Oscars 2017 Category Breakdown: Best Foreign Language Film
Every year, as we lead up to the Oscars, I break down each of the 24 categories. I do this to familiarize everyone with the category; what the trends are, how the guilds and stuff help (or don’t), etc. I also do it as a precursor to my giant Oscar ballot. I get most of the heavy lifting out of the way here, so that way when I get to the article, I’m just kind of riffing on how I think it’ll turn out and talking myself into all the bad decisions. It’s like college. And this is the pregame.
How these articles work is — I give you all the previous winners and nominees of each of the categories, then tell you how accurate each of the respective guilds and precursors are in what they vote for versus what wins the Oscar, tell you how each of them voted this year, then give you this year’s category, along with a quick rundown of how we ended up with that category (what was a surprise, etc). After that, I rank each of this year’s nominees in terms of how I see them right now in terms of their likelihood to win. Which is nothing more than my perception (notice that underline, even though you won’t) of how the category seems at the moment based on everything I know and have seen. Which will give you a general sense of the favorites.
Today is Best Foreign Language Film. I waited on this because I hadn’t seen two of the nominees out of laziness for a while. And because it’s just not overly fun to talk about this year. (more…)
Oscars 2017 Category Breakdown: Best Editing
Every year, as we lead up to the Oscars, I break down each of the 24 categories. I do this to familiarize everyone with the category; what the trends are, how the guilds and stuff help (or don’t), etc. I also do it as a precursor to my giant Oscar ballot. I get most of the heavy lifting out of the way here, so that way when I get to the article, I’m just kind of riffing on how I think it’ll turn out and talking myself into all the bad decisions. It’s like college. And this is the pregame.
How these articles work is — I give you all the previous winners and nominees of each of the categories, then tell you how accurate each of the respective guilds and precursors are in what they vote for versus what wins the Oscar, tell you how each of them voted this year, then give you this year’s category, along with a quick rundown of how we ended up with that category (what was a surprise, etc). After that, I rank each of this year’s nominees in terms of how I see them right now in terms of their likelihood to win. Which is nothing more than my perception (notice that underline, even though you won’t) of how the category seems at the moment based on everything I know and have seen. Which will give you a general sense of the favorites.
Today is Best Editing. I hesitated so much on this one because there are three viable choices for what could win (technically four). And I waited to see if anything would sway me before I straight up announced this as a possible 2011 scenario all over again. (more…)
Pic of the Day: “Does that look clean to you?” ” Nothing’s clean, Howard. But we do our best, right?”
Oscars 2017 Category Breakdown: Best Documentary Feature
Every year, as we lead up to the Oscars, I break down each of the 24 categories. I do this to familiarize everyone with the category; what the trends are, how the guilds and stuff help (or don’t), etc. I also do it as a precursor to my giant Oscar ballot. I get most of the heavy lifting out of the way here, so that way when I get to the article, I’m just kind of riffing on how I think it’ll turn out and talking myself into all the bad decisions. It’s like college. And this is the pregame.
How these articles work is — I give you all the previous winners and nominees of each of the categories, then tell you how accurate each of the respective guilds and precursors are in what they vote for versus what wins the Oscar, tell you how each of them voted this year, then give you this year’s category, along with a quick rundown of how we ended up with that category (what was a surprise, etc). After that, I rank each of this year’s nominees in terms of how I see them right now in terms of their likelihood to win. Which is nothing more than my perception (notice that underline, even though you won’t) of how the category seems at the moment based on everything I know and have seen. Which will give you a general sense of the favorites.
Today is Best Documentary Feature. I waited until near the end to deal with this one because, like most people, I’ve got no fucking clue what will happen. Your almost de facto winner wasn’t nominated and the entire category just feels “meh” now. (more…)
Pic of the Day: “The pleasure does not lie in the end itself. It’s in the pleasurable steps to that end.”
Oscars 2017 Category Breakdown: Best Sound Mixing
Every year, as we lead up to the Oscars, I break down each of the 24 categories. I do this to familiarize everyone with the category; what the trends are, how the guilds and stuff help (or don’t), etc. I also do it as a precursor to my giant Oscar ballot. I get most of the heavy lifting out of the way here, so that way when I get to the article, I’m just kind of riffing on how I think it’ll turn out and talking myself into all the bad decisions. It’s like college. And this is the pregame.
How these articles work is — I give you all the previous winners and nominees of each of the categories, then tell you how accurate each of the respective guilds and precursors are in what they vote for versus what wins the Oscar, tell you how each of them voted this year, then give you this year’s category, along with a quick rundown of how we ended up with that category (what was a surprise, etc). After that, I rank each of this year’s nominees in terms of how I see them right now in terms of their likelihood to win. Which is nothing more than my perception (notice that underline, even though you won’t) of how the category seems at the moment based on everything I know and have seen. Which will give you a general sense of the favorites.
Today is Best Sound Mixing. The one that isn’t Sound Editing. (more…)
Oscars 2017: CAS Awards
The Cinema Audio Society announced their awards tonight as well. In an over three-hour ceremony, they produced exactly one category of note for our purposes. Which is for Best Sound Mixing.
The winner was Dunkirk, which pretty much cements that as the winner of at least one of the two Sound categories at the Oscars. But you already probably knew that.
That’s the last precursor, guys. You now have all the information you need to guess what’s gonna win next Sunday. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t already 35,000 words into my giant picks article, but what can I say, this is my favorite thing to do each year. I can’t help it if I’m nuts.
See you guys on Sunday.
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Oscars 2017: Makeup & Hairstylist Guild Awards
They announced the Makeup & Hairstylist Guild Awards tonight. You know, just like you’ve all been waiting for.
I won’t waste time, because I know you’re all so eager to find out who won. So here they are:
Best Period and/or Character Makeup: Darkest Hour
Best Period and/or Character Hairstyling: I, Tonya
Best Contemporary Makeup: Pitch Perfect 3
Best Contemporary Hairstyling: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Best Special Makeup Effects: Darkest Hour
Only one of these winners is nominated at the Oscars, in case there was any doubt what’s gonna win there.
I think the biggest surprise out of all of this is that you found out they had a guild for this category.
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Oscars 2017 Category Breakdown: Best Live-Action Short
Every year, as we lead up to the Oscars, I break down each of the 24 categories. I do this to familiarize everyone with the category; what the trends are, how the guilds and stuff help (or don’t), etc. I also do it as a precursor to my giant Oscar ballot. I get most of the heavy lifting out of the way here, so that way when I get to the article, I’m just kind of riffing on how I think it’ll turn out and talking myself into all the bad decisions. It’s like college. And this is the pregame.
How these articles work is — I give you all the previous winners and nominees of each of the categories, then tell you how accurate each of the respective guilds and precursors are in what they vote for versus what wins the Oscar, tell you how each of them voted this year, then give you this year’s category, along with a quick rundown of how we ended up with that category (what was a surprise, etc). After that, I rank each of this year’s nominees in terms of how I see them right now in terms of their likelihood to win. Which is nothing more than my perception (notice that underline, even though you won’t) of how the category seems at the moment based on everything I know and have seen. Which will give you a general sense of the favorites.
Today is Best Live-Action Short. The one category most people are guaranteed to know almost nothing about and have to rely on other people to figure out. Don’t worry, guys, I saw them all. I will be your sherpa. (more…)
Pic of the Day: “You don’t wanna die.” “Neither do you.” “Give me one good reason not to.” “I’ll give you two. You can dance the tango and drive a Ferrari better than anyone I’ve ever seen.” “You never seen anyone do either.”
Oscars 2017 Category Breakdown: Best Animated Short
Every year, as we lead up to the Oscars, I break down each of the 24 categories. I do this to familiarize everyone with the category; what the trends are, how the guilds and stuff help (or don’t), etc. I also do it as a precursor to my giant Oscar ballot. I get most of the heavy lifting out of the way here, so that way when I get to the article, I’m just kind of riffing on how I think it’ll turn out and talking myself into all the bad decisions. It’s like college. And this is the pregame.
How these articles work is — I give you all the previous winners and nominees of each of the categories, then tell you how accurate each of the respective guilds and precursors are in what they vote for versus what wins the Oscar, tell you how each of them voted this year, then give you this year’s category, along with a quick rundown of how we ended up with that category (what was a surprise, etc). After that, I rank each of this year’s nominees in terms of how I see them right now in terms of their likelihood to win. Which is nothing more than my perception (notice that underline, even though you won’t) of how the category seems at the moment based on everything I know and have seen. Which will give you a general sense of the favorites.
Today is Best Animated Short, the category we all want to like, but can never see before the ceremony, so we just sort of stop paying attention and shrug. (more…)
Pic of the Day: “What’s a faggot?” “A faggot is… a word used to make gay people feel bad.” “Am I a faggot?” “No. You’re not a faggot. You can be gay, but you don’t have to let nobody call you a faggot.”
Oscars 2017 Category Breakdown: Best Production Design
Every year, as we lead up to the Oscars, I break down each of the 24 categories. I do this to familiarize everyone with the category; what the trends are, how the guilds and stuff help (or don’t), etc. I also do it as a precursor to my giant Oscar ballot. I get most of the heavy lifting out of the way here, so that way when I get to the article, I’m just kind of riffing on how I think it’ll turn out and talking myself into all the bad decisions. It’s like college. And this is the pregame.
How these articles work is — I give you all the previous winners and nominees of each of the categories, then tell you how accurate each of the respective guilds and precursors are in what they vote for versus what wins the Oscar, tell you how each of them voted this year, then give you this year’s category, along with a quick rundown of how we ended up with that category (what was a surprise, etc). After that, I rank each of this year’s nominees in terms of how I see them right now in terms of their likelihood to win. Which is nothing more than my perception (notice that underline, even though you won’t) of how the category seems at the moment based on everything I know and have seen. Which will give you a general sense of the favorites.
Today is Best Production Design. AKA Best Sets and Stuff. (more…)
Pic of the Day: “I’m sorry… l’m forced to fine you $100.” “$100! That’s a lot of money.” “Your Honor, Mr. Kirby, who is noted for his charitable work, would like to pay the fine for this poor unfortunate family.” “Oh, no, thank you. I can’t let you do that.” “No, you don’t. Grandpa don’t need your money. We’ll pay that fine.” … “We don’t need your money.” “A whole hatful, Grandpa. A whole hatful. We’ll get it, Grandpa.” “There you are, Judge, is that enough?” “Yes, I think so. Take the money over to the clerk’s desk. Mr. Vanderhof, you’re a very lucky man to have so many friends.”
Oscars 2017 Category Breakdown: Best Sound Editing
Every year, as we lead up to the Oscars, I break down each of the 24 categories. I do this to familiarize everyone with the category; what the trends are, how the guilds and stuff help (or don’t), etc. I also do it as a precursor to my giant Oscar ballot. I get most of the heavy lifting out of the way here, so that way when I get to the article, I’m just kind of riffing on how I think it’ll turn out and talking myself into all the bad decisions. It’s like college. And this is the pregame.
How these articles work is — I give you all the previous winners and nominees of each of the categories, then tell you how accurate each of the respective guilds and precursors are in what they vote for versus what wins the Oscar, tell you how each of them voted this year, then give you this year’s category, along with a quick rundown of how we ended up with that category (what was a surprise, etc). After that, I rank each of this year’s nominees in terms of how I see them right now in terms of their likelihood to win. Which is nothing more than my perception (notice that underline, even though you won’t) of how the category seems at the moment based on everything I know and have seen. Which will give you a general sense of the favorites.
Today is Best Sound Editing. AKA the one that’s not Sound Mixing. Because everyone knows the difference, right? (more…)
Pic of the Day: “No, Mr. Temple, it wasn’t you. It wasn’t the law or anybody. It was only Johnny Rocco. Nobody in the whole world is safe as long as he’s alive.”
Oscars 2017: CDG Awards
The Costume Designers Guild handed out their awards last night.
The Period award went to The Shape of Water.
The Fantasy award went to Wonder Woman.
The Contemporary Award went to I, Tonya.
For those who think this is a big blow against Phantom Thread’s chances in this category on Oscar night, just know that the Oscar winner in three of the past six years straight up lost this category at the guild. All this really tells you is that The Shape of Water is now something you gotta factor into the Costumes race a little bit more (which I’d hope you’d end up doing anyway, given the 13 overall nominations).
One more major guild left to announce — CAS on Saturday (and the Makeup & Hairstylists Guild as well, but I don’t think we need them just yet to gauge that category). We’re two weeks out and we’re just about all set, guys.
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Oscars 2017 Category Breakdown: Best Documentary Short-Subject
Every year, as we lead up to the Oscars, I break down each of the 24 categories. I do this to familiarize everyone with the category; what the trends are, how the guilds and stuff help (or don’t), etc. I also do it as a precursor to my giant Oscar ballot. I get most of the heavy lifting out of the way here, so that way when I get to the article, I’m just kind of riffing on how I think it’ll turn out and talking myself into all the bad decisions. It’s like college. And this is the pregame.
How these articles work is — I give you all the previous winners and nominees of each of the categories, then tell you how accurate each of the respective guilds and precursors are in what they vote for versus what wins the Oscar, tell you how each of them voted this year, then give you this year’s category, along with a quick rundown of how we ended up with that category (what was a surprise, etc). After that, I rank each of this year’s nominees in terms of how I see them right now in terms of their likelihood to win. Which is nothing more than my perception (notice that underline, even though you won’t) of how the category seems at the moment based on everything I know and have seen. Which will give you a general sense of the favorites.
Today, we’re talking Best Documentary Short. The category you don’t care about but just wanna know who’s gonna win so you can win your pool. (more…)
Pic of the Day: “I have a mandate to serve you. Nobody else does. Quite frankly, everybody else has an interest in sending you to the electric chair.” “All right…” “You don’t seem alarmed.” “Would it help?
Oscars 2017 Category Breakdown: Best Cinematography
Every year, as we lead up to the Oscars, I break down each of the 24 categories. I do this to familiarize everyone with the category; what the trends are, how the guilds and stuff help (or don’t), etc. I also do it as a precursor to my giant Oscar ballot. I get most of the heavy lifting out of the way here, so that way when I get to the article, I’m just kind of riffing on how I think it’ll turn out and talking myself into all the bad decisions. It’s like college. And this is the pregame.
How these articles work is — I give you all the previous winners and nominees of each of the categories, then tell you how accurate each of the respective guilds and precursors are in what they vote for versus what wins the Oscar, tell you how each of them voted this year, then give you this year’s category, along with a quick rundown of how we ended up with that category (what was a surprise, etc). After that, I rank each of this year’s nominees in terms of how I see them right now in terms of their likelihood to win. Which is nothing more than my perception (notice that underline, even though you won’t) of how the category seems at the moment based on everything I know and have seen. Which will give you a general sense of the favorites.
Today is Best Cinematography, aka the Is This Finally Roger Deakins’ Year Award. (more…)
Pic of the Day: “Didn’t you hear? They have $28 billion at their disposal! “So?” “You think I’m made of money?” “What are you yelling at me for?” “Because I’m pissed off!” “Good!” “Fuck you!” “Fuck you back!” “I really hate you sometimes, I really do.” “Aww, you love me.”
Oscars 2017: MPSE Awards
The Motion Picture Sound Editors announced their winners last night. Here are the winner:
Dialogue + ADR: War for the Planet of the Apes
Effects + Foley: Blade Runner 2049
Music: Dunkirk
Musical: The Greatest Showman
Animated: Coco
Interesting that Dunkirk wins for Music and now for Effects + Foley. And that Baby Driver wins nothing. This year is starting to sound a lot like last year, where either Dunkirk, the war film, wins both Sound categories, or there’s a split between it and Blade Runner or it and Baby Driver or some combination of the three. I don’t expect Star Wars to win either one, and Shape of Water… not sure it wins the Sound categories. CAS announces on Saturday. We’ll have a better handle on the Sound categories then.
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