If I Had A Ballot: My Academy Award Nominees (Acting)

I will never understand how the driving topic of the past year was how weak of a year it was for actresses. There must've been a thousand think pieces published by dozens of outlets on how embarrassingly dry the respective actress categories were as opposed to the men's.

But I would argue, that this was a marvelous year for actresses, that is, if you were able to look past Oscar's own playing field, which leaves little to be desired for what they determine to be Oscar-worthy roles/performances. Once you open your surroundings, you'll find a wealthy field of contenders, each with a more interesting, complex turn than the last. I think it's fair to say that the industry failed women, not so much Hollywood.

This year, we watched Scarlett Johansson as a silent alien seductress, Jennifer Aniston as a pill popping, chronic pain victim suffering from depression, Anna Kendrick as a modern and complex princess Cinderella, and Reese Witherspoon traveling the P.C.T. finding her long-reported missing inner leading lady along the way. And that's only scratching the surface of what women did this year, I did't even mention Rosamund Pike's unforgettable Amazing Amy, or Meryl Streep's incomparable Witch.

And despite that male-centric Best Picture field, there were also deeply moving, enjoyable projects either made by a woman, or told women's stories. An honest, refreshing look into abortion ("Obvious Child"), a critique of the music industry and the selling of sex and the 'female pop star' ("Beyond the Lights"), a period piece starring a woman of color in the title role ("Belle")... the list goes on.

Not to say that it wasn't a great year for the boys, because who will be able to look back and not remember Michael Keaton in "Birdman" or David Oyelowo in "Selma"? Two of the greatest performances in recent history that will most definitely be discussed and studied for years to come. But a lot of the celebrated turns by men this year, I found, to land pretty flat. I loved Eddie Redmayne in "Les Miserables" as much as everyone else, and sure, his transformation into Stephen Hawking was brilliant... but it left him little to no room to actually turn in a performance.

But I digress, I've procrastinated long enough. My choices in the acting contenders are:

Academy Award Nominations: The Whitest Oscars Since 1998

Sometimes, the critics do matter; Marion Cotillard was nominated in Best Actress in a Leading Role for "Two Days, One Night". 

"Wow" just about sums up my reaction to this year's Oscar nominations. As they always do, the Academy reminded us that they really do go their own way when it comes to what they see as 'the best'. 

Top Films: 2014

2014 had a lot to live up to in terms of its film output. Last year was one of my favorite years at the movies. We had "Her", "12 Years A Slave", "Blue is the Warmest Color"... the list goes on. So to say the bar was high is no understatement. Did this past year live up to the expectations? It's hard to say, though not for a lack of effort. There were tons of projects with limitless potential, but to say they stuck the landing is a different story entirely.

I will, however, look back on the past year and be able to remember it fondly if for nothing else, all the wonderful places I was transported to. Christopher Nolan and the "Interstellar" gang took us back in space for round 2 after last year's "Gravity", while the creepy Lou Bloom documented crime chases in the seedy streets of L.A. in "Nightcrawler" and watching Anna Kendrick's Cinderella sing her little heart out and run away from Chris Pine's Prince through the woods was a spectacle in its own right.

So yeah, it's been a rather fun year at the movies, and another painstaking endeavor to try and rank the rather excellent work of some very talented and committed storytellers. But alas, here I am anyway.


So let's see how your favorites stacked up in my humble opinion. Or better question, are they even on here at all?

My top 10 films of 2014.

Reese Witherspoon Finds Herself on the PCT in "Wild"

It's been somewhat of a rocky road for Reese Witherspoon ever since she won her Oscar for 2005's "Walk the Line". Though she's found box office success with films like "Four Christmases", she hasn't done anything that's lived up to the immense promise she showed in films like "Election" and "Legally Blonde". Not to mention that whole D.U.I. fiasco.

But if there's anything fallen actors/actresses have taught us in recent years, it's that comebacks are possible. Witherspoon smartly moved away from center stage and took supporting roles in the critically adored "Mud" and this year's much discussed "Inherent Vice", and worked behind the scenes as a producer to get "Gone Girl" made. All of this, led to the inception of Witherspoon's own personal project: the big screen adaptation of Cheryl Strayed's memoir "Wild", the story of Strayed's 1,100-mile journey on the Pacific Coast Trail.

Rob Marshall Brings 'Into the Woods' to the Big Screen

I've finally caught up with Rob Marshall's adaptation of "Into the Woods" after months of dying to see it. The hype from that DGA screening made the last month a little unbearable, but I'm here to report that it was well worth the wait.

Critics, Globes & SAG: What Do They Tell Us?

I can't remember the last time an Oscar race was so unpredictable; though "Boyhood" is the "critical favorite" of this year, I don't know if it's our Best Picture winner yet. "Birdman" is the film that's getting the most notices in many of the other craft categories, while "The Theory of Everything" and "The Imitation Game" are playing well for Academy members, and showed surprising strength over more ensemble-like fair such as "Into the Woods" with the Screen Actors Guild. Then there are critical favorites like "Nightcrawler" and "The Grand Budapest Hotel" that are winning traction outside of the categories they were originally predicted in. Waiting in the wings, is Ava Duvernay's MLK biopic, "Selma", which is poised to one of the most critically acclaimed films of the year, not to mention, it's Academy friendly material that appeals to the zeitgeist. In other words, it's a real toss up.

Let's see who is up and who is down after the busy week.

Golden Globe Nominations

See the full list of Film nominees below.

21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Award Nominations

Full nomination list (and reactions) below.

LA, Boston and New York Online Critics Announce Winners

Good news for former outside looking in Best Actress contender Marion Cotillard! More critics stamped their seal of approval for her performances in "The Immigrant" and "Two Days One Night". With exposure such as this it's hard to imagine her not being named amongst the final 5. If she's nominated by SAG and/or the Globes, she's in.

Take a look below at who else cleaned up with the critics today.

Anna Kendrick is Stuck On The Steps of the Palace

Take a look at an exclusive clip of Anna Kendrick as Cinderella in Disney's "Into The Woods".

Kendrick performs Cinderella's iconic "On the Steps of the Palace" and to say she nails it is an understatement.

Watch the video, and hear the audio of the full song below.

The National Board of Review Puts "A Most Violent Year" on the Map

After yesterday's decision by the Gotham Awards and the New York Film Critics, the National Board of Review has named "A Most Violent Year" the best film of 2014, and gave it 2 other major awards.

Though far from being a huge indicator of Oscar success, this helps the film that was definitely in need of a push (that December 31st release date, and having a not so major studio behind it)

"Birdman" continued its success after the Gotham awards with 2 notices here, while Clint Eastwood's "American Sniper" also showed strength.

It's still seriously wide open race at this point.

See the full list of winners below.

New York Film Critics Circle Winners

The first major awards voting body has selected their winners.

Click below to see who took home the first honors in film of the season and what it means for the race.

Into the Woods: A Serious Oscar Threat

"Into the Woods" has been a question mark in the awards race throughout the season. Though I have fearlessly (and a bit prematurely, I will admit) predicted the film to appear in categories such as Best Picture and Supporting Actress, most prognosticators have steered clear of placing their chips in Woods' favor. Though there have been film musicals such as "Chicago" and "Les Miserables" have had strong awards recognition, there have been those ("Hairspray", "Nine", "Grease", etc.) that have been largely ignored by the Academy. However, it's clear that after last night's DGA screening of Rob Marshall's adaptation that Into the Woods is coming to crash the party come December 25th. 

Theory of Everything is too Conventional for its Own Good

Both Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne have been on the brink of career breakthroughs for several years now. Jones won acclaim for her naturalistic performance in 2011's "Like Crazy", which failed to nab her substantial awards attention, and any success with meaty roles. Redmayne has been apart of several high profile projects, namely 2012's "Les Miserables" which, I believe almost nabbed him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

So, it makes no sense then that 2 actors on the verge of mainstream success team up in a buzzy, high-profile biopic detailing the relationship between the brilliant Stephen Hawking and his incredibly strong (now ex) wife Jane. Directed by James Marsh, the film has enjoyed much acclaim, especially for Redmayne's performance. which requires a vast amount of physical commitment from the young actor.

But despite the Oscar buzz, "Theory of Everything" is far from relevatory, and in fact, is just an ordinary biopic.

Birdman Leads Independent Spirit Award Nominations

Read below to find out which films were nominated and which films were left out.

The Independent Spirit Awards will be held on February 21st, 2015.

Christopher Nolan Reaches for the Stars in Interstellar

Sci-Fi is enjoying something of a resurgence at the moment, one that began last year with Alfonso Cuaron's brilliant "Gravity". Though undoubtedly one of the most popular genres out there, these stories have always felt anything but human; the familiar themes that we are exposed to in other genres (such as love, jealousy, grief) always bat second to the eye-popping visual effects employed throughout, a serious case of style vs. substance.

What was so special about "Gravity", was that despite being a film filled with revelatory, groundbreaking technology, at its center was an all too familiar theme: survival. Though faced with a lack of oxygen and metal hurtling at dangerous speeds, Dr. Ryan Stone (played superbly by Sandra Bullock in the best performance of her career) had a bigger challenge facing her; believing in herself enough to find her way back to Earth. Cuaron may have placed us all in an unfamiliar setting, but the story was one everyone could relate to.

So it should come as no surprise then, that the man who redefined the superhero genre is one to continue this Sci Fi renaissance. As he did with "The Dark Knight", director/writer Christopher Nolan brings a gritty, emotional realism to an almost outlandishly cartoon-like genre.

Birdman Soars

There are not many actors or actresses working in Hollywood today that are so willing to have their personal, real life narratives, play alongside their character's as a way of constructing a performance. The reason why Natalie Portman's performance in "Black Swan" was such a triumph, was because the film was as much about Nina Sayers finding her inner Black Swan as it was Natalie Portman. Watching that movie, we not only saw the character go from being a meek, submissive girl into a complicated, strong woman, but we also saw a capable, yet underrated actress transform into a true leading lady.

That technique is front and center in director/writer Alejandro González Iñárritu's black comedy "Birdman", a film about a fading actor, once known for playing a superhero, trying desperately to be remembered for anything but playing a superhero. That actor, Riggan Thomson, is played by Michael Keaton, an actor that hasn't done much of anything since he played a superhero back in the 90's. Much like his character, Keaton was in need a project that showcased his acting talent. Birdman is that film, and then some.

Final Into the Woods Trailer

This trailer is giving me everything I had hoped for from the adaptation... Now to wait and see if this translates as well into the film, which is still over a month away.

The music sounds spectacular, and we finally get to see some more of the actors in action, though Meryl is so obviously front and center (and she looks great).

Take a look below.

New Trailer for "A Most Violent Year"

J.C. Chandor's "A Most Violent Year" is undoubtedly one of the biggest question marks in the Oscar race. It's got the prestige: Jessica Chastain, Oscar Isaac, Albert Brooks, while being written and directed by J.C. Chandor. It's an Academy friendly story: Set in New York City in the winter of 1981 (a record breaking violent year for the city), the story focuses on an immigrant and his family capitalizing on the growing violence and unrest in the city, trying to make a name and a life for themselves.

The problem? The film's profile is curiously quiet, and it's being distributed by the tiny studio A-24, who have yet to have a film earn an Oscar nomination.

Dear Oscar

Dear Oscar,

I know that awards season can get really crowded with so many high profile films and contenders vying for your attention. It must get tricky being able to remember films from the beginning of the year when several presumed juggernauts don't even premiere until the end of December. Yes, it must get hard when you have actors losing weight, or donning prosthetics in flashy biopics. Yes, I know it's hard, but before the endless onslaught of awards movies, I ask you to hear me out.

I'm sure you've heard how Rosamund Pike is fantastic in David Fincher's "Gone Girl", a film that has crossed $100 million in just 3 weeks since premiering, and I'm sure a Best Actress nomination would seem fitting as a reward for that film. I'm also sure you've heard Julianne Moore, Jessica Chastain, Reese Witherspoon, Felicity Jones, and Amy Adams are all great in their respective films. It must be hard to see past all of these flashy, very familiar names; some of these women are past winners, or multiple time past nominees. But I'm asking you to look past those names for a moment, to consider Marion Cotillard's groundbreaking work in James Gray's, "The Immigrant".