I know this is earlier than usual, but I'm assuming we will do the awards again this year. And it would be nice to give people more time to watch some of our favorites. It's usually too hard to cram them all into a short amount of time.

I hope people check out Past Lives. It came back a while back but it really packs a punch!

If you tell Showtime to put it up then I'll watch it.

All of my top five favs (Oppy, Spiderverse, Guardians, Wick, Swift) did very well at the box office this year so I assume most of you saw them. If there are any holdouts on Cocaine Bear, Dungeons and Dragons, Suzume, Air or Talk To Me ... Why? Just watch them already.


Also, I'll host again, but if Spidey, Jack Sparrow or even Dr. Lecter (whatever his secret identity is) want to take over again you are more than welcome.

A24 movies will be streaming exclusively on MAX.

Past Lives looks lovely but it didn't last long around here. I really wanted to see it but didn't have a chance. I'm a big fan of seeing movies in a theater whenever possible, so I'm going to wait for this one to come back during awards season. It will at least come back when theaters do their Best Picture showcases.

Isn't that starting with Priscella though? So Past Lives, Beau Is Afraid and Talk To Me should still be on showtime/paramount eventually I think.

I NEED TO WATCH IT ALREADY! in myself

I guess I'm not sure when they'll be on there. I was thinking all of the ones that are already out on physical disc would be on there at least. I couldn't really find any definite answers.

Well, I've only seen 22 films this year, which is shockingly low for me. The best of which is Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One. That's probably an obvious pick for many action film fans. Other than that the best ones I've seen are The Equalizer 3, Extraction 2, The Flash, Killers of the Flower Moon, Oppenheimer, Scream VI, and Sisu.

I still plan to see Napoleon, Godzilla Minus One, The Holdovers, Migration, Dream Scenario, The Killer, Thanksgiving, Reptile, and, yeah why-not ... Silent Night, but probably won't see them all.

FYC May December, easy way to add 3 acting noms to your list (especially Portman)

Godzilla Minus One for everything. I never thought Oppy would have any competition in Sound but glad to have been proven wrong.

After a third watch of both, I'm torn between Spiderverse and Oppy for BP. Just two incredible films.

Definitely hope more people check out The Holdovers. Surprised the hell out of me and deserves noms.

Look forward to the Holdovers though it may still be a good month or so before i see it. A great Alexander Payne film is usually something to cherish.

Peacock on 12.29 for The Holdovers

I mean The Boy and the Heron is the only good movie I saw this year, but I only saw two movies

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

THE STARLING GIRL




IN ALL CATEGORIES INCLUDING

BEST PICTURE
BEST DIRECTOR (Laurel Parmet)
BEST ACTRESS (Eliza Scanlen)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR (Lewis Pullman)
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
BEST EDITING
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
BEST ORIGINAL SONG (Ace Up My Sleeve - Lord Huron, Ben Schneider https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04zL4BYP8fo )
BEST ART DIRECTION
BREAKTHROUGH (Laurel Parmet - Writer/Director)





The Starling Girl will stay with you. You’ll want to talk about it and will frantically look for someone else who has seen it do to so.
- Rachel Leishman, The Mary Sue

Parmet’s strong script and surety behind the camera navigates the audience through this complicated story of religion and sexuality, patriarchy and power, brought to eerily accurate life by the ensemble of excellent actors.
- Katie Walsh, TheWrap

The language and strictures of their religious community are perfectly rendered by writer and director Laurel Parmet, who captures the complicated interplay of power and immaturity that can blossom in isolated communities.
- Alissa Wilkinson, Vox

The film is an impressively complicated and compassionate drama about shame and desire.
- Ross McIndoe, Slant Magazine

Eliza Scanlen is superb in a moving performance that lingers long after leaving the theater.
- Joe Friar, Fort Worth Report

This one feels like something of a find, and I hope a few people stumble into this movie and discover some of its latent powers.
- Steven Prokopy, Third Coast Review

The Starling Girl is a memorable coming-of-age story that artfully juxtaposes depictions of repression and rebellion without falling into the usual plot clichés. Eliza Scanlen gives a riveting performance as a 17-year-old experiencing self-discovery.
- Carla Hay, Culture Mix

You will be blown away by every scene with Scanlen, who shines throughout.
- Zofia Wijaszka, Pay or Wait

The Starling Girl is authentic and subtle; troubling and triumphant. It’s quietly one of the best films SXSW 2023 had to offer.
- Ed Travis, Cinapse


WHERE TO STREAM: Paramount+ and Showtime


The Starling Girl is a film that deserves more recognition. It left a lasting impact on me after watching it in a cinema last May. Eliza Scanlen's performance is exceptional. Her portrayal not only captivates the audience but also showcases her versatility as an actress. It was the first time she impressed me, and now I can confidently say that I am officially a fan. Lewis Pullman also delivers a standout performance alongside her. The combination of their acting skills, the sensitive storytelling by writer/director Laurel Parmet, and the beautiful cinematography make The Starling Girl a must-see film that should not be overlooked. I highly recommend seeking out this criminally under-seen gem. It's one of the year's finest.

I would have bought a physical copy of this the day it hit physical media if it had gotten a Blu-ray release. I refuse to buy a DVD. I won't be surprised if one day this is part of the Criterion Collection. I will buy it when the format is upgraded.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

SANCTUARY



FOR ALL ELIGIBLE CATEGORIES INCLUDING

BEST PICTURE
BEST ACTRESS (Margaret Qualley)
BEST ACTOR (Christopher Abbott)
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY



Qualley is intoxicating, delivering a masterclass performance. When she’s not dispensing piercing stares, the audience is left hanging on her every word. Abbott is proficient at reserved performances and he is terrific.
- Joe Friar, Fort Worth Report

The result is a film as cracklingly smart, as devilishly funny, and as alive as any you’re likely to see this year.
- Oscar Goff, Boston Hassle

At the center are two powerhouse performances from Christopher Abbott and Margaret Qualley who seem both keen and eager to stimulate thoughtful interpretations from their reading of the script and the subtext hidden beneath the surface.
- Nate Adams, The Only Critic

The final result from Sanctuary is two of the best acting performances of 2023, with a narrative that will spark great conversation, in a sharp portrayal of the many pleasures– or pains–that can happen in a person’s world.
- Leo Brady, AMovieGuy.com

Margaret Qualley and Christopher Abbott never lose our attention as the duo are acting their hearts out in Sanctuary.
- Danielle Solzman, Solzy at the Movies

Bold, provocative, intermittently shocking entertainment. Margaret Qualley is a dynamo.
- Mike McGranaghan, Aisle Seat

Super sexy & psychotic manipulative mind games with a terrific script, score & camerawork make this tight single location thriller a captivating blast. Qualley is so convincingly phenomenal that she had me simultaneously terrified and equally turned on.
- Aaron White, Feelin' Film Podcast

Qualley’s dominance in 'Sanctuary' is not limited to her character's profession; it's in every scene she graces, every line she delivers, every look she gives.
- Matt Oakes, Silver Screen Riot

Rich with dominating performances by Christopher Abbott and Margaret Qualley, the film examines power within gender, class, humanity, and relationship dynamics in a delicious fashion. It's a one-night stand all cinephiles should desire.
- David Gonzalez, The Cinematic Reel

WHERE TO STREAM: HULU

Feb 2 for Past Lives on Paramount.

I'll put up the thread sometime this week. Wanted to see Poor Things before starting my ballot and I like to fill out my own ballot first to prevent any temptation of using inside info ... Though I still do wonder if I should have given Everything Everywhere the win last year cause I totally could have.

If you haven't seen these films, see them this weekend before it’s too late:

Dream Scenario - great quirky performances especially from Nic Cage. Could even be considered in horror ir comedy. See it on Prime or Apple.

Air - surprisingly good. Damon at his best. See it on Prime.

Past Lives - great fir so many categories including Picture, Director, Actress, Screenplay, Cinematography, Foreign and Breakout

Other notables:

The Holdovers - comedy, drama, direction, all three main actors

Scream 6 best horror

Surprise damn good mainstream film : Gran Turismo

I'm seeing Past Lives and Maestro in a theater tonight. I'm making my nominations, but I'm going to wait and see if I'll want to add anything from these two movies before sending them in.

Yes, the more you can see the better.

Will be interested on your take on both.

Here are some random FYC's that I have been reminded of when making my ballot.

BEST PICTURE

Talk To Me

BEST DIRECTOR

Michael & Daniel Philippou, Talk To Me

BEST ACTOR

Ben Aldridge, Knock at the Cabin

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Dominic Sessa, The Holdovers

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Adele Exarchopoulos, Passages
Anne Hathaway, Eileen

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

Knock at the Cabin
Eileen

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

When Evil Lurks
Good Boy
Joyland
Two Tickets to Greece
Origin of Evil
Dancing Queen

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Carmen

BEST EDITING

Talk To Me

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

Talk To Me
Bottoms

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

Stardust, The Cary Brothers (A Good Person)

I didn't realize this was made specifically for the movie when I created my earlier FYC for the film.

BEST MAKEUP

Evil Dead Rise
Sisu
Eileen

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Dark Harvest
Gran Turismo

BEST ART DIRECTION

Dark Harvest
Carmen

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

Eileen

BREAKTHROUGH OF THE YEAR

Dominic Sessa, The Holdovers
Sophie Wilde, Talk To Me
Michael & Daniel Philippou, Talk To Me
Andrew Barth Feldman, No Hard Feelings

BEST SOUND

Talk To Me
Sisu

SCARIEST HORROR FILM

Talk To Me
When Evil Lurks
Cobweb
Birth/Rebirth

BEST USE OF A NON-ORIGINAL SONG

The Power of Love, Frankie Goes To Hollywood (All of Us Strangers)
Murder On The Dancefloor, Sophie Ellis-Bextor (Saltburn)
Death of a Party, Blur (All of Us Strangers)
Time To Pretend, MGMT (Saltburn)
Maneater, Daryl Hall & John Oates (No Hard Feelings)