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By Sean Boelman and the disappointment media Staff
Last Updated: 2/25/2021
Note: Commentary does not include films not yet screened. 
One of the safest bets right now seems to be Chloe Zhao’s road movie Nomadland (Searchlight). Gaining support in the directing, screenplay, and Best Actress categories, in addition to a slew of below-the-line plays, the film seems likely to pick up a lot of nominations, and likely even win a few trophies. However, it is possible that the Academy may go for something a little less subtle for its highest honor. Additionally, the push to Hulu means that it lost its position as one of the few major studio releases in contention.
Also a major player is Regina King’s feature directorial debut One Night in Miami (Amazon). The film picked up a lot of initial steam in the acting categories after its festival debut but seems to have lost most of it since, apart from supporting actor Leslie Odom Jr. and a long-shot nomination for Kingsley Ben-Adir. However, we can expect this to easily lock in a Best Picture nomination, in addition to directing and screenwriting nods (and possibly wins). Netflix has a sure-fire nominee in David Fincher’s Mank, if only from goodwill for the director and the industry-centric nature of the film. That said, this seems like the type of film that will rack up a bunch of nominations but strike out with the exception of one or two minor wins. And since Netflix has such a robust awards slate this year, this is one of the tougher sells for the big win. Other Netflix titles that seem pretty likely to get a nomination are The Trial of the Chicago 7 and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Aaron Sorkin still has plenty enough goodwill for his newest film to get a nod, even if there are also other films about civil rights in play this year. As for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, love for the work of playwright August Wilson in addition to support for the late Chadwick Boseman’s performance make it a likely contender. Perhaps the most unlikely frontrunner is Emerald Fennell’s darkly comedic thriller Promising Young Woman (Focus). At first glance, one wouldn’t expect this to make that much of a splash, but it is gaining a lot of support from the screenwriting and acting branches. It may not have enough buzz to win, but with the preferential ballot system, it should get the required mentions to get a nomination. Those six films seem like the most likely to be in play for the big honor. However, with the way the category is set up, there could be anywhere from five to ten nominees. In this unorthodox year, it’s possible that there is a diverse enough crop of films to get a full slate, but it seems more likely that there will only be eight or nine players. But what will get those last few spots? There seems to be a lot of support for Spike Lee’s latest, Da 5 Bloods. Delroy Lindo is becoming quite the underdog in the Actor race. Yet with an early summer release date, and the fact that Netflix has a bunch of other releases that they seem to be pushing harder, it’s entirely possible that this one gets lost in the shuffle. Warner Bros. has their strongest contender in Shaka King's Judas and the Black Messiah. Although the Academy is likely to go for one of the more palatable films about the Civil Rights to come out this year, this extremely unorthodox biopic is more than good enough to pick up a nomination. However, with the decision widely-maligned by the industry to release their films on HBO Max at the same time as theaters, it's not quite the lock that it should be. The sole contender from Sony Pictures Classics, who has been one of the few studios supporting theaters during the pandemic, is Florian Zeller’s The Father. It’s all but guaranteed to get a nomination in Actor, Supporting Actress, and Adapted Screenplay, but will that be enough to push it towards the top of the pack? Another studio with only one player is STX. Unfortunately for the political thriller The Mauritanian, though, STX is pretty new to the awards game. Last year, there seemed to be a campaign for Jennifer Lopez ramping up for Hustlers, but it lost steam at the last minute. The Mauritanian is good, maybe enough so to get that ninth or tenth spot, but that inexperience could let the film down. Indie studio A24 has two contenders after sitting out most of the year, but both seem to be fighting for a tenth spot that probably won’t exist. Lee Isaac Chung’s Minari and Kelly Reichardt’s First Cow are both very good films that have gotten a lot of critical praise, but they seem to be too low-key to really connect with voters, especially when another quiet film (Nomadland) is getting more buzz. Other possible contenders include Amazon’s Sound of Metal, which will pick up some technical and acting nods but doesn’t have the widespread support to get a spot, Universal’s News of the World, which is one of the few contenders from a major studio but is utterly forgettable, and Disney’s Soul, which has a lot of support but isn’t likely to get much attention outside of the Animated and Score categories. Netflix also has two long shot contenders that could be in the running, but have a better chance in other categories. Sam Levinson's Malcolm & Marie seems like a contender in the acting categories and possibly Original Screenplay, but may not be able to squeeze in to the main race. Ramin Bahrani’s The White Tiger is pretty excellent and has a small chance of making it in should the right people connect with it. Its best shot is likely in Adapted Screenplay. As for non-starters, Netflix has quite a few. Ron Howard’s Hillbilly Elegy is not a very good film and will be fighting for a sole Best Supporting Actress nod for Glenn Close. The Dig is surprisingly good, but too slight to make much of a splash above-the-line. Pieces of a Woman may pick up nominations for Vanessa Kirby and Ellen Burstyn, but had its overall hopes quashed by controversy. And The Midnight Sky and The Prom are both entertaining, but don’t seem to have the praise that they’d need to make a showing. Apple TV+ has three films that feel like awards bait, but will likely be ignored in this socially-conscious year. The best chance for Sofia Coppola’s On the Rocks is a Supporting Actor nod for Bill Murray, but even that seems unlikely as it is her worst film in years. The Justin Timberlake-starring Palmer is good, but little more than a sentimental crowd-pleaser. Still, it deserves to be in the conversation more than Hillbilly Elegy. The Russo Brothers' Cherry wants to be great, but it's ultimately very mediocre. Hulu hoped to get their foot in the race when they picked up The United States vs. Billie Holiday from Paramount, but Lee Daniels's newest film (his first in eight years) is pretty messy. There's still a chance for the film to pick up a Best Acting and/or a Best Original Song nomination, but it's dead-on-arrival in the main competition. NEON will almost certainly be completely absent from the Best Picture race this year after bringing Parasite to a win. Their only legitimate contender is Ammonite, a pretty but otherwise mediocre period piece that is unlikely to turn any heads. Palm Springs (co-distributed with Hulu) is fun, and might be a long-shot for Original Screenplay, but doesn’t seem like a serious player. Of course, there are also films submitted for consideration that everyone knows won’t have a shot. Warner Bros. is mounting campaigns for Tenet and Wonder Woman 1984, but their chances are virtually nonexistent outside of some spare below-the-line nods. The Little Things (also WB) will be a dud above-the-line, but Thomas Newman's excellent score could make it in. Other films, like Lionsgate’s Antebellum and Fatale seem to be getting FYC campaigns out of contractual obligation. Yes, it is shaping up to be one of the more predictable Best Picture races in recent memory. At this point, it’s starting to become relatively clear what will and won’t be in contention after all is said and done. After those last few wild cards end up screening, it should be easy to call where everything is going to land. Sean Boelman's Picks
Locks:
1. One Night in Miami 2. Nomandland 3. The Trial of the Chicago 7 Likely: 4. Mank 5. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom 6. Promising Young Woman Possible: 7. Judas and the Black Messiah 8. Da 5 Bloods 9. The Father 10. The Mauritanian 11. Minari 12. Sound of Metal 13. Malcolm & Marie 14. News of the World 15. First Cow Camden Ferrell's Picks
Locks:
1. Nomadland 2. Mank 3. The Trial of the Chicago 7 Likely: 4. One Night in Miami 5. Minari 6. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Possible: 7. Promising Young Woman 8. Da 5 Bloods 9. Soul 10. First Cow 11. Sound of Metal Dan Skip Allen's Picks
Locks:
1. Nomadland 2. One Night in Miami 3. The Trial of the Chicago 7 4. Promising Young Woman Likely: 5. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom 6. Minari 7. The Father Possible: 8. Soul 9. Pieces of a Woman 10. News of the World 11. Sound of Metal 12. First Cow 13. Mank
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By disappointment media Staff
Note: Due to repeated infractions against disappointment media's strict anti-gatekeeping policy, all Netflix titles have been blacklisted from coverage on the site for a period of 30 days. This includes mentions in this article.
Sean Boelman's Pick: Mercedes Hernandez, Identifying Features
A scene from Identifying Features, courtesy Kino Lorber.
Oftentimes, the performances that get the most attention on end-of-year lists like these are those which are big, flashy, and command the screen. However, it is just as important to recognize those turns which have a quiet power to them, and that is exactly what Mercedes Hernández brings to her role in Identifying Features. As a mother looking for her lost son who went missing while emigrating to the United States, Hernández doesn’t have a ton of dialogue, but when she does, she delivers it in a way that is entirely subtle. Instead, it is the emotion of her performance that she is able to convey through her smaller mannerisms and movements that is more impressive. In a year full of great performances from seasoned veterans and newcomers alike, Hernández’s is one that could be overlooked, but certainly deserves the attention.
Camden Ferrell's Pick: Sidney Flanagan, Never Rarely Sometimes Always
Sidney Flanigan stars as Autumn in NEVER RARELY SOMETIMES ALWAYS, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features.
Sidney Flanigan's lead performance in Never Rarely Sometimes Always is one of the most profound and moving experiences of the year. Playing Autumn, a teenage girl traveling to New York after an unintended pregnancy, Flanigan is able to speak volumes without much dialogue. Every pause, breath, and action she performs is meaningful, and she does it with such grace and ease. Her role is more subdued than her peers this year, but it is one of the most brilliant performances you may ever see. She plays the role so convincingly that it will simply tear you apart into pieces with its authenticity and emotional power. Flanigan's debut performance will leave you speechless and in desperate need of a tissue. It is an awe-inspiring exhibition of her raw talent as an actress, and it shows the promise of a star in the making.
Dan Skip Allen's Pick: Frances McDormand, Nomadland
Frances McDormand in the film NOMADLAND. Photo Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2020 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.
Frances McDormand has had a pretty good career if I do say so myself. Her two Oscar-winning performances couldn't be more different, though. One was this happy go lucky police chief who fell into a murder investigation, and the other was a no-nonsense woman who would take any crap from anybody. Once again, McDormand changes it up for her turn as Fern, a woman with nowhere to turn after the plant she worked at and the town it was in both shut down. She is forced to become a nomad traveling from place to place and town to town looking for work just to survive. She lived in her van and eventually finds a community she can feel at home with. Chloe Zhao used a similar style to her previous films with Nomadland. It was semi-nonfiction because of the people Fern comes across, but the character of Fern is fictional. The world she resides in is all too real. This is a much more subdued performance from McDormand than her ones in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and Fargo.
Sarah Williams's Pick: Kate Lyn Sheil, She Dies Tomorrow
She Dies Tomorrow is a surreal oddity, made more real with Kate Lyn Sheil playing a version of director Amy Seimetz. Sheil is an actress who many say is an acquired taste, but her tactile, on-edge acting style and distinctive voice work wonders to bring the psychological horror to life. For every flashing neon light and dramatic tearful closeup, there is a distant moment of monotony, one of acceptance and forced emotionless. Between these, there's a sweet spot where her performance shines brightest, these raw cracks in the masks her character puts on, whether it be one of acceptance or hysteria, shown in her relationships to one of the year's finest ensembles, scenes with Sun Don't Shine co-star Kentucker Audrey perfectly encapsulating the alienating chemistry of a toxic relationship on the outs.
Adam Donato's Pick: Elizabeth Moss, The Invisible Man
Two of the best performances last year were Lupita Nyong’o in Us and Florence Pugh in Midsommar. There’s just something so satisfying about watching a character navigate their way through a horror movie to come out a badass by the end of it. Elisabeth Moss was so good that she made her co-star seem invisible. Usually, performances torpedo when an actor has to act opposite a green screen, but seeing all the effort behind the scenes in how it was made to work is impressive. After mostly being known for the hit series The Handmaid's Tale, it’s nice to see Moss in a leading role for a blockbuster-type movie. It’s been months since this movie came out and Moss’s face at the end of the movie is still ingrained in the audience's heads. Moss is so good in The Invisible Man that she’s not just the final girl, she’s the only girl and that deserves some recognition.
What are your favorite performances of 2020? Let us know!
By disappointment media Staff
Note: Due to repeated infractions against disappointment media's strict anti-gatekeeping policy, all Netflix titles have been blacklisted from coverage on the site for a period of 30 days. This includes mentions in this article.
Sean Boelman's Pick: Kingsley Ben-Adir, One Night in Miami
Kingsley Ben-Adir stars in ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI. Photo: Patti Perret/Amazon Studios.
Audiences probably thought that they had seen the definitive Malcolm X performance when they saw Denzel Washington’s turn in Spike Lee’s biopic, but Regina King and Kingsley Ben-Adir would like a word. Ben-Adir’s performance as the iconic Civil Rights leader in One Night in Miami doesn’t feel like an impersonation, but rather, an embodiment of the qualities that made him who he was. The entire ensemble is great (Leslie Odom Jr. also shines in his supporting role as singer Sam Cooke), but it is Ben-Adir’s presence that brings the whole thing together. And even though Ben-Adir has been a relative unknown up to this point, expect this performance to bring him a level of notoriety that will allow him to do big things in the future.
Camden Ferrell's Pick: Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal
SOUND OF METAL. Courtesy of Amazon Studios.
Sound of Metal succeeded in exposing and educating a wider audience about the deaf community, but this message was boosted significantly by the strongest leading actor performance of the year. Riz Ahmed gets a chance to shine in the spotlight as a lead actor, and he doesn't waste any time in proving how talented he is. From the start, Ahmed's performance as Ruben is engaging, but it slowly becomes mesmerizing to watch as the narrative progresses. Faced with a spiritual dilemma when he loses his hearing, Ruben's story is equal parts frustrating and heartwarming. This journey is one that isn't without challenge, and Ahmed does an astounding job of taking the audience along for the ride and to learn with his character. It's an extremely emotional performance that solidifies Ahmed's place in the future of film.
Dan Skip Allen's Pick: Anthony Hopkins, The Father
Anthony Hopkins as Anthony in THE FATHER. Photo by Sean Gleason. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
Sir Anthony Hopkins has been acting for quite some time now. His career spans over fifty years, not including his stage work. A lot of his work has been of the dramatic fare, but he has been known to take a role for its comedic elements. Being knighted by Queen Elizabeth has shown what his career has meant to the English people and monarchy. His latest film, The Father, might arguably be the best of his career to date. In The Father, Sir Anthony plays a man who is dealing with dementia. His daughter is dealing with him and her at her wit's end. She doesn't know what to do. Director Florian Zeller puts the person watching the film in both the shoes of the main character and his daughter at various points in the film. We feel the disorientation Anthony is going through as well as what his daughter feels like dealing with a man with this debilitating disease. It's not a good feeling being in either person's shoes. Sir Anthony makes the viewer believe he has this disease at every point in the film. It's not an easy thing to digest, having a loved one go through this.
Sarah Williams's Pick: John Boyega, Red, White and Blue
While best-known for Star Wars, John Boyega's strength as a serious actor has been made more clear than ever with this year's Small Axe. Red, White and Blue is the story of a young man who chooses to join a police force that actively works to keep him down, and he learns the corruption and unchanging nature of a police state through the inside. Boyega embodies the two poles here, from hopeful, young belief, to the quick descent into a seasoned man who's learned too soon how corrupt his world can be. His journey from realizing that what he wants for the police is not a mission of doom, but one not possible for this system is a deeply human portrayal of a young man who just wants better, and his inner turmoil is clear, making a tricky story to tell nuanced.
Adam Donato's Pick: Sacha Baron Cohen, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. Courtesy of Amazon Studios.
The Academy has yet to recognize Sacha Baron Cohen for his acting, despite a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2007 for Borat. Some movies are better if you know the behind the scenes of what went into making the movie, and Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is definitely one of them. The fact that he had people tweeting about a KKK member walking through a Republican event over a half year ago before the world even knew it was getting a sequel to Borat is amazing. Just think about how much improvisation goes in this performance as Borat is interacting with actual people who are unaware of the celebrity that lies before them. He didn’t consume actual raw bison liver like former Best Actors, but he did quarantine with some old fools for days during a pandemic. This performance gives life to an iconic character that can only be pulled off by one man and the world is lucky it got to see it a second time.
What are your favorite performances of 2020? Let us know!
By disappointment media Staff
Note: Due to repeated infractions against disappointment media's strict anti-gatekeeping policy, all Netflix titles have been blacklisted from coverage on the site for a period of 30 days. This includes mentions in this article.
Sean Boelman's Pick: Catherine Deneuve, The Truth
Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Koreeda’s first film not in the Japanese language, The Truth, may be more about the phenomenally talented Juliette Binoche’s character, but it is Catherine Deneuve’s performance as her mother that absolutely steals the show. Playing an aging actress dealing with her own mortality while experiencing family struggles, this is a shining performance in an otherwise low-key film. However, Deneuve’s turn still has all of the subtlety and grace of which audiences know her to be capable of. In terms of supporting roles, Deneuve’s is on the meatier side, giving her plenty of both time and material to deliver something completely powerful. Also impressive is the way in which she lights up the screen with co-star Binoche, embodying the mother-daughter relationship in a way that is both completely believable and entirely empathetic.
Camden Ferrell's Pick: Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. Courtesy of Amazon Studios.
When news of a new Borat movie surfaced, it was no surprise that it ended up becoming a cultural event that spoke volumes about the state of America. However, few expected to see a surprise breakthrough performance in Maria Bakalova. Playing Borat's daughter, Tutar, Bakalova fits perfectly into the chaotic and funny environment of the film. She holds her own extremely well alongside Sacha Baron Cohen, and she even tends to outshine him in some of the film's scenes. She has amazing chemistry with her co-star and a natural talent for the shock comedy in the film. Her performance also serves as the emotional core of the film, and she provides a heart to the film that wasn't expected but much appreciated. After her hilarious performance in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, it's safe to say we'll be seeing her plenty in years to come.
Dan Skip Allen's Pick: Saoirse Ronan, Ammonite
Saoirse Ronan came onto the acting scene with a bang in 2007 with her star-making performance in Atonement. She would later receive three more Academy Award nominations for Brooklyn, Lady Bird, and Little Women. In Ammonite, she teams with the also prolific actress, Kate Winslet, a six-time Academy Award nominee and one-time winner (for The Reader). The pair play two women who are forced to live together because of melancholia. Romans character is not feeling good so her husband leaves her with Winslet's character to see if she can somehow get her out of the doldrums she is in. They go for walks on the beach and look for fossils. They start becoming closer as the film moves forward. This is a little different for Ronan because she usually plays more upbeat characters. The solemn nature of her character requires a lot of subtlety, taking full advantage of her range as an actress.
Sarah Williams's Pick: Vasilisa Perelygina, Beanpole
Vasilisa Perelygina in a scene from Beanpole, courtesy Kino Lorber.
Released in the dead of January before chaos broke out, Beanpole is still one of the finest films, even if this had been a less odd year. Vasilisa Perelygina's role as a former soldier and mother who has lost her child and been sterilized to fight is one with a deep humanity within it, even with every twisted desire her character has to try to fill that hole left by the death of her young son. Perelygina fills the character of Masha with life. A sequence in which she tries on a new green dress and spins to see the light hit the fabric is one of the most moving in the film. As Masha spins faster and faster, she laughs, gleeful, like a child. It's a small moment of pure humanity in a film that is otherwise so brutal, one that humanizes all the suffering around it.
Adam Donato's Pick: Anne Hathaway, The Witches
ANNE HATHAWAY as Grand High Witch in Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy adventure “THE WITCHES,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photograph Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
Flying under the radar due to its straight to streaming release, The Witches was surprisingly good and Anne Hathaway carries the movie. In terms of fun villains, Hathaway channels her inner Streep from The Devil Wears Prada. It’s easy to tell how much fun she is having. Also, it’s nice to see Zemeckis not have his own ambition get in the way of her performance. Hathaway is truly terrifying in this movie, while also being so over the top evil that the audience can laugh at her. For anyone that read the book, it’s as faithful of an adaptation that fans could ask for. The ballroom scene alone sells the movie. Hathaway gives the most terrifying speech about her resentment for children, and it is at the edge of your seat material. It’s almost difficult calling this a supporting performance as she is front and center. Still, what a fun villain to hate.
What were your favorite performances of 2020? Let us know!
By disappointment media Staff
Note: Due to repeated infractions against disappointment media's strict anti-gatekeeping policy, all Netflix titles have been blacklisted from coverage on the site for a period of 30 days. This includes mentions in this article.
Sean Boelman's Pick: Kyle Marvin, The Climb
Left to Right: Kyle Marvin as Kyle, Michael Angelo Covino as Mike, Gayle Rankin as Marissa Photo by Zach Kuperstein. Courtesy Sony Pictures Classics.Left to Right: Kyle Marvin as Kyle, Michael Angelo Covino as Mike, Gayle Rankin as Marissa. Photo by Zach Kuperstein. Courtesy Sony Pictures Classics.
Michael Angelo Covino’s lovely and darkly hilarious buddy comedy The Climb is one of the best depictions of friendship to grace the screen this year, largely thanks to the chemistry between real-life friends Covino and Kyle Marvin. And while Covino is great as the eternal screw-up who drags everyone around him down, Marvin steals the show as his lovably goofy and endearingly forgiving best friend. Whether struggling to cycle up a steep incline or failing to seduce his girlfriend with an embarrassingly funny dance, Marvin is absolutely wonderful in his role. He holds his own against his more experienced co-stars, turning a role that easily could have been little more than a vector of development for the flawed protagonist into something far more enjoyable and memorable. As he wrote the film with Covino, it’s clear that these roles were written for themselves, but we can expect great things from him in less specific roles too.
Camden Ferrell's Pick: Daveed Diggs, Hamilton
Daveed Diggs is Marquis de Lafayette in HAMILTON, the filmed version of the original Broadway production.
Hamilton, the live stage recording of the hit Broadway musical, was one of the best movies of the year, in part due to its outstanding supporting actor performance from Daveed Diggs. He delivers an undeniably energetic and vibrant dual turn as Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson. He radiates joy and has a lively stage presence in many of his numbers while also proving to be a formidable foe to Hamilton in act two. He especially shines in songs like "Guns and Ships" and "Washington on Your Side". Playing two fundamentally different roles is a challenge, but Diggs effortlessly adopts both characters and creates some truly engaging turns. He gracefully handles the rapid-fire raps, the witty banter, and the show's enjoyable choreography. There is phenomenal chemistry between Diggs and his co-stars, and his palpable charisma is one of the shining moments in film this year.
Dan Skip Allen's Pick: Leslie Odom Jr., One Night in Miami
LESLIE ODOM JR. stars in ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI. Photo: Patti Perret. Courtesy of Amazon Studios.
Leslie Odom Jr. is best known as one of the stars of the hit Broadway play Hamilton. But since his fame on Broadway, he has ventured out into the medium of film, starring opposite Cynthia Erivo in Harriet as William Still, and that was just dipping his toes in the water. His role as Sam Cooke in One Night in Miami is one he really could sink his teeth into. Odom Jr. starred opposite Kingsley Ben-Adir as Malcolm X, Aldis Hodge as Jim Brown, and Eli Goree as Muhammad Ali/Cassius Clay. He stood toe to toe with Ben-Adir and the others from the very beginning of the film. Like Sam Cooke, his discussions with Malcolm X opened up some new avenues of thought for him, making him think about all the aspects of being a black man in America during the civil rights movement. He even had some conscious thought-provoking moments of his own. Odom Jr. has started coming into his own as a character actor to reckon with in the future.
Sarah Williams's Pick: Orion Lee, First Cow
Orion Lee as First Cow's King-Lu is a large part of what made that movie so genuine. Amidst the rugged landscape, his character is soft-spoken and steady, with this articulate charm that stands out among a landscape of men either silent or gruff. Lee's performance isn't a flashy one, but it has the sort of heart that adds so much warmth and depth to a character, one that quietly blends, hardly telling actor from character, that is noteworthy for how it lingers. First Cow is quite accuracy-centric as a period film, with the actors taking on survival training and fully loving and breathing as their frontiersmen for a bit, and the comfort in their characters shows. Without being showy, Orion Lee makes a simple foil for our lead, John Magaro's Cookie, memorably heartfelt, and it's the kind of simple, subtle, warm acting role that's overlooked.
Adam Donato's Pick: Jim Carrey, Sonic the Hedgehog
Jim Carrey in SONIC THE HEDGEHOG from Paramount Pictures and Sega. Photo Credit: Courtesy Paramount Pictures and Sega of America.
Remember Jim Carrey from the ’90s? Well, he’s back in a big way. One of the reasons Ron Howard's version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas works so well is that Carrey is very animated and over the top. So seeing him flex this strength again as another animated villain is perfect. Sonic the Hedgehog works as a movie, but without Carrey as Robotnik, it would have been painfully generic and bad. His relationship and chemistry with his henchman, Agent Stone, is absolutely hilarious. Not to mention, the "Where Evil Grows" dance number is one of the greatest scenes in any movie ever. What happened to the cartoonish villain who revels in being evil despite their goofiness? Seeing as the film was a success at the box office, it’s exciting to see where Carrey will get to go in the sequel, especially after where his character is at the end of the movie. It’s just really nice to see Jim Carrey harnessing what made him so great in the past. Thanks for coming back.
What were your favorite performances of 2020? Let us know!
By disappointment media Staff  In the past ten years, film has come a long way. The last decade ended with a new king of the box office, a technical feat unlike any other that had come before, and now nostalgia rules the marquee, with series (and sagas) that have lasted for years and years bringing in the bucks. However, in the past decade, there have been some great films, and now is the time to look back at those stories and images which have stuck with us the most. The three writers at disappointment media compiled their individual lists of the top 50 films of the decade and compiled them to determine the website's list of the top ten films of the 2010's. Points were assigned for each position in reverse order (a #1 ranking earns 50 points, a #50 ranking earns 1 point, and so on), and the results were summated. Only three films were mentioned in the lists of all three writers, one of which (Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom) did not make the cut for the top ten. With that, it is time to reveal disappointment media's top films of the decade! 10 (tie). Blinded by the LightSean Boelman: 18th Camden Ferrell: 19th Dan Skip Allen: N/A  The only film from 2019 to make its way onto this list, Blinded by the Light may seem like a conventional coming-of-age tale on the surface, and to an extent, it is. But the film, based on Sarfraz Manzoor’s memoir Greetings from Bury Park is so much more than that. It’s also a love letter to the artistic process and how a writer can be inspired by the words of another. Even though Manzoor’s story is very much a product of the time and place in which it occurred (Thatcher’s England), the themes of the film resonate across the boundaries of time and race. What earns this film its spot on this list is the fact that it resonates so well with anyone who sees it. -Sean Boelman 10 (tie). NightcrawlerSean Boelman: 30th Camden Ferrell: N/A Dan Skip Allen: 7th  Louis Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal) is not so nice of a man. He's downright nasty, like a rat. He uses his camcorder to video grizzly crashes and violent crimes in Los Angeles. When his work catches the eye of a news producer named Nina (Rene Russo), they become a big thing in news media. Jake Gyllenhaal gives the performance of his life as this loathsome human being. He's evil incarnate. He makes everyone he encounters hate him from the moment he comes on screen. This film is an eye opening look at the cutthroat world of news media. Dan Gilroy, the director, really captures this underbelly of society. It's such an ugly look at what people will go through to get the "money shot". -Dan Skip Allen 9. Baby DriverSean Boelman: 4th Camden Ferrell: N/A Dan Skip Allen: 24th  Although it may not be as prestige-driven as the rest of the films on this list, Baby Driver is one of the most entertaining popcorn flicks of the decade, and it is all thanks to Edgar Wright’s excellent direction and witty script. A deconstruction of the heist genre that is simultaneously an extremely compelling romance, this film moves along at a pace that could only be described as breakneck (and even that is being a bit light), but it keeps the audience’s eyes locked on the screen from start to finish. And with the film’s killer soundtrack, one can’t help but get wrapped up in the energy of this film. -Sean Boelman 8. 12 Years a SlaveSean Boelman: N/A Camden Ferrell: 24th Dan Skip Allen: 1st  12 Years a Slave shows the real world of slavery like no other film or TV show before it. The vulgar language, blood and violence are at the forefront of this film. Steve McQueen, the director, doesn't hold back. Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, and Paul Giamatti all give performance that help give this film its credibility. It has an authenticity like no other film before it. These add to why 12 Years a Slave is one of the best films of the decade. It won Best Picture at the 2014 Academy Awards and Lupita Nyong'o won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. -Dan Skip Allen 7. MoonlightSean Boelman: N/A Camden Ferrell: 16th Dan Skip Allen: 6th  Moonlight is a profound exploration of one man’s life and his struggles with identity. Told in three distinct parts, this is a film that packs an emotional punch with each successive scene. This film is a cinematic act of empathy that will speak volumes for years to come. It’s such an emotional and poignant story about growing up, and it features some of the most powerful scenes of the decade. Barry Jenkins has carved himself a piece of cinematic history with this touching story that is a resonant journey for those who watch it. -Camden Ferrell 6. WhiplashSean Boelman: 5th Camden Ferrell: N/A Dan Skip Allen: 9th  Writer-director Damien Chazelle’s big break before he would go on to direct one of the most beloved films of the decade (which is also on this list), Whiplash is also a relative masterpiece, thanks to wonderful editing and some excellent performances. Miles Teller is great as an obsessive musician who is unflinching in his pursuit of greatness, but it is J.K. Simmons who steals the show with his Academy Award-nominated performance as the professor who is a bit too… aggressive with his style of teaching. This film truly is one of the most stressful of all time, and it earns its spot among these great films. -Sean Boelman 5. BoyhoodSean Boelman: N/A Camden Ferrell: 9th Dan Skip Allen: 2nd  Boyhood is about the lives of four people told through vignettes over a 12 year span. Mason (Ellar Coltrane), Samantha (Lorelei Linklater), Olivia (Patricia Arquette), and Dad (Ethan Hawke) are an everyday normal family that goes through ups and downs like anyone else. They experience love, hate and happiness throughout their lives. At first glance this film seems like any other, but it's not. Trying to get all of these people together for two weeks each year for twelve years is a feat unheard of before. It could have failed miserably, but it didn't. Linklater made everyday normal things fascinating because of the style he used to make this movie. Patricia Arquette won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and the picture and director Richard Linklater were both nominated as well. -Dan Skip Allen 4. The LobsterSean Boelman: 6th Camden Ferrell: 1st Dan Skip Allen: N/A  Never has a movie tackled dating culture and 21st century romance in such a wickedly funny way as 2015’s The Lobster. From writer/director Yorgos Lanthimos, this is a highly original and memorable film that is thematically profound and emotionally resonant. Featuring astounding performances from Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz among others, this movie balances its pitch-black humor with some genuinely disturbing and tense scenes that creates such a captivating cinematic experience. This movie is filled to the brim with biting wit and layered beauty that make this a film worth visiting for years to come. -Camden Ferrell 3. La La LandSean Boelman: 1st Camden Ferrell: N/A Dan Skip Allen: 5th  Both one of the best romance films of all time and one of the greatest movie musicals ever made, Damien Chazelle’s La La Land is absolutely deserving of its spot on this list. Of course, Chazelle’s brilliant writing and directing goes a long way, as does the charm of its stars Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, but the real standout here is the music by Justin Hurwitz and Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. “Another Day of Sun” is an amazing and musically complex song, and “City of Stars” is a common tune to get stuck in one’s head. Plus, this is the only film to have temporarily held the title of Best Picture, only for it to get taken away! -Sean Boelman 2. The Social NetworkSean Boelman: 20th Camden Ferrell: 7th Dan Skip Allen: 21st  2010’s The Social Network is one of the most essential films of the decade. Featuring some stand out performances from its cast with steady and meticulous direction from David Fincher, this movie is a fascinating look at the creation of Facebook. Aaron Sorkin’s script may be one of the finest screenplays ever written, and it makes the film as enjoyable as it is. Even though it’s from the beginning of the decade, this movie continues to be timely. It’s a film that speaks across generations, and it’s a vital story about one man’s creation that changed our world forever. -Camden Ferrell 1. The Grand Budapest HotelSean Boelman: 9th Camden Ferrell: 2nd Dan Skip Allen: 3rd  It comes as no surprise that Wes Anderson’s 2014 masterpiece The Grand Budapest Hotel came in at the top spot on disappointment media’s best films of the decade list. All three of us ranked the film extremely high on our lists, which only goes to show how wonderful and agreeable this film truly is. Thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end, this is perhaps the single most rewatchable film to come out this decade. However, it is Anderson’s quirky visual style that often steals the scene here, the vibrant pastels of the film popping off the screen at every available chance. In the fictional country of Zubrowka, the eponymous hotel represented the last glimmer of brightness. The Grand Budapest Hotel is proof that there is still light shining in cinema. -Sean Boelman Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel is a masterpiece that is a testament to his abilities as a storyteller and stands as one of the decade’s finest achievements. Ralph Fiennes gives one of the greatest performances in history as the film’s protagonist, and Anderson’s signature style continues to be immaculate and visually poetic. The writing is clever and witty, and his execution is highly energetic and fast-paced. It achieves level of comedy and action that were previously unseen in his films, and it feels like this is a culmination of every strength he has as a filmmaker. -Camden Ferrell M. Gustave (Ralph Fiennes) is the concierge at The Grand Budapest Hotel, a ski resort in the Swiss Alps. When he is accused of murder he is thrown in prison, but this is only the beginning of the adventure. Throughout the film many different colorful characters are introduced portrayed by a myriad of Hollywood's finest actors: Zero (Tony Revelori) is the lobby boy and Gustave H's right hand man, Tilda Swinton portrays an heiress, Adrien Brody her son, Willem Dafoe a hit man, and Saoirse Ronan a baker's assistant and love interest of Zero. All these actors and more lend their talent to this ensemble. The list goes on and on and that's just one of the things that makes this film so great. Wes Anderson has a unique quality of involving beautiful colors to his films. The hotel he chose to film in is beautiful as well. The color palette chosen by Wes Anderson is sublime and the production value is first rate. All the scenes have a flavor only he could create. This film is a masterpiece of filmmaking by any standards. -Dan Skip Allen What are your favorite films of the decade? Did we have any glaring omissions? Let us know!
By disappointment media Staff Sean Boelman's Pick: Aisling Franciosi, The Nightingale Aisling Franciosi as “Clare” in Jennifer Kent’s The Nightingale. Courtesy of IFC Films. An IFC Films release. Although her performance is unlikely to receive much awards attention due to its genre roots, Aisling Franciosi’s performance in The Nightingale is undeniably one of the year’s best. The amount of subtlety and nuance she brings to the role, even despite the extremely dark subject matter which the film is addressing, never ceases to impress. It couldn’t have been easy for her to pull off some of the film’s intense scenes in a way that feels entirely believable and honest. The film is certainly hard-to-stomach at times, and Franciosi’s performance is one of the main reasons why it packs such a punch. Her chemistry with co-star Baykali Ganambarr is also excellent, creating some of the film’s best moments. Since there have been plenty of notable big performances this year, Franciosi’s quiet one stands out. Camden Ferrell's Pick: Lupita Nyong'o, Us Lupita Nyong’o delivers one of the best horror performances of all time in Us. This film follows a family as an uprising of doppelgängers threatens their existence. Nyong’o has the task of playing two roles as the matriarch of the respective families. As the regular mother, she is a gripping protagonist who plays fear and concern masterfully. However, her real achievement is as her doppelgänger. She is incredibly haunting and frightening in this role. Without even being a physical threat, she can incite fear with only a monologue. She plays the role in a calculated yet unpredictable way that makes this movie so enjoyable. It’s a horror performance that doesn’t rely on cheap thrills and incessant screams, but it’s one that employs all of her facilities as an actress to create an environment of fear. Her dual performance is impressive, and it is the best performance by a lead actress in 2019. Dan Skip Allen's Pick: Charlize Theron, Bombshell Charlize Theron as ‘Megyn Kelly’ and Liv Hewson as ‘Lily Balin’ in BOMBSHELL. Photo Credit: Hilary Bronwyn Gayle SMPSP. Theron has won an Academy award in her past as Ilene Wuornos in Monster. I feel like she is overdue for her second Academy Award. Theron gives a great performance as Megyn Kelly, the Fox News anchor. She's stuck in the middle between her boss Roger Ailes and the women who have been sexually harnessed by him. She fights with herself because she believes in Fox but she has her own dark secret as well. She acts in an ensemble with two other great actresses of our time: Margot Robbie and Nicole Kidman. These three are all terrific, but Theron rises to the top of the Best Actress race. She is so mesmerizing and disappears into the role of this woman who is stuck between her loyalty and what is right. What are your favorite performances of 2019? Let us know!
By disappointment media Staff Sean Boelman's Pick: Adam Sandler, Uncut Gems Adam Sandler. Photo Credit: Julieta Cervantes. In what is one of the most surprising turns of the year, Adam Sandler gives a career-best performance as jeweler and compulsive gambler Howard in the Safdie Brothers’ Uncut Gems. Although the film as a whole is admittedly a bit rough around the edges, Sandler’s performance is the thing that makes the film work. This film went through multiple phases, many of which would have had someone other than Sandler in the lead role, and it is likely that the film wouldn’t have worked nearly as well. This role allows Sandler to have quite a bit of nuance, with some scenes tapping into his potential to be very subtle. However, for much of the film, it is Sandler’s charismatic (yet also anxiety-inducing) personality that comes through, causing the film to be the emotional rollercoaster that it is. Camden Ferrell's Pick: Adam Driver, Marriage Story Divorce is a topic that is explored often in film but rarely as captivating as 2019’s Marriage Story. This is mostly due to the phenomenal lead performance from Adam Driver. We see his character going through a strenuous and expensive divorce with his wife all while trying to juggle his job as a theater director and continue being a parent to his 8-year-old son. His role is a complicated role to nail, and he does it perfectly. He remarkably portrays the reality of divorce and the toll it takes on those involved. Despite the rather serious nature of the film, his performance is still filled with moments of laughter, awkwardness, and joy. He balances this with his painful scenes of frustration and vulnerability. He has fantastic chemistry with Scarlett Johansson, and it all feels extremely real. His performance is a resonant one that will speak to many people in a way only Driver could, and it’s the best leading performance by an actor of 2019. Dan Skip Allen's Pick: Joaquin Phoenix, Joker JOAQUIN PHOENIX as Joker in Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures and BRON Creative’s “JOKER,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Niko Tavernise. Joaquin Phoenix gives the performance of his career as a damaged and deranged man in this film. Arthur Fleck is made fun of, manipulated, and embarrassed throughout the film, leading him to become what we all fear, the worst part of who we are. Phoenix embodies the worst possible outcome of people who are broken inside. The emotion he brings to the forefront can be seen as real and legitimate. Phoenix deserves to win his first Academy Award for Best Actor. He's been overlooked in years past, but not this year. He clearly gives the best performance of the year as Arthur Fleck aka Joker. What are your favorite performances of 2019? Let us know!
By disappointment media Staff Sean Boelman's Pick: Zhao Shuzhen, The Farewell Zhao Shuzhen’s performance in Lulu Wang’s The Farewell is not only the best supporting actress performance of the year, but also one of the best turns of the year as a whole. As the unknowingly terminally ill grandmother of the protagonist, Shuzhen brings a great deal of restraint to her character. In a film with a lead actress more known for her comedic tendencies, Shuzhen still ends up stealing the spotlight with her excellent comedic timing. Because her delivery is so effective, Awkwafina is able to give an (also wonderful) dramatic performance with a greater emphasis on the character’s emotions. The chemistry between Awkwafina and Shuzhen is also excellent, which is ultimately a very large part of the film’s success. It truly is difficult to resist the charm of Shuzhen’s Nai Nai. Camden Ferrell's Pick: Taylor Russell, Waves In Waves, Taylor Russell delivers an incredibly complex and mature performance. Playing the daughter of a Floridian family going through a crisis, she utilizes her screen time to give a harrowing and affecting portrayal of recovery. She captures pain and vulnerability in a way that was seen seldom to never this year in film. She juggles all of these complex themes while also carrying a sweet and emotional coming of age story in the latter half of the film. Her chemistry with the rest of the cast including her father (played by Sterling K. Brown) is impeccable, and their relationships feel very fleshed out. Her performance is incredibly deep and intricate, and it’s one that warrants repeat viewings. With the best performance by a supporting actress this year, Russell proves that she is one of the best young actors working today. Dan Skip Allen's Pick: Laura Dern, Marriage Story (and Little Women) In Marriage Story, Laura Dern portrays Nora Fanshaw. This cunning, cutthroat divorce lawyer commands every scene she's in. When Johansson's character isn't all in on the divorce, Fanshaw just decides for her what she needs. Acting opposite Alan Alda and Ray Liotta as the other lawyers in the film, she holds her own and imposes her will on these guys. Baumbach takes a lot from his own life when writing and directing films. I could tell he had experienced divorce in his life at some point. These characters were spot on and, Dern's performance as Fanshaw was the best in the movie. Dern is also in Greta Gerwig's Little Women. She portrays Marmee March, the mother of four young women coming into their own. She has a lot to deal with involving a tragedy and her husband going off to war in the Civil War. Little Women has an incredible cast. Dern could have been lost in this terrific cast but she isn't. She holds her own with the likes of Meryl Streep, Saoirse Ronan, and others. She really has to go the gamut of emotions with everything she has going on with her family. Dern is terrific in Little Women as well as Marriage Story, but if she gets a nom it'll be for Marriage Story. What are your favorite performances of 2019? Let us know!
By disappointment media Staff Sean Boelman's Pick: Aldis Hodge, Clemency Aldis Hodge in CLEMENCY. Photo Courtesy of NEON. Although leading actress Alfre Woodard is (rightfully) getting a majority of the awards attention for the film Clemency, supporting actor Aldis Hodge’s performance is integral to the film’s emotional crux. As the inmate causing Woodard’s warden to re-think the career she made out of executing death row prisoners, Hodge’s performance could have caused the film to break just as easily as It allowed it to succeed. Hodge brings so much humanity and emotion to the role that it would be nearly impossible to not be heartbroken by the character’s experiences. Although there have been plenty of films to expertly induce anxiety in 2019, Clemency is perhaps the most effective at making the viewer feel a sense of legitimate dread, largely thanks to Hodge’s wonderful turn. Camden Ferrell's Pick: Shia LaBeouf, Honey Boy Photo Courtesy of Amazon Studios. Shia LaBeouf’s performance in Honey Boy is one of the boldest acting choices of the year. In his semi-autobiographical film, he plays his own father in a role that is so tender yet simultaneously heartbreaking. He captures such a large range of emotions in his performance. He’s a very layered character that is thoroughly explored thanks to LaBeouf’s performance. We get to see him as he loves, supports, and also abuses his son Otis (played by Noah Jupe). It reminds us of the layered and complex relationships a lot of us have with our own parents. The movie doesn’t focus on his ability to hurt and be malicious, but his performance reminds us that everyone is capable of love. This is a role that transcends the screen and functions as a real-life catharsis for LaBeouf as well as those who watch. LaBeouf’s affecting portrayal of fatherhood is the best performance by a supporting actor of 2019. Dan Skip Allen's Pick: Joe Pesci, The Irishman Pesci's performance as Buffalino is more nuanced than the previous work he has done with both De Niro and Scorsese. His character was more subtle and he played him laid back and relaxed. He was very skeptical of the character because it was different than anything he has done before. The back-and-forth he has with Sheeran (De Niro) and Hoffa (Al Pacino) was spot-on. There is a reason Scorsese wanted him for this role, because it was so different than anything he has done before. I definitely think he should win his second best supporting actor Oscar for this character. He really came full circle from his work in Raging Bull, Goodfellas, and Casino. What are your favorite performances of 2019? Let us know!
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