Last week, we finally got the nominations for the 2022 Academy Awards, the biggest event in any film fans diary. In this piece, I will be looking through some of the people who may feel unlucky not to be getting glammed up on the 27th March. As a disclaimer, these snubs may not necessarily be films/people that I wanted to see in the lineup. Just ones that will feel aggrieved at not having a nomination.
Best Picture: This years Best Picture lineup is not one of the strongest lineups we’ve seen, especially when compared to some past years. There are a few films that will feel aggrieved to not be in the running…
The Tragedy of Macbeth
Joel Coen tackling one of the most famous plays from William Shakespeare with Academy favourites Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand as your two stars certainly feels like the perfect recipe for Oscars success. The Tragedy of Macbeth landed 3 Oscar nominations in total and will feel like it could have snuck into the Best Picture running.
The Lost Daughter
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut, The Lost Daughter, is an excellent debut and considering it picked up 3 Oscar nods for Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay, it will feel like it should have its place in the running for Best Picture.
In the Heights
The feel good film of 2021, In the Heights was a popular film amongst both audiences and critics which should have resulted in some love from the Academy. If I had my way, this would have been in the Best Picture running.
House of Gucci
The definition of ‘Oscar bait’. A biopic about a huge scandal in one of the most famous and luxurious fashion families in the world, with Ridley Scott at the helm and a cast that includes the great Al Pacino…its a shock that this wasn’t in the running.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Doctor Strange and Tom Holland stars as Spider-Man/Peter Parker in Columbia Pictures’ SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME.
This was always going to be a long shot, but with the mega box office, the campaigning by Marvel, the overall popularity of the picture and the Academy trying to become more ‘relevant’, it wouldn’t have been *that* big of a surprise if the film had snuck into the Best Picture running.
Best Director: Denis Villeneuve
Easily the biggest snub from this years Oscars lineup. It is absolutely crazy that the Academy doesn’t recognise the director of a film that picked up 10 nominations in total…
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Another Best Director snub is first timer Maggie Gyllenhaal. This would have been a long shot but it would have been fantastic to have seen Gyllenhaal make her way into this illustrious group.
Guillermo Del Toro
Another one of the Academy’s favourites, Guillermo Del Toro feels like a big snub in this race, especially given the quality of the film on offer with Nightmare Alley.
Best Actress: Alana Haim
The breakout star of 2021, Alana Haim was perfect in Licorice Pizza and was fully deserving of a Best Actress nod.
Emilia Jones
Another breakout star of 2021, Emilia Jones should have been in the conversation a lot more this awards season for her leading role in the wonderful and heart wrenching CODA.
Jodie Comer
The Last Duel is probably the biggest suffering film in terms of awards snubs. This should have been in the conversation for all of the major awards but the leading snub from the film is hands down Jodie Comer. She is breathtaking in the picture.
Lady Gaga
Probably the biggest surprise of the Oscars nominations was Lady Gaga’s snub from the Best Actress race. The majority of people were expecting Gaga to be a potential winner in this topsy turvy category so to see her snubbed came as a huge surprise. I have to say though, if Gaga missing out means Kristen Stewart gets in, I’m happy…
Best Actor: Leonardo Di Caprio
Say what you want about Don’t Look Up as a film (a lot of people have said a lot of stuff). One thing that can’t be denied though is the quality of some of the performances, namely Leonardo Di Caprio. One of the Academy’s favourite actors, it is a surprise not to see them give him another nomination.
Peter Dinklage
Peter Dinklage is one of the finest working actors out there, continually putting in great performances throughout the years. It would have been wonderful to see Dinklage finally land an Oscar nod for Cyrano.
Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper is well overdue an Oscar win, he should have won for A Star is Born back in 2019. In Nightmare Alley, he gives one of his best performances and one that has definitely been overlooked by the Academy voters.
Nicolas Cage
Another long shot, but Nicolas Cage gives his best performance in years in the excellent Pig. It would have been quite the turn from the Academy to recognise this kind of performance but I for one would have loved it.
Best Supporting Actress Caitriona Balfe
Say what you want about Belfast but the quality of the performances cannot be denied. In fact the best two performances have been snubbed by the Academy. Firstly, Caitriona Balfe puts in the best performance in the film and it is a travesty that the Academy has overlooked her (no criticism to Dame Judi who I love).
Cate Blanchett
Cate Blanchett is an actor who continually puts in fantastic performance after fantastic performance. In Nightmare Alley she delivers a cold and fatal performance that deserved recognition.
Marlee Matlin
Marlee Matlin is another who gives an excellent performance in CODA. It was amazing to see Troy Kotsur nominated but it would have been lovely to have seen his on screen partner pick up a nod too.
Ann Dowdand Martha Plimpton
Mass is a film filled with four devastating performances. Four performances that could have easily been nominated in the Oscars this year. Ann Dowd and Martha Plimpton are both excellent and both would have been worthy of a nod this year.
Best Supporting Actor: Jamie Dornan
Like Balfe, Jamie Dornan also puts in an excellent performance in Belfast, probably the best of his career. He gives a charismatic and likeable performance in a film the Academy voters seem to love.
Mike Faist
Mike Faist puts in a great performance in West Side Story, one of the best in the film, that is fully deserving of an Oscar nomination.
Woody Norman
C’mon C’mon is another one of those overlooked films in the awards season this year that deserved a lot more love. Woody Norman is excellent in the film and it would have been incredible to see him in the Supporting Actor race.
Jason Isaacs and Reed Birney
Again, Mass is a film filled with four devastating performances. Four performances that could have easily been nominated in the Oscars this year. Reed Birney and, in particular, Jason Isaacs are both excellent and both would have been worthy of a nod this year.
23 years old-Manchester-Film Studies Graduate-Qualified Film and Media Teacher-Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett and Olivia Colman enthusiast. Check out my Letterboxd for more reviews and film goodness.
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Rick and Morty Season 7 trailer debuts a new voice actors for the characters.
“We want the show to speak for itself,” explained an Adult Swim insider. “We believe in the strength of the season and our new voices and we want to preserve the viewing experience for fans.”
The network is keeping the names of the actors confidential until the season premier. And yes, there will be two different voice actors, one for Rick and one for Morty.
After having been missing for nearly 20 years, Rick Sanchez suddenly arrives at daughter Beth’s doorstep to move in with her and her family. Although Beth welcomes Rick into her home, her husband, Jerry, isn’t as happy about the family reunion. Jerry is concerned about Rick, a sociopathic scientist, using the garage as his personal laboratory. In the lab, Rick works on a number of sci-fi gadgets, some of which could be considered dangerous. But that’s not all Rick does that concerns Jerry. He also goes on adventures across the universe that often involve his grandchildren, Morty and Summer.
Fall has officially arrived, which only means one thing….the start of my favorite season! Time for you to bring out your sweaters and jumpers grab a hot drink and a snuggly blanket this weekend to settle down and watch some all-time classics which make you feel immersed in the moment of this Autumn/Fall season.
Autumn in New York [credit: MGM]
10. Autumn in New York (2000) Well, you cannot get any more of an Autumn feel than this film as it is literally in the title itself! While the film will have you baffled with its plot line and complexities. The atmosphere of New York in the fall accompanied by the score of the music may have those who are criers like myself burst out into tears.
9. Legends of The Fall (1994) Anthony Hopkins playing Brad Pitt’s father will surely draw many viewers to watch this film. However, the rural countryside of Montana is notable with regard to the film even though the overall movie might be leaving you feeling a bit low afterwards.
8. A Tale of Autumn (1998) A french rom-com set in Autumn with the idea of how you would basically be forming your friend’s dating profile in this day in age so they have a fall boyfriend. Regardless of the scenery, I do love how this displayed a beautiful portrayal of friendship.
7. Far From Heaven (2002) Personally Julianne Moore Oscar worthy performance! Todd Haynes strikes this film from the get-go with its colour palette with the various shades of red, yellow and orange displaying the depths of Autumn. However, that is not the only depth this film has with its themes and plot line making you realise it was truly ahead of its time.
6. Hero (2002) Everyone who has seen this film knows your mind instantly goes to the fight scene between Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung) and Moon (Zhang Ziyi). What makes this completely impactful for a fight scene is the rustling sound of the leaves against the sound of the blades of their swords. The entire scene will guarantee to make you feel like you are in a snow globe that is based in Autumn as the leaves are swooshing with the movement of the fight.
5. All That Heaven Allows (1955) Sometimes you need to really not listen to your kids and go with your heart. What a beautiful melodrama set in fall and winter with the theme of social collision. The performance by Rock Hudson and Jane Wyman is noteworthy to bring the moments of feelings at certain points.
4. Dead Poets Society (1989) “O Captain, My Captain” this film is one of my favourite Robin Williams performances to date he is known for playing carefree characters like this one, and here you truly see his compassion and passion from the character translate into the boys. The importance of poetry is not only displayed by the storyline but how poetry is translated into the scenery behind the characters making you feel the crisp fall air.
3. When Harry Met Sally (1989) It is officially time to bring out that white sweater! Yes, this movie is note worthy of a fall tradition each year questioning can two people really be friends after a nightstand. This romcom alongside my favourite season is the reason why it’s so high on the list. Oh to have someone declare their love to me realising they want to spend the rest of their life with me. 2. Good Will Hunting (1997) A notable performance by Robin Williams as always. How with the complexity of the character themes still hold out to be beautifully written by Matt Damon during his time at Harvard. This has to be considered a fall movie not only because of the setting of the premise during the film but even its poster! Especially getting emotional after Robin Williams passed away the fans would write quotes from the film around the famous wooden bench at the Boston Public Garden as a tribute.
1. Fantastic Mr Fox (2009) “We’re all different. Especially him, but there’s something really kind of fantastic about that, isn’t there?” As someone who has grown up by Roald Dahl this adapted screenplay by Wes Anderson does not fall short (see what I did there!). This stop-motion animation will hold a close place in my heart with the vivid imagery of autumnal tones to bring out the beautiful works of characters.
photo credit: Good Will Hunting [credit: Miramax], Hero 2002 [credit: Miramax]
I know that it’s been a little while since “The Flash” came out in theaters, but I got to say that after seeing the movie again on Max, I think that it’s clear to say that Michael Keatonis the best actor that has played the Caped Crusader.
Keaton played the hero in the Tim Burton-directed superhero flick way back in 1989. Many fans were skeptical of the controversial casting but were happy to have him in the film after it was released and welcomed him back for the sequel in 1992.
Here is why Keaton reigns supreme as the comic-book hero.
HE LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR “DARK” BATMAN
Batman 1989 [credit: Warner Bros.]
Before Michael Keaton, the only thing that fans had for Batman was Adam West on the 1960s tv series and while the series had its moments, they seemed more campy than actually dark. West had a more comical take on the character which might have been fine for the 1960s but it doesn’t really honor the source material.
Keaton brought the character into darker territory and allowed Batmen after him to run, but only after he had to walk in the batsuit and it was a breath of fresh air to see it.
HIS ORIGIN STORY IS MORE TRAGIC
Batman 1989 [credit: Warner Bros.]
In the original comics, Bruce Wayne’s parents are killed by the criminal Joe Chill. And the tragic event is what made him the caped crusader. That is a great origin story, however, the 1989 film changes a few things.
In the Tim Burton movie, Jack Napier a.k.a., the Joker kills Wayne’s parents. Albeit, this is before Napier becomes the Joker but it makes for a great connection as to why Batman has such a true and deep disdain for the Joker, thus making their hero-villain dynamic more palpable to watch.
HE TOOK ON A KRYPTONIAN WITHOUT KRYPTONITE
The Flash 2023 [credit: Warner Bros.]
If you haven’t seen The Flash, spoiler alert because Keaton’s Batman takes down the kryptonian Nam-ek in the coolest and briefest showdown in the DCEU, where Batman grapples the Kryptonian by the neck attaching bombs to him and finally knocking the alien to the ground with a final explosion.
Keaton can rest easy knowing that he was the only Batman to knock down a Kryptonian without Kryptonite. Not even Affleck could attest to that.