Category: Movies

Acrimony

Taraji P. Henson is really exceptional as the devoted wife to her inventor husband Robert, played by Lyriq Bent.  The talented cast is extensive with over 50 actors.

The script is sharp and well honed, it’s quick and intelligent.  There are more twists and turns than the Hollywood Freeway!  There is also quite a bit of conflict that can become onerous to watch.

It is rated R for language, sexual content and some violence.  The genre is listed as a Thriller/Psychological Thriller running 2 hours.

This movie is both compelling to watch and disturbing at the same time.  Tyler Perry directed, produced and wrote the screenplay.

Rating  

Pacific Rim

This Fantasy/Action film features monstrous creatures that came from the seas to wreck havoc on mankind.  In response, humans created giant robots to keep the sea creatures in check.

Director Guillermo del Toro is in his element as he reenacts his newest chapter of man versus monster.  This action packed episode is a visually epic scale production.  Unfortunately it is also heavy on carnage, weak on humanity and B-rated on apocalyptic creatures.

Audiences seemed to like this film.  We were not all that impressed.  Lots of noise and angst but not a lot of substance.

It is rated PG-13 for intense Sci-fi action and violence, and brief language.  It is listed as Action & Adventure, Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy.  The run time is 2 hours, 12 minutes.

Rating 

Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story

This is a story of the famed actress Hedy Lamarr dating back to the 1940s.  It is listed as a Biography/History but it is actually a documentary.

The Austrian born actress fled to the U.S. to evade a bad marriage.  She quickly became a famous leading lady, and a brilliant inventor.  She invented a radio system that is now credited as the foundation to modern radar and Bluetooth.

It is a remarkable story about an incredible woman who lived a life of her choosing.  It was not always flattering or glamorous.  She was incredibly intelligent and fearless.

Critics and audiences liked this film.  It is listed as a Biography/History that runs 1 hour, 30 minutes.

Rating 

Foxtrot

This is a unique film that is not easy to watch from the onset.  The parents of a young Israeli soldier are confronted by other military personnel with the news of their son’s death at a remote checkpoint.  The response by the parents is poignant and powerful.

Next the camera acts as a flashback to a remote checkpoint where four young Israeli soldiers (including the deceased) are stationed to monitor a border crossing used mostly by Palestinians and the occasional camel.  This part of the film plays with the audience, challenging the viewers to sort out absurd events acted out in physical comedy and discomfort.

The actors are limited to the minimum.   Lior Ashkenazi delivers a painful portrayal as the grieving father.  Sarah Adler is equally effective in the role of the Mom.  Their son is played by the excellent young israeli actor Yonathan Shiray.

The film is rated R for some sexual content including graphic images and brief drug abuse.  The genre is listed as Drama with a run time of 114 minutes.  Hebrew with English subtitles.  (Having visited Israel and several neighboring countries, we felt a powerful connection to this film.  It is a less than perfect picture of the country yet still worthy of seeing.)

Rating 

The Death of Stalin

This political satire film about the death of Stalin in 1953 has a lot to chew on.  The power vacuum that follows is a reminder of real history, global dangers and radical swings that occurred all too often.

Scottish Director and Satirist, Armando Iannucci delivers a stunning visual interpretation of the events immediately after Stalin’s sudden death.

Clearly a comedy, the brilliant acting and strong script allows the production to charge head long using biting one liners and irreverent satire.

The casting is genius.  Steve Buscemi is a perfect Nikita Khrushchev.  Jeffrey Tambor plays Georgy Malenkov.  Simon Russell Beale plays Lavrentiy Beria, Paddy Considine is Comrade Andryev, Rupert Friend is over the top as Vasily Stalin and Jason Isaacs is a perfect Georgy Zhukov.

What results is a wicked comedy, that is also a hilarious farce, and audacious enough to not be taken too seriously.

It is rated R for language, violence and some sexual references.  It is noted as a Comedy, Drama.  Run time is 107 minutes.

Rating 

Game Night

This film was released before we went to Europe.  It was playing in Europe but we could never seem to fit it into our schedule.  Finally today the stars aligned and we saw this movie.

This story starts out pretty wimpy.  Lame dialog from weak characters comes off corny.  Then incrementally the story, acting and the production quality gain momentum that peak at just the right times making for a satisfying movie experience.

Rachael McAdams and Jason Bateman are hilarious together.  Jesse Plemons is perfect as the neighborhood policeman.  Kyle Chandler and Michael C. Hall are excellent bad guys along with another dozen actors that round out the cast.

Yes, there are corny moments and ample deadpan humor.  But it does not drift off course.  It incrementally delivers and then just adds a bit more for good measure.

It is rated R for language, sexual references and some violence.  It is listed as a Comedy, Mystery & Suspense.

Rating 

Unsane

This is a unique film that bends the norm for mental/medical care facilities.  It is intense, creepy and more than a little unsettling.  Nightmare comes to mind!

The film’s Director and Cinematographer is Steven Soderbergh.  It is best described as a psychothriller.  The script is well written and helps tie the concept together.

Claire Foy plays the accidental victim in this story.  Juno Temple plays a scary threatening patient named Violet.  Joshua Leonard plays the stalker and crazy attending caregiver.

It is rated R for disturbing behavior, violence, language and sexual references.  It is listed as a Drama, Mystery & Suspense.  The run time is 97 minutes.

Rating 

Ramen Heads

Ramen noodles are one of Japan’s most popular comfort foods.  This film takes a deep dive into the history and cultural connection to the legions of customers in and outside of Japan.  The result is an interesting and entertaining documentary.

The story drifts a bit from chef to chef, slurping techniques, and a study on obsessive details. It ultimately succeeds in capturing the mania the perfect ramen noodle creates for its followers.

The cast includes leading chefs Osamu Tomita, Shota Iida, Kumiko Ishida, Katsuya Kobayashi, Yuki Ohnishi and Tom Takahashi.

This film is not rated with a run time of 93 minutes.  Japanese with English subtitles. (A yummy Vietnamese ramen lunch was on our agenda today as a matter of fact.)

Rating 

Ready Player One

It was just a matter of time before films start translating reality into science fiction, in this case video games.  Based on the novel by the same name, Steven Spielberg and Industrial Light & Magic bought the movie rights and created a film set in a very unappealing 2045 AD where the world as we know it is on the brink of collapse.  Technology has created a virtual reality alternate world called OASIS where gaming replaces almost every aspect of real life.  Overall, while visually fascinating, the constant special effects become a bit tedious.

The cast headlines Tye Sheridan as the gamer Parzival, Olivia Cooke as Samantha Cook, Ben Mendelsohn as the CEO of Innovative Online Industries seeking control of OASIS.  There are over 12 more actors rounding out the primary cast.

The film is rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action violence, blood images, some suggestive material, partial nudity and language.  We do not feel this film is suitable for children.  The genre is listed as Thriller, Science Fiction & Fantasy.  It runs a long 2 hours, 40 minutes.

Rating 

This is a quirky movie about a middle aged Japanese woman and her sister, her sister’s daughter, and her daughter’s boyfriend and so on…

That said, it also has a universal quality about it.  It is more like real life than the movies.  Its twists and turns are often unexpected and poignant.

The cast includes Josh Harnett in the role of John, and is well suited for him.  Shinobu Terejima is great as Lucy.  Kaho Minami plays Lucy’s sister.  Shioli Kutsuna plays Lucy’s sister’s daughter.  There are more than a dozen other bit roles that make up the rest of the cast.  These strong performances are what makes this film compelling and enjoyable.

This film is not rated.  It is listed as a Comedy, Drama.  It is in limited release so do seek this one out sooner rather than later.  Run time is 96 minutes.  Japanese and English, with English subtitles.

Rating  

Love, Simon

Every once in a while a film is released that is well written, well acted, and well…on target to its topic.  Here Simon Spier is gay, 17 years old but hasn’t told anybody.  Not his parents or close friends.  At the same time Simon is openly communicating anonymously with a classmate who is gay but he doesn’t know who that person is.  One by one more people become involved but no one knows the whole truth.

A great cast and strong performances make this film believable.  Nick Robinson delivers a heartfelt performance as Simon.  Equally good performances by Jennifer Garner as the Mom, Josh Duhamel as the supportive Dad and Talitha Bateman as the sister.  And…I can’t tell you anymore lest I spoil the finale.  Let’s just say the movie is charming, inspiring and uplifting.

It is rated PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual references, language and teen partying.  It is listed as a Drama and runs 109 minutes.

Rating 

Isle of Dogs

Yet another good release.  This one is clever, intelligent with interesting characters.  It’s Wes Anderson’s ninth feature film, his second in stop-motion animation.

Japan is hit with an outbreak of canine flu and all dogs are quarantined on an island.  Meanwhile a government conspiracy leaks to the press and tensions swell to a breaking point.

The voice cast is a whose who of Hollywood including Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton, Yoko Ono and more.

It is rated PG-13 for thematic elements and some violent images.  It is listed as Action & Adventure, Animation, Comedy.  It runs 101 minutes.  It can become tedious and a bit difficult to follow but well worth a watch.

Rating 

7 Days in Entebbe

This film reflects the true events of the 1976 hijacking of an Air France flight from Tel Aviv to Paris via Athens with 250 passengers on board.  It landed in Entebbe, Uganda.  The militant highjackers wanted to draw attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the time.

The acting varies from fair to middling.  Rosamund Pike is inconsistent as a lead highjacker.  Daniel Bruhl is more convincing as her boy friend.  Eddie Marsan is convincing as Shimon Peres and Lior Ashkwnazi is excellent as Yitzhak Rabin.  Nonso Anozie has a bit part as Idi Amin.

Unfortunately many of the real facts are missing in this version of events.   For example, this film suggests the Jewish passengers were segregated from the other passengers.  Historical fact shows most of the French Jewish passengers were released.  That said, most of the connections to today’s Israeli politicians are correct.

Rating 

A Wrinkle in Time

This film has benefited from extensive marketing and the Disney production machine.  Much to our surprise both audiences and critics have been tepid with their enthusiasm.

We liked the film, a lot!  The acting was consistently good.  The story was true to its roots.  The messages were universal and uniquely appropriate.  The surprises were inventive, the flow was just about right.

The headline actors were all well cast.  Oprah Winfrey was amazing as Mrs. Which.  Reese Witherspoon was a hoot as Mrs. Whatsit.  Mindy Kaling was perfect as Mrs. Who.  Chris Pine is great as the missing Dad,  Gugu Mbatha-Raw is superb as the Mom.

The children played essential roles including Storm Reid (sister), Livi Miller (classmate) and Deric McCabe (little brother).  There were easily 2 dozen other roles rounding out the cast.

The film is rated PG for thematic elements and some peril.  That said, overall the story is uplifting with a couple of brief scenes less than ideal for young children.  That also said there was a good sized group of elementary school children in the theater (10 to 12 year old) that seemed riveted throughout.

The genre is listed as Action & Adventure, Drama, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy.  It runs two hours.  It will be interesting to see if the next Oscars remember this film for special effects, costume, make up, and other technical categories.

Rating  

Annihilation

We finally had the chance to see this film.  Oh my!  What an innovative and intriguing concept.  Some form of alien entity creates a “settlement” of sorts on earth where their “evolution” slowly begins.

It is visually stunning, often quite confusing, psychologically intense and gorgeous at the same time.

The acting is impressive.  Natalie Portman takes the lead as the biologist.  Benedict Wong plays the scientist.  Gina Rodriguez plays one of the soldiers on a dangerous expedition investigating the scene.  Tessa Thompson also plays a soldier.  Oscar Isaac plays the husband and soldier.  Jennifer Jason Leigh plays Dr. Ventress.  Tuva Novotny plays another investigating soldier.  There are another two dozen actors contributing to the script.

On the down side, the plot is difficult to follow.  On the up side, it is new and unique film making.   It is rate R for violence, bloody images, language and some sexuality.  The genre is listed as Action & Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy.  It runs two hours.

Rating 

Red Sparrow

This film demands a lot from the viewer.  First, Russian ballerina has her leg broken by a fellow dancer with no explanation.  Next, after recovering from the injury, she enrolls in a secret intelligence school that makes weapons out of its students.

Even with this odd plot, the acting is impressive.  Jennifer Lawerence morphs from one personality to the next convincingly.  Joel Edgerton is a great match as the CIA operative.  Matthias Schoenaerts is the suave Uncle to Jennifer.  Jeremy Irons is a good bad guy and Charlotte Rampling is awesome as the Russian Headmistress.

Reviews have been mixed.  We found it gripping, intense, mostly believable and a new twist on an old plot.  It is rated R for strong violence, torture, sexual content, language and some graphic nudity.  It is NOT appropriate for children.  It runs a hefty 2 hours, 21 minutes.

Rating: 

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

Move over Angelina, make room for Alicia Vikander as the new Lara Croft.  In this episode of the Tomb Raider franchise, Lara embarks on a quest to follow in her father’s footsteps and find the missing links that will reveal the cause of her father’s death.

Lara finds a connection in her fathers death that leads to a journey to a remote island off the coast of Japan.  There are lots of twists and turns, most implausible, but necessary to the story line.

The acting follows suit.   Dan Wu plays an Asian boat captain who agrees to the journey.  Walton Goggins plays a pretty good bad guy.  Dominic West plays Lara’s Dad.  Hannah John-Kamen plays a bad girl while Kristin Scott Thomas plays the loving guardian (not) to Lara.

It’s rated PG-13 for violence, action and some strong language.  We discourage children from viewing this film.  The genre is noted as Action & Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction and Fantasy.  It runs a long 118 minutes.

Rating:  

Loveless

This was nominated for Best Foreign Film but was not released until after we departed for Europe (and it was not released in Europe until March 8).   Needless to say, it was not the winner.

It was however, a nail biting, gut wrenching and angst filled look behind the veil of Russian life.  Specifically marriage, child rearing, family and work life.  Oh my!  American soap operas are child’s play compared to this story line.

The Russian cast of 18 is filled with great actors who tell a heart wrenching story.  It is rated R for strong sexuality, graphic nudity, language and a brief disturbing image.  The genre is listed as Art House & International, Drama. It runs a whopping 129 minutes.

BTW, while buying the tickets John ran into the English actor Terence Stamp for a brief but pleasant moment!

Rating  

Black Panther

This is another hit from the Marvel Studios folks.  This one explains generations of kings of the African nation of Wakanda, the secrets of the royal family and its court.  And there are more than a few who want to over throw the king and his family and so on…

The acting is quite good.  Chadwick Boseman makes a perfect King.  Michael B. Jordan is even better as the rival.  Lupita Nyong’o is great as the guardian warrior.  Forest Whitaker and Angela Bassett both deliver their characters.  There are at least another dozen actors that round out the cast.  The visual effects are quite remarkable.  The script is unique with several nice surprises.

Both critics and audiences like this film.  So did we.  It was refreshing, new, different and inventive.  We saw it on a giant screen at the Empire Theater on Leicester Square.  The film is rated PG-13 for prolonged scenes of action, violence and a brief rude gesture.  We noticed a sizable number of youngsters in the audience.  It is listed as an Action & Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy.  It runs 2 hour, 15 minutes.

Rating  

Early Man

From the Aardman Animation Studios, this stop-motion animation is about the clash between the Stone Age and the Bronze Age.  The animators used 273 puppets in the production.  Its ultimate focus pits the two tribes in a “football”/”soccer” game and the stakes for the cave men is their home valley.  It’s no mistake the valley is Manchester!

It has the right mix of silly, naivete, charming and intelligence.  The commentaries on the then/now social culture are a hoot.

The leading voices include Eddie Redmayne as the voice of caveman Dug.  Tom Hiddleston is the voice of Lord Nooth.  Maisie Williams is the voice of Goona.  Timothy Spall is Chief Bobnar and Nick Park is the voice of Hobnob.  At least another dozen English actors round out the cast.

It’s rated PG for rude humor and some action but there is nothing there to keep the kids away.  In fact, in our audience, the kids got the puns and humor without missing a step.

The grenre is listed as Fantasy/Action.  It runs 1 hour, 40 minutes.

Rating 

 

 

Hi all!  We start traveling tomorrow so this might be the last movie reviews for a few weeks.  If all goes well, we may see a few movies in the UK but that will be toward the end of our trip in March.

We will plan travel posts as time and connectivity permit.

Cheers!  J&J

A Fantastic Woman

This film from Chile is Oscar nominated for Best Foreign Language Film.  Unfortunately, its late release means there will only be a small number of movie goers that will see it before the Oscar ceremony next month.

This film ‘peels the onion’ on the transgender topic in so many ways it is hard to decide where to begin.  Written and Directed by Sebastian Lelio, there is grief, prejudice, defiance, hostility, mourning and ultimately, redemption.

Chilean actor Daniela Vega is featured as the transgender Marina Videl.  Francisco Reyes plays the love interest.  Luis Gnecco plays the brother.  Spanish actress Aline Kuppenheim plays the ex-wife.  Another 30, mostly Chilean, actors round out the cast.

This film is rated R for language, sexual content, nudity and a disturbing assault.  It is not appropriate for young children.  Its genre is listed as Art House & International, Drama.  The run time is 1 hour, 44 minutes.  Spanish with English subtitles.

Rating  

Faces Places

This film is nominated for Best Documentary.  It is exceptional and will be our pick in this category.  It has been nominated and won in dozens of festivals and industry organizations around the world.

Written and Directed by photographer/muralist JR and Director Agnes Varda.  There is a cast of over 20 contributors as themselves and a small army of production staff.

It is the journey through rural France and the creation of dozens of giant murals on dozens of venues.  It is extraordinary, visually amazing and spiritually uplifting.

This film is rated PG.  The genre is listed as Art House & International, Documentary with a run time of 90 minutes.  French with English subtitles.  DO NOT miss this one.  It is an instant classic.

Rating  

Peter Rabbit

This film is loosely based on the Beatrix Potter’s classic children’s book with a couple of big exceptions.  There was quite a public stir from parents with children’s food allergies.  Others disapproved of Peter Rabbit’s lack of clothes.

That said, in general, the story is marginally funny, occasionally clever, and somewhat charming.  Rose Byrne plays the neighbor, Domhnall Gleeson is hilarious as the boyfriend.  James Corden plays the voice of Peter.  Margot Robbie is Flopsy, Elizabeth Debicki is Mopsy and Daisy Ridley is Cottontail.

This movie is rated PG for some rude humor and action.  The genre is listed as Action & Adventure, Animation and Comedy.  The running time is 1 hour, 40 minutes.  The animation is the highlight.

Rating  

Hello to all!

We are pleased to present you with JIM & JOHN’s 2018 Oscar picks for the 90th Academy Awards on March 4.  It has been a wild year for movies.  Again this year we will be out of the country traveling on Oscar Sunday.  This time Evora, Portugal.

Please see our predictions noted in bold type below.  Enjoy and do let us know about any parties, prizes or other fun events you may be attending this year.

J&J

NOMINATIONS BY CATEGORY – 90TH AWARDS

Performance by an actor in a leading role

Timothée Chalamet in CALL ME BY YOUR NAME

Daniel Day-Lewis in PHANTOM THREAD

Daniel Kaluuya in GET OUT

• Gary Oldman in DARKEST HOUR

Denzel Washington in ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ.

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Performance by an actor in a supporting role

Willem Dafoe in THE FLORIDA PROJECT

Woody Harrelson in THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI

Richard Jenkins in THE SHAPE OF WATER

Christopher Plummer in ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD

• Sam Rockwell in THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI

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Performance by an actress in a leading role

Sally Hawkins in THE SHAPE OF WATER

• Frances McDormand in THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI

Margot Robbie in I, TONYA

Saoirse Ronan in LADY BIRD

Meryl Streep in THE POST

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Performance by an actress in a supporting role

Mary J. Blige in MUDBOUND

• Allison Janney in I, TONYA 

Lesley Manville in PHANTOM THREAD

Laurie Metcalf in LADY BIRD

Octavia Spencer in THE SHAPE OF WATER

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Best animated feature film of the year

THE BOSS BABY  Tom McGrath and Ramsey Naito

THE BREADWINNER  Nora Twomey and Anthony Leo

• COCO  Lee Unkrich and Darla K. Anderson

FERDINAND  Carlos Saldanha and Lori Forte

LOVING VINCENT  Dorota Kobiela, Hugh Welchman and Ivan Mactaggart

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Achievement in cinematography

• BLADE RUNNER 2049  Roger A. Deakins

DARKEST HOUR  Bruno Delbonnel

DUNKIRK  Hoyte van Hoytema

MUDBOUND  Rachel Morrison

THE SHAPE OF WATER  Dan Laustsen

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Achievement in costume design

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST  Jacqueline Durran

DARKEST HOUR  Jacqueline Durran

PHANTOM THREAD  Mark Bridges

• THE SHAPE OF WATER  Luis Sequeira

VICTORIA & ABDUL  Consolata Boyle

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Achievement in directing

DUNKIRK  Christopher Nolan

GET OUT  Jordan Peele

LADY BIRD  Greta Gerwig

PHANTOM THREAD  Paul Thomas Anderson

• THE SHAPE OF WATER  Guillermo del Toro

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Best documentary feature

ABACUS: SMALL ENOUGH TO JAIL  Steve James, Mark Mitten and Julie Goldman

• FACES PLACES  Agnès Varda, JR and Rosalie Varda

ICARUS Bryan Fogel and Dan Cogan

LAST MEN IN ALEPPO  Feras Fayyad, Kareem Abeed and Søren Steen Jespersen

STRONG ISLAND  Yance Ford and Joslyn Barnes

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Best documentary short subject

EDITH+EDDIE Laura Checkoway and Thomas Lee Wright

HEAVEN IS A TRAFFIC JAM ON THE 405  Frank Stiefel

• HEROIN(E)  Elaine McMillion Sheldon and Kerrin Sheldon

KNIFE SKILLS  Thomas Lennon

TRAFFIC STOP Kate Davis and David Heilbroner

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Achievement in film editing

BABY DRIVER  Paul Machliss and Jonathan Amos

DUNKIRK  Lee Smith

I, TONYA  Tatiana S. Riegel

• THE SHAPE OF WATER  Sidney Wolinsky

THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI  Jon Gregory

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Best foreign language film of the year

A FANTASTIC WOMAN  Chile

• THE INSULT  Lebanon

LOVELESS  Russia

ON BODY AND SOUL  Hungary

THE SQUARE  Sweden

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Achievement in makeup and hairstyling

• DARKEST  HOUR Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski and Lucy Sibbick

VICTORIA & ABDUL  Daniel Phillips and Lou Sheppard

WONDER  Arjen Tuiten

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Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)

• DUNKIRK  Hans Zimmer

PHANTOM THREAD  Jonny Greenwood

THE SHAPE OF WATER  Alexandre Desplat

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI  John Williams

THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI  Carter Burwell

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Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)

“Mighty River” from MUDBOUND  Music and Lyric by Mary J. Blige, Raphael Saadiq and Taura Stinson

“Mystery Of Love” from CALL ME BY YOUR NAME  Music and Lyric by Sufjan Stevens

“Remember Me” from COCO  Music and Lyric by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez

“Stand Up For Something” from MARSHALL  Music by Diane Warren.  Lyric by Lonnie R. Lynn and Diane Warren

• “This Is Me” from THE GREATEST SHOWMAN  Music and Lyric by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

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Best motion picture of the year

CALL ME BY YOUR NAME   Peter Spears, Luca Guadagnino, Emilie Georges and Marco Morabito, Producers

DARKEST HOUR  Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce, Anthony McCarten and Douglas Urbanski, Producers

DUNKIRK  Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan, Producers

GET OUT  Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, Edward H. Hamm Jr. and Jordan Peele, Producers

LADY BIRD  Scott Rudin, Eli Bush and Evelyn O’Neill, Producers

PHANTOM THREAD  JoAnne Sellar, Paul Thomas Anderson, Megan Ellison and Daniel Lupi, Producers

THE POST  Amy Pascal, Steven Spielberg and Kristie Macosko Krieger, Producers

THE SHAPE OF WATER  Guillermo del Toro and J. Miles Dale, Producers

• THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI  Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin and Martin McDonagh, Producers

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Achievement in production design

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST  Production Design: Sarah Greenwood, Set Decoration: Katie Spencer

BLADE RUNNER 2049  Production Design: Dennis Gassner, Set Decoration: Alessandra Querzola

DARKEST HOUR  Production Design: Sarah Greenwood, Set Decoration: Katie Spencer

• DUNKIRK  Production Design: Nathan Crowley, Set Decoration: Gary Fettis

THE SHAPE OF WATER  Production Design: Paul Denham Austerberry, Set Decoration: Shane Vieau and Jeffrey A. Melvin

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Best animated short film

DEAR BASKETBALL  Glen Keane and Kobe Bryant

GARDEN PARTY  Victor Caire and Gabriel Grapperon

• LOU  Dave Mullins and Dana Murray

NEGATIVE SPACE  Max Porter and Ru Kuwahata

REVOLTING RHYMES  Jakob Schuh and Jan Lachauer

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Best live action short film

DEKALB ELEMENTARY  Reed Van Dyk

THE ELEVEN O’CLOCK  Derin Seale and Josh Lawson

• MY NEPHEW EMMETT  Kevin Wilson, Jr.

THE SILENT CHILD  Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton

WATU WOTE/ALL OF US  Katja Benrath and Tobias Rosen

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Achievement in sound editing

BABY DRIVER  Julian Slater

BLADE RUNNER 2049  Mark Mangini and Theo Green

• DUNKIRK  Richard King and Alex Gibson

THE SHAPE OF WATER  Nathan Robitaille and Nelson Ferreira

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI  Matthew Wood and Ren Klyce

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Achievement in sound mixing

BABY DRIVER  Julian Slater, Tim Cavagin and Mary H. Ellis

BLADE RUNNER 2049  Ron Bartlett, Doug Hemphill and Mac Ruth

• DUNKIRK  Gregg Landaker, Gary A. Rizzo and Mark Weingarten

THE SHAPE OF WATER  Christian Cooke, Brad Zoern and Glen Gauthier

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI  David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce and Stuart Wilson

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Achievement in visual effects

BLADE RUNNER 2049  John Nelson, Gerd Nefzer, Paul Lambert and Richard R. Hoover

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2  Christopher Townsend, Guy Williams, Jonathan Fawkner and Dan Sudick

KONG: SKULL ISLAND  Stephen Rosenbaum, Jeff White, Scott Benza and Mike Meinardus

• STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI  Ben Morris, Mike Mulholland, Neal Scanlan and Chris Corbould

WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES  Joe Letteri, Daniel Barrett, Dan Lemmon and Joel Whist

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Adapted screenplay

• CALL ME BY YOUR NAME  Screenplay by James Ivory

THE DISASTER ARTIST  Screenplay by Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber

LOGAN  Screenplay by Scott Frank & James Mangold and Michael Green, Story by James Mangold

MOLLY’S GAME  Written for the screen by Aaron Sorkin

MUDBOUND  Screenplay by Virgil Williams and Dee Rees

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Original screenplay

THE BIG SICK  Written by Emily V. Gordon & Kumail Nanjiani

GET OUT  Written by Jordan Peele

LADY BIRD  Written by Greta Gerwig

THE SHAPE OF WATER  Screenplay by Guillermo del Toro & Vanessa Taylor, Story by Guillermo del Toro

• THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI  Written by Martin McDonagh

 

2018 Oscar Nominated Animated Shorts

This years entries are decidedly different from the entries in recent years.  Adult sensibilities and a little sophistication are featured in the 2018 selection.

Dear Basketball (USA)

Here is a love letter from Kobe Bryant to the world as the basketball legend plans his retirement.  The outstanding images were penned by Mr Bryant himself.

Rating 

Garden Party (France)

This most unusual and borderline disturbing imagery is the setting for an amphibian infested villa and the apparent aftermath of some event.  It is NOT for children, but it is inventive and creative.

Rating 

Lou (USA)

Here a school yard bully gets a lesson from a lost and found box that comes to life.  It is clever, charming and features Pixar quality imagery.

Rating 

Negative Space (France)

This is one of the most unique shorts in the pack.  A little boy learns how to pack a suitcase from his traveling father.  The stop motion puppet animation is exceptional, as is the final scene.

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Revolting Rhymes (UK)

The darkest of the shorts is a snarky perspective on Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, the Big Bad Wolf and others.  It is a brash and dark depiction that is only mildly amusing but the production value is impressive.

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