Oscar Week!! Who Will Win?! Who Should Win?! Who Got Snubbed?!!

Oscars..Who Will Win..Should Win...Who Got Snubbed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well here I go I will now give you my picks for this weekends Oscar Ceremonies!

This year there are so many tight races, it is like shooting fish in a barrel...but I will give it my best shot.

BEST ACTOR

JAVIER BARDEM

Being the Ricardos

BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH

The Power of the Dog

ANDREW GARFIELD

tick, tick...BOOM!

WILL SMITH

King Richard

DENZEL WASHINGTON

The Tragedy of Macbeth

Who Will Win; And Should Win:

WILL SMITH

This category is the closest  to a lock at this years Oscars.

Smith is sooo good even in his mannerisms as Richard Williams in the overrated fluff piece of King Richard. I think the other performances do not come close to his performance.

Snubbed:

I really do not have a snubbed in this category. I think it has been a very weak year for men. So I would keep everyone there.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

CIARÁN HINDS

Belfast

TROY KOTSUR

CODA

JESSE PLEMONS

The Power of the Dog

J.K. SIMMONS

Being the Ricardos

KODI SMIT-MCPHEE

The Power of the Dog

Will Win:

TROY KOTSUR

This is an amazingly tight race to the end. I think it is between Kotsur; Smit-McPhee; and Hinds.

Any of the three could win, however I think Kotsur for his loving yet testy role as Frank Rossi in Coda is getting the slight edge recently in this tight race. Well deserved for sure. 

Should Win:

CIRAN HINDS

I think he should win just because his role in Belfast as Pop is meatier. So I would say he should win. He is so good as Pop, it was almost like he was born for this role.

SNUBBED

MIKE FAIST

Mike Faist as Riff in West Side Story is freaking fantastic!! Acting; Singing; Dancing...a triple threat. I would replace JK Simmons with him in a heartbeat. 

BEST ACTRESS

JESSICA CHASTAIN

The Eyes of Tammy Faye

OLIVIA COLMAN

The Lost Daughter

PENÉLOPE CRUZ

Parallel Mothers

NICOLE KIDMAN

Being the Ricardos

KRISTEN STEWART

Spencer

Who Will Win/Should Win

JESSICA CHASTAIN

Olivia Colman was an early front runner. I think once everyone saw the borefest of the film she and the film Lost Daughter started falling by the wayside. Chastain and Kidman have jumped past Coleman. I am kind of surprised that people even remembered the Tammy Faye movie but they did and I think the movie surging by streaming has helped her. Plus she has yet to win which Kidman and Coleman has. So I think Chastain should and will win for her role as Tammy Faye.

Snubbed

ALANA HAIM and RACHEL ZEGLER

Yes I have two!!

Alana Haim is a find!! In Licorice Pizza she owns the screen and she is in almost every scene as Alana going through many ranges of emotion!

Rachael Zegler Singing and dancing and acting coming right out of high school. She does not get a nomination??!! She has the face of a movie star!! They forget to even invite her to the Oscars! Really? Really? That is on Disney, in fact not getting nominated is on Disney, who is notoriously bad during ballot times for not promoting their own films. Then forgetting to send the star of their Oscar Nominated film!! 

Well I would replace Stewart, you know I love her as an actress but not here. I would also replace Cruz, I swear I have seen her in the same type of role before.. so she would go also. They both would be replaced by Haim and Zegler.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

JESSIE BUCKLEY

The Lost Daughter

ARIANA DEBOSE

West Side Story

JUDI DENCH

Belfast

KIRSTEN DUNST

The Power of the Dog

AUNJANUE ELLIS

King Richard

Will And Should Win:

ARIANA DEBOSE

As Anita, DeBose is the definition of an actress who attacked her role. She has become the front runner for the last couple months but even more so since more people have seen West Side Story on Disney+. The only person who may have a chance at beating her here is Judi Dench, because she is well Judi Dench. I am not putting down the others..I am so happy Buckley was nominated for The Lost Daughter, and Dunst is fantastic in a soft almost non-verbal role in Power Of The Dog. Still no one comes close to DeBose.

Snubbed

Caitriona Balfe

This was stunning that she did not get nominated for playing Ma in Belfast. She was the heart and soul of the film. I would replace Dench who was barely in the film with Balfe in a heartbeat.

BEST ANIMATED FILM

ENCANTO

Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Yvett Merino and Clark Spencer

FLEE

Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Monica Hellström, Signe Byrge Sørensen and Charlotte De La Gournerie

LUCA

Enrico Casarosa and Andrea Warren

THE MITCHELLS VS. THE MACHINES

Mike Rianda, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Kurt Albrecht

RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON

Don Hall, Carlos López Estrada, Osnat Shurer and Peter Del Vecho

Will Win

ENCANTO

It just has so much attention due to the Bruno song and the popularity on DISNEY+. There is a faction out there who love the Netflix film Mitchell vs The Machine. However not enough votes to pass Encanto.

Should win

RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON

I really think Raya was better than Encanto. I think Encanto is just odd and the music, which is good, does not flow into the story very well. In fact it breaks up the storyline. Where Raya, is filled with action and humor, and love. 

I do not see any snubs in this category.

BEST DIRECTOR

BELFAST

Kenneth Branagh

DRIVE MY CAR

Ryusuke Hamaguchi

LICORICE PIZZA

Paul Thomas Anderson

THE POWER OF THE DOG

Jane Campion

WEST SIDE STORY

Steven Spielberg

Will Win

JANE CAMPION

There is a large faction in Hollywood who want her to win. She is very popular. There are only two directors who could upset her ,Branagh and Spielberg. If they did come close I think they would cancel themselves out and again that leads to Campion.

Should win

KENNETH BRANAGH

I just think Spielberg did a great job making West Side Story modern yet old at the same time, however I can't get past he already had the source from the musical and the original film in front of him. So I think that knocks him out for me. Branagh's Belfast I just love the look and feel he brought to Belfast. Using a grayscale, black and white. Great score. He brought in a great cast. You can tell this movie was personal to him. It bleeds from the screen. I just don't think Campion did anything challenging or different to win the Oscar.

Before I get to best picture let me throw in some winners for the lesser popular categories:

Dune will be the big winner with most nominations:

Best Editing

Best Score

Best Production Design

Best Sound

Best Visual Effects

Best Cinematography West Side Story

Best Costume Design Cruella

Best Documentary Summer Of Soul...will win but poorly put together, yes music was great, but sloppy with editing of the music. Then Rescue is the best Documentary hands down.

Best International Feature Drive My Car will win But worst Person In The World is so much better.

Best Makeup Hairstyling Cruella

Best Song No Time To Die.. oh where have gone Bruno

Adapted Screenplay Coda

Original Screenplay Belfast

NOW BEST PICTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BELFAST

Laura Berwick, Kenneth Branagh, Becca Kovacik and Tamar Thomas, Producers

CODA

Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi and Patrick Wachsberger, Producers

DON'T LOOK UP

Adam McKay and Kevin Messick, Producers

DRIVE MY CAR

Teruhisa Yamamoto, Producer

DUNE

Mary Parent, Denis Villeneuve and Cale Boyter, Producers

KING RICHARD

Tim White, Trevor White and Will Smith, Producers

LICORICE PIZZA

Sara Murphy, Adam Somner and Paul Thomas Anderson, Producers

NIGHTMARE ALLEY

Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale and Bradley Cooper, Producers

THE POWER OF THE DOG

Jane Campion, Tanya Seghatchian, Emile Sherman, Iain Canning and Roger Frappier, Producers

WEST SIDE STORY

Steven Spielberg and Kristie Macosko Krieger, Producers

Will Win and Should Win

CODA

This could go anywhere. I think CODA should win. Will it? It is a battle between Coda; Belfast; and Power Of The Dog. It could go to any of those three, however CODA has momentum. It is kind of a shocker we are even thinking that Coda can win. It gives you the feels and critics and Hollywood usually do not award those films. They like sad depressing like Power. I do think Belfast has came on strong in last month, but Coda I feel will hold on.

Snubbed

I really have no snubbed but I can say 10 films are way too much;

I would get rid of:

Dune...You have to keep stopping the story and explain things....never a good sign

Drive My Car..Not even the best foreign film The Worst Person In The World was.

King Richard..Great performance by Smith but let's be honest it's a dishonest fluff piece

Nightmare Alley..needed a editor

Don't Look Up...Come on! Its a TV film never really out in theaters

So the 5 should be...

West Side Story

Power Of The Dog

Licorice Pizza

Belfast

Coda

5 is all that is needed

Well there you go..closing up Oscar week with my picks..

From the shadows as always thanks for your time.

The 2021 Shadow Awards!!!!!!!

Here it is: People in Hollywood do not care about the Oscars. They do not care about The Critics Choice Awards or SAG Awards. They wait on the edge of their seats for The Shadow Awards. Voted by..well..by the one and only critic who writes with poor grammar and yet speaks in movie quotes. That would be me!!!

So put on the gowns and the tuxedos here we go...............

The Best Pitchman From The Grave Award

DAVID BOWIE

For these two wonderful trailers:

Lightyear..the trailer dropped in 2021..but film drops in 2022

Licorice Pizza

Entertaining trailers with great Bowie music!

BEST ACTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

ANDREW GARFIELD

Three very good performances:

A very small action packed, yet comical part in Spiderman No Way Home

A fantastic performance in an overrated film Tick Tick Boom

An underrated performance as Jim Baker in The Eyes Of Tammy Faye.

Three wonderful performances in 3 films in 2021.

MOST ANNOYING CHARACTER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Jesse in C'mon C'mon

Jesse is played by Woody Norman in the awful film C'mon C'mon. Now, I am not picking on the kid, he may be a pretty good actor, however the character Jesse, is a spoiled.. undisciplined kid. I hated this kid lol. I think we were suppose to like him, He came across as a jerk and I wanted to walk out of the theater.

FUNNIEST FILM OF THE YEAR AWARD

Free Guy

To be honest, there really wasn't many comedies in theaters this year..so..even though its not technically a comedy, Free Guy sure made me laugh. Going in you already know Ryan Reynolds has great comic timing. Then throw in funny man Lil Rel Howery. However of all people, known for being a Director of Jo Jo Rabbit and Hulk films per example, Taika Waititi as Antwan is hilarious. I mean I laughed out loud in the theater. We all know his character Antwan, the guy who is old but tries to be young and cool. So funny.

BEST ROM-COM AWARD

Finding You

Ok, it is corny as all get out. Still, its harmless. The lead, Rosy Reid as Finley is sweet and hey you have Vanessa Redgrave in it!!

BEST FEMALE ACTRESS OF THE YEAR AWARD

Emily Blunt

There were many wonderful performances by females in leading roles this year. However Emily Blunt came through twice:

Two entirely different roles:

She returned as Evelyn Abbott in A Quiet Place Part 2. She is fantastic as the courageous mother often acting without saying a word, because talking out loud can get you killed.

Then as the adventurous Lily Houghton in the fun and light Jungle Cruise. Her comic timing shines in this role.

BEST ACTION FILM AWARD

 

Nobody

He just wanted to retire. Live a quiet suburban life. It was a good plan. He overreached lol.

Bob Odenkirk is Hutch Mansell and he plays this out of control over the top action movie with the right amount of snark. It is a fun watch. Then you throw in Christopher Lloyd!! What else do you want???!!

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT AWARD

Cyrano

Oh my. The trailer fooled me. Peter Dinklage cannot sing. He is a bit too old for the part. Story was boring...with bad green screen work. The only thing that kept it off my 5 worst of the year are a couple good performances and a couple songs. 

BIGGEST SURPRISE AWARD

Roadrunner Anthony Bourdain Story

I mean I went in the theater knowing nothing about him.Maybe I live under a rock. After watching this documentary it ended up in my top ten films of the year. Again..I knew nothing.

BEST NEWCOMER AWARD

Alana Haim Licorice Pizza

Oh boy. So many fantastic newcomers this year:

Jude Hill in Belfast

Rachel Zegler in West Side Story

Reid Miller in Joe Bell

Rose Reid in Finding You

Still Alana never acted before, she is in the group Haim. Paul Thomas Anderson wrote it with her in mind and he was absolutely right. I cannot see anyone else play the 26 year old lost with no direction Alana. 

THE I STILL DON'T GET IT AWARD

Cruella

People cheer her on! You do know she eventually skins dogs to get their fur right?!!

I will just leave that there.

So the awards have been given out..we can all go home now. Get back into your sweatpants. I am not feeding you stop somewhere on the way home. Thanks for tuning in but..the show is over..

From the shadows as always thanks for your time.

Top Ten Films Of The Year...Number 1 for 2021

We have come to my number 1 film of 2021!!

Well lets look at my 2-10 again.....

10-BELFAST

9-THE FRENCH DISPATCH

8-SHANG CHI THE LEGENDS OF THE TEN RINGS

7-ROADRUNNER A FILM ABOUT ANTHONY BOURDAIN

6-LICORICE PIZZA

5-LAST NIGHT IN SOHO

4-QUIET PLACE PT 2

3-THE RESCUE
2-WEST SIDE STORY 2021

So who will join this list of From The Shadows Number 1 films?

2014 Wild

2015 The Martian

2016 Edge Of Seventeen 

2017 The Big Sick

2018 Green Book

2019 Knives Out

Decade- Brooklyn

2020 News Of The World

So my number 1 film for 2021:

1

CODA

Based on a French Film La Famille Belier, CODA, Child Of Deaf Adults, Ruby (Emilia Jones) Is the only hearing person in her family. As the family leans more and more on her, Ruby pushes toward gaining a spot at Berkley College Of Music. Her decision could ruin her families fishing business.

Oscar rules need to change. This film was shown for a week in maybe 5 theaters in the US to make it eligible for a nomination. Then the film was moved it to Apple+. I mean really? Films should be in theaters for at least 3 weeks and a certain percentage of theaters. The public should not have to jump through hoops to see one of the best films of the year I have told many people about this film but 99.9 percent of them say..."Oh I don't have Apple+". Then they cannot see it.This is a problem.

Now off my soapbox. As for Coda....it is the best films of the year. I am shocked that this film was liked by critics and received an Oscar Nomination. I mean critics usually like flat films that dont really make you smile. Then came CODA.

-The screenplay by director Sian Heder is just wonderful. It warms your heart. It makes you cry. It makes you laugh. There are brilliant decisions like the 3 minutes during the concert where we hear nothing just like the Rossi's hear or do not hear (My heart). The moment when Ruby is singing and Frank holds her throat to feel the vibrations (again my heart). So many good decisions. Then as you hold your heart she brings a touch of humor to let us breathe, So good!!! Then throw in the prejudice against the hearing impaired which we do see on display but not as a lecture, it just blends into the story. Best screenplay of the year?!

-Lead actress Emilia Jones, fantastic as the only hearing member in the Rossi family. Often she has to show anger and love without talking. Then throw in..WHAT A SINGING VOICE!!

-Costars:

Troy Kotsur as the Father Frank Rossi. A deaf actor, he gets his first Oscar Nomination here.

Daniel Durant as Brother/son. A deaf actress. He is the person in the family who feels a bit less because he cannot hear and help like his sister. He is great and maybe a bit under recognized here.

Marlee Matlin as the mother Jackie Rossi who seems to keep pushing back on Ruby's plans, maybe out of fear. Well we know she is good, she won the first Oscar as a deaf individual years ago. Here, she takes a backseat to the bigger or more aggressive performances but in the end she shines.

Eugenio Derbez the great, underrated, Mexican actor plays the music teacher Bernardo Villalobos. He is, as always, wonderful here adding humor and love.

Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, yes from the great film Sing Street, plays Ruby's singing partner and love interest. Perfectly cast in a soft, small role.

Other than a few scenes that seem forced upon us and not necessary this film is..well a perfect film. Yes it is basic...soft..sweet, sometimes basic ..soft ..sweet just works. I wish everyone could just see it.

Number 1 film for 2021 is CODA