23 Comments

Disappointed not to see Emma Thompson at least nominated for arguably the bravest performance of the year in Good Luck, Leo Grande.

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Also Ty I noticed you didn’t say anything about Top Gun Maverick. I am still curious of your thoughts on Maverick as a movie. Your review seemed to focus on it as reflection of American values more then a movie. Or is their no distinction for you?

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Jan 24, 2023Liked by Ty Burr

Does Christopher McQuarrie actually write scripts these days or does he merely keep a diary of Tom Cruise's insane stunts and then format it in Final Draft?

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Jan 24, 2023Liked by Ty Burr

I'm so curious as to the lack of a single nomination for "Nope". I reached out to my son, who's my personal expert on all things pop culture, and he suggested that it's likely due to a lack of a marketing campaign. If so, it's dismaying that this can be what does and doesn't determine nominations.

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I was pretty ambivalent about “The Banshees of Inisherin” when I saw it, but it keeps resurfacing in my mind as a darn good film. Excited to see "everything, everwhere, etc." as everyone RAVED about it.

Good awards season ahead, I think :)

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Jan 24, 2023Liked by Ty Burr

Random thoughts:

My favorite movie of the year hands down was Everything Everywhere All At Once and think Michelle Yeoh has a lock AND it was a fantastic performance. I do think Cate Blanchett also turned in a stellar one. I was surprised about Viola Davis. I love Michelle Williams but Spielberg did her no favors in that movie.

I am also disappointed at 0 for Nope. I didn’t realize it hadn’t even made the shortlist for some craft awards. What’s up with that? If it was for lack of marketing, hmm that kinda tracks with the film so maybe that’s the ultimate in sticking with the theme?

I was also surprised that Top Gun: Maverick did not get a cinematography nom when he was favored to win.

Terence Blanchard The Woman King > John Williams The Fabelmans

I read that the directors are 75% men and I’m guessing mostly white so no Sarah, Gina, Jordan, Charlotte...

As for Best Picture, the fact that my favorite got lots of love and there’s a tiny bit of overlap with my other favorite movies this year is a win. I haven’t seen either Triangle of Sadness or All Quiet (by choice) but maybe I will. Or maybe not... I hear Aftersun is good ;-)

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Jan 24, 2023Liked by Ty Burr

I'm underwhelmed by most of the films I've seen this year, though I did finally get to see "Aftersun," which is quietly moving and beautiful--and features Mescal's heartbreaking performance, as you note. So I don't really care who wins, aside from rooting for the underdogs.

I have much stronger favorites on the TV side--so much great work on series like "The Bear" and "Severance" and "Slow Horses." These streaming shows are just full of life and imagination (EEAAO is too, though it felt like a mess at times), from the performances to the writing to every aspect of the production crews.

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I have only seen three of the Best Picture films, a low number for me. When we went to see EO they were showing previews for Women Talking so I hope we will see that soon. I am another one who can't believe Nope wasn't nominated. And NO women directors? I'm glad that Nalvany was nominated for Documentary Feature. The scene where they trick the would-be assassin into the phone confession was pure gold and Nalvany, the man is unbelievably brave.

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Was your Twitter hacked? Your last tweet (on the 20th) does not sound like you at all. At least I would hope it doesn't given a certain word white people shouldn't be saying...

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I was disappointed that 1,000 Years of Longing didn't get any discussion or recognition, and that Emma Thompson didn't get nominated for the lovely Good Luck to You, Leo Grande. It was a compelling lens into the worldview of older women.

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In my opinion nothing here can sit on the same couch as Severance or even the White Lotus. Except for maybe Elvis, this list is yawn inducing. I used to care - but things have changed. Its becoming more and more apparent - reading this list - to this old movie goer that the real creativity and art is to be found in the streamers.

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A good friend insisted I join him to watch the most amazing movie he'd ever seen. Usually I agree with him, but not this time. Was "Everything Everywhere All at Once" intended to tap into the Spider Verse audience? Whatever point it was trying to make was made in the first hour. After that "Everything Everywhere" becomes a long repetitive snore. Sausage fingers? Really?

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I agree with other posters on Emma Thompson, on Decision to Leave and Danielle Deadwyler from Till. I haven’t seen The Woman King so I can’t comment on the performance. Decision to Leave surprised me, when you think it’s over, it’s not. Loved the mood and characters. I can’t believe Deadwyler wasn’t nominated. But there are always actors I say that about every year. 🤷‍♀️

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Catching up on these. Argentina, 1985 was definitely worth a watch. Did you see it? It’s on Amazon Prime.

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Late to the party. I came out of The Woman King convinced Viola should get a nom (I preferred this performance to Fence, TBH). But I thought the performance that deserved all the love was Lashana Lynch. Loved it. Oh, well. As of tonight, Viola is an EGOT anyhow!!

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