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academy awards

And the Oscar goes to….A White Man.

January 15, 2020 By Joshua Stucky

The Year of the Woman. The Decade of Color. The Wave of Change. Ummmm….well…not to be a JOKER, but what gives in Hollywood? By now you have heard the outcry of ‘White Male Oscar Party!’ The New York Times has an excellent article all about it. What does it really mean? And as the debate rages about the Relevance of the Academy Awards today, (check into NPR), it leaves us all a little perplexed. If our movies reflect our society, is something wrong with the movies? Society? Perception? Probably the latter…we have been down this road many, many times before.


Think about this….in acting categories alone, there have been 1200 to 1500 nominations since the awards got their start….and, wait for it, to date, less than 80 winners have been of color.

And then the dreadful Greta Gerwig snub for ‘Little Women.’ The movie garnered 6 nominations…but no director, because evidently, it just happened on its own.

Before I press forward, let me state, I’m not a film critic, I did take film appreciation. I’m not an acting expert, I’ve been in plenty of plays. I’m not one to see every film, I do love Netflix. What I am is the very person that Hollywood wants to reach! The average movie-goer hoping to be entertained and even educated from time to time.

This time, Hollywood needs the education. We are in a precarious time in this country. Women are at a true crossroads, politically and socially. People of color are under-represented and their voices lost in others’ misleading tweets.

So who do we look to? The Movies! To celebrate the underdogs. To make more movies about those people who need to be seen, heard and understood. And then, when those films are made, we need Hollywood to buoy them, praise them and bring them accolades that prove ‘all types of us matter.’ If not Hollywood. WHO?

Which brings us to our very own Julia Reichert! Let’s hear it for the GIRL! I know we are all giddy with excitement thinking that one of our own can take home an OSCAR and she’s a woman….W O M A N! (Shout out to Steve Bognar, who we love too, but this is about her right now!) And if ever there was a lady who girls can look up to and see their potential, it’s Julia!

What does all of this mean…the outrage, the disappointment, the white male party on Sunday, February 9th….I think it means this….

Pray that Hollywood picks the BEST of what they have deemed the best. Let’s hope they see, hear and understand what the world is saying! (And secretly, root for Cynthia Erivo in HARRIET…much like the lady she portrayed, maybe she can show the world that we are all part of the party!!)

 

The Oscars will air LIVE SUNDAY FEBRUARY 9 8e|5p on ABC and will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide…where there are a multitude of races, genders, and sexual preferences!

Filed Under: On Screen Dayton, The Featured Articles Tagged With: academy awards, Oscars

Russell Florence’s Oscar Predictions

February 24, 2019 By Russell Florence, Jr.

And the Oscar goes to… fantastic stories about family, politics, royalty, pop stardom, race relations, and superheroes which defined film in 2018. The Favourite and Roma lead with 10 nominations apiece, but tonight I’m particularly looking forward to the presentation of Best Production Design thanks to Wright State University alumna Hannah Beachler, who made history as the first African-American nominated in the category for her superb work on Black Panther.


Knowing there will be surprises and upsets, here are my predictions in the top six categories:

BEST PICTURE
Black Panther
BlacKkKlansman
Bohemian Rhapsody
The Favourite
Green Book
Roma
A Star is Born
Vice

Overlooked: A Quiet Place; The Ballad of Buster Scruggs; Beautiful Boy; Ben Is Back; Boy Erased; Can You Ever Forgive Me?; Cold War; Crazy Rich Asians; Eighth Grade; First Man; First Reformed; The Hate U Give; If Beale Street Could Talk; Leave No Trace; Mary Poppins Returns; Mary Queen of Scots; Shoplifters; Widows; The Wife; Wildlife; Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Should Win/Will Win: Black Panther

I feel you’ve undoubtedly heard a lot about Roma, especially its momentum during this topsy-turvy awards season. Roma, which ranked high on my Top 10 films of the year, is a beautifully crafted and acted look at the life of a Mexican maid, but I also recognize it’s very love-hate. After all, it’s understandable that watching water stream down a drain or watching a car correctly park in a driveway, in black and white no less, would be agony for some. And as for the Academy, there’s still great uncertainty about embracing a foreign film and a Netflix film as Best Picture, especially when Roma seems guaranteed to win foreign film anyway. So, taking all this into consideration among many worthy contenders including Green Book which has been shrouded in controversy for a while, I’m going with the more universally attractive and compellingly entertaining Black Panther, the pop culture achievement of 2018 that transcended cinema and unified a divisive nation for young and old alike.

BEST DIRECTOR
Alfonso Cuarón, Roma
Yorgos Lanthimos, The Favourite
Spike Lee, BlacKkKlansman
Adam McKay, Vice
Pawel Pawlikowski, Cold War

Overlooked: Ari Aster, Hereditary; Bo Burnham, Eighth Grade; Damien Chazelle, First Man; Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs; Ryan Coogler, Black Panther; Bradley Cooper, A Star is Born; Paul Dano, Wildlife; Joel Edgerton, Boy Erased; Peter Farrelly, Green Book; Debra Granik, Leave No Trace; Peter Hedges, Ben Is Back; Barry Jenkins, If Beale Street Could Talk; Hirokazu Kore-eda, Shoplifters; John Krasinski, A Quiet Place; Steve McQueen, Widows; Björn Runge, The Wife; George Tillman, Jr., The Hate U Give

Should Win: Lee
Will Win: Cuarón

The overdue Lee, receiving his first nomination here, deserves to win based on his decision to incorporate the relevant Charlottesville footage, but Cuarón remains unstoppable.

BEST ACTOR
Christian Bale, Vice
Bradley Cooper, A Star is Born
Willem Dafoe, At Eternity’s Gate
Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody
Viggo Mortensen, Green Book

Overlooked: Chadwick Boseman, Black Panther; Steve Carell, Beautiful Boy; John Cho, Searching; Ben Foster, Leave No Trace; Ryan Gosling, First Man; Jake Gyllenhaal, Wildlife; Lucas Hedges, Ben Is Back and Boy Erased; Stephan James, If Beale Street Could Talk; Joaquin Phoenix, Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot, You Were Never Really Here; Jonathan Pryce, The Wife; Lakeith Stanfield, Sorry to Bother You; John David Washington, BlacKkKlansman

Should Win: Bale
Will Win: Malek

The transformative Bale, in one of his finest and most complex performances, mesmerized behind the makeup to create a fascinatingly dark portrayal of Dick Cheney, but Malek, the darling of awards season, will be the champion for embodying Freddie Mercury’s legacy with fiery flair and enormous heart.

BEST ACTRESS
Yalitza Aparicio, Roma
Glenn Close, The Wife
Olivia Colman, The Favourite
Lady Gaga, A Star is Born
Melissa McCarthy, Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Overlooked: Sakura Ando, Shoplifters; Emily Blunt, Mary Poppins Returns; Toni Collette, Hereditary; Viola Davis, Widows; Elsie Fisher, Eighth Grade; Joanna Kulig, Cold War; KiKi Layne, If Beale Street Could Talk; Carey Mulligan, Wildlife; Julia Roberts, Ben Is Back; Saoirse Ronan, Mary Queen of Scots; Amanda Stenberg, Widows; Charlize Theron, Tully; Constance Wu, Crazy Rich Asians

Should Win/Will Win: Close

Aparicio, Gaga and McCarthy impressed and Colman truly delighted, but after seven nominations Close, tremendous as a gifted spouse suddenly finding her voice, will no longer be ignored.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR 
Mahershala Ali, Green Book
Adam Driver, BlacKkKlansman
Sam Elliott, A Star is Born
Richard E. Grant, Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Sam Rockwell, Vice

Overlooked: Timothée Chalamet, Beautiful Boy; Coleman Domingo, If Beale Street Could Talk;; Joel Edgerton, Boy Erased; Josh Hamilton, Eighth Grade; Brian Tyree Henry, If Beale Street Could Talk; Jonah Hill, Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot; Russell Hornsby, The Hate U Give; Nicholas Hoult, The Favourite; Michael B. Jordan, Black Panther; Daniel Kaluuya, Widows; Ed Oxenbould, Wildlife; Anthony Ramos, A Star is Born

Should Win/Will Win: Ali

Ali should’ve shared lead category placement with Mortensen, but he’s a sure bet nonetheless for bringing nobility and charm to his portrayal of musician Dr. Don Shirley.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS 
Amy Adams, Vice
Marina de Tavira, Roma
Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk
Emma Stone, The Favourite
Rachel Weisz, The Favourite

Overlooked: Emily Blunt, A Quiet Place; Linda Cardellini, Green Book; Elizabeth Debicki, Widows; Ann Dowd, Hereditary; Claire Foy, First Man; Danai Gurira, Black Panther; Regina Hall, The Hate U Give; Nicole Kidman, Boy Erased; Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie, Leave No Trace; Debra Messing, Searching; Lupita Nyong’o, Black Panther; Margot Robbie, Mary Queen of Scots; Annie Starke, The Wife; Maura Tierney, Beautiful Boy; Michelle Yeoh, Crazy Rich Asians

Should Win/Will Win: King

King has dazzled on television for years (Southland, American Crime, Seven Seconds), but her return to the big screen as a supportive mother fighting to save her daughter’s wrongly imprisoned boyfriend was an absolute knockout!

Filed Under: Community, The Featured Articles Tagged With: academy awards, Oscars, Russell Florence Jr.

A Look At This Year’s Oscar Nominees

February 19, 2019 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Most Metro!

I love good cinema.  And for all of my college years and days in retail, Oscar season was a time for speculation and preparation for watching (and cheering and jeering) the event on the big night.  But for most of the last 18 years, I have been so consumed with preparing for THE NEON’s Annual Oscar Party, I’ve hardly stopped to think who would win and who would lose.  That is until Dayton Rotary stepped in.  For the last four years, I’ve been asked to give a short presentation regarding the upcoming Academy Awards.  This forces me to reflect on the year’s nominees and to think about who will take home Oscars.  Below are some of my thoughts regarding this year’s big contenders.

Amy Adams – 6th Oscar nomination (5 supporting, 1 lead).

Marina de Tavira – 1st Oscar nomination, lots of accolades in Mexico.

Regina King – 1st Oscar nomination…lots of TV accolades.

Emma Stone – 3rd Oscar nomination…won for LA LA LAND.

Rachel Weisz – 2nd Oscar nomination…it’s been 13 years since nomination for CONSTANT GARDNER.

WHO WILL WIN?  This year’s “Best Supporting Actress” Oscar will almost certainly go to Regina King.  Her performance in IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK is heartbreakingly wonderful.  I recently heard King speaking on NPR’s “On Point” about how she rarely watches her own work…but a friend convinced her she had to see this film on the big screen.  Within the first five minutes, she knew this Barry Jenkins film was something special…and it turns out that I was just a few rows behind her at The Toronto International Film Festival.  (If King doesn’t get it, Adams is a good second bet.)

 

 

Mahershala Ali – 2nd Oscar nomination…won for MOONLIGHT!

Adam Driver – 1st Oscar nomination…has won awards for GIRLS on TV.

Sam Elliot – 1st Oscar nomination EVER.  Hard to Believe!!

Richard E. Grant – 1 Oscar nomination (though years of brilliant work).

Sam Rockwell – 2nd Oscar nomination…won for THREE BILLBOARDS…

WHO WILL WIN?  Mahershala Ali appears to be the favorite at this time, but Sam Elliott could sneak in and get it.  (That said, I’m rooting for Richar E. Grant.)

 

Yalitza Aparicio – 1st Oscar nomination, 1st film role ever!

Glenn Close – 7th Oscar nomination (4 leads, 3 supporting)

Olivia Colman – 1st Oscar nomination (lots of TV accolades and will be the Queen in next season of THE CROWN)

Lady Gaga – 1st Oscar nomination

Melissa McCarthy – 2nd Oscar nomination (1st was for BRIDESMAIDS)

WHO WILL WIN?  It’s Glenn Close’s turn.  The nominations show a diverse canon of work (DANGEROUS LIAISONS, FATAL ATTRACTION, ALBERT NOBBS, WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP, THE BIG CHILL)…but the brilliance doesn’t stop there – what about 101 DALMATIANS, PARADISE ROAD and more!  The upset in this category would be Lady Gaga…who does have a lot of fans and support in the business (but I think it would be a posthumous “slap in the face” to Judy Garland – who did not win for her incredible work with this role).

Christian Bale – 4th Oscar nomination…won for THE FIGHTER

Bradley Cooper – 7th Oscar nomination (3 of these nominations are for this film)

Willem Dafoe – 4th Oscar nomination…recent nomination was for last year’s FLORIDA PROJECT, 1st nomination was in 1987 for PLATOON

Rami Malek – 1st Oscar nomination (lots of accolades for TV’s MR. ROBOT)

Viggo Mortensen – 3rd Oscar nomination

 

WHO WILL WIN?  This is a tough one.  Many folks are banking on Christian Bale (think of that range – from EMPIRE OF THE SUN as a kid to THE MACHINIST to BATMAN to Dick Cheney).  The other big contender is Rami Malek – who has garnered a lot of love this award season.  I’m going with Bale.

 

ROMA has one big thing going against it.  Netflix!  Will the Academy be kind to a film that has been released by a company that wants to completely change the way films are consumed by the public?  Netflix knew they had to get this film into cinemas in order for it to get serious Oscar consideration…and we played it at THE NEON because I consider it the best film of the year.  But Netflix rarely wants cinemas to play their films…they want consumers to subscribe to their service.  They are not team players and the integrity of how a film is viewed is low on their list of priorities.  Big corporate profits over artistic integrity seems to be the order of the day…even when filmmakers ask for their films to get more theatrical exposure.  So we’ll see what happens…do members of the Academy care about all of this…or will they base their votes on the power of this film?

THE FAVOURITE divided our audience at THE NEON like no other film this year.  We had people see it numerous times and we had people complain that the film was “pornographic” or “stupid” or “wasn’t funny at all.”  It’s my opinion that this very dark comedy has a lot to say about the lengths people will go to gain power…and it also speaks about the disconnect by many of those in power and the people they represent.  I think it’s a brilliant film (although one with a very grim worldview).

A STAR IS BORN – this is the 4th version of this story.  The 1937 version won a special award for its use of color and also won a “Best Screenplay” Oscar.  The 1954 Cukor version (with Garland) did not win any Oscars (and is the strongest version of this story).  The 1976 version with Streisand won “Best Song”…and this latest version will also win Gaga an Oscar for “Best Song.”

One special note about the other nominees is that Hannah Beachler, a woman who grew up in Centerville and attended Wright State University for Motion Picture Production, is the first ever African American to be nominated for “Best Production Design.”  BLACK PANTHER has broken a lot of barriers this season, and it’s exciting to see Beachler get such wonderful recognition (she’s had an incredible career – working on such wonderful films as FRUITVALE STATION, MOONLIGHT and many more…including Beyonce’s LEMONADE).

A couple quick notes:

It’s hard to believe that this is Spike Lee’s 1st Oscar nomination!

Alfonso Cuaron is nominated for 4 Oscars this year…not only did he write and direct ROMA, he also shot and produced it.  All four of these roles have received recognition.

Foreign films have received a lot more love than usual this year.  In addition to ROMA’s 10 nominations,  COLD WAR received 3 nominations (WARNING…BIG PLUG AHEAD…COLD WAR is currently playing at THE NEON), NEVER LOOK AWAY has two nominations, and BORDER is nominated for “Best Makeup.”  And speaking of foreign films (ANOTHER BIG PLUG), CAPERNAUM, one of my absolute favorites of 2018, opens this Friday at THE NEON.

WHO WILL WIN?  The only way ROMA won’t win this year would be for “political” (aka Netflix) reasons.  I feel pretty confident that it will win regardless.  But if it doesn’t, the Oscar could go to GREEN BOOK – a film that despite some controversy, has received a lot of awards and admiration this season.

Neon Movies on Fifth Street. Photo by Lew Hann

As for our Oscar Screening Party...as always, it’s FREE!  The Academy Awards will be screened in our large auditorium this Sunday, February 24 – and you could win awesome prizes throughout the night…including our grand prize from our friends at Square One Salon & Spa. Ballots are available in our lobby and must be turned in before the first award is presented.  We hope you’ll join us!  We’ll be seating as close as possible to 7:00pm for the pre-show.

Hope to see you soon at THE NEON,

Jonathan

Filed Under: On Screen Dayton, The Featured Articles Tagged With: a star is born, academy awards, alfonso cuaron, Black Panther, Bradley cooper, christian bale, cinema, Dayton, favourite, green book, hannah beachler, if beale street could talk, Lady GaGa, movies, Neon, nominees, ohio, Party, regina king, roma, spike lee, The Neon, vice

And The Oscar Goes To…

March 4, 2018 By Russell Florence, Jr.

Tonight, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences salutes films concerning social relevance, military achievement, high stakes journalism, coming-of-age, empowering vengeance, and more at the 90th Academy Awards. Without a doubt, 2017 was a fascinating and progressive year for film, evidenced in outside-the-box pleasures from the timely horror of Get Out to the beautifully unique romance between a woman and a sea creature in The Shape of Water. Although the Academy dropped the ball in some respects (Mudbound snubbed for Best Picture remains perplexing), there are a slew of worthy nominees to root for. Expect Hollywood to bring ample attention to the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements during acceptance speeches, and let’s hope Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway get it right this time when the Best Picture is revealed. If there’s ever been a year in which you’ll want to stick around until the very end this is it.

Here are my predictions in the top six categories.

BEST PICTURE
Call Me By Your Name
Darkest Hour
Dunkirk
Get Out
Lady Bird
Phantom Thread
The Post
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Overlooked: A Quiet Passion; Battle of the Sexes; Beach Rats; The Beguiled; Detroit; The Florida Project; God’s Own Country; I, Tonya; Mudbound; Patti Cake$; Wind River

Will Win: Shape of Water
Should Win: Get Out

Three Billboards and Shape of Water were captivating character-driven showcases, but Shape has the momentum to go all the way. Even so, no other nominee generated as much thought-provoking discussion across the country as Get Out.  The film was simply a cultural game-changer akin to last year’s champion Moonlight.

BEST DIRECTOR . 

Paul Thomas Anderson, Phantom Thread
Guillermo del Toro, The Shape of Water
Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird
Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk
Jordan Peele, Get Out

Overlooked: Miguel Arteta, Beatriz at Dinner; Sean Baker, The Florida Project; Kathryn Bigelow, Detroit; Sofia Coppola, The Beguiled; Terence Davis, A Quiet Passion; Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton, Battle of the Sexes;; Craig Gillespie, I, Tonya; Luca Guadagnino, Call Me By Your Name; Eliza Hittman, Beach Rats; Geremy Jasper, Patti Cake$; Francis Lee, God’s Own Country; Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri; Dee Rees, Mudbound; Taylor Sheridan, Wind River

Will Win/Should Win: Del Toro

Gerwig and Peele are Academy darlings, but Del Toro will triumph for his highly imaginative and fanciful depiction of love with a colorful nod to bygone Hollywood.

BEST ACTOR

Timothée Chalamet, Call Me By Your Name
Daniel Day-Lewis, Phantom Thread
Daniel Kaluuya, Get Out
Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour
Denzel Washington, Roman J. Israel, Esq.

Overlooked:  Steve Carell, Battle of the Sexes; Jason Clarke, Mudbound; Daniel Day-Lewis, Phantom Thread; Harris Dickinson, Beach Rats; James Franco, The Disaster Artist; Andrew Garfield, Breathe; Jake Gylennhall, Stronger; Tom Hanks, The Post; Hugh Jackman, The Greatest Showman; James McAvoy, Split; Jeremy Renner, Wind River; Demetrius Shipp Jr., All Eyez on Me; Algee Smith, Detroit

Will Win: Oldman
Should Win: Chalamet

Oldman’s portrayal of Winston Churchill is pure Oscar bait, but 22-year-old Chalamet was truly riveting and heartbreaking as a teenager coming to terms with his sexuality. The mesmerizing final close up said it all.


BEST ACTRESS

Sally Hawkins, The Shape of Water
Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Margot Robbie, I, Tonya
Saisore Ronan, Lady Bird
Meryl Streep, The Post

Overlooked: Annette Bening, Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool; Judi Dench, Victoria & Abdul; Salma Hayek, Beatriz at Dinner; Sally Hawkins, Maudie; Nicole Kidman, The Beguiled; Danielle Macdonald, Patti Cake$; Shirley MacLaine, The Last Word; Carey Mulligan, Mudbound; Cynthia Nixon, A Quiet Passion; Brooklynn Prince, The Florida Project; Catherine Pugh, Lady Macbeth; Emma Stone, Battle of the Sexes

Will Win/Should Win: McDormand is a sure bet for her phenomenal, applause-inducing portrayal of a mother seeking justice.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project
Woody Harrelson, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Richard Jenkins, The Shape of Water
Christopher Plummer, All the Money in the World
Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Overlooked:  John Boyega, Detroit; Siddharth Dhananjay, Patti Cake$; Armie Hammer, Call Me By Your Name; Garett Hedlund, Mudbound; John Lithgow, Beatriz at Dinner; Jason Mitchell, Mudbound; Rob Morgan, Mudbound; Ray Romano, The Big Sick; Sebastian Stan, I, Tonya; Michael Stuhlbarg, Call Me By Your Name

Will Win: Rockwell
Should Win: Dafoe

Rockwell’s impeccable turn as a bigoted, closeted cop nearly stole Three Billboards from McDormand, but there were amazing subtleties and understated charm within Dafoe’s superb portrayal of a gruff yet concerned hotel manager in the underappreciated Florida Project.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Mary J. Blige, Mudbound
Allison Janney, I, Tonya
Leslie Manville, Phantom Thread
Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird
Octavia Spencer, The Shape of Water

Overlooked: Hong Chau, Downsizing; Jennifer Ehle, A Quiet Passion; Bridget Everett, Patti Cake$; Beanie Feldstein, Lady Bird; Carrie Fisher, Star Wars: The Last Jedi; Danai Guaria, All Eyez on Me; Holly Hunter, The Big Sick; Laura Linney, The Dinner; Tatiana Maslany, Stronger; Julianne Nicholson, I Tonya;  Miranda Richardson, Stronger; Kristin Scott Thomas, Darkest Hour; Bria Vinaite, The Florida Project

Will Win/Should Win: Janney

Although I couldn’t help but think of Mo’Nique’s equally visceral performance in Precious, Janney’s comical and harrowing tour-de-force as Tonya Harding’s mother was a true knockout.

The 90th annual Academy Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, will be telecast live Sun. March 4 on ABC at 8 pm.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, On Screen Dayton, The Featured Articles Tagged With: academy awards, Predictions

And The Oscar Goes To…

February 25, 2017 By Russell Florence, Jr.

After last year’s OscarsSoWhite controversy condemned the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, diversity refreshingly steps into the spotlight as the 89th annual Academy Awards honors the best cinema of 2016 Sunday, Feb. 26 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Seven actors and one director of color will compete in the major categories representing a banner year for filmmaking. In an attempt to clean up old voting habits, 683 new members were added to the over 6,000 total membership including production designer Hannah Beachler, a Wright State University alumna. In fact, 46 percent of new members were female while 41 percent represented people of color. More progress should be made (the membership is still 89 percent white and 73 percent male), but the initial effects were noticeable in the nominations and could have greater impact when envelopes are opened.
As always, anything is possible on Oscar night, specifically in terms of the amount of politically-charged acceptance speeches and the suspenseful announcement of best picture. Here are my predictions in the top six categories.
BEST PICTURE
Arrival
Fences
Hacksaw Ridge
Hell or High Water
Hidden Figures
La La Land
Lion
Manchester by the Sea
Moonlight

Overlooked: 13th; 20th Century Women; American Honey; Arrival; Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened; The Birth of a Nation; Equity; Free State of Jones; Indignation; Jackie; Krisha; The Light Between Oceans; The Lobster; Loving; O.J. Made in America; Miles Ahead; Race; Remember?; Silence; Sing Street

Will Win: La La Land
Should Win: Moonlight

By and large, the Academy got it right. Nine wonderful films have been recognized and deservedly so. Will Hollywood rally to embrace lighthearted escapism (La La Land), the trials and tribulations of the African-American experience (Fences, Hidden Figures, Moonlight), touching stories of redemption and reunion (Lion, Manchester by the Sea), sci-fi contemplativeness (Arrival), or gripping accounts of battle in war (Hacksaw Ridge) and out West (Hell or High Water)? La La Land, a musical love letter to Los Angeles, seems unstoppable thanks to its imaginative originality and colorful fantasy, but if this category is about which film makes the strongest statement for our times, the coming-of-age Moonlight is a daring achievement for African-American cinema that will be studied for decades. Still, watch out for uplifting and inspiring crowd-pleaser Hidden Figures, the highest-grossing nominee raking in $142 million and counting. An upset is within reason.

BEST DIRECTOR
Damien Chazelle, La La Land
Mel Gibson, Hacksaw Ridge
Barry Jenkins, Moonlight
Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester by the Sea
Denis Villeneuve, Arrival

Overlooked: Andrea Arnold, American Honey; John Carney, Sing Street; Don Cheadle, Miles Ahead; Derek Cianfrance, The Light Between Oceans;; Yorgos Lanthimos, The Lobster; Pablo Larrain, Jackie; Ang Lee, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk; David Mackenzie, Hell or High Water; Theodore Melfi, Hidden Figures; Meera Menon, Equity; Mike Mills, 20th Century Women; Jeff Nichols, Loving; Nate Parker, The Birth of a Nation; James Schamus, Indignation; Martin Scorcese, Silence; Trey Edward Shults, Krisha; Denzel Washington, Fences

Will Win: Chazelle
Should Win: Jenkins

Chazelle’s particularly skillful homages to bygone Hollywood musicals are of a mature pedigree far beyond his years, but the beautiful subtlety and gripping intimacy Jenkins established took realistic storytelling to captivating heights.

BEST ACTOR
Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea
Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge
Ryan Gosling, La La Land
Viggo Mortensen, Captain America
Denzel Washington, Fences

Overlooked: Joe Alwyn, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk; Don Cheadle, Miles Ahead; Joel Edgerton, Loving; Colin Farrell, The Lobster; Michael Fassbender, The Light Between Oceans; Ralph Fiennes, A Bigger Splash; Ben Foster, Hell or High Water; Andrew Garfield, Silence; Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Snowden;  Tom Hanks, Sully; Alex Hibbert, Moonlight; Tom Hiddleston, I Saw the Light; Stephan James, Race; Logan Lerman, Indignation; Matthew McConaughey, Free State of Jones; Nate Parker, The Birth of a Nation; Chris Pine, Hell or High Water;  Christopher Plummer, Remember?; Trevante Rhodes, Moonlight; Ashton Sanders, Moonlight; Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Sing Street

Will Win/Should Win: Washington

Last fall, it seemed the splendidly understated Affleck was the clear favorite, but Washington’s dynamic finesse as the scorned and disillusioned Troy Maxson (coupled with the fact that he directed himself) grew too powerful to ignore in the homestretch. Affleck could still prevail, but Washington, in top form, simply delivered one of his most tremendous, roof-raising portrayals, placing him in good standing to become the first African-American actor to win three Oscars and the sixth actor overall to receive three Oscars (joining an illustrious group consisting of Ingrid Bergman, Walter Brennan, Daniel Day-Lewis, Jack Nicholson, and Meryl Streep).

 

BEST ACTRESS
Isabelle Huppert, Elle
Ruth Negga, Loving
Natalie Portman, Jackie
Emma Stone, La La Land
Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jenkins

Overlooked: Amy Adams, Arrival; Kate Beckinsale, Love & Friendship; Annette Bening, 20th Century Women; Emily Blunt, The Girl on the Train; Jessica Chastain, Miss Sloane; Krisha Fairchild, Krisha; Sally Field, Hello, My Name is Doris; Anna Gunn, Equity; Rebecca Hall, Christine; Taraji P. Henson, Hidden Figures; Sasha Lane, American Honey; Susan Sarandon, The Meddler; Tilda Swinton, A Bigger Splash; Alicia Vikander, The Light Between Oceans; Rachel Weisz, Denial

Will Win: Stone
Should Win: Huppert

All signs point to Stone, the darling of the awards season, for solidifying her triple threat status as aspiring actress Mia, but don’t discount French powerhouse Huppert for her compelling yet tremendously cool portrayal of a video game executive provocatively flirting with danger and desire. After all, the foreign voting block cannot be brushed aside considering British theater veteran Mark Rylance’s upset win last year for best supporting actor in Bridge of Spies against Creed favorite Sylvester Stallone. The sheer breadth of Huppert’s mesmerizing work would be a cinch in a less competitive year, but the immensely likeable Stone, so luminous and heartbreaking, will ride La La Land’s palpable momentum.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Mahershala Ali, Moonlight
Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water
Lucas Hedges, Manchester by the Sea
Dev Patel, Lion
Michael Shannon, Nocturnal Animals

Overlooked: Jovan Adepo, Fences; Kevin Costner, Hidden Figures; Garrett Hedlund, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk; Stephen McKinley Henderson, Fences; Andre Holland, Moonlight; Russell Hornsby, Fences; Jeremy Irons, Race; Richard Jenkins, The Hollars; Jharrel Jerome, Moonlight; Nick Kroll, Loving; Yosuke Kubozuka, Silence; Shia LaBeouf, American Honey; Tracy Letts, Indignation; Mark McKenna, Sing Street; Jack Reynor, Sing Street; Timothy Spall, Denial; Patrick Stewart, Green Room; Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nocturnal Animals; Ben Whishaw, The Lobster; Mykelti Williamson, Fences

Will Win/Should Win: Ali

A truly excellent group. It’s particularly great to see Patel included having missed the cut here for 2008’s Slumdog Millionaire. Bridges, Patel and newcomer Hedges are major threats, but this category belongs to Ali, whose poignant and soulful portrayal of Juan, a drug dealer-turned-unexpected father figure, fuels Moonlight’s pensive magic.

 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Viola Davis, Fences
Naomie Harris, Moonlight
Nicole Kidman, Lion
Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures
Michelle Williams, Manchester by the Sea

Overlooked: Lucy Boynton, Sing Street; Linda Emond, Indignation; Tyne Daly, Hello, My Name is Doris; Elle Fanning, 20th Century Women; Greta Gerwig, 20th Century Women; Riley Keough, American Honey; Aja Naomi King, The Birth of a Nation; Margo Martindale, The Hollars; Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Free State of Jones and Miss Sloane; Janelle Monae, Hidden Figures; Alysia Reiner, Equity; Kristen Stewart, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk; Sarah Megan Thomas, Equity; Rachel Weisz, The Light Between Oceans and The Lobster

Will Win/Should Win: Davis

Let’s face it. Davis’ Oscar was probably engraved sometime last month. It’s still shocking she didn’t win for 2011’s The Help. Barring an upset, expect Davis to receive a lengthy standing ovation for her absolutely riveting portrayal of housewife Rose Maxon. Her acceptance speech could be the highlight of the evening. Keep your tissues handy.

The 89th annual Academy Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, will be telecast live Sun. Feb. 26 on ABC at 8:30 p.m.

 

 

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, On Screen Dayton, The Featured Articles Tagged With: academy awards, Oscars

And The Oscar Goes To…

February 27, 2016 By Russell Florence, Jr.

88thchrisrock (1)Controversy threatens to diminish the accolades associated with the 88th annual Academy Awards honoring the best cinema of 2015 Sunday, Feb. 28 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Oscars So White has been trending since last month, but the broader voting landscape still indicates Hollywood’s surprising leeriness to fully embrace diversity in storytelling and filmmaking. In particular, the marvelously conceived, gay-themed Carol being shut-out of the Best Picture and Director categories is just as disappointing as the egregious omissions of minorities in the acting fields. Nevertheless, the Oscars are an American pop culture tradition worth celebrating in good times and bad. As always, anything is possible when it comes to the 6,261 members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, specifically their final choice of the evening which will undoubtedly be suspenseful.
Here are my predictions in the top six categories.

 

BEST PICTUREspotlight-one-sheet-11
The Big Short
Bridge of Spies
Brooklyn
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Room
Spotlight

Overlooked: 45 Years; Amy; Beasts of No Nation; Black Mass; Carol; Clouds of Sils Maria; Creed; The Dairy of a Teenage Girl; The Danish Girl; Ex Machina; Far From the Madding Crowd; The Hateful Eight; Joy; Love and Mercy; Sicario; Steve Jobs; Straight Outta Compton; Trumbo

Will/Should Win: Spotlight

One of the closest Best Picture races in recent history will come down to three choices based on precursors. Spotlight was embraced by the Screen Actors Guild, Revenant was a hit with the Directors Guild, and Big Short wowed the Producers Guild. Revenant has momentum, but the topical, universal, heartbreaking relevance of Spotlight, accented by a tremendous ensemble, gives it the edge.

 

BEST DIRECTOR
Lenny Abrahamson, Room
Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu, The Revenant
Tom McCarthy, Spotlight
Adam McKay, The Big Short
George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road

Overlooked: Olivier Assayas, Clouds of Sils Maria; Danny Boyle, Steve Jobs; Ryan Coogler, Creed; Cary Fukunaga, Beasts of No Nation; Alex Garland, Ex Machina; F. Gary Gray, Straight Outta Compton; Andrew Haigh, 45 Years; Todd Haynes, Carol; Spike Lee, Chi-Raq; John Madden, Brooklyn; Jay Roach, Trumbo; David O. Russell, Joy; Ridley Scott, The Martian; Steven Spielberg, Bridge of Spies; Quentin Tarantino, The Hateful Eight; Denis Villeneuve, Sicario; Thomas Vinterberg, Far From the Madding Crowd
Will/Should Win: Iñarritu

Miller rebooted Mad Max to the hilt, but Iñarritu, the mastermind honored here last year for Birdman, looks unstoppable as the first director to win back-to-back since Joseph L. Mankiewicz in 1950 for All About Eve.


BEST ACTORslide_339989_3492372_free
Bryan Cranston, Trumbo
Matt Damon, The Martian
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs
Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl

Overlooked:; Abraham Attah, Beasts of No Nation; Michael Caine, Youth; Tom Courtenay, 45 Years; Paul Dano, Love and Mercy; Johnny Depp, Black Mass; Jesse Eisenberg, The End of the Tour; Domhnall Gleason, Ex Machina; Tom Hanks, Bridge of Spies; Jake Gyllenhaal, Southpaw; Michael B. Jordan, Creed; Ian McKellen, Mr. Holmes; Mark Ruffalo, Infinitely Polar Bear; Matthias Schoenaerts, Far From the Madding Crowd; Will Smith, Concussion

Will/Should Win: DiCaprio

DiCaprio’s rigorous, palpable, raw, and literally gutsy portrayal of fur trapper Hugh Glass is classic, all-about-me Oscar bait from his first scene to his final close-up. Only the reliably versatile Cranston and the most daring performance Redmayne has delivered thus far seem capable of stealing Leo’s overdue Oscar.

 

BEST ACTRESSMV5BMjM4MzAxOTI5NV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwMzMzNTA4NjE@._V1_SX640_SY720_
Cate Blanchett, Carol
Brie Larson, Room
Jennifer Lawrence, Joy
Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years
Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn

Overlooked: Juliette Binoche, Clouds of Sils Maria; Emily Blunt, Sicario; Sandra Bullock, Our Brand Is Crisis; Blythe Danner, I’ll See You in My Dreams; Helen Mirren, Woman in Gold; Carey Mulligan, Far From the Madding Crowd and Suffragette; Bel Powley, The Diary of a Teenage Girl; Zoe Saldana, Infinitely Polar Bear; Maggie Smith, The Lady in the Van; Meryl Streep, Ricki and the Flash; Lily Tomlin, Grandma

Will Win: Larson
Should Win: Blanchett

Blanchett, as captivating and nuanced as ever, mesmerized with delicacy, but Larson is a sure bet for her fierce portrayal of a mother held captive with her son.

 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTORCreed-character-poster-2-600x890
Christian Bale, The Big Short
Tom Hardy, The Revenant
Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight
Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies
Sylvester Stallone, Creed

Overlooked: Josh Brolin, Sicario; Kyle Chandler, Carol; Billy Crudup, Spotlight; John Cusack, Love and Mercy; Jeff Daniels, Steve Jobs; Robert De Niro, Joy; Benecio del Toro, Sicario; Idris Elba, Beasts of No Nation; Sam Elliott, I’ll See You in My Dreams; Paul Giamatti, Straight Outta Compton; Domhnall Gleeson, The Revenant; Walton Goggins, The Hateful Eight; Oscar Isaac, Ex Machina; Samuel L. Jackson, The Hateful Eight; Michael Keaton, Spotlight; Jason Mitchell, Straight Outta Compton; Kurt Russell, The Hateful Eight; Liev Schreiber, Spotlight; Jason Segel, The End of the Tour; Michael Shannon, 99 Homes; Michael Sheen, Far From the Madding Crowd; Alexander Skarsgaard, The Diary of a Teenage Girl; Rick Springfield, Ricki and the Flash; Tom Sturridge, Far From the Madding Crowd; Jacob Tremblay, Room; Stanley Tucci, Spotlight; Forest Whitaker, Southpaw

Will Win: Stallone
Should Win: Rylance

Recent BAFTA winner Rylance, a three-time Tony Award winner with extensive stage credits in London’s West End, relied on the most subtle acting choices to heighten his quietly commanding performance. However, Stallone, nominated for Rocky in 1977, is the sentimental favorite and will likely receive the first standing ovation of the night. If you’re a Stallone fan, have your tissues handy.

 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight
Rooney Mara, Carol
Rachel McAdams, Spotlight
Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl
Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs

Overlooked: Joan Allen, Room; Elizabeth Banks, Love and Mercy; Angela Bassett, Chi-Raq; Jane Fonda, Youth; Mamie Gummer, Ricki and the Flash; Lola Kirke, Mistress America; Laura Linney, Mr. Holmes; Helen Mirren, Trumbo; Sarah Paulson, Carol; Isabella Rossellini, Joy; Kristin Stewart, Clouds of Sils Maria; Tessa Thompson, Creed; Alicia Vikander, Ex Machina; Julie Walters, Brooklyn; Kristin Wiig, The Diary of a Teenage Girl

Will Win: Vikander
Should Win: Mara

Let’s face it. Vikander and Mara commit category fraud for being placed here instead of the leading field where they belong. Nonetheless, both were remarkable and deserve to win despite a late surge for Winslet. Due to Carol’s dwindling support within the Academy, Mara’s incredibly layered and revelatory work will not surpass Vikander’s dynamic breakthrough portrayal of an artist championing and loving her identity-rattled husband against all odds.

The 88th annual Academy Awards, hosted by Chris Rock, will be telecast live Sun. Feb. 28 on ABC at 8:30 pm.

 

Filed Under: On Screen Dayton, The Featured Articles Tagged With: academy awards, Oscars

Oscar at the Neon: Red Carpet, Crystal Anniversary & POPCORN!

February 25, 2016 By Joshua Stucky

2016_Oscar_Watch_Header_750X450_2-750x450It is that time of year again when the sound of tearing envelopes fills the air. The 88th Academy Awards will be presented on Sunday, February 28th, and one place you can catch the excitement is at the Neon Movies. The theater is hosting its Crystal Anniversary or 15th Annual Oscar Party beginning at 7:00pm. ‘We have lots of fun,’ says Jonathan McNeal, the Neon’s manager, ‘and some major prizes.’ Part of that fun is the chance to take home some goods for picking the winners. ‘We have ballots in our lobby now, stop by and make your predictions. If you are right, you can win anything from blu-ray copies of nominated films, to a grand prize basket filled with champagne, movie passes and gifts from Square One Salon!’

The broadcast is truly a treat on the big screen in high definition, and the theater is packed with around 100 movie lovers, some dressed to the 9’s, all anxious to hear the winners. The Neon is well known for its comfy chairs, and great refreshments, including beer, wine and delicious popcorn. The party is free and parking is easy with a lot across fifth street, and validation for the Convention Center garage. The Oscars start at 8:30pm, but McNeal warns, ‘Come early, make your picks, because ballots must be turned in before the first award is given.’

One of the most exciting facets of this year’s show, ‘Will be seeing Chris Rock handle the ceremony.’ says McNeal, ‘in light of the on-going nomination controversy.’ McNeal went on to say, ‘I would personally love to see Brooklyn win the Best Picture, but I feel Spotlight, the Revenant and The Big Short are the ones to watch!’

logoThe night will certainly have its share of surprises, but one thing you won’t be surprised by is the fun-filled Oscar Party at Dayton’s beloved Neon Movies, where the WINNER IS…..YOU!

The Neon Movies is located at 130 E 5th St, Dayton, OH 45402. For more information, call neonmovies.com

Filed Under: On Screen Dayton, The Featured Articles Tagged With: academy awards, oscar party, The Neon

And The Oscar Goes To…

March 2, 2014 By Russell Florence, Jr. Leave a Comment

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It’s time to find out which films and artists will reap Oscar gold according to the over 6,000 voting members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences who determined nominees for the 86th annual Academy Awards. American Hustle and Gravity tie with 10 nods, but 12 Years a Slave follows with nine. Additionally, local filmmaker Julia Reichert, an Emmy winner and three-time Oscar nominee, served as associate producer of Prison Terminal: The Last Days of Private Jack Hall, nominated in the documentary short subject field.

Anything is possible when winners will be revealed tonight at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Here are my predictions in the top six categories.


BEST PICTUREgravity
12 Years a Slave
American Hustle
Captain Phillips
Dallas Buyers Club
Gravity
Her
Nebraska
Philomena
The Wolf of Wall Street

Overlooked: 42, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, All is Lost, August: Osage County, The Bling Ring, Blue is the Warmest Color, Blue Jasmine, Enough Said, Frances Ha, Fruitvale Station, Inside Llewyn Davis, Lee Daniels’ The Butler, Lone Survivor, Mud, The Place Beyond the Pines, Prisoners, Saving Mr. Banks

Could Win: Gravity or Hustle
Should Win/Will Win: 12 Years a Slave

By and large, it’s a three-way race between Gravity, Hustle and Slave. Hustle, David O. Russell’s clever, entertaining 1970s throwback, had momentum in January during the height of awards season, but passion seems to have cooled. Gravity captivated with stunning visuals and special effects recalling Stanley Kubrick’s iconic 2001: A Space Odyssey, but its screenplay wasn’t nominated, tainting its overall impact. Slave is overtly chilling and tough to watch, but it’s also the most emotional, profound and significant when categorizing the kind of prestige film that typically grabs this coveted honor. In a close call, Slave feels on the verge of making Oscar history as the first best picture winner to chronicle the African-American experience.

BEST DIRECTORwww.indiewire
Alfonso Cuarón, Gravity
Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave
Alexander Payne, Nebraska
David O. Russell, American Hustle
Martin Scorcese, The Wolf of Wall Street

Overlooked: Woody Allen, Blue Jasmine, J.C. Chandor, All is Lost, Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, Inside Llewyn Davis, Ryan Coogler, Fruitvale Station, Sofia Coppola, The Bling Ring, Lee Daniels, Lee Daniels’ The Butler, Paul Greengrass, Captain Phillips, Spike Jonze, Her, Jean-Marc Vallée, Dallas Buyers Club, Denis Villeneuve, Prisoners

Could Win: McQueen
Should Win/Will Win: Cuarón

McQueen crafted an indelible look at the horrors of slavery, especially plantation life, but Cuarón will be duly recognized for his technological, visionary artistry.

BEST ACTOREXCLUSIVE: Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto film scenes together for The Dallas Buyers Club in New Orleans.
Christian Bale, American Hustle
Bruce Dern, Nebraska
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street
Chiwetl Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave
Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club

Overlooked: Casey Affleck, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, Chadwick Boseman, 42, Idris Elba, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Tom Hanks, Captain Phillips, Oscar Isaac, Inside Llewyn Davis, Hugh Jackman, Prisoners, Michael B. Jordan, Fruitvale Station, Robert Redford, All is Lost, Forest Whitaker, Lee Daniels’ The Butler

Could Win: DiCaprio
Should Win: Ejiofor
Will Win: McConaughey

Ejiofor’s powerful, splendidly nuanced portrayal is the lifeblood of Slave and there is a late surge for DiCaprio’s finest work to date, but McConaughey will likely prevail for his physical and professional transformation as AIDS activist Ron Woodroof.

BEST ACTRESS165168_024
Amy Adams, American Hustle
Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
Sandra Bullock, Gravity
Judi Dench, Philomena
Meryl Streep, August: Osage County

Overlooked: Berenice Bejo, The Past, Adele Exarchopoulos, Blue is the Warmest Color, Greta Gerwig, Frances Ha, Brie Larson, Short Term 12, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Enough Said, Emma Thompson, Saving Mr. Banks

Could Win: Adams
Should Win/Will Win: Blanchett

Sentiment could favor Adams, who has been an Oscar darling since she wowed voters in Junebug. Even so, and despite unexpected Woody Allen backlash, this category, as it has since last August, belongs to the brilliant Blanchett whose phenomenally exquisite interpretation of a washed-up Manhattan socialite superbly evoked the riveting complexity of Blanche DuBois.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTORbarkhad abdi captain phillips
Barkhad Abdi, Captain Phillips
Bradley Cooper, American Hustle
Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave
Jonah Hill, The Wolf of Wall Street
Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club

Overlooked: Bobby Cannavale, Blue Jasmine, Keith Carradine, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, Steve Coogan, Philomena, Chris Cooper, August: Osage County, Paul Dano, Prisoners,  Dane DeHaan, Kill Your Darlings and The Place Beyond the Pines, Harrison Ford, 42, Ben Foster, Lone Survivor, Will Forte, Nebraska, James Gandolfini, Enough Said, Jake Gyllenhaal, Prisoners, Tom Hanks, Saving Mr. Banks, Matthew McConaughey, Mud, David Oyelowo, Lee Daniels’ The Butler, Sam Rockwell, The Way, Way Back, Geoffrey Rush, The Book Thief

Could Win: Abdi
Should Win: Fassbender
Will Win: Leto

The fact that Abdi received more support from the Academy than Tom Hanks speaks volumes about how much his terrifically authentic performance lingered in the minds of voters. Fassbender, who should have been nominated for best actor two years ago for Shame, took insanity and terror to another dimension as a vicious slave owner. Still, Leto, nearly unrecognizable, seems a sure bet for his gentle, striking portrayal of Rayon, a transgender woman living with AIDS.


BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESSlupita_nyong_o_322x322_0_0_460
Sally Hawkins, Blue Jasmine
Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle
Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave
Julia Roberts, August: Osage County
June Squibb, Nebraska

Overlooked:  Amy Adams, Her, Nicole Beharie, 42, Melonie Diaz, Fruitvale Station, Jennifer Garner, Dallas Buyers Club, Naomie Harris, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Allison Janney, The Way, Way Back, Scarlett Johansson, Her, Melissa Leo, Prisoners, Margo Martindale, August: Osage County, Juliette Nicholson, August: Osage County, Sarah Paulson, 12 Years a Slave, Lea Seydoux, Blue is the Warmest Color, Octavia Spencer, Fruitvale Station, Emma Watson, The Bling Ring, Oprah Winfrey, Lee Daniels’ The Butler, Alfre Woodard, 12 Years a Slave

Could Win: Lawrence
Should Win/Will Win: Nyong’o

Lawrence ignited the screen with her fiery, flashy turn and probably would be the frontrunner if she hadn’t won best actress last year for Silver Linings Playbook. Expect Nyong’o to reign for her impeccable, heart-wrenching, breakthrough portrayal of the haunting Patsey, a prized and abused slave.

The 86th annual Academy Awards, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will be telecast live tonight on ABC at 8:30 p.m. In related news, The Neon Movies, 130 E. Fifth St. in downtown Dayton, and FilmDayton will host Oscar parties tonight. For information about the Neon’s festivities, call (937) 222-7469 or visit www.neonmovies.com. For FilmDayton’s festivities, visit www.filmdayton.com.

 

 

Filed Under: On Screen Dayton Tagged With: academy awards, Jr., Oscar Predications, Oscars, Russell Florence

THE NEON – Oscar Nominee THE GREAT BEAUTY Opens and FREE Oscar Party News!

February 27, 2014 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

thegreatbeauty.poster.wpHello Everyone,

Every now and then I hear people say “I wish you’d bring more foreign films to town”…well now’s your chance. Between the Oscar Shorts, THE PAST, and GLORIA, we’re having a nice run of foreign material at THE NEON. And starting this Friday we’ll have THE GREAT BEAUTY, the Italian picture nominated for “Best Foreign Film!” In addition to it, we will hold all of our other current attractions – PHILOMENA, DALLAS BUYERS CLUB and GLORIA!

Click this LINK to visit the official site for PHILOMENA. Click this LINK to visit the official site for DALLAS BUYERS CLUB. Click this LINK to visit the official site for GLORIA.

Synopsis for THE GREAT BEAUTY: “Journalist Jep Gambardella has charmed and seduced his way through the lavish nightlife of Rome for decades. Since the legendary success of his one and only novel, he has been a permanent fixture in the city’s literary and social circles, but when his sixty-fifth birthday coincides with a shock from the past, Jep finds himself unexpectedly taking stock of his life, turning his cutting wit on himself and his contemporaries, and looking past the extravagant nightclubs, parties, and cafes to find Rome in all its glory: a timeless landscape of absurd, exquisite beauty.” Nominated for “Best Foreign Film” at this year’s Academy Awards. Click on this LINK below to visit the film’s official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dyt430YkQn0′]

I’m happy to report that the latest tugg request we received will move forward! Special thanks to those of you who got on-line and reserved your ticket! On Thursday, March 6 at 7:30, the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National MS Society will host a screening of WHEN I WALK. “In 2006, 25-year-old Jason DaSilva was on vacation at the beach with family when, suddenly, he fell down. He couldn’t get back up. His legs had stopped working; his disease could no longer be ignored. Just a few months earlier doctors had told him that he had multiple sclerosis…Jason tried exercise to help cope, but the problem only worsened. After his dispiriting fall on the beach, he turned to his Mom, who reminded him that, despite his disease, he was still a fortunate kid who had the opportunity to pursue the things he loved most: art and filmmaking. Jason picked up the camera, turned it on his declining body, and set out on a worldwide journey in search of healing, self-discovery, and love.” Read more about the film, watch the wonderful trailer and reserve your ticket at this LINK.

We’re ready for you this Sunday! THE NEON’s Annual Oscar Party has been a success for more than a decade, and we’re excited that ThinkTV has once again agreed to help us get a signal for the broadcast. On Sunday, March 2, seating will begin as close to 7pm as possible (which is when the pre-show begins). Ballots for guessing the winners are now available in our lobby…and must be turned in before the first award is given (guests must be present during our party to be eligible for prizes). Prizes will be given throughout the evening for correct guesses…and the Grand Prize – “The Star Treatment” (courtesy of Square One Salon & Spa and THE NEON) – will go to the person with the most correct guesses. This party is FREE and YOU are Invited! Come in anytime on Sunday, March 2 to turn in your ballot. Upon turning in a ballot (one per person), you will be given a number – which will result in the seating priority later that night.

We hope to see many of you this weekend!

Thanks for your continued support,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, Feb. 28 – Thursday, March 6:

PHILOMENA (PG-13) 1 Hr 38 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:40, 5:10
Monday – Thursday: 3:00

GLORIA (R) 1 Hr 50 Min
Friday, Saturday: 2:50, 7:20, 9:45
Sunday: 2:50
Monday – Wednesday: 5:15, 7:45
Thursday: 5:15

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB (R) 1 Hr 57 Min
Friday, Saturday: 4:30, 9:50
Sunday: 4:30
Monday – Thursday: 5:30

THE GREAT BEAUTY (NR) 2 Hrs 22 Mins
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:30, 7:00
Monday-Thursday: 2:30, 8:00

THE NEON’S ANNUAL OSCAR PARTY (NR) Who Knows?!?
Sunday: Seating begins at 7:00

WHEN I WALK (NR) 1 Hr 24 Min + discussion
Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
March 7 – OMAR (Nominated for Best Foreign Film)
March 14 – ELAINE STRITCH: SHOOT ME
March 21 – GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
TBD – TIM’S VERMEER
TBD – LE WEEK-END
April 18 – THE LUNCHBOX

Filed Under: On Screen Dayton Tagged With: academy awards, dallas buyers club, Dayton Ohio, elaine stritch, gloria, grand budapest hotel, great beauty, movie, omar, oscar party, Oscars, philomena, showtimes, The Neon, vermeer, wes anderson

Spend an Evening with Oscar + ***Ticket Giveaway***

February 21, 2014 By Megan Cooper 2 Comments

FD Oscars2As movie makers celebrate their biggest night, FilmDayton will join the Academy Awards action by hosting “An Evening with    Oscar” March 2 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 3520 Pentagon Park Blvd., in Beavercreek.

As the nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the Dayton region’s film community, FilmDayton will welcome guests to watch the broadcast on multiple screens, mingle with friends, film lovers and area filmmakers while also enjoying savory treats created by local chefs. The Academy Awards are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., and the party’s doors open at 7 p.m.

FD Oscars1Tickets for the “An Evening with Oscar” party are $25 ($20 for FilmDayton members). A package of six tickets is $125. Tickets are available at filmdayton.ticketleap.com.  But through Dayton Most Metro, you have a chance to win tickets below!

“Our ‘Evening with Oscar’ party is a unique way to watch the Academy Awards,” said Megan Cooper, FilmDayton’s executive director. “Imagine a huge living room with all your friends watching the Oscars — chatting, eating, drinking and enjoying the night. Plus, we’ve got great silent auction prizes from major movies sets and fun local entertainment options.”

Attendees to “An Evening with Oscar” can watch the Academy Awards show in a relaxed, cocktail setting with friends and fans. Tickets will include games of OsFD Oscars3car Bingo, a chance to cast a ballot to pick the evening’s winners, a cash bar, a silent auction of film-inspired packages, and a range of food items created by area chefs to represent the best picture nominees. The chef at the Hilton Garden Inn will be providing savory treats to represent American Hustle, 12 Years a Slave, Captain Phillips, Dallas Buyers Club and the Wolf of Wall Street. Sweet treats representing best pictures include a molecular gastronomy mastery by Scratch Event Catering for Gravity, Perfect Mom Cupcakes presented by Baked. for Her and Irish Cream Cheesecake Bites topped with Chocolate for Philomena & Vanilla and Corn Mousse topped with Caramel Popcorn for Nebraska, both presented by Ovations Food Service.

The silent auction includes multiple prizes attendees will want to bid high to win. Film related packages include a set visit to the upcoming Cate Blanchett movie that is filming in the region this spring and a package from Piper Eressea Kerman, writer of Orange is the New Black. Attendees can also bid on great sports packages (from the Dayton Dragons and Dayton Dutch Lions), arts prizes (from the Dayton Ballet, Dayton Philharmonic, Human Race Theatre Co. and more), great food gift certificates, massages, pet packages, auto detailing, jewelry, books, and so much more!

Get tickets now or learn more at filmdayton.com or at Facebook.com/FilmDayton.

 

FilmDayton’s “AN EVENING WITH OSCAR”

FD Oscars4When: Sunday, March 2, Show starts at 8 p.m.; Doors open at 7 p.m.

Where: Hilton Garden Inn, 3520 Pentagon Park Blvd., Beavercreek

Cost: Tickets are $25, ($20 for FilmDayton members); $125 for package of six. Purchase tickets online and learn more at www.FilmDayton.TicketLeap.com.

More info: Attendees can learn more about the chefs and great silent auction prizes at filmdayton.com or at Facebook.com/FilmDayton.

Ticket Give Away

DaytonMostMetro.com has a pair of tickets to give away for the Evening with Oscar.  If you’d like to enter our ticket giveaway, fill out the form below and comment below who you think will walk away with the Best Picture Oscar![form 55 “DMM Contest Entry – Generic”]

Filed Under: On Screen Dayton Tagged With: academy awards, Evening with Oscar, FilmDayton, fundraiser, Hilton Garden Inn, Silent Auction

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7:00 pm | Mr Boro’s Tavern

ALL YOU CAN EAT!

5:00 pm | Bullwinkle’s Top Hat Bistro

Trivia w/ DagaTrivia

6:00 pm | Eudora Brewing Company

Trivia Night

6:30 pm | Troll Pub at the Wheelhouse

WESTON PAPP

6:30 pm | Little York Tavern

Heath Bowling

7:00 pm | The Barrel

10 TON Irish Cream Stout Launch

4:00 pm | Warped Wing Brewing Company

Acoustic Music with Thomas Hayes Freel

6:30 pm | Mr Boro’s Tavern

JCC Virtual Women’s Seder

6:30 pm | Virtual Event

Cory Breth Live Music in the Loft

8:00 pm | Moeller Brew Barn

Miamisburg Baseball Fundraiser

11:00 am | City Barbeque- Centerville

Carry Out Fish Fry

11:00 am | St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church

Knights of Columbus Council 3754 Fish Dinner

5:00 pm | Marian Manor Hall

First Friday St. Paddy’s Day Beer Crawl

5:00 pm | Downtown Tipp City

Spring BLOOMS – First Friday

5:00 pm | 1880 Candle Co.

Antioch Shrine Center Fish Fry

6:00 pm | Antioch Shrine Center

Irish Club Fish Fry

6:00 pm | The Irish Club of Dayton

Karaoke!

6:30 pm | Yellow Cab Tavern

Two for the Road Live

7:00 pm | Mr Boro’s Tavern

Prime Time’s Wedding Open House

9:00 am | Prime Time Party Rental

Growing Green: Local Food & Economics

10:00 am | online event

Girl Scout Cookie and Wine Pairing Walk

12:00 pm | The Windamere

Mardi Gras Gumbo Dinner

5:00 pm | South Park American Legion Post 675

Amplified!

8:00 pm | The Phone Booth Lounge

The Menus

8:30 pm | JD Legends Entertainment Complex

Pancake Box Brunch

9:00 am | Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm

Prime Time’s Wedding Open House

11:00 am | Prime Time Party Rental

The Art of Suspense

2:00 pm | Virtual Event

Free Boot Camp Workout

5:30 am | The Park at Austin Landing Miamisburg OH

25% Off Pizza Monday

11:30 am | Oregon Express

$2 burger night

5:00 pm | Bullwinkle’s Top Hat Bistro

More Events…

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