Ranking The Best And Worst Films I have Watched In June!!

 So, in June I watched 12 films in the theaters. Here are my rankings 12-1. Number 2 is cheating and I will explain and number 1 will be a shocker.

So..here they are....I hope this list will help you decide what to see in the theaters or when they are available to watch at home.

12

HOT MILK

I thought it looked interesting. No...3 annoying people. With a plot that went nowhere. Avoid it.

11

DANGEROUS ANIMALS

Crazy man finds joy in killing people by feeding them to sharks. I knew this coming in. I just found no joy in torture porn, and the ending not giving me the results I wanted. The happy part is glossed over..but I want to know what happens afterwards... but no. 

10

28 DAYS LATER

I am not a horror or zombie movie person. However this was getting good reviews so like a sheep I went.

Very violent. It started well, but in the middle they took away the best character (No he did not die), it was downhill from there. Then the movie did not end, it was a to be continued which I always hate.

9

THE PHOENICIAN

I love Wes Anderson films. However in his last couple films, he has an idea it seems, but this idea does not really make a movie. So he fills the movie with Wes Anderson quirkiness, and here that does not work. The film is just flat and not funny and not interesting. A bright spot in the film introduction of MiaThrepleton as Sister Liesi, she is the bright spot.

8

ELIO

Its Pixar. It's not bad..not great. Kinda predictable. Kids may be bored because often nothing is happening, the movie is not moving forward. It is worth a look on Disney +.

7

THE MATERIALIST

Gosh I wanted to like this more. Same director, Celine Song of the fantastic Past Lives. Marketing for this film was awful, by making it seem like a rom-com. So how can you not be disappointed when you find out it is a drama filled with a lot of sadness and a very miscast Pedro Pascal.  It is not bad, you just have to know it is about dating in this age and expectations.

6

LIFE OF CHUCK

Many people love this film. It is a life affirming film. It is edited as 2 movies in one. Sort of a magical story of life lessons and learning to enjoy. They are interconnected both parts in a very odd way. I loved the second part but the 1st part put a damper on the second. So..anyway.. Oscar worthy performance by Tom Hiddleston.

5

BALLERINA

You go in for the action and it delivered. I mean fighting with fire?  Amaras is fantastic. You get to see Lance Reddick,RIP, one last time. The movie really needed editing. 

4

JANE AUSTEN WRECKED MY LIFE

You go in for the rom-com and you get it. Very predictable. Sweet. Funny. The lead Camille Rutherford is very good. The ending fell flat, but still I liked it.

3

F1

Filled with action. Well acted. Needed an editor. 2.5 hours of race, crash, race, crash, race, crash. After a while you are looking at your watch. The race scenes however are cool, and you learn a lot about racing even though the narrator of the races will not shut up. I did enjoy it. It is fun. Just long.

2

JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH

Wait! That movie comes out in July! It is not in the theaters yet! I know people! However I saw a private screening of it 2 weeks ago because I am special. Well I have been called "Special" often in life.

So I hated the last Jurassic. So going in, I was like naaaaah. I can't tell you enough how good this is. A different story, with great actors Johansson, Bailey, and Ali. This was so fun, a perfect film to watch in the theaters in the summer. How it plays at home I do not know, but I jumped often and laughed. Oh one negative..I hated the kid, drove me nuts. See this in the theaters, come out July 2nd! The water scenes!!!

1

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

Who would have thought. A remake of a classic animated movie would be better than the animated movie. It works better as a live action film.The action is perfect for adults and kids. It is well cast. The special effects are fantastic. The story is the same but seems more, exciting. I see people on line noting..it shot by shot of the other film...what is the point. Did you say that about the remake of The Great Gatsby; Little Women; Cinderella; and so on. So just shut up and watch, it is a fun, and exciting, edge of you seat summer movie.

Well there was my June. Next week or so I will give my top 5 of the year so far. Bring on July, bring on Superman!

As always from the shadows thanks for your time

Ranking From Worst To Best Films I Have Watched In The Theaters In May!!!!!!!

 Well, I am going to try this. 

This may help you decide what to watch when these films are ready for home viewing, or go to the theaters and take a look.

As you know....I am very wise so you should follow my lead.

So in May I watched 11 films in the theater....

11

Lilo & Stitich

Oh boy rebellious children who don't listen are real cute in animation. Not so much in real life. Could not stand the kid and Stitich bothered me. However I hear kids love it. So................Not for me I guess.

10

The Legend Of Ochi

Just okay...exciting sometimes. Boring and flat ending.

9

Friendship

People like this film. Me? Not so much. Thought it was more cringe than funny.

8

Karate Kids Legends

You get exactly what you pay for. Is that a bad thing? No.  It is not great. However, again, you know what you want going in and it delivers.

7

On Swift Horses

Right now I would pay to see Daisy Edgar Jones read the phone book. This is clearly for adults. Slow moving. Sad sometimes, very moving. Takes place in the 50's, as Muriel upends her life pushing against social norms. Just disappointed in the ending. I wanted it to be more moving

6

Tornado

Oh my gosh.It is like a modern western but not in the west. Tornado, a young girl on the run from some bad guys. Turns the tide. I just did not like the ending. However it is a very exciting film, my first surprise of the year.

5 

The Ballad Of Wallis Island

Former music star gets paid to do a concert at Wallis Island. Not knowing it was for just one person. Enter music stars ex-wife and former band mate. I wanted to laugh more. Still fun and sweet. I keep thinking it may be higher on this list after another viewing, just to appreciate it more.

4

The Last Rodeo

I mean how can you not like this film from Angel Studios. A retired bullrider comes back to raise money for his sick grandson. You know where it's going, but you don't care. Tissues with action. Well acted also.

3

The Accountant 2

I mean action, and laughs. Bernthal and Affleck have great chemistry.. I still can't tell you what the plot is about, something about smuggling people.

2

Thunderbolts or The New Avengers

Fun yet very heavy, great starting point for the new direction of Marvel. We love BOB!!!

1

MIP Final Reckoning

At this point, the mission is possible. Yes, very long. However those action scenes!!!

Okay. Bring on June. Looking at you Ballerina and you Dragon and you Dinosaurs!!!

As always from the shadows thanks for your time.

From The Shadow...Oscar Predictions...Who will win..Should Win...And Snubs

Well two years ago I got every pick right..last year..not so much. Out of 8 I got 6 right. Well let's call it a comeback.

This year will be real tough, there is not one clear front runner (Well maybe supporting male), picks will be tough.

To make things different this year, I usually save the best picture for last, this year I will start with the best picture. Why? It is because I feel this is the worst list of Oscar Nominated films in decades. I want to give reasons here why I feel that way.

BEST PICTURE

One of the problems with voters....They vote with the idea, "I want to vote for a movie that has meaning and shows a struggle to rise". Which is fine, however, You can have a movie about change and rising, but it cannot just be about that. There has to be a good script, good editing, and how about an ending that makes the viewer feel good sometimes.

The Brutalist....Can I get an editor. Well acted but, also kinda unbelievable of a script. Plus the dubbing controversy does not help.

A Complete Unknown...There was a film years back about Neil Armstrong called First Man. He was so brave, yet, the film was slow and boring mainly because Neil really did not have much of a personality and it was not, film worthy, other than the moon, just a regular guy, going to work. Same with Bob Dylan. Brilliant man, yet, he is a dud. Well acted film, but, no background on his song lyrics, nothing. He sings, he stares, he fights and is a bit of an asshole.

Conclave...terrible script with a cool idea. Half way through I stopped caring and with a shocking ending that was not believable at all.

Dune Pt 2...If Dune fanatics did not like the changes from the book, and me, as a non-Dune fanatic thought the back half of the film sucked. How did this get nominated?

Emilia Perez...This was a look at me I support trans votes. This film has no tone. The singing I thought was a joke. The storyline was just OK. Then controversy from Karla Sofia Gascon and her mouth. The only reason this did not make my worst list is the wonderful Zoe Saldana.

I'm Still Here...A very good story. Needs editing realllly baaaad. Even with its length, the ending felt rushed. I mean one character shows up handicapped near the end.Why? What happened? Shorten that front end , give us more of the family's life afterwards in the back end.

Nickleboys....Another if I vote this way I am fighting for a cause. I mean this reminded me of one of those old TV movies. With a poor script, not the story but the dialogue.

The Substance...If you read the Shadow Awards...which you should...you will see my problems with this film

Wicked...The special effects are just okay. The back half of this film is sloppy as all get out. Plus voters are waiting for Wicked For Good.

Will and Should Win the Best Picture

Anora

All award season The Brutalist has been the front runner. However in the last month..Anora is creeping to the front. So I think Anora will pull the upset. The other movie sitting in the shadows (no pun intended) is A Complete Unknown. 

Snub

DADDIO

Well you know my thoughts on this film. See my number 1 film of the year. It's different, a great script perfectly acted...you can replace any of the films except Anora with Daddio. 

BEST DIRECTOR

Jacques Audiard, Emilia Pérez
Sean Baker, Anora
Brady Corbet, The Brutalist
Coralie Fargeat, The Substance
James Mangold, A Complete Unknown

Will Win

Jacques Audiard for The Substance

Again it is wide open and this film seems to really come across as different. So I will go there lol

Should Win

Sean Baker for Anora.

Snubbed

Jon Chu for Wicked

Yes there were a lot of problems, but he raised his hand to tackle a biiiig project here. Knowing the fanatics will be coming after him. He added some good things to the original.

BEST SCORE

The Brutalist (Daniel Blumberg)
Conclave (Volker Bertelmann)
Emilia Pérez (Clément Ducol and Camille)
Wicked (John Powell and Stephen Schwartz)
The Wild Robot (Kris Bowers)

Will Win And Should Win

Daniel Blumberg The Brutalist

This is the one I think the Brutalist will Win. The score in this film is wonderful. It sets the atmosphere of time beautifully.

Snubbed

Amelia Warner For The Woman And The Sea

Like Blumberg, her score sets up the atmosphere of the time, and the score adds to the excitement of the finish

I would replace Ducol and Camille from Emilia Perez for sure,

BEST ANIMATED MOVIE

Flow

Inside Out 2

Memoir Of A Snail

Wallace And Gromit Vengeance Most Fowl

The Wild Robot

Will Win

Wild Robot

This is a three way battle between Robot; Inside Out 2; and Flow

I have to give Robot the slight edge over Flow

Should Win

Inside Out 2

I prefer Inside Out 2 over Wild Robot. I just think the script for Inside 2 is more layered.

I see no snubs for this award

BEST ACTOR

Adrian Brody The Britalist

Timothee Chalamet A Complete Unknown

Colman Domingo Sing Sing

Ralph Fiennes Conclave

Sebastian Stan The Apprentice

Will Win And Should Win

Timothee Chalamet

I mean he had a great year. He did his own singing in A Complete Unknown. I was not a fan of the film however He was great., and believable as Bob Dylan. It is between him and Brody and I am giving him the edge. He is lucky votes were in before his SAG speech lol.

Snubbed

Sean Penn In Daddio

I would definitely replace Sebastian Stan with this fantastic performance

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Yora Borisov for Anora

Kieran Culkin for A Real Pain

Edward Norton in A Complete Unknown

Guy Pearce in The Brutalist

Jeremy Strong in The Apprentice

Will Win and Should Win

Kieran Culkin for A Real Pain. 

This is close to a lock. He is so good in this film, you actually worry about him, and cant stop thinking about him even after the film is over. The amazing thing is, he took the job last minute. He was not feeling it, lol. However I think it is a false nomination because he was clearly the lead in this film. Still, the only competition he has here is Norton just because he never won, and that is a loooongshot.

 

I have no snubs here ...it is just a weak category. 

BEST ACTRESS

Cynthia Erivo for Wicked Pt 1

Karla Sofia Gascon for Emilia Perez

Mickey Madison for Anora

Demi Moore for The Substance

Fernanda Torres for I'm Still Here

Will Win

Demi Moore

What was once a runaway, is now much closer to a three way race. Madison is coming on strong after the SAG awards: Torres is gaining steam also. Erivo probably is strong but voters are waiting for Wicked For Good. Still I think Demi just barely wins here with the comeback story vote. Barely.

Should Win

Mickey Madison

She is a find! Plus Demi Moore was really in half the film. Madison was in every scene. 

Snubbed

Dakota Johnson

DADDIO was an acting clinic and it is a shame that this film and these performances were ignored. I would replace Gascon with Johnson for sure.

Finally

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Monica Barbaro for A Complete Unknown

Ariana Grande For Wicked Pt 1

Felicity Jones for The Brutalist

Isabella Rossellini for Conclave

Zoe Saldana for Emilia Perez

Will Win and Should Win

Zoe Saldana

She is the front runner. The shining star in  a bad film. The real competition comes from Monica Barbaro, and I will not be bothered if she pulls out the upset, and usually in either supporting category there is an upset. This could be it.

Snubbed

Elle Fanning

She was fantastic as Sylvie in A Complete Unknown. The other three performances Norton Chalamet and Barbaro kinda left her forgotten. She deserved a nomination also leaving Rossellini off the list.

Well these are my picks. Lets see how I do!!!

From the shadows as always thanks for your time.

THE 2024 SHADOW ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS!!!!

I know!! Settle down!! Put on your tux. Put on your gown. Don't drink too much. Get in your limo. You are going to the most important awards show of the year. The Shadow Awards. Chosen by the wisest voting block...ME!!

If you disagree with the awards. That is unacceptable. 

And remember ...starting last year I gave a book and album awards.

So heeerrre we go!!!!!!!!

The Shadow Award For Worst Performance In A Film

JUSTIN BALDONI in It Ends With Us

I promise you this has nothing to do with the lawsuits between him and Lively. In fact I think they are both a bit wacky. I am just judging by performance. He is just not believable here. I can't tell if it is because I read the book and I expected something else, but he is stiff and not as loving as he is supposed to be and not threatening as he supposed to be. It's like he was reading his lines. I think his ego got in the way. He directed the film and cast himself...it does not work.

The Shadow Award For Best Actor Of The Year

TIMOTHEE CHALAMET

Two wonderful performances by Chalamet this year in two films.

First Dune 2..it was a good film I gave it 3 1/2 out of 5 stars. He was fantastic in many awful film locations.

Then in A Complete Unknown which I also gave 3 1/2 stars. He not only sings but he acts his ass off as Bob Dylan. He is fantastic. 

This all earned him the Shadow Award as the BEST ACTOR OF 2024

The Shadow Award Best Actress Of The Year Award

MARGARET QUALLEY

Margaret Qualley hit the trifecta this year with three great performances.

She started the year with Driveaway Dolls. Just a very funny performance with a great accent.

Then in a very odd film, in a small part, Kinds Of Kindness, she maybe gives the best performance in this over the top film.

Then she finishes the year with the horror film The Substance, where she acts without saying hardly anything. She is relying on her eyes and facial expressions, and she is fantastic.

This all earned, the daughter of Andie MacDowell, Margaret Qualley The Shadow Award for Best Actress Of 2024.

The Shadow Award For Best Comeback Of The Year

DEMI MOORE

Demi Moore gives a very good performance as Elisabeth in the horror film The Substance. I was not a huge fan of the film but her performance was outstanding. Which earns Demi Moore The Shadow Award for Comeback Of The Year.

The Shadow Award For My Favorite Character Of The Year

ANI in Anora

Ani played by Mikey Madison. She is a slight scammer. She is a hustler. She is in love. She is in over her head. And in the end...you want to hug her. Ani is The Shadow Award winner for My Favorite Character of the year.

The Shadow Award For ANew Christmas Classic

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER

No...not Red One.

Well you can see by the trailer what it is about. Pageant is highlighted by really good performances by Molly Belle Wright as Beth; Beatrice Schneider as Imogene, and Judy Greer as Grace. What a fun sweet Christmas film. Directed by Dallas Jenkins and based on the classic book by Barbara Robinson..earning The Best Christmas Pageant Ever the Award for New Christmas Classic.

The Shadow Award For I Don't Get The Love Award

We Have A Tie!!!!

CHALLENGERS

I do not get it...

1- Premise...a battle over the love of Tashi Donaldson (Zendaya) , between  Art Donaldson (Mike Faist) and Patrick Zwieg (Josh O'Connor). All three are tennis players. They say this..."She is the hottest girl". Really? Right there I thought ummmmmm. I mean Zendaya is very pretty, but falling over each other for her. Really?

2- The trailer makes it seem like this film will be so steamy, you will feel it come off the screen. Again, no. I have yet to see Zendaya do a "steamy" scene, ever. This is just a movie about mind games., that needed an editor.

3- I know, this is a pick on Zendaya post. She is acting against two great broadway actors, and she is kinda exposed for...well her poor acting. Look at that picture above, both actors are taking chances, she takes no chances and she is so stiff. They act circles around her the whole movie.

4-The ending. It is so unrealistic. And the tennis looks so fake.

SUBSTANCE

I get the love for Dermi. She is very good in this film. I also understand the storyline of the way women get treated in society, and the extremes they feel they have to go through to feel accepted.

However the giant hole, she gets nothing out of this miracle medicine, she has no involvement or mindset while Margaret Qualley is, well, her. So she gets nothing. There is the plot hole. She gets no joy out of the situation. Is she addicted to the drug? Why, it gives her nothing?

So..the award for I Don't Get The Love goes to Challengers and Substance.

The Shadow Award for The Funniest Film Of The Year

DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS

Directed by Ethan Coen, and if you do not like the Coen brothers films, well, maybe this may not be for you.

The film follows Jamie and Marian on a roadtrip to Tallahassee, where they cross paths with some inept criminals.

An odd film, yet its dry and funny, often very strange; but it's Cohen.

The Shadow Award For The Best Love Story Of The Year

TOUCH

Well read my top ten of the year. You have not. What is wrong with you??!! Read the blog!!!

The Shadow Award For Best Love Story Of The Year is Touch

The Shadow Award Fort The Best Action Film Of The Year

THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE

Casting is perfect, and was my 2nd choice for the funniest film of the year.

Please read that blog with my top ten of the year. You should.

The Award For The Biggest Tearjerker Of The Year

WE LIVE IN TIME

Oh my. We follow the lives of Tobias (Andrew Garfield) and Almut (Florence Pugh).

You can tell by the trailer where this is going. Garfield and Pugh act their asses off here.

I was not a fan of the editing, time jumps, but it was in my just missed list. 

Grab a tissue and see We Live In Time which is The Shadow Award For Tear Jerker Of The Year.

The Shadow Award For The Best Scene Of The Year

ELPHABA'S DANCE

There is a little bit of behind the scenes of that great dance at the Ozdust Ballroom.

It is one of the few scenes that works better than the stage show, I think it's because you can get close ups.

You learn a lot here...

It changes the relationship between Elphaba and Galinda

It shows that maybe Elphaba is not as hard on the inside as she appears.

We see Nessarose do nothing...I will leave that there

The Shadow Award For The Best Scene Of The Year Goes to The Wicked Dance Scene

The Shadow Award For Best Newcomer Of The Year

MAISY STELLA IN MY OLD ASS

So many options

Ariella Glaser and Orlando Schwerdt from White Bird

Katherine Mallen Kupferer in Ghostlight

Ariana Grande in Wicked

Miko in Touch

Mikey Madison in Anora

All good choices but I keep going back to Maisy Stella.

She is so good here, she is so funny yet she can show true feelings and tears will roll.

The movie would not work without her wonderful performance.

The Shadow Award For The Best New Comer Maisy Stella

Here are my best 3 books of the year I highly recommend.

THE WEDDING PEOPLE by Alison Espach

Emotional, Dark, and often funny.

Phoebe, after many bad things happen to her, she decides to check into a hotel to kill herself.

Enter a Bridezilla, who is having a wedding in the hotel, and she is very upset that Phoebe is going to kill herself, it could ruin her wedding.  That is when the fun starts...

TOMORROW TOMORROW TOMORROW  by Gabrielle Zevin

I know nothing about video games but still looooved this book.

Hold on to your heart. The book follows the lives of Sadie and Sam..a friendship or maybe more. Yet they go into business together.

That is all I will tell you. It follows a wide time span...it will be a movie or TV show for sure.

WALKING WITH SAM  by Andrew McCarthy

A Father, A Son, And Five Hundred Miles Across Spain

McCarthy and his son Sam tackle the Camino De Santiago.

The book describes wonderful landscapes; honest, frustrating, funny conversations as they walk; Flaming Hot Cheetos; many characters met along the way. Just a fantastic journey filled with learning. love, and hope .

I am always in awe of people who have tackled the Camino. Maybe one day, if I ever become brave enough, and or have time, but for now...this book will do. 

You will love it..oh Sam can be a handful...he never gets up on time lo

AND FINALLY

TOP ALBUMS OF THE YEAR

Not a great year for Albums but I have two:

DEEPER WELL by Kacey Musgraves

She is her own Genre. She is not country. She is not pop. She is not rock. 

She just writes like it is coming from...well a deeper well. Her inner thoughts. It comes out almost like therapy, with the Kacey gorgeous voice. She is almost like a modern day Joni Mitchell. 

This album is highlighted by the songs:

Deeper Well

Sway

Dinner With Friends

The Architect

WICKED SOUNDTRACK

Well you know the songs, but Erivo; Grande ; and Bailey

Well the Shadow Awards are over. Get in your PJ's and throw the gowns and tux's on the floor.

My Oscar predictions are next !!

From the shadows as always thanks for your time