The Gist: After things went horribly wrong in the last attempt to create an entertainment park based on live dinosaurs, the animals freely roam the remote island. Unfortunately for them, however, the local volcano has awakened and its imminent eruption threatens the ancient beasts’ very existence once again. A billionaire puts together a plan to save and transfer as many dinosaurs to a different island, and he calls upon some familiar faces to help out.
What a treat it is to see these beloved Jurassic creatures on the big screen once again. Does it matter that they are not real and their behavior is largely based on assumptions and guesswork (albeit rooted in science)? Not to me! I don’t care they’re all CGI, they look and sound real to me!
Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard are both back reprising their roles as the on-again/off-again bickering couple who tries to do what’s right for the animals. They have charisma and talent and surely deliver the goods. Rafe Spall puts on the mantle of the bad guy and is pretty easy to hate on.
Obviously, the movie’s production values are absolutely flawless. The visual effects are as life-like as it gets, the sound effects are terrific, and Michael Giacchino’s score is thrilling.
As far as the script goes, I’d say the core idea is interesting, but it does feel a bit derivative at times.
(Spoilers paragraph!) I do want to mention that when the volcano finally erupts, engulfing the remaining dinosaurs in its deadly embrace, it feels really sad. Even though one knows they aren’t real, just the thought of these magnificent creatures going extinct again is incredibly touchy. The last screams of help by that lone brontosaurus on the edge of the shore, with nowhere else to go, felt agonizing.
The Bottom Line: If you’re a fan of the franchise then Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom won’t disappoint: it’s loud, engaging, and a lot of fun. If you’ve never seen any of these movies, you’ll certainly be entertained by this movie.
Grade: 7
Monday, July 09, 2018
Friday, April 20, 2018
Old House
Visit my Redbubble page to purchase my art. Thank you!!
http://www.redbubble.com/people/massimon71/works/31379326
All rights reserved - NittardiPhotos.com
Monday, April 16, 2018
Spires
Visit my Redbubble page to purchase my art. Thank you!!
http://www.redbubble.com/people/massimon71/works/
All rights reserved - NittardiPhotos.com
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Mystery Man
Visit my Redbubble page to purchase my art. Thank you!!
http://www.redbubble.com/people/massimon71
All rights reserved - NittardiPhotos.com
http://www.redbubble.com/people/massimon71
All rights reserved - NittardiPhotos.com
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Many Patterns
Visit my Redbubble page to purchase my art. Thank you!!
http://www.redbubble.com/people/massimon71/works/31243915
All rights reserved - NittardiPhotos.com
Friday, April 06, 2018
Gone
Visit my Redbubble page to purchase my art. Thank you!!
http://www.redbubble.com/people/massimon71/works/31170525
All rights reserved - NittardiPhotos.com
Thursday, April 05, 2018
Visible Decay
Visit my Redbubble page to purchase my art. Thank you!!
http://www.redbubble.com/people/massimon71/works/31155259
All rights reserved - NittardiPhotos.com
Wednesday, April 04, 2018
Love, Simon
The Gist: Simon is a regular teenage guy. He has a nice family, a tight group of friends, and is in high school. He’s also in the closet. Then, one day, a mysterious message on a bulletin board stirs passions in his heart that he finds hard to manage.
Love, Simon is a really, really good movie, and not just if you’re gay or lesbian. It’s a wonderfully written story that talks about love, friendship, family relationships, and bullying.
Nick Robinson is excellent in what will surely be his breakout role, and I also really liked Katherine Langford as his best friend Leah.
The Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a good comedy that also skillfully delivers some important messages, look no further. Love, Simon is a must-see.
Grade: 9
Love, Simon is a really, really good movie, and not just if you’re gay or lesbian. It’s a wonderfully written story that talks about love, friendship, family relationships, and bullying.
Nick Robinson is excellent in what will surely be his breakout role, and I also really liked Katherine Langford as his best friend Leah.
The Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a good comedy that also skillfully delivers some important messages, look no further. Love, Simon is a must-see.
Grade: 9
A Wrinkle in Time
The Gist: A young scientist working on a new theory of space travel disappears mysteriously. Years later, his daughter Meg, her brother, and a friend from school receive a visit from three fantastical beings. Meg’s challenge will be finding her long lost father somewhere in the universe.
I am a fan of director Ava DuVernay’s work, so I was looking forward to her latest film. Unfortunately, A Wrinkle in Time is not a good movie. The best thing about it are arguably the eye-popping visual effects, and that’s hardly enough to salvage it.
Relative newcomer Storm Reid does an admirable job in the lead, as does Levi Miller as Calvin. Two promising young actors. Alas, Deric McCabe, who plays the younger brother, came across as stiff and not believable. Maybe in time he’ll get better.
Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, and Oprah Winfrey clearly had quite a bit of fun playing their roles, but the characters felt a bit empty. Chris Pine and Gugu Mbatha-Raw are perfectly cast as the loving couple.
The Bottom Line: While pleasant enough to watch and likely sufficiently entertaining for a younger crowd, I’d recommend to wait for the DVD to come out. I haven’t read the book this work is based on, but I can’t imagine it not being far better.
Grade: 4
I am a fan of director Ava DuVernay’s work, so I was looking forward to her latest film. Unfortunately, A Wrinkle in Time is not a good movie. The best thing about it are arguably the eye-popping visual effects, and that’s hardly enough to salvage it.
Relative newcomer Storm Reid does an admirable job in the lead, as does Levi Miller as Calvin. Two promising young actors. Alas, Deric McCabe, who plays the younger brother, came across as stiff and not believable. Maybe in time he’ll get better.
Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, and Oprah Winfrey clearly had quite a bit of fun playing their roles, but the characters felt a bit empty. Chris Pine and Gugu Mbatha-Raw are perfectly cast as the loving couple.
The Bottom Line: While pleasant enough to watch and likely sufficiently entertaining for a younger crowd, I’d recommend to wait for the DVD to come out. I haven’t read the book this work is based on, but I can’t imagine it not being far better.
Grade: 4
How Dark Patterns Trick You Online
A very interesting and informative video:
Tuesday, April 03, 2018
Tomb Raider
The Gist: Young Lara Croft refuses to accept that her father, who disappeared 7 years earlier, is dead. The sudden discovery of some mysterious notes and maps sets her on a dangerous albeit exhilarating adventure whose outcome is bound to change her life.
Hollywood’s infatuation with superheros is a well known ailment. Whether human or alien, originating in a comic book or a videogame, these movies bring in so much cash from all over the world, studios never miss a chance for another helping. Given that premise, a reboot of Tomb Raider, one of the most successful video game franchises of all time, and a one-time vehicle for Angelina Jolie, was inevitable.
The baton has been handed to Oscar winner Alicia Vikander, who comes across as eminently likable. She is believable in her grief and longings and has enough physicality to pull off the most daring stunts, a must for our heroine.
Dominic West and Walton Goggins are good, as always, while Daniel Wu and Kristin Scott Thomas are excellent in too-small roles. Director Roar Uthaug proved his mettle in this surely first-of-many installments in the series.
The Bottom Line: Critics weren’t enamored with the finished product, but I found it quite enjoyable. Naturally, you have to go with the flow with this kind of movie, and this being a reintroduction of sorts, the character has to be established. That said, Ms. Vikander is well cast and the new Tomb Raider is fun enough to watch.
Grade: 7
Hollywood’s infatuation with superheros is a well known ailment. Whether human or alien, originating in a comic book or a videogame, these movies bring in so much cash from all over the world, studios never miss a chance for another helping. Given that premise, a reboot of Tomb Raider, one of the most successful video game franchises of all time, and a one-time vehicle for Angelina Jolie, was inevitable.
The baton has been handed to Oscar winner Alicia Vikander, who comes across as eminently likable. She is believable in her grief and longings and has enough physicality to pull off the most daring stunts, a must for our heroine.
Dominic West and Walton Goggins are good, as always, while Daniel Wu and Kristin Scott Thomas are excellent in too-small roles. Director Roar Uthaug proved his mettle in this surely first-of-many installments in the series.
The Bottom Line: Critics weren’t enamored with the finished product, but I found it quite enjoyable. Naturally, you have to go with the flow with this kind of movie, and this being a reintroduction of sorts, the character has to be established. That said, Ms. Vikander is well cast and the new Tomb Raider is fun enough to watch.
Grade: 7
Monday, March 12, 2018
The Shape of Water
The Gist: A mute cleaning lady falls in love with a mysterious creature that’s being secretly studied at a government facility.
From that short description one might think very little of The Shape of Water, but there’s a lot more going on in this year’s recently crowned Best Picture winner.
In fact, Best Director Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro took inspiration from the movies of old to craft a love story that’s also light comedy, conspiracy theory thriller, Cold War era paranoia, social commentary on the different ones and minorities in general, and a carefully layered drama.
Best Lead Actress nominee Sally Hawkins is excellent in the title role, but so are Best Supporting Actor nominees Octavia Spencer and Richard Jenkins. Michael Shannon and Michael Stuhlbarg, as always, hold their own.
Del Toro is also notoriously obsessed about every detail that goes into his movies, so it’s no surprise that his latest product is technically sublime, from cinematography to set decoration to soundtrack (all of which, among others, garnered Oscar nominations, the last two taking home their respective trophies).
The Bottom Line: The Shape of Water has been rightly described as a great example of what makes movies the perfect medium to transport us to alternate realities. It's a sweet fable about the triumph of love amid adversities and obstacles that will hopefully charm you as well.
Grade: 8
From that short description one might think very little of The Shape of Water, but there’s a lot more going on in this year’s recently crowned Best Picture winner.
In fact, Best Director Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro took inspiration from the movies of old to craft a love story that’s also light comedy, conspiracy theory thriller, Cold War era paranoia, social commentary on the different ones and minorities in general, and a carefully layered drama.
Best Lead Actress nominee Sally Hawkins is excellent in the title role, but so are Best Supporting Actor nominees Octavia Spencer and Richard Jenkins. Michael Shannon and Michael Stuhlbarg, as always, hold their own.
Del Toro is also notoriously obsessed about every detail that goes into his movies, so it’s no surprise that his latest product is technically sublime, from cinematography to set decoration to soundtrack (all of which, among others, garnered Oscar nominations, the last two taking home their respective trophies).
The Bottom Line: The Shape of Water has been rightly described as a great example of what makes movies the perfect medium to transport us to alternate realities. It's a sweet fable about the triumph of love amid adversities and obstacles that will hopefully charm you as well.
Grade: 8
Monday, March 05, 2018
The 90th Academy Awards - The Winners
Jimmy Kimmel was back at the helm of the Oscars ceremony last night and he did a very good job. There were no mishaps, like last year's announcement of the wrong winner for the main trophy, he touched upon the important topics roiling our society today with the appropriate amount of tact, and he was funny and poignant when needed.
I really enjoyed the ceremony itself. I had not followed any of the countless prognosticators, so for me almost every winner was a surprise! I would recommend that to anyone who truly enjoys the Oscars, because it's the best way to enjoy them. Who cares about predictions and seeing how many you can guess if it detracts from the overall enjoyment of the show?!
The stage was stunningly beautiful! The Oscars turning 90 was certainly celebrated by the set design. Also, the wonderful clips that peppered the show here and there were a lovely reminder of how great movies can be, of how important the medium can be in the lives of ordinary people, and of how far storytelling has come in 9 decades.
Here are my random observations of the night:
- Viola Davis' dress was quite stunning, but she couldn't even walk. Like at all. Like seriously. Like, girl, no!
- Sam Rockwell's Oscar for Best Supporting Actor is well earned (he's great in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) and he gave a funny speech.
- The "GET OUT!!" skit had me in stitches!
- Very happy that Darkest Hour won for Best Makeup because the work was just incredible.
- Eva Marie Saint turned out to be a great presenter, sweet and funny.
- Greta Gerwig is the sweetest, and I just want her to be my friend!
- Mary J. Blige's rendition of her own "Mighty River" was fantastic! What a voice!
- Lupita Nyong'o and Kumail Nanjiani presenting together were funny and to the point. She looked absolutely gorgeous!
- "Remember Me," from Coco, is a nice and uplifting song, but I was completely blown away by the performance for The Greatest Showman's "This is Me," so I was disappointed when the former took the Best Original Song Oscar.
- Rita Moreno's entrance was cute and her choice of wearing the same dress she wore when she won for West Side Story paid off.
- I was SUPER HAPPY that a movie about a transgender woman (A Fantastic Woman) won for Best Foreign Film!!
- And shortly after my eyes widened with joy and pride when Coco won Best Animated Feature Film and, on the world's foremost stage, a woman thanked her wife and a man thanked his husband!!!! That's called progress.
- I simply adore Allison Janney, so I was very happy for her Best Supporting Actress win.
- Tiffany Haddish and Maya Rudolph were hilarious.
- The Chinese Theater skit set up by Kimmel worked well and you could really feel the excitement of the lucky few who were in that dark hall.
- The song and performance by Common and Andra Day and the following clip all gave me goosebumps. This really feels like a tectonic shift in the industry and society.
- Nicole Kidman and Laura Dern were two of the best dressed ladies of the night in my opinion. Kidman's blue dress was, to say the least, daring.
- Incredibly happy for James Ivory's win for Best Adapted Screenplay for Call Me by Your Name (I can't wait to see that movie).
- So cool that Jordan Peele won Best Original Screenplay for the very original Get Out
- The tribute to the military via the montage of war films was very touching. As was the usual In Memoriam montage.
- Sandra Bullock was so funny! It sounded like she wasn't kidding about the lights, which made the joke really work.
- Gary Oldman's speech was classy and respectful. Appropriate I would say.
- Frances McDormand, on the other hand, gave everyone a piece of her mind... and it was glorious!! Literally rousing.
- In the end, The Shape of Water seems to have succeeded in retaking its early lead and taking home the biggest prize of the night.
And here is the complete list of winners:
Best Motion Picture of the Year
The Shape of Water
Call Me by Your NameDarkest Hour
Dunkirk
Get Out
Lady Bird
Phantom Thread
The Post
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour
Daniel Day-Lewis, Phantom ThreadDaniel Kaluuya, Get Out
Denzel Washington, Roman J. Israel, Esq.
Timothée Chalamet, Call Me by Your Name
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Margot Robbie, I, TonyaMeryl Streep, The Post
Sally Hawkins, The Shape of Water
Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Christopher Plummer, All the Money in the WorldRichard Jenkins, The Shape of Water
Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project
Woody Harrelson, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Allison Janney, I, Tonya
Laurie Metcalf, Lady BirdLesley Manville, Phantom Thread
Mary J. Blige, Mudbound
Octavia Spencer, The Shape of Water
Best Achievement in Directing
Guillermo del Toro, The Shape of Water
Christopher Nolan, DunkirkGreta Gerwig, Lady Bird
Jordan Peele, Get Out
Paul Thomas Anderson, Phantom Thread
Best Original Screenplay
Jordan Peele, Get Out
Greta Gerwig, Lady BirdKumail Nanjiani, Emily V. Gordon, The Big Sick
Guillermo del Toro, Vanessa Taylor, The Shape of Water
Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Adapted Screenplay
James Ivory, Call Me by Your Name
Scott Frank, James Mangold, Michael Green, LoganAaron Sorkin, Molly's Game
Dee Rees, Virgil Williams, Mudbound
Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber, The Disaster Artist
Best Achievement in Cinematography
Blade Runner 2049
Darkest HourDunkirk
Mudbound
The Shape of Water
Best Achievement in Film Editing
Dunkirk
Baby DriverI, Tonya
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Achievement in Production Design
The Shape of Water
Beauty and the BeastBlade Runner 2049
Darkest Hour
Dunkirk
Best Achievement in Costume Design
Phantom Thread
Beauty and the BeastDarkest Hour
The Shape of Water
Victoria & Abdul
Best Achievement in Sound Mixing
Dunkirk
Baby DriverBlade Runner 2049
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi
The Shape of Water
Best Achievement in Sound Editing
Dunkirk
Baby DriverBlade Runner 2049
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi
The Shape of Water
Best Achievement in Visual Effects
Blade Runner 2049
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2Kong: Skull Island
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi
War for the Planet of the Apes
Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling
Darkest Hour
Victoria & AbdulWonder
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score)
Alexandre Desplat, The Shape of Water
Hans Zimmer, DunkirkJonny Greenwood, Phantom Thread
John Williams, Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi
Carter Burwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song)
Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, Remember Me (Coco)
Sufjan Stevens, The Mystery of Love (Call Me by Your Name)Common, Diane Warren, Stand Up for Something (Marshall)
Raphael Saadiq, Mary J. Blige, Taura Stinson, Mighty River (Mudbound)
Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, This is Me (The Greatest Showman)
Best Animated Feature Film
Coco
FerdinandLoving Vincent
The Boss Baby
The Breadwinner
Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
A Fantastic Woman (Una Mujer Fantástica)
Loveless (Nelyubov)On Body and Soul (Teströl és lélekröl)
The Insult (L'insulte)
The Square
Best Documentary Feature
Icarus
Abacus: Small Enough to JailFaces Places (Visages villages)
Last Men in Aleppo (De sidste mænd i Aleppo)
Strong Island
Best Documentary Short Subject
Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405
Edith+EddieHeroin(e)
Knife Skills
Traffic Stop
Best Animated Short Film
Dear Basketball
Garden PartyLOU
Negative Space
Revolting Rhymes Part One
Best Live Action Short Film
The Silent Child
DeKalb ElementaryMy Nephew Emmett
The Eleven O'Clock
Watu Wote: All of us
Special Achievement Award
Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Carne y ArenaHonorary Award
Agnès VardaCharles Burnett
Donald Sutherland
Owen Roizman
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
The 90th Academy Awards - The Nominations
Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel at 8 pm (ET) on March 4, 2018, these are the nominations for this year's Oscars:
Darkest Hour
Dunkirk
Get Out
Lady Bird
Phantom Thread
The Post
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Daniel Kaluuya, Get Out
Denzel Washington, Roman J. Israel, Esq.
Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour
Timothée Chalamet, Call Me by Your Name
Margot Robbie, I, Tonya
Meryl Streep, The Post
Sally Hawkins, The Shape of Water
Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird
Richard Jenkins, The Shape of Water
Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project
Woody Harrelson, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird
Lesley Manville, Phantom Thread
Mary J. Blige, Mudbound
Octavia Spencer, The Shape of Water
Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird
Guillermo del Toro, The Shape of Water
Jordan Peele, Get Out
Paul Thomas Anderson, Phantom Thread
Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird
Kumail Nanjiani, Emily V. Gordon, The Big Sick
Guillermo del Toro, Vanessa Taylor, The Shape of Water
Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Scott Frank, James Mangold, Michael Green, Logan
Aaron Sorkin, Molly's Game
Dee Rees, Virgil Williams, Mudbound
Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber, The Disaster Artist
Darkest Hour
Dunkirk
Mudbound
The Shape of Water
Dunkirk
I, Tonya
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Blade Runner 2049
Darkest Hour
Dunkirk
The Shape of Water
Darkest Hour
Phantom Thread
The Shape of Water
Victoria & Abdul
Blade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi
The Shape of Water
Blade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi
The Shape of Water
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Kong: Skull Island
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi
War for the Planet of the Apes
Victoria & Abdul
Wonder
Jonny Greenwood, Phantom Thread
John Williams, Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi
Alexandre Desplat, The Shape of Water
Carter Burwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, Remember Me (Coco)
Common, Diane Warren, Stand Up for Something (Marshall)
Raphael Saadiq, Mary J. Blige, Taura Stinson, Mighty River (Mudbound)
Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, This is Me (The Greatest Showman)
Ferdinand
Loving Vincent
The Boss Baby
The Breadwinner
Loveless (Nelyubov)
On Body and Soul (Teströl és lélekröl)
The Insult (L'insulte)
The Square
Faces Places (Visages villages)
Icarus
Last Men in Aleppo (De sidste mænd i Aleppo)
Strong Island
Heaven is a traffic jam on the 405
Heroin(e)
Knife Skills
Traffic Stop
Garden Party
LOU
Negative Space
Revolting Rhymes Part One
My Nephew Emmett
The Eleven O'Clock
The Silent Child
Watu Wote: All of us
Charles Burnett
Donald Sutherland
Owen Roizman
Best Motion Picture of the Year
Call Me by Your NameDarkest Hour
Dunkirk
Get Out
Lady Bird
Phantom Thread
The Post
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Daniel Day-Lewis, Phantom ThreadDaniel Kaluuya, Get Out
Denzel Washington, Roman J. Israel, Esq.
Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour
Timothée Chalamet, Call Me by Your Name
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, MissouriMargot Robbie, I, Tonya
Meryl Streep, The Post
Sally Hawkins, The Shape of Water
Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Christopher Plummer, All the Money in the WorldRichard Jenkins, The Shape of Water
Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project
Woody Harrelson, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Allison Janney, I, TonyaLaurie Metcalf, Lady Bird
Lesley Manville, Phantom Thread
Mary J. Blige, Mudbound
Octavia Spencer, The Shape of Water
Best Achievement in Directing
Christopher Nolan, DunkirkGreta Gerwig, Lady Bird
Guillermo del Toro, The Shape of Water
Jordan Peele, Get Out
Paul Thomas Anderson, Phantom Thread
Best Original Screenplay
Jordan Peele, Get OutGreta Gerwig, Lady Bird
Kumail Nanjiani, Emily V. Gordon, The Big Sick
Guillermo del Toro, Vanessa Taylor, The Shape of Water
Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Adapted Screenplay
James Ivory, Call Me by Your NameScott Frank, James Mangold, Michael Green, Logan
Aaron Sorkin, Molly's Game
Dee Rees, Virgil Williams, Mudbound
Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber, The Disaster Artist
Best Achievement in Cinematography
Blade Runner 2049Darkest Hour
Dunkirk
Mudbound
The Shape of Water
Best Achievement in Film Editing
Baby DriverDunkirk
I, Tonya
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Achievement in Production Design
Beauty and the BeastBlade Runner 2049
Darkest Hour
Dunkirk
The Shape of Water
Best Achievement in Costume Design
Beauty and the BeastDarkest Hour
Phantom Thread
The Shape of Water
Victoria & Abdul
Best Achievement in Sound Mixing
Baby DriverBlade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi
The Shape of Water
Best Achievement in Sound Editing
Baby DriverBlade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi
The Shape of Water
Best Achievement in Visual Effects
Blade Runner 2049Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Kong: Skull Island
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi
War for the Planet of the Apes
Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling
Darkest HourVictoria & Abdul
Wonder
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score)
Hans Zimmer, DunkirkJonny Greenwood, Phantom Thread
John Williams, Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi
Alexandre Desplat, The Shape of Water
Carter Burwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song)
Sufjan Stevens, The Mystery of Love (Call Me by Your Name)Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, Remember Me (Coco)
Common, Diane Warren, Stand Up for Something (Marshall)
Raphael Saadiq, Mary J. Blige, Taura Stinson, Mighty River (Mudbound)
Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, This is Me (The Greatest Showman)
Best Animated Feature Film
CocoFerdinand
Loving Vincent
The Boss Baby
The Breadwinner
Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
A Fantastic Woman (Una Mujer Fantástica)Loveless (Nelyubov)
On Body and Soul (Teströl és lélekröl)
The Insult (L'insulte)
The Square
Best Documentary Feature
Abacus: Small Enough to JailFaces Places (Visages villages)
Icarus
Last Men in Aleppo (De sidste mænd i Aleppo)
Strong Island
Best Documentary Short Subject
Edith+EddieHeaven is a traffic jam on the 405
Heroin(e)
Knife Skills
Traffic Stop
Best Animated Short Film
Dear BasketballGarden Party
LOU
Negative Space
Revolting Rhymes Part One
Best Live Action Short Film
DeKalb ElementaryMy Nephew Emmett
The Eleven O'Clock
The Silent Child
Watu Wote: All of us
Special Achievement Award
Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Carne y ArenaHonorary Award
Agnès VardaCharles Burnett
Donald Sutherland
Owen Roizman
Monday, January 08, 2018
2018 Golden Globe Awards - The Winners
Last night's ceremony for the 75th Golden Globes went a little overtime but was otherwise flawless in how it tackled the issues of the moment (gender inequality, sexual harassment and assault, discrimination and abuse, etc... at the hands of mostly straight, white males).
Seth Meyers did a very good job as host and his opening monologue expertly straddled the line between zinging the likes of Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey and avoiding minimizing the stated issues.
Oprah Winfrey, accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Award, the first woman of color to receive the honor, had the most leeway as far as length of speech and took full advantage of it by giving us the most rousing one of the night. I almost expected her to announce that she was running for President in 2020!! (Don't call me crazy, it was all everyone was talking about today...)
Oprah's speech was obviously all about the very important issues I mentioned above, as were those of most of the women who took the stage, especially Nicole Kidman, Elizabeth Moss, Laura Dern, Allison Janney, Barbra Streisand, Frances McDormand, and Reese Witherspoon.
Witherspoon, didn't win for her role in Big Little Lies, but she was one of the biggest winners of the night anyway as a producer of the miniseries, which did a clean sweep of 4 of its winnable nominations (the other 2 were doubles in their respective categories).
The other big winner was Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, which won for Picture (Drama), Lead Actress, Supporting Actor, and Screenplay.
Lady Bird got Picture (Comedy) and Lead Actress, while The Shape of Water had to make do with Director and Score.
On the television side, both Drama and Comedy series winners also crowned their respective Lead Actresses. The rest of the prizes spread out.
A couple more observations:
- Sterling K. Brown, who looks like such an approachable gentleman, made history as the first actor of color to win Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
- Alexander Skarsgård is always unbelievably dashing.
- I wonder if his win was a bit of a surprise, but it was most certainly warranted.
- Sam Rockwell and Gary Oldman finally got their dues. Hopefully, it carries on to the Oscars because these two actors have consistently delivered excellent work throughout their careers.
- I really wish the Globes split the Director and Screenplay awards because to me it makes zero sense to split the movies and the actors but not those (I know I'm repeating myself here, but it really bothers me...). That would have likely opened the door for Greta Gerwig to receive a directing nod in addition to her Screenplay one.
- Guillermo del Toro gave a very sweet speech, even though I had a hard time understanding the whole thing.
- Presenting the Best Director award, Natalie Portman, clearly unexpectedly, threw in the best barb of the night when she announced "Here are the ALL MALE nominees." Loved it!
- James Franco, who never seems to age, gave the most oddball speech of the night, as one would expect, but while I can understand him wanting to give his (hot!) brother Dave a shout out, did he really have to use that other guy as a prop if he wasn't going to let him speak (for which we're probably all better off, by the way...)?
- While I respect Frances McDormand's enormous talent, and can't wait to see her movie, she really looks and acts like the crazy cat lady shopping for chewing tobacco at Walmart. C'mon girl!!
- All the women supporting the "Time's Up!" cause were sort of expected to wear black dresses at the ceremony. No other dark colors (navy blue, slate, etc...) were acceptable, and the dresses were supposed to be completely black. It was ok to accessorise with jewelry though, so I'm puzzled why stars like McDormand, Janney, and Ronan, who all won (the first and last not unexpectedly), deviated from this. Either go off script like the HFPA's president herself did (given her position, an unforgivable faux-pas in my opinion) or just stick with the plan. Even the gorgeous Catherine Zeta-Jones, who evidently didn't want to risk looking too demure... was able to do that!
- Finally, Zac Efron, Chris Hemsworth, Garrett Hedlund, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson... Damn!!!
Best Motion Picture - Drama
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Call Me by Your NameDunkirk
The Post
The Shape of Water
Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Lady Bird
Get OutI, Tonya
The Disaster Artist
The Greatest Showman
Best Motion Picture - Animated
Coco
FerdinandLoving Vincent
The Boss Baby
The Breadwinner
Best Motion Picture - Foreign Language
In the Fade (Aus dem Nichts)
A Fantastic Woman (Una Mujer Fantástica)First They Killed My Father
Loveless (Nelyubov)
The Square
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour
Daniel Day-Lewis, Phantom ThreadDenzel Washington, Roman J. Israel, Esq.
Timothée Chalamet, Call Me by Your Name
Tom Hanks, The Post
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
James Franco, The Disaster Artist
Ansel Elgort, Baby DriverDaniel Kaluuya, Get Out
Hugh Jackman, The Greatest Showman
Steve Carell, Battle of the Sexes
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Jessica Chastain, Molly's GameMeryl Streep, The Post
Michelle Williams, All the Money in the World
Sally Hawkins, The Shape of Water
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird
Emma Stone, Battle of the SexesHelen Mirren, The Leisure Seeker
Judi Dench, Victoria & Abdul
Margot Robbie, I, Tonya
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Armie Hammer, Call Me by Your NameChristopher Plummer, All the Money in the World
Richard Jenkins, The Shape of Water
Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Allison Janney, I, Tonya
Hong Chau, DownsizingLaurie Metcalf, Lady Bird
Mary J. Blige, Mudbound
Octavia Spencer, The Shape of Water
Best Director - Motion Picture
Guillermo del Toro, The Shape of Water
Christopher Nolan, DunkirkMartin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Ridley Scott, All the Money in the World
Steven Spielberg, The Post
Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Greta Gerwig, Lady BirdAaron Sorkin, Molly's Game
Liz Hannah, Josh Singer, The Post
Guillermo del Toro, The Shape of Water
Best Original Song - Motion Picture
Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, This is Me, The Greatest Showman
Nick Jonas, Justin Tranter, Nick Monson, Home, Ferdinand
Raphael Saadiq, Mary J. Blige, Mighty River, Mudbound
Mariah Carey, Marc Shaiman, The Star, The Star
Best Original Score - Motion Picture
Alexandre Desplat, The Shape of Water
Hans Zimmer, DunkirkJonny Greenwood, Phantom Thread
John Williams, The Post
Carter Burwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Television Series - Drama
The Handmaid's Tale
Game of ThronesStranger Things
The Crown
This Is Us
Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Black-ishMaster of None
SMILF
Will & Grace
Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Big Little Lies
FargoFeud
The Sinner
Top of the Lake
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama
Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us
Bob Odenkirk, Better Call SaulFreddie Highmore, The Good Doctor
Jason Bateman, Ozark
Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy
Aziz Ansari, Master of None
Anthony Anderson, Black-ishEric McCormack, Will & Grace
Kevin Bacon, I Love Dick
William H. Macy, Shameless
Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television
Ewan McGregor, Fargo
Geoffrey Rush, GeniusJude Law, The Young Pope
Kyle MacLachlan, Twin Peaks
Robert De Niro, The Wizard of Lies
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama
Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaid's Tale
Caitriona Balfe, OutlanderClaire Foy, The Crown
Katherine Langford, 13 Reasons Why
Maggie Gyllenhaal, The Deuce
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy
Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Alison Brie, GLOWFrankie Shaw, SMILF
Issa Rae, Insecure
Pamela Adlon, Better Things
Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television
Nicole Kidman, Big Little Lies
Jessica Biel, The SinnerJessica Lange, Feud
Reese Witherspoon, Big Little Lies
Susan Sarandon, Feud
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Alexander Skarsgård, Big Little Lies
Alfred Molina, FeudChristian Slater, Mr. Robot
David Harbour, Stranger Things
David Thewlis, Fargo
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Laura Dern, Big Little Lies
Ann Dowd, The Handmaid's TaleChrissy Metz, This Is Us
Michelle Pfeiffer, The Wizard of Lies
Shailene Woodley, Big Little Lies
Cecil B. DeMille Award
Oprah Winfrey
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)