3 Thoughts on The Oscars

1. The Show - While I usually write up a post on the Oscar nominations, it's been years since I've written about the actual show (I prefer the GGs, as a show, even though their nominations are always wild. The show is usually the more entertaining of the awards shows). But this year, the Oscar presentation was WILD. Some of it was great, some of it was a huge disaster. All of it made for some much needed entertainment. First, this was certainly not the year to try out a "no host" event. I don't feel like it ever works. You need someone to move the show along and comment on how the show is going. Second, I LOVED the whole vibe. It felt so much more intimate and accessible. It's annoying that something like a worldwide pandemic finally caused the producers to think outside the box, but maybe this will finally stir things up a bit. However, can we talk about how insane the covid rules are?? Masks off while the cameras are rolling and on otherwise? Do they think covid is camera shy? If everyone has been vaccinated and tested, then just keep the masks off. Taking them on and off again is absolutely pointless. Third, not showing clips is a huge mistake - I stopped paying attention to the presenters because their speeches about the nominees was so awkward and inauthentic. Fourth, the switching of the category announcements is such an embarrassing debacle. It's assumed that they were trying to give Chadwick a big "moment", and it didn't work out how they expected, but why exactly would they want to end the show that way anyway??? Especially this year, when so many people lost loved ones, wouldn't they want to end on a more uplifting moment? It seemed like they were trying to keep things light - especially since the In Memoriam was the fastest it's ever been. And last, I love Questlove and I thought he did a great job as the DJ. I know a lot of people didn't like the trivia game, but I thought it was at least trying to be fun. I wish the show had more of these moments because that's what people remember. Glenn Close doing the Da Butt dance will go down as one of those memorable Oscar moments that people will still talk about decades from now. I'm concerned that people were surprised to learn this morning that it was scripted. SHE HAD A MICROPHONE IN HER HAND. And it was obvious that it was a skit. People are mind-blowingly dumb sometimes. And the actual funny part was how hard Daniel Kaluuya laughed at her, which wasn't scripted. 

2. The Winners - Speaking of Daniel Kaluuya...excuse me, Academy Award Winner Daniel Kaluuya, as is how he will forever be credited, and that is awesome. I feel like there are so many great younger actors, who are consistently overlooked, and I thought that was going to be the case for him until this year. I don't even care that people are upset about the supposed category fraud. An actual great young actor won an Oscar! Let's celebrate that! I'm not mad about any of the other acting wins (I haven't seen Minari and Frances McDormand and Anthony Hopkins winning acting awards is always going to be acceptable). I've already accepted the fact that Nomadland was going to win Picture and Director, but the only award it should have won was for Cinematography so it's hilarious that Mank won (seriously, what?). My Top 10 from 2020 has changed drastically since January - I think only two movies remain from the original list - and one of them is Sound of Metal. I was really hoping for an upset with either that or Promising Young Woman (which is my favorite movie from 2020). Also, along with everyone else, I was expecting a Chadwick Boseman win, but if there was an upset, I would have been delighted for Riz Ahmed (which was my favorite performance). The Lead Actress category was the most exciting race this year - with 4 of the actresses splitting the rest of the major awards, so I was kind of hoping for Vanessa Kirby to get the last "big" one. I think the biggest "upset" for me, though, is Emma. not winning for Costume. But the worst part of the whole show was that they gave Tyler Perry a Humanitarian award. I have nothing against him, and I'm well aware of the good things that he has done for many people and for the city of Atlanta, but awarding billionaires Humanitarian awards is incredibly tone deaf. And then him talking about giving a homeless woman a pair of shoes they had lying around the production studio, as if that's impressive, is so fucking insulting. It's hard to believe that someone who CAME FROM NOTHING is that out of touch with the world, but clearly he is. He could buy that woman a house and not even notice the difference in his bank account, but instead he brags about giving her a free pair of shows. Fucking despicable. Anyway, as always, I did learn some things during this years wins: (1) Promising Young Woman was shot in a mere 23 days, which is incredible. (2) Thomas Vinterberg directed The Hunt! I should have realized that, but for some reason I didn't. Also, him talking about his daughter's death was a whole gut punch. Really makes Another Round even more emotional to think about. (3) They didn't have an Asian costume designer for Mulan? Instead, they had her spend a month in China to learn about their culture? And people wonder why inclusivity and diversity is so important? 

3. The Fashion - This is going to be incredibly short, because, unfortunately I didn't like any of the dresses. Seriously, not one. I guess Margot Robbie would be my favorite one, but it's also really simple and boring. Also, I love the dress Zendaya was wearing, but not for the occasion. That's something you wear at, like, a beach wedding. I did appreciate the color because aside from her, it was just a sea of red, gold and white blah. The good news is that there weren't really any worst dressed either. I feel like everyone played it pretty safe, which, to me, is always boring. 

Thoughts on 5 New TV Shows

1. The Falcon & The Winter Soldier - So I've only watched the first two episodes so far, and man, are they fucking boring. I'm really hoping it picks up - but it's only six episodes in length so a third of it is already terrible. I wasn't expecting to like it considering how much I hate Bucky (both the character and the actor). But I do really like Anthony Mackie. And I do like Falcon, even though I barely remember his existence in the Avengers movies aside from his big moment at the end of Endgame. I think the ideas behind this are interesting - especially showing how Falcon is treated in the "real" world. I also like the idea of someone else being "appointed" the new Captain America. However, so far, none of it is capturing my full attention. And the therapy scenes are so fucking awful and pandering to the particular Marvel fans that care more about their favorite non-existent "couples" than actual plot. So annoying. 

2. It's a Sin - Such a heartbreaking show. I think Russel T. Davies is most famous for Doctor Who and Torchwood (at least in America), but Queer as Folk was a huge part of my college life. I remember so vividly my roommate and I eagerly awaiting every episode and even scheduling our life around it (you know, back in the day before DVR). We would even record the episodes (on VHS) and watch them multiple times. I feel like this miniseries is almost a prequel of sorts. It creates the same drama, mixed with devastating real-life heartbreak. This series takes place just as the AIDS epidemic started to grow into a full-blown crisis, especially among gay men in the 80s. It does an incredible job at creating this really energetic atmosphere of hope, while still having this underlying sense of doom. The characters are all given time to shine - we see them grow as individuals and as friends, we see them falter and then succeed (and sometimes falter again), and we see this disease destroy everything around them. Just heartbreaking. The main cast all are fairly newcomers (I know Olly Alexander has a strong fan base, but I have never seen him in anything before this), and all are perfect for their roles, but the standout is Lydia West. I can't wait to see her in more projects.

3. Debris - I was really hopeful with this - it stars one of my favorite actors, Jonathan Tucker (for real, I've been a fan since Sleepers) and it has sort of a Fringe vibe (which is one of my favorite sci-fi shows). The concept is really intriguing and Tucker is great, but unfortunately the rest of the show falls flat. I think I'm 5 episodes in, but pretty much by the middle of the second episode I lost interest. They try to build this "bigger" mystery within each episode (kind of like...no wait...exactly like Fringe did), but none of it is working. And I don't really like that the main two characters (Tucker and Riann Steele) don't really trust each other because it takes away from their chemistry  - maybe if this whole concept started later in the season it would have worked, but instead, I'm already taking sides (Tucker, always & forever). I'm not ruling it out completely, yet, but I was able to break away from the similar themed Manifest, and I'm so happy that I did because it's on like season 4, I think, and the ads look horrendous. It's been easier for me to give up on shows, so this better step up, or I'm done. 

4. Genius: Aretha - I realize that this is the third season of Genius, so it's not exactly new - but since it's an anthology, I'm going to treat it as its own thing. I also read that there was a "boycott" of it because the family didn't approve, but I couldn't really figure out why? I watched this for Cynthia Erivo. I'm a big fan, and I was hoping that this would be a huge success for her so that she could get the Emmy that she deserves (and would only be missing that Oscar for an EGOT). She was so great in The Outsiders (and I can't believe I forgot about this performance during the Emmy awards - and apparently everyone did. She definitely deserved some recognition. It's one of those cases where the show is so mediocre that the performances sadly get ignored). Unfortunately, this show is so much worse than mediocre - it's downright awful. It largely focuses on Aretha's relationship to her father, played by Courtney B. Vance, which I think was a mistake - one or two episodes would have been sufficient, instead it's the ENTIRE series. Honestly, it felt like it was more about him than her at some points. I did learn some interesting things about Aretha since I never really knew anything about her personal life (like that she had a baby at 12!!), but the series focuses on really odd things that are not really interesting and then keeps repeating these things. Also, while Erivo and Vance are fine, the rest of the cast is embarrassingly bad. And the opening credits are laughable. And I don't understand why they ended the series with her performing at the Grammys as if that was the defining moment of her career? What a load of BS. 

5. Behind Her Eyes - There's no way in a million years that I would guess the twist for this mini-series - if I was expecting a twist, that is. I was expecting it to be "shocking", but I was not expecting a full-out what the fuck is happening ending. I had a feeling it was going to go into "supernatural" territory (groan), but I never expected this. I haven't decided yet if I absolutely hate it or if it's kind of genius? As for the rest of the show, I was definitely invested in the entire thing - which I find increasingly harder for me. I really like Eve Hewson in this - it's just a perfect role for her because she has this very mesmerizing energy to her. I also think that Simona Brown did a wonderful job at being the soul of the show. I think the male lead could have been someone with a stronger presence since it is extremely necessary for this man to be charming. He's just sort of blah, but the women around him did a great job as selling him as a catch, so to speak. I'm surprised that they are limiting this to one season (as of right now) because the idea could keep going, although it may not be as interesting now that we know what's going on. But, I sort of really want to see how it continues especially with the young son being suspicious of his mom's actions. Could be really interesting. 

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. The Map of Tiny Perfect Things - I was really in the mood for something cute and light, and this hit the spot just right. I really like both main actors - Kathryn Newton and Kyle Allen (from The Path, which is an interesting show with an excellent cast). It's another time-loop tale, which seems really popular right now for obvious reasons. It's clearly made for a YA audience, but I think there is a nice amount of depth and details to keep it accessible to everyone. Also, the whole map idea is super cute and kind of inspiring - they basically set out to find all the "perfect things" that happen throughout the day that they are stuck in. It's a sweet reminder to find try to find the good in everything and enjoy every moment. *spoilers ahead* There's also some deeper moments, though, with her not wanting to "escape" the time-loop since her mother is dying - so essentially staying in the time-loop keeps her mother alive, and him having the opposite feelings because the day that he is stuck in, his mom is missing from, therefore he never gets to see her. It's an interesting aspect of the whole time-loop plot that I don't think is ever really addressed. It's obviously cheesy and a little immature, but overall I liked it. 

2. Borat Subsequent Moviefilm - I can't say that I'm the biggest fan of this character - I find him more annoying than anything, but the first movie had some funny moments (I don't actually remember anything from it, but I do remember having fun watching it). A sequel is completely unnecessary, but I don't think we'll ever learn how to just let stuff go. There are two things that I saw consistently talked about when others referenced this movie - first, obviously, the Rudy Giuliani scene. I don't really understand why it got so hyped up - you can tell that it is deeply edited. However, how the fuck did Giuliani and his team fall for this? It's so fucking scary how dumb our politicians are. And that these are people that some Americans actually trust. Second, people really talked up the woman who plays Borat's daughter, Maria Bakalova, so much so, that she is nominated for a fucking Oscar for this ludicrous performance. I'm a big fan of comedy getting recognized for Oscars, but this performance isn't special in any way. And in no world does this woman look 15 years old, so I don't believe that anyone bought into any of these shenanigans. I'm convinced at least 75% of it is fake. Anyway, there are two things that should have been talked about more - and that is, first, Judy - a woman who decided to combat hate with love, whether she knew she was being pranked or not, her response is to be kind in a deeply unkind world and I love her so much. And second, the Tom Hanks moment is the funniest part of the whole movie. Otherwise, this movie is completely forgettable. 

3. Boss Level - You guys....it's ANOTHER time-loop movie! Fucking Hell. I had never heard of this movie, but it has Naomi Watts and Frank Grillo it it and it's directed by Joe Carnahan so that seemed like something I would like. It's not, unfortunately. It's not exactly bad, but it's just not as fun as it should be. I like the videogame vibe, and the concept is good - he actually dies at the end of the day, and then starts the same day again, trying to avoid a barrage of assassination attempts. Plus, there is actually some humor which is unexpected - I don't know why, but watching Grillo attempt some comedy is surprisingly great. It just becomes repetitive (obviously) and unnecessarily complicated (I completely lost the plot about 1/2 way in). And it also has Mel Gibson saying the line "let's not make this about race...it's a sword", which I think is supposed to be ironically funny but it is not. Plus, Naomi Watts isn't in it as much I was expecting for an A-list actress and her part could have easily been played by literally anyone, which is just a waste of her talent. 

4. Yes Day - And speaking of wasting talent...what the fuck is Jennifer Garner doing? I don't understand her career choices AT ALL. After Alias, I remember reading an interview with her saying that she has no interest in doing anything in the action genre, which I understood - Alias was a grueling shoot and it lasted for years. I bet she was exhausted after all that. She started taking bit parts and wife roles, which was frustrating, but whatever. Then she knocked it out of the park in 13 Going on 30 - seriously, one of my favorite romantic comedies of all time - and she is just superbly sweet in it. But then she went back to bit parts and wife roles. And then, out of nowhere, did an action film. And after all that waiting, the action film she decided on was one of the most mediocre movies I've ever seen (Peppermint). It's just so disappointing, but I continue to support her. I think she should be doing stronger projects, but I'll just have to settle for whatever makes her happy. This movie is cute. It looks like it was probably a lot of fun to shoot, and they all have really great chemistry as a family unit. I laughed really hard at one part (the father and youngest daughter singing along to that Saints Row song. I died.), but most of it is just...cute. The concept is ridiculous - the parents let their kids have a day where they can ask to do anything and the parents have to say "yes". Sounds like some fucking spoiled, rotten, wealthy, entitled garbage to me, but, again, whatever. It's also wildly unrealistic that they do all of these things in the span of like 16 hours - Magic Mountain is a whole day long process with the long-ass lines, etc. I really like the girl that plays the older daughter, Jenna Ortega; she plays Ellie on the second season of You, and is, by far, the best part of the series. She definitely has "it". 

5. A Rainy Day in New York - How did a Woody Allen film with a cast of Timothee Chamalet (I'm too exhausted to look up how to spell his name...I feel like that's close enough?), Elle Fanning, and Selena Gomez get released so quietly? And I don't understand why everyone went so hard after Cate Blanchett, Kate Winslet and Scarlett Johannson for working with Allen, but these three extremely popular actors from a younger (and supposedly more woke) generation are getting a pass? Where's the outrage? Anyway...Woody Allen has done some incredible movies but he's also had some really bad ones - and this is really, really bad. It's completely miscast - some actors excel with Allen's dialogue, but Chamalet (?) and Fanning struggle (and I'm a HUGE fan of Elle Fanning so I'm going to pretend this whole movie didn't happen). I *think* Chamalet (?) is trying to do a Woody Allen impression - and seem like quirky and neurotic, and it is really quite...something to watch. The love story doesn't really work either - I certainly don't root for them to stay together; nor do I root for him to end up with his ex-girlfriend's...sister? Like, what the fuck? It's also incredibly disappointing for a director who is practically synonymous with NYC to make a film about NYC feel so inauthentic. The whole thing is just a mess, and definitely among Allen's worst films.