The Criterion Collection always kicks off its releases for a new calendar year with a couple of big titles. And 2024 starts off very strong for the boutique DVD series, with Danny Boyle‘s “Trainspotting” leading the way. Criterion released Boyle’s modern classic on Laserdisc in 1997, but the film didn’t re-enter the Collection as a spine number until now. In other words, that’s big news for CC collectors.

Continue reading Criterion Adds ‘Trainspotting,’ A Chantal Akerman Boxset, ‘Mudbound,’ John Sayles’ ‘Lone Star’ & More For Its January 2024 Releases at The Playlist.

Even after Netflix has soared in popularity, especially overseas, there’s still a fair amount of detractors that think the streaming service will never be able to replace theaters. Many of those people happen to be filmmakers that want their projects to be seen on the big screen, instead of on TV, phone, tablet, or laptop. However, for Netflix, this doesn’t make sense at all. And their counterpoint is simple – the streaming service brings more eyeballs to your project.

Continue reading Netflix CEO Claims Viewers Have Streamed 20 Million Hours Of ‘Mudbound’ at The Playlist.

While many Oscars viewers were greatly anticipating who would win the coveted trophies, over here, we were excited for the musical performances. Okay, and we were excited about the awards too, but seriously, this year was a stacked list of performers that got us hyped.

First, we have to mention that the Oscar for Best Song went to “Remember Me” by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez from the film “Coco.” Performing that song live was Miguel, Natalia Lafourcade, and actor Gael García Bernal.

Continue reading Oscars 2018: Sufjan Stevens, Mary J. Blige Turn In Amazing Musical Performances at The Playlist.

“Mudbound’s” long journey from novel to screen has found co-screenwriter Virgil Williams lauded as an Adapted Screenplay Oscar nominee along with director Dee Rees.  It’s a career peak for a writer and producer who cut his teeth working on broadcast series such as “E.R.” and “Criminal Minds” and he’s trying to enjoy every minute of it.

Williams joined the Four Quadrant podcast earlier this month to talk about the making of “Mudbound,” his surreal experience at the Oscar luncheon (where he spoke to fellow nominee Kobe Bryant) and the difficulty in landing Academy Awards tickets, among other topics.

Continue reading Virgil Williams On His Oscar Nod For ‘Mudbound’ And Adapting ‘A Journal For Jordan’ Next [Podcast] at The Playlist.

THR finishes up their annual pre-Oscars roundtables with a fascinating discussion with this year’s leading cinematographer’s including Oscar nominees Roger Deakins (“Blade Runner 2049”), Rachel Morrison (“Mudbound”), Dan Laustsen (“The Shape of Water”), and Hoyte Van Hoytema (“Dunkirk”) in addition to previous Oscar winners Robert Elswit (“Suburbicon” and “Roman J.

Continue reading 50-Minute Cinematographers Roundtable Talk With Roger Deakins, Rachel Morrison, Hoyte Van Hoytema & More at The Playlist.

The Oscars are just over a week away, and it’s going to be an evening of glitz, glamour, and wondering why the show is more than three hours long. But there will be at least one moment worth savoring during the show.

Academy Awards producers have revealed that the original singers of the year’s five Oscar-nominated songs will be performing at the show. So yes, that means you’ll want to have the Kleenex handy when Sufjan Stevens performs his exquisite “The Mystery Of Love” from “Call Me By Your Name.” Also hitting the stage during the ceremony will be: Best Supporting Actress nominee Mary J.

Continue reading Sufjan Stevens Bringing “The Mystery Of Love” To Oscars Performance, Plus Mary J. Blige & More at The Playlist.

There’s almost always one. An Oscar upset that was always possible but likely not probable.  Frankly, it’s often the most exciting part of watching the telecast.

Last year the Academy shocked the world by selecting “Moonlight” as Best Picture over “La La Land.” Two years ago Mark Rylance had something of an awards season comeback by squeaking by the late surging Sylvester Stallone for Best Supporting Actor.

Continue reading 5 Potential Oscar Upsets This Year That Are Not Out Of Bounds at The Playlist.

As you watch an Academy Award-nominated film, you can clearly notice the acting, editing, set design, and a variety of other categories that end up getting nominated. However, as you watch the film, there’s one thing you can’t judge – the screenplay. Sure, you can listen to dialogue, and understand the story’s structure, but for the most part, the screenplay is a mystery.

For those hoping to dive headfirst into the screenplays of many of the 2018 Oscar nominated films, No Film School has you covered.

Continue reading Here’s Your Chance To Read This Year’s Oscar-Nominated Screenplays at The Playlist.

A friendly reminder: The awards season doesn’t need to be awful and it’s really only as unbearable as you chose to make it. Yes, it can certainly be annoying, but, if you look at it as awards given out by a group of 6,000-plus people (Academy Award members) who do not represent the entire world therefore not the objective be-all-end-all arbiters of taste, maybe you can realize the Oscars are not the definitive judges of what makes great art.

Continue reading 2018 Oscar Nominations: Snubs & Surprises at The Playlist.

If you took a shot every time you read “Hollywood has a misogyny problem” in 2017, you would be long dead. That doesn’t mean it’s not a point worth belaboring — on the contrary, if the past year of entertainment news has taught us anything, it’s that silence around systemic misogyny only breeds more of the same. You may have heard them before, but the facts are these: men disproportionately dominate the filmmaking industry. Women rarely direct films, and are hardly ever recognized or lauded when they do.

Continue reading 52 Movies Directed By Women In 2017 That You Should Know at The Playlist.

That’s it.  A hurricane of an Oscar season takes a significant pause as nomination voting has officially ended for the 90th Academy Awards.  And after the past four and a half months there are a ton of Oscar contenders , consultants, publicists, studio heads and members of the press who need a breather.  Thank god for Sundance, right?

Oh, wait. That’s not a breather.

And there’s SAG and PGA voting going on too. 

Continue reading 11 Big Questions To Ponder As Oscar Nomination Voting Is Now Over at The Playlist.

With just three days left for Academy members to submit their votes for the 2018 Oscar nominations Tuesday night found contenders working the room for support at multiple events across Los Angeles and New York.

At the London Hotel in West Hollywood, NBCUniversal Vice Chairman Ron Meyer and Universal Pictures Chairman Donna Langley saluted “Darkest Hour,” its Best Picture hopes revived thanks to nine BAFTA nominations, with star and Golden Globe winner Gary Oldman on hand. 

Continue reading ‘Mudbound’s’ Rachel Morrison Talks ASC Nod And ‘Black Panther’ At Oscars Event at The Playlist.

The American Society of Cinematographers announced the 2018 nominees for the ASC Awards. Like many guild honors it’s seen as a precursor for the equivalent category at the Academy Awards and this year that’s good news for Netflix and “Mudbound.”

“Mudbound’s” Rachel Morrison became the first woman ever nominated for this honor by the ASC and if she earns an Oscar nomination she’d also make history with the Academy in that respect (both stats are embarrassing, frankly).  

Continue reading ‘Mudbound’s’ Rachel Morrison Makes History As First ASC Awards Nominee at The Playlist.

We may be rolling toward the middle of January, but 2017 remains close in the rearview. It was a tumultuous year no matter where you looked, but when it comes to Hollywood, women came together, made their voices heard, and continue to work toward making real and lasting change in front of the screen and behind the camera. More than ever, perspectives like that from The Alliance of Women Film Journalists are vital, and today they’ve revealed their take on the best movies of the year.

Continue reading The Alliance of Women Film Journalists Name ‘The Shape Of Water’ Best Film Of 2017 at The Playlist.

The Writer’s Guild of America announced the film and documentary nominees for the 2018 WGA Awards and many of the expected nominees made the cut. “Lady Bird,” “The Shape of Water,” “Get Out,” “I, Tonya” and “The Big Sick” were nominated in the Original Screenplay category.  “Call Me By Your Name,” “The Disaster Artist,” “Logan,” “Molly’s Game” and “Mudbound” all earned Adapted Screenplay nominations.

Continue reading ‘Get Out,’ ‘Logan,’ ‘The Big Sick,’ ‘Lady Bird’ Among 2018 WGA Awards Nominees at The Playlist.

[Posted Feb. 4]

Winner predictions:
1. “This Is Me” from “The Greatest Showman,” Benj Pasek, Justin Paul
2. “Remember Me” from “Coco,” Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez
3. “Mystery of Love” from “Call Me by Your Name,” Sufjan Stevens
4. “Mighty River” from “Mudbound,” Mary J. Blige
5. “Stand Up for Something” from “Marshall,” Diane Warren, Common

Current predictions:

Best Picture
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Director
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing
Cinematography
Production Design
Original Score
Best Song
Costumes
Sound Mixing
Sound Editing
Documentary
Foreign Language Film
Animated Feature Film
Makeup and Hairstyling
Visual Effects

Continue reading 2018 Best Original Song Oscars Predictions at The Playlist.

[Updated Feb. 4]

Winners prediction
1. Roger Deakins, “Blade Runner 2049”
2. Rachel Morrison, “Mudbound”
3. Dan Laustsen, “The Shape of Water”
4. Bruno Delbonnel, “Darkest Hour”
5. Hoyte van Hoytema, “Dunkirk”

Current predictions:

Best Picture
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Director
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing
Cinematography
Production Design
Original Score
Best Song
Costumes
Sound Mixing
Sound Editing
Documentary
Foreign Language Film
Animated Feature Film
Makeup and Hairstyling
Visual Effects

Continue reading 2018 Best Cinematography Oscars Predictions at The Playlist.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed 70 songs that qualify for the Best Original Song Oscar this afternoon. Films with more than one submission include “Beauty and the Beast,” “Call Me By Your Name,” “Cars 3,” “Elizabeth Blue” and “Pulimurugan.” It’s worth noting that “The Greatest Showman,” a musical featuring original songs from last year’s winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, only submitted one song, “This Is Me.”

Dierks Bentley enters the Best Song fire with ‘Only The Brave’

The full list of qualifying songs is as follows:

“U.N.I (You And I)” from “And the Winner Isn’t”
“Love And Lies” from “Band Aid”
“If I Dare” from “Battle of the Sexes”
“Evermore” from “Beauty and the Beast”
“How Does A Moment Last Forever” from “Beauty and the Beast”
“Now Or Never” from “Bloodline: Now or Never”
“She” from “Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story”
“Your Hand I Will Never Let It Go” from “The Book of Henry”
“Buddy’s Business” from “Brawl in Cell Block 99”
“The Crown Sleeps” from “The Breadwinner”
“World Gone Mad” from “Bright”
“Mystery Of Love” from “Call Me by Your Name”
“Visions Of Gideon” from “Call Me by Your Name”
“Captain Underpants Theme Song” from “Captain Underpants The First Epic Movie”
“Ride” from “Cars 3”
“Run That Race” from “Cars 3”
“Tell Me How Long” from “Chasing Coral”
“Broken Wings” from “City of Ghosts”
“Remember Me” from “Coco”
“Prayers For This World” from “Cries from Syria”
“There’s Something Special” from “Despicable Me 3”
“It Ain’t Fair” from “Detroit”
“A Little Change In The Weather” from “Downsizing”
“Stars In My Eyes (Theme From Drawing Home)” from “Drawing Home”
“All In My Head” from “Elizabeth Blue”
“Dying For Ya” from “Elizabeth Blue”
“Green” from “Elizabeth Blue”
“Can’t Hold Out On Love” from “Father Figures”
“Home” from “Ferdinand”
“I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” from “Fifty Shades Darker”
“You Shouldn’t Look At Me That Way” from “Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool”
“This Is How You Walk On” from “Gifted”
“Summer Storm” from “The Glass Castle”
“The Pure And The Damned” from “Good Time”
“This Is Me” from “The Greatest Showman”
“The Hero” from “The Hero”
“How Shall A Sparrow Fly” from “Hostiles”
“Just Getting Started” from “If You’re Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast”
“Truth To Power” from “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power”
“Next Stop, The Stars” from “Kepler’s Dream”
“The Devil & The Huntsman” from “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword”
“Have You Ever Wondered” from “Lake of Fire”
“I’ll Be Gone” from “Lake of Fire”
“We’ll Party All Night” from “Lake of Fire”
“Friends Are Family” from “The Lego Batman Movie”
“Found My Place” from “The Lego Ninjago Movie”
“Stand Up For Something” from “Marshall”
“Rain” from “Mary and the Witch’s Flower”
“Myron/Byron” from “The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)”
“Longing For Summer” from “Moomins and the Winter Wonderland”
“Mighty River” from “Mudbound”
“Never Forget” from “Murder on the Orient Express”
“Hold The Light” from “Only the Brave”
“PBNJ” from “Patti Cake$”
“Tuff Love (Finale)” from “Patti Cake$”
“Lost Souls” from “The Pirates of Somalia”
“How A Heart Unbreaks” from “Pitch Perfect 3”
“The Promise” from “The Promise”
“Kaadanayum Kaalchilambe” from “Pulimurugan”
“Maanathe Maarikurumbe” from “Pulimurugan”
“Stubborn Angel” from “Same Kind of Different as Me”
“Dancing Through The Wreckage” from “Served Like a Girl”
“Keep Your Eyes On Me” from “The Shack”
“On The Music Goes” from “Slipaway”
“The Star” from “The Star”
“Jump” from “Step”
“Tickling Giants” from “Tickling Giants”
“Fly Away” from “Trafficked”
“Speak To Me” from “Voice from the Stone”
“Walk On Faith” from “Year by the Sea”

During the nominations process, all voting members of the Music Branch will receive a Reminder List of works submitted in the category and a compilation of the song clips.

Continue reading Songs From Taylor Swift, Nick Jonas, Sufjan Stevens Among 70 That Qualify For 2018 Oscars at The Playlist.

The long road to the Oscars is drawing closer to its destination, and it moves a few miles up the map today with the Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations.

“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” led the way, with the film earning four nods, including Best Female Actor (Frances McDormand), Best Supporting Male Actor (Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell) and Outstanding Performance By A Cast.

Continue reading ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ Leads SAG Award Nominees at The Playlist.

As we drag ourselves, bloodied and limping across the finish line of 2017, there’s little to celebrate at year’s end in the world outside the movie theater, except for Fyre Festival which is still the greatest and funniest thing ever. But inside the popcorny passageways of our local multiplexes and the hallowed halls of our local arthouses, it’s been a different story — one that may not have led to the kind of clear consensus winners of previous years (even awards season seems unusually open) but that points to a general breadth of quality that is, we believe, reflected here in our Best Films of the Year poll.

Continue reading The Best Films Of 2017 at The Playlist.

If you were up late last night, you might’ve seen a somewhat heated debated unfold on Film Twitter, about whether or not television could be considered in the category of Best Movies. On the one hand, there are some series which expand beyond the frame of conventional television and are absolutely cinematic in almost every detail of their execution. However, there is enough great television that you can put that material on a separate list, and plenty of fantastic movies that equally deserve the space on their own list, with lots of foreign and small films that could use the love, without being bounced for TV series.

Continue reading Sight & Sound’s Best Films Of 2017 Features ‘Get Out,’ ‘Twin Peaks,’ ‘Dunkirk’ & More at The Playlist.

Next week, Netflix enters the Oscar race with the drama “Mudbound.” The film is packed with talent, from director Dee Rees (“Pariah,” “Bessie“) to a cast that includes Jason Clarke, Garrett Hedlund, Carey Mulligan, and Mary J. Blige. And the soundtrack is top notch too, with the multi-talented Tamar-kali lending her talents, and composing the score.

Continue reading Stream 2 Tracks By Tamar-kali From ‘Mudbound’ Soundtrack [Exclusive] at The Playlist.

Despite some films that played well to critics, the end of October fizzled out slightly in terms of quality new releases, but at least we could all stay in and binge “Stranger Things 2.”

Luckily, November kicks off in a big way, with films from Taika Waititi, Greta Gerwig and Richard Linklater all dropping in some capacity in the same week. There’s no shortage of quality pictures as the awards season heats up, and it’s also an interesting month for big releases that seemed to have landed here with little rhyme or reason.

Continue reading 11 Movies To See In November at The Playlist.

It’s going to be an interesting awards season for a number of reasons, and one of them is the question of whether Netflix will be able to properly crack the Oscars this year. It’s no secret that the streaming giant has been trying to make an awards splash for a few years, but while rivals Amazon arrived in a big way last year with “Manchester By The Sea,” Netflix have so far only really managed to figure into the documentary categories.

Continue reading New Trailer For Netflix’s Oscar Contender ‘Mudbound’ at The Playlist.

AFI Fest is less than three weeks away and today the annual awards season event revealed its three centerpiece galas.  To say it’s looking like a stranger than usual AFI Fest is sort of an understatement.

As previously announced, Dee Rees’ “Mudbound” will open the festival on Thursday, Nov. 9.  It’s the first opening night film that’s not a world premiere in at least five years. The closing night film is Ridley Scott’s “All The Money In The World” which will have its world premiere on Nov.

Continue reading ‘Call Me By Your Name,’ ‘Disaster Artist’ And ‘Hostiles’ are the 2017 AFI Fest Galas at The Playlist.