Neon has been running an amazing award campaign for Parasite and this is the first time I went, "oh God, no." It also feels weird to see this news coming at the heels of Bong's Golden Globe acceptance speech for Best Foreign film, where he humorously ribbed at English-speaking movie-goers for their reluctance to see subtitled films.

And there is the Adam McKay of it all. Bong's films are deeply humanist. The first word that pops in my head when it comes to McKay is "glib." If I recall, Adam McKay was also involved in an attempt to do an American remake of Maren Ade's Toni Erdmann (a brilliant, weird, deeply moving 3-hour German comedy of discomfort about an estranged father-daughter relationship set against the backdrop of globalized corporate culture). It doesn't look like that film is happening, so here's hoping the same thing will happen to this misguided notion.

(UGH, go make your own freakin' films instead of trying to drag down my favourite movies, Adam McKay!)

1917 is spectacular. It's harrowing and starkly beautiful, an all-around immersive experience. Roger Deakins is gonna get that second Oscar, yo.

Lots of cameos by Who's Who in British acting cabal in this. My favourite was probably Andrew Scott, a.k.a. Hot Priest, who's in it for like 2 mins but makes an impression.

I've seen one of its leads, George Mackay, in several films now and have always been impressed by him -- he's very fine in Pride and Captain Fantastic in particular -- but he may finally break out big after this one. He's such a lovely subtle actor and this movie puts him through a wringer. What a punishing shoot this must have been.

1917 is spectacular.

The Math Greek and I saw this yesterday and I have to agree. I went for the Deakins (and, as always re the Oscars, I say, "Go Deakins, choose Deakins!") but was overall very impressed. Right now, it is near the bottom of my personal top ten, but I won't be upset with it getting nominated (or winning) for almost anything.

Being an activist makes entertainment look different. Didn't expect this one, though. [link]

here's a working link. [link]

Someone posted a comparison of the behind the scene vs actual footage of Big Run near the end of 1917, and I find myself watching it over and over. I think a big part of what makes it so compelling is the music. Thomas Newman's score is grand.

Right now, it is near the bottom of my personal top ten

I keep shuffling my fave-film of 2019 order but it's sitting at #8 right now.

I saw it yesterday, when I'd gone to the theater expecting to see Jumanji. That may have enhanced the impact as I was totally unprepared for it. Amazing movie.

Finally made it to Little Women. Boy, Saoirse Ronan. and Florence Pugh. Just...damn.

So weepy. I'd get a handle on it, and then someone would be like, remember our dead sister Beth? And I was off again.

2020 Oscar nominations: [link]

Honestly shocked that JLo isn't on the Best Supporting Actress list. Laura Dern is going to win it, but I thought JLo nom was a done deal.

Making a sadface that Greta Gerwig isn't in the Best Director shortlist, which is all men as usual. Would have liked to see her there in place of Todd Phillips.

The shut-out I'm most upset about is probably The Farewell. Nothing, no Awkwafina, no screenplay? Also annoyed that Lupita Nyong'o isn't in the Best Actress category for Us, especially in a year that isn't very competitive for actresses.

It's absolute rubbish that Ruth E. Carter was not nominated for her FLAMAZING costumes for Dolemite Is My Name.

Very pleased about many tech category noms for Parasite (Best Editing and Production design are well-deserved, and Best Screenplay nomination is MAJOR) in addition to Best Director and Film, although it would have been lovely to see acting noms.

I guess the Academy really liked Jojo Rabbit huh? Power of TIFF People's Choice Award winner, etc. Well, I liked it better than Joker, at least.

How the hell is Tom Hanks up as a Supporting Actor nom when he played Mr. Rogers in a movie ABOUT Mr. Rogers?