2023 Oscars Recap
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An analysis of where my 2023 Oscars predictions worked and where they didn’t and why. Some suggestions for next year.
Michael Young
Top Gun: Maverick – Well Structured and a Blast (4*)
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Top Gun: Maverick is this year’s most popular movie. It tells a relatively simple story well, bursting with visual and aural excitement. First of this year’s “popcorn movies” and worth every kernel. (4*)
Elvis – The Price You Pay for Ignoring Your Roots (4.5*)
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Elvis (4.5*) In a dazzling production full of sights and sounds, Baz Luhrmann paints the tragic story of a man who struggled to get back to his cultural roots.
Tar – A Unique Reward for Patience and Concentration (5*)
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Tar is movie requiring much patience and concentration, but the rewards are unique. About a female who achieves the top position in the classical music world and then falls, it is also about power, individualism, and, yes, cancel culture. My first (5*) movie of the year.
All Quiet on the Western Front – A Gut Punch Focus on War (4*)
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A German production, All Quiet on the Western Front re-adapts the 1928 novel of the same name, adding some distinctive scenes and commentary to the story of a young German man, and his friends, thrust onto the “Western Front” to fight the French in the final months of World War I. Accompanied by some stunning cinematography, dominating sound and music, and visceral visual effects, the film reaches new heights in presenting the horror of war. It also adds another, very important message about how events are felt differently depending on where you stand on the social ladder.
Everything Everywhere All at Once – Deep and Insane Look at the Multiverse (4.5*)
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Everything Everywhere All at Once is an insane look at one woman’s romp through the multiverse as she learns what is really important about life. (4.5*)
The Banshees of Inisherin – When Friendship Ends (4.5*)
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Set during the Irish Civil War in 1923, in a very small village on an isolated island (Inisherin) off the coast of Ireland, Padraic (Colin Farrell) finds his lifelong friendship is torn when his older best friend, Colm (Brendan Gleeson) suddenly, and without apparent reason, finds him “dull” and no longer wants to be with him. The change alters both men, and the entire village, both emotionally and physically. Martin McDonagh’s carefully written and directed script is executed by an Irish-born cast with seemingly perfect chemistry. A must-see film for any adult interested in how and why relationships, of any kind, change and, sometimes, end. (4.5*) The Banshees of Inisherin
Oscar Predictions 2023
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My Oscar Predictions 2023 details which movie will win each of the categories and why. I’ll revisit after the ceremony.
2023 Oscar Nominees: Initial Ranking
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An Initial Ranking of all 39 2023 Oscar Nominees in Feature-Length Categories.
2023 Oscar Nominees: Initial Analysis
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An Analysis of Oscar Nomination Patterns, Audience Reactions, and Critical Ratings of all 39 Nominated Feature Films.
2022 Oscars Recap – Highs & Lows
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An verview of the 2022 Oscars Year Movies, with rankings and recommendations of what to see, what you might want to see, and what not.
2022 Oscar Drama Movies
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A brief overview of the 26 movies from the 2022 Oscars that fall into the “Drama” category
2022 Oscar Romance Movies
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Romance Movies from the 2022 Oscar List – a summary review.
Four Good Days
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Four Good Days (2*) is a good start, but it doesn’t go far enough in understanding the grief of a parent.
2022 Oscar Musical Movies
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An overview of the 2022 Oscar year’s Musical movies.
House of Gucci
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(2*) House of Gucci is an overly long mess that fails to establish a consistent tone.
2022 Oscar Comedy Movies
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An overview of this year’s Comedy Genre movies and a list of a few from last year.
Cyrano
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Cyrano (4*) – A wonderful movie with a powerful performance from Dinklage – even if the music isn’t all that great.
Coming 2 America
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Coming 2 America (1.5*) – Even if you liked the original, this sequel was unnecessary.
Cruella
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Cruella (4*) – A delightful diversion with great chemistry between the two Emmas and an interesting story of how movies happen.
2022 Oscar Adventure Genre
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An Overview of this year’s Oscar Adventure movies, my recommendations of five of them, plus five more from last year.
2022 Oscar Sci-Fi Genre
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An overview of this year’s Science Fiction genre nominees and my recommendations, including two from last year.
2022 Oscar Fantasy Genre
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An Overview of the six movies from this year in the Fantasy genre and a couple of recommendations from last years list.
2022 Oscar Action Genre
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An Overview of the six movies that fall into the action genre and a look back at three I can recommend from last year
Free Guy
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(2.5*) Free Guy – Some good acting can’t quite save this fairly shallow movie.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
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(3.5*) Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is thrilling and a lot of fun to watch. It also involves a compelling story of family dynamics.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
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(4*) Spider Man No Way Home has great visuals but also tells a human-level story. A surprisingly good comic-book movie.
2022 Oscar Thriller Movies
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An Overview of this year’s Oscar nominees in the Thriller genre and a recommendation of three of the best from last year.
No Time to Die
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(3.5*) No Time to Die is exactly what you expect from a Bond film. Sixty years after Dr. No, the franchise has changed, but lives on.
2022 Oscar Documentary Movies
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2022 Documentary Movies – An Overview of this year’s five documentaries and a suggestion of three from last year.
Attica
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Attica (4*) – Disturbing presentation of the four days of the deadliest prison riot in US history. It probes not only the riot, but also fundamentals of racism. This isn’t fun, but is perhaps necessary.
2022 Oscar Biography Movies
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An overview of this year’s six biography movies. I especially liked Tick, tick…Boom, Being the Ricardos, and Spencer (the others, not so much!)