Cannes Film Festival is perhaps the most prestigious awards circuit stop on the planet, and it just closed its doors on the 2019 season. Some high-profile films made their much-anticipated debuts there this year, while some under-the-radar picks surprised many, including the ultimate winner. What did critics have to say about the big contenders, and what does it mean for the Oscar race?
Continue reading “Cannes Film Festival 2019 Review Round-Up”
The Favourite (2018) was one of my favorite films of last year, with brilliant performances by Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz, as well as gorgeous visuals under the sure hand of director Yorgos Lanthimos. But the best part of the film by far is the searing script by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara, with some of my favorite characters, dialogue, and scenarios of the year. What exactly makes the script such a delight? Let’s dive in and find out for ourselves!
Continue reading ““The Favourite” Script Analysis: The Balance of Power”
**UPDATE: For a more in-depth dissection of The Favourite and all its themes and symbolism, especially that puzzling rabbit ending, check out my deep-dive script analysis of the film here!
The Favourite (2018) is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and written by Deborah Davis & Tony McNamara. It is loosely based on true events from the early 18th century as cousins Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz) and Abigail Hill (Emma Stone) vie for the affections of the flighty Queen Anne (Olivia Colman). A period piece might seem like an odd fit for a director as quirky as Lanthimos, but given the satirical nature of the project, it makes a lot of sense. How do all the pieces ultimately come together?
**UPDATE: For more analysis of Roma, check out my Script Analysis post where I dissect the screenplay to determine the hidden themes and messages of the film!
Roma (2018) is the latest from Alfonso Cuaron, one of my favorite working directors. It stars Yalitza Aparicio as Cleo, a housekeeper for a middle-class family in 1970’s Mexico. The film has drawn serious accolades thus far and is a frontrunner for Best Picture already, despite not dropping officially on Netflix until next Friday. What is all the buzz about? *SPOILERS AHEAD!*
We’re back with another round-up of films I saw but didn’t get around to reviewing near its release date. Today I’ll be discussing Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot, Mandy, We the Animals, and Hot Summer Nights!
The first film awards show of the 2019 season, the Golden Globes, just wrapped up its voting period, with nominees announced on December 6th. The ceremony kicks off Oscar season as the first precursor to the big night, and it will be an interesting look at how the races could shake out in major categories. How do I think things will play out?
*NOTE: All nominees are sorted in order of how likely I believe they are to earn their spot.
Continue reading “2019 Golden Globes Nomination Predictions”
**UPDATE: Check out my recent Script Analysis post for the film’s Oscar-winning screenplay, breaking down how the film uses formula in its favor!
Green Book (2018) is co-written and directed by Peter Farrelly, previously best known for comedy flicks like Dumb and Dumber and There’s Something About Mary. It is based on a true story of a white club bouncer (Viggo Mortensen) who acts as driver and security for a famed black musician (Mahershala Ali) through the Deep South in the 1960’s. The film came out of left field to win the People’s Choice award at TIFF this year, the festival’s highest honor. Could it be a dark horse contender at the Oscars?
This morning, the 2019 Independent Spirit Award nominations were announced, and there were plenty of surprises. The ceremony has historically been a fairly good prognosticator of the Oscar races, and this could be our first glimpse into what the major races look like. What fared well and what didn’t?
Continue reading “2019 Independent Spirit Award Nominations Analysis”
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018) is an anthology western from the Coen Brothers. It stars an ensemble cast including Tim Blake Nelson, James Franco, Zoe Kazan, Liam Neeson, Brendan Gleeson and others. Originally planned as a 6-part miniseries, it was adapted into a single feature-length film and submitted for awards consideration. How does it stack up with the other great films the Coens have created over their illustrious careers? *SPOILERS AHEAD!*
Continue reading ““The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” Film Review & Analysis”
Widows (2018) is the newest Steve McQueen film, his first since the Oscar-winning 12 Years a Slave (2013), written by Gillian Flynn of Gone Girl fame. It stars an ensemble cast including Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Daniel Kaluuya, Colin Farrell, and Liam Neeson. The crime drama follows a group of women whose late husbands were involved in a failed armed robbery, forcing them to finish the job themselves. How triumphant is McQueen’s return to cinema, and will it attract Oscar attention later this year? *SPOILERS AHEAD!*
Scriptophile 