10. Peter Dinklage in Cyrano - Dinklage delivers a properly impassioned and witty Cyrano, with the right nuance in his vulnerabilities though there are limitations within the film's presentation of the material.
Best Scene: Confrontation with Christian.
9. Nicolas Cage in Pig - Although I wish the film let him dive deeper, Cage gives a consistently captivating and quietly emotional portrayal of a recluse who is more than meets the eye.
Best Scene: Restaurant.
8. Joaquin Phoenix in C'Mon C'Mon - Phoenix gives wonderful show of his range in his quietly human and warm portrayal of an average guy's connection with his nephew.
Best Scene: It's okay.
7. Amir Jadidi in A Hero - Jadidi gives a powerfully layered performance of a man who is endearing yet his smile hides a troubled soul.
Best Scene: Asking for the video to be deleted.
6. Caleb Landry Jones in Nitram - Jones gives a powerfully disturbing performance as a man who just does not relate to humanity the way most do.
Best Scene: "Hear to Heart" with his mom.
5. Dev Patel in The Green Knight - Patel gives a grounding performance for this fantasy, but also delivers so much more in his emotional and spiritual journey as Gawain.
Best Scene: The vision.
4. Jason Isaacs in Mass - Isaacs gives a deeply powerful portrayal of a man's anger and sadness when coming to terms with his grief
Best Scene: Describing the shooting.
3. Simon Rex in Red Rocket - Rex gives an uncompromising yet wholly charismatic portrayal of a man who is intent on getting out of his hole by digging himself deeper into it.
Best Scene: Hiding during the arrest.
2. Hidetoshi Nishijima in Drive My Car - Nishijima gives a deeply powerful and nuanced portrayal of man slowly coming to terms with his complex grief.
Best Scene: The shattered house.
1. Bradley Cooper in Nightmare Alley - Good prediction Luke. Cooper gives an absolutely brilliant performance as the great Stanton, finding such variety in his grifts, such nuance in his self-loathing, and such power in his journey of a descent into a personal hell. I had to give Cooper the win here, he just had the biggest impact on me of any performance emotionally, while also being just so technically accomplished. If I didn't it would only be because I already gave him the win in supporting for the funniest performance of the year in Licorice Pizza. He left the biggest impact on me in both a leading and supporting turn, though in very different ways, but I can't deny that impact in either example. The funny thing is, frankly I probably was less positive on Cooper as an actor than many, though I certainly thought he was good actor. He definitely wasn't someone I looked upon as being "overdue" for me, so this purely based on the performances. And in this year, with these two performances, he has forced a new perspective upon me, as he's achieved greatness both dramatically and comedically.
Best Scene: "I was born for it".
Overall Ranking:
- Bradley Cooper in Nightmare Alley
- Benedict Cumberbatch in The Power of the Dog
- Hidetoshi Nishijima in Drive My Car
- Denzel Washington in The Tragedy of Macbeth
- Simon Rex in Red Rocket
- Jason Isaacs in Mass
- Dev Patel in The Green Knight
- Caleb Landry Jones in Nitram
- LaKeith Stanfield in Judas and the Black Messiah
- Cooper Hoffman in Licorice Pizza
- Reed Birney in Mass
- Daniel Kaluuya in Judas and the Black Messiah
- Amir Jadidi in A Hero
- Bo Burnham in Inside
- Joaquin Phoenix in C'Mon C'Mon - 5
- Nicolas Cage in Pig
- Adarsh Gourav in The White Tiger
- Andrew Garfield in Tick Tick...Boom
- Peter Dinkalge in Cyrano
- Tim Blake Nelson in Old Henry
- James Norton in Nowhere Special
- Tahar Rahim in The Mauritanian
- Stephen Graham in Boiling Point
- Mahershala Ali in Swan Song
- Frankie Faison in The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain
- Udo Kier in Swan Song
- Tom Holland in Spider-Man: No Way Home
- Michael Greyeyes in Wild Indian
- Timothee Chalamet in Dune
- Woody Norman in C'Mon C'Mon
- Riz Ahmed in The Encounter
- Benedict Cumberbatch in The Electrical Life of Louis Wain - 4.5
- Vincent Lindon in Titane
- Dan Stevens in I'm Your Man
- Cillian Murphy in A Quiet Place Part 2
- Yuriy Borisov in Compartment No. 6
- Luke Kirby in No Man of God
- Alex Wolff in Pig
- Stanley Tucci in Supernova
- Colin Firth in Supernova
- Jim Broadbent in The Duke
- Benedict Cumberbatch in The Courier
- George MacKay in Wolf
- Frank Grillo in Boss Level
- Adam Driver in The Last Duel
- Daniel Craig in No Time to Die
- Adam Driver in Annette
- Matt Damon in The Last Duel
- Clint Eastwood in Cry Macho
- Tom Holland in Cherry
- Adam Driver in House of Gucci
- Ralph Fiennes in The Dig
- Idris Elba in The Suicide Squad
- Will Smith in King Richard
- Anthony Ramos in In the Heights
- Alessandro Nivola in The Many Saints of Newark
- Justin Chon in Blue Bayou
- Bob Odenkirk in Nobody
- Kanji Tsuda in Onoda: 10,000 Nights in the Jungle
- Filippo Scotti in The Hand of God - 4
- Jonathan Majors in The Harder They Fall
- Frank Grillo in Copshop
- Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in Candyman
- Gerard Butler in Copshop
- Tom Hardy in Venom: Let There Be Carnage
- Hugh Jackman in Reminiscence
- Tim Roth in Bergman Island
- Dave Bautista in Army of the Dead - 3.5
- Jason Statham in Wrath of Man
- Benicio Del Toro in No Sudden Move
- Don Cheadle in No Sudden Move
- Jude Hill in Belfast
- Hilmir Snær Guðnason in Lamb
- Oscar Isaac in The Card Counter
- Leonardo DiCaprio in Don't Look Up
- Will Brill in Test Pattern
- Matt Damon in Stillwater
- Jack Dylan Grazer in Luca
- Jacob Tremblay in Luca
- Simu Liu in Shang-chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings
- Denzel Washington in The Little Things
- Trevante Rhodes in The United States Vs. Billie Holiday
- Lucas Hedges in French Exit
- Ansel Elgort in West Side Story
- Elijah Wood in No Man Of God - 3
- Dwayne Johnson in Jungle Cruise
- Eddie Murphy in Coming 2 America
- Jake Gyllenhaal in The Guilty
- Ed Helms in Together Together
- Aidan Gillen in Those Who Wish Me Dead - 2.5
- Javier Bardem in Being the Ricardos
- John David Washington in Malcolm & Marie
- Jermaine Fowler in Coming 2 America
- Keanu Reeves in The Matrix Resurrections
- Ryan Reynolds in Free Guy - 2
- Rami Malek in The Little Things
- LeBron James in Space Jam: A New Legacy
- Lewis Tan in Mortal Kombat - 1.5
- Daniel Ranieri in The Tender Bar
- Tye Sheridan in The Tender Bar - 1
- Ben Platt in Dear Evan Hansen - Wiseaus
Next: 1997 Lead (though I won't be starting until after the Oscars.)
291 comments:
1 – 200 of 291 Newer› Newest»Alas, Ben Platt. I guess this is the trouble of ranking things because I found him infinitely more fun to watch than many of the performances ranked above him.
First time ever I'm the sole winner. Feels so good. :)
So glad you counted Burnham.
My request is Ben Whishaw in Perfume.
Your Female rankings with ratings and other 4+ honourable mentions.
Also for 1997 Lead, besides the requests I would love to see a re-evaluation review for Tony Leung in Happy Together.
That's the exact ranking of my top four as well.
Would never have expected Cooper to be the first male performer to pull off the double, but he deserves it entirely.
Louis: Your top 5 Cooper performances, and your top 20 favourite acting moments of his?
Ray Winstone - Nil By Mouth
Stellan Skarsgård - Insomnia
John Cusack - Grosse Pointe Blank
Takeshi Kitano - Hana-Bi
Sam Lee - Made In Hong Kong
Bonus:
Tony Leung Chiu-Wai - Happy Together
Mark Wahlberg - Boogie Nights
Luke, your top five Ray Winstone performances
Louis: Say your TOP 20 or 25 for Lead Actress and Supporting Actress in 2021
Louis: Was Cooper your win from your first watch of Nightmare Alley as well (like Hopkins last year), or did the rewatch give it to him for you.
Gotta love how because of the Academy's category fraud last year, Louis got to review all of his 5's in one go.
Louis, who do you think will win at bafta?
Louis: How do you rank all the Oscar nominated films for this year that you've seen?
Luke:
Yeah regarding Burnham, I decided there's simply too many films going straight to streaming these days, with some either having a token theater run or no run at all, that it was time for the change. It won't be retroactive, but as long as it's a film, it will count in all future years.
Actress:
1. Alana Haim - Licorice Pizza
2. Jodie Comer - The Last Duel
3. Renate Reinsve - The Worst Person in the World
4. Kristen Stewart - Spencer
5. Martha Plimpton - Mass
6. Ann Dowd - Mass
7. Nora-Jane Noone - Wildfire
8. Lady Gaga - House of Gucci
9. Olivia Colman - The Lost Daughter
10. Thomas McKenzie - Last Night in Soho
11. Seidi Haarla - Compartment No. 6
12. Danika McGuigan - Wildfire
13. Niamh Algar - Censor
14. Rebecca Hall - The Night House
15. Joanna Scanlan - After Love
16. Jessica Chastain - The Eyes of Tammy Faye
17. Rachel Zegler - West Side Story
18. Kaho Nakamura - Belle
19. Agathe Rousselle - Titane
20. Rachel Sennott - Shiva Baby
21. Maren Eggert - I'm Your Man
22. Honor Swinton Byrne - The Souvenir Part 2
23. Penelope Cruz - Parallel Mothers
24. Yllka Gashi - Hive
25. Katia Pascariu - Bad Luck Banging Or Loony Porn
And:
Ana Cristina Ordóñez González - Prayers for the Stolen
Andra Day - The United States vs. Billie Holiday
Taylour Paige - Zola
Patti Harrison - Together Together
Brittany S. Hall - Test Pattern
Vanessa Kirby - The World ot Come
McKenna Grace - Ghostbusters: Afterlife
Emma Stone - Cruella
Abbi Jacobson - The Mitchells vs. The Machines
Marya Membreño - Prayers for the Stolen
Josephine Sanz - Petite Maman
Alexis Louder - Coshop
Maya Vanderbeque - Playground
Supporting Actress:
1. Kathryn Hunter - The Tragedy of Macbeth
2. Judy Davis - Nitram
3. Jessie Buckley - The Lost Daughter
4. Toko Miura - Dirve, My Car
5. Frances McDormand - The Tragedy of Macbeth
6. Jayne Houdyshell - The Humans
7. Ariana DeBose - West Side Story
8. Essie Davis - Nitram
9. Sahar Goldoost - A Hero
10. Suzanna Son - Red Rocket
11. Vinette Robinson - Boiling Point
12. Catriona Balfe - Belfast
13. Gaby Hoffmann - C'Mon C'Mon
14. Ruth Negga - Passing
15. Bree Elrod - Red Rocket
16. Milena Smit - Parallel Mothers
17. Mayra Batalla - Prayers for the Stolen
18. Park Yu-rim - Drive My Car
19. Daniela Melchior - The Suicide Squad
20. Nina Arianda - Being the Ricardos
21. Harriet Sansom Harris - Licorice Pizza
22. Aujanue Ellis - King Richard
23. Rebecca Ferguson - Dune
24. Rooney Mara - Nightmare Alley
25. Rita Moreno - West Side Story
And:
Molly Gordon - Shiva Baby
Jessie Buckley - The Courier
Alicia Vikander - The Green Knight
Daphne Patakia - Benedetta
Polly Draper - Shiva Baby
Katsuki Mori - Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy
Hyunri - Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy
Aoba Kawai - Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy
Fusako Urabe - Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy
Kotoen Furukawa - Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy
Diana Rigg in Last Night in Soho
Ana De Armas - No Time to Die
Teresa Saponangelo - The Hand of God
Anya Taylor-Joy - Last Night in Soho
Cate Blanchett - Nightmare Alley
Haley Bennett - Cyrano
Nathalie Richard - After Love
Florence Pugh - Black Widow
Luisa Ranieri - The Hand of God
Toni Collette - Nightmare Alley
Saniyya Sidney - King Richard
Reika Kirishima - Drive My Car
Medina Senghore - Those Who Wish Me Dead
Thandie Newton - Reminiscence
Harriet Walter - The Last Duel
Charlotte Rampling - Dune
Beanie Feldstein - The Humans
Lea Seydoux - No Time to Die
Frances McDormand - The French Dispatch
Louis: Where would you rank Tessa Thompson in Passing.
Lowest 4.5s from both rankings. And thoughts on any performances you've yet to give.
The best Lead Actress year of all-time. :)
Louis, your lowest 5 in leading actress.
Louis: Your top 11-25 films of 2021.
Louis, thoughts on Luke Kirby, Will Brill, Matt Damon, Elijah Wood and Ed Helms.
Louis: Your lowest 5 in both lead and supporting actress and your updated top 10 debut performances in film.
Anonymous:
1. The Proposition
2. Nil By Mouth
3. Scum
4. Sexy Beast
5. Henry VIII
Louis and everyone:
For 1997, please consider taking a look at Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald. It's a hidden gem of Japanese comedy cinema.
Gotta say, I'm pretty content with that Top 10.
One thing about Cooper Hoffman's performance that I couldn't get at on his review, is that he has a vast amount of incredibly easy-going charisma. If he sticks to acting, he'll have a very bright future ahead
Louis: About Ben Platt on DEH. Is his performance Wiseau-worthy enough for one to watch the film? I gotta admit I'm not exactly big on musicals (good or bad), but for the sake of reference, I was actually able to get enough of a kick out of last year's Hilbilly Elegy to enjoy myself. So, should I try it?
Emi: I couldn’t get past the first musical *number* of Dear Evan Hansen, since I just couldn’t buy Platt as a high schooler.
Nice to see Cooper take the win. I would be lying if I said he didn't deserve it. Great top 10 too.
Louis at some point can. I recommend these TV performances for review:
Alec Guinness- Smiley's People
Tommy Lee Jones- The Excutioner's Song
Louis, thoughts on the female performances.
Bryan: I've only seen glimpses of it and I agree
Hello Louis!
Tell me from the year 2015 which are your Top 5 with ranking of:
- Poster
- Editing
- Screenplays (adapted and original)
- Character of the year (name and the film)
- Cast (this is Top 10 as promised)
Having seen Space Jam 2, I think you were being generous by giving LeBron the extra .5.
Looking over the list again Louis, Driver going up to a 4 for Annette and above House Of Gucci is the biggest surprise to me.
Louis: Is Cooper's performance an all timer for you?? Reading that review, it kinda feels like it. Like really really really detailed and perfectly written.
Just seen Phoenix in costume for Napoleon and yep, absolutely perfect casting.
Ray Winstone, Nil by Mouth
Aaron Eckhart, In the Company of Men
Stellan Skarsgård, Insomnia
Christopher Guest, Waiting for Guffman
John Cusack, Grosse Pointe Blank
Takeshi Kitano, Hana-Bi
Sam Lee, Made In Hong Kong
Ralph Fiennes, Oscar and Lucinda
Louis: Have you seen After Yang yet?
Saw The Batman, Absolutely loved it. Pattinson needs to be upgraded or saved immediately. Compared to say Holland in No Way Home, it's a superior performance. Dano is tremendous and loved the Zodiac & High and Low influences. Majority of the remaining cast members (Turturro in particular) were terrific too. I like that Keoghan was cast as you know who but I hope he isn't the main villain for the sequel, give Farrell his time to shine.
Luke: Do you have the ratings for his female acting top 10s?
Michael:
Supporting Actress: #1 to #7 are 5s, #8 to #10 are 4.5s.
Leading Actress: #1 to #10 are 5s however Tessa Thompson in Passing is a 5 as well and confirmed it on Holland's review so it's 11 fives in total.
I believe Thompson will either be #9 or #10. Just waiting for confirmation.
Pattinson should be a 4.5 at the very least.
Luke: He does look like he's wearing that costume rather well. I still think Phoenix doesn't resemble Napoleon that much but...ehh, not a huge issue.
I'm mostly curious if he's going to attempt any sort of accent in the role. If he is, than Phoenix has some homework considering Bonaparte was actually Italian by birth, and only moved to France when he was 9.
Mitchell: With the level of talent he has, he's the closest we'll get to a definitive portrayal. With the resemblance, he's about 80-85% likeness and again there's only an inch difference in height.
Louis: What do you make of Phoenix in terms of his appearance for the role.
Luke, ratings for the cast for The Batman?
Luke: The height thing never bothered me because there's only so much you can do there. Matter of fact, Phoenix has already played a real person much different physically to himself - the 6'2" Johnny Cash, compared to his own 5'8".
I've also been the guy refuting the people who say Rami Malik (5'7") was too short to play Freddy Mercury (5'9"). Really, I think if you get someone's physical presence down right, you can get away with being shorter or taller (see Stephen Graham as Al Capone).
Pattinson - 4.5/5
Dano - 4.5/5
Kravitz - 4
Wright - 4
Turturro - 4/4.5
Farrell - 4
Serkis - 4
Sarsgaard - 2.5
Was Thompson confirmed as a 5 for Passing? Louis said she’d been upgraded but I thought she’d been a 4 before.
Michael: Initial thoughts.
https://actoroscar.blogspot.com/2021/11/alternate-best-supporting-actor-2000_9.html
It seems that Elvis Presley is gonna be cast as Feyd-Rautha.
Louis: Your thoughts on the better call saul trailer
Calvin:
I certainly would rather watch Platt again than see that smirk of Sheridan's one more time.
Tahmeed:
Cooper:
1. Nightmare Alley
2. Licorice Pizza
3. American Sniper
4. A Star is Born
5. Silver Linings Playbook
1. "I was born for it" - Nightmare Alley
2. Reading the Sheriff - Nightmare Alley
3. Lilith Betrays Stan - Nightmare Alley
4. Grindle's Ghost - Nightmare Alley
5. Showing off the electric Chair - Nightmare Alley
6. Peters Returns - Licorice Pizza
7. "You know who my girlfriend is?" - Licorice Pizza
8. Reading Lilith - Nightmare Alley
9. Making a deal with Lilith - Nightmare Alley
10. First kill - American Sniper
11. Story of the watch - Nightmare Alley
12. Winning Molly Back - Nightmare Alley
13. Psyche lesson with Lilith - Nightmare Alley
14. Finding the geek - Nightmare Alley
15. Giving Up his watch - Nightmare Alley
16. "I hate you" - Nightmare Alley
17. The meet - A Star is Born
18. "You like peanut butter sandwiches?" - Licorice Pizza
19. In Rehab - A Star is Born
20. How to procure a Geek - Nightmare Alley
Luke:
Thompson would be #10.
Marcus:
Re-watch, though I thought Cooper was great upon my initial viewing, I really didn't cue into a lot of the subtleties of his work until the second full viewing. The length of the review wasn't even designed to show my passion for the performance, I just found I kept having more I wanted to say because of how much is in his work there.
Anonymous:
Picture: The Power of the Dog (Though I think the Oscars might be becoming more of a race.)
Director: Campion
Actor: Cumberbatch (though Smith will take Oscar)
Actress:...Gaga (I guess).
Supporting Actor: Kotsur
Supporting Actress: DeBose
Adapted Screenplay: The Lost Daughter
Original Screenplay: Licorice Pizza
Animated Film: Encanto
Documentary: Flee
Non-English film: Drive My Car
Casting: Dune
Cinematography: Dune
Costume Design: Dune
Editing: No Time to Die
Makeup and Hair: Dune
Original Score: Dune
Production Design: Dune
Sound: Dune
Visual Effects: Dune
British Film: Belfast
Debut Film: Boiling Point
Rising Star: Lashana Lynch
Aidan:
Licorice Pizza
Nightmare Alley
The Tragedy of Macbeth
West Side Story
Dune
Drive My Car
Flee
The Worst Person in the World
Attica
The Mitchells vs. The Machines
Summer of Soul
House of Gucci
The Power of the Dog
Belfast
Parallel Mothers
Spider-man: No Way Home
Cyrano
The Lost Daughter
Raya and the Last Dragon
No Time to Die
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Spencer
Encanto
Ascension
King Richard
Tick Tick...Boom
The Hand of God
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Cruella
Luca
CODA
Free Guy
Being the Ricardos
Coming 2 America
Don't Look Up
Anonymous:
McKenzie
Luke:
11. Compartment No. 6
Anonymous:
Kirby - (In a film that isn't very good, particularly in its attempts to try to create some sort of sympathy for the evil, Kirby is terrific in portraying the detached charisma of the character. He is a compelling presence in showing this sort of combination between pestering while also self-aggrandizing, but these moments of normalcy that always feel as though they are trick. Although sadly the material isn't really there for Kirby to make something truly special out of his portrayal of Bundy, his work is captivating within itself. He is consistently on point even if the writing behind the relationship is very weak, and not particularly interesting at any point.)
Michael Patison: Supporting Actress has 7 fives, Leading Actress has 11.
Brill - (A film that is so repetitive that at a certain point I thought well make it informative and focus on a documentary instead if you aren't going to explore the characters at all. Before the film gets to its point though Brill is more than decent in portraying a very naturalistic charm in the early scenes of the film. When the film shifts through his performance becomes this one note of frustration that never really is dealt with in terms of actual nuance. He's still fine, but the material makes his performance not really go anywhere of note.)
Damon - (He was better than I was expecting but that's all I can give him. Although it doesn't feel like pure dress up he isn't completely believable as the roughneck. What is worse though is the film is pretty bad with the father/daughter relationship being particularly poorly developed. Damon though is all alright in terms of navigating the performance as a man with good intentions though is never quite well informed enough about the situation, making his decisions fairly rash after a while. He's never amazing but he's not terrible which is something I guess.)
Wood - (Completely overshadowed by Kirby with really what is just a lifeless poorly drawn character. Wood is completely adequate with the basics, but that's about it.)
Helms - (Thought except for the very end he very much overplayed this performance. Taking kind of a sitcomy approach in over emphasizing every line which was ill-fitting for the slice of life approach the film seemed to want to take. He always keeps this degree of broadness that is just distracting particularly when his co-star is pretty naturalistic in her performance. It makes for a rather distracting dynamic, though he does get a little better later on.)
Oliver:
DeBose
Emi Grant:
Watching some clips at the very least is worthwhile. Platt's in most scenes, and that means there's something comical about every scene.
Anonymous:
I mean I'll certainly watch them, but I'm not doing TV movie or miniseries reviews pre-2020.
Glenn:
Noone & McGuigan - (RIP first of all to McGuigan, gone FAR too soon, particularly with this performance as a starting point from what I've seen from her. The film itself isn't great, in fact, I wouldn't say it is good, it draws its themes way too vaguely and seems to be just orbiting around something interesting but never quite lands. Having said that, the actresses almost make it worth watching from just how good they are. McGuigan is very moving in portraying the woman very much stuck in this state of near distress that boils over more often than not. She portrays quite movingly this state of anxiety that is defined by her past and is particularly powerful in creating the sense of the struggle to appear normal for a moment. She balances that well though in her chemistry with Noone where you get a positive sense of who this person could be if she wasn't dealing with this inherent distress. Noone is amazing and between this and the Magdelene Sisters, I have no idea how she really hasn't had any presence in films outside of Irish productions. She is just such an innately charismatic performer and that is true once again. This works particularly well here in turn in being as dynamic in the early scenes of just portraying the "normal" sister with such a powerful sense of care and affection she feels for her sister. Noone thought is particularly exceptional in creating the degradation of her character's own mental state in her empathy towards her sister and reaction towards the way outsiders treat her. Noone is incredibly powerful in embodying this descent so effortlessly and so powerfully. What is so moving is the way she always maintains that empathy even in those intense states of frustration. Her performance in so many ways holds the film together by providing a narrative thrust, that is missing in the film, with performance. What I love most though is their chemistry together. Even as their situation becomes rather dire you still get such a palatable sense of their connection and their love for one another. They are great together in creating that bond, if even again the film is thin in a lot of ways.)
Pascariu - (Thought the film was nearly abysmal as 2 thirds of it are pure indulgence, and the last third suffers from the relationships not being established with too many characters at the moment. And with an ending that is so bad only a foreign language art film could ever get away with it, with a straight face, and be lauded for it. Pascariu though does give a good portrayal of the constant frustration of the situation. Portraying well the anger with the sense of a specific embarrassment combined with that anger over the situation. She gives a consistent reality to the unpleasant situation even when the film itself is largely inert and just repetitious. She at least finds something dynamic just by at least portraying some kind of reality.)
Harrison - (Her performance is considerably better than Helms in giving a nice naturalistic quality to her performance. She manages to find an authentic awkwardness early on in her position with a believable vulnerability. She actually figures out some of the humor of the situation effectively as she can, and gives a moving sense of the character's state of mind. She even does her best to make Helms's performance work better by reacting well to his overacting that facilitates at least some of those moments effectively.)
Hall - (She gives a good performance even in the extremely repetitive nature of the film. She is very good in the early scenes of the film in creating a naturalistic and warm relationship with Brill. After the film takes its course though she is at least effective in portraying the withdrawn frustration that only exacerbates the film proceeds with its course.)
Brazinterma:
Character and poster were already in order.
Editing:
1. West Side Story
2. The Last Duel
3. The Tragedy of Macbeth
4. Licorice Pizza
5. Summer of Soul
Adapted Screenplay:
1. Nightmare Alley
2. The Last Duel
3. Drive My Car
4. Belle
5. West Side Story
Original Screenplay:
1. Licorice Pizza
2. Mass
3. A Hero
4. The Worst Person in the World
5. I'm Your Man
Cast:
1. Mass
2. The Tragedy of Macbeth
3. Nightmare Alley
4. Drive My Car
5. West Side Story
6. Nitram
7. A Hero
8. Red Rocket
9. Licorice Pizza
10. House of Gucci
Anonymous:
He didn't actively annoy me is the only reason for the generosity.
Luke:
Well, Driver made less of an impression for me with Gucci on re-watch, though again not bad but a little bit like Last Duel where maybe consistent to a fault, whereas I gave Driver a bit more credit for Annette, as it's the writing behind his character that is the problem, not him.
Perfectionist:
Well thank you, it is certainly a performance I obviously love a lot, but I'm going to give it more time to make any such declaration.
Calvin:
Not yet, but I intend to soon now that I'm on "break".
Louis: Ratings for Pascariu and Harrison.
Luke:
4.5/4
11. Compartment No. 6
12. A Hero
13. Flee
14. Prayers for the Stolen
15. The Worst Person in the World
16. C'Mon C'Mon
17. Red Rocket
18. Attica
19. I'm You Man
20. Last Night in Soho
21. The Mitchells vs. The Machines
22. Petite Maman
23. Nitram
24. Summer of Soul
25. The Souvenir Part II
Luke:
Alas, Feyd-Rautha is where we should have had the surprise Barry Keoghan. Better than Tye Sheridan though, who I shivered at when I heard that he might be possibility (also yes Sheridan pulled the reverse Dev Patel for me).
Anonymous:
Since I know I'm going to watch the show already, I'd rather not.
Also randomly to my fellow Always Sunny aficionados, their podcast is must listening. They're just as hilarious unscripted, and one ought to at the very least hear Glenn Howerton tear into Rami Malek (probably).
Louis, your wins for 2021.
Louis:your updated 20 best Denzel Washington and Nicholas Cage moments.
Who knew that the actor who played Phil Wenneck in The Hangover trilogy and partner of the overrated David O. Russell managed to double Louis' conquest.
Louis: your #6-#10 for Director in 2021.
In a strange way, Cooper's two performances this year harkened back to the two 'phases' of his career - the wild comedic brilliance in LP, followed by a more overtly 'serious' role in every way in Nightmare Alley. And my god, did he pull off both beautifully.
Louis: I was listening to that actually and I agree, Howerton in particular is a HOOT.
Also Louis: just checked on IMDB recently and apparently I’m Your Man is based on a short story (didn’t know this until someone told me to look it up).
Louis: Have you been able to see any of this year's Oscar nominated short films?
Louis: Unrelated to 2021 films, but could I have your thoughts on the Kuchikamisake montage from Your Name? I got to finally rewatch the film on a big screen, and I think that scene is part of what makes it an all-timer for me.
Luke, your top five Ciaran Hinds performances
So, I watched Rushmore yesterday. Unfortunately Wes Anderson's weakest film (or at least of the 8 I've seen), but still an undeniably good time.
7.8/10
Letterboxd review here:
https://letterboxd.com/htt/film/rushmore/
Cast ratings:
Jason Schwartzman: 4/5 - Bordering on 4.5. He makes his rather obnoxious character into a charismatic and sort of likeable person, while also capturing what makes Max into a kind of unlikeable person.
Bill Murray: 4.5/5 - Easily the best part of the film. He is laugh-out-loud funny for most of the his screen time, while also managing to harvest some surprisingly strong emotional moments, resulting in an surprisingly sweet performance.
Olivia Williams: 4/5 - Bordering on 3.5. Don't have a lot to say about this performance, but it's another sweet performance with a lot of charisma and heart.
Louis: I forgot to ask Top 5 Song of 2021 (with and without Bo Burnham's Inside).
Louis: Your top ten acting moments of 2021, and top ten favourite scenes of thr year as well.
Saw Turning Red. Very cute, enjoyed it quite a bit, especially the animation and cultural touches.
Louis: Had Stewart not won in 1940, do you think he'd have been awarded for It's A Wonderful Life? I often forget that that performance isn't an Oscar winner.
Calvin: just saw it too. I thought it was ok. Good voice acting, great animation, and some solid ideas in the screenplay and story (plus a couple scenes where it capitalizes on its potential), but i found the directing to be the biggest flaw and it made the movie feel very all-over-the-place in its execution. Doesn’t help that the pacing is super frantic and doesn’t allow for any moments (even the emotional ones) to sink in (at least to me). I’d go with a 6/10.
Cast Ratings:
Rosalie Chiang - 3.5
Sandra Oh - 3.5
Ava Morse - 3
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan - 3
Hyien Park - 3
Orion Lee - 3
Wai Ching Ho - 3
Tristan Allerick Chen - 2.5
James Hong - 2.5
How would you rate the cast, Calvin?
Tahmeed: I love IAWL, but you have to remember that it was a flop when it came out despite the nominations, so I doubt he would have won.
Anonymous:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5toq5d5ZOCQ
Shaggy:
6. David Lowery - The Green Knight
7. Denis Villeneuve - Dune
8. Ridley Scott - The Last Duel
9. Ryusuke Hamaguchi - Drive My Car
10. Juho Kuosmanen - Compartment No. 6
Ytrewq:
Having trouble finding my original lists at the moment.
Marcus:
Again purposefully no overlap:
Scene:
1. Peters returns - Licorice Pizza
2. The Last Duel - The Last Duel
3. Gawain's vision - The Green Knight
4. Grindle's Ghost - Nightmare Alley
5. First trip back - Last Night in Soho
6. The witches return - The Tragedy of Macbeth
7. "America" - West Side Story
8. "A Million Miles Away" - Belle
9. The Restaurant - Pig
10. Backseat - Drive My Car
Acting:
1. "I was born for it" - Nightmare Alley
2. Rolling a cigarette - The Power of the Dog
3. Fighting with the family - Licorice Pizza
4. Visiting the destroyed house - Drive My Car
5. Meet the witches - The Tragedy of Macbeth
6. Describing the shooting - Mass
7. Heart to Heart - Nitram
8. Last talk - The Worst Person in the World
9. Reading the Sheriff - Nightmare Alley
10. Old Lady/Milady - Licorice Pizza
Calvin:
If that is the case, I'd swap it with C'Mon C'Mon.
Tahmeed:
If you're referring to the swapping montage, fantastic use of a montage as it goes through so much in terms of the written relationship in such a dynamic, compelling, funny and streamlined way. Really this whole aspect could be an act, if not the film, but it runs right through yet doesn't feel like it is rushing either.
I think it is possible, the "flop" description is a little bit of a myth, it wasn't a smashing success, but it wasn't financial disaster. March probably had it, but I think Stewart was probably second anyways, and you would've thought voters might've wanted to reward a genuine war vet if he had been win-less at the time. Meanwhile Peck was a bit too new still, and Parks was probably happy to be there. Olivier I think was covered by his special award, but probably most in contention out of the remainders.
Brazinterma:
Well just with Inside as its my final decision that I'm including streaming/tv movies from now on.
1. "Lend Me Your Voice" - Belle
2. "Welcome to the Internet" - Inside
3. "No Time to Die" - No Time to Die
4. "White Woman's Instagram" - Inside
5. "U" - Belle
Aidan:
I have not at this time.
Louis: I was actually referring to the montage after Taki drinks the sake and sees Mitsuha's life from childhood, but that's also a great scene.
Louis: Your top 5 Ben Affleck performances, and your top ten acting moments of his
Finally saw West Side Story. LOVED it. Already looking forward to seeing it again. Extraordinary film, probably my favorite Spielberg since Catch Me If You Can. I have to say also that the adaptation is *brilliant* and the fact that Tony Kushner's screenplay wasn't nominated is just nuts.
Elgort-2(I was considering a 2.5, because he has a couple decent moments despite having NO charisma, but he's actually kinda terrible in his final scenes. Somehow doesn't hurt the rest of the film at all, though, because every other element around him is so great. On that note...)
Zegler-5(AMAZING singing first of all, but more than that she is just so pitch perfect every moment she's on screen, and absolutely makes the ending as devastating as it should be. Incredible work.)
DeBose-5(Same as Zegler, really. "America" is a highlight of the film largely due to her and again like Zegler she completely delivers on the emotion of the ending.)
Faist-5(Give me some time on this one, but I obviously loved him.)
Alvarez-4.5(This part could've been one note, and has been in the past, but Alvarez brings a real depth to it.)
Moreno-4.5(At first she's there just to offer some nice support, which she does very well, but I have to say I thought she was AMAZING in her final scenes.)
James-3(Pretty much always good, it seems. He's properly amusing here.)
Stoll-3.5(Preferred him to James slightly because I really loved the brutality he brought to this part.)
Rivera-3.5(Very good work realizing his own arc completely within the margins of the film.)
menas-3(Offers some nice support and I have to say the use of this character and one particular line of dialogue is a perfect encapsulation of how great Kushner's adaptation is.)
Forgive my ignorance, but I still don't entirely have a grasp on how this site works. How are the years selected and how do the bonus rounds work? Are the bonus rounds for requested, non-Oscar nominated performances?
Tony: Louis does the years by decade. Right now, the cycle is 1980s, 2010s, 1960s, 2000s, 1950s, 1930s, 1940s, 1990s and 1970s.
The bonus rounds are for that and any performances that Louis didn’t get to cover in the initial Alternate rounds.
The years are also usually the same order as when Louis first covered performances in the Alternate Rounds. For instance, 1971 was the first year covered in both the Alternates and the Bonus Rounds.
Louis: Your Costume Design, Production Design and Makeup top 5s.
Louis: Your top 15 compositions of 2021. And also your thoughts on the score for Belle.
Yesterday, i finished Breaking Bad. Normally i don't "binge" shows like this, watching all within a month, and i shouldn't. I simply remember more by watching it with bigger breaks inbetween the seasons.
Anyway, BB is a lot slower and a lot more small-scale than i had imagined, but that is not that big a problem.
There are one or two episodes that are legit boring (mathematically, that is to be expected), most episodes are really good, and when it's great, it's utterly amazing. However, that great level is not really the standart, it's mostly good to very good. There are not that many episodes i really say i loved.
Overall i am still very positive about it (especially because of the strong last two seasons; even Marie got better!) but it's not really my favorite show, due to several pretty slow plotlines and a dissappointing first season.
Favorite Episodes:
10) Pilot
9) Phoenix
8) 4 Days Out
7) Crawl Space
6) Full Measure
5) One Minute
4) Confessions
3) Dead Freight
2) Face off
1) Ozymandias
Tim: What would be your top ten of the show's cast?
Again, I also didn't quite get the GOAT vibe from the show either, but I can absolutely see why it's so acclaimed and influential. Above anything else, it's one of the single most fascinating character studies in TV, and the transformation Walt goes through is both terrifying, yet logically plausible.
Feeling like I'll drop these:
American Beauty 2000s directed by Todd Field
Paul Giamatti as Lester Burnham
Hope Davis as Carolyn Burnham
Jena Malone as Jane Burnham
Paul Dano as Ricky Fitts
Amanda Bynes as Angela Hayes
Nick Nolte as Frank Fitts
American Beauty 2010s directed by Alexander Payne
Adam Sandler as Lester Burnham
Renee Zellweger as Carolyn Burnham
Thomasin McKenzie as Jane Burnham
Kodi Smit-McPhee as Ricky Fitts
Anya Taylor-Joy as Angela Hayes
Vincent D'Onofrio as Frank Fitts
Courage the Cowardly Dog, live action version directed by Taika Waititi (look, I know what you're thinking, but if there is a cartoon that should have a proper, worthwhile live action adaptation, then it should be this one, What We Do In The Shadows style)
Taika Waititi as Courage (voice)
Kathy Bates as Muriel Bagge
Armin Shimerman as Eustace Bagge
Willem Dafoe as Freaky Fred
Jason Isaacs as Katz (voice)
Masaki Okada as Di Lung
Mitchell:
10) Jesse Plemons
9) Mark Margolis
8) Bob Odenkirk
7) Jonathan Banks
6) John de Lancie (underrated)
5) Giancarlo Esposito
4) Dean Norris
3) Anna Gunn
2) Aaron Paul
1) Bryan Cranston
Hi Tony. Welcome to the blog! Since 2010 or so, Louis has reviewed every Oscar-nominated male performance. You can see his reviews for those by clicked on the years on the right. He then reviewed 5 deserving but unnominated performances. Those were done in a random order partially determined by him and partially by us requesting specific years and performances. He's now on his 2nd go-around of alternate performances.
Yesterday, I watched Roy Andersson's A Pigeon Sat On A Branch Reflecting On Existence. I love everything about this movie. It serves as a reflection on the sad absurdity and pointless of life through pitch black dead-pan comedy so lifeless it sends you into a brief existensial crisis, which in itself is hilarious. But the thing I love the most with this film is that it also manages to capture the small intimacies that make life so beautiful, and does so in a way that isn't matched by many films. This movie probably isn't for everybody, but I strongly recommend it.
10/10
Letterboxd review here:
https://letterboxd.com/htt/film/a-pigeon-sat-on-a-branch-reflecting-on-existence/
Ytrewq: I'd probably go with someone else as Alexander Payne, since I feel that he'd make the exact same mistake in making the side characters one-dimensional.
Saw The Batman. Loved it. 9/10
Pattinson - 4.5
Kravitz - 4
Dano - 4.5
Wright - 4
Turturro - 4
Sarsgaard - 3
Serkis - 4
Farrell - 4
Completely unrelated, but I started watching "Dragonball Super" today. And though I had some exposure to them via the "Battle of Gods" film, Beerus and Whis are proving to be the odd couple I didn't know I wanted.
Bryan:
1. Hollywoodland
2. The Last Duel
3. Gone Girl
4. The Way Back
5. Argo
1. Test Footage - Hollywoodland
2. Discussing the rape - The Last Duel
3. Being Spotted - Hollywoodland
4. Watching the duel - The Last Duel
5. One last song - Hollywoodland
6. Holding Court - The Last Duel
7. Orgy disruption - The Last Duel
8. Recalculate - The Last Duel
9. Naming a money collector - The Last Duel
10. Boy with a gun - Hollywoodland
Luke:
Production Design:
1. Nightmare Alley
2. Dune
3. The Tragedy of Macbeth
4. West Side Story
5. The French Dispatch
Costume Design:
1. The Green Knight
2. Dune
3. West Side Story
4. Nightmare Alley
5. The Last Duel
Makeup & Hairstyling:
1. The Green Knight
2. Dune
3. Candyman
4. The Suicide Squad
5. Army of the Dead
Razor:
The score of Belle is a masterful blending of scores really with the variety that it entails. This as it has this quieter more ambient traditional score, then there's more techno style ambient, succeeding in both depending on the particular scene. The score though can be equally sweeping, with the generous and power of the full orchestral pieces typically playing into the Beauty and Beast elements so powerfully, with such potent melodies. This though is mixing in with percussive pieces or fully synth pieces, and each are marvelous but more impressive is how well they play together.
1. "A Million Miles Away Instrumental" - Belle
2. "Grindle's Ghost" - Nightmare Alley
3. "Birnam Wood" - The Tragedy of Macbeth
4. "Leaving Caladan" - Dune
5. "Crucifix" - Spencer
6. "Duel Preparations" - The Last Duel
7. "Memories of a Sound" - Belle
8. "Ratism" - The Suicide Squad
9. "Social Warfare" - Belle
10. "Licorice Pizza" - Licorice Pizza
11. "Man or Beast" - Nightmare Alley
12. "Holy War" - Dune
13. "Psalm 22" - The Power of the Dog
14. "Sesion de Fotos" - Parallel Mothers
15. "Animated Car Chase" - The French Dispatch
Louis: what would be your top 20 performances of 2021?
Lucas:
1. Bradley Cooper - Nightmare Alley
2. Benedict Cumberbatch - The Power of the Dog
3. Kathryn Hunter - The Tragedy of Macbeth
4. Alana Haim - Licorice Pizza
5. Hidetoshi Nishijima - Drive My Car
6. Denzel Washington - The Tragedy of Macbeth
7. Jodie Comer - The Last Duel
8. Bradley Cooper - Licorice Pizza
9. Renate Reinsve - The Worst Person in the World
10. Simon Rex - Red Rocket
11. Kristen Stewart - Spencer
12. Mike Faist - West Side Story
13. Kodi Smit-McPhee - The Power of the Dog
14. Martha Plimpton - Mass
15. Ann Dowd - Mass
16. Jason Isaacs - Mass
17. Nora-Jane Noone - Wildfire
18. Masaki Okada - Drive My Car
19. Dev Patel - The Green Knight
20. Caleb Landry Jones - Nitram
Louis: do you think there was room for Birney to be part of the very final scene of Mass or do you think it works best for the film that Richard exits before that point? I've thought about this a lot and even though hypothetically I could see him being part of it, it probably makes more sense for him not to be there.
In a thoroughly shocking turn of events, Jane Campion wins the DGA Award for Best Director haha.
Louis: If you've rewatched The Batman, thoughts on the cast plus any upgrades.
And thoughts on the production design, cinematography, score, costumes and makeup (Unless you're saving them for next year).
Louis: Thoughts on "Grindle's Ghost", "Birnam Wood", "Leaving Caladan", "Crucifix" and "Ratism".
Calvin:
No, I think Kranz made the right decision there as everything about Richard's character was as someone who was there out of obligation and as someone who has come to terms with the past largely by separating himself from it emotionally. So I think it feels right for his character to leave as soon as the meeting was done, particularly as the last moment feels revelatory and changing for the other three, who I think changed from the experience, where Richard was a constant.
Luke:
Due to circumstances I was not able to re-watch the Batman.
Razor:
Grindle's Ghost - (I found it baffling that Nathan Johnson kept getting snubbed during the season, and I think it was based on name favoritism. If Desplat, the original choice for composer, had written the score I think he would've been nominated, at the very least he would've made the shortlist. Anyway Grindle's ghost is such a fantastic piece that if you were to listen on its own alone you'd get the whole tale of the scene through how eloquently it tells the story. This with its opening of quiet haunting strings and just spare orchestra and such a melancholy to the melodies we do hear. This before seguing in build of the orchestra blending together towards the climax that seems to summon the ghost, before breaking into this ghostly escape music instead that is the score at its fullest power, and a masterful exchange of grim ideas.)
Birnam Woods - (Burwell's score is largely minimalist, but when he does go more direct it is especially notable. Here being the greatest example of the dramatic turn with the full strings coming in supplemented by brass, and dramatic emphasis that creates this sense of doom and really judgment within the piece. Gorgeous foreboding work that is notably different for Burwell yet also still pure Burwell.)
Leaving Caladan - (One of the best pieces in terms of creating a musical language for Dune in itself in this blending of sort of rock overtones though that also equally sounds like a Vangelis synth score of the 80's. A merging of the two while also being a proper orchestral grandeur befitting epic.)
Crucifix - (Again my preferred Greenwood score for a reason, and this is a major piece in that discussion. You'd think this was repurposed music with the degree of regal splendor, however it is in the slightly twisted minor element about it that makes it not quite splendor but rather this anxiety inducing quality. A piece that manages to evoke both this royal splendor yet realized through an aggressive ominous tone.)
Ratism - (An essential ingredient to the great climactic moment of the film, and the piece pretty much realizes the style of the film brilliantly in a singular piece. This as it almost has this gentle lullaby quality at the center of it, factored though fittingly more so a James Gunn rock styling fitting next to his soundtrack choices, while also just being a brilliantly and strangely uplifting piece in its strangeness. It's particular progression so successful, and the changes from the rise to the more dramatic center in the middle to the return of it as this triumphant piece.)
Did Louis ever give ratings and thoughts on the cast of Prayers for the Stolen?
Louis: Are there any reality TV show hosts that you want to see take on more film roles and why?
Michael: He's only given his thoughts on the film itself, I believe, on the Backlog Vol. 3 lineup page.
Michael:
I didn't have much to say only because I felt the central turns were just moving extremely naturalistic turns, all about reacting within the moments to give them the appropriate honesty throughout. Although I wouldn't say the characters are limiting, they are rather very purposefully people just living their lives with that underlying sense of dread behind it.
Marcus:
A little confused by the question. Like non-actor hosts? I mean I'll leave that to inspiration of say like the Safdie brothers.
De Bose and Kotsur also won BAFTA meaning they're really locks. Smit-McPhee was much too atypical indeed.
Louis: Still think Cumberbatch wins BAFTA?
I can wait an hour rather than waste speculation at this point.
CODA wins Adapted screenplay at BAFTA, quite the upset, and I'll say it, a terrible choice.
These fuckers really thought CODA was better written than DRIVE MY CAR and THE POWER OF THE DOG?
Lifetime and Hallmark should start releasing their movies in theaters now, seeing as the awards will eat them up like candy.
In an antidote to that though, Licorice Pizza wins Original screenplay.
My disappointment about CODA winning has gone now somewhat...
Branagh has been defeated on the home turf!
Smith wins BAFTA purging any chance of the Academy making a better decision.
Literally the first award TPOTD wins in this ceremony, what is happening
TPOTD wins Best Film
Smith wins almost every award this season, but that's still not the worst case scenario-Bardem may as well get his second Oscar due to people always gravitating towards biopic lead roles and this perspective keeps me sleepless at night.
So is TPOTD going to do a Nomadland without Actress in the Oscars?
Ytrewq:
Bardem is NOT winning. Chill! And do you forget that Smith is also the lead in a biopic?
Anonymous:
Correction: mediocre lead biopic roles.
The Power of the Dog winning with ONLY director, does make me think an upset may be brewing with the preferential ballot.
Louis:
PGA next week will be exciting, indeed. If TPOTD wins that, it's winning the Oscar.
Anonymous:
Not necessarily, PGA was wrong about 1917, La La Land and The Big Short, so they're definitely fallible as well. I won't be fully convinced until Oscar with this one, since its support is so uneven outside of Campion's direction.
Louis:
You're not wrong, but I think CODA really needs to win PGA to solidify itself as a challenger. It's not as strong as Parasite and Moonlight were that it can afford to lose PGA imo.
Louis how would you rank Kenneth Branagh's directed films?
CODA comes off as a Green Book tbh. That screenplay win at bafta can definitely repeat at the Oscars, it got sag ensemble and Troy Kotsur is locked. I don't want to admitit but it would be weird seeing Power win with just Director.
Just like how Green Book won with only screenplay, supp. Actor, and no director nomination. Lol
Anonymous:
1. Henry V
2. Hamlet
3. Much Ado About Nothing
4. Belfast
5. Dead Again
6. Peter's Friends
7. Murder on the Orient Express
8. Cinderella
9. Death on the Nile
10. Thor
11. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
12. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
13. Sleuth
Louis: If Branagh did another Shakespeare, which play would you like to see adapted.
Luke:
Well I haven't seen his last two, but it seems that the better the Shakespeare play the better the adaptation for Branagh, therefore:
King Lear (Though I think he needs to wait just a bit longer until he's genuinely old enough to play the part, then we could potentially get something truly special from him.)
Julius Caesar
A Midsummer Night's Dream
William Hurt passed away at the age of 71
RIP William Hurt
What a loss to the profession. :(
Oh hell no...
RIP William Hurt
Shame on Marvel for wasting him as "angry guy in a uniform". Nonetheless holds one of the greatest Oscar wins, with one of the very best speeches.
RIP William Hurt
RIP William Hurt
Don’t worry Louis, I’m sure the Mouse won’t just ghoulishly recreate his image and voice with CG to fill in some scenes he hasn’t filmed yet.
Louis, what would your ranking for the past five BAFTA Best Actor winners be? (So Smith, Hopkins, Phoenix, Malek, and Oldman)
That may have been my least favourite lineup of BAFTA winners ever.
Having said that I loved seeing Scanlan win, richly deserved and an amazing speech. The LP duo’s speech too, TPOTD team’s speech, and Kotsur’s speech even if I was rooting for Smit-McPhee.
Anonymous:
1. Hopkins
2. Oldman
3. Phoenix
4. Smith
5. Malek
A considerable gap between Hopkins and the rest of this group...and naturally he's the only one who wasn't a sweeper.
Fairly disappointed in some of the Bafta winners too.
Sad to hear about Hurt's passing. May he rest in peace.
RIP William Hurt
Great actor who will be missed very much.
Simon Mayo and Mark Kermode show is ending on April 1st, 21 years it has been going on.
RIP William Hurt
Thank you for coming to Brazil and playing Luis Molina.
Brazil will also feel "saudade".
RIP William Hurt. Truly was one of our great actors.
RIP William Hurt
Completely devastated, as he was not only a great actor, but one of my personal favorite ones.
Louis: so do you think there's a scenario where The Power of the Dog could end up a The Graduate (lone director win)? Alternatively an All Quiet on the Western Front (BP/BD).
This is starting to feel like a Spotlight kind of year for sure.
R.I.P. William Hurt
Critics Choice truly the laziest organisation out there
SAG quartet repeats at Critics' Choice lmao
Calvin:
I think there's three scenarios.
1. Just director like the Graduate or Giant, I could completely see that happening particularly with King Richard and CODA gaining steam.
2. Picture and Director, can happen though the passion for it feels so oddly thin for that result. The field against it seems a little divided, but that CODA adapted screenplay win really suggests a lot of passion for that film that I did not know was there. It already has SAG ensemble, so if it takes PGA, I think CODA will take it, much to my and I assume Robert's dismay.
3. Picture/Director and a surprise win or wins. I could see it upsetting in cinematography or score for example still.
If it loses PGA though I think it will be #1.
RatedRStar:
That's too bad, though I'll admit I've become a bit less impressed with some of Kermode take's of late, his "The Father" review in particular was a bit "huh". It's okay if you don't like a film, but one's criticisms should be at least related to the film.
Anonymous:
They must have ran to switch those votes for Chastain. They're such a lame group, though I shouldn't complain too much as she'll be my second favorite out of the 4 likely acting winners this year.
If there’s any lesson I learned from this awards season, it’s never expect something interesting to happen.
Robert:
Tahmeed said it awhile ago that this just doesn't seem to be our year, and after last year, and Parasite's best picture win, I guess we were due for a pretty tepid set of winners. Other than seeing PTA finally win his Oscar, not really excited with most things when it comes to the final ceremony...which I won't be watching anyways (Which I recommend to all), unless they reinstate those categories back to the main ceremony.
I will say with all this love to family ensembles this year…where was this love for Minari?
Calvin:
Before you had mentioned it I had forgotten completely that Minari didn't win Sag Ensemble, and that it had instead gone to Chicago 7 (which even though I didn't dislike it like many, I'm glad that it went home empty handed).
William Hurt. That's a tough one. RIP.
Also, I saw The Batman. As a Batman fan pretty much since birth, I have to say that this movie has literally everything I have been wanting from a Batman movie my entire life. I absolutely ADORED this. Pattinson is the best live-action Batman by far, no competition at all. If I have a complaint, it would be that I kinda hated the sequel hook cameo but I LOOOOVED everything else SO much I don't even really care.
Pattinson-5
Kravitz-4
Dano-5(Loved everything he did, but I admit it might not work for everyone.)
Wright-4
Turturro-4(Could go higher, honestly)
Sarsgaard-2.5
Serkis-3.5
Farrell-4
Sequel Hook Cameo-2
Critics' Choice gives Film Editing to WEST SIDE STORY, which isn't Oscar-nominated.
This is gonna be a chaotic category.
Louis: Maybe we'll get lucky and West Side Story will snipe Best Picture.
And also maybe I'll become the next pope.
Looks like today was "Keep the awards race boring" day and boy, did people not want to fail to deliver.
I'm starting to cope with Smit-McPhee not winning (as lame as that might be), but let me just that if CODA wins Best Picture, I'll happily join Louis and Robert in nothing short of absolute dismay.
*just say
I'm tired.
We all are.
*sees BAFTA winners*
I hate being right.
RIP William Hurt.
This year has been weird, it started with unpredictability, lots of surprises in the nominations, but now its suddenly become very predictable, nearly every category has an obvious winner.
RatedRStar: Here's an idea, less award shows brings unpredictability. If it were up to me, I'd get rid of Critics Choice and the Globes.
That's another reason why the ratings have been failing for so long, awards season is oversaturated.
R.I.P. William Hurt
R.I.P. William Hurt
Louis: Your thoughts on Hideo Shigahara's work in A Story of Floating Weeds.
Here's an update on what I've been watching.
Some days ago, I watched Amores Perros. A excellent film that I feel portrays both Inarritu's strengths and weaknesses. I have a hard time choosing which of the three parts I like the most.
9/10
Letterboxd review here:
https://letterboxd.com/htt/film/amores-perros/
Cast ratings:
Gael Garcia Bernal: 4/5 - A pretty solid performance all in all, even if I don't have a lot to say about it. It's good and that's that.
Vanessa Bauche: 3.5/5 - Bordering on 4. I wish she wasn't as muted as she is, but she does give a good belivable performance.
Goya Toledo: 4/5 - Yeah, she just kills it. I guess you could say she's a bit muted too, but her performance is honestly one of the most emotionally potent of the movie.
Alvero Guerrero: 4/5 - Same thing goes for Guerrero as Toledo. Can be a bit muted, but he kills it, serving up an undeniably emotionally potent performance. His last scene is great.
Emilio Echevarria: 5/5 - Easily the MVP. He has charisma and menace, but also serves up an incredibly potent piece of emotional acting. His performance is the reason El Chivo's part is probably my favorite of the three stories.
Cast MVP: Emilio Echevarria
I also watched Jojo Rabbit for the third time yesterday. I actually watched this is class this time. I really respect the teacher who picked this movie, as this takes some bravery to show a film mostly known for being about a kid who's best friend is Hitler.
9.8/10
Cast ratings:
Roman Griffin Davis: 4.5/5 - Still a undeniably strong, if at times flawed performance. Probably among the best child performances in recent times.
Thomasin McKenzie: 4.5/5 - Was a 4/5. I really was quite impressed by her this time around. I just love how subtly powerful she is.
Scarlett Johansson: 4.5/5 - I will forever stand by the fact that Johansson is amazing in this role. She just excudes motherly love, something which results in an undeniably moving performance.
Taika Waititi: 4/5 - Bordering on 3.5/5. By all means a very daring performance, but one I feel pays off, resulting in a very funny performance that kind of encapsulates the whole movie.
Sam Rockwell: 5/5 - Was a 4.5/5. I really just can't deny how much I love him in this movie. This movie is a damn 9.8/10 and still Rockwell is my favorite part of the movie. He is of course hilarious, but also is easily the most emotional part of the film, with his last scene managing to make me choke up every damn time. Masterful performance.
Rebel Wilson: 3/5 - She's fine. She is funny, but doesn't offer up anything spectacular when it comes to acting.
Stephen Merchant: 4/5 - Bordering on 4.5/5. I personally think this is a wonderful one scene performance. Merchant is laugh-out-loud hilarious, but also strangely menacing.
Cast MVP: Sam Rockwell
Yesterday, I also finally watched Spencer. Believe the hype when it comes to this movie. An incredibly powerful and impactful movie. Quite possibly a masterpiece.
9.8/10
Cast ratings:
Kristen Stewart: 5/5 - Yeah, what can I say? Every single movement and line delivery seems so strangely natural. By all means one of the best performances of the year.
Timothy Spall: 4.5/5 - I was pleasently surprised by Spall in this movie. He almost has a otherworldly presence to him. He is menacing, but also weirdly inviting. Really wish Spall's performance here was discussed more.
Cast MVP: Kristen Stewart
As a POC, I've got to ask: what the fuck was Campion thinking by putting down the Williams sisters in her Critics Choice speech?
Forgot to leave this here:
My Letterboxd reviews of Jojo Rabbit:
https://letterboxd.com/htt/film/jojo-rabbit/reviews/
My Letterboxd review of Spencer:
https://letterboxd.com/htt/film/spencer-2021/
Louis: What's your cast/director for a 1980s Nightmare Alley?
8000's:
Cinematography in Ozu's work is always this low key essential as despite the "down on the floor" choices and the fact that the visuals seemingly aren't the focus, they are so beautifully shot and never boring to look at. You get an example of such here as you get such beautiful dynamic shots even with just two people crouched in a room. he conveys space and distance, and you get a real sense of place rather than claustrophobia which is so impressive. All the more so when pushed for more the work delivers in dynamic beauty when leaving that space.
Tahmeed:
I'm guessing she was quite drunk because that was a bizarre speech, but maybe don't drink and publicly speak.
Aidan:
Without repeating any of Calvin's choices:
Nightmare Alley 1980's Directed by Alan Parker:
Stan: Mickey Rourke
Zeena: Carroll Baker
Lilith: Genevieve Bujold
Molly: Olivia Hussey
Bruno: Richard Kiel
Clem Hoatley: Robert Preston
Pete: Vincent Price
Carney Boss: Harry Dean Stanton
Ezra Grindle: Burgess Meredith
Louis: Yeah, figured that as well given how quick she was to apologize after the fact.
Tahmeed: That's what I was thinking, someone has had way too much, I remember when I won an award at college back in 2012, I was so nervous about going to receive it that I had pre drinks before the ceremony, wow that was a mistake lol.
Louis: oh god, I’d commit war crimes to see 80’s Mickey Rourke in that role.
Louis: Interesting that you have Bujold and Hussey, Hussey was offered the role in Anne of the Thousand Days before Bujold, would she have been an improvement?
Louis: I've discovered that Song Of The South is 1946 instead of 47. What would be your original song winner in its place.
Louis: Your top ten performances of the 21st century so far by Asian actors and actresses?
RatedRStar:
Well I typically love Bujold so I think that was more script/direction.
Luke:
That had been a quick decision initially so it'll take a bit to see what's in that year.
Louis: what episodes from It's Always Sunny would you pick as submissions for each of the main cast members?
Lucas:
Howerton:
1. The D.E.N.N.I.S System
2. Mac & Dennis Move to the Suburbs
3. The Gang Reignites the Rivalry
Though I could go 30 deep on his list honestly. He is a five star performer after all.
McElhenney:
1. Mac Finds his Pride
2. The Gang Saves the Day
3. Reynolds vs. Reynolds: The Cereal Defense
Day:
1. Charlie Work
2. The Gang Solves the Gas Crisis
3. McPoyle vs. Ponderosa: The Trial of the Century
DeVito:
1. The Nightman Cometh
2. The Gang Gets Quarantined
3. Mac and Dennis Manhunters
Olson:
1. The Gang Broke Dee
2. Hundred Dollar Baby
3. Dennis and Dee Go On Welfare
Louis (and others): What do you think the Best Picture lineups from, let's say, 2015 to now would have looked like had the max number of nominees had been kept at 5?
Aidan:
2015:
Spotlight
The Big Short
The Revenant
Room
Mad Max: Fury Road
2016:
Moonlight
La La Land
Manchester By the Sea
Hacksaw Ridge
Hidden Figures
2017:
The Shape of Water
Get Out
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri
Ladybird
Dunkirk
2018:
Green Book
Black Panther
Roma
Bohemian Rhapsody
A Star is Born
2019:
Parasite
1917
Joker
Jojo Rabbit
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
2020:
Nomadland
Promising Young Woman
Minari
Trial of the Chicago 7
The Father
2021:
The Power of the Dog
CODA
King Richard
Belfast
West Side Story
Aidan:
2015
Spotlight
The Revenant
Mad Max
Bridge of Spies
The Big Short (pains me to say it)
2016
Moonlight
La La Land
Manchester by the Sea
Arrival
Hacksaw Ridge
2017
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Dunkirk
Lady Bird
Darkest Hour
2018
Green Book
Roma
The Favourite
A Star is Born
Vice
2019
Parasite
1917
The Irishman
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Joker
2020
Nomadland
Minari
Promising Young Woman
The Father
Mank
2021
The Power of the Dog
Belfast
West Side Story
Dune
King Richard (again, I just don't buy the CODA hype)
I'll give my guesses too:
2015
- The Big Short
- Mad Max: Fury Road
- The Revenant
- Room
- Spotlight
2016
- Arrival
- Hacksaw Ridge
- La La Land
- Manchester by the Sea
- Moonlight
2017
- Dunkirk
- Get Out
- Lady Bird
- The Shape of Water
- Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
2018
- BlacKkKlansman
- Bohemian Rhapsody
- The Favourite
- Roma
- Green Book
2019
- The Irishman
- Joker
- 1917
- Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
- Parasite
2020
- The Father
- Mank
- Minari
- Nomadland
- The Trail of the Chicago 7
2021
- Belfast
- CODA
- Dune
- The Power of the Dog
- West Side Story
Alright, lemme give this a shot...
2015
The Big Short
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Spotlight
2016
Arrival
La La Land
Lion
Manchester by the Sea
Moonlight
2017
Dunkirk
Lady Bird
Get Out
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
The Shape of Water
2018
BlacKkKlansman
Green Book
Roma
The Favourite
A Star is Born
2019
1917
The Irishman
Joker
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Parasite
2020
Mank
Minari
Nomadland
Promising Young Woman
Trial of the Chicago 7
2021
Belfast
Dune
King Richard
The Power of the Dog
West Side Story
Louis - why do you think BlacKkKlansman, The Favourite, and The Irishman would not have made the top 5?
Tahmeed - Why do you think The Father and Darkest Hour (neither of which made it at PGA or SAG) would have been nominated for the top 5 over Get Out and Trial of the Chicago 7?
Louis: Your thoughts on the voices of Setsuko Hara, Machiko Kyo, Simone Signoret and Claire Bloom.
Also, your thoughts on this American Les Diaboliques cast directed by Hitchcock if he had gotten the rights to the novel before Clouzot since he supposedly wanted to make the movie.
Nicole Horner: Shelley Winters
Christina Delassalle: Teresa Wright
Michel Delassale: Robert Ryan
Alfred Fichet: William Powell
Louis: Thoughts on the cast of Peacemaker? Pretty strong ensemble.
John Cena
Chukwudi Iwuji
Danielle Brooks
Steve Agee
Freddie Stroma
Jennifer Holland
Robert Patrick
Christopher Heyerdahl
Annie Chang
Tony:
The rule I went by, which was typically true, was populist with just enough prestige to it, which was usually the way the top five would breakdown pre the expanded lineup (the expanded lineup I greatly prefer honestly because of how the top five would often break in such a boring pattern.)
Blackkklansman was one I was torn on since it won Adapted screenplay, but it is hard to bet against Bohemian Rhapsody and Black Panther (which also had a SAG ensemble win) with the amount of wins they took home on the night. Meanwhile Blackkklansman technical under-performed by missing John David Washington in nominations. The Favourite was honestly easy to leave off with its amount of its win misses in the night, only winning with Colman against sole nominee in Close.
Joker, 1917, and Parasite were obviously the top three so that's easy. Jojo Rabbit though definitely was next. The director's branch are often idiosyncratic so Waititi missing there doesn't really give me a second though. What is more important was his adapted screenplay win against the Irishman that goose egged. Then it was between Once upon a Time and Irishman for me, and the former seemed to have just a bit more momentum overall in the race, where Irishman was consistently just "there" throughout the season.
8000's:
Hara - (Gentle sweet and earnestness in its purest sense.)
Kyo - (Interesting in seemingly quiet yet had a real power and intensity t it.)
Signoret - (Vivacious but also also cutting in a fascinating kind of way.)
Bloom - (Refined and wonderful regal beauty of it.)
I certainly can see all of those, I particularly love the idea of Powell as the fuddy duddy inspector who is underestimated by all.
So, I rewatched Blade Runner yesterday. This film finally clicked with me. A damn masterpiece. It is now in my top 10 favorite films of all time.
10/10
Letterboxd review here:
https://letterboxd.com/htt/film/blade-runner/
Cast ratings:
Harrison Ford: 4.5/5 - Bordering on 5. I think he is a little outshined by the incredible scale and depth of this movie, but he still gives a highly impressive and expressive performance that is among my favorites from him.
Rutger Hauer: 5/5 - Easily one of the greatest performances of all time. He somehow EXCEEDS the incredible scale and depth of this movie, which should by all means be an impossible feat.
Cast MVP: Rutger Hauer
Razor:
Cena - (This performance very much is proof that his scene with Flagg at the end of The Suicide Squad was just not a fluke in terms of the emotional depth he brought in the reaction to the "Peacemaker What a joke" line. His performance here is largely exploring that idea in what is a surprisingly reflective performance. Yes, we also do get a lot of the thick-headed crazy that defined him The Suicide Squad, however, that is softened just a bit here rather effectively by Cena to make him a little less overtly villainous, though while still being funny and true to the character. What is so impressive though is how good he is in bringing that growth in the character with the emotional depth he finds. The moments of revealing his traumas Cena genuinely is understated and internalized in his work. He is truly surprising yet wholly powerful in showing just how much damage the character is holding in from his childhood. Because of this, he earns the transition then from being just this thick-headed killer to something a little more in this natural progression, to the point you actually do care about Peacemaker beyond just being the joke, in a good way, that he was in The Suicide Squad.)
Iwuji - (He appears a little limited by the character at first, mostly seeming just there to deliver exposition and be exasperated, at first. When the revelation of his character comes he absolutely delivers on it. He brings the right sort of emotional sense of duty and fierce kind of desperation to what he believes is the right thing. He's especially great in the moment of describing his past situation, and in it finding the real sense of anguish in his misdeed even with a purpose behind it.)
Brooks - (Part of her performance really is seeming inappropriate to the series, in that she's just this slightly affable and goofy. This is the outlier within the group of seeming government operators. That ill-fitting approach works as an appropriate contrast in the early scenes effectively. As the series progresses though she is good at creating the right innate sense of warmth about her to manage this sort of mix between empathetic and manipulative manner. Culminating effectively in the moments of the most sincere care and betrayal, where she portrays well the sense of just this innate sort of caring manner that is sometimes compromised due to her perceived duty.)
Agee - (For much of the series just there to be the somewhat annoyed and befuddled guy who keeps coming in the clutch, and is effective in conveying the moments of exasperation and jubilation in equal measure. Mostly he provides the right comedic timing in these two sides of his performance. I have to say though he steps up beyond that with his major emotional scene in the last episode where he absolutely delivers in revealing the very intense pathos and vulnerability that defines the character's choices to the point it is genuinely actually very moving despite built on just a silly running gag. )
Stroma - (His performance is seemingly one-note though he's great at the one note of intense sociopathy. This is bringing all of his lines with this cheeriness though in his eyes going to the extremes of such violence. The juxtaposition works in basically never acting with his voice, well beyond its proper consistency, and saying everything about what his character is actually going through in his stares. There are also a couple of brief random moments where we get just a touch of insight that are quite effective in revealing maybe what's behind his insanity. Largely though he's one of the few that doesn't change much, which isn't a problem, and works as this steadfast presence of the deranged killer "hero". )
Holland - (Again the path for most of the characters is to seem a more simplistic archetype and for there to be more revealed about that character. Her early scenes are perfectly fine as the "tough female operative" type. She's genuinely terrific though in playing the moments on the outside of that and slowly revealing more towards her character as the series progresses. This as she adds these moments of vulnerability and empathy that carry genuine weight in the earned subtle way she delivers them. She's particularly good in the moments with Cena where she goes from entirely fed up with him towards honest caring towards her needs.)
Patrick - (Mainly there just be a horrible redneck sleaze. He does that well though in terms of creating variations in the moments from seeming the joke to seeming genuine threatening to the moments of just being outright terrible towards genuinely unnerving. It is technically one-note but Patrick finds the right variations therein.)
Heyerdahl - (Quite effectively creepy between moments of just being a straightforward authority type in the other moments.)
Chang - (Liked her go-getter qualities that were endearing in the way she always played them as though she's not quite there and everything still is just a bit over her head as much as she's liked to be in charge for at least a moment. She's good in her second performance in creating a more detached quality to the performance and manages to switch over effectively to this greater conviction and menace.)
I really hope Cena tries branching out a bit more like Bautista has done in terms of types of roles because it does seem like he really has talent beyond just his 'type'.
Louis: Since both have 15 5 star performances, which year did you prefer overall between 2021 Lead and 1973 Lead.
Marcus: Don't forget 2014.
I think Louis will still consider 73 the best year ever for the lead actor category.
Marcus:
73 with ease.
Louis: Will you be adding Whishaw to the winning requests page after the oscars.
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