Posted by Jared Mobarak on February 27, 2018 · Leave a Comment
The 90th Annual Academy Awards hits airwaves Sunday, March 4th, 2018 at 8:00pm on ABC. For those handicapping at home, here are the guesses of Buffalo film fanatics Christopher Schobert, William Altreuter, and myself. Jared Mobarak: This new look Academy is really starting to pay dividends. The fight for representation might have begun with a […]
Category essays, oscars, z.slideshow · Tags Aaron Sorkin, Allison Janney, Call Me By Your Name, Christopher Nolan, Christopher Plummer, Daniel Day Lewis, Daniel Kaluuya, Darkest Hour, Dee Rees, Denzel Washington, Dunkirk, Emily V. Gordon, Frances McDormand, Gary Oldman, Get Out, Greta Gerwig, Guillermo del Toro, James Ivory, James Mangold, Jordan Peele, Kumail Nanjiani, Lady Bird, Laurie Metcalf, Lesley Manville, Margot Robbie, Martin McDonagh, Mary J. Blige, Meryl Streep, Michael Green, Michael H. Weber, Octavia Spencer, Paul Thomas Anderson, Phantom Thread, Richard Jenkins, Sally Hawkins, Sam Rockwell, Saoirse Ronan, Scott Frank, Scott Neustadter, The Post, The Shape of Water, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri, Timothée Chalamet, Vanessa Taylor, Virgil Williams, Willem Dafoe, Woody Harrelson
Posted by Jared Mobarak on December 3, 2017 · Leave a Comment
“We’re all alone” Leave it to Guillermo del Toro to create an adult fantasy in the vein of Beauty and the Beast wherein there is no “beauty,” only the “other.” It’s one thing to read or watch a tale of overcoming the odds as a child with a specimen of perfection finding it in his/her […]
Category drama, fantasy, film reviews, romance, z.slideshow · Tags Doug Jones, Guillermo del Toro, Michael Shannon, Michael Stuhlbarg, Nick Searcy, Octavia Spencer, Richard Jenkins, Sally Hawkins, The Shape of Water, Vanessa Taylor
Posted by Jared Mobarak on March 30, 2017 · Leave a Comment
“This could work out” Stories about prodigies are too often mired in tragic mental health issues or careers with boundless accolades and successes. Some can be done very well and others are redundant to the point of avoidance. The sub-genre of child prodigies is oftentimes even worse because it generally targets young audiences and therefore […]
Posted by Jared Mobarak on February 17, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The 89th Annual Academy Awards hits airwaves Sunday, February 26th, 2017 at 8:30pm on ABC. Buffalonians can watch it from the comfort of their home or take a trip down to these local destinations: • The Screening Room, The Boulevard Mall Free (doors open at 7:00pm) • Buffalo State College, Campbell Student Union Free with […]
Category essays, oscars · Tags Allison Schroeder, Andrew Garfield, Arrival, August Wilson, Barry Jenkins, Casey Affleck, Christopher Schobert, Damien Chazelle, Denis Villeneuve, Denzel Washington, Dev Patel, Efthimis Flippou, Emma Stone, Eric Heisserer, Fences, Hacksaw Ridge, Hell or High Water, Hidden Figures, Isabelle Huppert, Jeff Bridges, Kenneth Lonergan, La La Land, Lion, Lucas Hedges, Luke Davies, Mahershala Ali, Manchester by the Sea, Mel Gibson, Meryl Streep, Michael Shannon, Michelle Williams, Mike Mills, Moonlight, Naomie Harris, Natalie Portman, Nicole Kidman, Octavia Spencer, Ruth Negga, Ryan Gosling, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Taylor Sheridan, Theodore Melfi, Viggo Mortensen, Viola Davis, William Altreuter, Yorgos Lanthimos
Posted by Jared Mobarak on December 31, 2016 · Leave a Comment
Below is my December 31st ballot for the 20th annual Online Film Critics Society Awards honoring movies released domestically in the United States during the 2016 calendar year. Group winners are highlighted in red. Best Picture #1Moonlight. #2Manchesterby the Sea #3Arrival. #4Jackie. #5The Witch. #6Hell orHigh Water #7La La Land. #8O.J.: Madein America #9The Handmaiden. […]
Category essays, top 10 films, z.slideshow · Tags 13th, Adam Driver, Amy Adams, Arrival, Barry Jenkins, Bradford Young, Cameraperson, Captain Fantastic, Casey Affleck, Certain Women, Damien Chazelle, David Birke, Denis Villeneuve, Denzel Washington, Efthymis Filippou, Elle, Emma Stone, Eric Heisserer, Fences, Finding Dory, Hell or High Water, Hidden Figures, I Am Not Your Negro, Isabelle Huppert, Jackie, James Laxton, Jeff Bridges, Joe Walker, Joi McMillon, Kenneth Lonergan, Kubo and the Two Strings, La La Land, Lily Gladstone, Linus Sandgren, Love & Friendship, Loving, Lucas Hedges, Mahershala Ali, Manchester by the Sea, Michael Shannon, Michelle Williams, Moana, Moonlight, Naomie Harris, Nat Sanders, Natalie Portman, Nels Bangerter, Neruda, Noah Oppenheim, Nocturnal Animals, O.J.: Made in America, Octavia Spencer, OFCS, Online Film Critics Society, Pablo Larraín, Paterson, Philippe Djian, Ruth Negga, Ryan Gosling, Sebastián Sepúlveda, Stéphane Fontaine, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Taylor Sheridan, Ted Chiang, The Handmaiden, The Lobster, The Neon Demon, The Red Turtle, The Salesman, The Witch, Tom Bennett, Tom Cross, Tom Ford, Toni Erdmann, Viggo Mortensen, Viola Davis, Weiner, Whit Stillman, Yorgos Lanthimos, Zootopia
Posted by Jared Mobarak on December 9, 2016 · Leave a Comment
“I’m sorry. I’m … not the custodian.” This is the film that math teachers throughout the nation have needed as an answer to each year’s smart aleck questioning, “When are we ever going to use this?” Push away the depressing nature of A Beautiful Mind‘s schizophrenia and The Man Who Knew Infinity‘s tragic end and […]
Category biography, drama, film reviews · Tags Aldis Hodge, Allison Schroeder, Glen Powell, Hidden Figures, Janelle Monáe, Jim Parsons, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Mahershala Ali, Margot Lee Shetterly, Octavia Spencer, Taraji P. Henson, Theodore Melfi
Posted by Jared Mobarak on March 20, 2015 · 1 Comment
“You have to forgive yourself” I don’t know which of the three writers credited (Brian Duffield, Akiva Goldsman, and Mark Bomback) on Insurgent is responsible for the complete overhaul of Veronica Roth‘s source novel, but I applaud him. If not for the retention of its characters’ arcs, one could argue the majority of this cinematic […]
Category action/adventure, film reviews, science fiction, suspense/thriller · Tags Akiva Goldsman, Allegiant: Part 1, Ansel Elgort, Brian Duffield, Divergent, Insurgent, Jonny Weston, Kate Winslet, Mark Bomback, Miles Teller, Naomi Watts, Octavia Spencer, Ray Stevenson, Robert Schwentke, Shailene Woodley, Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games, Theo James, Veronica Roth
Posted by Jared Mobarak on February 23, 2015 · Leave a Comment
I’m not sure why I keep filling myself with false hope that the Oscars will one day be an entertaining show to watch. The optimism is almost completely unfounded by this point. Whether they go weird (Anne Hathaway and James Franco), safe (Billy Crystal), hip (Seth MacFarlane), or try and steal another show’s success (Neil […]
Category essays, oscars, z.slideshow · Tags Alejandro González Iñárritu, Anna Kendrick, Anne Hathaway, Billy Crystal, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), Boyhood, Chris Pine, Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1, Ellen DeGeneres, Gone Girl, Graham Moore, Idina Menzel, Jack Black, James Franco, John Travolta, Julie Andrews, Lady Gaga, Meryl Streep, Neil Patrick Harris, Octavia Spencer, Patricia Arquette, Richard Linklater, Seth MacFarlane, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Sound of Music, Wes Anderson, Whiplash
Posted by Jared Mobarak on March 1, 2014 · Leave a Comment
2013 has been a banner year for cinema with a slew of quality pictures that makes you wonder how only nine got enough first place votes to earn an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. Most of my favorites could have filled that elusive tenth spot for some added acclaim—whether having a chance to win or […]
Category essays, top 10 films, z.slideshow · Tags 12 Years a Slave, 20 Feet From Stardom, A Band Called Death, A Separation, A Touch of Sin, Adèle Exarchopoulos, After Tiller, Ain't Them Bodies Saints, Al-Midan, Alfonso Cuarón, American Hustle, Amy Adams, Asghar Farhadi, Barkhad Abdi, Bastards, Before Midnight, Before Sunset, Blackfish, Blood Brother, Blue Is the Warmest Color, Blue Jasmine, Brie Larson, Call Me Kuchu, Captain Phillips, Casey Affleck, Cate Blanchett, Charlie Kaufman, Child's Pose, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cutie and the Boxer, Dallas Buyers Club, David Lowery, David O. Russell, Dead Man Down, Despicable Me 2, Destin Daniel Cretton, Downloaded, Emma Thompson, Epic, Ethan Hawke, Europa Report, Frozen, Fruitvale Station, Gravity, Greta Gerwig, Harmony Korine, Her, I'm So Excited!, iNumber Number, Jagten, James Franco, Jared Leto, Jehane Noujaim, Jeremy Renner, Joaquin Phoenix, John Dies at the End, Jonah Hill, Julie Delpy, June Squibb, Kaze Tachinu, L'image manquante, La grande bellezza, La Vénus à la fourrure, La vie d'Adèle, Le passé, Léa Seydoux, Lee Daniel's The Butler, Leonardo DiCaprio, Les salauds, Leviathan, Like Father Like Son, Lupita Nyong’o, Mads Mikkelsen, Margot Robbie, Martin Scorsese, Matthew McConaughey, Melonie Diaz, Michael B. Jordan, Michael Fassbender, Monsters University, Mud, Museum Hours, Narco Cultura, Nebraska, Noah Baumbach, Octavia Spencer, Oldboy, Omar, One Night, Only Lovers Left Alive, Oprah Winfrey, Poziţia copilului, Primer, Quartet, Richard Linklater, Rooney Mara, Ryan Coogler, Sally Hawkins, Saving Mr. Banks, Scarlet Johansson, Shane Carruth, Short Term 12, Simon Killer, Skrillex, Spike Jonze, Spring Breakers, Steve McQueen, The Croods, The East, The Great Beauty, The Hunt, The Lords of Salem, The Missing Picture, The Past, The Square, The Wind Rises, The Wolf of Wall Street, Una noche, Upstream Color, Venus in Fur
Posted by Jared Mobarak on February 27, 2014 · 1 Comment
The Oscars are generally quite boring, since we often know well in advance what is going to win Best Picture, Director, etc. But this year? Not so much. Sure, there are heavy favorites — see below. But it is entirely possible there will be some real surprises. Of course, I could be completely wrong. But […]
Category essays, oscars · Tags 12 Years a Slave, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Albert Berger, Alexander Payne, Alfonso Cuarón, American Hustle, Amy Adams, Anne Hathaway, Anthony Katagas, August: Osage County, Avatar, Barkhad Abdi, Before Midnight, Ben Affleck, Billy Ray, Blue Jasmine, Bob Nelson, Brad Pitt, Bradley Cooper, Brie Larson, Bruce Dern, Captain Phillips, Cate Blanchett, Charles Roven, Charlie Kaufman, Children of Men, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Christian Bale, Craig Borten, Dallas Buyers Club, Dana Brunetti, David Heyman, David O. Russell, Dazed and Confused, Dede Gardner, Dirty Pretty Things, Doubt, Emma Thompson, Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Eric Warren Singer, Ethan Hawke, Fruitvale Station, Gabrielle Tana, George Clooney, Gladiator, Gravity, Her, Inside Llewyn Davis, Jack Nicholson, James Franco, Jared Leto, Jeff Pope, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Kleiner, Joaquin Phoenix, Joey McFarland, John Goodman, John Ridley, Jonah Hill, Jonathan Gordon, Judi Dench, Julia Roberts, Julie Delpy, June Squibb, Kim Krizan, Lee Daniel's The Butler, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lupita Nyong’o, Magic Mike, Martin Scorsese, Matthew McConaughey, Megan Ellison, Melisa Wallack, Meryl Streep, Mia Farrow, Michael B. Jordan, Michael De Luca, Michael Fassbender, Nebraska, Octavia Spencer, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Oprah Winfrey, Philomena, Rachel Winter, Richard Farnsworth, Richard Linklater, Richard Suckle, Robbie Brenner, Ron Yerxa, Rosemary's Baby, Sally Hawkins, Sandra Bullock, Scott Rudin, Shame, Silver Linings Playbook, Spike Jonze, Spring Breakers, Steve Coogan, Steve McQueen, Steven Soderbergh, Susan Lucci, Terence Winter, The Fighter, The Hunger Games, The Lincoln Lawyer, The Master, The Paperboy, The Wolf of Wall Street, Tracey Seaward, Traffic, Tropic Thunder, True Detective, Vincent Landay, Winter’s Bone, Woody Allen
Posted by Jared Mobarak on December 21, 2013 · Leave a Comment
“Fraggle-stick car?” I tried to put a decade behind it and me, but not even that could turn my opinion on Bad Santa around. It’s just a mean-spirited, way-too-random account of a stereotypical alcoholic populated with other characters as ruthless as him or worse. The only role with a modicum of humanity is a borderline […]
Category comedy, film reviews, holiday · Tags Ajay Naidu, Alex Borstein, Bad Santa, Bernie Mac, Billy Bob Thornton, Billy Gardell, Brett Kelly, Cloris Leachman, Ghost World, Glenn Ficarra, Harvey Weinstein, John Requa, John Ritter, Lauren Tom, Octavia Spencer, Terry Zwigoff, Tom McGowan, Tony Cox
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