The Academy revealed today that two-time Oscar-nominee Bette Midler will perform on the 91st Academy Awards.  The Tony, Emmy and Grammy winner will step in for Emily Blunt to sing the nominated song “The Place Where Lost Things Go” from “Mary Poppins Returns.”  Midler revealed the news on twitter this afternoon after it was leaked to Variety.

So, (drum roll) Ladies and Gentlemen, I will be chanteusing (that's singing) on the Oscars on Feb 24…the nominated song from "Mary Poppins"…"The Place Where Lost Things Go" …so excited!!

Continue reading Bette Midler Will Perform ‘Mary Poppins Returns’ Nominated Song On Oscars at The Playlist.

Sandy Powell is one of the coolest people I’ve ever met.  There’s no debate.  The three-time Oscar-winning costume designer oozes style and sophistication the moment she arrives in a room. And when you speak to her you immediately know not only is this woman f***ing brilliant, but she’s blunt and suffers no fools. And she masterfully lets you know it with grace and a welcoming smile. Frankly, if you’re a filmmaker who doesn’t want to work with Powell you’ve got some insecurities you need to deal with.

Continue reading ‘The Favourite’s’ Sandy Powell Turned A Bedcover Into An Oscar Nom [Interview] at The Playlist.

After countless screenings, Q&A’s, red carpets, screeners, hand holding, for your consideration ads, talk show appearances and cocktail parties, between 160 and 190 contenders are going to be rewarded with Oscar nominations bright and oh, so unnecessarily early on Tuesday morning.  And almost just as many who didn’t hear their name called will try to get back to sleep knowing they no longer have to starve themselves for the February telecast.  Granted, this season hasn’t had the distraction of a historic presidential election or an industry-changing #MeToo movement, but have been controversies late in the game.

Continue reading Final 2018 Oscar Nominations Predictions: ‘Roma,’ ‘Burning,’ ‘A Star Is Born’ at The Playlist.

“First Man” seems like the expected winner, and its our prediction, but “Black Panther” could easily take this as could “A Quiet Place” or even “Roma.” A ton of Oscar pools are going to be decided on this category and Sound Mixing. [Updated Feb. 12]

Pedictions

1. “First Man” – Ai-Ling Lee and Mildred Iatrou Morgan
2. “Black Panther” – Benjamin A.

Continue reading 2019 Best Sound Editing Oscars Predictions at The Playlist.

Because it has “live music” Academy members should vote for “Star is Born” here. That being said, if they really don’t like the movie (which is possible based on some snubs) “First Man” or “Bohemian Rhapsody” (which just, um, sounds good?) could take it. [Updated Feb. 12]

Predictions
1. “A Star Is Born” – Tom Ozanich, Dean Zupancic, Jason Ruder and Steve A. Morrow
2.

Continue reading 2019 Best Sound Mixing Oscars Predictions at The Playlist.

This category will likely go to either of the ADG winners: “The Favourite” or “Black Panther.” We expect those films to split this category and costumes and think “Favourite” will prevail here. “First Man” would be the spoiler. [Updated Feb. 12]

Predictions
1. “The Favourite” – Production Design: Fiona Crombie; Set Decoration: Alice Felton
2. “Black Panther” – Production Design: Hannah Beachler; Set Decoration: Jay Hart
3.

Continue reading 2019 Production Design Oscars Predictions at The Playlist.

In a perfect world, Nicholas Britell would win this walking away. The problem is there is great concern that a signicant number of Academy members simply didn’t go see or watch their screener for “Beale Street.” Ludwig Göransson has already won a Grammy Award for his “Black Panther” score and is the likely winner here. The only nominee who would be a shock to take the stage is “Isle of Dog’s” Alexandre Desplat who won last year for “The Shape of Water.” [Updated Feb.

Continue reading 2019 Best Original Score Oscars Predictions at The Playlist.

This is the biggest lock of the night. If “Shallow” doesn’t win it’s one of the biggest upsets in Oscar history.  The song just won the Grammy in this equivalant category against insane competition including last year’s Oscar winner, “Remember Me” from “Coco.”  If any song can pull it off it’s likely “All the Stars,” but if “Shallow” isn’t announced the gasps from the audience will be picked up worldwide.  [Updated on Feb.

Continue reading 2019 Best Original Song Oscars Predictions at The Playlist.

The Costume Designer Guild became the second to last guild to announce their year-end awards on Thursday (the VFX society is the straggler) and peppered in some unexpectedly fun players amongst the expected nominees.  Awards season contenders such as “A Star is Born,” “Black Panther,” “The Favourite” and “Bohemian Rhapsody” were joined by “Crazy Rich Asians,” “Ocean’s 8,” “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” “A Wrinkle in Time” and “Avengers: Infinity War.”  Surprise omissions included “A Simple Favor,” “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald,” “Roma” and “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.” 

READ MORE: “Aquaman,” “Vice” lead 2019 Make-Up and Hair Guild Awards nominees

On the television side designers from “Sharp Objects,” “The Marvelous Mrs.

Continue reading ‘Black Panther,’ ‘Drag Race’ Among 2019 Costume Designer Guild Awards Nominees at The Playlist.

Tackling a sequel to a beloved classic is difficult for a writer or director, but imagine the responsibility of composing new songs to an iconic musical that has wowed generations for over 50 years?  That was the job Marc Shaiman and Scott Whitman signed on for when they began working with Rob Marshall on “Mary Poppins Returns,” but despite the fearsome responsibility, there are some gigs you simply can’t say no to.

Continue reading ‘Mary Poppins Returns’ Songwriters Explain Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ’30s ‘Patter’ at The Playlist.

It was the weekend movie insiders had talked about for months: the box office weekend leading into Christmas with five, wide-release major studio films all coming out at the same time; six if you count Disney releasing “Mary Poppins Returns” early on a Wednesday. So, the battle was on, Warner Bros.’ “Aquaman,” Paramount’s “Bumblebee,” Universal’s “Welcome To Marwen,” and, eventually the addition of STX‘s “Second Act” with Jennifer Lopez.

Continue reading ‘Aquaman’ Splashes Down To Rule The Holidays, Crosses $500 Million Worldwide [Box Office] at The Playlist.

We’ve been waiting for today for months now. No, not because it’s the beginning of a long weekend thanks to the Christmas holiday. That’s great and all, but mainly, it’s because this is one of the most interesting box office weekends of 2018. In an effort to try to take advantage of the holiday stretch, Disney, Warner Bros., Paramount, and other studios are releasing major films all during this weekend, leading to one of the most hotly-contested box offices in recent memory.

Continue reading ‘Aquaman’ Scores A Huge Thursday Night As We Enter The Most Crowded Box Office Weekend Of The Entire Year at The Playlist.

A strange thing has happened in the race for Best Picture.  Bradley Cooper’s “A Star Is Born” has become the clear frontrunner and likely winner, but the other seven to eight films that join that blockbuster with a nomination?  That’s become a somewhat stranger call.

Granted, there are three obvious locks for a nomination, Alfonso Cuaron’s “Roma,” Spike Lee’s “BlacKkKlansman,” Yorgos Lanthimos’ “The Favourite.”  And, trust, neither Netflix, Focus Features nor Fox Searchlight will give up on a potential Best Picture win once each film lands a slew of nominations on Jan 22.

Continue reading ‘A Star Is Born’ Is Still Your Best Picture Frontrunner But The Field Is Getting Murky at The Playlist.

For the first time since 1979, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced shortlists for both the Original Song and Original Score categories.  To no one’s real surprise, selections from “Mary Poppins Returns,” “A Star Is Born” and “If Beale Street Could Talk” made some noise on their respective lists, with ‘Poppins’ making both. Some interesting surprises included a score shortlist nod for “Avengers: Infinity War” by Alan Silvestri, the music to the sci-fi mind-bender “Annihilation” by Geoff Barrow and Ben Salisbury and the score to “The Death of Stalin.

Continue reading ‘Mary Poppins Returns’ Tops First Oscar Original Score And Original Song Shortlists at The Playlist.

Disney‘s new “Mary Poppins Returns” is a lot like a Snuggie™. That wearable fad blanket provided instant warmth and comfort to the receiver of the popular White Elephant gift, generated a hearty laugh or two, and was then thrown into the back of the closest, never to be seen again until the annual Goodwill run. This newfangled invention can’t compare with the reliability of a good ol’ regular blanket, but there is something charming— if a little bit off— about this new imitation.

Continue reading ‘Mary Poppins Returns:’ Emily Blunt Is Terrific In A Mostly Forgettable Imitation & Uneven Sequel To A Classic at The Playlist.

As we enter the weekend, you’re probably in need of some new songs to play as loud as you can while you drive with your windows down (well, it’s winter, so it depends on where you’re located, but you get the idea). You’re in luck! You see, now available to stream from the comfort of your own home, in your headphones, or through your car’s speakers, Disney has released the soundtrack for the upcoming film “Mary Poppins Returns.”

READ MORE: 17 Films To Watch In December

For those not familiar with the film, clearly your childhood was sad.

Continue reading Listen To The Complete ‘Mary Poppins Returns’ Soundtrack In Preparation For Disney’s Sequel at The Playlist.

Due to the alternate, dystopian timeline we’re all currently dragging ourselves through, 2018 both felt hilariously long but also like it was speeding past us, particularly during these last few months. This is driven further home when you remember “Black Panther” was released this year before the 2018 Academy Awards. With the end of the year upon us, there’s an embarrassment of riches at the multiplex as studios compete to get that holiday vacation uptick with seemingly more than usual blockbuster titles making their debut.

Continue reading 17 Films To Watch In December at The Playlist.

Yes, it’s that time of year again.  A moment in our lives with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association breaks hearts and provides false hope to other struggling awards contenders.  The Golden Globe nominations are almost upon us.  Are you ready to bask in their glory?

Now, it goes without saying that the HFPA is a curious bunch.  International “journalists” (granted, a few are quite reputable) that have different conflicting agendas and, arguably, barely watch enough television to actually hand out awards in those categories.

Continue reading Golden Globes Nomination Predictions: Bohemian Rhapsody, Nicole Kidman, Sharp Objects at The Playlist.

The American Film Institute announced their year-end top 10 lists this year and the only real surprise is the continued love for “First Reformed.” Paul Schrader’s drama joined “BlacKkKlansman,” “Black Panther,” “Eighth Grade,” “If Beale Street Could Talk,” “The Favourite,” “Green Book,” “Mary Poppins Returns,” “A Quiet Place” and “A Star is Born” on the top 10 list of AFI Movies of the Year.

READ MORE: ‘Roma’ wins Best Film from NYFCC

On the television side, five new shows made the cut including “Barry,” “Pose,” “Succession,” “The Assassination of Gianni Versace” and “The Kominsky Method.”

“Roma” was ineligible for the film list because of its foreign financing and creative team, but was honored with a special award by the committee.

Continue reading ‘Black Panther,’ ‘The Favourite,’ ‘Pose’ Make AFI’s Top Ten Lists Of 2018 at The Playlist.

The Academy of Motion Pictures announced the 20 contenders in the running for the 2019 Visual Effects Oscar this afternoon. There were a few notable snubs among the submissions including “Venom,” “A Wrinkle in Time,” “The Meg” and “Rampage.”  Some of the surprise entries included “Isle of Dogs,” “Mary Poppins Returns” and “Incredibles 2.”

READ MORE: ‘Aquaman’ early reactions: ‘Avatar’ meets ‘Jupiter Ascending’

The full list of all 20 films still in the race are as follows:

“Ant-Man and the Wasp”
“Aquaman”
“Avengers: Infinity War”
“Black Panther”
“Bumblebee”
“Christopher Robin”
“Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald”
“First Man”
“Incredibles 2”
“Isle of Dogs”
“Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”
“Mary Poppins Returns”
“Mission: Impossible – Fallout”
“Mortal Engines”
“The Nutcracker and the Four Realms”
“Paddington 2”
“A Quiet Place”
“Ready Player One”
“Solo: A Star Wars Story”
“Welcome to Marwen”

The Academy’s Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee determined the preliminary list of films eligible for further awards consideration.

Continue reading ‘Aquaman,’ ‘Black Panther’ & ‘First Man’ Among 20 Visual Effects Oscar Finalists at The Playlist.

The 46th annual Annie Award nominations were announced this morning and a five very familiar titles led the way.   “Incredibles 2” earned 11 nods, “Ralph Breaks The Internet” took 10 nominations, “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse” and “Early Man” both earned seven nods, “Mary Poppins Returns” surprised with five and “Isle of Dogs” coughed up four.   Even though “Poppins” features extensive animated sequences, this amount of love was slightly unexpected.

Continue reading ‘Incredibles 2,’ ‘Ralph Breaks The Internet’ Top 2018 Annie Awards Nominations at The Playlist.

BEVERLY HILLS – To say 2018 is turning out to be a momentous year for Emily Blunt is something of an understatement.  “A Quiet Place,” a film her husband John Krasinski directed and co-starred alongside her in, was an unexpected critical and box office hit this past spring taking in $340 million worldwide.  She’ll follow that up with an already celebrated turn as Mary Poppins in Rob Marshall’s “Mary Poppins Returns.”  A performance so impressive she somehow makes you forget Julie Andrews‘ Oscar-winning turn from the original 1964 classic.

Continue reading Emily Blunt on Meryl Streep’s Pratfalls & ‘Mary Poppins’ Liza Minnelli Moment [Interview] at The Playlist.

“Mary Poppins Returns” has large Disney shoes to fill, if it wants to be favorably compared to the classic original film. The sequel to 1964’s “Mary Poppins” seems to capture the spirit of the original, with its mixture of animation and live-action, a healthy dose of fun and whimsy, as well as its own fair share of musical numbers. And it’s those musical additions to the franchise that fans might be most anxious about.

Continue reading Emily Blunt & Lin-Manuel Miranda Sing Their Hearts Out In Two New Songs From ‘Mary Poppins Returns’ at The Playlist.

Sandy Powell could easily win for her work on “The Favourite,” but her double nomination will sap some needed votes away. Ruth Carter is an acclaimed industry veteran who has never won and this looks like a good place for that omission to be rectified. [Updated Feb. 12]

Predictions
1. Ruth Carter, “Black Panther”
2. Sandy Powell, “The Favourite”
3.

Continue reading 2019 Best Costumes Oscars Predictions at The Playlist.

The last two Oscar players have screened and they potentially have turned the season on its head.  You can decern our thoughts on the impressive “Vice” separately, but the curious case of “Mary Poppins Returns” needs its own moment in the spotlight.

Rob Marshall’s sequel to the 1964 classic is set 25 years later with Emily Blunt reprising the role as the mischievous nanny who has returned to assist the now grown up Banks children,  Michael and Jane (Ben Whishaw and Emily Mortimer), as well as Michael’s own offspring.  

Continue reading ‘Mary Poppins Returns’ With High Oscar Hopes For Emily Blunt at The Playlist.