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 

2021 ReviewMontageMania: DUNE!! / Don't Look Up / Matrix 4 / Nightmare Alley / Finch / The Harder They Fall / Eternals / The Last Duel / Lamb / Last Night In Soho / Halloween Kills / No Time To Die / Venom 2 / Candyman Remake / etc

 2021 ReviewMontageMania: DUNE!! / Don't Look Up / Matrix 4: Resurrections / Nightmare Alley / Finch / The Harder They Fall / Eternals / The Last Duel / Lamb /  Last Night In Soho / Halloween Kills / No Time To Die / Venom 2 / Candyman Remake / etc


2021 last year (let's pretend it's this year ) has been.... a bit wonky for me for many reasons .... It's my resolution in this year to be better about this website. However there's some cinematic wonders I want to mention!  Rapid fire: 


- Dune (Originally Release October 2021): Absolutely worth the hype and yet another Denis Villeneuve masterpiece!!!! Incredible attention to detail and accuracy to novel...  the music the score the action scenes yet also the slowness..... what a cast praise to Timothee Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Stellan Skarsgard, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Jason Mamoa  and less so to Zendaya and Batista but maybe in the next ones.... a long beautiful burn.  9.1 out of 10 

- Don't Look Up (Originally Released December 2021 On Netflix) : So great to have Adam McKay return to a bit more of a comedy but very unique feeling and pretty darn political. Here too the music and effects and sense of dread are on point for direction. Enormous praise to its stellar leading duo of Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence bringing their best with Meryl Streep , Jonah Hill, and Mark Rylance providing some comedic / villainous foils aside from some other lesser used actors. .  It's all global warming., spoilers... or insert anything  important but ignored whether its an asteroid or not. 8.01 out of 10 

- The Matrix 4: Resurrections (Originally Released December 2021 on HBO Max): Oh no why does this exist?!?!  Somehow both the most back to roots yet craziest yet;  Keanu Reeves in a bit of a Nicolas Cage level of self aware shlock (or at least I hope so because then it's just bad otherwise).. not enough Carrie Anne Moss and the new cast doesn't impress aside Neil Patrick Harris (sorry the usually good Yahya A-M). Visuals that should have stayed in the 90s besides some interesting lore expositions. 6.95 out of 10 


- Nightmare Alley (Originally Released December 2021): Guillermo Del Toro back in the director's chair is always of interest and here he brings his usual directorial expertise for some beautiful carnival scenery. Solid Bradley Cooper although it drags in the back half with Cate Blanchett's role (despite her skills) and not enough Willem Dafoe but everyone in bit parts brings their a-game (Rooney Mara, Ron Perlman, David S, etc).   A long slow mysterious burn that is thought provoking and exciting by the end. 8.05 out of 10 

- Finch (Originally Released November 2021 on Apple TV+): A perfect blend of I Am Legend's dog portions with Wall-E ambiance and robots. A warm Tom Hanks in some desire situations; shiny and emotion packed. 8 out of 10 

- The Harder They Fall (Originally Released November 2021 on Netflix): If one likes Django Unchained this will fit right at home in a world where western and racial tension meet; this time however it's more of a slightly upbeat swashbuckling fantasy alternate history despite plenty gore. A slow middle but some awesome action and so much style; great performances from Idris Elba, Regina King, Jonathan Majors, and more. 8 out of 10

- Eternals (Originally Released November 2021):  Not sure what my fellow critics felt irked by in this as its far from terrible. In fact its a strongly unique part of the MCU with its own majestic eons spanning saga of romance and betrayal. There's some absolutely incredible visuals and action with some of the usual nice jokes (this time scenery even better). It's just drawn back by the fact there is some pacing issues.  Cast highlights in this family in Richard Madden's Ikaris, Barry Keoghan's Druig, Kumail Nanjiani's Kingo, and more. Go see this in a few weeks when it's free. 7.95 out of 10 


- The Last Duel (Originally Released October 2021): A hidden gem with trademark gorgeously gory / intense dark Ridley war / action scenes (especially the climax!) . Great performances from saddened Matt Damon, vile Adam Driver, struggled Jodie Comer, and too (despite his silly haircut) Ben Affleck. A long slow pretty medieval burn 8 out of 10 

- Lamb (Originally Released October 2021): Another A24 joint but with some deceiving trailers. Noomi Rapace leads a minimalist dialogued cast mainly of lambs. Beautiful Icelanding scenery and an odd ambiance but less so much a horror like the trailers lead one to believe than it is an introspection .  7.3 out of 10 

- Last Night In Soho (Originally Released October 2021): Edgar Wright dives into a new genre though his quality directorial touch is felt; the music choices and neon create such a retro ambiance. Solid turns from leading girls Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy, less so key but creepy effective Matt Smith and Terrance Stamp that need to be seen and this is especially true for the late Diana Rigg. 8.2 out of 10 

- Halloween Kills (Originally Released October 2021): David Gordon Green / Danny McBride followup the great 2018 film with something that tries some new things to mixed but mostly effective results. This is less so much of a Strode family movie (especially for the injured Jamie Lee Curtis' Laurie) than it is a tale of Anthony Michael Hall leading the townspeople as a grown up Tommy Doyle. The spooky hallo gore is felt although its attempts to have darker social themes are a mixed landing but fans will be happy for this more-of-the-same. 7.6 out of 10 

- No Time To Die (Originally Released October 2021): The final ever Daniel Craig James Bond movie an end of an era ... pack one's feels.  Really brings the whole series together with multiple old faces. Rami Malek is an effective  new villain though and there's some awesome action. 8.4 out of 10 

- Venom 2: Let There Be Carnage (Originally Released October 2021): Much better than the first one with everything improving whether it's Tom Hardy's grasp of the internal bromance or the visuals / action / plot / overall experience. Woody Harrelson's Cletus Kasady / titular Carnage cheeses it up but is on point with it going very hard PG-13. A fun refined ride with some silly moments and attempted otherwise universal connections. Cheese is the secret ingredient to the taste of the recipe. 7.25 out of 10


- Candyman (Remake/ Sequel) (Originally Released August 2021):   Nia Dacosta (perhaps with just a bit of Jordan Peele's production touch) captures masterfully as director the spooky reflective ambiance of the 90s original as well as some surprising other elements. The vibe and scores are immaculate as are the trippy kills. Colman Domingo astound as ever with  Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Teyonah Parris doing the best with what they are given with there of course being some horror movie  slight shlock but its hidden deep. The important themes are masterfully told through flashbacks and other experimentations. 7.9 out of 10 

Shang-Chi and the Legend Of the Ten Rings Review

Shang-Chi and the Legend Of the Ten Rings

Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Cast Headliners: Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Tony Leung, Meng'er Zhang, Florian Munteanu, Michelle Yeoh, surprises
Original Release Date : September 3rd, 2021 Theatrical-Only until Disney + Later

  It feels like a long time since the Marvel MCU got an entirely NEW hero. Sure we had Captain Marvel in 2019 and Black Panther in 2018 both special in their own ways but their iconic nature was well known / foreshadowed / previously introduced. It really then is since 2015's Ant-Man since we have met someone entirely new and fresh. This absence makes Shang-Chi and the Legend Of The Ten Rings so welcome and the good news is that it's perhaps the best thing of 'Phase 4” to date in its triumphant return to the theatrical-only big screens.

There's various flashbacks to times ancient and less-so but primarily like so many Phase 4 MCU products this takes place sometime shortly after the events of Infinity War / Endgame in a new corner of San Francisco. “Shaun” / Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) lives a simple life of  a valet driver by day with his will-they, won't-they high school friend / potential love Katy (Awkwafina). Their lives are soon interrupted in an incredible bus-set action sequence by evil minions of the 10 Rings organization (they of Iron Man 1 and 3!) triggering an epic fantastical quest across the states, world, and far beyond. 

Because it turns out Shang is something far more than he a simple 20something. He's heir to the very same criminal empire hunting him which makes for a fascinating plot and premise. His own father Wenwu / “The Real Mandarin” (Tony Leung) after the Stark years were posers in-lore: sorry Guy Pearce and Ben Kingsley although there's an amazing film top highlight must-be-seen surprise relating to the later) has left Shang and his estranged sister Xialing (Meng'er Zhang) behind but now wants to take them back by force to unlock secrets of the long lost dimension of Ta Lo for evil yet tragically personal reasons.

As with most Marvel superhero (although this often pushes that definition of genre feel into something freshly new) films a highlight is the warm humor of the core cast.  More on this in a bit but aside being fiercely capable in combat Liu's Shang-Chi is a charming and fun lead. He brings to the performance a bit of that classic “everyman” take with a dual role of a haunted feels-laced past. His banter is especially great with Awkwafina's Katy. Katy brings some of the most laughs being even moreso the common view of the film with some great sassy comeback and unique perspective.  Meng'er Zhang's role in the plot takes a while to appear but she is just as cool and confident as her brother with some slight quips mixed in. Other late-game allies like Ying Nan (Michelle Yeoh) and even briefly wizard MCU alumni Wong (Benedict Wong) aside others add to the fun crew dynamic that's going on.

What is a hero without their villains and in that Wenwu is an absolute highlight. The very best villains are dense and with such accuracy to say that Leung brings his a-game in the performance. The seemingly ageless, thousand-year old Wenwu is fearsome with his titular ten-rings magical artifacts letting him brutal magic in combat and that's not entirely without some fun quips himself. The best villains have a mix of an evil plan and a sympathetic angle that brings some emotional feels to what's going on so Wenwu strongly delivers on that as his quest relates to the death  of the siblings' mother Jiang Li(Fala Chen).  By all account he's an iconic evil overlord for the record books. Unfortunately as cool as they may appear more henchman level foes like Razorfist (Florian Munteanu) and Death Dealer (Andy Le) serve better as obstacles in action set pieces than dialogue drivers trending towards generic however that's just how martial arts flicks can go.

Possibly more than anything that point is what is the great part of Shang-Chi: the action!! Director Destin Daniel Cretton (an Asian-American which is great for a movie so important for its representation within superhero cinema) brings to life some exhilarating sequences. The movie brings two forms of great martial arts / kung-fu hi-jinx unique amongst all others on the big screen so far. There's gritty, Bruce Lee style frenetic kinetic action such as the bus sequences and others on earth. Then there's parts that should not be spoiled (aside some beautiful trailer glimpses) of more “wuxia” high-fantasy style influences that are perhaps more epic than anything else in the MCU to date they of supernatural elements, creatures , and more. Perhaps it's CGI overload at times and it keeps going and going and going but the climax is something surprisingly wild. Music by composer Joel P.West and many licensed / original pop and rap songs add to the unique ambiance. 

This is a really strong debut and a gem of Phase 4 so far. It may be a bit long and suffer from usual Act 3 CGI fireworks / other minor character flaws but the journey, laughs, and action are worth it. Marvel has once again brought an obscure comic character into mainstream blockbuster excellence in a distinctly new way which one should be glad for. Now one can't wait to see where these characters go next...make sure to stay through both credits scenes!  8.3 out of 10