This past year, I was invited to join the new international group of the Celebrity Film Awards. Founded by Walter Nicoletti, this fine group completed their first awards cycle announcing their winners in a streaming YouTube presentation. I was among the enlisted award presenters. The video package is excellent and I’m both proud and excited to represent Walter’s organization. Enjoy!
Read MoreFor all those folks who think popular and genre films don't get real awards love, I am happy to report that, for the second year, the Critics Choice Association presents their Super Awards for those very beloved spectacles of entertainment and their adoring audiences. I am even happier to report that I am on the voting committee that helped create these nominations. How did we do?
Read MoreThis week, I was invited for a very different selection show with the Feelin’ Film Podcast compared to our legendary movie drafts. Fellow awards-voting critic member Aaron White floated me the idea to experiment with legacy and memory to re-vote on previous Oscars, starting with the films of 2016 from five years ago. To be a tiebreaker, we are joined by Tomatometer-approved critic Kevin Brackett of the Reel Spoilers Podcast to fight for the likes of Moonlight, La La Land, Fences, Arrival, Hell or High Water, Jackie, A Monster Calls, Your Name. and more.
Read MoreI met William Eguizabal of FilmSnobReviews though the social media spaces of the Feelin’ Film Podcast and we hit it off with or similar clashing styles of expertise mixed with saltiness when necessary. William recently invited me as a guest for his “Snob Chat” podcast with his talented co-host Chai Simone. The challenge was to present and defend two sub-40% Rotten Tomatoes movies that we would rank higher and hold as favorites. Just in time for Valentine’s Day (and showing my 40+ age), I submitted two very different romances, Booty Call and Simply Irresistible down in the ugly teen percentages.
Read MoreThis time on the Darkseid of the Moon podcast, part of MDK Productions, Vinnie Greene and his regular co-host Noel John Tuohy invited me back for a two-part recording session. The second piece was a full episode covering Captain America: The First Avenger. That one is my #1 favorite of the MCU and I was damn glad to echo its praises in a roundtable. Word is I’ll be back for two more Captain America movies. Can’t wait! Follow Vinnie and Noel on Twitter and Facebook!
Read MoreThis time on the Darkseid of the Moon podcast, part of MDK Productions, Vinnie Greene and his regular co-host Noel John Tuohy invited me back for a two-part recording session. The first piece was their “Talking Points” segment on the rumored cancellation of the DC Extended Universe. Our mutual loves, hates, worries, and prognostications comes out in a great chat. Follow Vinnie and Noel on Twitter and Facebook!
Read MoreIf cannot tell already after nearly 50 episodes of the Cinephile Hissy Fit podcast that I co-host, Will Johnson is the big personality and the star of the show. Sure, I may cuss more and have a few more credentials and feathers in my film critic hat, but Will is the beating heart of our show. He was highlighted to show that very power this week with an interview in the Phoenix New Times written by Ashley Naftule.
Read MoreUnlike my small comic book roots that make me borderline qualified to talk among the “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” crew assembled by Ian Simmons of Kicking the Seat, I am tremendously behind when it comes to the extended universe of Star Wars. I’ve seen the movies like everyone else, but I was late to the party for The Mandalorian and have never seen any of the Clone Wars animated offerings. Surprises from those sources have been making live-action waves in The Book of Boba Fett on Disney+, and I asked to bring my uninformed noob energy.
Read MoreThis week, I could not have been more stoked to see the return of movie drafts from the Feelin’ Film Podcast! This one presented the massive challenge of selecting a collection of the best or most appealing sports movies in seven different categories. The four competitors were Feelin’ Film hosts Aaron White and Patrick Hicks, Cinematic Underdogs Podcast co-host Paul Keelan, and myself. As a veteran of two previous Feelin’ Film drafts, I came to win, and I think I crushed it. Listen for our banter and picks and vote for the winner in the Feelin’ Film Facebook Group and Twitter.
Read MoreAfter leading the field with nine nominations, The Power of the Dog emerged as the top winner with three CIC awards. The Netflix western drama won for Best Studio film and earned three trophies for Jane Campion, one as a producer of the film and the other two for her direction and adaptation of Thomas Savage’s novel. In the other top tier, the heartwarming AppleTV+ film CODA won for Best Independent Film.
Read MoreLeading all films with nine formidable nominations is Netflix’s The Power of the Dog, directed by Best Director nominee Jane Campion. The dramatic western also received nominations for Best Studio Film, Best Actor for Benedict Cumberbatch, Best Supporting Actor for Kodi Smit-McPhee, Best Supporting Actress for Kirsten Dunst, Best Ensemble Cast, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Musical Score. Following next was the Warner Bros. epic Dune with eight nominations and CODA’s six nominations representing AppleTV+.
Read MoreMike Crowley of the You’ll Probably Agree website (and fellow 25YL film critic) was very eager to talk about The Matrix Resurrections. He and I rub our chins, scratch our heads, shake them too, and try to answer the hype of this blockbuster and how it came to be. Enjoy some excellent videogame play as the video while the two of us chat. We go deep enough to call it all regurgitation! Enjoy this energetic conversation and be sure to follow Mike’s work on 25YL.
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