Nomadland was added to the AP best films and National Society of Film Critics 2020, and as well as beingan Oscar contender will now be available for viewers to watch starting February 19, 2021. Movie-goers can either visit the big screen available anywhere movie theaters are open, or opt for a stay-at-home watch.
PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN
Ben Browning, Ashley Fox, Emerald Fennell and Josey McNamara, Producers
Above: Video of CBS This Morning – Photo Collage / Lynxotic
Daily Show funny man will bring his many talents to the big show for Music excellence
Trevor Noah, host of “The Daily Show” has been announced as emcee of the 2021 Grammys.
The 63rd Annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021, on the CBS at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT and will be streamed live on GRAMMY.com at 3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. PT.
“Despite the fact that I am extremely disappointed that the GRAMMYs ® have refused to have me sing or be nominated for best pop album, I am thrilled to be hosting this auspicious event, I think as a one-time Grammy nominee, I am the best person to provide a shoulder to all the amazing artists who do not win on the night because I too know the pain of not winning the award! (This is a metaphorical shoulder, I’m not trying to catch Corona). See you at the 63rd Grammys!
New Trailer is a hit on YouTube and Fans are Talking Oscars…
First, there was a Standing Ovation that clocked-in, reportedly, at over eight minutes. Now, critics at the Venice Film Festival, where the world premiere took place last night, have had nothing but raves for the film, it’s director and star. It appears that the promise that could clearly be seen in the two trailers released so far (see above and below) has carried over, with a big bang, into the reaction to the full length film.
As one surveys the two trailers, so far released for the upcoming “Joker” origin-story from Warner Brothers, there is a sense that this is an epic not easily categorized within the Comic-Book movie genre.
Starring Joaquin Phoenix (Oscar nominee for “Walk the Line”, “The Master” and “Gladiator”), directed and co-written by Todd Phillips (“Borat” and “The Hangover Trilogy”) and with Robert De Niro (as TV host Murray Franklin), the focus on how Arthur Fleck becomes “Joker” screams a muted, uneasy tension, that’s oozing from every pixel revealed so far.
In “Joker”, Batman’s Gotham City is a cesspool of dirt and depravity where Arthur appears doomed to live and die encircled with nothing but depression and humiliation. Mentally Ill and mercilessly tortured by the “sane” members of society all around him, he finds some respite in his chosen career of clown-for-hire and hopeful comedian wannabe by night.
We are all Clowns, Echoes of Antifa and Guy Fawkes
The potential for the story to transcend the genre of Comic book heroes and villains is hinted at in the placard with the words “we are all clowns” scrawled on it, that can be seen in a flash, about halfway through the new trailer (above).
Followed by scenes showing mobs of clown-mask-wearing demonstrators / rioters (shades of anonymous, Guy Fawkes, Antifa and Hong Kong), there’s an implication that an anti-social movement is growing up around, and identifying with, the anger and twisted humor of the emerging “Joker” super-villain character.
The real life parallels in the fictional world of Gotham City and the way many could relate, after having suffered similar fates to those that produced the madness into which Arthur descends, are scary, already in previews, and could portend a film that is, not only horrifically entertaining, but thought provoking when seen in the shadows of current events and today’s zeitgeist.
In the wake of so many “uplifting” but heavily computer assisted films where Comic book superheroes battle cartoon villains (and each other) the emphasis on live action grit and human emotions and failings is, at first look, refreshing and terrifying (in an interesting way), an that seems to have hit a nerve with the general public, well before the first public screening of the film.
Once the reviews flood out this weekend, after the Venice Film Festival World Premiere, the question of, to what degree the full length feature will live up to the promise encapsulated in these first two trailers, will have at least a provisional answer.
In the meantime we can just watch and re-watch these tender tidbits and prepare for October 4, 2019, when the film will see wide release across the USA.
Based on a graphic novel, The Kitchen refers to the infamous Hell’s Kitchen on the West edge of Midtown in New York City, a perfect setting for an Irish working class mob story taking place during the 70’s.
Starring Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish and Elisabeth Moss, the cast and the 70s crime drama concept make for high expectations. It was written and directed by Andrea Berloff, who received an Oscar nomination for original screenplay for “Straight Outta Compton”.
Melissa McCarthy, also an Oscar nominee, although best known for her comedic roles, takes on the challenge of transcending her roots in a deep dive into more dramatic fare. Elisabeth Moss, after her success in both “Madmen” and “The Handmaids Tale” brings her resume to bear. Playing housewives who are married to mobster husbands, all languishing behind bars, they choose to take matters, literally, into their own hands in their absence.
Photo / Warner Brothers
The Verdict is…Wrong?
Reviewers have not been kind. The film has received any number of clever criticisms, from cooking metaphors to polyester put downs, most of which all fault the writer / director for not making the most of the cast and concept.
Our take is that this will do better than the reviews would indicate, although the phenomenon is hardly unique, even “The Lion King” was panned by many scribes before going on to break box office records across the globe.
The mob genre with a female twist, though not exactly unheard of, is thoughtfully explored, and the 70s look and feel are not miles off from “Taxi Driver” or “The French Connection” at least in capturing the era with superficial accuracy, if not the caliber of filmmaking.
The trailer above can give enough of a taste of what the film has to offer, for those considering a night out to see it in a theater, or want a preview to stream at a later date, can surely make an informed decision. I’d say yes on this one.
Although Vice had only a modest showing at the box office (#6 on opening weekend and 40m as of January with a domestic-only-release) the film produced the second highest number of Oscar nominations at 8.
Christian Bale, with his otherworldly portrayal of GW’s Veep, appears to be a strong contender for Best Actor . Sam Rockwell gets the nod as Best Supporting Actor nominee for his work as our 43rd Prez., George W. Bush.
“…thank you to Satan for giving me inspiration on how to play this role”
Christian Bale, accepting his Golden Globes Award for Best Actor
In the A.V. Club December 2018 interview below, Bale shares his thoughts on Cheney, the man, and his experience of portraying a person who is neither “all villain” or “all saint”, noting that all humans display some of each of those qualities.
“…(Cheney)…..is a fascinatingly contradictory character, incredibly strong minded, absolutely refusing to apologize or to have any regrets.”
In the four-plus minute clip, Bale explains some of the techniques and methods he employed in order to transform into the extreme and unique personage that was Dick Cheney as seen in VICE. Thoughts on the current political climate, and more are also shared.
Known for his chameleon like transformations from an American Psycho, (as Patrick Bateman, lead character in the black comedy horror film from the year 2000) to comic book Super Hero (Batman) into eccentric introverted hedge fund genius (as Michael Burry in The Big Short), Bale is no stranger to extreme onscreen transformations. With the unrecognizable girth and “charisma free” personality created to play Cheney in VICE, however, it appears that the bar has been raised almost impossibly high. Oscar prediction: C.B. will win Best Actor Award on February 24th at the 91st Academy Awards.
