Film reviews of a variety of genres, from indies to horror to romantic comedies

Cinematic Escapes

March 28th, 2022 at 1:39 am

2022 Academy Award Predictions

It’s that time of year again: Oscar season! As seems to be typical the last couple years, I’m admittedly not as up to date with predictions as I normally would be. Thankfully, though, I have seen a majority of the nominees, including all the Best Picture contenders, of which there is a wide range of genres and types of movies. And while it does look like there is some expectations for at least a few of the categories, there is still a lot of uncertainty as well.

For my predictions this year, which are also being done at the last minute due to life getting in the way, I’ve decided to just go with the majority consensus in many of the categories. This is what I typically do anyways, but I sometimes unfortunately let my own personal biases get in the way. At any rate, these are the picks for the 2022 Oscar awards.

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April 26th, 2021 at 12:00 am

2021 Academy Award Predictions

Welp, there goes another year. And what a year it has been, huh? I never thought when I was writing these predictions last year that things could get quite as crazy as they did, and not too long after Oscar night either. But now, more than a year later, not only is the world still not back to normal, but movies are still very much in an unusual predicament as well. Streaming has become the new normal, including for the release of a lot of the nominees for this year’s Academy Awards.

All things considered, streaming is still better than nothing, and some genuinely great movies still got released within the last year. For this year’s Academy Award predictions, I am admittedly not as up to date as I traditionally have been, as a result of all of the above. But, as always, I will try my best. And remember, these are just my predictions for the top wins, not necessarily what I would personally pick.

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February 10th, 2020 at 12:59 am

2020 Academy Award Predictions

Well, here we are once again. My annual Academy Award predictions. To be honest, I struggled as to whether or not to do it again this year, as I have found myself less enthusiastic about predicting awards. At the end of the day, a lot of it is predictable, and the top winners are rarely the ones that truly deserve it. I’m sure it feels good when a lesser-known movie gets recognition, but most of the time it just feels political.

At any rate, I eventually convinced myself to do it for one more year. I hope to at least get some enjoyment out of it. So let’s start, as I have in recent years, with the top awards first and foremost.

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February 24th, 2019 at 8:43 pm

2019 Academy Award Predictions

Green-Book

Well it’s about that time again! I still can’t believe it’s already been a year since “The Shape of Water” won, a movie which, I unfortunately did not pick as the eventual winner. But hopefully I will finally pick the correct one this year for Best Picture, a category that is often the toughest to place and that has been an unsure thing for the last several years. I shall try my best!

Standard disclaimer: the below predicted winners aren’t necessarily who I would like to win, but which films I feel have the best chance of doing so. Though, I will likely provide my own critical opinions of the films I’ve seen as well. At any rate, let’s get started!

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March 4th, 2018 at 10:47 pm

2018 Academy Award Predictions

Three Billboards - feature

Well, it’s here again! The 90th Academy Awards are premiering tonight, and, as usual, I will be posting my annual predictions here. It should be an interesting night, especially with the #metoo movement still so prominent, in addition to all the landmark films that have come out within the past year.

Standard disclaimer: the below predicted winners aren’t necessarily who I would like to win, but which films I feel have the best chance of doing so. At any rate, let’s get started! Continue Reading »

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February 22nd, 2017 at 4:53 pm

2017 Academy Award Predictions

So, ever since writing for Film Inquiry almost full-time, it seems I’ve neglected my own little WordPress blog. But, as I do every year, I’m still back for my annual Oscar predictions.

The Academy Awards are this Sunday, February 26, and I’ve been watching and keeping up with all of the other award ceremonies in order to predict what could potentially win. Remember, as in past years, these aren’t necessarily the awards that I would like to win, but the ones that will most likely win. If there’s one thing for certain, it’s that you’re going to get tired of hearing the words “La La Land.” So without further ado, let’s begin! Continue Reading »

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February 27th, 2016 at 10:57 pm

2016 Academy Award Predictions

 

It’s that time of year again! The Oscars are tomorrow, and as usual, I am here to once again provide my best educated guesses for the winners. This year may be one of the more difficult ones than years past, due to many categories being a tossup between 2 or more selections, and with a general inconsistency amongst all of the award shows leading up to this one (the Producers Guild, Directors Guild, and Screen Actors Guild, for example).

As always, remember that these are my selections for the movies that most likely will win, as opposed to what I think should win. If I had my own wishes, “Mad Max: Fury Road” would win for almost every category where it was nominated. But, alas, it is not my decision. Continue Reading »

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February 4th, 2016 at 3:10 am

Hail, Caesar: Momentarily Brilliant, But Ultimately Forgetful; Rating: 3/4

Hail Caesar - Feature

The Coen Brothers are widely known for their diverse and eclectic range of films, from period dramas to westerns to absurdist comedies to neo-noirs. Their latest, “Hail, Caesar!,” is far from poor, but it is ultimately hard to place, due to its absence of many of their notable trademarks. When thinking back to it, it’s hard to justify its existence amongst the Coens’ otherwise extensive and impressive filmography.

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November 11th, 2015 at 2:16 am

Steve Jobs: A Theatrical, Character-Driven Drama; Rating: 4/4

Steve Jobs - Feature

Steve Jobs is the type of 20th century figure that has reached the realm of legend. Numerous documentaries have been released about his life, as well as a previous feature film called “Jobs,” starring Ashton Kutcher in the title role. Danny Boyle’s latest, called simply “Steve Jobs,” is perhaps one of the more theatrical portrayals of his life. Though at times trading into schmaltzy territory, it is mostly a satisfying endeavor, almost entirely due to its talented cast and some rather fancy camerawork.

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October 15th, 2015 at 2:27 am

Crimson Peak: A Beautiful, Ambitious Letdown; Rating: 3/4

October is the time of year when an abundance of horror films invade the movie theaters. The great majority of them are either slasher gore-fests, clichéd haunted house stories, or poorly-acted monster movies. For that reason, I was eagerly anticipating Guillermo del Toro’s “Crimson Peak,” hoping that it would be a refreshing new entry in the all-too overlooked genre of gothic horror. But unfortunately, even with a director as talented as del Toro behind the camera, “Crimson Peak” is not all too unique or interesting. Other than some gorgeously shot cinematography and some occasional scares, there’s not much else to see. Continue Reading »

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