Wednesday, March 31, 2021
Collective (Colectiv)
THE BOTTOM LINE: If you like documentaries, don't pass this up. A real eye opener.
Grade: 7.5
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
The Man in the High Castle
Monday, March 29, 2021
Friday, March 26, 2021
Spartacus
Season 2, Vengeance, picks up right where Blood and Sand left off, with Spartacus taking charge of his future and leading the surviving slaves and gladiators from the Roman villa where they were being kept captive.
Given the untimely death of Andy Whitfield, Liam McIntyre now dons the mantle of the warrior hero, and does an admirable job, even though it's very hard to shake the image of Whitfield from memory.
The rest of the cast is virtually unchanged, which greatly helps to smoothly carry the story forward, with the former slaves now fugitives and wanted by the Roman authorities, which did not take kindly to Spartacus & Co.'s act of rebellion.
Will they be able to escape the tightening grip of Glaber's forces? Will Spartacus finally satiate his desire to avenge his beloved wife?
The writing is in keeping with the previous season, as are the gore and the plentiful flesh on display. My only criticism is actually reserved for the visual effects. Perhaps due to the higher definition of the blu-ray discs, or perhaps to budgetary limitations, several climactic scenes end up generating more consternation and laughter than the desired shock and awe.
Grade - Season 2: 7
The third and final season of the show sees Spartacus leading a growing army of rebellious slaves against their former masters and the might of Rome.Unfortunately for them, however, Rome has plentiful resources to throw at them. Will it succeed in weakening their resolve to find freedom far from the Romans' grasp?
If you're still watching then you know what to expect: sex, violence, gore, and action galore.
I have to say that I was quite pleased with the way the show ended, especially given that Spartacus was an actual historical figure, which obviously constrains the freedoms the writers can take.
Overall a good and entertaining show, not for the squeamish or the faint of heart, whose only real flaw is, once again, in the subpar visual effects.
I'm glad I picked it back up.
Grade - Season 3: 7
A Most Curious Gaze
All rights reserved - NittardiPhotos
Thursday, March 25, 2021
Purple and White Flowers
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
In Memoriam
George Segal (Born: February 13, 1934 - March 23, 2021)
A prolific actor in both leading and supporting roles, in movies as well as TV shows, he earned an Academy Awards nomination for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? in 1967. He also garnered five Golden Globes nominations, winning in 1974 for A Touch of Class.
His name maybe isn't known to many, but you've definitely seen his face countless times.
R.I.P.
Green Mountains Under Cloudy Skies
Monday, March 22, 2021
Still Waters
All rights reserved - NittardiPhotos
The Road to the Mountain
Curb Your Enthusiasm
While this show has had its ups and downs, as is not always easy to hit the target with comedies such as these, which feature a heavy dose of improvisation, this time he hits it on the head for sure.
From the early gags, like when it's no longer appropriate to say Happy New Year, to being the victim of a sexual harassment accusation, to his starting a spite store, David will have you in stitches.
Jeff Garlin, Cheryl Hines, and Susie Essman feature prominently throughout, which is great, while J.B. Smoove is only sprinkled here and there, which is even better, since I'm not a big fan of that character.
If you've ever watched, and like, this show, season 10 should really not be missed.
Grade - Season 10: 8.5
Monday, March 15, 2021
The 93rd Academy Awards - The Nominees
- Only two White males for Best Actor; neither American
- Two Black females for Best Actress
- Three Black males for Best Supporting Actor
Best Motion Picture of the Year
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Best Achievement in Directing
Best Original Screenplay
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Animated Feature Film
Best International Feature Film
Best Documentary Feature
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score)
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song)
Best Achievement in Cinematography
Best Achievement in Film Editing
Best Achievement in Production Design
Best Achievement in Costume Design
Best Sound
Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling
Best Achievement in Visual Effects
Best Documentary Short Subject
Best Animated Short Film
Best Live Action Short Film
The 63rd Grammy Awards - The Winners
Nice performances overall, even though the best moment was the In Memoriam segment, which featured several outstanding tributes.
Here are the winners in the main categories. For the full list, head on over here:
Album of the Year
Record of the Year
Song of the Year
Best New Artist
Best Pop Vocal Album
Best Rock Album
Best Alternative Music Album
Best Progressive R&B Album
Best Rap Album
Best Country Album
Best Latin Pop or Urban Album
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
True Detective
The suspects are multiple, but the clues few and even quite strange. Eventually the crime is pinned on someone, but is that really the end of it?
True Detective burst onto the scene years ago with an explosive season 1, only to noticeably drop qualitatively in season 2.
This third chapter took several years to put together (perhaps because of the backlash against the second), and gets a lot of things right, especially thanks to the always fantastic work by Mahershala Ali, but I wasn't overly-impressed.
Mostly, I found the screenplay to have a couple glaring holes that, in this type of show, really do stand out and leave the audience absent explanation.
Also, I felt like too much time was devoted to the love story and marriage of Hays and his wife. Character development is always great, but at times it felt like their story, while intertwined with the kids' disappearance, overtook the main narrative.
Still, it's definitely an enjoyable show.
Grade - Season 3: 6
Tuesday, March 09, 2021
Star Trek: Picard
Monday, March 08, 2021
Westworld
She's not alone, of course, having successfully smuggled out a few pearls during her daring escape. But who do they represent?
Dolores's main targets are Rehoboam, a powerful AI that seemingly controls everyone's lives, and its elusive creator.
Meanwhile, Bernard tries to make sense of everything that has happened to date, but it's not an easy task.
Maeve, Charlotte, and William are but a few of the returning familiar faces, while a new character, Caleb, strikes up an unusual alliance with Dolores, unsure whether she cares more about justice or revenge.
Before the end of the season, many questions are answered and a few more presented, as per usual with this uber-cerebral show that gets better and better with time.
Grade - Season 3: 9
Tuesday, March 02, 2021
HFPA's Diversity Controversy
Due to this past weekend's Golden Globes ceremony in Los Angeles, the HFPA was in the news quite a bit recently, especially after it was reported that not a single member of the association is Black.
I'm usually on board with calls to increase diversity in any type of organization or company, but this time I disagree.
Let me explain. According to Wikipedia (emphasis mine):
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) is a non-profit organization of journalists and photographers who report on the entertainment industry activity and interests in the United States for media (newspaper, magazine and book publication, television and radio broadcasting) predominantly outside the U.S. The HFPA consists of about 90 members from approximately 55 countries with a combined following of more than 250 million. It conducts the annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony in Los Angeles every January, which honors notable examples of film and television and achievements in entertainment businesses.
To retain "Active" status, each member must be currently accredited by the Motion Picture Association of America and must submit clippings of their work every year to renew their active status or be reassigned to a non-voting affiliate status.
Requirements for active membership include primary residence in Southern California, attendance in at least four monthly general membership meetings and a minimum of four published articles or photographs per year outside the US.
From this bit of information it is clear that:
- the HFPA doesn't represent every country in the world, in fact, just over a quarter of them;
- its membership is potentially volatile, unlike membership in the Academy Awards. For example, if a publication finds itself in economic distress, it can decide to recall its assigned journalist and perhaps rejoin the organization at a later date.
I would then venture to argue that those 55 countries are mostly within Europe (with its traditionally large majority White populations) or are similarly advanced economically. By this, I mean that very likely no African nation sends representatives to the US to be part of the HFPA.
Is it then realistic or even fair to expect (or demand!) that other countries select their journalists based on their race? And then to expect that some of them (which ones?) ensure that they're Black?
I would imagine a country like Finland, or Germany, to have an overall fairly White population, which would also mean that their journalists are very likely going to be White as well. If a Swedish or Spanish or Greek newspaper wants to send a journalist to the HFPA, and has no Black journalists on staff, what could they do?
My more general point is that the United States is considered a melting pot for the many different nationalities of origin of its people, but the rest of the world is hardly like it in this regard.
Let's posit a hypothetical: 20 central African countries decide to join the HFPA and send a representative. Those 20 new members would almost assuredly be Black, because their countries' populations are likely almost all Black, so those who become journalists would be Black as well. Would anyone complain that the African delegation isn't representative of other ethnicities because all their representatives are Black? Of course not!
In conclusion, the HFPA's membership shouldn't really reflect the world, because participation isn't mandatory and it's not made up of people from every country; that's what the UN is for. If there were only White males, I would share in calling them out for not allowing women, but that's not the case (in fact, two of the three representatives who went onstage to try and quell the criticism last Sunday were women, and one was from India -- and wasn't a blonde, tall, Barbie-look-alike; and the man, from Turkey, wasn't actually pale white either).
I think a lot of work needs to be done to achieve equality or parity, but targeting the HFPA is a misplaced effort and fails to consider their extenuating circumstances.
Monday, March 01, 2021
The 78th Annual Golden Globes - The Winners
The Oscars are going host-less again this year, which is unfortunate. A host sets the tone of the show and helps moving things along, both excellent reasons to have one, I think.
Given that the ceremony had to be as virtual as possible, no stars were in attendance, so the few people in the audience were actually first responders, which was a laudable act and a great idea on the part of the HFPA. Also, watching the stars in their own homes allowed us a more personal peak than what we usually get, which was also interesting.
Having said that, I do think that Jason Sudeikis should have had the good sense of wearing something more appropriate. Sure, you're logging in from the comfort of your home, and no, we don't really expect you to wear a tuxedo, but perhaps a decent sweater? That sweatshirt was a step too far, in my opinion, and frankly made him look like one of those lazy teenagers that can't even bother to get out of bed and their pajamas when logging into a virtual classroom. It's just sloppy.
I enjoyed the comedy skits about the Globes' bad speeches and the Hollywood tourists, but it became apparent that the show's director had lost track of time. After the first hour or so, which saw several speeches drag on, almost everyone started getting played off-screen by the dreaded background music, including winners of the most prestigious awards!
At least they had the good sense not to do it to Chadwick Boseman's widow, whose acceptance speech was incredibly touching and moving.
Norman Lear and Jane Fonda both got great presentations for their special awards, showcasing their incredible careers and lives. Their speeches were very good as well.
I was glad to see a woman win Best Director (and her film win Best Picture), and also loved seeing Jodie Foster accept her award with her wife sitting next her, with whom she shared a sweet kiss. Representation matters, and seeing these things matters, because they help normalize them.
Best Motion Picture - Drama
Mank
Nomadland
Promising Young Woman
The Father
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
Hamilton
Music
Palm Springs
The Prom
Best Motion Picture - Animated
Onward
Over the Moon
Soul
The Croods: A New Age
WolfWalkers
Best Motion Picture - Foreign Language
Deux
Druk
La llorona
La vita davanti a sé
Minari
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
Anthony Hopkins, The Father
Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Gary Oldman, Mank
Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal
Tahar Rahim, The Mauritanian
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
Andra Day, The United States vs. Billie Holiday
Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman
Frances McDormand, Nomadland
Vanessa Kirby, Pieces of a Woman
Viola Davis, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Andy Samberg, Palm Springs
Dev Patel, The Personal History of David Copperfield
James Corden,The Prom
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton
Sacha Baron Cohen, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Anya Taylor-Joy, Emma.
Kate Hudson, Music
Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
Michelle Pfeiffer, French Exit
Rosamund Pike, I Care a Lot
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Bill Murray, On the Rocks
Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah
Jared Leto, The Little Things
Leslie Odom Jr., One Night in Miami
Sacha Baron Cohen, The Trial of the Chicago 7
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Amanda Seyfried, Mank
Glenn Close, Hillbilly Elegy
Helena Zengel, News of the World
Jodie Foster, The Mauritanian
Olivia Colman, The Father
Best Director - Motion Picture
Aaron Sorkin, The Trial of the Chicago 7
Chloé Zhao, Nomadland
David Fincher, Mank
Emerald Fennell, Promising Young Woman
Regina King, One Night in Miami
Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
Jack Fincher, Mank
Chloé Zhao, Nomadland
Emerald Fennell, Promising Young Woman
Florian Zeller, Christopher Hampton, The Father
Aaron Sorkin, The Trial of the Chicago 7
Best Original Song - Motion Picture
Judas and the Black Messiah, Fight for You
La vita davanti a sé, Io Sì (Seen)
One Night in Miami, Speak Now
The Trial of the Chicago 7, Hear My Voice
The United States vs. Billie Holiday, Tigress & Tweed
Best Original Score - Motion Picture
Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Mank
James Newton Howard, News of the World
Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Jon Batiste, Soul
Ludwig Göransson, Tenet
Alexandre Desplat, The Midnight Sky
Best Television Series - Drama
Lovecraft Country
Ozark
Ratched
The Crown
The Mandalorian
Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy
Emily in Paris
Schitt's Creek
Ted Lasso
The Flight Attendant
The Great
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama
Al Pacino, Hunters
Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
Jason Bateman, Ozark
Josh O'Connor, The Crown
Matthew Rhys, Perry Mason
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama
Emma Corrin, The Crown
Jodie Comer, Killing Eve
Laura Linney, Ozark
Olivia Colman, The Crown
Sarah Paulson, Ratched
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy
Don Cheadle, Black Monday
Eugene Levy, Schitt's Creek
Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso
Nicholas Hoult, The Great
Ramy Youssef, Ramy
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy
Catherine O'Hara, Schitt's Creek
Elle Fanning, The Great
Jane Levy, Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist
Kaley Cuoco, The Flight Attendant
Lily Collins, Emily in Paris
Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television
Bryan Cranston, Your Honor
Ethan Hawke, The Good Lord Bird
Hugh Grant, The Undoing
Jeff Daniels, The Comey Rule
Mark Ruffalo, I Know This Much Is True
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Supporting Role
Brendan Gleeson, The Comey Rule
Dan Levy, Schitt's Creek
Donald Sutherland, The Undoing
Jim Parsons, Hollywood
John Boyega, Small Axe
Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television
Anya Taylor-Joy, The Queen's Gambit
Cate Blanchett, Mrs. America
Daisy Edgar-Jones, Normal People
Nicole Kidman, The Undoing
Shira Haas, Unorthodox
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Supporting Role
Annie Murphy, Schitt's Creek
Cynthia Nixon, Ratched
Gillian Anderson, The Crown
Helena Bonham Carter, The Crown
Julia Garner, Ozark
Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Normal People
Small Axe
The Queen's Gambit
The Undoing
Unorthodox
Cecil B. DeMille Award
Jane Fonda
Carol Burnett Award
Norman Lear