Review: Men in Black International

by Tony Ruggio

Jettisoning all subtext of the original and heart of the third and formerly final movie, Men in Black International is definitely a step-down from the highs of this intermittent, long-running franchise. Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson don’t enjoy nearly the same chemistry that sparked in Thor Ragnarok, their personalities clashing in a way that can best be described as awkward, and not the good kind with bumbling and sexual tension in tow. It’s all so rushed and Thompson’s arc leaves something to be desired.

And yet, I couldn’t help smiling through half of it...

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Live Announcement: Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards

Related Articles: 
• 12 things we learned from the noms
• Adams vs Weisz, Round Two
• Best Picture Silliness
• Deep Cut Oscar Trivia
• Mourning the Snubs
• How to Stage the Original Song Performances
• Nomination Index (individual charts still being updated)

 I used to call this day my Christmas but I worry about coal in the stocking. Did we receive Oscar nomination gifts this year or lumps of coal? A little of both of course. Tracee Ellis Ross and Kumail Nanjiani were the chipper announcers this morning, making frequent jokes about how little sleep they'd gotten before the announcements.

The full list of nominations and how well we did on our predictions follow...

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Blueprints: "The Big Sick"

This week Jorge dives into one of the WGA Nominees and looks at how this screenplay gives its supporting characters a chance to shine.

 

At its heart, The Big Sick is the story of Kumail and Emily falling in love, falling out of love, and finding each other again. But it's more than a romantic comedy. It’s also a story about the people around Kumail, once Emily falls into a coma and the main relationship is no longer functional. It’s a movie where the supporting cast do more than merely support the lead’s love story; they actually get the chance to be developed into fully fleshed-out characters.

Let’s take a look at one of the most memorable moments in the movie, where a supporting character (Holly Hunter’s brilliantly defined Beth) takes a step into the spotlight, and grabs it...

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All the Big Sick in the World Whilst Crying Over Globe Snubs

by Nathaniel R (and friends)

Tomorrow we'll have some group commentary fun with the Globe nominations but tonight let's cry ourselves to sleep about the things we won't see celebrated on Globe night. There's still time to say a prayer to your Higher Movie Powers that they won't be as seriously stiffed with SAG or Oscar. So today I asked friends of The Film Experience and team members to tell us about the exclusion that most upset them. Since no one said Jake Gyllenhaal in Stronger (my choice) I'm giving him the lead photo treatment here because he is amazing in that movie -- so vulnerable and lived-in and present and messy. He's one of our best working actors, despite his completely inexcusable lack of awards show love over the years.

In addition to collective snub tears, I've also corralled theories as to what happened with All the Money in the World and what DIDN'T happen with The Big Sick after the jump. Do join the conversation, won't you...

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150 Words on The Beguiled, The Big Sick, and Planet of the Apes

Three movies I didn't review when they were brand spanking new but opinions don't have expiration dates so why not share 'em, anyway? 150 words on each because you're busy and I'm busy, too. 

War for the Planet of the Apes
The freshest character in War for... is named  “Bad Ape.”  But really, who’s good? The final installment of the Apes reboot is, in essence, a war picture which means everyone is compromised. Yes, even noble Caesar (Andy Serkis) is tempted to do the wrong thing repeatedly. Bad Ape (Steve Zahn) gives the movie its only moments of levity but even those are pitiable, like the abused creature himself. The new film isn’t “fun” at all but proves a fitting capper to a surprisingly meaty trilogy. It’s a danger to interpret all current cinema in light of the apocalyptic choices of the US electorate of late but boy is this thing a compelling downer; you can argue that the final film is all about racism, evil lying fascists (Woody Harrelson), and the willful self-destructiveness of the human race. Let’s hope the series (if not our planet) wraps up right here. B

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