SHAZAM! (2019)

No, this is not the same as the music finding app of the same name. Let me just take a moment to applaud the folks at "DC Films", because this film is straight up their most entertaining film yet. It's unexpected, the humor is outstanding and the action sequences are awesome. This film is one of the studios best in recent years and one of the best origin films. The films dynamic of enjoyment and fun is palpable. It's fresh and new, something that I think "DC Films" so desperately needs.

"DC Films" can be a hit or miss, but this is definitely a massive hit. This film doesn't even have to try to entertain and excite audiences, because it's so natural. Its eloquent embrace of fun and excitement deem this film worthy of multiple viewings. You can't get enough, you will be wanting more even after the credits start rolling. 

Director David Sandberg is a comic genius. The film is practically a comedy. "DC Films" don't usually have the signature style of comedy that "Marvel" has. If the studio had this kind of approach at trying to establish their own brand of comedy with films prior to this, their films wouldn't have been both a box office flop or another dull entry for DC.  

With solo superhero films on the rise, the lead actors cast as the hero are filling big shoes of iconic characters. This film is no different. Lead Zachary Levi lives up to the name of this iconic character in one of his best performances and not only that, but one of the most enjoyable in that of a DC film. 

Alongside Levi, are "IT" star Jack Dylan-Grazer, Mark Strong "Kingsman" and Disney Channel's  Asher Angel. The two teen actors blend right into this film with heart and comedy. Mark Strong is menacing in this film as the villain. He adds a more dark tone to the film. 

Scoring the film, is Benjamin Wallfisch. Wallfisch makes the film just as enjoyable as the film itself. With it being an action film, this score blends right into it, while being a fast paced and lively compilation of a score. 

The film not only has genuine hilarity, but it also has killer action sequences, which mainly involves the title character. The action in the film also blends right into the comedic aspects of this film. This film is also got a sense of heart at the helm. The heart of the film is the actors and the chemistry they have while on-screen. Grazer and Levi have an impeccable sense of it. 

Solo superhero films have recently become all the rave. With this film adding to the mix, there's no telling what can and cannot be classified as a solo superhero film. There's no end insight to the solo superhero film craze and it won't die down anytime soon, because this buddy-buddy action film is one to see. 

Photo Courtesy of DC Films

Rate: A 

Director: David F. Sandberg 

Starring: Zachary Levi, Jack Dylan-Grazer, Asher Angel and Mark Strong

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for intense sequences of action, language, and suggestive material)

Runtime; 2 Hours & 12 Minutes 

Synopsis: We all have a superhero inside us, it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In Billy Batson's (Asher Angel) case, by shouting out one word--SHAZAM!--this streetwise 14-year-old foster kid can turn into the adult Super Hero Shazam (Zachary Levi), courtesy of an ancient wizard. Still a kid at heart--inside a ripped, godlike body--Shazam revels in this adult version of himself by doing what any teen would do with superpowers: have fun with them! Can he fly? Does he have X-ray vision? Can he shoot lightning out of his hands? Can he skip his social studies test? Shazam sets out to test the limits of his abilities with the joyful recklessness of a child. But he'll need to master these powers quickly in order to fight the deadly forces of evil controlled by Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (Strong).

Captain Marvel (2019)

Superhero origin films just keep on coming. With recent hits like Wonder Woman" being the first female superhero film, Marvel finally gets a female superhero film of its very own. This film is an absolute triumph in its own right. Playing the titular character and newcomer to the MCU, is Brie Larson (21 Jump Street and Room)  who plays the heroine in exciting fashion. Larson is exquisite in the role as the alien/Air Force pilot that kicks major ass. This film is exciting and with Marvel's signature fashion of dazzling special effects and action sequences, this makes out as one of the best films from "Marvel" as far as origin films goes.

As I previously mentioned, Brie Larson does an outstanding job as the heroine, but not only that, her costars: Samuel L. Jackson (playing a younger Nick Fury) Clark Gregg (playing a younger Phil Coulson), Ben Mendelsohn, Jude Law and a scene-stealing feline are all just as a great part of this film as the main character is.

This film offers stunning action sequences to which its stars carry out in a fun and exciting way. Not only that but the visuals are also quite impressive. Meanwhile, you have some killer de-aging going on with Fury and Coulson, respectively. Then audiences can finally see how the iconic soon-to-be S.H.I.E.L.D director got that killer eye patch.

Thanos ain't going to know what hit him, come next months Endgame, when we see the powers of Captain Marvel side-by-side with the non-dust avengers.

Directing duo Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck make this film as enjoyable as can be. They burst into the superhero scene and craft an entertaining film that is as nostalgic as its 1990's backdrop. Not only is this film entertaining and visually appealing, its got its fair share of comedy to it. This is mostly in part because of the scene stealing cat, whose name pays homage to Tom Cruise's film "Top Gun".

This film does have a few bumps though. The film starts off quite slow but gets better as the film goes on. This later on makes the film bounce back into a more positive direction.

Since the passing of comicbook creator icon Stan Lee, audiences yearn for the remaining cameos of the late legend. This film and the opening Marvel Studios logo pay homage to Lee in an emotional send off.

This is one of the first films to have girl power not just on screen and in the directors chair, but also crafting the films score. In fact, this film marks as the first Marvel film to be directed and scored by two women. That in itself is an accomplishment. Turkish composer Pinar Toprak bursts her score on the screen. She crafts a score that's electric, vibrant and peaceful.

This film marks one of the best that Marvel has to offer. With superhero origin films on the rise, this film takes the cake. Yeah, granted that we have already seen the origins of our favorite superheroes already but that doesn't stop us from wanting more films like these. Despite a slow beginning, this film introduces the title character and Brie Larson to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, (MCU) in an exciting fashion that is a sight to see. And as the first film I've seen released this year, so far, some films are going to have a tough act to follow.

Rate: B+

Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios

Directors: Ryan Fleck & Anna Boden

Starring: Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Clark Gregg, Ben Mendelsohn, Jude Law and Lee Pace

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and brief suggestive language)

Runtime: 2 Hours & 5 Minutes 

Synopsis: The story follows Carol Danvers as she becomes one of the universe's most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races. Set in the 1990s, Captain Marvel is an all-new adventure from a previously unseen period in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Oscars 2019 Winners

*Winners indicated in Bold

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
WINNER
RAMI MALEK
Bohemian Rhapsody
NOMINEES
CHRISTIAN BALE
Vice
BRADLEY COOPER
A Star Is Born
WILLEM DAFOE
At Eternity's Gate
VIGGO MORTENSEN
Green Book
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
WINNER
MAHERSHALA ALI
Green Book
NOMINEES
ADAM DRIVER
BlacKkKlansman
SAM ELLIOTT
A Star Is Born
RICHARD E. GRANT
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
SAM ROCKWELL
Vice
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
WINNER
OLIVIA COLMAN
The Favourite
NOMINEES
YALITZA APARICIO
Roma
GLENN CLOSE
The Wife
LADY GAGA
A Star Is Born
MELISSA MCCARTHY
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
WINNER
REGINA KING
If Beale Street Could Talk
NOMINEES
AMY ADAMS
Vice
MARINA DE TAVIRA
Roma
EMMA STONE
The Favourite
RACHEL WEISZ
The Favourite
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
WINNER
SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE
Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
NOMINEES
INCREDIBLES 2
Brad Bird, John Walker and Nicole Paradis Grindle
ISLE OF DOGS
Wes Anderson, Scott Rudin, Steven Rales and Jeremy Dawson
MIRAI
Mamoru Hosoda and Yuichiro Saito
RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET
Rich Moore, Phil Johnston and Clark Spencer
CINEMATOGRAPHY
WINNER
ROMA
Alfonso Cuarón
NOMINEES
COLD WAR
Łukasz Żal
THE FAVOURITE
Robbie Ryan
NEVER LOOK AWAY
Caleb Deschanel
A STAR IS BORN
Matthew Libatique
COSTUME DESIGN
WINNER
BLACK PANTHER
Ruth Carter
NOMINEES
THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS
Mary Zophres
THE FAVOURITE
Sandy Powell
MARY POPPINS RETURNS
Sandy Powell
MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS
Alexandra Byrne
DIRECTING
WINNER
ROMA
Alfonso Cuarón
NOMINEES
BLACKKKLANSMAN
Spike Lee
COLD WAR
Paweł Pawlikowski
THE FAVOURITE
Yorgos Lanthimos
VICE
Adam McKay
DOCUMENTARY (FEATURE)
WINNER
FREE SOLO
Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin, Evan Hayes and Shannon Dill
NOMINEES
HALE COUNTY THIS MORNING, THIS EVENING
RaMell Ross, Joslyn Barnes and Su Kim
MINDING THE GAP
Bing Liu and Diane Quon
OF FATHERS AND SONS
Talal Derki, Ansgar Frerich, Eva Kemme and Tobias N. Siebert
RBG
Betsy West and Julie Cohen
DOCUMENTARY (SHORT SUBJECT)
WINNER
PERIOD. END OF SENTENCE.
Rayka Zehtabchi and Melissa Berton
NOMINEES
BLACK SHEEP
Ed Perkins and Jonathan Chinn
END GAME
Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman
LIFEBOAT
Skye Fitzgerald and Bryn Mooser
A NIGHT AT THE GARDEN
Marshall Curry
FILM EDITING
WINNER
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
John Ottman
NOMINEES
BLACKKKLANSMAN
Barry Alexander Brown
THE FAVOURITE
Yorgos Mavropsaridis
GREEN BOOK
Patrick J. Don Vito
VICE
Hank Corwin
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
WINNER
ROMA
Mexico
NOMINEES
CAPERNAUM
Lebanon
COLD WAR
Poland
NEVER LOOK AWAY
Germany
SHOPLIFTERS
Japan
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
WINNER
VICE
Greg Cannom, Kate Biscoe and Patricia Dehaney
NOMINEES
BORDER
Göran Lundström and Pamela Goldammer
MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS
Jenny Shircore, Marc Pilcher and Jessica Brooks
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE)
WINNER
BLACK PANTHER
Ludwig Goransson
NOMINEES
BLACKKKLANSMAN
Terence Blanchard
IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK
Nicholas Britell
ISLE OF DOGS
Alexandre Desplat
MARY POPPINS RETURNS
Marc Shaiman
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG)
WINNER
SHALLOW
from A Star Is Born; Music and Lyric by Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt
NOMINEES
ALL THE STARS
from Black Panther; Music by Kendrick Lamar, Mark “Sounwave” Spears and Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith; Lyric by Kendrick Lamar, SZA and Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith
I'LL FIGHT
from RBG; Music and Lyric by Diane Warren
THE PLACE WHERE LOST THINGS GO
from Mary Poppins Returns; Music by Marc Shaiman; Lyric by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman
WHEN A COWBOY TRADES HIS SPURS FOR WINGS
from The Ballad of Buster Scruggs; Music and Lyric by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
BEST PICTURE
WINNER
GREEN BOOK
Jim Burke, Charles B. Wessler, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly and Nick Vallelonga, Producers
NOMINEES
BLACK PANTHER
Kevin Feige, Producer
BLACKKKLANSMAN
Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, Raymond Mansfield, Jordan Peele and Spike Lee, Producers
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
Graham King, Producer
THE FAVOURITE
Ceci Dempsey, Ed Guiney, Lee Magiday and Yorgos Lanthimos, Producers
ROMA
Gabriela Rodríguez and Alfonso Cuarón, Producers
A STAR IS BORN
Bill Gerber, Bradley Cooper and Lynette Howell Taylor, Producers
VICE
Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Adam McKay and Kevin Messick, Producers
PRODUCTION DESIGN
WINNER
BLACK PANTHER
Production Design: Hannah Beachler; Set Decoration: Jay Hart
NOMINEES
THE FAVOURITE
Production Design: Fiona Crombie; Set Decoration: Alice Felton
FIRST MAN
Production Design: Nathan Crowley; Set Decoration: Kathy Lucas
MARY POPPINS RETURNS
Production Design: John Myhre; Set Decoration: Gordon Sim
ROMA
Production Design: Eugenio Caballero; Set Decoration: Bárbara Enríquez
SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)
WINNER
BAO
Domee Shi and Becky Neiman-Cobb
NOMINEES
ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR
Alison Snowden and David Fine
LATE AFTERNOON
Louise Bagnall and Nuria González Blanco
ONE SMALL STEP
Andrew Chesworth and Bobby Pontillas
WEEKENDS
Trevor Jimenez
SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)
WINNER
SKIN
Guy Nattiv and Jaime Ray Newman
NOMINEES
DETAINMENT
Vincent Lambe and Darren Mahon
FAUVE
Jeremy Comte and Maria Gracia Turgeon
MARGUERITE
Marianne Farley and Marie-Hélène Panisset
MOTHER
Rodrigo Sorogoyen and María del Puy Alvarado
SOUND EDITING
WINNER
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
John Warhurst and Nina Hartstone
NOMINEES
BLACK PANTHER
Benjamin A. Burtt and Steve Boeddeker
FIRST MAN
Ai-Ling Lee and Mildred Iatrou Morgan
A QUIET PLACE
Ethan Van der Ryn and Erik Aadahl
ROMA
Sergio Díaz and Skip Lievsay
SOUND MIXING
WINNER
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
Paul Massey, Tim Cavagin and John Casali
NOMINEES
BLACK PANTHER
Steve Boeddeker, Brandon Proctor and Peter Devlin
FIRST MAN
Jon Taylor, Frank A. Montaño, Ai-Ling Lee and Mary H. Ellis
ROMA
Skip Lievsay, Craig Henighan and José Antonio García
A STAR IS BORN
Tom Ozanich, Dean Zupancic, Jason Ruder and Steve Morrow
VISUAL EFFECTS
WINNER
FIRST MAN
Paul Lambert, Ian Hunter, Tristan Myles and J.D. Schwalm
NOMINEES
AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR
Dan DeLeeuw, Kelly Port, Russell Earl and Dan Sudick
CHRISTOPHER ROBIN
Christopher Lawrence, Michael Eames, Theo Jones and Chris Corbould
READY PLAYER ONE
Roger Guyett, Grady Cofer, Matthew E. Butler and David Shirk
SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY
Rob Bredow, Patrick Tubach, Neal Scanlan and Dominic Tuohy
WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)
WINNER
BLACKKKLANSMAN
Written by Charlie Wachtel & David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott & Spike Lee
NOMINEES
THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS
Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?
Screenplay by Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty
IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK
Written for the screen by Barry Jenkins
A STAR IS BORN
Screenplay by Eric Roth and Bradley Cooper & Will Fetters
WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)
WINNER
GREEN BOOK
Written by Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly
NOMINEES
THE FAVOURITE
Written by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara
FIRST REFORMED
Written by Paul Schrader
ROMA
Written by Alfonso Cuarón
VICE
Written by Adam McKay

Photo Courtesy of AMPAS

Kim Possible (2019)

If there's one thing that "Disney Channel" can do, is bring nostalgia to its once loyal viewers. The prime of the channel was, in my opinion, when show like "That's So Raven" & "Suite Life" were smash hits. Other shows like "Kim Possible", for example, was one of the few animated shows on the channel during that prime. With over 15 years since the show first aired, a new revamped take on the show in a made for TV movie is an utter disappointment for fans of the beloved show.

The fact of the matter is, this film just plain sucks. It has some promise to be a good movie, but fails miserably. The writing is cringe-worthy, it's cliche and not quality driven.

Don't even get me started on the acting. Granted that this film is made for TV and the target audience is kids, it's still not even remotely entertaining. Directors Adam Stein and Zach Lipovsky try and make an entertaining film to bring back fans of the hit show for nostalgic reasons but it fails to impress.

The only good thing about this film are the action sequences. For a film made for TV, this film has pretty good action and special effects but it's not enough to satisfy.

Over 15 years have past since the iconic show debuted. And needless to say, this film disappoints on so many levels. This film is nowhere near as good as the animated films it made while the show was still on air. So, if you're looking for a trip of Disney nostalgia, look elsewhere.

Photo courtesy of Disney Channel

Rate: D-  

Eighth Grade (2018)

Growing up can be hard. When you're just thrust into the world of adolescence, you don't have any clue what the hell is going on. For teen Kayla, she experiences the ups and downs that come with being a teenager. This film is about growing up and being yourself. It is a coming-of-age comedy that is one of the best, most vibrant and relatable films of the year.

From debut writer and director Bo Burnham, comes an all new coming-of-age comedy. Burnham crafts an outstanding and remarkable first film. It's strong, poignant and touching. Burnham's take on the trials of growing up are fresh and authentic. Burnham crafts a remarkable film that all teens should relate to. 

Breakout star Elsie Fisher gives a towering and fierce performance as the adolescent teenager lead. Fisher is a tour-de-force in this film. She gives an outstanding performance, one of the best by a young actress. 

This film has a lot to say about growing up and it's obvious. It showcases what it is actually like or at least tries to depict the world according to a teenager. This film offers commentary on how to be yourself and how to deal with struggles. It's unlike any film this year. 

The films score is composed by Anna Meredith. Meredith does a great job at keeping the mood of the film upbeat and electric. 

Growing up is tough, but if you have the right people by your side, you will overcome anything. This film is outstanding as far as coming-of-age films are concerned. I have no doubt that this film will be enjoyed by all teens and pre-teens alike for years to come. 

Photo courtesy of A24 films 

Rate: A

Director: Bo Burnham 

Starring: Elsie Fisher 

MPAA Rating: R 

Runtime: 1 Hour & 34 Minutes 

And the Oscar goes to... Malawski's 2019 Oscar Predictions

It's that time of year again. "Hollywood's" biggest night is upon us. 2018 brought audiences a lot of great films. The annual Oscars showcases some of the best last year had to offer in Cinema. Here are my predictions for this year!

91st Oscar Nominees

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
NOMINEES
                                                     
CHRISTIAN BALE (Should win) 
Vice
BRADLEY COOPER
A Star Is Born
WILLEM DAFOE
At Eternity's Gate
RAMI MALEK
Bohemian Rhapsody
VIGGO MORTENSEN
Green Book
                                                           
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
NOMINEES
MAHERSHALA ALI
Green Book
ADAM DRIVER  (Should Win) 
BlacKkKlansman
SAM ELLIOTT
A Star Is Born
RICHARD E. GRANT
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
SAM ROCKWELL
Vice
                                                        
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
NOMINEES
YALITZA APARICIO
Roma
GLENN CLOSE
The Wife
OLIVIA COLMAN
The Favourite
LADY GAGA (Should win) 
A Star Is Born
MELISSA MCCARTHY
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
                                                               
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
NOMINEES
AMY ADAMS (Should win) 
Vice
MARINA DE TAVIRA
Roma
REGINA KING
If Beale Street Could Talk
EMMA STONE
The Favourite
RACHEL WEISZ
The Favourite
                                                  
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
NOMINEES
INCREDIBLES 2 (Should win)
Brad Bird, John Walker and Nicole Paradis Grindle
ISLE OF DOGS
Wes Anderson, Scott Rudin, Steven Rales and Jeremy Dawson
MIRAI
Mamoru Hosoda and Yuichiro Saito
RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET
Rich Moore, Phil Johnston and Clark Spencer
SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE (Will win)
Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
                                     
CINEMATOGRAPHY
NOMINEES
COLD WAR
Łukasz Żal
THE FAVOURITE
Robbie Ryan
NEVER LOOK AWAY
Caleb Deschanel
ROMA (Should win)
Alfonso Cuarón
A STAR IS BORN
Matthew Libatique
                                              
COSTUME DESIGN
NOMINEES
THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS
Mary Zophres
BLACK PANTHER (Should win)
Ruth Carter
THE FAVOURITE
Sandy Powell
MARY POPPINS RETURNS
Sandy Powell
MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS
Alexandra Byrne
                      
DIRECTING
NOMINEES
BLACKKKLANSMAN
Spike Lee (Should win)
COLD WAR
Paweł Pawlikowski
THE FAVOURITE
Yorgos Lanthimos
ROMA
Alfonso Cuarón (Should win)
VICE
Adam McKay
                                                   
DOCUMENTARY (FEATURE)
NOMINEES
FREE SOLO (Should win)
Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin, Evan Hayes and Shannon Dill
HALE COUNTY THIS MORNING, THIS EVENING
RaMell Ross, Joslyn Barnes and Su Kim
MINDING THE GAP
Bing Liu and Diane Quon
OF FATHERS AND SONS
Talal Derki, Ansgar Frerich, Eva Kemme and Tobias N. Siebert
RBG
Betsy West and Julie Cohen
                                                                
DOCUMENTARY (SHORT SUBJECT)
NOMINEES
BLACK SHEEP (Should win)
Ed Perkins and Jonathan Chinn
END GAME
Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman
LIFEBOAT
Skye Fitzgerald and Bryn Mooser
A NIGHT AT THE GARDEN
Marshall Curry
PERIOD. END OF SENTENCE.
Rayka Zehtabchi and Melissa Berton
                          
FILM EDITING
NOMINEES

BLACKKKLANSMAN (Should win) 
Barry Alexander Brown
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
John Ottman
THE FAVOURITE
Yorgos Mavropsaridis
GREEN BOOK
Patrick J. Don Vito
VICE
Hank Corwin
                                                   
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
NOMINEES
CAPERNAUM
Lebanon
COLD WAR
Poland
NEVER LOOK AWAY
Germany
ROMA  (Should win)
Mexico
SHOPLIFTERS
Japan
                                                      
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
NOMINEES
BORDER
Göran Lundström and Pamela Goldammer
MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS
Jenny Shircore, Marc Pilcher and Jessica Brooks
VICE (Should win) 
Greg Cannom, Kate Biscoe and Patricia Dehaney
                                                 
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE)
NOMINEES
BLACK PANTHER (Should win)
Ludwig Goransson
BLACKKKLANSMAN
Terence Blanchard
IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK
Nicholas Britell
ISLE OF DOGS
Alexandre Desplat
MARY POPPINS RETURNS
Marc Shaiman
                                               
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG)
NOMINEES
ALL THE STARS (Should win)
from Black Panther; Music by Kendrick Lamar, Mark “Sounwave” Spears and Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith; Lyric by Kendrick Lamar, SZA and Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith
I'LL FIGHT
from RBG; Music and Lyric by Diane Warren
THE PLACE WHERE LOST THINGS GO
from Mary Poppins Returns; Music by Marc Shaiman; Lyric by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman
SHALLOW (Will win)
from A Star Is Born; Music and Lyric by Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt
WHEN A COWBOY TRADES HIS SPURS FOR WINGS
from The Ballad of Buster Scruggs; Music and Lyric by David Rawlings and Gillian Welch
                           
BEST PICTURE
NOMINEES
BLACK PANTHER
Kevin Feige, Producer
BLACKKKLANSMAN (Should win)
Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, Raymond Mansfield, Jordan Peele and Spike Lee, Producers
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
Graham King, Producer
THE FAVOURITE
Ceci Dempsey, Ed Guiney, Lee Magiday and Yorgos Lanthimos, Producers
GREEN BOOK
Jim Burke, Charles B. Wessler, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly and Nick Vallelonga, Producers
ROMA (Will win)
Gabriela Rodríguez and Alfonso Cuarón, Producers
A STAR IS BORN
Bill Gerber, Bradley Cooper and Lynette Howell Taylor, Producers
VICE
Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Adam McKay and Kevin Messick, Producers
                                         
PRODUCTION DESIGN
NOMINEES
BLACK PANTHER (Should win) 
Production Design: Hannah Beachler; Set Decoration: Jay Hart
THE FAVOURITE
Production Design: Fiona Crombie; Set Decoration: Alice Felton
FIRST MAN
Production Design: Nathan Crowley; Set Decoration: Kathy Lucas
MARY POPPINS RETURNS
Production Design: John Myhre; Set Decoration: Gordon Sim
ROMA
Production Design: Eugenio Caballero; Set Decoration: Bárbara Enríquez
                                               
SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)
NOMINEES
ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR
Alison Snowden and David Fine
BAO (Should win)
Domee Shi and Becky Neiman-Cobb
LATE AFTERNOON
Louise Bagnall and Nuria González Blanco
ONE SMALL STEP
Andrew Chesworth and Bobby Pontillas
WEEKENDS
Trevor Jimenez
                                                   
SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)
NOMINEES

DETAINMENT (Should win)
Vincent Lambe and Darren Mahon
FAUVE
Jeremy Comte and Maria Gracia Turgeon
MARGUERITE
Marianne Farley and Marie-Hélène Panisset
MOTHER
Rodrigo Sorogoyen and María del Puy Alvarado
SKIN
Guy Nattiv and Jaime Ray Newman

                              
SOUND EDITING
NOMINEES

BLACK PANTHER
Benjamin A. Burtt and Steve Boeddeker
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
John Warhurst and Nina Hartstone
FIRST MAN
Ai-Ling Lee and Mildred Iatrou Morgan
A QUIET PLACE (Should win)
Ethan Van der Ryn and Erik Aadahl
ROMA
Sergio Díaz and Skip Lievsay
                             
SOUND MIXING
NOMINEES

BLACK PANTHER
Steve Boeddeker, Brandon Proctor and Peter Devlin
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (Should win)
Paul Massey, Tim Cavagin and John Casali
FIRST MAN
Jon Taylor, Frank A. Montaño, Ai-Ling Lee and Mary H. Ellis
ROMA
Skip Lievsay, Craig Henighan and José Antonio García
A STAR IS BORN
Tom Ozanich, Dean Zupancic, Jason Ruder and Steve Morrow
                                
VISUAL EFFECTS
NOMINEES

AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR (Should win) 
Dan DeLeeuw, Kelly Port, Russell Earl and Dan Sudick
CHRISTOPHER ROBIN
Christopher Lawrence, Michael Eames, Theo Jones and Chris Corbould
FIRST MAN
Paul Lambert, Ian Hunter, Tristan Myles and J.D. Schwalm
READY PLAYER ONE
Roger Guyett, Grady Cofer, Matthew E. Butler and David Shirk
SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY
Rob Bredow, Patrick Tubach, Neal Scanlan and Dominic Tuohy

WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)
NOMINEES
                                                                 
THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS
Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
BLACKKKLANSMAN (Should win)
Written by Charlie Wachtel & David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott & Spike Lee
CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?
Screenplay by Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty
IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK
Written for the screen by Barry Jenkins
A STAR IS BORN
Screenplay by Eric Roth and Bradley Cooper & Will Fetters

WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)
NOMINEES
                                                                   
THE FAVOURITE
Written by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara
FIRST REFORMED
Written by Paul Schrader
GREEN BOOK (Should win)
Written by Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly
ROMA
Written by Alfonso Cuarón
VICE
Written by Adam McKay

Vice (2018)

One of the most extraordinary politicians of our time gets a well done film based on his early days in "Washington D.C". Former Vice President Dick Cheney, is portrayed in a stunning way by Christian Bale. Bale undergoes one of the most stunning transformations in cinema. One of the very few films of a biographical nature that defies expectations. It's sharp, edgy and a story of grit. Bale gives his best performance of the year. 

It's a unique and gripping drama that defies expectations on all aspects. Writer-director Adam McKay reunites with Bale in this historical feature. McKay writes the film in sophisticated and eloquently crafted manner, that not only is Bale's transformation shockingly on par with the real Dick Cheney, it's a film that yearns to be the best of the best in regards to biographical films.

Not only does Bale give a towering performance embedded with charisma, but co-stars Amy Adams, Steve Carrel, Sam Rockwell and Tyler Perry are just as stunning with both their performances and physical attributes in this film. This film gives audiences one of the best ensembles of any film this year. 

Even though this film centers on an influential politician who is a Republican, it does contain a mild liberal taint. Despite this being my only negative takeaway, it's still a remarkable achievement in films of a biographical nature. 

Composer Nicholas Britell, crafts an easy going score for the film. Britell uses this as a light weight on a heavy and dramatic setting. The score is essentially and rightfully blended in the film to add more of a dramatic mood. 

This film showcases one of the most fiercest American politicians in the last 30 years. A story that is as crazy and wild as is, this film is a unique blend of splendor and charisma not seen in any film of its caliber. So if you see this film, see it not only for its story, but for one of the best transformations of a lead actor and its ensemble because you're in for a wild ride. 

Photo courtesy of Annapurna Pictures

Rate: B+ 

Director: Adam McKay 

Starring: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Steve Carell, Tyler Perry and Sam Rockwell

MPAA Rating: R 

Runtime: 2 Hours & 12 Minutes