What’s interesting about this year’s Nominees list is the number of character-driven movies one might enjoy watching. Writers Bret Lang and Jordan Moreau wrote Variety’s lead story everyone’s been waiting to see, as earlier awards inferred.
There’s also Brendan Fraser, a former action star whose career was derailed by health issues and personal struggles, but who has re-emerged as a powerful character actor
Variety, 2023-01-23
Variety, if you’re struggling to say, “Lovely man makes comeback against sexual assault, followed by years of industry blacklisting,” allow me to help you clear your throat.
That Brendan Fraser got the nod is the last thrilling step to seeing him on stage with the statuette. Everyone I know gets a grin when talking about this comeback.
And someone really should have pointed the writers to the sublime “Gods and Monsters” Brendan created with Ian McKellen and Lynn Redgrave in 1998.
You’re not bad, Variety, you’re just – mistaken. Brendan’s had greatness in his pocket for decades.
This nom makes me hopeful we’ve seen the last of sexual predators hiding behind complicity. Now, if the rest of us can just keep our IP from being stolen…
Two movies I’ve been longing to see also made the list; “Tár” and of course “Everything Everywhere All At Once.” The trailer for “Tár” promises a thrilling story of a woman who, shock, does not need to be a mother or have cancer to be interesting. So much to look at; Kate Blanchett’s masterful performance, and all that gorgeous photography, feeling as if each painted color rises from black. And the sound! Luscious art.
More successes within “Everything Everywhere All At Once” where even A24’s trailer is 2:41 of acid-flashback greatness. Its cast are having a fine time looking sumptous in their photocalls and seeing them grasp the expressionless golden god will be peak deliciousness.
Tom Cruise was not nominated for Best Actor for “Top Gun: Maverick” -a shame, as he give his movies all he’s got, and it’s all onscreen. Happily, his project’s up for several other awards.
Lastly, a movie that’s overcome its small start to become a contender: “To Leslie” a movie that’s been boosted by unlikely fans, including Howard Stern. It’s closely-observed; easy to flinch at recognizing tortured lives of friends and family played onscreen. I’m starting to see Allison Janney’s name in a cast is a reliable marker of a quality project. Her character in “American Beauty” still moves me with its complexity.
Lots to look at this Oscar season – a feast with plenty of meat on the bone. What fun.
PS Confidential to Variety &c – there’s a better way to comply with coding the “Opt out of tracking” footer then wagging pages at your audience. See the Guardian’s pages for a working example.
Cosucoe 