#minus one snubbed

[davidmariottecomics]

Stuff That Sucks, Part 2 (Not Everything is Terrible)

Hello! 

This is going to be a long one covering a lot, so y'know, feel free to take breaks, stretch your legs, get some water. Take care of yourself. Because I took one week off and man, there is toooooooo much to talk about! One of my first blogs on my site, way back when was called "Stuff That Sucks, Part 1" in which I went over a bunch of stuff in the world that was bad. This time, I'm kinda revisiting that idea, but am also trying to put some silly or nice or just life-updatey things inbetween the bad stuff to have some balance, as much for myself as for anyone else! 

Palestine

Since I've last posted about Palestine, a ceasefire agreement has been floated. Early reports were expecting it to be resolved this weekend, but we'll see. It's hard to be optimistic (generally, given the state of the world) after 120 days of violence and an agreement that's still seeking pause more than permanence (and, in that, seems more for the benefit of the aggressor). But maybe something good can come of it. 

I also believe that it is because of the actions of brave people all around the world that we're starting to see more pressure and movement to resolution. Obviously, there are plenty of people and places who got it right in the first place, like South Africa bringing Israel to the International Court of Justice on genocide charges (still in review, but the ICJ did impose their rulings to not continue to kill people or commit war crimes and Israel... has ignored that). But there have also been so many protests, actions like last week's Global General Strike, and continued efforts in hitting them where it hurts (the pockets) with concentrated BDS plans. Even if it's happening slowly, minds are changing. The latest AP poll shows 1 in 2 adults in the US thinks Israel has gone too far, which I'm sure is bolstered by the repeated statistics that over 27,000 people have been killed, over 66,000 wounded, 85% of the population has been displaced, 25% is facing starvation, aid continues to be blocked, and hospitals and journalists continue to be targeted. 

But, even if things seem to be developing, don't slow down on the pressure and the help.You can still contact your representatives: Call. Fax.Email. Contact the White House. Join actions from organizations like Jewish Voice for Peace, American Muslims for Palestine, and the Democratic Socialists of America, or whatever local organization is making efforts near you. If spending money brings you any comfort and you feel a need to put something into good practice, the Cartoonist Cooperative's page still lists a ton of resources for E-Sim cards.

The other thing that feels obvious to say, but I won't not say it anyway, is even if the coming week does bring a ceasefire and some sort of agreement or resolution, the work's still not done. There will be so much rebuilding to do and aid needed in Palestine. There must be measures taken to not allow this to happen again. Even if Palestinians are given full free unfettered access without the threat of violence to Gaza and the West Bank, they're still living under colonization. There're so many other places that are getting wrapped into this in various ways (like the US getting into it with Yemen and Syria). And, of course, there are still so many other places under similar circumstances, like Ukraine and Sudan. The work will change, but it won't cease. 

(SIDE NOTE: You'll notice that one of the organic boycotts noted by BDS is Wix. I know a lot of people, particularly young people who are in school/freshly out of school use that for their portfolio sites. Might be worth looking into other options)

Barbie and Godzilla Okay, I'm going to try to alternate serious things with less serious ones. Because I didn't post last week, I am late entering the Oscar conversation, but my two cents is that Barbie did just fine (though... really, nominating Ryan Gosling for Ken???) with what they got. If there was one significant snub this year, it's that Godzilla Minus One only got a single nomination, when it rightfully should've been a contender in all major categories. Like, it was certainly the best picture I saw last year. 

KOSA and the Invest in Children Act

I've talked about KOSA a few times here. It's the "Kids Online Safety Act" and it's notable for being bullshit. So, tell your reps to vote no. The reason KOSA sucks--as if the CEO of X being in favor of it wasn't enough--is it doesn't actually addresses the problem it claims to, but is a tool of censorship overreach. As has always been the case, preventing access to information doesn't stop people from seeking it, it stops them from getting accurate information and limits who is in the conversation. So, while KOSA seeks to "hold companies responsible for eating disorder and suicide content" or whatever to protect the kids, as co-sponsor of the bill Senator Marsha Blackburn has LITERALLY SAID, (quoted here from the Melissa Mira Grant article linked above) “Protecting minor children from the transgender [sic] in this culture and that influence,” is one of the most important issues conservatives can take a stand on now, Blackburn said, in an interview with the Family Policy Alliance, a group pushing anti-LGBTQ rights laws. “And I would add to that, watching what’s happening on social media. I’ve got the Kids Online Safety Act.” This bill, she claimed, “would put a duty of care and responsibility on the social media platforms, and this is where children are being indoctrinated.… They’re getting onto YouTube to watch a video, and all of a sudden this comes to them.” 

Other advocates against KOSA have pointed out that not only is it seeking to further marginalize queer folks, but it'd also be bad for sex workers (who we'll get back to in a second), and potentially abortion information, as well as actual resources for people who are seeking help with disordered eating or suicidal thoughts. The only "good" that comes from this bill is, well, if you're an evil person in a governmental position looking to suppress information, you can do that if it passes. And if you want points for "protecting the kids", the name says you get them to people who don't know what's actually happening. 

BUT, with all that said, instead of just saying to reject KOSA, we now have legistation we can point to as what we want instead: the Invest in Children Act! Unlike KOSA, or it's shitty predicessor, EARNIT (which I've also previously rallied against), the ICA actually seems interested in fixing the problems that do actually exist in the gaps between internet companies that already widely report issues of child sexual abuse online and a lack of action from NCMEC and the DOJ. But, y'know, the name isn't as snappy and this bill would actually protect children (something that given their response to what's happening in Palestine and the US, most of our representatives don't actually care about) and would do good for the world, so unfortunately my expectations are low. 

(SIDE NOTE: Because this literally just happened while I was writing--I was listening to music on YouTube [not that they're great either because, I guess just everything is terrible now, but nominally better than Spotify???] and the video for Collective Soul's The World I Know was next in my queue and it paused. Y'know why? Because the website's already set up to tell me if a video may have references to suicide or self-harm! A thing that is already in place and doesn't need KOSA to happen!!!) 

Original Comic Art

Be on the lookout for a couple original pieces by J.G. Jones that were stolen from him at OAX. Poor guy had these commissions stolen from his table during the show and I'm sure everyone in the situation (barring the thief) would like to see this beautiful Poison Ivy and Fairchild go to their proper homes. And, semi-relatedly, there have been a lot of creators this week announcing they're parting ways with their current art dealer and if you'd like a commission or to buy their art, you should contact them directly. I don't have a full list, but if you were in the original art market right now, might be worth double-checking where you can make your purchases from. 

The War on Porn and Trans People

As if KOSA wasn't enough, it's been a bad few weeks for y'know, most people. In Oklahoma, a bill was introduced that sought to criminalize porn on an incredibly wide definition, brought forth by the sort of far-right Christian who despite being a preacher, has literally 0 understanding of what the Bible actually says because to him, religion is not about practice or belief in a shared understanding of how the universe was formed and how we got to this point, it's a tool of control.

There's a report that the owner of OnlyFans pleged $11 million to a pro-Israel group in the last few months. He has denied that claim. Regardless, as these things so often do, it has dragged performers on the site into the conversation despite A. OnlyFans not (yet) being a BDS target and B. with everything else going on, there are only so many places to move to left. At time of posting, PornHub is blocked in... 6 states. There are a lot of walls being thrown up to try to limit our access to adult material and further deplatform and marginalize sex workers, which was already a massive problem and it sucks. 

Meanwhile, this week, Florida's trying to revoke trans people's driver's licenses and Ohio's banning trans kids from sports or gender-affirming care in their quest to ban trans people from existence entirely. And these are part and parcel of the pattern of trying to further criminalize, censor, and legislate women's bodies, trans bodies, sex workers, and anyone who isn't a cis straight white man. In the US, the New York Times, and in the UK, the Guardian are both doing the Tim Robinson hot dog "we're all trying to find the guy that did this" thing despite how much anti-trans bullshit they've spread. 

As there are more bills introduced that forbid (or have to shield against consequences for) interstate travel of trans people and people seeking abortions, we're really reaching a breaking point and coupled with the dissatisfaction of both promient Presidential candidates for their records of *checks notes* inaction or hostile action toward the majority of the American people... let's just say I'm not looking forward to how this year shakes out for the most part. 

Wedding Plans One exciting thing, though, is Becca and I soft-announced our wedding plans. We'd still like to try to organize something in San Diego for our friends and family presumably around SDCC time, but tha'ts up in the air because that's expensive and coming up much quicker than I think either of us would like with no plans firmed up. But our plan for the wedding itself has largely shifted to doing it internationally. 

We were always thinking of a honeymoon in Japan and now have kinda figured that if we're going to do that, instead of trying to do a ceremony in the US and then also pay for a trip, it's cheaper and maybe more special for us to roll it into a single plan. Becca's been looking a bit at Sanrio PuroLand, the Hello Kitty amusement park, because they have reasonable packages and you can bring in an outside coordinator (and we'd love to find someone who has experience with queer weddings in Japan, if anyone might have any recommendations). I'm not quite as sold, but that is generally what we're looking at. 

As things maybe solidify around SDCC or otherwise we get our picture all figured out for Japan, I'll share more news. 

Virgilio Mendez Virgilio Mendez is a 19 year old migrant who has been held for a crime he obviously didn't commit. He's been charged with aggrivated homicide for a cop who confronted him for the crime of being brown and not speaking English. Mendez was literally just on the phone, repeatedly communicated that he does not speak English (and recently the court found the case couldn't move forward because, as a product of that, he has no understanding of the American justice system), the cop harassed him, ultimately called back-up, the cops proceeded to batter and tase him, and then the original offending officer had a heart attack and died, as the coroner has reported, of natural and pre-existing causes, and all of that has been pinned on this poor kid's back. It's just depressing and despicable. 

Baldur's Gate

Okay, so... at one point I thought this was going to be shorter (haha, I don't know why I thought that) and I was going to talk about how I've been playing a lot of Baldur's Gate 3 and my thoughts on it. But I've run out of room for this time, and soooo... next week. I'm going to talk about BG3, Persona 5, Honkai Star Rail, and the ways that things that might activate similar sensations can leave you with very different impressions in the long term. But that'll be next week, so see ya then! 

New Releases (2/7/24) Godzilla Valentine's Day Special (Editor - IDW)

Announcements: Happy Black History Month! This week, I want to spotlight Clarence Matthew Baker! He is notable for being one of the first successful Black men in American comics and one of the first successful gay men! That's a lovely little profile of him and his work, including some classic Phantom Lady and It Rhymes With Lust! The man had gorgeous art and influenced comics so much, not in the least because his art was one of the primary examples of the "seduction" of Seduction of the Innocent, the famous anti-comics book that turned comics into a witch hunt for pornographers because the more things change, the more they stay the same. 

Check out my Patreon where you can access this blog as well as a ton of cool other stuff! Some recent highlights include the holiday catalog I made at the end of last year is now available to all backers (though $10+ backers got it almost 45 days early) and I've previewed some materials for something I'm working on and hoping to launch in the next month or two. Patreon will also be where I start posting some of my new original comics work later in the year, so keep an eye out for that too! 

You can also check out my webstore, my Kofi (I still need to throw up my updated Anti-AI Zine), and Becca's site (also pending a new update)! 

What I enjoyed this week: Nancy (Comic), Yu-Gi-Oh: Duel Links (Video Game), Baldur's Gate III (Video Game), Blank Check (Podcast), Dungeons & Daddies (Podcast), The Traitors Season 2 (TV show), The Sopranos (TV show), Almost Famous (Movie), Heartburn (Movie), the mango pineapple chicken from the local Indian food place, getting new comics and making friends with an employee we don't know at the comic store (If you ever read this, hi, Clay @ Nuclear Comics North Park!), having had a good first couple of weeks at the new job! 

Pic of the Week: Feels like it has been a while since I did this, but here's a cute picture of Tiansheng for what it's worth, but Hourly Comics Day was this week and Becca put together some strips. First one's linked and you can find the rest on their Bsky page! 

[redamancy-and-daisies]

DISORGANIZED THOUGHTS ON TODAYS SHOW 12/11

OH yeah dally also was like fondling cherrys skirt like ive never seen him get that close like actually put a hand on her really nasty

tilly almost fell off the car

just sitting there minding her buisness was soooo sad hes sounded so little😭💔

johnny braced himself like full arms up as if dally was going to hit him during his parents’ scene

his voice is so fucking good

kwp said that ur problem, chet (twice)

ace slapped sodas ass(and later when shes leaving the house it looked like he was thinking abt it but didnt lol GOOD ANSWER jason)

Daryl looked at the knife before jumping off the train and beginning of faft

maggie is SO DIANE LANE like real mean girl energy but then she opens up and shes actually just a sweetheart

(u were a hood or a collegiate) heard an older lady in the audience (that laughed just like my grandma :c) saying this during intermission

cried sm in faft

soda kept being like dw johnny hes just like this dw during ritfr

marcia neverrr stops looking at two bit

HUGE coke splash someone said “car wash” after

the car came down so far during the park fight u could see a lot more of johnny which was great

he seems so in shock like way less screaming fs

saw barton mocking steve it was sooo nasty white boy esp since pony and his brothers were the only non black people(minus johnny) in the gang today the mix was so great

also tilly is just such a stand out she’s so fucking good

the kids that came on a school trip here are going CRAZY

after ponyboy spit someone went “THATS RIGHT”

cherry couldnt stop smiling at the end of icttyan shes also taller than josh which is so cute

daryl was either too quiet or didnt say 16 so it sounded like they were both 14 lol

“its probably wrong to cheer when someone gets stabbed”(overheard at intermission)

darry was going so fucking hard like it was vicious like more than normal which is nice bc ive seen it 3 times but hes really turned it up today

also kwp AND barton seemed more drunk than normal

overheard someone else saying maggie is so diane lane

socs were so agressive after drive in

johnnys just a KID THEY BOTH ARE

they nod after faft like theyre gonna run away then oh shit too late

daryl johnny is soooo how i pictured him in the book (so is sky!!!!) sky might be closer to the book bc he has some edge to him but daryls just was soooo so sad and scared

also his wig isnt that fuck ass!! it was curly!

ACT TWO

//

finally got to the fucking station after wandering in the dark and rain ok act two

cherry looked so sad at jft

SARAHGRACE MIC WAS ON‼️ SHE WAS SO CLEAR AND INCREDIBLE

“(back)to tulsa” was sooo sad he literally is just a kid

darry looked like he wanted blood w dally didnt get enough time to pull him on the car

jason was crying so hard at the end it was actually hard to watch just bright red falling apart he smacked brents shoe at “u get BITTER” and he was like hyperventaliting

and so was josh he cried smmm

saw tears in brents eyes i actually never have before

WHEN PAUL started sining in jft people like clapped/hollered his voice is such a slay it made people crazy

OH YEAH MAGGIE OPTIONED UP in “out looking for a fight”

paul throwing ace in the rumble never noticed that before

johnny hugging pony after damd and putting his head in lap 😭

ponys no after johnny died was devastating

HUGE laugh at “i got more inside me than just grease” but it mightve been brent’s “ok.”

this was the best brother’s fight ive seen like joshs first “shut up” was actually scary like a whisper

cant stomach little brother —theres actually no way in hell they snubbed his tony he deserves to break in and steal one bc he mf earned that he gets to this insanely devastating place 8 shows a week??? robbed

Josh’s high register in stay gold makes me cryyy

him hugging the clothes😭

soda kicking gravel on paul before the rumble

BARTON OPEN SHIRT IN RUMBLE never noticed/seen that before??

renniiiiii two bit was sooooo gooooood

maggie is SOOOOO pretty -ok ill leave u alone was so sad and frantic like she was abt to cry

titt jason sounded esp raspy early 00s country sooo good

i think joshs pony is soo believable as a 14 yr old bc of his height and vibe but i think hes my least fav pony😭but its more like u have 3 killer options & u HAVE to rank way not in a “trevor brody good josh bad” way yk

trevor is my fav pony and hes the only one i havent seen irl LMAO

oh maggies cherry wig is soo strawberry blond this is my second time seeing her shes fantastic

OH YEAH i never noticed before dally leaves the hospital he directs the ill snap a socs neck if i have to to cherry like whatever he was saying before that died on his lips bc he saw her and ive never clocked that moment before

[kankuroplease]

Did Riki's relationship with the uchiha clan improve as he grew up or is it still the same?,It's different how they treat their siblings and cousins.

Riki doesn’t forget or forget, but in the happier au her clan became much more accepting of her when it became clear she had skill and Tatsuya, one of their prodigies, was taking the necessary steps to be granted her hand. She doesn’t bother with the ones that had tried to snub her just because they decide to switch up now.

Her brothers are what got her mother accepted more as they were strong and healthy sons who were also their father’s spitting image. Once it was obvious the boys not only looked like their father, but were clearly talented like him, their popularity sky rocketed. Needless to say, they extremely popular and can’t really relate to their sister when it comes to being an outcast.

Their cousins vary in popularity but are generally more accepted than Riki, minus Kota’s youngest son because of his gloomy vibes. However, a lot of their peers feel uneasy around Izuna’s children given that “mystery” jutsu they both inherited from their mother. Like who makes a massive fire whirlwind with thunder or makes an acid rain hurricane for a training match? Those two are freaks of nature in most people’s eyes 💀

[the50-person]

Kamiki Ryunosuke has won the Best Actor Award at the 66th Blue Ribbon Awards for his realistic acting in Godzilla Minus One/Godzilla -1.0 and humorous acting in Daimyo Tousan. He had previously said he lost hope of ever winning an award* and expressed great joy at hearing the news of his win.

*Kamiki has been snubbed endlessly for years by various awards because his agency doesn't promote him that much + his agency doesn't work as hard in fighting for their talents in the realm of awards compared to other agencies. This is despite him consistently ranking high in popularity nationwide, having a wide audience base and being one of the few who have both a large number of solid fanbase and high public favour. Fans have been perplexed by this odd situation for years. He was perplexed himself.

[tvnacity]

literally though I want to take a moment and acknowledge just how snubbed godzilla minus one was in this race like….. having seen all 10 best picture noms it’s easily in my top 5 if not even top 3

[weclassybouquetfun]

The Oscars were announced today and while there is plenty that I am happy about disappointment still abounds. No love for SALTBURN. I knew Best Actor was crowded and Barry Keoghan may not get in,

AMPAS how can you deny him?

but I was sure of a Rosamund Pike nomination. Was holding out hope for a Dominic Sessa, or even unlikelier a Milo Machado Graner nomination for their respective works in THE HOLDOVERS and ANATOMY OF A FALL.

And while not personally disappointed (more disappointed by her BABYLON snub), very surprised that Margot Robbie didn't secure a nomination for BARBIE yet America Ferrera did.

Ryan Gosling speaks on Margot and Greta Gerwig's omission.

Not surprised by Andrew Scott not getting a nod - he didn't even get one from the BAFTAs - I just think there wasn't enough meat on the bones for that role.

Not surprised by Leonardo DiCaprio not securing a nomination as he's been pretty much absent from these conversations. What bothers me is that everyone I talk to about KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON pan his character, but not his performance. They hate that his character is stupid. They don't even touch on he's a bad person for poisoning his wife; no. It's his stupidity. So they hate that weakness in him and it blinds them to Leo's performance. Even director Paul Schrader whinged about how stupid the character was and Leo should have played the role originally offered to him; the FBI agent played by Jesse Plemons.

I love comparing who were being pushed to who actually got the big nomination.

Sorry Andrew, Greta, Julianne, Margot, Eve and Fantasia.

The Nominees.

Best Picture American Fiction Anatomy of a Fall Barbie The Holdovers Killers of the Flower Moon  Maestro Oppenheimer Past Lives  Poor Things

*I only just found out Ramy Yousef, Willem Dafoe and Mark Ruffalo are in this poster.

The Zone of Interest

Best Director Justine Treit (Anatomy of a Fall) Martin Scorsese (Killers of the Flower Moon) Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer) Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things) Jonathan Glazer (The Zone of Interest)

Best Actor in a Leading Role Bradley Cooper (Maestro)

Colman Domingo (Rustin) Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers) Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) - when asked what he would eat as the Oscars do not serve food, he said he will bring a piece of his mam's sponge cake snuck in his wife's purse.

Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction)

More Nominations and Oscar Nom Talks

Thrilled for Bradley Cooper as a lot of people were turning on him because they viewed him as a award desperate try-hard. But he really just cares so much about this role. He screened A STAR IS BORN for Steven Spielberg and when the "Shallow" scene came on Spielberg got up and whispered in his ear, "You are fcking directing MAESTRO". When you are given given that must trust by arguably one of the greatest filmmakers ever, of course you're going to be extra to the nth degree.

Not sold on Cillian Murphy's performance in OPPENHEIMER. It did nothing for me, but I'm happy he has had this award season experience. He stays outside of actors' circle and - based on absolutely no proof- I just think he probably felt it al superficial, but when he won his Globe and thanked his fellow actors I can tell he was sincere. I think coming together with his peers in a real way; not just mingling at parties, but by being in spaces where they discuss their craft and inspirations let him recognize that no matter how big the name, these are his tribe and they see the art and value of what they do. Awards season friendships are cool to see. I didn't see one this season but Bradley Cooper said he and Colman Domingo have become buddies this season after doing a photoshoot together.

Best Actress in a Leading Role Annette Bening (Nyad)

Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon) Sandra Hüller (Anatomy of a Fall) Carey Mulligan (Maestro) Emma Stone (Poor Things)

*Minus Sandra Hüller this is pretty much how I viewed how this category would shape up. Very funny to me that when POOR THINGS started screenings critics swore up and down it was an embarrassment to Emma Stone's talent and she would get nothing.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role Sterling K. Brown (American Fiction) Robert De Niro (Killers of the Flower Moon) Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer) Ryan Gosling (Barbie) Mark Ruffalo (Poor Things)

*I honestly felt that Sterling K. Brown could be the upset and I was so happy to be right. His performance in AMERICAN FICTION is a breath of fresh air. I honestly wanted more of his character.

What I like about his Mark Ruffalo's nominations are that they both didn't think these roles would lead to this.

Brown said his publicist kept pushing him for interviews and panels this season and he couldn't understand why as he thought it was such a small role and he was just satisfied with being in the film, but his publicist saw the reactions to Brown's character and knew it was awards worthy.

Ruffalo said he didn't think he could do his POOR THINGS role because he's been so pigeon-holed and was accustomed to playing roles that were the anti-thesis of Duncan that he wasn't sure he could find him. Having people trust in you when even you yourself don't have that trust, or trying even while in doubt of yourself is beautiful.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role Emily Blunt (Oppenheimer)

Danielle Brooks (The Color Purple)

America Ferrera (Barbie) Jodie Foster (Nyad) Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers)

*America Ferrera should be nowhere in this category. It should be Rosamund Pike 1000%. So happy that Danielle Brooks and Da'Vine Joy Randolph were both nominated as I was afraid the voters would only pick one over the other. Kinda surprised by Jodie Foster, but hers was a nomination I was really hoping for.

Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay) American Fiction Barbie Oppenheimer Poor Things The Zone of Interest 

Best Writing (Original Screenplay) Anatomy of a Fall 

The Holdovers May December Past Lives Maestro

Best Animated Feature The Boy and the Heron  Elemental  Nimona  Robot Dreams Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 

Best Documentary Feature Film Bobi Wine: The People’s President The Eternal Memory Four Daughters 20 Days in Mariupol  To Kill a Tiger

*I forget the film but last year Dev Patel threw his support behind an International Documentary. He wasn't involved in it, but he did Zoom Q&As promoting it. This year he backed TO KILL A TIGER, going further this time to become an executive producer on it. This is the way to use your profile - uplifting other artists whose projects don't have the reach.

Best Cinematography Killers of the Flower Moon Maestro Oppenheimer Poor Things El Conde *Would much rather SALTBURN be in this category, but very happy for EL CONDE to be recognized.

Best Costume Design Barbie Killers of the Flower Moon Napoleon Oppenheimer Poor Things 

Best Makeup and Hairstyling Golda  Oppenheimer  Poor Things  Society of the Snow Maestro *Gotta go to makeup maestro Kazu Hiro.

Best Animated Short Film Letter to a Pig Ninety-Five Senses Our Uniform Pachyderme War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko

Best Live-Action Short Film The After Invincible Knight of Fortune Red, White and Blue The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

*I'm 100% behind THE WONDERFUL STORY OF HENRY SUGAR, though I preferred the short within the quandrant of films THE SWAN starring Rupert Friend. As long as the shallow Pedro Almod��var short STRANGE WAY OF LIFE wasn't nominated, I'm good.

Best Original Song “The Fire Inside” (Flamin’ Hot) “I’m Just Ken” (Barbie) “It Never Went Away” (American Symphony) “Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)” (Killers of the Flower Moon) “What Was I Made For?” (Barbie)

*Was really rooting for one John Carney's two songs from FLORA & SON to get a nod. He's been twice nominated (winning one) for Best Song, but since not gaining a nod for SING STREET (a robbery!), he just haven't been able to gain ground.

Best Original Score American Fiction Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Killers of the Flower Moon Oppenheimer Poor Things

*Should have been a space for Anthony Willis who did the score for SALTBURN but everyone has to kiss John Williams' ring and Robbie Robertson passed away so they have to recognize him. Though, if pushed came to shove, I preferred Robertson's score over Williams'.

Best Documentary Short Film The ABCs of Book Banning The Barber of Little Rock Island in Between The Last Repair Shop Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó

Best International Feature Film Io Capitano (Italy) Perfect Days (Japan) Society of the Snow (Spain)

The Teacher’s Lounge (Germany) The Zone of Interest (United Kingdom)

*Haven't been able to see THE ZONE OF INTEREST because A24 kept bollocksing up their screenings (same with THE IRON CLAW), but I hear it's great. I'm 1000% behind SOCIETY OF THE SNOW. I really hoped that JA Bayona was able to break out and make it into the Best Director category, but sadly, it didn't happen,

Best Production Design Barbie Killers of the Flower Moon Napoleon Oppenheimer Poor Things

Best Film Editing Anatomy of a Fall The Holdovers Killers of the Flower Moon Oppenheimer Poor Things

*Again, another category SALTBURN should have been nominated in.

Best Production Design Barbie Killers of the Flower Moon Napoleon Oppenheimer Poor Things

Best Sound The Creator Maestro Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One Oppenheimer The Zone of Interest

Best Visual Effects The Creator Godzilla: Minus One Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning, Part One Napoleon

[juno-box]

Hoi! anon again!! so i wanted to ask something abt Dotwd this time. i wanted to ask if you had any "what-ifs" abt twdg & Dotwd. like what if lee & clem went with lilly during episode 3?

Ooooh you don't know WHAT you just asked me o(〃＾▽＾〃)o

[None of this is canon to DoTWD, by the by]

So on a Discord call with my friend, I remember he asked me this SPECIFICALLY. Because we were watching a TWDG "What If" vids on YouTube and one vid was what if Lee went with Lilly. So he asked me, in the context of DoTWD, how would that play out if it were to happen.

Well, not-really-spoilers-anymore but Ben is written to be Rachel's brother. And personally, I can't see Ray leaving Ben permanently in any scenario, that's just not her. Not to mention Lilly doesn't trust Ben at fucking all. So how would that work out?

Lee would have to lie to her. But the minute she realizes, and Clem does, she'd be piiiised. I don't think she'd talk to him for a minute. Hard snub him. Personally, I believe Ray would abuse any opportunity to get back to him.

But the one I wrote for is Lee leaving her with Kenny, Ben, Travis and Chuck. Since Lee isn’t there, neither is Clem. She’d be crushed along with Kenny who’d rightfully feel betrayed. The train would take longer w/o him, meaning they’d put Duck down before leaving, and Katjaa would die just the same as in canon. This also means they missed Christa and Omid.

I think Ben would confide in Travis about what happened, and Travis would be the one to tell him to keep that shit quiet.

They get to Savannah. Molly tolls the bells and they get to the manor. Since there’s only 4 of them, they’d all go together down to River Street and see no boats. They find Molly (after Kenny gets his ass folded) and she helps them get back to the manor with Ray’s convincing. Meaning no Vernon.

So, they’re herd and stuck moping the boat situation. Ray wanders outside to be alone. I should to mention that Ray would be really quiet and reserved since Lee took Clem and left with Lilly. I mean, seeing your father figure literally abandon you and take your surrogate sister with him for someone who tried to kill your brother and killed another member of the group is a lot for a now 9-year-old to fully process. I think like she would feel confused and hurt more than anything. As to how she’d find the boat; she’d probably just open it for no reason, she’s naturally curious. When she finds it, she runs inside and gets the guys (Molly sticks around still).

Kenny inspects it and says all it needs is gas and a battery. Travis suggests Crawford, they go to Crawford. Minus Brie and Vernon, Molly would handle the role of where everything is but it’ll take long due to less people. Ben doesn’t do that dumb thing Telltale made him do for comedic effect but let’s say the walkers banging on the door causes the axe to slip from the handles and it’s go time. Ben, thinking it’s the end of the line, confesses, and Travis has to stop Kenny’s (big) ass from mauling Ben. Kenny says he’s not getting on that boat with them, but Ra says she’s not leaving anywhere without Ben, and Travis is more on the lines of “I know he fucked up royally but we can discuss this when we aren’t about to die”.

They get through to the armory and Kenny gets that shotgun and covers them from behind. The get to the window leading out. Molly, Chuck, Kenny go first.

***

That bell goes off next to Ben and he gets snatched by Oberson like in canon. Travis would be the one to grab him, but he’s struggling. Ben tells him to let go, but Travis won’t hear it. Ray calls for Kenny to help them. Kenny comes back, but the look he gives Ben, it’s full of contempt, malice and disregard as he looks away and descends the ladder.

Travis isn’t strong enough to hold onto him alone. And Ben eventually slips from his grasp, and lands on the bottom of the bell tower. Crack.

Travis just stares until he hears Chuck hurry them from the ladder. Having to drown out Rachel’s gut turning screaming, he grabs her and escapes the tower.

The way home was awful. The time there was worse. Travis could get the girl to calm down even for a second. Throwing every object she could pick up at the fisherman, screaming any insult she could conjure at him until Molly told Travis all the noise was going to draw attention. Travis had to drag the poor child upstairs and lock her in the office until she just stopped. She did, after and hour. When she ran out of projectiles to throw at him, and energy to throw them. After a while, she just wanted to hide, and wanted Travis to go away.

Travis obliges, and he leaves her. He sits at the top of the stairs and just… thinks. He can still feel Ben’s grip around his hand.

He keeps replaying it, over and over. The sound of him screaming as he plummeted to his death, the sickening crack as his body collided with the wood, Rachel’s mortified screeching, and Kenny. Watching. Ignoring. Complicit.

Travis sees Kenny come near the stairs.

T: “Don’t. Don’t you fucking come near us.”

The older man doesn’t argue, and returns to the bottom of the stairs.

Eventually, it was time to leave. The boat was repaired. The choice of who was coming was to be made there and now. Kenny didn’t want to in Savannah any longer.

Molly opted to go on her own. She was always better on her own anyways.

Chuck was still displeased with what happened at the bell tower, but seeing as he had no other plans. He chose to go.

Travis, on the other hand, didn’t know what the fuck to do. It hasn’t been three hours and he’s being forced to chose between staying behind in a dead city or going with the asshole who was complicit in his best friend’s death. At that point, he retreated back into the office with Ray, who’d bawled herself into a restless sleep. He had to think of them; himself and Ray. She’d have another meltdown if he chose to tag along with Kenny in that stupid, fucking boat. Hell, he’d have to make sure she didn’t murder the man or toss him overboard in his sleep. On the other hand, staying in Savannah with no chance to make it out alone was a death sentence.

Travis shook the girl awake. Tiredly, she looked at him, silent.

T: “… he fixed the boat.” R: “…” T: “He said—” R: “I don’t care.” T: “…” R: “…” T: “We can just get on. Ride until we dock somewhere, and go our own way. How’s that sound?” R: “…on our own?” T: “On out own. Anywhere you want.” R: “Anywhere?” T: “Mhm.” R: “… we can’t stay?”

Travis shook his head.

T: “This city’s tapped dry. And it’s full of walkers. I’m not gonna promise anywhere else is safer, but Savannah’s dead. I’m sorry.” R: “… Then mama’s dead, too, isn’t she?” T: “…” Rachel sat up, slumped. R: “…I don’t really care… I’ll wherever you go… just don’t leave me too, okay?”

Travis realized, he hadn't even fully processed that they'd both been abandoned at the same time. Just, discarded. Not even an after thought.

T: “Promise.”

[sweetpaintedladie]

Hi. Stranger who would've voted KOTFM #1 (and saw this post https://sweetpaintedladie.tumblr.com/post/744625167770255360/the-complete-shutout-for-killers-of-the-flower) coming in peace. I agree with everything here, but I do want to give some context. And to counter a widespread assumption that folks think that AMPAS is an American institution.

Largely, yes, AMPAS remains an American institution. But ever since the #oscarssowhite controversy (2015), one of the unintended consequences of the efforts to address AMPAS' lack of diversity was the internationalizing of its membership, which is now 1/4 non-American (in 2015, it was a negligible number). And tbh, reading some of the comments from non-Americans/Canadians and reading non-American/Canadian film reviewers, it was very apparent that the film didn't connect with audiences outside North America.

More than a few European reviewers and commenters did not feel they understood the context of the film, didn't have any emotional connection to the history of American Indians, and, in some quarters, a vocal few - paraphrasing them - are tired of America's "racial guilt movies". AMPAS' internationalizing explains the success of Anatomy of a Fall, The Boy and the Heron, Godzilla Minus One, Poor Things (especially this one, with its heavily European crew and setting), and The Zone of Interest last weekend, as well as the awards season failures of Barbie (also largely a N American phenomenon) and especially KOTFM.

I agree with everything here 110%!

There’s a very American-centric view of almost every major award show/ceremony that oftentimes alienates those either non-North American or American audiences from non-Eurocentric works. I think in recent years, the AMPAS have actually done and *okay* job at fixing this, especially looking back at the major success and broken barriers by Parasite during the 2020 ceremony.

KOTFM and Barbie, as you said, were big in North America which resulted in less awards, which is a-okay because that doesn’t diminish the artistry they held nor their importance to people and society. If anything, their losses helped world cinema is get more appreciation through these shows and hopefully gain a bigger audiences through them! I do still think that the complete snub of all 10 awards from KOTFM was a bit odd, but at the end of the day we are still in the infant stages of the AMPAS learning how to navigate an international voting cabinet.

It’s just an award show, after all. The movies mean what they mean to people at the end of the day and their worth and importance will vary from person to person and group to group, which is the nature of art itself.

I really appreciate your clarification on voting here, thank you! It’s so easy to get caught up in what is viewed personally as best that it becomes easy to forget the genuine point by point cause of these things. I apologize if my first post seemed ignorant to the voting process, it was more so written toward both Lily and Robbie’s losses for their hard work on the film [as I greatly enjoyed both their work on it].

:)

[myfandomrambles]

Not to be an asshole but like just because David Tennant/Tenth Doctor had the best viewing numbers of NuWho doesn't actually mean he's sooo uber special better than the others.

Like every doctor before and after he actually matters. Some of those doctors are beloved by like a lot of people.

It somehow just feels icky to me to pick up with David Tennant and Davies and like what? Fuck 11, war, 12 and 13?

Chibnall was bad enough about kind of feeling like he was snubbing 11 & 12's eras.

Like obviously you had misogyny and racism problems under Moffat. And we must, must speak up about that and make sure the show does better. And no he didn't stick the landing every time, The Wedding of River Song sucks. But like there were a shit ton of people involved in those years who like fucking put their heart and soul into that.

Matt Smith & Peter Capaldi along with all the companion actors (plus Gomez) deserve some goddamn respect. I do have just some big emotional attachment to 11 & 12 yes. I also however do not think every story under them was bad. They had extremely good stories! Like season 10 might not be popular but fuck does it kick me in the feels.

But like it's not like all the Tennant hype only affects Moffat's writing if you happen to hate him. This does feel insulting to Ecelston as well. I know he hates the BBC so like I get he wouldn't come back to the main show (his audios rock btw).

This whole thing also feels sketch because you're sticking him in between your first female doctor and your first main doctor to be played by a person of colour. Like do you just not trust that Ncuti Gatwa will be good enough to make people watch? Do you not trust your own writers (even your own writing) to be compelling unless you bring David Tennant back and give him a whole other marketing number (and the numbers, while sort of ridiculous at this if you look through canon, do have meaning to the fans)? Not to mention a new costume (No I don't mean he has to wear the exact same clothes if they don't fit but you can sew a copy of the same design again) and a whole big announcement about him getting a new Sonic. The costumes and sonics are HUGE signs for fans. Like people collect the fucking sonics you have the old ones referenced in the show, it's a whole part of 12's identity crises with the shades and the new sonic after re-accepting the doctor after losing Clara. The TARDIS can make these for The Doctor or The Doctor makes their own. It's a whole thing!

Also, do they have to also fuck with Donna's ending? Really? I get some people do the whole "Donna deserved better" shtick but her ending is heartbreaking, well-written, well-acted and done just so well. Sad can be okay! I'm with Ashildir on this one, It was sad and beautiful. (Yes she's not referring to Donna but the principle stands)

Also like, The Doctor fucks people's lives up. Donna wasn't the first up Companions to have shit destroyed by The Doctor!

In the words of Martha Jones:

You need to be careful, because you know the Doctor's wonderful and he's brilliant, but he's like fire. Stand too close and people get burned (TV: Sonatarn Strategem)

Like Journeys End aired in 2008! Could we just let the story stand on it's merits?

I realise the culture of like the media in the 2010s & 2020s is just fuck with shit that should have been left alone. I mean I guess if we're doing a distribution w/ Disney we might as well follow their storytelling formula.

I mean remember the whole Time Lord victouris project? Like I'm obsessed w/ Doctor Who and have been into the EU for a long time I didn't even try and keep up with it. It was like the high republic franchise in Star Wars so hard to keep up w/ the story when you have to get so many disparate pieces of media. And again it's all Ten focused.

Honestly, I have always loved Ten. minus all this fuckery he is fantastic. And i will go to the bat i don't think he's a fuck boy. but I also like am perpetually gonna be annoyed at him.

Being a money maker does not actually define the quality of the story in every case.

[ozhigwan]

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)

Greatest film since Fury Road. Like Godzilla Minus One, it’s a huge Fuck You to Hollywood. Can’t wait for the Oscar snub.

[bridoesotherjunk]

how hilariously juvenile of hollywood to not only snub godzilla minus one at the oscars but also churn out the most "michael bay transformers"-feeling american godzilla movie ever immediately after

godzilla minus one is the massive favorite to win the one Oscar it was nominated for, but i do understand why you're saying it was snubbed

i wish it had been nominated for best picture or best foreign language film at the very least, but i take comfort knowing it absolutely should win for best VFX. if it loses, genuinely bullshit

[lotsafilms]

2024 Academy Award picks

Caught up with all the Oscars Best Picture nominations to bring my total film count from 2023 up to 54 (according to my IMDb). Here is my ranking of the grand prize, along with my choices for each award along with wild guesses for lesser categories, runner-ups and ‘snubbed’ entries (1 per film).

Picture (ranked best to worst, with ratings): Killers of the Flower Moon - 9/10 Past Lives - 9/10 The Holdovers - 9/10 Oppenheimer - 8/10 Poor Things - 8/10 American Fiction - 8/10 Barbie - 8/10 Anatomy of a Fall - 8/10 The Zone of Interest - 7/10 Maestro - 7/10

Director: BEST: Martin Scorsese - Killers of the Flower Moon RUNNER-UP: Christopher Nolan - Oppenheimer SNUB: Greta Gerwig - Barbie

Actor: BEST: Paul Giamatti – The Holdovers RU: Cillian Murphy - Oppenheimer SNUB: Andrew Scott - All of Us Strangers

Actress: BEST: Lily Gladstone – Killers of the Flower Moon RU: Emma Stone – Poor Things SNUB: Greta Lee - Past Lives

Supporting Actor: BEST: Robert Downey Jr. – Oppenheimer RU: Mark Ruffalo – Poor Things SNUB: Dominic Sessa - The Holdovers

Supporting Actress: BEST: Da'Vine Joy Randolph – The Holdovers RU: America Ferrera – Barbie SNUB: Sandra Hüller - The Zone of Interest

Original Screenplay: BEST: Celine Song - Past Lives RU: David Hemingson - The Holdovers SNUB: Emerald Fennell - Saltburn

Adapted Screenplay: BEST: Tony McNamara - Poor Things RU: Cord Jefferson - American Fiction SNUB: Eric Roth and Martin Scorsese - Killers of the Flower Moon

Animated Feature: BEST: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse RU: The Boy and the Heron SNUB: Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget

International Feature: BEST: Society of the Snow RU: The Zone of Interest SNUB: Godzilla Minus One

Documentary Feature: GUESS: 20 Days in Mariupol SNUB: A Disturbance in the Force

Documentary Short Subject: GUESS: The Last Repair Shop 

Live Action Short: BEST: The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

Animated Short: GUESS: War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John and Yoko SNUB: Tabby McTat

Original Score: BEST: Jerskin Fendrix - Poor Things RU: Robbie Robertson - Killers of the Flower Moon SNUB: Mac Quayle - Leave the World Behind

Original Song: BEST: "What Was I Made For?" - Barbie RU: "I'm Just Ken" - Barbie SNUB: "Wings of Time" - Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Sound: BEST: The Zone of Interest RU: Oppenheimer SNUB: The Killer

Cinematography: BEST: Robbie Ryan - Poor Things RU: Hoyte van Hoytema - Oppenheimer SNUB: Pedro Luque - Society of the Snow

Production Design: BEST: Poor Things RU: Barbie SNUB: Asteroid City

Costume Design: BEST: Poor Things RU: Barbie SNUB: The Cloned Tyrone

Makeup and Hairstyling: BEST: Society of the Snow RU: Maestro SNUB: A Haunting in Venice

Visual Effects: BEST: Godzilla Minus One RU: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 SNUB: Oppenheimer

Editing: BEST: Killers of the Flower Moon RU: Oppenheimer SNUB: The Iron Claw

[denimbex1986]

'...Leading the Dorian Film Awards (yet curiously snubbed from the Oscars), is Andrew Haigh’s heartbreaking All of Us Strangers with nine nominations...

Film of the Year All of Us Strangers (Searchlight) Barbie (Warner Bros.) May December(Netflix) Past Lives (A24) Poor Things (Searchlight) LGBTQ Film of the Year All of Us Strangers (Searchlight) Bottoms (MGM) Passages (MUBI, SBS) Rustin (Netflix) Saltburn (Amazon MGM) Director of the Year Greta Gerwig, Barbie (Warner Bros.) Andrew Haigh, All of Us Strangers (Searchlight) Todd Haynes, May December (Netflix) Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer (Universal) Celine Song, Past Lives (A24)

Screenplay of the Year Original or adapted Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig, Barbie (Warner Bros.) Samy Burch, May December (Netflix) Andrew Haigh, All of Us Strangers (Searchlight) Arthur Harari, Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall (NEON) Celine Song, Past Lives (A24) LGBTQ Screenplay of the Year (new) Andrew Haigh, All of Us Strangers (Searchlight) Arthur Harari, Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall (NEON) Dustin Lance Black, Julian Breece, Rustin (Netflix) Arlette Langmann, Ira Sachs, Mauricio Zacharias, Passages (MUBI) Emma Seligman, Rachel Sennott, Bottoms (MGM)

Film Performance of the Year Colman Domingo, Rustin (Netflix) Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers (Focus Features) Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon (Apple, Paramount) Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall (NEON) Greta Lee, Past Lives (A24) Trace Lysette, Monica (IFC) Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer (Universal) Natalie Portman, May December (Netflix) Andrew Scott, All of Us Strangers (Searchlight) Emma Stone, Poor Things (Searchlight)

Supporting Film Performance of the Year Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple (Warner Bros.) Robert Downey Jr., Oppenheimer (Universal) Jodie Foster, NYAD (Netflix) Claire Foy, All of Us Strangers (Searchlight) Ryan Gosling, Barbie (Warner Bros.) Rachel McAdams, Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret (Lionsgate) Charles Melton, May December (Netflix) Paul Mescal, All of Us Strangers (Searchlight) Rosamind Pike, Saltburn (Amazon MGM) Da’Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers (Focus Features)

Genre Film of the Year (new) For excellence in science fiction, fantasy and horror All of Us Strangers (Searchlight) Godzilla Minus One (Toho) M3GAN (Universal) Poor Things (Searchlight) Talk To Me(A24)

GALECA LGBTQIA+ Film Trailblazer Award For creating art that inspires empathy, truth and equity Colman Domingo Jodie Foster Andrew Haigh Todd Haynes Andrew Scott...'

[crowdvscritic]

round up // NOVEMBER 23 + DECEMBER 23 + JANUARY 24: CROWD vs. CRITIC vs. CHRISTMAS!

November and December push me to the limit—how many movies can I fit in before the end of the calendar year? In 2023 (plus a few bonus days), the answer was more than 130 new releases. And who wants to skip all of their favorite Christmas movies? Because I extend my holiday viewing into January, I fit in almost 90 this year, adding a few more to my all-time must-watch list. Once the Oscar noms were announced, I was already back to my usual shenanigans and had watched my 400th unique movie on Turner Classic Movies. Whether these statistics are cool or pathetic (erm, don’t tell me), I’m grateful for the slowness of Dump-uary and the depth that comes with thinking about the same Oscar-nominated films for several weeks. (Too bad we need to revisit Melissa Villaseñor’s Oscars snub song from SNL.)

To help sum up these three packed months, I’m resurrecting Crowd vs. Critic vs. Christmas: five crowd-pleasers, five critic picks, and five Christmas treats. Who says you can’t make these holiday recommendations part of your February entertainment?

Holiday Crowd-Pleasers

1. SNL Round Up

Studio 8H is making up for lost time after those strikes: 

“Question Quest” (4906 with Emma Stone)

“Beep Beep” (4907 with Adam Driver) - #SoMidwest

“Weekend Update: Chloe Fineman’s Save the Last Dance Holiday Gift” (4907)

“Tiny A** Bag” (4907)

“Christmas Awards Cold Open” (4908 with Kate McKinnon)

"North Pole News: Killer Whale Attack” (4908)

“ABBA Christmas” (4908)

“Yankee Swap” (4908)

“Please Don't Destroy - Roast” (4910 with Dakota Johnson) - As one who still has yet to understand the appeal of the PDD guys, this resonated with me

“The Barry Gibb Talk Show: 2024 Election” (4910)

“Weekend Update: A Guy Named Ethan on the 2024 Oscars Snubs” (4910) - I am...probably only a few years away from turning into Ethan?

2. Triple Feature - Big City Crime Thrillers: No Way Out (1987) + Cop Land (1997) + Widows (2018)

The stars aligned on all of these! In No Way Out (Crowd: 9/10 // Critic: 8/10), Kevin Costner is assigned to investigate the murder of his secret lover (Sean Young) in Washington D.C. The twist? The person who assigned him the case was also her lover, Secretary of Defense Gene Hackman. In Cop Land (9/10 // 7.5/10), Sylvester Stallone sheriffs a New Jersey town that houses a corrupt batch of New York City cops (including Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta, and Robert Patrick) that Robert De Niro is investigating. In Widows (8.5/10 // 8.5/10), Viola Davis, Elizabeth Debicki, Cynthia Erivo, and Michelle Rodriguez are completing the heist that killed their husbands (including Liam Neeson) in a corrupt Chicago run by Robert Duvall, Colin Farrell, Brian Tyree Henry, and Daniel Kaluuya. All are twisty, gritty, and thrilling.

3. Godzilla Minus One (2023)

Oh no, there goes Tokyo—but at least it’s going to a spectacle as fun and well-crafted as this one. Crowd: 8.5/10 // Critic: 7/10

4. Double Feature - ‘90s Matt Damon Dramas: School Ties (1992) + The Rainmaker (1997)

Because Matt Damon has always been good! Though he’s not always been the good guy: In School Ties (Crowd: 8.5/10 // Critic: 8.5/10), Brendan Fraser must hide his Jewish identity to survive at a prep school in the ‘50s, and bullies like Damon are who he’s most afraid of. In The Rainmaker (9/10 // 8.5/10), Damon is the good guy as a baby-faced lawyer who wants to protect Claire Danes, Teresa Wright, and Mary Kay Place from villains like slick lawyer Jon Voight. Here’s hoping Damon has another coming-of-age movie (as a teacher) and legal thriller in his future.

5. The Jerk (1979)

Not every moment of this movie would fly if made today, but Steve Martin’s episodic adventures in his first journey away from home gave me some of my biggest laughs in months. Crowd: 9.5/10 // Critic: 8/10

More Holiday Crowd-Pleasers: Three Men and a Little Lady (1990) reminds us how much fun it is to let three charismatic movie stars (Ted Danson, Steve Guttenberg, and Tom Selleck) cook // The Mrs. Doubtfire National Tour is fluffy fun // Maggie Moore(s) (2023) is a true crime story that makes me wish Tina Fey and Jon Hamm could become the new Myrna Loy and William Powell // Quiz Lady (2023) lets Will Ferrell live out his Alex Trebek dreams // John Mulaney in Concert Tour is making me count down till his next special is released to get memes about his grandfather, his bus driver, and his son // Reacher Season 2 is the perfect action show to watch with my dad // I’m not sure if Man of the Year (2006) was prescient about the future of politics or if it just understood human nature well enough to anticipate the populist movement and election fraud conversations we’re having today, but this Robin-Williams-as-Jon-Stewart comedy is underrated // The real-world implications of V for Vendetta (2005) are…confusing, but this literary-inspired adventure is still thrilling // Desperado (1995) is an over-the-top, shoot-'em-up Western

Holiday Critic Picks

1. The Best of 2023

2023: a year of products, greed, put-upon employees, and artificial intelligence—and not just in the actors’ and writers’ strikes! It was also a great year for movies, which is why I couldn’t narrow down my list to just 10. Read my top 10 picks for 2023 movies, as well as 28 honorable mentions at ZekeFilm, and then check out the accompanying list on Letterboxd.

I also dug deeper into some of the films mentioned in my Best of 2023 in these reviews:

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes - ZekeFilm review

Maestro - ZekeFilm review

Priscilla -  ZekeFilm review, KMOV review, Do You Like Apples discussion, updated Letterboxd Sofia Coppola rankings

2. Double Feature - New Baseball Documentaries: It Ain’t Over (2022) + The League (2023)

I am not a Yankees fan, so who would have guessed that the Yogi Berra documentary It Ain’t Over (Crowd: 8/10 // Critic: 8.5/10) would make me cry? And my baseball history knowledge always has room for improvement, so The League (8/10 // 9/10) is a phenomenal fix to many of my blind spots. Both are now inducted in my Baseball Movie Hall of Fame.

3. Triple Billing - Come From Away + Tina: The Tina Turner Musical + Funny Girl National Tours

Looking for a true story turned into an excellent musical? Try Come From Away, which captures the chaos of flights rerouted on 9/11 with the pathos you expect (and the comedy you don’t). Or try Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, which is one of the best—if not the best—jukebox musical I’ve seen because the songs are integrated into the story instead of just as a musical revue of a a well-known career. Or catch Funny Girl, which captures comedienne Fanny Brice’s life with the help of a powerhouse singer channeling Barbra Streisand’s powers. Better yet, I recommend not skipping any of them when they come to town if you can swing it.

4. Happiness Falls by Angie Kim (2023)

What do you do when your dad goes missing in the middle of a global pandemic and the only one who was with him when he disappeared is your non-verbal brother? That’s the central mystery of Angie Kim’s latest novel. Instead of an edge-of-your-seat-thriller, it’s a story that propels us forward with the questions that plague its characters.

5. Hollywood Victory: The Movies, Stars, and Stories of World War II by Christian Blauvelt (2021)

The Turner Classic Movies Library has yet to miss. Hollywood Victory doesn’t just provide an in-depth overview of Hollywood from 1933 to 1945. It’s an exploration of Hollywood’s inextricable relationship with American politics, its contributions that helped the Allies win the war, and a unusual but informative lens of movies and the war itself. It’s also a long set of additions to my watchlist—of the 260+ films referenced, I’ve only seen a quarter. Thank goodness for TCM and a DVR with unlimited space!

More Holiday Critic Picks: American Symphony, Chevalier, Fallen Leaves, Freud’s Last Session, and Master Gardener were all films in consideration for my Best of 2023 // Wes Anderson’s Roald Dahl short film adaptations Poison, The Rat Catcher, The Swan, and The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023) are bite-sized, beautifully manicured delights // Debbie Reynolds paves the way the way for Kathy Bates’s Titanic role with her charismatic starring piece in the musical The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964) // Barbara Stanwyck is wonderful as always in the melodrama All I Desire (1953) // Hail the Conquering Hero (1944) is filled with some of Preston Sturges’s most fun mixups and hijinks

Holiday Treats

1. Ken The EP by Ryan Gosling and Mark Ronson

I don’t care if these are barely Christmas songs—let’s give Ryan Gosling seasonal updates of “I’m Just Ken” for all of 2024!

2. Mixed Nuts (1994)

Hot take: Steve Martin has not been in enough rom-coms. A kookier—but nonetheless delightful—brand of Nora Ephron stars Martin and Rita Wilson as co-workers at a crisis hotline who are clearly meant for each other. If only they—and Madeline Kahn, Juliette Lewis, Adam Sandler, Liev Schreiber, and Garry Shandling— could get out of their own way. Crowd: 7.5/10 // Critic: 6.5/10  

3. Fitzwilly (1967)

Christmas Ocean’s Eleven! Dick Van Dyke is as charming as ever and the vibes are as ‘60s as ever as he tries to pull off a heist at Gimbels on Christmas Eve. Crowd: 8.5/10 // Critic: 8/10

4. Metropolitan (1990)

Before Chris Eigeman was Jason Stiles on Gilmore Girls, he was essentially playing the same character in Whit Stillman’s comedy riff on The Great Gatsby. A young, bougie group is attempting to survive debutante season (also the Christmas season), debating the pros and cons of wealth and falling in and out of romance. Crowd: 8/10 // Critic: 9/10

5. The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek (1944)

Hollywood Victory informed me I’m not the only who can’t believe this was allowed to play for audiences in 1944! Betty Hutton marries a soldier on a whim, but the next morning she can’t remember which one. Her BFF with an unrequited crush (Eddie Bracken) is the only one who can help her figure out who her husband—and the father of her child—is before the scandal gets out and destroys her reputation. Because this is a Preston Sturges feature, it’s actually a hilarious quest. Crowd: 8.5/10 // Critic: 9/10

More Christmas Treats: Klaus (2019) is a hidden gem on Netflix // Okay, the ick factor in Susan Slept Here (1954) is real, but Dick Powell and Debbie Reynolds are just so darn charming! // 8-Bit Christmas (2021) is a better-than-it-needed-to-be update of A Christmas Story featuring a Nintendo instead of a BB gun // How did I never see Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) all the way through before this year? Once I realized I’d missed some scenes in my umpteen cable watches over the years, it shot up on my John Hughes rankings // Pocketful of Miracles (1961) is a delightful Cinderella tale that proves Bette Davis always had it 

Also this Holiday Season…

I reviewed even more new movies, including Next Goal Wins (ZekeFilm), The Marvels (KMOV), and the new Mean Girls musical (ZekeFilm)

The St. Louis Film Critics Association nominated and voted on our Best of 2023 films. You can see every winner and every film we nominated on Letterboxd, and you can read my summary of how I voted here on Crowd vs. Critic. Keep scrolling if you’re on the home page to my last post, or read it here.

Photo credits: Funny Girl, Happiness Falls, Hollywood Victory. All others IMDb.com. 

[pixel64sworld]

Godzilla Minus One SNUBBED At The Oscars! Hollywood Hates The Success!

[mayra-quijotescx]

okay i lied one more post but it's mainly about the playlist I'm going to slap together for anyone hoping to have a Eurovision party next year, even if it is only for themself.

winner from previous year (I put both "Tattoo" and "Euphoria" bc Loreen is now the second performer in Eurovision history to win twice.)

past wins (minus ABBA bc we already know, due to the presenter who gave the game away on a hot mic after the vote concluded, that this whole thing is going to be about them, y'all will get your ABBA in the finale itself no doubt)

bangers from ESC2023, including DNQs

"Eurovusion (Open Up)" because I said so (plus any other sufficiently entertaining songs from non-participating countries about ESC, if applicable)

past Melodifestivalen bangers, with extreme preference for Swedish language songs because my God does Sweden send so many English songs. boo hiss end anglophone hegemony.

(PENDING) Melodifestivalen 2024 bangers, winner excluded

(PENDING) Eurovision 2024 bangers that DNQ, if applicable

(PENDING) any songs I hear about that got snubbed or screwed out of representation in other national qualifiers in the last couple of years ('23 and '24.) For now, "Gladiator" by Jann is the only member of this category.

What I have so far is here, input is welcome, I will admit I only even looked at Melodifestivalen songs whose titles were in Swedish (or in one case that delighted me, Spanish!) I will check the English-titled ones for language balance when it is not as 11:30PM as it currently is.

The one I did for this year's edition (2023) is here.