banner image by DJ TAJ
Good evening everyone and welcome to the show.
In past years we here at DFO have had extensive coverage (and amazing original artwork) of Oscar Season provided by our very own Make It Snow. This year due to several commitments he was unable to provide coverage.
We will attempt to fill the void.
My bonafides?
I’ve seen all 9 films that are nominated for best picture this year and most of the acting performances as well.
I’ll cover the major categories and give my opinion on who should win.
First of all welcome and feel free to give your opinions on the movies as well as any damn thing else you feel like talking about down in the comment section.
The Oscars are legacy viewing for me. My Mom was a big movie fan and she in turn passed that trait along to me. I’ve actually watched every Oscar presentation since 1971 (French Connection won) but I have never done the whole Oscar party thing. Unless an Oscar party means drinking a ton of booze while watching the show.
Along with the Superb Owl, the Oscars are one of only 2 things I watch as they air, meaning I don’t DVR them so I can fast forward through the idiot fucking commercials like I do for everything else.
I’ve saved so many brain cells this way.
This also means I can join in the live blog thing with all y’all in the comments.
Fuck it lets do this thing.
First award is for…
Best Picture of the Year:
The nominees are:
“1917”
“Ford v Ferrari”
“The Irishman”
“Jojo Rabbit”
“Joker”
“Little Women”
“Marriage Story”
“Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood”
“Parasite”
A quick thought on each is in order.
1917 was goddamn amazing to watch for its technical expertise. Many of you know by now that the concept is the film was done as one long take. Basically an uninterrupted continuous shot. You can see where the edits are if you’re looking for that type of thing but holy shit it had some incredible “oners” throughout. The films’ use of light and shadow is fucking incredible and the score keeps the tension rolling throughout the entire film. This one is the favorite to win and if we’re going on technical wizardry and a good clean story, it will win. The reason it may not win is it’s a very simplistic plot. “Deliver this very quickly or a lot of people will die” is the whole plot. The acting is as good as it needs to be but nothing really to sing the praises of. If you’re going to see this film, see it on the biggest screen possible. This has a legitimate shot to win a bunch of hardware tonight.
Ford v Ferrari is just a damn good movie. The racing scenes are top notch, the interaction with the actors keeps it lively. Feel free to see this on the big screen as well and you will come out of the theater saying “That was a damn good movie.” It’s not going to win.
The Irishman is currently streaming on Netflix and watching it at home is the way to go. This one felt like Scorsese just wanted to “get the band back together one more time, man.” It’s a totally fine film but holy shit is it ever long. Three and a half hours or so. I had to break it up into 2 viewings. Boy can you ever tell this is a Scorsese movie. It takes about 30 seconds after the film starts to recognize that. Good story about Jimmy Hoffa and the guy who MAY have been responsible for his disappearance. Got a little Good Fellas, a little Mean Streets. Not his best film. The de-aging process was a mixed bag in that it DID eliminate the wrinkles on the actors but they still tottered like the old-ass men that they are. Since Marty already got the equivalent of a lifetime achievement award when he won for The Departed, Hollywood will feel he’s already got his. Not gonna win.
Jojo Rabbit is pretty goddamn divisive and for good reason. Not just anybody can pull of a goofball comedy about a boy in the Hitler Youth who has Hitler as his imaginary friend. I watched the first half hour just scratching my head like, “What exactly are you doing here people?” Then it found it’s pace and holy shit did I end up loving the fuck out of this movie. So much fucking heart and just an incredible finish. Not for everybody for sure. This film has a punchers chance of winning but it will probably alienate a few too many old school Hollywood voters to do so.
Joker is not gonna make it folks. While I also was seriously impacted by this movie, it is not the type of film that will win for Best Picture. This will get its accolades when Joaquin Phoenix wins for Best Actor which is a veritable goddamn lock. Loved the anarchy in this movie but the violence and the fact that it’s a comic book movie will keep it from winning.
Little Women: exactly the same as every other time it was made. Great performances, beautiful film but how many fucking times do we need a remake of this film? Ain’t winning.
Marriage Story: also available on Netflix. That’s the best way to see it. You know what this movie is? Kramer vs Kramer. Almost to a goddamn “T.” Hell, the son is the same age. Scarlett Johanssen is fantastic though. Decent watch if nothing is on. No sir. Not winning tonight.
Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood: Completely entertaining movie. I’ve seen it twice already. Great scenes, terrific acting, surprisingly upbeat considering the fringe subject matter. I’ve got a funny feeling that this one may just win. Remember what I said up there about Scorsese and his lifetime achievement award? Same concept here. This is NOT Tarrentino’s best film but it’s his most Oscar voter friendly film. My upset pick to win.
Parasite: Best film of the year of the nominated films. Completely unique, captivating, heart felt. A true insight into the class struggles inside Korea. Surprisingly upbeat then incredibly dark. Excellent film. I’m going to hedge my bets and say if this does not win for Best Foreign Language film? It wins it all. It’s going to win for Best Foreign Language Film.
Best actual film of the year?
The Lighthouse.
Fuck me was this movie awesome. Seriously in the running for one of my favorite movies of all time. Love this damn thing.
Lightning round!
Best Director:
nominees:
Bong Joon Ho, “Parasite”
Sam Mendes, “1917”
Todd Phillips, “Joker”
Martin Scorsese, “The Irishman”
Quentin Tarantino, “Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood”
Will win: Sam Mendes. Deserves to win? Mendes. This is going to happen.
Best Actor:
Joaquin Phoenix, “Joker”
Leonardo DiCaprio, “Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood”
Antonio Banderas, “Pain and Glory” *
Adam Driver, “Marriage Story”
Jonathan Pryce, “The Two Popes”
* Did not see this film
Will win? Joaquin Phoniex. Period. Lock it in. Quick aside; does anyone else feel that Adam Driver’s acting is a little wooden? Just me? Fair enough.
Best Actress:
Cynthia Erivo, “Harriet”
Scarlett Johansson, “Marriage Story”
Saoirse Ronan, “Little Women”
Charlize Theron, “Bombshell”*
Renee Zellweger, “Judy”
*missed this film too
According to every prognosticator and recent awards show, this is going to be a lock for Renee Zelwegger. Cynthia Erivo was excellent in Harriet (as she is currently on “The Outsider” on HBO) and Saoirse Ronan was her usual solid self in Little Women. Scarlett gets to hit the full range of emotions in Marriage Story.
Renee Zelwegger was incredible in “Judy”. Stunning. Give her my money! And a sandwich!
Best Supporting Actor:
Tom Hanks, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”
Anthony Hopkins, “The Two Popes”
Al Pacino, “The Irishman”
Joe Pesci, “The Irishman”
Brad Pitt, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”
I’ve seen every one of these films so I feel a little more confidant here. For some reason EVERYBODY and their deranged aunt is predicting Brad Pitt to win this baby. I thought he was great in his role and played it with a great deal of confidence and swagger but wasn’t he, you know, playing Brad Pitt? Hopkins was fantastic in The Two Popes but he’s already been fully decorated by the Academy. Personally I would choose Tom Hanks because he was fucking incredible as Mister Rogers. Loved that movie. I guess Brad Pitt wins though. Good for him.
Best Supporting Actress:
Kathy Bates, “Richard Jewell”
Laura Dern, “Marriage Story”
Scarlett Johansson, “Jojo Rabbit”
Florence Pugh, “Little Women”
Margot Robbie, “Bombshell”*
*missed this one too. A little too Fox Newsy for me
As with Brad Pitt, every damn body is gift wrapping this for Laura Dern for Marriage Story. She was solid in it, but it’s hard to feel sympathy for somebody playing an attorney who acts like a shithead. Loved Scarlett in Jojo Rabbit – a LOT – but Kathy Bates had a fantastic role in Richard Jewell. Honestly thought that movie would get more nominations but if the controversy about the film is true, that’s just too goddamn sleazy to get behind. My upset pick is Kathy Bates for Richard Jewell
Adapted Screenplay:
“The Irishman,” Steven Zaillian
“Jojo Rabbit,” Taika Waititi
“Joker,” Todd Phillips, Scott Silver
“Little Women,” Greta Gerwig
“The Two Popes,” Anthony McCarten
Best guess is Jojo Rabbit.
Original Screenplay:
“Knives Out,” Rian Johnson
“Marriage Story,” Noah Baumbach
“1917,” Sam Mendes and Krysty Wilson-Cairns
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” Quentin Tarantino
“Parasite,” Bong Joon-ho, Jin Won Han
This really feels like a win for Parasite.
Cinematography:
“Joker,” Lawrence Sher
“The Lighthouse,” Jarin Blaschke
“1917,” Roger Deakins
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” Robert Richardson
Best Documentary Feature:
“American Factory,” Julia Rieichert, Steven Bognar
“The Cave,” Feras Fayyad
“The Edge of Democracy,” Petra Costa
“For Sama,” Waad Al-Kateab, Edward Watts
“Honeyland,” Tamara Kotevska, Ljubo Stefanov
Uhhh, I saw American Factory and was officially “whelmed” by it? Heard good things about Honeyland so let’s give it them. Yeah.
Best International Feature Film:
“Corpus Christi,” Jan Komasa
“Honeyland,” Tamara Kotevska, Ljubo Stefanov
“Les Miserables,” Ladj Ly
“Pain and Glory,” Pedro Almodovar
“Parasite,” Bong Joon Ho
Bet the farm on Parasite here, unless – see above in Best Picture section. Parasite is the only one of these I watched.
Film Editing:
“Ford v Ferrari,” Michael McCusker, Andrew Buckland
“The Irishman,” Thelma Schoonmaker
“Jojo Rabbit,” Tom Eagles
“Joker,” Jeff Groth
“Parasite,” Jinmo Yang
Thelma Schoonmaker has been Scorsese’s long term editor and there’s always a possibility for her to win again. I’ll go with Ford V Ferrari though, the racing action was exceptional.
Sound Editing:
“Ford v Ferrari,” Don Sylvester
“Joker,” Alan Robert Murray
“1917,” Oliver Tarney, Rachel Tate
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” Wylie Stateman
“Star Wars: The Rise of SkyWalker,” Matthew Wood, David Acord
I think 1917 is going to win all the technical shit since it missed out on the big bastard. 1917 wins.
Sound Mixing:
“Ad Astra”
“Ford v Ferrari”
“Joker”
“1917”
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”
1917 again – see above.
Production Design:
“The Irishman,” Bob Shaw and Regina Graves
“Jojo Rabbit,” Ra Vincent and Nora Sopkova
“1917,” Dennis Gassner and Lee Sandales
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” Barbara Ling and Nancy Haigh
“Parasite,” Lee Ha-Jun and Cho Won Woo, Han Ga Ram, and Cho Hee
ditto 1917.
Original Score:
“Joker,” Hildur Guðnadóttir
“Little Women,” Alexandre Desplat
“Marriage Story,” Randy Newman
“1917,” Thomas Newman
“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” John Williams
Makeup and Hair:
“Bombshell”
“Joker”
“Judy”
“Maleficent: Mistress of Evil”
“1917”
This has to be Judy doesn’t it? Anytime there’s a transformation involved it usually gets recognized.
Costume Design:
”The Irishman,” Sandy Powell, Christopher Peterson
“Jojo Rabbit,” Mayes C. Rubeo
“Joker,” Mark Bridges
“Little Women,” Jacqueline Durran
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” Arianne Phillips
Toss up here between Once Upon a Time… and Little Women. Let’s give this one to Little Women to avoid the shutout.
Visual Effects:
“Avengers Endgame”
“The Irishman”
“1917”
“The Lion King”
“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”
Feels like 1917 again since the movie WAS basically a visual effect. Slight chance for Star Wars here if this really is their last film. Sure.
Didn’t see any of the animated films and only heard a couple of the nominated songs so I’m not even going to venture a guess or waste your damn time on those categories.
So what do you think?
Who gives a shit and let’s just drink?
That works for me too.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOo
…..oooooo
Salma pronounced the famous racetrack as “LaMance” but I forgive hers.
Hey Al Pacino is the midget, not DeNiro.
Florence Pugh should have been best supporting actress and she should at least have been nominated for best actress for Midsommar.
uh what year is this
This song is better than any of this year’s nominees, so why not?
Em looks like he’s halfway through his transformation from Slim Shady to Billy Ray Cyrus
Yeah, now he’s just Shady.
Turns out The Tudors is playing fast and loose with historical facts!
Yeah, that’s why I like Fourdoors better.
It was the hair.
Fresh milk!
Victory!
Good for the Coneheads!
Fretless bass.
Glad Tarantino combed his hair. He’d hate for people to think he’s slovenly in other areas of life as well.
Well, dirty feet and all.
Meanwhile, in Vegas…
avn.com/awards/winners
I certainly hope you are doing a write-up.
I’ll see if I can whip something up…
I’m sure it will be a cream pie of a post.
Is a post coming? Once you finish?
Coming you say?
Finishing is simultaneous. He does have time for the afterglow.
John Ass-ton
Much like making the wrong joke to your girlfriend; it’s hard to judge how close is too close to set it off.
Are any of these movies as blatantly enjoyable as Ballad of Buster Scruggs was last year?
Autoerotic asph………
Just how does that feel, anyway?
[‘glurp’ sounds in the background]
Great if you don’t do it INXS.
Dave?
KNIVES OUT
A very pleasant movie, but Oscar worthy?
Hey it’s a retarded guy and a shorter guy.
“The Neighbor’s Widow” nice job LePoof
Odd that Chris Miller showed up.
YES
Award for lighthearted Hitler movie!
BONG HiTS 4 JOON-HO
A formal tracksuit.
Sheeeeit, left my cam on again.
I don’t know who that is, but I hate his face
Parasite’s getting a Bongload of awards.
Oh hey. It’s the shitty white people marriage meme.
I’m currently in the middle of a Star Trek: Deep Space Nine binge, and I’m at the episode where O’Brien was forced to live 20 years of memories of being a prisoner in a matter of hours. This is the Season 4 entry in the “O’Brien Must Suffer” series of episodes where this time he must deal with the trauma of 20 years of incarceration while returning to his life when no time was passed.
They rightfully focus on O’Brien returning a broken man nearly being driven to suicide, but they missed the potential of implanting years worth of memories into people. Suddenly 12 years of education and 4 years of training at Starfleet Academy can be knocked off in an afternoon. Hell, you can spend a week under and learn every known fact that has been discovered up to that point.
Sadly, this is forget about, much like Voyager disregarding a potential way home or unlimited supply runs because everyone equates Warp 10 with Evolved Human Lizard Sex and Kirk’s crew fighting the FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH but deciding to let it go because people got too stoned to care about things until they felt sad or angry enough to smack their caption around and Picard’s crew find ANOTHER FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH in their third movie and everyone not realizing it because Picard wanted to bang a native chick of something, I don’t know, I got bored watching it.
Makes sense, I got bored reading it.
Oh come on. If I wanted to hear a shitty song in a foreign language, I’d be getting another handy behind that Slovenian karaoke bar.
Mild surprise at Klaus not winning, it got a haul at the Annies.
Josh Gad is more unfunny than Brad Pitt somehow.
I’m in a pretty awesome Montreal saloon, drinking Labbatt 50 and watching the XFL and hearing some pretty funny stories.
It’s called VERRÉS STÉRILISÉS which translates as CLEAN GLASSES.
Notebook contents, page 1:
“THIS PLASE BEER AND COLD HEE HEE REMINDUR: DRAW PENUS ON BAR”
Four or five pickup lines later, Brick realizes it actually translates to “Clean Asses.”
I just found out it actually means “glory hole.”
I’m not complaining, though.
Surprise Quebecois coq is the best kind of coq.
Cool…Idina Menzel is up next.
Wait, how is Mr. Rogers not the lead role in the Mr. Rogers movie?
Good for Brad Pitt – bout time that guy caught a break in life.
OOH TELL MORE REALLY HORRIBLE POLITICAL JOKES BRAD KEEP DOING THAT YOU RETARDED KEN DOLL.
It’s gonna be a long night of ham fisted jokes from people whose personal politics are within a few degrees of the people they’re making fun of
“Klaus” should win Best Animated Feature because he’s funny on American Dad.
Best Animated Short is the filtered version of the Favre text.
Stupid Hollywood, ruining my dreams.
Chris Rock really phoning in the back half of his career
lol they’re doing a fucking Midsommar flower dress opening. Midsommar, by the way, fucking sucked, I’m sorry.
An overly long arthouse-remake of The Wicker Man. And the Cage version to boot! There was even a fucking bear-suit!
Got my hopes up with that insane opening with the psycho sister opening, and then boooooooooooored, fucked up thing happens, booooooooored, fucked up thing happens, booooooooooooored, couple fucked up things happen while I’m bored
Legit forgot there was an Elton John movie
That was a cute opening, especially when Janelle Monae couldn’t get the cardigan buttoned over her boobs.
Oh my, did they actually make a modern court room show where the prosecutors aren’t the heroes?
Ice Giants up on Fuck The Kings after 2. I approve.
Also, I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole of looking at apartments in Manhattan. This is dangerous.
What are they now, like $500 a month? $450?
Only if you want to live alone. With roomates 1000 sq foot is about $250.00
Yeesh, what a ripoff.
What’s important here is Dallas still sucks
Even your shitty Non-union Mexican Equivalent is bad
So was “The Irishman” actually any good? The only thing I’ve seen of it was a hilariously bad CG’d Young DeNiro doing “trying to not break my hip” stomps outside a store
Mrs Cola and I have a week off coming up and plan to watch it in one sitting while Decilitre is at daycare. I have heard many mixed reviews.
It’s alright. Scorsese so you know what you’re in store for. It’s fine. Just allocate a day good it.
This motherfucker just called a 15-9 game a barn burner on national TV
To be fair that’s a pretty high scoring hockey game.
Did I fall asleep? Is it Spring Training already?!
I suggested to the XFL fantasy fellas that if Alonzo Russell is available you should snap him up. Guess who just scored a TD for the Battlehawks?
And btw, I’m totally not a needy person that needs to be validated by strangers that are thousands of miles away from me and who I’ll never meet. That notion is ridiculous!
Heh, good job everybody, continue not replying.
To what? I just see two blank rectangles above your post.
Crap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zz_-YHj4Fw
Gentlemen!
Great summary, definitely agree with most of YR’s picks. I’ll throw in mine for the narrative short films real quick since I did manage to watch all of those.
Live Action Short
Will Win/Should Win: Nefta Football Club. I don’t want to spoil anything because, unlike the other nominees, which all commit to a single (always dark) tone, this one will make you laugh and keep you guessing.
Animated Short
Will Win: Hair Love. Lively, sweet, socially conscious.
Should Win: Kitbull. Beautiful, emotionally evocative art style and absolutely perfect pacing. A heartwarming story about adorable animals in the tradition of Piper and Feast.
Bonus pick: Learning to Skateboard in a War Zone (If You’re a Girl) for Documentary Short, on the strength of the title alone.
Sorry, there’s no art.
Sorry, count me out of the Oscars. If I wanted to sit down and be lectured to by some fake, empty, holier-than-thou assholes about how my values and the things I believe in are wrong and how people like me are single-handedly destroying the world, I’d visit my parents.
Don’t forget “commie” !
You’re right! We’ve come full circle: Hollywood is calling the Government a bunch of communists!
If I ran the XFL, injured players would be placed inside a simple wooden coffin and then driven off the field in a ‘59 Cadillac hearse.
Another possibility:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhSh35ryueA
Surprisingly not even in the top 3 disgraceful things done during a funeral or the recently deceased in WWF/WWE storylines (if you include real life, it gets bumped down a few spots, too).
I mean, there’s only ever going to be one Katie Vick segment. The unique combination of kayfabe (Hunter in a Kane mask pretending to fuck Kane’s dead girlfriend) and shoot shittiness (filming it next to an actual wake, crew members quitting after shooting it, etc.) will be hard to top.
…my God. I didn’t even know the other stuff.
My first poutine:
“La Classique” at Resto La Banquise
Poutine and pancakes are exactly the same in that the first few bites are amazing and then after that it sits in your belly like a lead weight because there is no balance of flavours in the respective carbtastic dishes.
I could only eat half of it, and that was mostly to be polite.
Then I ordered a hot dog on a toasted bun and it was perfect.
Banquise is the fucking best in Montreal. The best Jerry, THE BEST!
For Hippo: I bought the latest Alan Furst, Under Occupation, when it came out in November, but for some reason have procrastinated in beginning it until now (unusual, I generally plow through the entire book the night I receive it—maybe I’m just cockteasing myself). It’s definitely worthwhile, so don’t hesitate to purchase when you are done with the rest. In the last thirty years, the dude just hasn’t fucking lost it in any way whatsoever.
Based on a single half, the XFL fucking suuuuuuuuuuuuuucks
I enjoyed yesterday. Today not so much