12 Things We Learned From the Oscar Nominations

Happy Christmas Oscar Nomination Day! Herewith quick observations on the 91st Academy Award nominations.

10 THINGS WE LEARNED (OR RELEARNED) FROM THE OSCAR NOMINATIONS

Cuarón with the first of his many wins this year1. All the times that Alfonso Cuarón made his (plentiful) Best Director acceptance speeches about Marina & Yalitza as the "heart" of his film, really paid off. Voters were paying attention, even if only subconsciously and both actresses were nominated in volatile fifth spots in their categories.

2. It's tough to snag a "lone" Oscar nomination for your movie if you're a non-legendary actor. Timothée Chalamet and Glenn Close and Willem Dafoe were all working at that this year and the one that dropped out was Chalamet for Beautiful Boy. He'll be legendary one day but he just became really famous last year and the film had no other boosts to keep him in the conversation...

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Final Supporting Actor Predictions

by Nathaniel R

In a year of what appears to be abizarre cakewalk to an immediate second Oscar for leading man Mahershal Ali in Green Book, Best Supporting Actor is likely to be a bit dull this season. Nevertheless predict we must.

It's safe to say given the televised precursor wins and the strength of his film in the Best Picture race that Mahershala Ali is locked up for at least a nomination for his uneven leading performance despite this being a supporting category and despite his film being under constant attack. Adam Driver's film BlacKkKlansman has also been a consistent performer and Richard E Grant in Can You Ever Forgive Me? appears to be the only real threat to Mahershala Ali's Oscar at this point given widespread enthusiasm about his performance (that is IF his campaign can pick up any steam in the final stretch)...

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Globe Fashions Pt 2: Regal Queen, Colman's Bitches, and Daring Men

In part one of our fashion review, we marvelled at Julia Roberts pants, while wondering what mischief Melissa McCarthy was up to. We also loved the Wakanda women and Nicole Kidman (which probably goes without saying at this point). Shockingly Lady Gaga underwhelmed and Amy Adams seemed to have inside knowledge about her impending double loss. Here's part two!

Penélope & Patty

NATHANIEL:  Let's talk Patricia Clarkson

MURTADA:  So much drama! I loved the pink strands that showed as she moved. 

NATHANIEL: It was subtle but like a flash of mystery under the danger of the red. I was gaga for it... sorry Gaga...

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After the Coven Comes the Blood

by Jason Adams

While we're all sitting on our hands waiting for Timothee Chalamet to hit his mid-20s so they can get around to shooting the Call Me By Your Name sequel already (did you see my video of author Andre Aciman talking about it?) it looks like film director Luca Guadagnino is finding something else to do, with his hands that is -- Luca has finally (informally) announced what his next movie will be, now that his remake of Suspiria's out there knocking our brains and eyeballs for loops. 

It's called Blood on the Tracks and yes it's called that after the 1975 Bob Dylan record, which will serve as the "inspiration" for the film...

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Podcast: Beautiful Boy, Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Nathaniel R and Murtada Elfadl talk new films in theaters.

Index (52½ minutes)
00:01 NYC plays itself in Can You Ever Forgive Me?
02:30 Melissa McCarthy's best performance ever
16:10 Jonah Hill's Mid 90s
19:02 Denmark's Submission The Guilty
22:00 Hilary Swank and Robert Forster in What They Had?
29:00 Split opinions on Timothée Chalamet & Steve Carell in Beautiful Boy
40:30 Green Book Sneak Peak
47:15 Best Actress discussion and Glenn Close on stage in NYC currently
52:00 Wrap up

Referenced
• Murtada's Beautiful Boy Tweet
• Chris's Can You Ever Forgive Me? Review
• Denmark & Oscar
• Best Supporting Actor

You can listen to the podcast here at the bottom of the post or download from iTunes. Continue the conversations in the comments, won't you? 

Can You Ever Forgive Beautiful Boys?