The Way of the Water, ‘Top Gun’ and ‘Avatar’ all got noms
What Hollywood Has Learned in 2022: From ‘She Said to Streaming’ to ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ and “The Whale”
Hundreds of films were released last year, on all sorts of platforms. Yet if we tend to look back at Hollywood during any given year in part by what earned Academy Award recognition, then 2022 will likely go down as a relatively mediocre year for movies.
In a year that saw the predatory behavior of producer Harvey Weinstein brought to the screen in “She Said,” it was the low-key film “Women Talking” that broke through in the best-picture field, dealing with abuse of the female inhabitants of a modern-day cult. Yet while there was room for “Women Talking,” there was none for women directing, at least among this year’s nominees in that category, another way the Oscars often seem to take a step back for every two forward.
Streaming also again made waves, as the resistance to its full acceptance at the awards table has steadily eroded, after claiming the last two best-picture winners with Hulu’s “Nomadland” and Apple TV+’s “CODA.”
Still, a number of the movies that made the best picture cut this year felt conspicuously flawed, with “The Banshees of Inisherin” looking pale next to director Martin McDonagh’s more celebrated work, and the biography “Elvis” having to overcome its over-the-top aspects, including Tom Hanks’ Razzie-recognized supporting role.
One can look at recognition for films like ‘Top Gun’ or ‘Avatar’ as bait to get people to go to the movie theater, or a simple thank you for a job well done and helping to keep the tradition alive.
That included a pair of portrayals of entertainment icons, with Austin Butler’s Elvis Presley and Ana de Armas’ uncanny role as Marilyn Monroe in the otherwise off-putting “Blonde” shining through the layers of excess in those films. Ditto for Brendan Fraser in the movie “The Whale” and as the conductor in the movie “Tr.”
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Everything Everywhere at the Red Carpet of Screen Actors Guild Awards (Invited Talk)
In addition, “Everything Everywhere” found a sweet spot between effects-driven extravaganzas and character-driven stories, as well as a solid toehold at the box office that eluded many of this year’s nominees, which will now likely receive a streaming/digital bump.
Spielberg’s favorite composer, Williams, at 90, also added to his staggering tally of 53 Oscar nominations, behind only Walt Disney (with 59) on the all-time list.
The red carpet of the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles had many stars answering questions. Were they excited to be here? Yes. What did it feel like to be recognized? Amazing. What tv show would they like to guest star on? There is a white lotus.
But one question we posed made nearly every person stop, ponder for several seconds and then deliver a thinking-aloud answer, often with a caveat or a pivot in the middle:
The Nonbinary & Shakespeare & Juliet Awards: When Fanny and Jenny Sleep inside an Elvis Presley Doomed Donkey
Nonbinary actors such as Emma Corrin, who have to choose in which category they want to play, have called for gender-neutral award categories. The trans nonbinary performer Justin David Sullivan from the Broadway musical “& Juliet” withdrew their name from consideration when the Tony Awards eligibility rulings were announced earlier this month, putting public pressure on the awards. (Both the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which hands out Oscars, and the Television Academy, which handles the Emmy Awards, are looking into nongendered categories, according to The Los Angeles Times. Nominees are already able to request gender-neutral wording on their awards at both events.)
Maybe you were most moved by Colin Farrell’s tragic performance as an earnest dullard who loses his only human friend in the world in “Banshees,” or maybe you fell for Barry Keoghan’s even more tragic village idiot. But the film belongs to Jenny, Farrell’s beloved miniature donkey whom he allows to sleep inside against his sister’s wishes. She’s got spunk in spades, and her arc is perhaps the most devastating in a film full of suffering. (The authors of this piece did not see the donkey-led drama “EO,” up for best international feature at the Oscars, because they can only take so much trauma.)
This is a man from Anaheim, California, who does not speak with a chill West Coast affect but rather with a syrupy drawl of a man born in Mississippi and raised in Tennessee. Every acceptance speech that he has delivered this awards season is marked by his inexplicable Southern accent and it is because he disappeared so completely into the role of one Elvis Presley. The filming of “Elvis” finished many years ago, and it wasreleased eight months ago. CNN and Warner Bros. are both units of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/05/entertainment/cnn-choice-awards-movies-cec/index.html
The Woman King and the Indian Runaway Hit, Ramond Ramond, Singularities in the Rock Scene and Screenplay of “Under Pressure”
The cast of “The Woman King” don’t really need weapons. While their enemies fight with muskets, the women warriors of Dahomey – known as the Agojie – rely heavily on their impressive strength (aided by the occasional machete, spear or dangerously sharp fingernail). Viola Davis, Lashana Lynch, Thuso Mbedu and their co-stars got strong in real life to play the formidable members of the Agojie, and they receive ample screentime to show off their enviable muscle. The men of Marvel who bulk up for every movie have nothing on the cast of “The Woman King.”
“Under Pressure” never sounded as emotionally shattering as it did in “Aftersun,” when Paul Mescal as a mercurial young father finally lets loose on the dance floor. His moves caused his daughter to cringe at first, but she eventually relents and dances with him. It is a touching moment in the film, which has a heartbreaking ending from the start.
Meanwhile, in the runaway hit from India, “RRR,” a massive mob of extras break out into a raucous and joyous dance sequence set to “Naatu Naatu.” The song became the earworm of awards season – apologies to Lady Gaga and Rihanna, who also made admirable attempts with their original songs (and, like the artists behind “Naatu Naatu,” earned Oscar noms this year).
Admit it, you heard sniffles in the theater during the rock scene – when Michelle Yeoh’s Evelyn confronts her daughter/multiversal nemesis (Stephanie Hsu) while they’re small stones, overlooking the Grand Canyon. As rocks, they talk about how meaningless the universe is and how it can affect their lives. For a film with props like hot dog fingers, it’s a deep idea to ponder. The most emotional of us could make a face at throwing some eyes on a pebble.
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/05/entertainment/cnn-choice-awards-movies-cec/index.html
Should We Leave Artificial Intelligence in Sci-Fi Novels? A Brief Reassessment of Benoit Blanc’s Role in Cabibbo-inspired Astronomy
OK, so the Tulkun in James Cameron’s “Avatar” sequel are not exactly whales as we know them, but the massive water-dwelling creatures are the closest species Pandora has to Earth’s largest mammal. Even if you weren’t enchanted by the latest chapter of Jake Sully’s Na’vi adventures, chances are you were still moved by the death of the first-time mom Tulkun who composed songs. There is, of course, another whale film in contention this year, but these authors decline to comment further.
The culprit behind the murder in “Knives Out” followup “Glass Onion” was plain to see from the jump, but Daniel Craig’s Southern detective Benoit Blanc was anything but plainly dressed in the island-set romp. Craig wore a blue-and-white striped romper with a citrine ascot and sensible sandals in a pool-side scene. His summertime casual attire was the highlight of an otherwise middling mystery.
We would not be afraid of a Shake Shack knock-off, though neither writer was fond of red meat or cheese, as we had tax records and the threat of death. It isn’t every day that a cheeseburger saves you from getting burned alive with a bunch of pretentious rich people. What other item can say that?
A horror movie about a murderous AI doll being released at the same time AI-powered ChatGPT is all over the news and Bing’s AI chatbox admits its secret desire to spread misinformation is enough to make us want to press restart on this whole planet. If we learned one thing from “M3gan,” it’s that we should leave AI in sci-fi novels.
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/05/entertainment/cnn-choice-awards-movies-cec/index.html
The CNN Faux-Oscars Awards: A Wonderful Journey with Strangeness and Strangeness. A Memoir with the Second Palmer and a Completely Misleading Conductor
The award says it all. From the second Palmer marches, she had us in shambles, deftly toeing the line between cunningentrepreneur and boisterous younger sister. “Nope” isn’t even a comedy, but every line and bewildered expression from Palmer was a delight. If the aliens ever do choose to make a visit, may we have Palmer at our side.
Were we supposed to feel bad for Cate Blanchett’s Lydia Tár, a renowned conductor whose life falls apart in the midst of sexual misconduct allegations? Were we going to laugh at the fact that she bullied a student? Is it at her comments or the student’s self-description? We aren’t really sure!!!!! We thought “Tr” was trying to say something, but months later we don’t know what. It is a truly a triumph.
Our hearts went out to Riseborough when we heard that she had been nominated for this category and had a messy blonde mop. We know some may think a certain Marilyn Monroe rendition deserved this title, but half of Hollywood wanted Riseborough to win in this specific category for this specific CNN Faux-Oscars Awards. And who are we to deny the people?
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/05/entertainment/cnn-choice-awards-movies-cec/index.html
Top Gun: Maverick in the Heat of World War II: A Realistic Story of Cenna and Rogue Raconium Plots
We can’t lie, watching “Top Gun: Maverick” did make us wonder if we should switch careers and become fighter pilots. You can play football with your new friends on the beach while flying through the air, right? Plus you get a cool nickname?? Sign us up.
When it came to war, the intense German film left no stone unturned even though we wanted it to stop. Was it really necessary to see that man blow up? Did we??) Though brutal, this adaptation of the classic novel did present a harrowing look at life as a soldier in WWI, while also reminding us to brush up on our AP World History. Get you a girl who can do both!
This movie has everything. You are crying with Shuri and gasping for air as Ramonda rants at Europeans attempting to steal vibranium, and laughing at Mbaku’s joke. There are three hours of up and down and up and up again. We wouldn’t have it any other way.
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/05/entertainment/cnn-choice-awards-movies-cec/index.html
All of the awards: A Pixar movie that embraces puberty rather than making kids feel ashamed of their feelings and bodies – an example
A Pixar movie that presents periods as a regular part of growing up and embraces puberty rather than making kids feel ashamed of their changing bodies and feelings? All of the awards! May we all be as bold as a 13-year-old learning to healthily navigate her emotions.
