

Nominees:

1917
Avengers: Endgame
Jumanji: The Next Level
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Best Breakthrough Filmmaker

Winner: Lulu Wang - The Farewell

Nominees:

Anthony Maras - Hotel Mumbai
Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz  - The Peanut Butter Falcon
Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie - Uncut Gems
Lorene Scafaria  - Hustlers
Joe Talbot - The Last Black Man in San Francisco 

Best Breakthrough Actor

Winner: Kelvin Harrison Jr. - Waves

Nominees:

Roman Griffin Davis  - Jojo Rabbit
Jimmie Fails - The Last Black Man in San Francisco
Viveik Kaira - Blinded By the Light
Archie Yates - Jojo Rabbit

Best Breakthrough Actress

Winner: Jessie Buckley - Wild Rose

Nominees:

Julia Fox - Uncut Gems
Florence Pugh - Little Women
Taylor Russell - Waves
Samara Weaving - Ready or Not

Best Comedy

Winner: Jojo Rabbit

Nominees:

Booksmart
Dolemite is My Name
The Peanut Butter Falcon
Ready or Not

My 25 Favorite Films of 2019

Now that 2019 is coming to an end, here’s my 25 favorite films of the year!

25. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood is full of surprises. A love letter to the film industry in the 60s, Quentin Tarantino’s latest takes creative liberties on the Charles Manson saga and uses it as a backdrop while telling the story of Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his loyal stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). While Margot Robbie was criminally underutilized as Sharon Tate, Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood has the classic, violent action and the wicked humor Tarantino built a career on.   

24. The Lighthouse

Writer/director Robert Eggers, the mastermind behind 2015′s horror flick The Witch, is back with another WTF of a movie. The Lighthouse is stylized like a 1920s relic found in a time capsule and follows the deteriorating relationship of two lighthouse keepers who struggle to keep their sanity while isolated on a New England island. Robert Pattinson yet again shows his acting abilities have evolved greatly from his Twilight days and Willem Dafoe gives yet another beautifully deranged performance as the seasoned lighthouse keeper who perhaps takes his role a bit too seriously. This suspenseful thriller will make you squirm and ask “what is going on,” but in a good way. 

23. Hustlers

One of the year’s best scenes belongs to Jennifer Lopez’s entrance onto the stage as Ramona, giving a seductive, commanding dance to a fitting song, “Criminal” by Fiona Apple. Hustlers follows the real-life story of a group of strip club employees who form a mini criminal enterprise that involves drugging gullible men and maxing out their credit cards. Constance Wu continues to display her chops as a lead, playing Ramona’s protege Destiney. And while there’s plenty of fun performances from others including Keke Palmer, Lizzo and Cardi B, this movie belongs to Lopez.

22. Wild Rose

Having similar themes to A Star is Born, Wild Rose is a superior film starring up-and-comer Jessie Buckley (best known in the HBO miniseries Chernobyl) as Rose-Lynn a Scottish mother just released from jail who revives her far-fetched dream of becoming a country singer in Nashville. Grounded, gritty, and raw, Wild Rose was one of the strongest indie films of the year featuring a heart-wrenching performance by Julie Walters, who plays Rose-Lynn’s mother and caretaker of her grandchildren who struggles to knock some sense into her daughter, as well as one of the year’s best original songs,“Glasgow (No Place Like Home).”

21. Pain and Glory

Spanish writer/director Pedro Almodóvar’s latest film is largely inspired by his own life. Antonio Banderas stars as a film director who reflects on his upbringing, career, and relationships while facing a mid-life crisis of sorts. What is clearly a personal film for Almodóvar, Pain and Glory is a touching drama about life choices that anyone can identify with. And despite playing someone who’s past their prime, Banderas knocks this role out of the park. 

20. Dolemite is My Name

Talk about a comeback. Eddie Murphy makes his big return to the big screen “or small screen if you watch on Netflix” as Rudy Ray Moore, an aging entertainer who, like Murphy, seeks to revive his career. Dolemite is My Name is a charming biopic that has plenty of laughs and plenty of heart. Joining Murphy in a strong supporting cast includes Craig Robinson, Keegan Michael-Key, Mike Epps, Tituss Burgess, and Da'Vine Joy Randolph, who gives a breakthrough performance.

19. Little Women

Marking its eighth adaptation of the classic novel, Greta Gerwig gave Little Women a modern feel with its non-linear storytelling. While her second solo outing falls short of her splendid Lady Bird, everything about Little Women was top-notch including the production design, the sharp writing, and a stellar cast that includes Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Timothée Chalamet, Laura Dern, Meryl Streep, and Florence Pugh, who gives the most memorable performance as the youngest March sister, the naive and mischievous Amy. 

18. The Art of Self-Defense

There are dark comedies that go dark… and then there are those that get really dark. Riley Stearns’s breakout film The Art of Self-Defense is the perfect combination of uncomfortably funny and shockingly suspenseful. It follows a defenseless loner who takes on karate after being assaulted on the street, but it’s what goes on after karate class snowballs into a deadly situation. Jesse Eisenberg gives his strongest performance since The Social Network as a timid individual desperate to become more tough and masculine and Alessandro Nivola is wonderfully twisted as the sociopathic karate sensei with a grim sense of humor that’s worthy of an Oscar trophy. 

17. Midsommar

Ari Aster set the bar extremely high with his 2018 debut film Hereditary. And his followup definitely stands on its own shoulders. Midsommar follows a group of young Americans who journey to a rural town in Sweden where they are holding an ancient festival, but was supposed to be a vacation quickly becomes a bizarre nightmare. Florence Pugh gives a terrifying performance as the emotionally-broken Dani, who is the only one who raises legitimate concerns about the peculiar townspeople that welcomed her and her friends. Midsommar is the perfect combination of disturbing and artistic  If his third film is just as fantastic as his first two, Aster may be earning the title of the contemporary master of horror. 

16. Knives Out

There isn’t a genre that writer/director Rian Johnson can’t handle. Knives Out is the best whodunnits in recent memory featuring one of the greatest casts in recent memory, including Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Christopher Plummer, and Daniel Craig, who plays the murder mystery’s esteemed detective Benoit Blanc (although the MVP goes to newcomer Ana de Armas). What’s brilliant about Knives Out are the unexpected twists and turns the plot makes as it unravels as well as the laughs along the way. With sharp writing and an A+ cast of characters, Knives Out is a movie to die for. 

15. The Last Black Man in San Francisco

Perhaps the best movie almost nobody saw, The Last Black Man in San Francisco tells the heartbreaking story of Jimmie Fails (played coincidentally by Jimmie Fails, making his feature debut) and his never-ending dream of restoring and residing in his childhood home, which no longer belongs to him. Both he and up-and-comer Jonathan Majors, who plays Jimmie’s best friend Montgomery, give passionate performances. The Last Black Man in San Franciso is an artistic love letter to the Golden Gate City and of this year’s most beautifully-shot films. 

14. Ready or Not

One of the most fun movies of the year, Ready or Not is an outrageously funny horror flick that surrounds a newlywed wife who must win a game of Hide and Go Seek in order to officially be accepted into her husband’s family, but little does she know that she married into a family full of satanic nutjobs who are out to kill her. If you’re looking for dark humor, well-choreographed fight scenes, and Samara Weaving kicking a lot of butt in a wedding dress, look no further than Ready or Not. 

13. Marriage Story

A modern-day Kramer vs. Kramer, Marriage Story depicts both sides of a painful divorce. Indie favorite Noah Baumbach wrote and directed his finest film yet starring Adam Driver, who plays an off-Broadway theater director, and Scarlett Johannson, an actress seeking to define her own career in Los Angeles beyond her husband’s shadow. Both give superb performances (Driver’s best performance ever) and are accompanied by a stellar cast including Laura Dern, who plays a feisty, cutthroat divorce attorney for Johannson’s Nicole and Julie Hagerty as Nicole’s overbearing mother who continues to comedically express devotion for her soon-to-be ex-son-in-law. 

12. Waves

Waves is one of the most surprising films of the year… and quite the emotional rollercoaster.  What on the outset looks like a picture-perfect, upper-middle-class family is actually a household with growing cracks in its foundation. Kelvin Harrison Jr. landed two breakout roles in 2019 (the other being Luce) but shows so much range in this film as a star athlete whose life spirals out of control with pressure from his demanding father (played by Sterling K. Brown of This is Us fame), substance abuse, and a turbulent romance. Taylor Russell also shines as the loving daughter who desperately tries to be the glue that keeps the family together amid chaos. Sharply written and beautifully shot, Waves is one of the strongest family dramas to hit the big screen in some time. 

11. The Peanut Butter Falcon

No film may tug at the heartstrings more this year than the road trip comedy The Peanut Butter Falcon. Newcomer Zack Gottsagen stars as “Zak,” a man with Downs Syndrome who escapes a nursing home so that he can attend a wrestling camp and fulfill is lifelong dream of going professional in the sport. Gottsagen, who himself has Downs Syndrome, is one of this year’s biggest breakout performers and is joined by Shia LaBeouf, who plays a man on the run who reluctantly helps Zak on his journey and Dakota Johnson, who plays Zak’s caretaker and attempts to do her job by bring him back to the home. The Peanut Butter Falcon is one of those rare films that may restore your faith in humanity.

10. Rocketman

Sparking plenty of comparisons to 2018′s Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman exceeds its predecessor in virtually every category. Taron Egerton shows that he’s a multi-talented performer not just with his terrific portrayal of Elton John but with his surprising good singing (take note, Oscar winner Rami Malek). What’s really a jukebox musical, Rocketman is a fun, stylish journey of the life and career of one of music’s biggest living legends that’s aided by fantastic hit songs, flashy costumes, and a touch of fantasy.  

9. The Farewell

Imagine finding out your grandmother is dying of cancer but she herself doesn’t know that she is and everyone around her pretends like everything is normal. That’s basically the plot of The Farewell. Writer/Director Lulu Wang carefully walks the tightrope of comedy and drama with a “What would you do?” situation storyline. Awkwafina gives a moving performance as the emotionally-conflicted Billi who struggles to say goodbye to her closest loved one and Shuzhen Zhao is brilliant her the scene-stealing, loose cannon, full-of-life grandmother. 

8. Jojo Rabbit

Taika Waititi has quickly emerged as one of the best up-and-coming filmmakers (Thor: Ragnarok, What We Do in the Shadows), this time with his World War II satire Jojo Rabbit, which follows a young German boy who aspires to become a brave Nazi soldier, but whose world turns upside down when he discovers a Jewish girl hiding in his house. Waititi himself earns some of the films biggest laughs playing the boy’s imaginary friend and personal hero, a flamboyant Adolf Hitler. But he also recruited a group of fantastic young actors; Roman Griffin Davis, who plays a self-confident but growingly insecure Jojo, Archie Yates, who plays his adorable best pal Yorki, and Leave No Trace’s Thomasin McKenzie, who plays the witty and combative Elsa who helps Jojo open his eyes and his heart. Jojo Rabbit is not only humorous, it packs a thought-provoking and emotional punch and it’s one of this year’s standout films. 

7. Hotel Mumbai

Perhaps the most emotionally distressing film of the year, Hotel Mumbai depicts  the real-life events of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks that left over 160 dead including at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Dev Patel leads a strong ensemble cast of hotel staff and guests who fight for survival as evil attempts to gun down every innocent soul. What could be compared to United 93, Hotel Mumbai is a gut-punch of a film that makes you feel like you’re truly experiencing the attack. Those who cannot stomach brutal violence may have to sit this one out, but for those who can, Hotel Mumbai is an unforgettable film. 

6. Richard Jewell

There may not be a more relevant film to come out this year than Richard Jewell. Inspired by the true story, a security guard becomes a national hero after discovering a bomb at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, but is quickly demonized as the potential terrorist after a local paper reported that the FBI had been targeting him as a suspect. Paul Walter Hauser, a 2018 breakout from I, Tonya and BlacKkKlansman, gives an outstanding lead performance as a good-natured, socially-awkward man caught in an untenable situation and is joined by a terrific Sam Rockwell, who plays his no-nonsense defense attorney. Clint Eastwood proves that at 89 years old, he’s still a Grade-A filmmaker presenting his best film since American Sniper. In an era where distrust in the media and law enforcement are part of the national discussion, Richard Jewell is a reminder that these problems have existed for decades and they’ll likely not be solved anytime soon. 

5. Joker

There was lots of skepticism when Warner Bros. announced that comedic director Todd Phillips (Old School, The Hangover films) was helming a standalone film about Batman’s arch-nemesis, but Joker emerged as a comic book movie like no other. Joaquin Phoenix deserves the Oscars as a damaged, mentally-ill loner who slowly transforms into the Clown Prince of Crime. Sparking many comparisons to Taxi Driver, Joker is proof that in the era of superhero blockbusters, there’s still room for a refreshing spin on a beloved comic book genre. 

4. Uncut Gems

Adam Sandler scored the role of a lifetime as a jeweler with spiraling debts in the intense thrill ride, Uncut Gems. What could be considered a modern noir, every single minute of this film ups the ante as Sander’s Howard Ratner struggles to fend off hungry collectors, usually resorting to gambling. Featuring a solid cast including Lakeith Stanfield, Julia Fox, Idina Menzel, and Celtics superstar Kevin Garnett in his debut role (as himself), this adrenaline rush of a movie will certainly put the newcomer director team the Safdie Brothers on the map.  

3. 1917

1917 is not just a movie; it’s a cinematic achievement. Using the “single-shot” style storytelling brings a sense of realness we haven’t seen since 2014′s Birdman. Director Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Skyfall), crafted his best film yet, aided with incredible cinematography from living legend Roger Deakins, a beautiful score from Thomas Newman, a heart-pounding story, and powerful performances from up-and-comers Joe MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman. 1917 is the greatest war film since Saving Private Ryan, possibly ever. 

2. Us

Jordan Peele’s sophomore effort did not disappoint following his Oscar-winning debut feature Get Out. Us feels like an incredible two-hour episode of The Twilight Zone (coincidently Peele has produced a TV reboot) that has the Wilson family in a fight for survival from their evil counterparts. Lupita Nyong’o gives the (dual) performance of her career as both the film’s matriarch hero and villain. With an incredible score from Michael Abels and the return of Peele’s social commentary, Us will have your heart pounding from beginning to end. 

1. Parasite

There was truly no other film this year like Parasite. From South Korean writer/director Bong Joon Ho (Snowpiercer, Okja), it follows a struggling, poor family that entangles itself with the lives of a wealthy family in a dynamic that begins with uncertainty and erupts into chaos. Part comedy, part drama, and part thriller, Parasite is a stylish, one-of-a-kind film that takes so many unexpected turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat. In short, it’s a masterpiece. 

Oscars 2019: My Fantasy Winners and Nominees

Do you ever watch the Oscars and are disappointed with the winners and the snubs? I know I do, which is why I have my own Fantasy Oscars. Here are my picks and I encourage you to do the same!

Best Picture

Winner: The Favourite

Nominees:

American Animals
Annihilation
Crazy Rich Asians
The Death of Stalin
Eighth Grade
Hereditary 
If Beale Street Could Talk
Roma
Widows

Best Director

Winner: Alfonso Cuarón - Roma

Nominees:

Ari Aster - Hereditary
Barry Jenkins - If Beale Street Could Talk
Yorgos Lanthimos - The Favourite
Bart Layton - American Animals

Best Actor

Winner: Ben Foster - Leave No Trace

Nominees:

Christian Bale - Vice
Bradley Cooper - A Star is Born
Rami Malek - Bohemian Rhapsody 
Joaquin Phoenix - You Were Never Really Here

Best Actress

Winner: Glenn Close - The Wife

Nominees:

Toni Collette - Hereditary
Olivia Colman - The Favourite
Lady Gaga - A Star is Born
Regina Hall - Support the Girls
Melissa McCarthy - Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Best Supporting Actor

Winner: Mahershala Ali - Green Book

Nominees:

Timonthée Chalamet - Beautiful Boy
Richard E. Grant - Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Hugh Grant - Paddington 2
Josh Hamilton - Eighth Grade
Evan Peters - American Animals

Best Supporting Actress

Winner: Regina King - If Beale Street Could Talk

Nominees:

Amy Adams - Vice
Claire Foy - First Man
Emma Stone - The Favourite
Rachel Weisz - The Favourite

Best Original Screenplay

Winner:  The Favourite

Nominees:

Eighth Grade
Green Book
Hereditary
Sorry to Bother You

Best Adapted Screenplay

Winner:  American Animals

Nominees:

Annihilation 
BlacKkKlansman
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
The Death of Stalin

Best Cinematography

Winner:  Roma

Nominees:

The Favourite
First Man
A Star is Born
We the Animals

Best Editing

Winner:  American Animals

Nominees:

Bad Times at the El Royale
The Favourite
We the Animals
Widows

Best Production Design

Winner:  The Favourite

Nominees:

Bad Times at the El Royale
Black Panther
Crazy Rich Asians
First Man

Best Costume Design

Winner:  The Favourite

Nominees:

Black Panther
Bohemian Rhapsody 
Mary Poppins Returns
Vox Lux

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Winner:  Vice

Nominees:

Bohemian Rhapsody
The Favourite
Stan & Ollie
Vox Lux

Best Original Score

Winner:  Black Panther

Nominees:

Crazy Rich Asians
First Man
Isle of Dogs
Mary Poppins Returns

Best Original Song

Winner: “Shallow”  - A Star is Born

Nominees:

“Break Away”  - Anna and the Apocalypse
“Can You Imagine That?”  - Mary Poppins Returns
“Pray For Me”  - Black Panther
“Wrapped Up”  - Vox Lux

Best Sound Editing

Winner:  A Quiet Place

Nominees:

Black Panther
First Man
Overlord
Widows

Best Sound Mixing

Winner:  Bohemian Rhapsody

Nominees:

Black Panther
First Man
Overlord
A Star is Born

Best Visual Effects 

Winner: Annihilation 

Nominees:

Aquaman
Avengers: Infinity War
First Man
Ready Player One

Best Animated Feature

Winner: Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse

Nominees:

The Incredibles 2
Isle of Dogs
Ralph Breaks the Internet
Teen Titans Go! to the Movies

ORIGINAL CATEGORIES

Best Ensemble 

Winner: The Favourite

Nominees:

Crazy Rich Asians
The Death of Stalin
Vice
Widows

Best Stunts

Winner: Mission: Impossible - Fallout

Nominees:

Aquaman
Black Panther
Deadpool 2
Overlord

Best Breakthrough Filmmaker 

Winner: Bo Burnham - Eighth Grade

Nominees:

Ari Aster - Hereditary
Bart Layton - American Animals
Boots Riley - Sorry to Bother You
Jeremiah Zagar - We the Animals

Best Breakthrough Actor

Winner: Alex Wolff - Hereditary

Nominees:

Julian Dennison - Deadpool 2
Henry Golding - A Simple Favor
Alessandro Nivola - Disobedience 
Evan Rosado - We the Animals

Best Breakthrough Actress

Winner: Elsie Fisher - Eighth Grade

Nominees:

Yalitza Aparicio - Roma
Awkwafina - Crazy Rich Asians
Thomasin McKenzie - Leave No Trace
Haley Lu Richardson - Support The Girls

Best Comedy

Winner: Crazy Rich Asians

Nominees:

The Death of Stalin
The Favourite
Game Night
Support the Girls