Oscar Conversations On Variety’s “Playback” (PODCAST)

Variety's Playback podcast - hosted by Kristopher Tapley - is another great resource for in-depth conversations with Awards Season contenders, as well as insightful Oscar prognostication. Dating all the way back to September 2016, interviewees include nominees such as Mel Gibson, Barry Jenkins, Casey Affleck, Damien Chazelle, Viola Davis, Kenneth Lonergan, Ava DuVernay, Jeff Bridges, and many many more. These are serious conversations about the actual craft, process, [...]

My Predictions for THE 89th ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS (AWARDS 2016)

Below are my predictions for the 2016 Academy Awards, in all 24 categories. The list has some commentary in the major categories, and then simple “Will Win” predictions for the undercard choices along with “Should Win” opinions. According to how I see it, the night’s big winner will be La La Land with 9 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. No other film will come close. [...]

2016 OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS: DOCUMENTARY (Movie Review)

Released: February 24, 2017 Runtime: Program A - 76 minutes
; Program B – 85 minutes Program: Oscar Nominated Documentary Shorts for 2016 (Some material may not be not suitable for younger viewers) I’ve been watching the Short Film Oscar nominees for several years now – every one – in the Animated, Live Action, and Documentary categories. This year, one [...]

Awards Chatter Podcast: 22 Episodes With 22 Oscar Nominees (AWARDS 2016/LINKS)

The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcast - hosted by Scott Feinberg - has another full season of Awards Season interviews under its belt: 22 in total for the 2016 race. Nominees interviewed include Denzel Washington, Emma Stone, Barry Jenkins, Casey Affleck, Damien Chazelle, Andrew Garfield, and many many more. These are serious conversations about the actual craft, process, and art of filmmaking, not the gossip fluff. It's [...]

2016 OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS: LIVE ACTION (Movie Review)

Released: February 17, 2017 Runtime: 134 minutes Program: Oscar Nominated Live Action Shorts for 2016 (Some material is not suitable for viewers under 17) During every Oscars ceremony, there’s a stretch of categories with nominees that virtually no one has heard of, let alone seen: the shorts. Divided into three competitive groups – Animated, Live Action, and Documentary – the [...]

2016 OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS: ANIMATED (Movie Review)

Released: February 10, 2017 Runtime: 87 minutes
 for entire shorts program Program: Oscar Nominated Animated Shorts for 2016 (Some material in the final short film is not suitable for children under 17. A warning during the presentation will appear before it is shown.)
 During every Oscar ceremony, there’s a stretch of categories with lists of films that virtually no one [...]