93rd Oscars During Pandemic

The 93rd Oscars happened and although it sorely missed the grandness of a packed auditorium, it made up for it with a technically proficient ceremony in an altered format. It was still a suspenseful, emotional show and had a few surprises. 

Nomadland took its lion's share with Best Picture, Director, and, in a tight race, Actress for Frances McDormand who became a three time lead winner only behind Kate Hepburn with four. Most key nominees were present. In a switch, Best Actor and Actress were announced after Best Picture. Anthony Hopkins, who had last minute momentum from the British Academy Awards for The Father, stunned expected posthumous favorite Chadwick Boseman. 

There were no musical numbers or elaborate film clips, and the one terrible moment was a live "guess if the song was an Oscar winner, nominee or not". (This year's nominated songs were sung in total in a pre-Oscar show. Smart move.) Still the show ran 3 1/2 hours with acceptance speeches allowed full grace. The telecast was really amazing to pull off all things considered. Here's hoping next year returns to normal, pomp and circumstance.

 

2021 OSCAR PREDICTIONS FOR 2020 FILMS

 

OK, this year’s Oscars have been affected by the Pandemic and though many categories are fairly certain, there will be surprises.  I also have not seen quite all the Best Picture nominees having to rely mostly on streaming access. So I am sticking my neck out in bold. Here’s hoping for a celebration of quality films. Enjoy.

PICTURE-Nomadland

ACTOR-Chadwick Boseman is honored posthumously for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

ACTRESS-a toss up with Carey Mulligan in Promising Young Woman vs Frances McDormand in Nomadland vs Viola Davis in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

SUPPORTING ACTOR-Daniel Kaluuya in Judas and the Black Messiah

SUPPORTING ACTRESS-Yuh-Jung Youn in Minari

DIRECTOR-Chloé Zhao for Nomadland

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY-Promising Young Woman goes head to head with Trial of the Chicago 7

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY-Nomadland

ANIMATED FEATURE-Soul

FILM EDITING-The Sound of Metal

CINEMATOGRAPHY-Nomadland with Mank on its heels

PRODUCTION DESIGN-Mank

ORIGINAL SCORE-Soul

ORIGINAL SONG-Speak Now from One Night in Miami

SOUND MIXING and EDITING-The Sound of Metal                                       

COSTUME DESIGN-Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

MAKEUP& HAIRSTYLING- Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom                                              

VISUAL EFFECTS- Tenet

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM-Another Round          

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE-My Octopus Teacher

ANIMATED SHORT-If Anything Happens I Love You

DOCUMENTARY SHORT-A Love Song for Latasha

LIVE ACTION SHORT-Two Distant Strangers

 

More Depth in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

 

The Falcon and The Winter Soldier finished its limited series run on Disney Plus in an action packed finale that ties up most of its plot threads. Whilw they didn't quote stick the landing, the series allowed more depth into Sam's personal life and his choice whether to become the new Captain America and Bucky's attempts to break free of his guilt over being a killing machine. Part of the fun is seeing the dynamics of these two.as they bicker and slowly bond. Some old faces (Sharon Carter, Batroc, and Baron Zemo) and some new ones all add to the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While not as compelling as Wandavision, it had good moments especially in its reference to an earlier black super soldier and call backs to previous Marvel films like the Blip which wiped half the world as an important plot point. Production values and stunt work are outstanding. This is a promising start for what hopefully will be more of this pair of Avengers.

A Heartfelt SOUL

 

A fascinating tale of hope and redemption, Soul is Disney Pixar’s latest entry in feature animation. Laced with themes of second chances and celebrating the joy of life, it is surely one of the best films of the year. It’s Pixar, right?

Joe (voiced by Jamie Foxx) is a struggling jazz musician who teaches part time sharing his love of jazz while yearning for a career in his true passion.  As fortune smiles with a golden opportunity that could change his life, tragedy strikes, and he is literally plunged into an ‘out of body’ world of uncertainty and confusion.  Desperate to return to his mortal life, he befriends another soul, (voiced by Tina Fey) and together they race against time to get to an important gig. Reevaluating his life and dreaming of a better future, can Joe reclaim his destiny and have happiness?

Pixar’s animation is so vivid and lifelike particularly the depiction of its otherworld enhanced by impressive visual effects to make this a sumptuous, cinematic experience. And then there is that jazz soundtrack, a wonderful collection of rich, melodic chords. 

With elements from other similarly themed films like Heaven Can Wait and All of Me, and like many Pixar films, the storyline builds feeling and pathos slowly into an affecting narrative that by the end, has a hefty, emotional payoff.   What comes through is Joe’s realization of the effect he has on other people, of shared experiences and how important and precious is life, one that is worth fighting for, even sacrificing for. 

It’s a deep, reaffirming film with plenty of heart and, yes, soul. There are two certainties this awards season: Soul will win Oscars, one for Best Animated Feature and one for Best Score; bank on it.

**** of **** stars.   (Disney plus)