Final 2022 Oscar Predictions

Next Tuesday, the Academy is announcing their nominations for the 94th Academy Awards, honoring the best of cinema in 2021! What films and performances do I think will be the nominees at the ceremony? What will be the biggest snubs of the morning? Let’s take a look!

‘Cha Cha Real Smooth’ Sundance Film Review: Arrested Development

Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022) is the sophomore feature from writer-director Cooper Raiff. Raiff also stars in the film as Andrew, a young man fresh out of college who falls in love with a young single mother (Dakota Johnson). Raiff made a name for himself with his debut feature, Shithouse, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2020 South by Southwest Film Festival (SXSW). What has critics and audiences alike buzzing about this little indie number?

‘Happening’ Sundance Film Review: Real-Life Body Horror

Happening (2021) is a French drama from sophomore writer-director Audrey Diwan. It stars Anamaria Vartolomei as Anne, a young student in the 1960’s whose future is threatened by an unplanned pregnancy, in an era where abortion was not yet legal. The film unanimously won the Golden Lion at last year’s Venice Film Festival and was shortlisted for France’s entry for Best International Feature, though it was passed over for Titane. Did France submit the wrong film after all?

‘After Yang’ Sundance Film Review: The Born Identity

After Yang (2022) is an American sci-fi drama film from writer-director Kogonada. Set in a near future where robot children can be purchased as live-in babysitters, it stars Colin Farrell as a family patriarch grieving the loss of their robot Yang after he becomes unresponsive. The film debuted at the Cannes Film Festival to strong reviews, and is set to be released this year by A24. Will this be a successful sophomore effort by Kogonada?

‘Call Jane’ Sundance Film Review: Magical White Woman Syndrome

Call Jane (2022) is an American drama film from director Phyllis Nagy. It stars Elizabeth Banks, Sigourney Weaver, Kata Mara and more in the story about the Jane Collective, a real-life secret organization that provided abortion access for women in the 1960’s. The film debuted last week at the Sundance Film Festival, and is an early hopeful for consideration at the 2023 Oscars. Will this have a successful awards run?

‘A Hero’ Film Review: Blurred Lines

A Hero (2021) is a drama-thriller film from Iranian director Asghar Farhadi. It stars Amir Jadidi as a man imprisoned for unpaid debts who has two days to try and clear his name before going back to jail. The film debuted at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, where it tied for the runner-up prize (the Grand Prix), ahead of its release in theaters and streaming on Amazon Prime. Will this be a contender for Best International Feature at the 2022 Oscars?

‘Parallel Mothers’ Film Review: Unplanned Parenthood

Parallel Mothers (2021) is a drama film from acclaimed Spanish auteur Pedro Almodóvar. It stars Penelope Cruz and Milena Smit as two expecting mothers who form an unexpected bond in the hospital as they face the daunting prospect of single motherhood. The film debuted at the Venice Film Festival, where Cruz won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress, ahead of its theatrical release by Sony Pictures Releasing. Will this have a shot at above-the-line Oscar nominations?

Best Picture Power Rankings: January 2022 Edition

Welcome to the FINAL installment of this season’s Best Picture Power Rankings, where we look at how films are jostling for position in the Oscar race! We’re in the home stretch now, with the first precursors behind us and the Oscar nominations coming in a few short weeks. Who will be the ten nominees? What will be the surprise snubs? Let’s take our last snapshot of the race!

‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ Film Review: An Exercise in Esoterica

The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021) is a Shakespearean film adaptation from Joel Coen in his first solo outing as a director. It stars Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand as Lord and Lady Macbeth, as they navigate a complicated political situation in the wake of a witch’s prophecy. The film debuted at last year’s New York Film Festival ahead of its release in theaters and streaming on Apple TV+. Can this crack the crowded Oscar race?

2022 SAG Awards Nomination Predictions

The 2022 Screen Actors Guild Awards are announcing their nominees on Wednesday – one of the most important precursors for the four acting categories (and Best Picture). What do I think will get in? Which films will get a boost, and which will get completely snubbed? Let’s dive in!