Oscar Thoughts / Predictions 2024

  Oscar Thoughts / Predictions 2024

  Time for the Academy Awards again! It's kind of obvious this year for good reasons again ;0 

Best Picture

• "American Fiction"
• "Anatomy of a Fall"
• "Barbie"
• "The Holdovers"
• "Killers of the Flower Moon"
• "Maestro"
• "Oppenheimer"
• "Past Lives"
• "Poor Things"
• "The Zone of Interest"

Who Will Win:   Right off the bat (no pun intended) it's no wonder to say Nolan finally gets his due as Oppenheimer will sweep everything, including this. It would be a shock if anything else did even if there's some other great stuff. A month ago or so it seemed Holdovers could be a CODA style dark horse but it's been losing to Oppen lately, SO!.. 
 

Who Should Win: Oppenheimer! As a Nolan fan duh of course..but this is a darn good list of interesting picks 

Best Director

• Jonathan Glazer, "The Zone of Interest"
• Yorgos Lanthimos, "Poor Things"
• Christopher Nolan, "Oppenheimer"
• Martin Scorsese, "Killers of the Flower Moon"
• Justine Triet, "Anatomy of a Fall"

Who Will Win:  Oppenheimer, nuff said it's sweeping per above

Who Should Win:  The most Nolan category to Nolan so duh ... even if I loved Poor Things and Killers by Scorsese

Best Actor

• Bradley Cooper, "Maestro"
• Colman Domingo, "Rustin"
• Paul Giamatti, "The Holdovers"
• Cillian Murphy, "Oppenheimer"
• Jeffrey Wright, "American Fiction"

Who Will Win: Again in most these it was "Oppenheimer was sweeping (for Murphy) but then Giamatti started to sweep but it's turning around" so while most say Murphy has it locked I do think if Nolan is the most Nolan in Director above , Giamatti is the closest thing to a second.. but I think Oppen just takes it all everywhere and so here's another big credit

Who Should Win: Both Murphy, a bit moreso,  and Giamatti are fantastic. .. but love to Wright too underrated

Best Actress:

• Annette Bening, "Nyad"
• Lily Gladstone, "Killers of the Flower Moon"
• Sandra Hüller, "Anatomy of a Fall"
• Carey Mulligan, "Maestro"
• Emma Stone, "Poor Things"

Who Will Win: This is tough. It's here a "Stone-Off" of Emma vs Lily Stone and Gladstone... objectively Emma has been a favorite and is even better, but, Lily's diversity and trend setting realistically may give her that edge.. hard to say for sure

Who Should Win:  Emma Stone all the way but again I wouldn't be upset with Lily because it represents the really solid Killers as well. But Poor Things was one of the "giving it all" type ones, IMO

Best Supporting Actor

• Sterling K. Brown, "American Fiction"
• Robert De Niro, "Killers of the Flower Moon"
• Robert Downey Jr., "Oppenheimer"
• Ryan Gosling, "Barbie"
• Mark Ruffalo, "Poor Things"

Who Will Win: Others will say RDJ has a clear lock, and he was amazing,  sweeping elsewhere but there's reasons for almost anyone else in the category in the order of De Niro > big gap > Gosling for the ken memes <>= Ruffalo for the stella memes.. but at times there's been a Robert-Off that's been losing steam for DeNiro of late for RDJ 

Who Should Win: No matter who loses the Robert-Off, we win! Personally DeNiro was slightly better but I "get" why RDJ is with a bit of the career redemption and return story post-Tony Stark

Best Supporting Actress

• Emily Blunt, "Oppenheimer"
• Danielle Brooks, "The Color Purple"
• America Ferrera, "Barbie"
• Jodie Foster, "Nyad"
• Da'Vine Joy Randolph, "The Holdovers"

Who Will Win: This is without a doubt clean sweep clear cut it's Joy Randolph for quality, diversity, everything no brainer it's her here and that Holdovers dark horse people story energy too (see Giamatti...) 

Who Should Win: I'd have maybe gone Brooks or to a lesser extent Blunt instead but i get Randolph

Best Original Screenplay

• "Anatomy of a Fall"
• "The Holdovers"
• "Maestro"
• "May December"
• "Past Lives"

Who Will Win: Other would say, and wins, that it's Anatomy Of A Fall but i don't think it's quite clear... Holdovers could carry the momentum from others or maybe even here's one token Past Lives bone. Maybe that makes "give it a win" equal for Anatomy vs Past ..hmm.. all about tied. 

Who Should Win: Past Lives was my favorite but Holdovers ain't too bad either

Best Adapted Screenplay

• "American Fiction"
• "Barbie"
• "Oppenheimer"
• "Poor Things"
• "The Zone of Interest"

Who Will Win:  Is this where Barbenheimer equally squares off? I would say so but I think that they will instead split costumes, production , etc for some to Barbie instead of "serious technical awards" like this. So maybe Oppen then.. but also there's Poor Things and American Fiction here which are great. A fair quadrio split after the big ones. Some say American Fiction has it but that feels like it'd be the underdog of any other year than this sweeping one

Who Should Win:  A case where I'd go Poor Things or American Fiction as some of my favorite favorite of last year..and Oppen has enough!

Best Visual Effects

• "The Creator"
• "Godzilla Minus One"
• "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3"
• "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One"
• "Napoleon"

Who Will Win: Word is this is a tie between The Creator, because obviously, and Godzilla Minus One for that feel-good Japanese diverse factor.. both great films. Creator feels more traditionally Hollywood however.. and didn't they use to love Tom Cruise and Ridley Scott...

Who Should Win: Creator or GOTG for sci-fiiii always the best. But Gareth Edwards strengths are his action so I suppose that. 

Best Animated Feature

• "The Boy and the Heron"
• "Elemental"
• "Nimona"
• "Robot Dreams"
• "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse"

Who Will Win: A similiar "Hollywood vs Japan" of Spider-Verse 2 vs Boy and Heron. However I think in a way the sequel nature may drag down Spider, even if its better... and if Heron reminded me so much of Miyazaki's Spirited Away, which made anime history before, then, maybeee slightly that... 

Who Should Win:  Another case of no matter who loses we win of two great frontrunners...   maybe a slight quality edge to Spider though
 

Best Costume Design

• "Barbie"
• "Killers of the Flower Moon"
• "Napoleon"
• "Oppenheimer"
• "Poor Things"

Who Will Win:   Word is in some of these, per above, its Barbie vs ..well here swap Oppen for Poor Things. But isn't a colorful film of tropes and jokes and OUTFITS fit for this category??!!  (I don't list it here but I see Barbie getting Original Song from one of its several, at least...) 

Who Should Win:   Give Barbie meme wins it needs them ! Distinct.. Poor Things is distinct too though...  but also liked Napoleon and DeNiro's hats in their films...

Best Score

• "American Fiction"
• "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny"
• "Killers of the Flower Moon"
• "Oppenheimer"
• "Poor Things"

Who Will Win: No question at all Oppenheimer.. it's a nolan film in a trending year! 

Who Should Win:  Good ol' Hans zimmer so yes Oppen is fine.. however, Poor Things is so weirdly good.. and Indiana Jones could have made, even if not as memorable as franchise, a "goodbye" for John Williams

We'll see what happens! May the jokes be good and the slaps be minimal 

Top Ten Films, Video Games, and Music Albums Of 2023

 

Top Ten Films, Video Games, and Music Albums Of 2022

Top Ten Films, Video Games, and Music Albums Of 2023

It's time again to think of this all as every medium was pretty dang packed even if not perfect. See below and as always if something obvious is missing I probably didn't have the chance to experience through / play it but happy to catch up or debate its absence wherever relevant. 

Bring on the next one yet again! 

Top 10 Films Of 2023 Tier:

1 and Film Of The Year.): John Wick : Chapter 4!: For truly the idea that: what other franchise has me eagerly analyzing every word on its future? What has me thinking of multiple action scenes ? what is the perfect blend of spectacle and stakes?  Maybe given a boost by this may be the end... but all respect to those just below it but I really have no completes, a nigh-perfect action movie.  long but keeps getting better...not like this longg then slow then gets better.  Keanu and crew: you are breathtaking! 

2.) Oppenheimer: For bravo to a Nolan joint once again... for making what may have been an uneventful scientific process into something riveting, important, and beautiful. For Cillian Murphy and a million other people and the test...into a different RDJ political second half. Together with Barb below it was both the meme and cinematic moment of the year helping the theaters.

3.) Poor Things: For truly being unique art. Yorgos going more Yorgos than ever before in a surreal gothic sense of which the world evolves just as much as its protagonist in a great Emma Stone but others beyond (Dafoe, Ruffalo etc).. just be nudity and how much one will laugh warned   

4.) Killers Of The Flower Moon: For being a return to form for its own kind of Scorsese and its stellar Robert Deniro and Lily Gladstone in this tale of twisted protagonist-meets-antagonists. 

5.) Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol.3: For being such a perfect ending to Gunn's time in the MCU as he begins a new one by capturing that tone and heartwarming sense with shiny awe and spectacle.

6.) Barbie: For being so colorful, fun, and funny kenergy and all. Mix of childlike aesthetics and humor with some smarter themes at times. Together with Heimer above it was both the meme and cinematic moment of the year helping the theaters.

7.) American Fiction: For being hilarious and heartwarming with its own lessons on race to say.  Just a straight to the point good movie that surprises. 

8.) Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse: For the king of its aesthetic returning just as good or even better than the first. Showing there still is value in the multiverse while setting up so much more. 

9.) The Killer: For featuring St Charles IL as part of its plot! But really for such fantastic direction and ambiance from Fincher and performance by Fassbender. For just being so cool. 

10.) Napoleon: For being a return to form for Ridley. With epic spectacle and perfect costuming / set production and an ever reliable Joaquin and Vanessa Kirby. 

Honorable #'s 11-13's Notable Status Tier:

11.) Tetris: For even if it was a year of many other video-game based movies showing they can also be great stories too. For being the most interesting "product film" in a sea of them.. for mixing the CEO of Nintendo and being chased by agents in the USSR! 

12.) The Creator: For some of the best visuals around on this whole list. For its unique world and exciting action with dark ambiance and some touching, if hammy, themes. 

13.) Beau Is Afraid: For on a list of unique art being the most unique art of all. For being something that one may not necessarily like but will certainly never forget

Venturous Just Glad It Exists Niche Tier:

V.) Venture Bros: Radiant Is the Blood Of The Baboon Heart: For being a great return and just about as special / fitting as we'll ever get

Top 10 Video Games Of 2023 Tier:

1. and Game Of The Year) The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom: Even if people forgot it or view it as just a engineering simulator ... some amazing times long awaited when it first came out and i know ill be back for many more.. truly immersed me.. the fans got what they wished. 

2.) Diablo 4: For being worth the many year wait of just good ol' clicking killing with seemingly endless content ahead. 

3.) Pikmin 4: For proving that there really is a reason to keep this going with inventive enemies, bosses, modes and cozy ambiance with dungeons meets overworld. 

4.) (Insomniac's) Spider-Man 2: For being more of a great thing that's improved.. mixing the abilities of Peter and Morales in a new way; for being the best symbiote story in a long time. 

5.) Super Mario Bros Wonder: For being so dang packed full of a flood of new ideas / level design / charm. For finally moving past "New Super Mario Bros"

6.) Star Wars: Jedi Survivor: For being an even bigger, better, more epic and refined sequel while still offering more of the great thing. 

7.) Mortal Kombat 1 : For being an even bigger, better, more epic and refined sequel while still offering more of the great thing and taking out what didn't work while homaging the great. 

8.) Warioware: Move It! : For being a blast to play with friends and family and reminding of the greats. 

9.) Super Mario RPG Remake: For bringing back the legend that started it all and resolving license IP right disputes at long last with a bit of newness. 

10.) F-Zero 99: For being a fast and furious take on a classic and technically bringing back a legendary series. 

Honorable #'s 11-13's Notable Status Tier:

11.) Dead Space 1 Remake: For bringing back the legend and not breaking what doesn't need fixing. 

12.) Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora: For being Far Cry Primal in space with an big blue cat person touch. For the gorgeous jungles. 

13.) Starfield: For all of its promise that lays within if one willing to invest.. and the potential of improvement in the future like its peers. 

 

Old News But Big Part Of My Year:

- God Of War Ragnarok: The only full narrative game I beat during this calendar year after starting it last year and since then with so many amazing times in post-game and now just starting into very fresh / relevant Valhalla patch content so surely it will continue into next year and beyond !

Top 10 Music Albums Of 2023 Tier:

1.) and Album Of The Year.): Gorillaz - Cracker Island: For capturing that unique feeling with a truly new album at long last again even if it was yet again known singles. Legendary collaborations (Favorite Song: Skinny Ape)

2.) Yves Tumor - Praise A Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume(Etc): For evolving their sound even more into a perfect mix of smooth , moody, rocking, and elaborate.. and quite a live show. (Favorite Song: Ebony Eye)

3.) 100 Gecs - 10,000 Gecs: For being catchy and hilarious (those beats!) and quite a live show: (Favorite Song: 757)

4.) Metric - Formentera II . For taking the existing awesome things and pushing it to new heights of feels and grooves (Favorite Song: Go Ahead And Cry)

5.) DJ Shadow - Action Adventure: For being so smooth. (Favorite Song: A Narrow Escape)

6.) King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - PetroDragonic Apocalypse (Etc) (shoutout to their

The Silver Cord this year too but preferred this! ): For being so brutal (Favorite Song: Supercell)

7.) Oliver Tree - Alone In A Crowd. For taking it back to roots while remembering what changed along the way: (Favorite Song: Essence)

8.) Gum - Saturnia: For being so groovy (Favorite Song: Race To The Air)

9.) Boygenius - The Record: For truly an indie supergroup of angst (Favorite Song: Satanist)

10.) Travis Scott - Utopia: For Travis being a take on Kanye-like when technically no streaming or even device release qualifies here(Favorite Song: Circus Maximus)

Honorables #11-13's:

11.) Lil Yachty - Let's Start Here: For being so different , groovy, and rock inspired ( Favorite Song: The Black Seminole)

12.) Killer Mike - Michael . For breaking out of RTJ into as good or better. (Favorite Song: Scientists And Engineers)

LOLLLest: 13.) David Liebe Hart / Tragic Club - Good Morning Have A Good Day. For making something that's DLH yet somehow awesome prog at the same time (Favorite Song: Good Morning Have A Good Day title track)

LOLLEST THAN LOL IRL FRIENDS Tier:

14. Tim Perez - Shadowboxing Behind The Fieldhouse: AYO GOOD JOB FOR SHREKYE (Favorite Song: John McEnroe)

15.TIED: Doc.K - Belladonna (Favorite Song: Far Fetched.. transcendental!) / Kid Neptune - Between Two Rovers (Favorite Song: Somewhere else.. epic!) / Sickardi - Me Myself And

Island (Favorite Song: Clouds..happy rocking!)

Onwards we go!

Oscar Thoughts / Predictions 2023

 Oscar Thoughts / Predictions 2023

  Time for the Academy Awards again! It's kind of obvious this year for good reasons ;0 

Best Picture

• “All Quiet on the Western Front”
• “Avatar: The Way of Water”
• “The Banshees of Inisherin”
• “Elvis”
• “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
• “The Fabelmans”
• “Tár”
• “Top Gun: Maverick”
• “Triangle of Sadness”
• “Women Talking”

Who Will Win:   Everything Everywhere All At Once is fantastically sweeping all the pre-circuit and a review darling.. of course it has the best odds its pure math! Henceforth called "EEAO" .. I can maybe see its close competition from some awards circuits as  either Banshees or All Quiet On Western Front 
  

Who Should Win: EEAO! It's a Birdman type year where I completely agree 

Best Director

•  Martin McDonagh, “The Banshees of Inisherin”
• Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
• Steven Spielberg, “The Fabelmans”
• Todd Field, “Tár”
• Ruben Ostlund, “Triangle of Sadness”

Who Will Win:  EEAO duo could carry the best picture trend but so could its competitors in McDonagh; or they could go old school for what's maybe fourth likely for rest in Spielberg.

Who Should Win:  "EEAO / The Daniels"! Not a bad pick on this board though

Best Actor

• Austin Butler, “Elvis”
• Colin Farrell, “The Banshees of Inisherin”
• Brendan Fraser, “The Whale”
• Paul Mescal, “Aftersun”
• Bill Nighy, “Living”

Who Will Win: It's a tough lock between Butler and Fraser in the awards circuit but it seems Butler has had the slight edge. However Fraser has that "old school redemption story.

Who Should Win: Fraser it's his time! Wouldn't be upset with Farrell or Butler however. 

Best Actress

•  Cate Blanchett, “Tár”
• Ana de Armas, “Blonde”
• Andrea Riseborough, “To Leslie”
• Michelle Williams, “The Fabelmans”
• Michelle Yeoh, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

Who Will Win: It's almost like a mirror of the Actor category with Yeoh as most wins but also with "old school comeback" yet Blanchett has won many as well. About equal

Who Should Win:  Blanchett without a doubt intense performance. But anyone here isn't wrong aside maybe the potentially rigged Riseborough nomination shenangins. 

Best Supporting Actor

•  Brendan Gleeson, “The Banshees of Inisherin”
• Brian Tyree Henry, “Causeway”
• Judd Hirsch, “The Fabelmans”
• Barry Keoghan, “The Banshees of Inisherin”
• Ke Huy Quan, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

Who Will Win: The ultimate "best" , "most wins", and "old school comeback" in Quan. It would be shocking if it wasn't him but there's lots of Banshees buzz overall and if it were to be one other place it could be Gleeson here.

Who Should Win: Quan or Gleeson would not be wrong!

Best Supporting Actress

• Angela Bassett, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”
• Hong Chau, “The Whale”
• Kerry Condon, “The Banshees of Inisherin”
• Jamie Lee Curtis, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
• Stephanie Hsu, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

Who Will Win: It's a solid little performance and an end of an era but for some reason Bassett's been sweeping. Condon or Chau have odds for same reasons. EEAO elsewhere makes the rest unlikely but Curtis has gotten one.

Who Should Win: Personally I'd go Chau even if not all the way in first but Hsu or Condon were great too.

Best Original Screenplay

• “The Banshees of Inisherin”
• “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
• “The Fabelmans”
• “Tár”
• “Triangle of Sadness”

Who Will Win: EEAO frontrunners could and especially should be over here, truly original

Who Should Win: While EEAO is great  I have some appreciation for Banshees. 

Best Adapted Screenplay

•  All Quiet on the Western Front”
• “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery”
• “Living”
• “Top Gun: Maverick”
• “Women Talking”

Who Will Win:  This seems like a case with a token frontrunner All Quiet win but could see the same reasons for Women Talking or even Glass Onion too.

Who Should Win:  As Rian Johnson is one of the best creatives today would love Glass Onion too even if odds are low

Best Visual Effects

•  “All Quiet on the Western Front,” 
• “Avatar: The Way of Water,” 
• “The Batman,” 
• “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” 
• “Top Gun: Maverick,” 

Who Will Win: Was there ever a more obvious choice for Avatar 2? Or Top Gun 2? "Blockbuster" slot

Who Should Win: Even if it won't Batman would be cool. But Avatar objectively. 

Best Animated Feature

•  “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio”
• “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On”
• “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”
• “The Sea Beast”
• “Turning Red”

Who Will Win: Pinocchio is the frontrunner clearly bravo Del Toro. But, often Disney / Pixar wins would mean Turning Red  even if it's perhaps some of the least deserving.

Who Should Win:  Puss In Boots 2 SHOULD but won't! Dreamworks best in years. Pinocchio is more than fair too a KevViews high rated. 

Best Costume Design

•  “Babylon”
• “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”
• “Elvis”
• “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
• “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris”

Who Will Win:  Elvis could pull in "overall-"ness but EEAO or Wakanda Forever are great too.

Who Should Win:  EEAO or Wakanda Forever! Vibrant..Bablyon ain't bad either and deserved some of these more technical awards. 

Best Score

• “All Quiet on the Western Front”
• “Babylon”
• “The Banshees of Inisherin”
• “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
• “The Fabelmans”

Who Will Win:  This seems like a place All Quiet or Banshees can get more especially for their old-school sensibilities. But the same reason too for Fablemans (John Williams!). Hurwitz has done well before too for Babylon

Who Should Win:  Babylon clearly although Fablemans wouldn't be bad. 

We'll see what happens!

Top Ten Films, Video Games, and Music Albums Of 2022

 Top Ten Films, Video Games, and Music Albums Of 2022

It's time again to think of this all in what was a jam packed year of quality (with there

being at times almost 100 semi-finalists per category all of at least "solid"!). See below and as always if something obvious is missing I probably didn't have the chance to experience through / play it but happy to catch up or debate its absence wherever relevant. 

Bring on the next one! 

Top 10 Films Of 2022 Tier:

1. and Movie Of The Year.) Everything Everywhere All At Once. For being that sometimes the hype train is

truly true. For being truly and utterly unique art. Literally every feeling every genre every

coolness every epic-ness at once. Amazing kung fu/martial arts action, occasional surreal

majestic special effects and ever crisp, one of a kind dimensional ideas, fantastic acting

from the main trio (and mainstream return for Ke Huy Quan!), twists/turns/metaphors...and

through it all a human heart both emotionally personal and infinite philosophical. If only every

movie was this fresh, Hollywood would be alright! 

2.) The Batman. For showing we can have an amazing Batman film again and being the first truly

"Detective Comics" take with amazing acting, ambiance, narrative, and action.

3.) Pinocchio (Del Toro's Netflix Claymation Remake). For being a true work of art with distinct

vision and touching themes.

4.) Glass Onion: A Knives Out (2) Mystery. For being as good or better than the first one with a

fresh new technocratic sunny version of itself with again smart (and smarter) commentary, hilarious jokes,

and distinct performances with narrative tricks along the way.

5.) The Banshees of Inisherin. For making a simple premise into something exactly what it is

as well as something so much more alongside great jokes and stellar performances with some surreal

elements and crisp direction. 

6.) The Northman. For letting Eggers play with his distinctive atmosphere in the largest budget yet

to such a recreation of an era, brutal action, and crisp direction in what is truly a historical epic. 

7.) The Menu. For surprising both in its narrative outcome and how good it is along with darkly

hilarious performances and ever unsettling tension. 

8.) The Whale. For what WILL win the best acting Oscar in a career comeback for Brendan Fraser

along with just as good acting co-stars and some larger themes more about the world around this large

man than the man's largeness itself....sadness, kindness, and the occasional laugh and smile.

9.) Avatar (2): The Way Of Water. For finally coming out after almost a decade and being just as good

and potentially even better than the first equal parts immersively relaxing and epically exciting even if

long.

10.) The Fablemans. For coming for the Spielberg life story but staying for the nostalgic love

of movies and family drama dynamics with solid acting.

Honorable #'s 11-13's Notable Status Tier:

11. Terrifier 2. For being such a success story for an indie release within perspective and all

things considered. For its gore thats both shockingly horrible yet with a slight sense of commendable

dark humor and bizarre heart and deep within magical 80s synthing rocking elements that give it

that special touch. 

12. Elvis. For being what SHOULD win the best acting Oscar for Austin Butler with a movie 

that is ridiculous and beautiful looking around it.

13. Top Gun (2): Maverick. For being somehow the top grossing film of 2022 so far surely do to

taking something that was surely going to be decent or solid to REALLY solid and surpassing

the first with its heart and stunning action packed finale. 

?!?!? Candidacy Tier (Usually don't count "Limited In Previous Fall Wide in Winter" Oscarbait

but in this case it truly only released in NYC in technically 2021 COVID times before wider

on Apple + in January..and great!):

NA / #14: The Tragedy of Macbeth (Joel Coen's Remake). For what wasn't already said in that 

its dreary atmosphere and great leading duo / witch performances.

Top 10 Video Games Of 2022 Tier:

1 and Game Of The Year.) God Of War: Ragnarok (So Far). For pulling off the rare feat of living

up to another true GOTY and all time GOATs, meeting, and in some ways surpassing it..even if in some

ways its been done before or minor mistakes. Amazing visuals (especially PS5 just held back by

needing PS4 and "more of same"), exciting nonstop action, so many bosses, new combat layers, 

story twists and turns and feels and Norse lore expansions, etc! 

2.) High On Life (So Far). For being the ultimate playable Squanchy-tastic Rick and Morty Episode with AAA

quality! Shiny, funny, meta, Bioshock meets Halo meets jokes and surreal sci-fi.

3.) Kirby and the Forgotten Land (Completed). For being Super Mario Odyessy vibes and transforming 

meets Super Mario 3D World / Galaxy linear fantastic level design..but it's Kirby for the first truly

3D time! Epically cinematic at times with a surprising hard post-game for its type as always. 

4.) Bayonetta 3(So Far). For finally coming out after so long and delivering all the craziness one remembers! With a new

bigger than ever multiversal scope and constant set-pieces/gameplay changes/combat options.  

5.) Splatoon 3 (So Far). For definitely having some solid multiplayer , technical performance / graphical improvements, 

big lobby and salmon runs, music etc... For fusing Splatoon 2 Octo expansion challenges in with its main campaign in challenging

surreal ways and lil salmonid grenade drone buddy and as ever exciting bosses.

6.) Multiversus (Post-Open Beta /"Full Release"). For proving that someone else besides Nintendo

can make smart tactical improvements to the Smash Bros formula and having a meme tastic roster that

could go so much further to heights yet unknown even if some F2P elements and that learning curve

holds it back from that first hype. 

7.) Nintendo Switch Sports (Wii Sports 3). For finally bringing back an easy way to play Wii Bowling and Tennis

even if a couple mistakes especially in online progression and content. But it runs smoothly and plays well.

8.) Pokemon Legends: Arceus (So Far). For even if some plain overall design bringing true freshness to the Pokemon

formula with smooth performance and distinct aesthetic...truly fresh. 

9.) Sports Story (So Far). For finally releasing at the last minute and bringing the same charm to 

more sports. 

10.) Pokemon Scarlet / Violet Versions (So Far). For so quickly going back to basics after fresh

experiments but a logical bigger than bigger next steps and tons of content even if drastic performance

hints and "same ol"...but sometimes same ol is fine. 

Honorable #'s 11-13's Notable Status Tier:

11.) Vampire Survivors (Mainly Mobile But Seen Much PC). For being a great mobile format of an interesting

and simple PC game...both games being easy to learn and hard to master live, die, repeat roguelike

gameplay in addictively manageable increments 

12.) Diablo Immortal (Mobile Full Release/ So Far).  For people who have phones even if it's not

the big one that's wanted. Somewhere between Diablo 2, 3, 4 and sketchy F2P elements but maybe it can

improve. More reliable-ness alwayswelcome.

13.) PAC-MAN WORLD 1 Re-PAC "HD" (So Far). For being a sharply running bright version of a classic

platformer with a smoother gameplay touch or two

Top 10 Music Albums Of 2022 Tier:

1. and Album Of The Year.) Devin Townsend - Lightwork. For being  A magnificent majestic dreamy prog metal achievement sounding like a culminiaton of the best of a career 

so far with incredible productions, instrumentation, lyrics, ahhh, truly mind blowing! 

Favorite song: "Dimensions"

2.) Djo (Stranger Things "Steve" Actor Joe Keery) - Decide. For making a new fan of this artist

and reminding of the best of electronic dreamy Daft Punk in a world without them. Favorite song:

"Climax"

3.) Steve Lacy - Gemini Rights. For being such a good solo LP debut even without "Bad Habit" (which is now

stuck in your head)...dreamy, relaxing, romantic, deep...bring on more. Favorite song : "Mercury" 

4.) Kendrick Lamar - Mr. Morale And The Big Steppers. For being a great return to form up there with

the legends with timely relevant themes and great production. Favorite song: "Count Me Out"

5.) Muse - Will Of The People. For covering such a variety of genres with jams, feels, spooks, 

epics, more. Favorite song: "We Are Fucking Fucked"

6.) The Weeknd - Dawn F.M.. For starting off the year incredibly strong with its vaporwave and

synthwave influences retro and dreamy experimentally. Favorite song: "Every Angel Is Terrifying" but

really as an interlude it's "Less Than Zero"

7.) King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard - Omnium Gatherum. For being truly the most genre covering of this list

and the best of their many, many releases...was tough not to crowd this list with just them! 

Favorite song: "Presumptuous" 

8.) Toro Y Moi - Mahal. For also offering some incredible dreamy prog alt indie with

so many tones and emotions. Favorite song: "Magazine"

9.) Oliver Tree - Cowboy Tears (Original Cut). For taking the unique sound in a new acoustic fusion direction

and if it's the end "not good at goodbyes". Favorite song: "Cigarettes"

10.) Willow Smith - <coping mechanism>. For even if she was the 2021 album of the year winner

not quite as impressive era shift as that in a darker more experimental heavier direction

but with some great feels and jams too. Favorite song: "Ur a <stranger>"

Honorable #'s 11-13/ Meme Or Notable Status Tier:

11.) Alice Glass - Prey//IV. For coming out at long last after a few years of independence from

Crystal Castles and the dark past..jamming and a Chicago Riotfest highlight. Favorite song:

"Fair Game" 

12.) Black Eyed Peas - Elevation. For being a return to form after so many years of world music

experiments and lineup changes...and sampling Scatman! and Shakira on a track! 90s-00s

Avengers. Favorite song: "Bailar Contigo"

13.) Kanye West - DONDA 2 (Most Complete Stem Cut Most Songs/Pre-Edits and Takedown...). A tough

one to type after the Pete Davidson, custody battles, bi-polar insanity and Hitler worship...and

even its own launch show ruckus and being on Stem exclusive...but think back to that best cut. A more

experimental space-electronic influenced followup to the great Donda but short and unealized...

what could have been...and may or may not ever be. Favorite song: "Flowers".

#14 My Brother's Friend Meme Award Lol Tier:

14.) Sickardi -Sickardi Vol.1. For being a cool debut by my brother's friend and collaborators in a unique

fun good produced meme way...chill stuff. Favorite song quality: "Corner"... meme name/connection "Mr.Jones Cypher" 

 

Onwards we go

 

Oscar Thoughts / Predictions 2022

 Oscar Thoughts / Predictions 2022

  Time for the Academy Awards again and back in March again... it will be interesting to see what is what with a season that has been both the samey for some picks but with more dark horses than ever so anything can happen if kind of middling overall.  

Best Picture

•  Belfast 
• CODA
• Don’t Look Up 
• Drive My Car
• Dune
• King Richard 
• Licorice Pizza 
• Nightmare Alley 
• The Power of the Dog
• West Side Story

Who Will Win:  Every year going in there's a film that is "the one" that wins this across shows whether it deserves it or not and this year it's been Power Of The Dog so that's the biggest contender. However CODA has been a big dark horse lately so it could be that or something more traditional like West Side Story or even Nightmare Alley Or Dune based on past praise. 

Who Should Win: Dune is to my tastes and is probably the best movie on this list ... or Don't Look up , or Licorice Pizza, or Nightmare Alley...all of the more spicier picks that won't win! Power Of The Dog is FINE, I get it ...but we'll see

Best Director

•  Paul Thomas Anderson (Licorice Pizza)
• Kenneth Branagh (Belfast)
• Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog)
• Ryûsuke Hamaguchi (Drive My Car)
• Steven Spielberg (West Side Story)

Who Will Win: Another case of Best Picture + Best Director nearly locked in Power Of The Dog. Belfast is possible too... or a Parasite-esque and deserved Drive My Car. 

Who Should Win: To me this would be more Pizza vs Belfast vs Drive My Car over Power of the dog but all makes sense; it's hard to say

Best Actor

•  Javier Bardem (Being the Ricardos)
• Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog)
• Andrew Garfield (Tick, Tick … Boom!)
• Will Smith (King Richard)
• Denzel Washington (The Tragedy of Macbeth)

Who Will Win: Pre-season indicates this will finally be Will Smith's first Oscar but Best Picture trends could continue with the fantastic Cumberbatch or the buzz for Andrew Garfield

Who Should Win: I would pick Garfield, Washington, or Bardem of these. 

Best Actress

•  Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye)
• Olivia Colman (The Lost Daughter)
• Penélope Cruz (Parallel Mothers)
• Nicole Kidman (Being the Ricardos)
• Kristen Stewart (Spencer)

Who Will Win: Once again and so gladly Chastain has been sweeping because it just makes sense. Stewart could get what she deserves and I feel Colman or Cruz are dark horses

Who Should Win: Chastain indeed! Or Stewart with both being so amazing and originally underappreciated at release. 

Best Supporting Actor

•  Ciarán Hinds (Belfast)
• Troy Kotsur (CODA)
• Jesse Plemons (The Power of the Dog)
• J.K. Simmons (Being the Ricardos)
• Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog)

Who Will Win: Kotsur has been  sweeping the pre-season which is so nice to see. It's a tough category that could go to one of the many others especially the Plemons vs Smit-McPhee Dog duo. 

Who Should Win: No complaints for Kotsur what an underdog story yet also Hinds was fantastic. 

Best Supporting Actress

•   Jessie Buckley (The Lost Daughter)
• Ariana DeBose (West Side Story)
• Judi Dench (Belfast)
• Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog)
• Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard)

Who Will Win: DeBose has been strong in the pre-season but once again Power Of The Dog's Dunst may sweep it all. 

Who Should Win: It's hard to take a guess here but Dench again since I think Belfast should win some. DeBose is fine too.

Best Original Screenplay

•  Belfast 
• Don’t Look Up 
• King Richard 
• Licorice Pizza 
• The Worst Person in the World (written by Eskil Vogt, Joachim Trier)

Who Will Win: This could be where Licorice Pizza actually wins or something like Belfast or Don't Look Up does. 

Who Should Win: Licorice Pizza or Don't Look Up please for being so original and different it's the name of the award. 

Best Adapted Screenplay

•  CODA
• Drive My Car 
• Dune 
• The Lost Daughter 
• The Power of the Dog 

Who Will Win: Potential sweepers CODA vs Power Of The Dog faceoff here but Dune was such a strong adaptation. There's a Lost Daughter vibe somewhere at this show .

Who Should Win:  DUNE PLEASE although fine with CODA, Dog, or Drive My Car. 

Best Animated Feature

•  Encanto 
• Flee 
• Luca 
• The Mitchells vs. the Machines 
• Raya and the Last Dragon  

Who Will Win: Disney has this category on lock with 3 of 5 however as for which it's hard to say. Encanto and Raya seem to have more substance than the lowkey Luca and each with their own cultural representation significance making them most likely. In the public consciousness Encanto is more traditionally Disney so that may be the winner even if Raya is far better. 

Who Should Win: MITCHELLS VS THE MACHINES IS THE BEST ON THIS LIST! So that even if the odds are low but it may be a slight dark horse. Of the Disney releases please Raya or Luca but perhaps in a way cheering for Flee to disrupt the system. 

Best Visual Effects

•  Dune 
• Free Guy 
• No Time to Die 
• Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings 
• Spider-Man: No Way Home  

Who Will Win: Aside the unlisted other categories on this list (cinematography etc) which are more clear locks Dune is both the best film on this list and has some of the best effects however MCU could win another Oscar here for the popularity of Spidey or Shang-Chi or veneration for James Bond

Who Should Win: DUNE as always but would be happy for Spidey to get the Oscars it deserved more of.

Best Costume Design

•  Cruella 
• Cyrano 
• Dune 
• Nightmare Alley  
• West Side Story  

Who Will Win: Dune could if it pulls a Mad Max Fury Road style sweep of everything but Cruella has some of the most outrageous fashion. 

Who Should Win: While of course Dune again please give Cyrano the award it deserves! Also Nightmare Alley should win at least one somewhere 

Best Score

•  Don’t Look Up 
• Dune 
• Encanto 
• Parallel Mothers 
• The Power of the Dog
  

Who Will Win:  This seems like something where something boring such as Power Of The Dog gets it if it sweeps but hopefully it's a truthful Dune sweep.  Encanto also has that Lin-Manuel Miranda + cultural bonus going on

Who Should Win: DUNE please but wouldn't mind Encanto since it's jamming 

We'll see what happens!

Top Ten Films, Video Games, and Music Albums Of 2021

 Top Ten Films, Video Games, and Music Albums Of 2021

It's that time again (a little belated as this all is) for the top movies / games / music albums notated here from 2021 "this" / last year. See below and as always if something obvious is missing I probably didn't have the chance to experience through / play it but happy to catch up or debate its absence wherever relevant. Bring on the next one! 

My Top Films 2021:

1. and thus Movie Of The Year: Dune (For its incredible attention to detail, cast, music, set pieces, epic scope.. EVERYTHING!) 

2. The Green Knight (For its surreal artistic metaphorical narrative, Dev Patel performance,  and gorgeous cinematography / music for such an ambiance) 

3. Spider-Man: No Way Home (For its masterful blend of old and new to make both the best Holland / MCU era climax alongside a nostalgic trip down villian / hero memory lane)

4. The Suicide Squad (2)/ (Gunn's) (For showing the DCEU can make a MCU movie just as good as the MCU can when it steals one of its directors allowing for a R-rated bloody funny time) 

5. Don't Look Up (For bringing up some very important points in well done by McKay's comedy return alongside terrific hilarious performances from Leo DiCap, Jlaws, Jonah Hill, etc) 

6. Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings (For its majestic scope, fight scenes, special effects, music,  and yet again important representation) 

7. The Last Duel (For its directorial attention to detail and action scenes alongside intense performances in a tragically dark tale)

8. James Bond No Time To Die (For a fitting end to the Daniel Craig era with exciting action and beautiful scenery)

9. Last Night In Soho (For something different from Edgar Wright and its spooky / music-filled retro ambiance in a twisty plot)

10. Nightmare Alley (For the usual Del Toro attention to detail in set design , music, and direction alongside many great performances)

Honorable 11-13:

11. Raya and the Last Dragon (For being perhaps the most darkly epic and mature Disney itself animated film in years while being gorgeously colorful and fun at the same time)  

12. I Care A Lot (For such a unique and exciting plot of evil vs evil with great Rosamund Pike and Peter Dinklage hamming-it-up roles) 

13. The Mitchells vs the Machines (For being the surprise no one expected for a straight to Netflix Sony Animated piece with tons of heart and laughs)

(Honorable Not Sure How'd They'd Count: Justice League: The Snyder Cut (For delivering an epic dark superhero saga as it was meant to be scene with so much backstory and lore that fits)

, Bo Burnham's Inside Special (For being not just a movie or a comedy special or a music album but excellling at all of the above with important COVID-era lessons and therapy.."BEZOOSSS") 

Overall: Really good year with the re-opening of the movie theaters felt for the largest blockbusters as well as the smallest of indie / A24 oscar bait; if anything a prolonged Oscar season led to so much

stuff total on both ends (this was at 30ish "top" true contenders!).. of course there was some mistakes but the media is healing and franchises are getting more exciting than ever.

My Top Video Games 2021:

1. and thus Game Of The Year: Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart (For showing once again Sony makes gorgeous cinematic game experiences like no other truly being next gen more than anything else)

2. Metroid Dread (For a long awaited return to 2d platforming feeling just as ambient and hardcore as back in the day)

3. Psychonauts 2 (For its hilarious writing and unique level design being just like back in the day)

4. (Square's) Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy (For being spot on to the Gunn movies with wild set pieces and humor making up for ok same-y yet flashy combat) 

5. Halo (6): Infinite (For having a return to form gameplay especially in (free as a surprise!) multiplayer with a cool open world take on campaign I still haven't seen all of yet)

6. WarioWare: Get It Together (For silly fast multiplayer modes of various types and bringing action to the main game fusing old and new so well) 

7. Deathloop (For a unique take on the roguelike formula into FPS with so much style in setting / narrative / music)

8. Mario Golf: Super Rush (For its free DLC update season and so many modes with the fun speed / arena modes)

9. Knockout City (For its simple dodgeball chaotic fun that has so many layers)

10. Mario Party Superstars (For bringing back a bunch of classics in a new way; so many mini-games!)

Honorable 11-13:

11. Super Meat Boy Forever (For having an interesting new take on the Meat Boy hardness with just as good narrative and music)) 

12. Back 4 Blood (For scratching that co-op Left 4 Dead itch and kicking off a new wave of the genre with newfound intensity)

13. Destruction Allstars (For simple shiny smashing fun on the next gen)

(Honorable Mention Of A Port: Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury(For this content stuff showing how open world and linear mario can be fused together!)) 

Overall: Hmm some solid gems and long awaited returns but hard to say that next gen truly kicked off with some of the same reveals being shown; there's much I missed too making assembling this list a struggle

with some almost embarrasing almost-here's. The future is starting to be known but yet also some of the same old wheels are being spun and oof not a year to be Activision Blizzard, Ubisoft, or others for

shady practices both moral and commercial it feels like a true new era is hopefully approaching. 

My Top Albums 2021 : 

1. and thus Album Of The Year: Willow Smith : Lately I Feel Everything (Highlight Song: Transparent Soulllll) 

2. Kanye West : Donda ( Original Mix Highlight Song: Jesus Lord , Deluxe Shoutout Song: Life 

Of The Party) 

3. Genghis Tron : Dream Weapon(Highlight Song: Ritual Circle) 

4. Fitz : Head Up High (Highlight Song: House Party) 

5. Weezer : Van Weezer (Highlight Song: 1 More Hit) 

6. Modest Mouse : The Golden Casket  (Highlight Song: Japanese Trees)

7. Adele : 30 (Highlight Song: My Little Love)

8. Of Montreal : I Feel Safe With You , Trash (Highlight Song: Extract the Masculine Germ from

Remote Memory)

9. Garbage : No Gods No Masters  (Highlight Song: No Horses)

10. Tyler the Creator : Call Me If You Get Lost (Highlight Song: Sweet / I Thought You Wanted

To Dance)

Honorable 11-13: 

11. AFI : Bodies (Highlight Song: On Your Back) 

12. Rob Zombie : The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Conspiracy (Highlight Song: Triumph

Of King Freak)

13. Limp Bizkit : Still Sucks (Highlight Song: Goodbye)

Honorable 3 EP's :

- Gorillaz : Meanwhile (Highlight Song: Deja Vu)

- Yves Tumor : The Asymptomatical World(Highlight Song: Jackie)

- Oliver Tree : Welcome To The Internet (Highlight Song: Rampampam)

Overall: Such a fantastic year of long waited albums across genres at one point this list was a top 50-60+!! A return of releases, Kanye ruckus, and concerts / fests too...wild. 

Spider-Man: No Way Home Review

 Spider-Man: No Way Home

Director: Jon Watts
Cast Headliners: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Benedict Cumberbatch, Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau, Alfred Molina, Willem Dafoe, surprises that have to be seen
Original Release Date : December 17th, 2021 


  Tom Holland's era in the MCU has been mostly a hit but at times a mixed bag. He has more time in ensemble pieces like Captain America: Civil War and Avengers Infinity War / Endgame than within his own world but whether it was in those or in solo outings like Homecoming and Far From Home he has delivered quite well on his high school version.  Spider-Man: No Way Home is the most ambitious and darkest yet making it the absolute best yet due to its advertised inclusion of old Sony franchises but it must be seen to be believed. 

  Interestingly the film picks up exactly after the 2019 Far From Home second sequel. Peter Parker / Spider-Man (Tom Holland)'s secret identity has been revealed to the world by the late con-man Mysterio from that film.  Very quickly things become both dramatic and humorous as accusations and fandomship fly.   It is just the first example of stakes being raised thricefold as Peter has always wanted a normal life and now that can never be the case. This leads to situations both humorous and dramatic with supporting cast of sarcastic girlfriend Michelle Jones Watson "MJ" (Zendaya), easily excited best friend Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon), or caring parent figures in Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) and ex-Stark bodyguard Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) who would make the film enjoyable on its own if it weren't for the new elements being so good along the old. 

 A major new element is Peter's quest to invoke the reality changing magic of fellow Avenger Dr.Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) stepping in for this movie's Iron Man / Nick Fury equivalent like the last two solo Spidey outings. Cumberbatch is as entertainingly funny and wise as ever with the element of magical trippy wonder giving this film a uniquely colorful slant compared to the more mundane prior films (of course with Thanos shenangins aside).  Important questions are asked and stakes are raised. 

 

    Reasonings must be seen by oneself but as advertised soon classic Tobey Macguire-era villians Doctor "Ock" Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina) and Norman Osborn / Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe) invade this MCU realm. Each are so incredibly spot on to their old selves that it feels as if one has plopped in a DVD of Raimi's films to see deleted scenes. Molina's Ock is cartoonishly fun and vile with his spouting of zingers and Dafoe's Norman possibly even surpasses his prior take with a mix of dastardly-ness , strength, and even a bit of surprising sincerity.  The old and new casts go together so well with top notch writing.    As for the Andrew Garfield era's Electro (Jamie Foxx), Lizard (Rhys Ifans) , and maybe some other friends and foes the, as Stan Lee once told,  "'nuff said" but they manage to redeem themselves from the weaker films of the trilogy.  

  Watts provides some excellent action spectacle with the film looking the best in the series with the second half being a non-stop ride of battles , laughs, and nostalgia lessons. Michael Giacchino adds to things with his memorable score (especially in anything Dr.Strange-related) which is rare for the MCU.    

Everything fires on all cylinders for the ultimate Spider-Man mashup. Perhaps at times the movie relays too much on its cameos (while not having enough of the great JK Simmons as J Jonah Jameson again!)  to be its own identity and of course some token slight cheese and lengthy-ness but this is nearly perfect. It both pays tribute to the legacy while leaving things in such an exciting place for the future. With its great responsibility of continuing the franchise (multiple even) it has great cinematic power.  9.05 out of 10