After last year, a year in which every nominated live action short was about something too horrible to fathom, we’ve been given very disparate in subject, yet equally poignant, films this year. And, strangely, two of the five take place … Continue reading 2020 Oscar-Nominated Live Action Short Films
“Let There Be Light” (Slovakia) Directed by Mario Skop One of many official entries for the Oscars’ Best International Film Award (formerly Best Foreign Language FIlm) at this year’s Chicago Film Festival, “Let There Be Light” is an excellent slice … Continue reading “Let There Be Light” (Slovakia) – 55th Chicago Film Festival #3
91st Annual Academy Awards So this year I actually screened every single piece of nominated film except “Christopher Robin” (which isn’t going to win anyway), and having discussed the awards with several people in and around the voting process, and … Continue reading Jason’s Predictions and Predilections for the 91st Annual Academy Awards
This was not a banner year for the animated shorts. You know that’s the case when at the theatrical presentation of the nominees, one of the shorts they add on as filler (also known as the “Highly Commended” group) should … Continue reading 2019 Oscar-Nominated Animated Shorts
Well, I must say…the nominating committees for much of this year’s categories sure have a penchant for the bleak, especially when it comes to kids. Between “Roma” (Foreign Film), “Of Fathers and Sons” (Doc), “Minding the Gap” (Doc), “Black Sheep” … Continue reading 2019 Oscar-Nominated Live Action Shorts
The day the Oscar nominations came out I thought there were some general omissions in the top of the line categories, but nothing outrageous (well, leaving out Olivia Davis or Elizabeth Debicki is kinda ridiculous). But then I got to … Continue reading 2019 Oscar Nominated Documentary Feature Films
“Roma” (Mexico) Directed by Alfonso Cuaron When is a point-of-view shot not a point-of-view shot, but still very much a point-of-view shot? When Alfonso Cuaron makes a movie. Huh? Okay…let me explain. A strict POV shot is when the camera … Continue reading “Roma” (Mexico)
“Family First” (Canada) Directed by Sophie DuPuis Sophie DuPuis’ challenging feature, “Family First” (Canada’s 2018 Foreign- Language Oscar entry) is a bit of a dichotomous mixed bag. While it possesses some indelible characters, you’ll recognize the well-trodden story-line from several … Continue reading 54th Chicago Int’l Film Fest #2: “Family First” (Canada)
Directed by James Marsh This might be one of the most romantic movies I’ve ever seen. That’s one of two things I come away with from this film. The other? Imagining what the experience of watching this film must have … Continue reading “Theory of Everything”
The No Spoiler Critic 