Cinema and Popcorn

MATERIALISTS It's not what it was marketed: Materialists sure have some funny moments, but it's a poignant meditation about how transactional dating someone has become. Yes, it has some laughs and it's core is truly romantic, but Celine Song's latest is a study about modern-day relationships, expectations and love vs functionality. The first act shows promise, the second act is a step down, but the third one is exquisite as it exposes some topics with honesty and sentimental value. Dakota Johnson proves she's a true leading lady as she commands the screen with her very singular charm, while Chris Evans gets (finally) an opportunity to shine with a beautiful monologue. Not everything worked, but I felt truly connected. It's a movie I am sure will age beautifully in my mind. Beautiful cinematography (Shabier Kirchner sure is a promising name). Another big win for Song with a totally different film from Past Lives. Rating: 8,5/10 BRIDGET JONES: MAD ABOUT THE BOY It...

ALL WE IMAGINE AS LIGHT An extremely sensitive look at the lives of two different women living in Mumbai in a changing society: the daring spirit of Anu faces the challenges of a world made of rules that supress women, while Prabha tries to free herself from the social chains she grew up with. It's beautiful and Payal Kapadia makes exquisite visual choices that somehow remind me what I felt when I first watched The Virgin Suicides . It's a tale of womanhood carried by Kani Kusruti and Divya Prabha's powerful internal performances and it's also a tremendous directing debut! Movies like this one are very rare and I had the sense I saw something truly special. A contemplative cinematic beauty and a look at a changing world. Nothing much to add: subtle, sensitive and visually beautiful.  RATING: 9,5/10 NOSFERATU A riveting gothic tale of obsession and greed, Eggers delivers another cinematic epic film! Anchored by a magnetic (and raw) performance from Lily-Rose Depp - simpl...

In a year where I feel there's no clear frontrunner and that every frontrunner feels like a fragile one, it seems the Best Picture winner will be a "vanilla win". Everything seems to point (unclearly) to Anora 's win at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood (a Palme d'Or plus a strong combo of PGA/DGA/WGA wins suggest it is the strongest contender of the bunch), which is threatened by Conclave 's late ascension with the BAFTA win for Best Film and the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture.  Interesting fact is how Best International Film will play since the "Karla Gate" (the Karla Sofia Gáscon 's revealed past tweets with controversial views on sensitive subjects) hurt Emilia Pérez 's Oscar chances. Will it win Best International Film? Will it prevent Zoe Saldaña from winning Best Supporting Actress despite her clean sweep of precursors? Or will it generate an anti-cancellation movement and generate a...

The Academy Awards nominations were announced January 22, 2025 - with some films to stand-out in terms of number of nominations! Emilia Pérez is the most nominated film (13 nods), followed by The Brutalist and Wicked (10 nominations each). Some unexpected snubs include Denis Villeneuve ( Dune: Part II ) and Edward Berger ( Conclave ) for Best Director, Marianne Jean-Baptiste ( Hard Truths ) in Best Actress, Clarence Maclin ( Sing Sing ) in Best Supporting Actor or Challengers in Best Original Score, but there are some pleasant surprises like I'm Still Here ( Ainda Estou Aqui ) in Best Picture and A Complete Unknown in Best Director (James Mangold). Here's the full list: BEST PICTURE “Anora” “The Brutalist” “A Complete Unknown” “Conclave” “Dune: Part Two” “Emilia Pérez” “I’m Still Here” “Nickel Boys” “The Substance” “Wicked” BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist” Timothée Chalamet, “A Complete Unknown” Colman Domingo, “Sing Sing” Ralph Fiennes, “Conclave”...