Ranking the 2015 Oscar Nominated Shorts: Documentary

While nobody would argue that the Oscars are a fair representation of the best movies of any particular year (and are a white male heavy bunch), many of the less-publicized categories still have the capacity to inspire and surprise. Yes, Boyhood is important. But so are the foreign language nominees, the documentaries, and … Get hard

Ranking the 2015 Oscar Nominated Shorts: Live Action

While nobody would argue that the Oscars are a fair representation of the best movies of any particular year (and are a white male heavy bunch), many of the less-publicized categories still have the capacity to inspire and surprise. Yes, Boyhood is important. But so are the foreign language nominees, like Timbuktu, the … Get hard

Ranking the 2015 Oscar Nominated Shorts: Animation

While nobody would argue that the Oscars are a fair representation of the best movies of any particular year (and are a white male heavy bunch), many of the less-publicized categories still have the capacity to inspire and surprise. Yes, Boyhood is important. But so are the foreign language nominees, like Timbuktu, the documentaries, and of … Get hard

Oscar Nominated “Timbuktu” Is Necessary.

If you, like me, spend any period of time (or way too much time) talking movies with your friends and peers, how “sad” a movie is tends to come up a lot. This is often seen as a detriment, a drawback, an excuse to avoid it. Life is miserable enough … Get hard

Like Life, “Mommy” Transcends The Misery

This isn’t an easy movie. It’s not supposed to be, and more movies should be like Mommy, even if the experience is terrifying, uncomfortable and miserable. It’s also hilarious, heartbreaking and inspiring, sometimes in spite of yourself. The film itself is fearless, even if its characters are consumed by it. … Get hard

2014 Oscars Drinking Game

Most people don’t have a vesting interest in watching the Oscars, or don’t care beyond the opening intro, and haven’t seen any of the nominated films (I’ll give a tip ‘o the hat to anyone who has actually seen ERNEST AND CELESTINE). What better way to enliven the party, create … Get hard

Not So Random Power Rankings: The Oscars

Don’t run away. This isn’t another in a long line of Oscars prediction columns where we pretend we know the bizarre criteria in which voters select winners (I like to think it somehow involves the infallible logic, belied by the weights & pulley system, found in Monty Python). No, this … Get hard