Streaming Tops: Top Gun, The Sea Beast, RRR, House of Gucci, etc...

by Nathaniel R

The original Top Gun (1986) has been popular on streaming all summer

We heard your response that adding streaming charts to the weekend box office was too much / too confusing so we'll do them separately. It's interesting to know what people are watching even if the data is highly questionable with no checks and balances to accuracy; we mostly have to make due with what the streamers themselves release (and who knows what agendas they have when there's no way to verify their figures) or third party services that also have unknown metrics. But we digress.

Charts are for July 12th or thereabouts (hint: there's also no set system of when numbers are reported from service to service as there is with the world of theatrical releases...)

Click to read more ...

One For Them, One For Me - Ridley Scott's 2021 - "The Last Duel" vs. "House of Gucci"

A series by Christopher James.

Do one for them; do one for you. If you can still do projects for yourself, you can keep your soul.

— Martin Scorsese: A Journey

yHow great would it have been if "The Last Duel" was between Margurite and Patrizia Reggiani?

Though Ridley Scott was not nominated for either of his movies in 2021, they still cast some shadows on Oscar night. House of Gucci star Lady Gaga rounded out the night presenting Best Picture alongside living legend Liza Minnelli, a nod to the 50th anniversary of Cabaret. His other film, The Last Duel, was the subject of a joke by host Regina Hall, saying: “Now, I’ve got the screener for a never-before-seen film, not even by the director. It’s called, The Last Duel.” 

A year ago, both movies were expected to factor heavily in the Oscar race...

Click to read more ...

Oscar Volley: Best Costume Design, Makeup & Hairstyling

Team Experience is discussing the various Oscar categories. Here's Cláudio Alves, Gabriel Mayora, and Nathaniel Rogers to discuss the Best Costume Design and Best Makeup & Hairstyling races.

NATHANIEL ROGERS: Hello Cláudio and Gabriel. Ready to get dressed up? Picture me speaking to you in Stanton Carlisle tux and blindfold from Nightmare Alley and tell me what you're wearing. So many outfits from the five Oscar-nominated films are fully visible to me even with my eyes closed they were so memorable. In short, I think this is a strong Oscar list, even if my own ballot only overlaps by two pictures.  The Costume Design Guild Awards were held last week and Cruella, Dune, and Coming 2 America emerged as the winners for Period, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, and Contemporary respectively. Since Oscar rarely honors contemporary work only the prior two are nominated at the big show on March 27th. They're up against Cyrano, Nightmare Alley, and West Side Story. Though I am constitutionally opposed to the all too common internet and pundit trend of handing out Oscars before all the films have been screened in any given year, I will admit that this was a rare case when I did. At least inside my own head. As soon as Cruella reached its garbage-dress reveal, my jaw-dropped and I thought 'game over. Engrave the Oscar' while sitting in the theater. Way back in May...

Click to read more ...

Almost There: Lady Gaga in "House of Gucci"

by Cláudio Alves

Last time, in the Almost There series, I asked you to vote on what performance should be explored next. Mike Faist in West Side Story was the resounding victor. However, since Spielberg's musical is still not available to stream or rent, we'll first look at the runner-up choice from that poll. She's none other than Lady Gaga in House of Gucci. After scoring nominations with all major precursors, she seemed set for her second acting Oscar nod. However, as luck would have it, her outrageous awards campaign ended in a snub from the Academy. She might still win some trophies before the season is over, but that coveted little golden man is out of reach.

While it's easy to lose oneself in the glamour of the role and those ridiculous interviews, there's plenty to admire in Gaga's star turn as Patrizia Reggiani, ex-wife to Maurizio Gucci, who she had killed after an acrimonious separation…

Click to read more ...

Almost There: Class of 2021

by Cláudio Alves

Another year, another class of actors who got close to Oscar glory but failed to make the cut. Like last year, here are capsules of 15 unnominated but buzzy performances. At the end of the article, you'll get to vote for who you think should get the full "Almost There" treatment. Since I already wrote extensively about Ruth Negga in Passing and Simon Rex in Red Rocket, those two won't be here, though my heart mourns for their dashed Oscar dreams. 

First up, let's start with the season's wildest race...

Click to read more ...