CATCHING UP WITH FILM - THE QUEST FOR A PERSONAL CANON

Leading up to the 2020 Academy Awards, I look back on 2019, which has widely been regarded as one of the best years in recent movie history. 5. Marriage Story I was initially resistant to the idea of this movie because, while I can admire a lot of Baumbach’s work, I still don’t respond to the overwhelming Whiteness and privilege of many of his films. At worst, they sound whiny and self-pitying. Yet Marriage Story got to me because of just how ugly the divorce process was port

Leading up to the 2020 Academy Awards, I look back on 2019, which has widely been regarded as one of the best years in movie history. 10. Her Smell Elisabeth Moss as punk goddess Becky Something is a walking disaster that rubs her toxic influence off on everyone she touches. And the awful thing is that Becky knows full well her effect on people, and she uses her mixture of charisma and intimidation to get what she wants. It works until it doesn’t. Moss was mostly robbed of no

Leading up to the 2020 Academy Awards, I look back on 2019, which has widely been regarded as one of the best years in recent movie history. 15. Homecoming This concert film has to be considered on the same level of Stop Making Sense or Sign o’ the Times. Beyonce’s great gift is to make any material profoundly her own, and her imprints are all over this glorious, two hour celebration of her music, Black culture, family, etc. The Beyhive may be intimidating in its unshakable c

Leading up to the 2020 Academy Awards, I look back on 2019, which has widely been regarded as one of the best years in recent movie history. I could have easily picked a top 50 for this year (and I did). I don’t think there were any really bad years of film, since as long as you dig deep enough into any given year, you could easily come up with a top ten, twenty or even 50 if you really cared to. Anyways, I have been richly rewarded for my efforts, and seeing the movies that

Leading up to the 2020 Academy Awards, I look back on 2019, which has widely been regarded as one of the best years in movie history. The Academy yet again failed to recognize any female filmmakers in the best director category though there was no lack of talent to choose from. The last time a female filmmaker was nominated was Greta Gerwig for her debut feature Lady Bird in 2017, yet the Academy didn't give her a well-deserved nomination for Little Women this year. Best Dire