Connect with us

The Oscars Make a Statement While Still Staying Safe

Published

on

Somehow last night’s Oscars showed that the Academy certainly did care about political movies but not so much they would give them its highest honor.

If you were watching last night you will most likely agree that almost all the films and actors that should have won took home a statue. That was kind of nice. But then Green Book won Best Picture and you could see Hollywood still playing by its old rules.

Before we talk about that though let’s talk about what worked last night. There may have been a bit of a delay but The Academy seems to have finally gotten the #OscarsSoWhite memo as more awards went to people of color than any other year before. And the awards were well deserved. It opened the door for Ruth E. Carter to win for her costume design in Black Panther, a major studio film that focused on Afro Futurism. The film won for production design as well.

In a major upset Into the Spider-Verse took home best animated feature, the first in ages to not belong to Dreamworks or Pixar. This is even more important because not only is the film one of the most creative animated films to come out in years but it revolves around an Afro-Latino superhero. While that detail may seem small it is very important on a cultural level. Bohemian Rhapsody cleaned up as well in a move that really honored everything Freddie Mercury stood for, even if the movie itself had flaws. The whole night seemed to be an apology for years of #OscarsSoWhite.

Then Green Book won Best Picture. The film itself isn’t bad and it has some fantastic actors involved. Anything Viggo Mortensen or Mahershala Ali do is going to be a masterclass in acting. That doesn’t change the fact that the story plays out like a reverse Driving Miss Daisy. A film which, as it turns out, beat out the far superior Do The Right Thing. The same thing seemed to happen last night as Green Book beat out Lee’s exceptional Blackkklansman, a truly timely and hard-hitting film. Even if the Academy ignored Lee’s movie Vice was nominated as well and could have made a statement. It’s as if Hollywood was prepping itself to make a grand statement and backed out at the last minute.

Maybe next year the Academy will be ready to give its highest honor to a more deserving film but for now it seems happy making comfortable decisions that don’t disrupt the status quo.

 

Best Supporting Actress

Emma Stone (The Favourite)

Rachel Weisz (The Favourite)

Amy Adams (Vice)

Regina King (If Beale Street Could Talk)

Marina De Tavira (Roma)

 

Best Makeup and Hair

Border

Mary Queen of Scots

Vice

 

Best Documentary

Free Solo

Minding the Gap

RBG

Hale County This Morning, This Evening

Of Fathers and Sons

 

Best Costume Design

Black Panther (Ruth E Carter) – WINNER!

The Favourite (Sandy Powell)

Mary Poppins Returns (Sandy Powell)

Mary Queen of Scots (Alexandra Byrne)

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (Mary Zophres)

Best Film Editing

 

Bohemian Rhapsody (John Ottman)

Vice (Hank Corwin)

BlacKkKlansman (Barry Alexander Brown)

The Favourite (Yorgos Mavropsaridis)

Green Book (Patrick J Don Vito)

 

Best Production Design

The Favourite (Fiona Crombie and Alice Felton)

First Man (Nathan Crowley and Kathy Lucas)

Roma (Eugenio Caballero and Barbara Enriquez)

Mary Poppins Returns (John Myhre and Gordon Sim)

Black Panther (Hannah Beachler and Jay Hart) – WINNER!

 

Best Cinematography

Roma (Alfonso Cuaron)

Cold War (Łukasz Żal)

Never Look Away (Caleb Deschanel)

The Favourite (Robbie Ryan)

A Star Is Born (Matty Libatique)

 

Best Sound Editing

First Man

A Quiet Place

Bohemian Rhapsody

Black Panther

Roma

 

Best Sound Mixing

A Star Is Born

Bohemian Rhapsody

First Man

Roma

Black Panther

 

Best Foreign Language Film

Roma (Mexico) – WINNER!

Cold War (Poland)

Shoplifters (Japan)

Capernaum (Lebanon)

Never Look Away (Germany)

 

Best Supporting Actor

Mahershala Ali (Green Book)

Richard E Grant (Can You Ever Forgive Me?)

Sam Elliott (A Star Is Born)

Adam Driver (BlacKkKlansman)

Sam Rockwell (Vice)

 

Best Animated Feature

Incredibles 2

Ralph Breaks the Internet

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Isle of Dogs

Mirai

 

Best Live Action Short

Detainment

Fauve

Marguerite

Mother

Skin

 

Best Animated Short

Animal Behaviour

Bao – WINNER!

Late Afternoon

One Small Step

Weekends

 

Best Documentary Short

Black Sheep

End Game

Lifeboat

A Night at the Garden

Period. End of Sentence.

 

Best Visual Effects

First Man

Avengers: Infinity War

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Ready Player One

Christopher Robin

 

Best Original Screenplay

Green Book (Brian Hayes Currie, Peter Farrelly and Nick Vallelonga)

The Favourite (Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara)

Roma (Alfonso Cuarón)

Vice (Adam McKay)

First Reformed (Paul Schrader)

 

Best adapted screenplay

If Beale Street Could Talk (Barry Jenkins)

A Star Is Born (Bradley Cooper, Will Fetters and Eric Roth)

Can You Ever Forgive Me? (Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty)

BlacKkKlansman (Spike Lee, David Rabinowitz, Charlie Wachtel and Kevin Willmott)

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (Joel Coen and Ethan Coen)

 

Best Original Score

If Beale Street Could Talk (Nicholas Britell)

Mary Poppins Returns (Marc Shaiman)

Isle of Dogs (Alexandre Desplat)

BlacKkKlansman (Terence Blanchard)

Black Panther (Ludwig Goransson)

 

Best Original Song

Shallow (A Star Is Born)

All the Stars (Black Panther)

I’ll Fight (RBG)

The Place Where Lost Things Go (Mary Poppins Returns)

When a Cowboy Trades his Spurs for Wings (The Ballad of Buster Scruggs)

 

Best Actor

Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody) – WINNER!

Christian Bale (Vice)

Viggo Mortensen (Green Book)

Bradley Cooper (A Star Is Born)

Willem Dafoe (At Eternity’s Gate)

 

Best Actress

Glenn Close (The Wife)

Lady Gaga (A Star Is Born)

Olivia Colman (The Favourite)

Melissa McCarthy (Can You Ever Forgive Me?)

Yalitza Aparicio (Roma)

 

Best Director

Alfonso Cuarón (Roma)

Adam McKay (Vice)

Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite)

Spike Lee (BlacKkKlansman)

Pawel Pawlikowski (Cold War)

 

Best Picture

Black Panther

BlacKkKlansman

Bohemian Rhapsody

The Favourite

Green Book

Roma

A Star is Born

Vice

Continue Reading

Events

San Diego Asian film festival opening night film Cells at Work

Published

on

Genre: Action, Comedy, Family Drama, Sci-Fi

Director: Hideki Takeuchi

Starring: Mei Nagano, Takeru Satoh

Rating: Rating: 4/5

Hideki Takeuchi’s live-action adaptation of Cells at Work! isn’t just a film—it’s a joyful, genre-blending celebration of life, health, and humanity, all set within the microscopic universe of a teenage girl. In the Urushizaki household, high schooler Niko dutifully cares for her widowed father, balancing her own life with his well-being. But beneath her healthy routines, her immune system is waging an epic war against a torrent of invading pathogens. With Red and White Blood Cells working overtime, Niko’s survival—and her shot at teenage romance—rests on their shoulders.

In this inventive blend of biology and storytelling, Cells at Work! spins a wildly entertaining narrative that combines elements of action, family drama, and rom-com. The film’s core is Niko’s story, a heartfelt journey of caregiving, self-discovery, and young love, framed by an intense battle happening within her body. The inner world is vivid and action-packed, reminiscent of Inside Out with a Japanese twist, where every cell plays a role, and every pathogen is a villain in Niko’s quest to stay healthy for her dad and her date.

Mei Nagano, as a sprightly Red Blood Cell, exudes boundless energy and enthusiasm, perfectly capturing the eager determination of a novice at work. Takeru Satoh, known for his role in Rurouni Kenshin, takes on the role of a stoic White Blood Cell, providing a protective and understated foil to Nagano’s character. Together, they form an unexpectedly endearing duo, navigating the perils inside Niko with both humor and heart. Their chemistry is infectious, adding warmth and fun to the film’s high-stakes battles.

Director Hideki Takeuchi is known for bringing imaginative worlds to life, and he does just that with Cells at Work! By merging the high-concept world of anime with live-action, Takeuchi crafts a visually vibrant spectacle where the bloodstream becomes a battlefield. Each cell’s costume is designed with intricate detail, adding a touch of lavish cosplay that brings humor and authenticity to the film’s zany setting. Action scenes are thrilling and gravity-defying, making the body’s defense mechanisms feel like epic duels, while the humor—sometimes raunchy, often slapstick—keeps the tone refreshingly lighthearted.

Beyond the scientific antics, Cells at Work! is a tribute to the human body and the beauty of human connections. With scenes that celebrate caring for loved ones, cherishing youth, and the joys of teamwork, the film transcends its biological focus to speak to something universal. It’s impossible not to be moved by Niko’s relationship with her father, and by the dedication of her body’s “micro-heroes” who fight tirelessly to keep her healthy.

Cells at Work! is an absolute joy—a film that combines educational elements with heart, humor, and high-energy action. Hideki Takeuchi’s skill at blending genres is on full display, making it an unforgettable, entertaining ride that will leave audiences laughing, cheering, and maybe even wiping away a tear.

A vibrant, genre-bending journey through the human body, Cells at Work! is a spectacle for the senses and the soul. This lively adaptation is one that audiences of all ages can enjoy, learning a bit of biology along the way.

Continue Reading

Streaming

The Perfect Couple on Netflix – A Twisty and Engrossing Thriller

Published

on

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Netflix’s The Perfect Couple offers an intriguing blend of suspense, romance, and family drama, wrapped in a murder mystery that leaves viewers guessing until the very end. Based on the best-selling novel by Elin Hilderbrand, the limited series dives deep into the complexities of relationships, secrets, and privilege in a story that pulls you in from the very first scene.

The show centers around the seemingly perfect union of Celeste and Jake, a couple whose idyllic Hamptons wedding turns nightmarish when a dead body is discovered. As tensions rise, secrets start to unravel, revealing that beneath the glamour and charm, dark truths and betrayals run deep.

Nicole Kidman delivers a magnetic performance as the matriarch, Annabelle, effortlessly conveying both vulnerability and authority. Her scenes are riveting, and she adds an underlying intensity to the family dynamics. Liev Schreiber as the groom’s father, Tag, gives a grounded and nuanced performance that complements Kidman’s. The young couple, played by Dakota Fanning as Celeste and Billy Magnussen as Jake, share a complex chemistry that evolves with each revelation, keeping viewers both captivated and unsettled.

The plot’s pacing is handled well, with each episode unveiling new layers of the story, drawing audiences deeper into the lives of these flawed characters. The series masterfully combines flashbacks and present-day scenes to reveal motives and hidden relationships, creating a web of suspense and intrigue. While the murder-mystery element drives the narrative, the story’s emotional weight rests on the characters’ strained relationships and societal pressures. This balance between mystery and drama is both compelling and refreshing.

Shot against the stunning backdrop of the Hamptons, the cinematography elevates the series, capturing the dichotomy of beauty and darkness within the affluent world of the characters. The lavish settings, paired with a haunting soundtrack, create an unsettling yet luxurious atmosphere that enhances the story’s tone.

While the series is an absorbing watch, the storyline sometimes stretches plausibility with a few twists that feel overly dramatized. At times, the show leans into melodrama, but the strong performances and complex character arcs keep it grounded enough to stay engaging. Fans of psychological thrillers might find the plot a bit predictable, but the character-driven drama and twists offer enough surprises to keep the experience fresh.

The Perfect Couple is a gripping watch for fans of high-stakes family drama and suspenseful thrillers. With a stellar cast, a visually captivating setting, and a storyline that keeps you hooked, it’s a binge-worthy series that digs deep into the layers of human relationships and the secrets we keep. This series is perfect for a weekend watch, delivering just the right amount of intrigue and emotional depth to satisfy thriller enthusiasts.

Rating: 4/5

Continue Reading

Streaming

Dragon Ball Daima – A Fresh, Nostalgic Adventure for Dragon Ball Fans

Published

on

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Dragon Ball Daima has landed on Crunchyroll, and it’s a wild, unexpected, yet nostalgic ride that blends the classic energy of Dragon Ball with some bold new twists. This latest addition to the Dragon Ball universe doesn’t just revive the beloved characters and world – it reimagines them, serving up fan-favorite elements while introducing some surprises that make it feel fresh.

In Dragon Ball Daima, the story takes an exciting turn when a mysterious magic spell transforms Goku, Vegeta, and others into children. This reversion back to childlike forms brings a fun, youthful energy to the series that harks back to Dragon Ball GT. Yet, unlike GT, which was often divisive among fans, Daima leverages the “de-aging” twist to delve into new adventures with an old-school vibe. As the characters face familiar threats with newfound challenges in their younger bodies, the plot offers a balance of high-stakes action and a humorous, nostalgic tone that longtime fans will love.

Toei Animation outdid themselves with Dragon Ball Daima. The colors are vibrant, the action sequences are fluid, and the character designs blend the retro look of Dragon Ball Z with a modern twist. The reimagined character designs – especially seeing iconic fighters like Vegeta and Goku as kids again – add a fresh visual layer that makes the series feel lighthearted yet intense, capturing the unique spirit of Dragon Ball.

One of the best aspects of Daima is how it allows fans to reconnect with the characters in a fun new context. Goku’s mischievous personality shines in his younger form, and seeing Vegeta adjusting to being small again is a constant source of amusement. Their dynamic is still strong, yet with new challenges in the mix. The voice acting is top-notch, with Masako Nozawa (Goku) and Ryo Horikawa (Vegeta) bringing the characters to life in ways that feel familiar yet fresh.

Dragon Ball Daima doesn’t hold back on the action, delivering the classic fast-paced, energy-charged battles that fans love, albeit with some interesting limitations due to the characters’ transformed states. The action scenes are a perfect blend of old and new, with each battle sequence bringing out the strategic side of the characters as they work around their changed abilities. The pacing is also well-balanced, keeping the story engaging without feeling rushed or dragging on.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2012 - 2024 That's My Entertainment