Top 10 Television Programs of 2017

10. black-ish - This season of black-ish, so far, has not been its most creative. Yet even as this show settles into its rhythm, the way many sitcoms do, it is still laugh-out-loud funny, still culturally relevant, and still has the ability to bring you to tears at the right moment. The cast and their chemistry are still on fire, and it is still must see television each and every week.

9. American Gods - I must admit, that I did not read Neil Gaiman's novel of the same name. I actually stumbled onto this show by accident. I saw that Kristin Chenoweth was going to be in it, an I immediately added it to my DVR. Turns out you have to wait till the last episode of the season to see Chenoweth's Easter, and yet by the time I got there, I did not mind it one bit. Part of this was because that season finale was fantastic and one of the best episodes on television this year. The other part was that the rest of the great cast, the characters, the slow-building, methodical, and engrossing story, and the stunning visuals had kept be going all along. Now that the original showrunners have left, and Chenoweth and other cast members might not return, I fear that this show will be a one-season wonder. But at least they made it count.

8. The Good Place - About a year ago, I tried to watch the pilot of The Good Place, and I sort of liked it, but in my own personal chaos of grad school and work, I chose to move on. Then, not too long ago, I tried it again, and realized I had been a fool to stop it the first time around. The Good Place is creative, fun, and refreshing, with a premise that could have gone awry, but with clever writing, an excellent cast, and a bit of imagination, has quickly become of the best sitcoms on television.

7. Full Frontal with Samantha Bee - 2017 has been a hell of a year, politically. No matter where you fall on the political spectrum this one has been one for the books. Samantha Bee has been the one late night host that, for me, has managed to really break through all the chaos and express the anger, the frustration, and yet somehow still find the much-needed humor needed to really process the daily blast of ridiculousness. Plus, having a female perspective in late night has added a much-needed and essential voice to the conversation.

6. The Americans - The Americans is winding down its story line over the next year, but that doesn't mean that it has lost any of its potency as television's best historical and political thriller. The cast and writing are as sharp as ever, and their expediency of finishing the story has not sacrificed the mystery, or the slow-burn, and the results continue to amaze.

5. Will & Grace - As many of you know by now, I am incredibly sentimental. So when they announced that Will & Grace, one of my favorite sitcoms of all time, was returning, I was ecstatic. Luckily, my enthusiasm was warranted. The first episode was a little rocky, and way too over-the-top, but it soon settled into its groove as it moved along with the first half of its season. Honestly, it could have been awful, and I probably still would have loved it. Just to have the old gang back together, seeing their antics, and laughing my ass off was enough for me. I am so glad it turned out to be so much more.

4. Stranger Things - Stranger Things 2 had a lot to live up to. The first season was nothing short of a phenomenon, and had left open so many possibilities moving forward. It took a while to get going, but once it did, it managed to be darker, scarier, and yet still fun and a joy to watch. A friend of my sister compared it to Empire Strikes Back. It takes the series further and darker than the first, but still leaves a light of hope at the end of the tunnel. I cannot find a more perfect description.

3. The Handmaid's Tale - Most of us pundits missed the boat on this one when it came to the Emmys, and hindsight being 20/20, we were pretty damn stupid. Not only was it the zeitgeist show that built a beautifully dark dystopia, but it also managed to make important commentary about our current political landscape. It was always going to be the show, and it deserved to be. It was a haunting, beautifully acted and constructed show that proved Hulu is in the game to stay, and that over thirty years later, the great Margaret Atwood's work still has the power to shock and move us.

2. The Leftovers - The Leftovers was the great surprise of 2017. Its first two seasons were good but not great. But in its final turn at bat, it knocked it out of the park. They just left nothing, they gave it their all, the cast, the writers, the production team. They went for the final kill, and did so in a way that was deep, shocking, dark, and brilliant, in a transformation of a series rarely seen on modern television.

1. Insecure - I love Insecure. I love every episode of Insecure. I love the fantastic Issa Rae, who writes the most brilliant monologues, impeccable and honest dialogue, and who has created a little world that perfectly captures the millennial experience better than anyone so far. I love her acting, her character with all of her flaws, her humor, her heartbreak. I love Molly's destructive and brilliant constructed path. I love Lawrence breaking out of his shell this season. I love Kelly's comedic relief. I love that my generation finally has a show that is not as self-absorbed as Girls, or as just plain awful as so many other similar projects. I love that I get to experience the journey of this incredible show and its layered, damaged, and yet beautiful characters. Insecure, in my book, was easily the best television show of 2017.

Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle Award Winners

BEST INDEPENDENT FILM
Lady Bird

BEST STUDIO FILM
Logan

BEST FOREIGN FILM
Raw

BEST DOCUMENTARY
Faces Places

BEST ANIMATED FILM
Coco

BEST DIRECTOR
Jordan Peele, Get Out

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Get Out - Jordan Peele

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Disaster Artist - Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber

BEST ACTOR
(TIE)Daniel Kaluuya, Get Out and Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour

BEST ACTRESS
Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
(TIE) Allison Janney, I, Tonya and Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird

BEST ENSEMBLE CAST
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Blade Runner 2049- Roger Deakins

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Blade Runner 2049- Dennis Gassner

BEST COSTUME DESIGN AND MAKEUP
Phantom Thread– Mark Bridges (costumes), Paul Engelen (makeup)

BEST EDITING
Baby Driver– Jonathan Amos and Paul Machliss

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Phantom Thread- Jonny Greenwood

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
War for the Planet of the Apes- Joe Leterri, Dan Lemmon, Eric Winquist, and Dan Cervin

TRAILBLAZER AWARD
Jordan Peele- Get Out

IMPACT AWARD
Patty Jenkins- Wonder Woman

The Oscar Narrative: Pre-Guild Nomination Predictions - Best Supporting Actor

Pre-Guild Nomination Predictions
Willem Dafoe "The Florida Project"
Woody Harrelson "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri"
Armie Hammer "Call Me By Your Name"
Richard Jenkins "The Shape of Water"
Sam Rockwell "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri"

Other Contenders - Christopher Plummer "All the Money in the World", Steve Carell "Battle of the Sexes", Michael Stuhlbarg "Call Me My Your Name", Ray Romano "The Big Sick"

Commentary - I really hope BAFTA helps us sort this out a bit, because right now it feels like this race really is in flux. Willem Dafoe, Sam Rockwell, and Richard Jenkins are the only contenders right now with the trifecta of BFCA, Golden Globe, and SAG. They feel like locks for the nomination, and I think the Oscar comes down to Dafoe and Rockwell. Most folks think Dafoe is a shoo-in, but I still wonder if The Florida Project will have enough broad support to really make as much of an Oscar impact as people think it will, and Rockwell has the bolder performance in a film that is clearly going to be a bigger overall success with voters. The last two slots I am splitting between Globe/BFCA and SAG. I think Michael Stuhlbarg is out after missing the Globe and SAG, and despite that shocking SAG nod and his expected lead nomination at the Globes, I really don't see Steve Carell taking that final slot. I think Woody Harrelson's SAG Nomination was indicative of the broad support Three Billboards has across the acting community, and he is a beloved veteran in this industry. I also think, despite the SAG snub, that Armie Hammer will get in here. Reports from the ground say that he is working rooms, and is everywhere this season. We have seen a lot of folks benefit from that kind of exposure at the finish line, and a BAFTA nod will seal the deal for me. I also think that none of us should discount Christopher Plummer. All the Money in the World is getting good reviews, particularly for Plummer and Williams, and this would send a powerful signal from Hollywood that those in the industry who use their power and influence to sexually intimidate their peers will not only face the wrath of the press and industry, but can easily be replaced by better people. Don't be surprised if his name is called nomination morning.

The Oscar Narrative: Pre-Guild Nominations Predictions - Best Supporting Actress

Pre-Guild Nomination Predictions
Mary J. Blige "Mudbound"
Hong Chau "Downsizing"
Holly Hunter "The Big Sick"
Allison Janney "I, Tonya"
Laurie Metcalf "Lady Bird"

Other Contenders - Octavia Spencer "The Shape of Water", Lesley Manville "Phantom Thread", Tiffany Haddish "Girls Trip", Kristin Scott Thomas "Darkest Hour", Carrie Fisher "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"

Commentary - There are four major precursors I look at for the acting awards, and they usually get it right come Oscar nomination morning. With the exception of the BAFTA's, which are coming soon, we have the other three, the BFCA's, the Golden Globes, and most importantly, SAG. Of these three, four contenders have managed nominations from all three: Laurie Metcalf, Allison Janney, Mary J. Blige, and Hong Chau. Metcalf and Janney are the two fighting for the win, so their inclusions are no surprise, and on a personal note, well-deserved. Mary J. Blige was an early contender, and has benefited from Mudbound's strong-showing, something that was not a guarantee consider its streaming background. Finally, in a surprise Hong Chau has emerged from the mixed reaction to Downsizing, thanks to an star-making turn, and has become the surprise Oscar contender of the year. That last slot has two major contenders fighting, both Oscar-winning favorites. I really though that Octavia Spencer had this nomination locked up. But when Holly Hunter beat her out at SAG, I switched to her, because SAG should have been an easy pit stop in this race. I don't know how this final slot will shake out, but can I say how hopeful I am for an upset by Tiffany Haddish or the late great Carrie Fisher.

The Oscar Narrative: Pre-Guild Nomination Predictions - Best Original Screenplay

Pre-Guild Nomination Predictions
Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani "The Big Sick"
Jordan Peele "Get Out"
Greta Gerwig "Lady Bird"
Guillermo Del Toro and Vanessa Taylor "The Shape of Water"
Martin McDonagh "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri"

Other Contenders - Josh Singer and Liz Hannah "The Post", Paul Thomas Anderson "Phantom Thread", Anthony McCarten "Darkest Hour", Steven Rogers "I, Tonya", Christopher Nolan "Dunkirk", Matthew Aldrich, Adrian Molina, Lee Unkrich, and Jason Katz "Coco", Taylor Sheridan "Wind River"

Commentary - This is a race with too many contenders, and not enough slots. I think Get Out, Lady Bird, and Three Billboards, the top three contenders at this point for Best Picture, are locked and loaded. But those other two slots are tricky. The Shape of Water hit it out of of the park with critics, but its first test with the guilds, SAG, ended with only two nominations, and it missed out on that coveted Ensemble nod. I still think it gets in here. Del Toro is a previous screenplay nominee, and I think writers will embrace the story. The other slot, right now, goes to the well-deserved The Big Sick, a screenplay I think writers will love. But that means that The Post is on the outside (previous winner Josh Singer, but Spielberg scripts are hit and miss as of late), and Paul Thomas Anderson (one I think we are really underestimating). I also think Darkest Hour, Coco, and I, To. nya should not be forgotten. The WGA Awards will hopefully sort some of this out, as will BAFTA, but even then, this is a quirky branch that has thrown their fair share of curveballs in this Oscar race in the past, with out of the box choices. We will have to wait and see how this very competitive race shakes out...

Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle Award Nominations

I discovered a new group that apparently formed last year. Their winners will be announced December 30th.

BEST INDEPENDENT FILM
The Florida Project
Get Out
Lady Bird

BEST STUDIO FILM
Blade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
Logan

BEST FOREIGN FILM
Raw
The Square
Thelma

BEST DOCUMENTARY
Faces Places
Jane
Whose Streets?

BEST ANIMATED FILM
Coco
The LEGO Batman Movie
Loving Vincent

BEST DIRECTOR
Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird
Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk
Jordan Peele, Get Out

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
The Big Sick- Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani
Get Out- Jordan Peele
Lady Bird- Greta Gerwig

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Call Me By Your Name- James Ivory
The Disaster Artist- Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber
Mudbound– Dee Rees and Virgil Williams

BEST ACTOR
Timothée Chalamet, Call Me By Your Name
Daniel Kaluuya, Get Out
Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour

BEST ACTRESS
Sally Hawkins, The Shape of Water
Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project
Richard Jenkins, The Shape of Water
Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri
Michael Stuhlbarg, Call Me By Your Name

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Tiffany Haddish, Girls Trip
Allison Janney, I, Tonya
Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird

BEST ENSEMBLE CAST
Get Out
Mudbound
The Post
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Blade Runner 2049- Roger Deakins
Dunkirk- Hoyte van Hoytema
The Shape of Water– Dan Laustsen

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Blade Runner 2049- Dennis Gassner
mother!- Philip Messina
The Shape of Water- Paul D. Austerberry

BEST EDITING
Baby Driver– Jonathan Amos and Paul Machliss
Dunkirk– Lee Smith
War for the Planet of the Apes– William Hoy and Stan Salfas

BEST COSTUME DESIGN AND MAKEUP
Darkest Hour– Jacqueline Durran (costumes), Kazuhiro Tsuji, Lucy Sibbick and David Malinowski (makeup)
Phantom Thread– Mark Bridges (costumes), Paul Engelen (makeup)
The Shape of Water– Luis Sequeria (costumes), Jordan Samuel and Paula Fleet (makeup)

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Phantom Thread– Jonny Greenwood
The Shape of Water– Alexandre Desplat
War for the Planet of the Apes- Michael Giacchino

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Blade Runner 2049- Richard Clegg, Paul Lambert, Viktor Muller, and John Nelson
Star Wars: The Last Jedi– Richard Bain, Ben Morris, Michael Mulholland, and Chris Corbould
War for the Planet of the Apes- Joe Leterri, Dan Lemmon, Eric Winquist, and Dan Cervin

TRAILBLAZER AWARD
Sean Baker, The Florida Project
Jordan Peele, Get Out
Dee Rees, Mudbound

IMPACT AWARD
Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird
Patty Jenkins, Wonder Woman
Jordan Peele, Get Out

The Oscar Narrative: Pre-Guild Nomination Predictions - Best Adapted Screenplay

Pre-Guild Nomination Predictions
James Ivory "Call Me By Your Name"
Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber "The Disaster Artist"
Aaron Sorkin "Molly's Game"
Dee Rees and Virgil Williams "Mudbound"
Stephen Chbosky, Steve Conrad, and Jack Throne "Wonder"

Other Contenders - Lee Hall "Victoria and Abdul", Brian Selznick "Wonderstruck", David Scarpa "All the Money in the World", Sofia Coppola "The Beguiled", Matt Greenhalgh "Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool", Allan Heinberg, Zack Snyder, and Jason Fuchs "Wonder Woman", James Mangold, Scott Frank, and Michael Green "Logan", Mark Bomback and Matt Reeves "War for the Planet of the Apes", Rian Johnson "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"

Other Contenders - In an especially weak year for this category, there are four solid contenders, and a fifth slot that is open to a world of possibilities. Call Me By Your Name has suffered some setbacks lately at the Globes and SAG, but this category's nomination feels like lock, as does Mudbound, who remains a vital contender, if not still on the outside looking in. Plus, this is a way to honor Dee Rees. Aaron Sorkin's miss for Steve Jobs still stings. Even though Molly's Game is really only a contender in two categories, this feels like an easy nod for the film, and it hopefully makes up for that horrendous snub. Finally, The Disaster Artist is not getting a Best Picture nod, but for a film about a terrible film, two nominations (or least it looks like two nominations), feels like a huge accomplishment. Plus the dynamic duo of Neustatder and Weber who have been flirting with Oscar glory for years with (500) Days of Summer, The Fault in Our Stars, and The Spectacular Now, should finally enter the fray. For the final slot, I am currently predicting the Critics Choice nod of Wonder, because nothing else has gotten a big nomination yet. Victoria and Abdul could get in, but the writers prefer quirkier choices and a mediocre period piece doesn't seem up their alley. They could got for the quirkier choices of Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool or Wonderstruck, or reward a familiar face in Sofia Coppola, even though most folks have forgotten The Beguiled is in this race. All the Money in the World is fighting to get back into the Oscar race, using its re-shoot with Christopher Plummer as a badge of honor. This might be the category it can actually sneak into, although not the one most folks expect. All of this being said, what might actually happen is that this branch finally embraces the blockbuster, something it has ignored in the past. Logan, Star Wars, War for the Planet of the Apes, and Wonder Woman proved that big blockbusters can also be great movies, and maybe its time for one of them to finally get some overdue recognition.

The Oscar Narrative: Pre-Guild Nomination Predictions - Best Animated Film, Documentary Feature, and Foreign Language Film

Best Animated Film
The Breadwinner
Coco
Despicable Me 3
The LEGO Batman Movie
Loving Vincent

Other Contenders - The Girl Without Hands, Ferdinand, In this Corner of the World, Mary and the Witch's Flower The LEGO Ninjago Movie, The Boss Baby, The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales, Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, Cars 3, The Star

Best Documentary Feature
City of Ghosts
Ex Libris - The New York Public Library
Faces Places
Jane
Strong Island

Other Contenders - Last Men in Aleppo, Long Strange Trip, Icarus, Chasing Coral, LA 92, An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, Abacus: Small Enough to Jail

Best Foreign Language Film
A Fantastic Woman (Chile)
Foxtrot (Israel)
In the Fade (Germany)
Loveless (Russia)
The Square (Sweden)

Other Contenders - Felicite (Senegal), The Insult (Lebanon), The Wound (South Africa)

North Carolina Film Critics Association Award Nominations

My hometown critics group have chimed in. Winners announced in a week:

BEST NARRATIVE FILM
The Florida Project
Get Out
The Post
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM
Abacus: Small Enough to Jail
Faces Places
Jane
Kedi
Last Men in Aleppo

BEST ANIMATED FILM
The Boss Baby
The Breadwinner
Coco
The LEGO Batman Movie
Loving Vincent

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
BPM (Beats Per Minute)
Faces Places
First They Killed My Father
Frantz
Okja
Raw
The Square
Thelma

BEST DIRECTOR
Sean Baker (The Florida Project)
Martin McDonagh (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)
Christopher Nolan (Dunkirk)
Jordan Peele (Get Out)
Steven Spielberg (The Post)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Roger Deakins (Blade Runner 2049)
Hoyt Van Hoytema (Dunkirk)
Dan Laustsen (The Shape of Water)
Rachel Morrison (Mudbound)
Alexis Zabe (The Florida Project)

BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS
Blade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
The Shape of Water
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
War for the Planet of the Apes

BEST ACTOR
Timothée Chalamet (Call Me By Your Name)
James Franco (The Disaster Artist)
Tom Hanks (The Post)
Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out)
Gary Oldman (Darkest Hour)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Willem Dafoe (The Florida Project)
Woody Harrelson (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)
Christopher Plummer (All The Money in the World)
Sam Rockwell (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)
Patrick Stewart (Logan)

BEST ACTRESS
Jessica Chastain (Molly’s Game)
Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water)
Frances McDormand (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)
Saoirse Ronan (Lady Bird)
Meryl Streep (The Post)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Mary J. Blige (Mudbound)
Tiffany Haddish (Girls Trip)
Holly Hunter (The Big Sick)
Allison Janney (I, Tonya)
Laurie Metcalf (Lady Bird)

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Sean Baker and Chris Bergoch (The Florida Project)
Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird)
Liz Hannah and Josh Singer (The Post)
Martin McDonagh (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)
Jordan Peele (Get Out)

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
James Gray (The Lost City of Z)
James Ivory (Call Me By Your Name)
Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber (The Disaster Artist)
Aaron Sorkin (Molly’s Game)
Virgil Williams and Dee Rees (Mudbound)

KEN HANKE MEMORIAL TAR HEEL AWARD
This award recognizes a film, artists, or performer with a special connection to North Carolina. In 2017, the Tar Heel Award was dedicated to long time North Carolina film critic Ken Hanke.

Emily V. Gordon (born and raised in Winston-Salem and a graduate of UNC-Greensboro, Gordon is recognized for writing and co-producing The Big Sick)

May It Last: A Portrait of the Avett Brothers (documentary profiles the popular North Carolina musicians)

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (the studio drama was filmed in part in North Carolina).

Nevada Film Critics Society Award Winners

Best Film
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Actor
(TIE) Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour and James Franco, The Disaster Artist

Best Actress 
Sally Hawkins, The Shape of Water

Best Supporting Actor 
Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Supporting Actress
Allison Janney, I Tonya

Best Youth Performance 
Brooklynn Prince, The Florida Project

Best Director 
Guillermo Del Toro, The Shape of Water

Best Original Screenplay
Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Adapted Screenplay
Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, The Disaster Artist

Best Documentary
Jane

Best Animated Movie
Coco

Best Production Design 
The Shape of Water

Best Cinematography
Roger Deakins - Blade Runner 2049

Best Visual Effects
Blade Runner 2049

Utah Film Critics Association Awards

Best Picture
A Ghost Story

Best Director
Christopher Nolan, "Dunkirk"

Best Actress
Sally Hawkins, "The Shape of Water"

Best Actor
Andy Serkis, "War for the Planet of the Apes"

Best Supporting Actress
Tatiana Maslany, "Stronger"

Best Supporting Actor
Willem Dafoe, "The Florida Project"

Best Original Screenplay
Jordan Peele, "Get Out"

Best Adapted Screenplay
Hampton Fancher and Michael Green, "Blade Runner 2049"

Best Cinematography
Roger Deakins, "Blade Runner 2049"

Best Documentary Feature
Jane

Best Animated Feature
Coco

Best Score
Alexandre Desplat, "The Shape of Water"

Best Non-English Language Film
Thelma

Black Film Critics Circle Awards

Best Film
Mudbound

Best Director
Jordan Peele, Get Out

Best Actor
Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour

Best Actress
Frances McDormand, Three Billboard Outside Ebbing Missouri

Best Supporting Actor
Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project

Best Supporting Actress
Mary J. Blige, Mudbound

Best Original Screenplay
Get Out

Best Adapted Screenplay
Mudbound

Best Documentary
Strong Island

Best Animated Film
Coco

Best Cinematography
Blade Runner 2049

Best Ensemble
Mudbound

Best Foreign Film
A Fantastic Woman

Industry Pioneer
Jordan Peele

Rising Star
Daniel Kaluuya

Special Mention
Girls Trip

BLACK FILM CRITICS CIRCLE TOP TEN FILMS OF 2017
1. Mudbound
2. Get Out
3. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri
4. The Shape of Water
5. The Post
6. Dunkirk
7. Marshall
8. Wonder Woman
9. I, Tonya
10. Blade Runner 2049

Southeastern Film Critics Association Awards

SEFCA's Top Ten Films of 2017
1. "Get Out"
2. "The Shape of Water"
3. "Dunkirk"
4. "Lady Bird"
5. "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri"
6. "The Post"
7. "The Florida Project"
8. "Call Me By Your Name"
9. "Darkest Hour"

10. "The Disaster Artist"

Best Actor
Gary Oldman, "Darkest Hour"

Best Actress
Sally Hawkins, "The Shape Of Water"

Best Supporting Actor
Sam Rockwell, "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri"

Best Supporting Actress
Laurie Metcalf, "Lady Bird"

Best Ensemble
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Director
Guillermo Del Toro, "The Shape Of Water"

Best Original Screenplay
Jordan Peele, Get Out"

Best Adapted Screenplay
James Ivory, "Call Me By Your Name"

Best Documentary
Jane

Best Foreign Language Film
First They Killed My Father

Best Animated Film
Coco

Best Cinematography
Hoyte Van Hoytema, "Dunkirk"

Gene Wyatt Award for film that best represents The South
Mudbound

Women Film Critics Circle Award Winners

BEST MOVIE ABOUT WOMEN
Lady Bird

BEST MOVIE BY A WOMAN
Lady Bird

BEST WOMAN STORYTELLER [Screenwriting Award]
Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird

BEST ACTRESS
Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

BEST ACTOR
Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour

BEST YOUNG ACTRESS
Brooklynn Prince, The Florida Project

BEST COMEDIC ACTRESS
Allison Janney: I, Tonya

BEST FOREIGN FILM BY OR ABOUT WOMEN
First They Killed My Father

ADRIENNE SHELLY AWARD: For a film that most passionately opposes violence against women
The Light Of The Moon

JOSEPHINE BAKER AWARD: For best expressing the woman of color experience in America
Mudbound

KAREN MORLEY AWARD: For best exemplifying a woman’s place in history or society, and a courageous search for identity
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story

COURAGE IN ACTING
Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

COURAGE IN FILMMAKING
Dee Rees, Mudbound

THE INVISIBLE WOMAN AWARD
Betty Gabriel, Get Out

BEST DOCUMENTARY BY OR ABOUT WOMEN 
(TIE) Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story and Jane

WOMEN’S WORK: BEST ENSEMBLE
Girls Trip

BEST FEMALE ACTION HERO
Wonder Woman

MOMMIE DEAREST WORST SCREEN MOM OF THE YEAR AWARD
Allison Janney: I, Tonya

BEST EQUALITY OF THE SEXES
Battle Of The Sexes

BEST SCREEN COUPLE
The Big Sick

BEST ANIMATED FEMALE(S)
Coco

BEST FAMILY FILM
Coco

ACTING AND ACTIVISM AWARD
Ashley Judd, Rose McGowan and all the women who spoke out against the culture of sexual abuse

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Agnes Varda

BEST RISING FEMALE STARS
Izabela Vidovic, Wonder
Peyton Kennedy, American Fable

WFCC HALL OF SHAME
Harvey Weinstein

The Oscar Narrative: Pre-Guild Predictions - Technical Awards Part II

Best Original Song
Beauty and the Beast - Evermore
Coco - Remember Me
Cries from Syria - Prayers for this World
Marshall - Stand Up for Something
Mudbound - Mighty River

Other Contenders - Call Me By Your Name - The Mystery of Love, The Greatest Showman - This is Me, The Greatest Showman - Come Alive, Fifty Shades Darker - I Don't Wanna Live Forever, Detroit - It Ain't Fair, Despicable Me 3 - There's Something Special, Step - Jump, An Inconvienent Sequel - Truth to Power, Chasing Coral - Tell Me How Long, Beauty and the Beast - How Does a Moment Last Forever, The Star - The Star, Served Like a Girl - Dancing Through the Wreckage, Battle of the Sexes - If I Dare, The LEGO Batman Movie - Friends Are Family, Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool - You Shouldn't Look At Me That Way

Best Production Design
Blade Runner 2049
Beauty and the Beast
Darkest Hour
Dunkirk
The Shape of Water

Other Contenders - Phantom Thread, Wonder Woman, The Greatest Showman, The Post, Murder on the Orient Express, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Victoria and Abdul, The Beguiled, The Disaster Artist, Downsizing, War for the Planet of the Apes, Goodbye Christopher Robin, Wonderstruck, Logan, Mudbound, Wonder Woman, Detroit, Marshall, All the Money in the World

Best Sound Editing
Blade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
The Shape of Water
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Wonder Woman

Other Contenders - Detroit, Get Out, War for the Planet of the Apes, Baby Driver, Beauty and the Beast, The Greatest Showman, Darkest Hour, Coco, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Battle of the Sexes, The Post, Thor: Ragnarok, Hostiles, Justice League, Downsizing, Atomic Blonde, Mudbound, Logan, It, Kong: Skull Island, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Murder on the Orient Express

Best Sound Mixing
Beauty and the Beast
Blade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
The Shape of Water
Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Other Contenders - Wonder Woman, Detroit, Get Out, War for the Planet of the Apes, Baby Driver,  The Greatest Showman, Darkest Hour, Coco, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Battle of the Sexes, The Post, Thor: Ragnarok, Hostiles, Justice League, Downsizing, Atomic Blonde, Mudbound, Logan, It, Kong: Skull Island, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Murder on the Orient Express

Best Visual Effects
Blade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
The Shape of Water
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
War for the Planet of the Apes

Other Contenders - Alien: Covenant, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Kong: Skull Island, Okja, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

Florida Film Critics Circle Award Winners

BEST PICTURE
Dunkirk

BEST DIRECTOR
Christopher Nolan – Dunkirk

BEST ACTOR
Timothée Chalamet – Call Me By Your Name

BEST ACTRESS
Margot Robbie – I, Tonya

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Sam Rockwell – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Allison Janney – I, Tonya

BEST ENSEMBLE
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Get Out

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Call Me By Your Name

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Blade Runner 2049

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Blade Runner 2049

BEST ART DIRECTION/PRODUCTION DESIGN
Blade Runner 2049

BEST SCORE
Blade Runner 2049

BEST DOCUMENTARY
Jane

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
BPM (Beats Per Minute)

BEST ANIMATED FILM
Coco

BEST FIRST FILM
Get Out

PAULINE KAEL BREAKOUT AWARD
Timothée Chalamet

GOLDEN ORANGE
The cast and crew of The Florida Project

The Oscar Narrative: Pre-Guild Nomination Predictions - Technical Awards Part I

Best Cinematography
Roger Deakins "Blade Runner 2049"
Bruno Delbonnel "Darkest Hour"
Hoyte Van Hoytema "Dunkirk"
Rachel Morrison "Mudbound"
Dan Laustsen "The Shape of Water"

Other Contenders - Sayombhu Mukdeeprom "Call Me By Your Name", Ed Lachman "Wonderstruck", Janusz Kaminski "The Post", Toby Oliver "Get Out", Philippe LeSourd "The Beguiled", Ben Davis "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri", Steve Yedlin "Star Wars: The Last Jedi", Matthew Jensen "Wonder Woman", Vittorio Storaro "Wonder Wheel", Linus Sandgren "Battle of the Sexes", Michael Seresin "War for the Planet of the Apes"

Best Costume Design
Beauty and the Beast
Darkest Hour
Phantom Thread
The Shape of Water
Victoria and Abdul

Other Contenders - Mudbound, The Post, Blade Runner 2049, Wonder Woman, The Beguiled, The Greatest Showman, Murder on the Orient Express, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Wonderstruck, Dunkirk, I Tonya, Lady Bird, Call Me By Your Name, Wonder Wheel, All the Money in the World, A Quiet Passion, My Cousin Rachel, Breathe

Best Film Editing
Dunkirk
Lady Bird
The Post
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Other Contenders - Get Out, Blade Runner 2049, Baby Driver, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, The Florida Project, Darkest Hour, Mudbound, Phantom Thread, Call Me By Your Name, I Tonya, War for the Planet of the Apes, Logan, Detroit

Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Darkest Hour
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Wonder

Other Contenders - I, Tonya, Victoria and Abdul, Bright, The Ghost in the Shell

Best Original Score
Hans Zimmer "Dunkirk"
Jonny Greewood "Phantom Thread"
John Williams "The Post"
Alexandre Desplat "The Shape of Water"
Thomas Newman "Victoria and Abdul"

Other Contenders - John Williams "Star Wars: The Last Jedi", Dario Marianelli "Darkest Hour", Benjamin Wallfisch and Hans Zimmer "Blade Runner 2049", Carter Burwell "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri", Michael Giacchino and John Debney "Coco", Carter Burwell "Wonderstruck", Nick Cave and Warren Ellis "Wind River", James Newton Howard "Detroit"

Florida Film Critics Circle Award Nominations

BEST PICTURE
Call Me By Your Name
Dunkirk
Get Out
Lady Bird
The Shape Of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

BEST DIRECTOR
Christopher Nolan – Dunkirk
Greta Gerwig – Lady Bird
Guillermo del Toro – The Shape of Water
Jordan Peele – Get Out
Martin McDonagh – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

BEST ACTOR
Daniel Kaluuya – Get Out
Gary Oldman – Darkest Hour
James Franco – The Disaster Artist
Robert Pattinson – Good Time
Timothée Chalamet – Call Me By Your Name

BEST ACTRESS
Cynthia Nixon – A Quiet Passion
Frances McDormand – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Margot Robbie – I, Tonya
Sally Hawkins – The Shape of Water
Saoirse Ronan – Lady Bird

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Armie Hammer – Call Me By Your Name
Barry Keoghan – The Killing of A Sacred Deer
Michael Stuhlbarg – Call Me By Your Name
Sam Rockwell – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Willem Dafoe – The Florida Project

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Allison Janney – I, Tonya
Holly Hunter – The Big Sick
Hong Chau – Downsizing
Laurie Metcalf – Lady Bird
Mary J. Blige – Mudbound

BEST ENSEMBLE
Dunkirk
Get Out
I, Tonya
Lady Bird
The Big Sick
The Shape Of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Get Out
Lady Bird
The Big Sick
The Shape Of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Call Me By Your Name
Marjorie Prime
Molly’s Game
The Disaster Artist
The Lost City of Z
Wonderstruck

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Blade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
Personal Shopper
The Post
The Shape of Water
Wonderstruck

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Blade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
Guardians of the Galaxy 2
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
The Shape of Water
War for the Planet of the Apes

BEST ART DIRECTION/PRODUCTION DESIGN
Blade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
Phantom Thread
The Shape of Water
Wonderstruck

BEST SCORE
Blade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
Phantom Thread
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

BEST DOCUMENTARY
Dawson City: Frozen Time
Ex Libris: New York Public Library
Faces Places
Jane
Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold
Kedi

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
BPM
First They Killed My Father
Loveless
The Ornithologist
The Square

BEST ANIMATED FILM
Coco
Loving Vincent
The Boss Baby
The Breadwinner
The LEGO Batman Movie

BEST FIRST FILM
Get Out
God’s Own Country
Ingrid Goes West
Molly’s Game

BREAKOUT AWARD
Barry Keoghan
Greta Gerwig
Jordan Peele
Millicent Simmonds
Timothée Chalamet

Academy Announces 7 Finalists for Best Makeup and Hairstyling

This category continues to confound me. Most of these seven finalists I would not have predicted before this list:

“Bright”
“Darkest Hour”
“Ghost in the Shell”
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”
“I, Tonya”
“Victoria & Abdul”
“Wonder"

With this list, here are my predictions:

Darkest Hour
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Wonder

London Film Critics Circle Nominations

FILM OF THE YEAR
Call Me By Your Name
Dunkirk
The Florida Project
Get Out
God’s Own Country
Lady Bird
Loveless
Phantom Thread
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR
Aquarius
Elle
The Handmaiden
Loveless
Raw

DOCUMENTARY OF THE YEAR
78/52
Human Flow
I Am Not Your Negro
Jane
The Work

BRITISH/IRISH FILM OF THE YEAR: The Attenborough Award
Dunkirk
God’s Own Country
Lady Macbeth
Paddington 2
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Sean Baker – The Florida Project
Guillermo Del Toro – The Shape of Water
Luca Guadagnino – Call Me By Your Name
Martin McDonagh – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Christopher Nolan – Dunkirk

SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR
Paul Thomas Anderson – Phantom Thread
Greta Gerwig – Lady Bird
James Ivory – Call Me By Your Name
Martin McDonagh – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Jordan Peele – Get Out

ACTRESS OF THE YEAR
Annette Bening – Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool
Sally Hawkins – The Shape of Water
Isabelle Huppert – Elle
Frances McDormand – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Florence Pugh – Lady Macbeth

ACTOR OF THE YEAR
Timothée Chalamet – Call Me By Your Name
Daniel Day-Lewis – Phantom Thread
James Franco – The Disaster Artist
Daniel Kaluuya – Get Out
Gary Oldman – Darkest Hour

SUPPORTING ACTRESS OF THE YEAR
Lily Gladstone – Certain Women
Holly Hunter – The Big Sick
Allison Janney – I, Tonya
Lesley Manville – Phantom Thread
Laurie Metcalf – Lady Bird

SUPPORTING ACTOR OF THE YEAR
Willem Dafoe – The Florida Project
Hugh Grant – Paddington 2
Woody Harrelson – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Sam Rockwell – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Michael Stuhlbarg – Call Me By Your Name

BRITISH/IRISH ACTRESS OF THE YEAR
Emily Beecham – Daphne
Judi Dench – Victoria & Abdul/Murder on the Orient Express
Sally Hawkins – The Shape of Water/Maudie/Paddington 2
Florence Pugh – Lady Macbeth
Saoirse Ronan – Lady Bird/Loving Vincent

BRITISH/IRISH ACTOR OF THE YEAR
Daniel Day-Lewis – Phantom Thread
Colin Farrell – The Killing of a Sacred Deer/The Beguiled
Daniel Kaluuya – Get Out
Josh O’Connor – God’s Own Country
Gary Oldman – Darkest Hour/The Space Between Us

YOUNG BRITISH/IRISH PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
Harris Dickinson – Beach Rats
Tom Holland – The Lost City of Z/Spider-Man: Homecoming
Noah Jupe – Suburbicon/Wonder/The Man With the Iron Heart
Dafne Keen – Logan
Fionn Whitehead – Dunkirk

BREAKTHROUGH BRITISH/IRISH FILMMAKER: The Philip French Award
Alice Birch – Lady Macbeth
Simon Farnaby – Paddington 2/Mindhorn
Francis Lee – God’s Own Country
Rungano Nyoni – I Am Not a Witch
William Oldroyd – Lady Macbeth

BRITISH/IRISH SHORT FILM OF THE YEAR
The Cloud of Unknowing – Mike Hannon
The Dog and the Elephant – Mike Sharpe
Tuesday – Charlotte Wells
We Love Moses – Dionne Edwards
Your Mother and I – Anna Maguire

TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Baby Driver – Darrin Prescott, stunts
Blade Runner 2049 – Dennis Gassner, production design
Dunkirk – Hans Zimmer, music
God’s Own Country – Joshua James Richards, cinematography
Lady Macbeth – Holly Waddington, costumes
The Lost City of Z – Darius Khondji, cinematography
The Love Witch – Emma Willis, hair & makeup
Paddington 2 – Pablo Grillo, visual effects
Phantom Thread – Mark Bridges, costumes
Star Wars: The Last Jedi – Ben Morris, visual effects

EXCELLENCE IN FILM: The Dilys Powell Award
Kate Winslet

Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards

BEST PICTURE
The Shape of Water

BEST DIRECTOR
Guillermo del Toro - The Shape of Water

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Gary Oldman - Darkest Hour

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Frances McDormand - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Sam Rockwell - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Alison Janney - I, Tonya

BEST ENSEMBLE ACTING
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

BEST SCREENPLAY ADAPTED FROM OTHER MATERIAL
The Disaster Artist

THE OVERLOOKED FILM OF THE YEAR
Gifted

BEST ANIMATED FILM
Coco

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
First They Killed My Father

BEST DOCUMENTARY
City of Ghosts

BEST ORIGINAL SONG
Coco - Remember Me

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
The Shape of Water

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Blade Runner 2049

BEST FILM EDITING
Dunkirk

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
The Shape of Water

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Beauty and the Beast

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
War for the Planet of the Apes

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE
McKenna Grace - Gifted

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A YOUTH
McKenna Grace - Gifted

Academy Announces 141 Original Score Contenders

Full list below:

“Alien: Covenant,” Jed Kurzel, composer
“All I See Is You,” Marc Streitenfeld, composer
“All the Money in the World,” Daniel Pemberton, composer
“Annabelle: Creation,” Benjamin Wallfisch, composer
“Band Aid,” Lucius, composer
“Battle of the Sexes,” Nicholas Britell, composer
“Baywatch,” Christopher Lennertz, composer
“Beauty and the Beast,” Alan Menken, composer
“The Big Sick,” Michael Andrews, composer
“Blade Runner 2049,” Benjamin Wallfisch and Hans Zimmer, composers
“The Book of Henry,” Michael Giacchino, composer
“Born in China,” Barnaby Taylor, composer
“The Boss Baby,” Hans Zimmer and Steve Mazzaro, composers
“Boston,” Jeff Beal, composer
“Brad’s Status,” Mark Mothersbaugh, composer
“Brawl in Cell Block 99,” Jeff Herriott and S. Craig Zahler, composers
“The Breadwinner,” Mychael Danna and Jeff Danna, composers
“Breathe,” Nitin Sawhney, composer
“Brigsby Bear,” David Wingo, composer
“Brimstone & Glory,” Dan Romer and Benh Zeitlin, composers
“Captain Underpants The First Epic Movie,” Theodore Shapiro, composer
“Cars 3,” Randy Newman, composer
“The Circle,” Danny Elfman, composer
“Coco,” Michael Giacchino, composer
“Cries from Syria,” Martin Tillman, composer
“A Cure for Wellness,” Benjamin Wallfisch, composer
“Darkest Hour,” Dario Marianelli, composer
“Despicable Me 3,” Heitor Pereira, composer
“The Disaster Artist,” Dave Porter, composer
“A Dog’s Purpose,” Rachel Portman, composer
“Downsizing,” Rolfe Kent, composer
“Drawing Home,” Ben Holiday, composer
“Dunkirk,” Hans Zimmer, composer
“Earth: One Amazing Day,” Alex Heffes, composer
“A Fantastic Woman,” Matthew Herbert, composer
“The Fate of the Furious,” Brian Tyler, composer
“Father Figures,” Rob Simonsen, composer
“Ferdinand,” John Powell, composer
“Fifty Shades Darker,” Danny Elfman, composer
“Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool,” J. Ralph, composer
“First They Killed My Father,” Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders, composers
“Get Out,” Michael Abels, composer
“A Ghost Story,” Daniel Hart, composer
“Gifted,” Rob Simonsen, composer
“The Glass Castle,” Joel P. West, composer
“Going in Style,” Rob Simonsen, composer
“Good Time,” Daniel Lopatin, composer
“Goodbye Christopher Robin,” Carter Burwell, composer
“Gook,” Roger Suen, composer
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” Tyler Bates, composer
“The Hitman’s Bodyguard,” Atli Ӧrvarsson, composer
“Hostiles,” Max Richter, composer
“Human Flow,” Karsten Fundal, composer
“An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power,” Jeff Beal, composer
“It,” Benjamin Wallfisch, composer
“Jane,” Philip Glass, composer
“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” Henry Jackman, composer
“Justice League,” Danny Elfman, composer
“Kepler’s Dream,” Patrick Neil Doyle, composer
“King Arthur: Legend of the Sword,” Daniel Pemberton, composer
“Kingsman: The Golden Circle,” Henry Jackman and Matthew Margeson, composers
“Kong: Skull Island,” Henry Jackman, composer
“LA 92,” Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans, composers
“LBJ,” Marc Shaiman, composer
“Lady Bird,” Jon Brion, composer
“Lake of Fire,” Qutub-E-Kripa, composer
“Last Flag Flying,” Graham Reynolds, composer
“The Lego Batman Movie,” Lorne Balfe, composer
“The Lego Ninjago Movie,” Mark Mothersbaugh, composer
“The Leisure Seeker,” Carlo Virzì, composer
“Let It Fall,” Mark Isham, composer
“Life,” Jon Ekstrand, composer
“Logan,” Marco Beltrami, composer
“The Lost City of Z,” Christopher Spelman, composer
“Loveless,” Evgueni Galperine and Sacha Galperine, composers
“Loving Vincent,” Clint Mansell, composer
“The Man Who Invented Christmas,” Mychael Danna, composer
“Mark Felt - The Man Who Brought Down the White House,” Daniel Pemberton, composer
“Marshall,” Marcus Miller, composer
“Mary and the Witch’s Flower,” Takatsugu Muramatsu, composer
“Maudie,” Michael Timmins, composer
“Molly’s Game,” Daniel Pemberton, composer
“Moomins and the Winter Wonderland,” Łukasz Targosz, composer
“The Mountain between Us,” Ramin Djawadi, composer
“Mudbound,” Tamar-kali, composer
“The Mummy,” Brian Tyler, composer
“Murder on the Orient Express,” Patrick Doyle, composer
“My Cousin Rachel,” Rael Jones, composer
“Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer,” Jun Miyake, composer
“Okja,” Jaeil Jung, composer
“Oklahoma City,” David Cieri, composer
“The Only Living Boy in New York,” Rob Simonsen, composer
“Only the Brave,” Joseph Trapanese, composer
“Our Souls at Night,” Elliot Goldenthal, composer
“Paris Can Wait,” Laura Karpman, composer
“Patti Cake$,” Geremy Jasper and Jason Binnick, composers
“Phantom Thread,” Jonny Greenwood, composer
“The Pirates of Somalia,” Andrew Feltenstein and John Nau, composers
“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,” Geoff Zanelli, composer
“The Post,” John Williams, composer
“Professor Marston and the Wonder Women,” Tom Howe, composer
“The Promise,” Gabriel Yared, composer
“Pulimurugan,” Gopi Sundar, composer
“Raw,” Jim Williams, composer
“Roman J. Israel, Esq.,” James Newton Howard, composer
“Saban’s Power Rangers,” Brian Tyler, composer
“Same Kind of Different as Me,” John Paesano, composer
“The Second Coming of Christ,” Navid Hejazi, Ramin Kousha and Silvia Leonetti, composers
“Served Like a Girl,” Michael A. Levine, composer
“The Shack,” Aaron Zigman, composer
“The Shape of Water,” Alexandre Desplat, composer
“Slipaway,” Tao Liu, composer
“Smurfs: The Lost Village,” Christopher Lennertz, composer
“Spider-Man: Homecoming,” Michael Giacchino, composer
“Split,” West Dylan Thordson, composer
“The Star,” John Paesano, composer
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” John Williams, composer
“Step,” Laura Karpman and Raphael Saadiq, composers
“Stronger,” Michael Brook, composer
“Suburbicon,” Alexandre Desplat, composer
“Swing Away,” Tao Zervas, composer
“Thank You for Your Service,” Thomas Newman, composer
“Their Finest,” Rachel Portman, composer
“Thelma,” Ola Fløttum, composer
“Thor: Ragnarok,” Mark Mothersbaugh, composer
“Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri,” Carter Burwell, composer
“Tickling Giants,” Paul Tyan, composer
“Tommy’s Honour,” Christian Henson, composer
“Trafficked,” David Das, composer
“Transformers: The Last Knight,” Steve Jablonsky, composer
“XXX: Return of Xander Cage,” Brian Tyler and Robert Lydecker, composers
“Victoria & Abdul,” Thomas Newman, composer
“Voice from the Stone,” Michael Wandmacher, composer
“Wakefield,” Aaron Zigman, composer
“War for the Planet of the Apes,” Michael Giacchino, composer
“Wilson,” Jon Brion, composer
“Wind River,” Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, composers
“Wonder,” Marcelo Zarvos, composer
“Wonder Woman,” Rupert Gregson-Williams, composer
“Wonderstruck,” Carter Burwell, composer
“Year by the Sea,” Alexander Janko, composer

Academy Announces 70 Original Song Contenders

The full list is below, first predictions in this category coming soon:

“U.N.I (You And I)” from “And the Winner Isn’t”
“Love And Lies” from “Band Aid”
“If I Dare” from “Battle of the Sexes”
“Evermore” from “Beauty and the Beast”
“How Does A Moment Last Forever” from “Beauty and the Beast”
“Now Or Never” from “Bloodline: Now or Never”
“She” from “Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story”
“Your Hand I Will Never Let It Go” from “The Book of Henry”
“Buddy’s Business” from “Brawl in Cell Block 99”
“The Crown Sleeps” from “The Breadwinner”
“World Gone Mad” from “Bright”
“Mystery Of Love” from “Call Me by Your Name”
“Visions Of Gideon” from “Call Me by Your Name”
“Captain Underpants Theme Song” from “Captain Underpants The First Epic Movie”
“Ride” from “Cars 3”
“Run That Race” from “Cars 3”
“Tell Me How Long” from “Chasing Coral”
“Broken Wings” from “City of Ghosts”
“Remember Me” from “Coco”
“Prayers For This World” from “Cries from Syria”
“There’s Something Special” from “Despicable Me 3”
“It Ain’t Fair” from “Detroit”
“A Little Change In The Weather” from “Downsizing”
“Stars In My Eyes (Theme From Drawing Home)” from “Drawing Home”
“All In My Head” from “Elizabeth Blue”
“Dying For Ya” from “Elizabeth Blue”
“Green” from “Elizabeth Blue”
“Can’t Hold Out On Love” from “Father Figures”
“Home” from “Ferdinand”
“I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” from “Fifty Shades Darker”
“You Shouldn’t Look At Me That Way” from “Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool”
“This Is How You Walk On” from “Gifted”
“Summer Storm” from “The Glass Castle”
“The Pure And The Damned” from “Good Time”
“This Is Me” from “The Greatest Showman”
“The Hero” from “The Hero”
“How Shall A Sparrow Fly” from “Hostiles”
“Just Getting Started” from “If You’re Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast”
“Truth To Power” from “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power”
“Next Stop, The Stars” from “Kepler’s Dream”
“The Devil & The Huntsman” from “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword”
“Have You Ever Wondered” from “Lake of Fire”
“I’ll Be Gone” from “Lake of Fire”
“We’ll Party All Night” from “Lake of Fire”
“Friends Are Family” from “The Lego Batman Movie”
“Found My Place” from “The Lego Ninjago Movie”
“Stand Up For Something” from “Marshall”
“Rain” from “Mary and the Witch’s Flower”
“Myron/Byron” from “The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)”
“Longing For Summer” from “Moomins and the Winter Wonderland”
“Mighty River” from “Mudbound”
“Never Forget” from “Murder on the Orient Express”
“Hold The Light” from “Only the Brave”
“PBNJ” from “Patti Cake$”
“Tuff Love (Finale)” from “Patti Cake$”
“Lost Souls” from “The Pirates of Somalia”
“How A Heart Unbreaks” from “Pitch Perfect 3”
“The Promise” from “The Promise”
“Kaadanayum Kaalchilambe” from “Pulimurugan”
“Maanathe Maarikurumbe” from “Pulimurugan”
“Stubborn Angel” from “Same Kind of Different as Me”
“Dancing Through The Wreckage” from “Served Like a Girl”
“Keep Your Eyes On Me” from “The Shack”
“On The Music Goes” from “Slipaway”
“The Star” from “The Star”
“Jump” from “Step”
“Tickling Giants” from “Tickling Giants”
“Fly Away” from “Trafficked”
“Speak To Me” from “Voice from the Stone”
“Walk On Faith” from “Year by the Sea”

Indiana Film Journalists Association Awards

Best Film
Winner: “Lady Bird”
Runner-up: “The Shape of Water”

Other Finalists (listed alphabetically)
“Blade Runner 2049”
“Brigsby Bear”
“Dunkirk”
“The Florida Project”
“Get Out”
“The Post”
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi”
“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”

Best Animated Feature
Winner: “Coco”
Runner-Up: “Loving Vincent”

Best Foreign Language Film
Winner: “Faces Places”
Runner-Up: “BPM (Beats Per Minute)”

Best Documentary
Winner: “Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992”
Runner-Up: “Liyana”

Best Original Screenplay
Winner: Greta Gerwig, “Lady Bird”
Runner-up: Jordan Peele, “Get Out”

Best Adapted Screenplay
Winner: Scott Frank, James Mangold and Michael Green, “Logan”
Runner-up: Hampton Fancher and Michael Green, “Blade Runner 2049”

Best Director
Winner: Greta Gerwig, “Lady Bird”
Runner-up: Guillermo del Toro, “The Shape of Water”

Best Actress
Winner: Saoirse Ronan, “Lady Bird”
Runner-up: Sally Hawkins, “Maudie”

Best Supporting Actress
Winner: Laurie Metcalf, “Lady Bird”
Runner-up: Allison Janney, “I, Tonya”

Best Actor
Winner: Harry Dean Stanton, “Lucky”
Runner-up: Gary Oldman, “Darkest Hour”

Best Supporting Actor
Winner: Willem Dafoe, “The Florida Project”
Runner-up: Doug Jones, “The Shape of Water”

Best Vocal/Motion Capture Performance
Winner: Andy Serkis, “War for the Planet of the Apes”
Runner-up: Sean Gunn & Bradley Cooper, “Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2”

Best Ensemble Acting
Winner: “The Florida Project”
Runner-up: “The Post”

Best Musical Score
Winner: Alexandre Desplat, “The Shape of Water”
Runner-up: Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch, “Blade Runner 2049”

Breakout of the Year
Winner: Timothée Chalamet, “Call Me by Your Name” and “Lady Bird”
Runner-up: Kogonada, “Columbus”

Original Vision Award
Winner: “Loving Vincent”
Runner-up: “Brigsby Bear

The Hoosier Award
“Columbus”

Academy Announces Ten Finalists for Best Visual Effects

The list has narrowed to:

“Alien: Covenant”
“Blade Runner 2049”
“Dunkirk”
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”
“Kong: Skull Island”
“Okja”
“The Shape of Water”
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi”
“Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets”
“War for the Planet of the Apes”

I still maintain these five:

Blade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
The Shape of Water
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
War for the Planet of the Apes

Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award Winners

Best Film
Lady Bird

Best Actor
Daniel Day-Lewis, Phantom Thread

Best Actress
Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird

Best Supporting Actor
Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project

Best Supporting Actress
Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird

Best Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, Phantom Thread

Best Screenplay
Jordan Peele, Get Out

Best Foreign Language Film
BPM (Beats Per Minute)

Best Documentary
Ex Libris: The New York Public Library

Seattle Film Critics Society Awards

BEST PICTURE OF THE YEAR
Get Out

BEST DIRECTOR
Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk

BEST ACTOR
Daniel Day-Lewis, Phantom Thread

BEST ACTRESS
Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird

BEST ENSEMBLE CAST
Get Out

BEST SCREENPLAY
Lady Bird – Greta Gerwig

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE 
Coco – Adrian Molina, Lee Unkrich, directors

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Raw – Julia Ducournau, director

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Faces, Places – JR, Agnès Varda, directors

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Blade Runner 2049 – Roger A. Deakins

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Phantom Thread – Mark Bridges

BEST FILM EDITING
Dunkirk – Lee Smith

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Phantom Thread – Jonny Greenwood

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Blade Runner 2049 – Dennis Gassner (Production Designer), Alessandra Querzola (Set Decorator)

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
War for the Planet of the Apes – Joe Letteri, Dan Lemmon, Daniel Barrett, Joel Whist

BEST YOUTH PERFORMANCE
Brooklynn Prince, The Florida Project

VILLAIN OF THE YEAR
Dennis & The Horde – Split – (portrayed by James McAvoy)

Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards

Best Picture
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Actor
Daniel Kaluuya – Get Out

Best Actress
Frances Mcdormand – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Supporting Actor
Sam Rockwell – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Supporting Actress
Laurie Metcalf – Lady Bird

Best Director
Guillermo del Toro – The Shape of Water

Best Original Screenplay
Martin McDonagh – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Adapted Screenplay
James Ivory – Call Me by Your Name

Best Animated Film
Coco

Best Cinematography
Roger Deakins – Blade Runner 2049

Best Breakout Filmmaker
Jordan Peele – Get Out

Best Art Direction
Blade Runner 2049

Best Foreign-Language Film
First They Killed My Father

Best Visual Effects
Blade Runner 2049

Best Family Film
Coco

Best Comedy
The Big Sick

Best Horror/Sci-Fi
Get Out

Best Costume Design
Blade Runner 2049

Best Ensemble Cast
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Youth In Film Winner
Brooklyn Prince–The Florida Project

William Holden Lifetime Achievement Award
Lois Smith

LVFCS Top 10 Films of 2017
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
The Florida Project
Get Out
The Shape of Water
The Big Sick
Dunkirk
I, Tonya
Call Me By Your Name
Wind River
Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards

BEST PICTURE

Get Out

ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTOR

Guillermo del Toro, The Shape of Water

BEST ACTOR

Timothée Chalamet, Call Me By Your Name

BEST ACTRESS

Sally Hawkins, The Shape of Water

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Jordan Peele, Get Out

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

(TIE) James Ivory, Call Me By Your Name and Scott Frank, James Mangold, and Michael Green, Logan

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

Coco

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

In The Fade

BEST DOCUMENTARY

Jane

VINCE KOEHLER AWARD FOR BEST SCIENCE FICTION, FANTASY or HORROR FILM

Get Out

TOM POE AWARD FOR BEST LGBT FILM

Call Me By Your Name

St. Louis Film Critics Association Award Winners

Best Film
The Shape of Water

Best Director
Guillermo del Toro - The Shape of Water

Best Actor
Gary Oldman - Darkest Hour

Best Actress
Frances McDormand - Three Billboard Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Supporting Actor
Richard Jenkins - The Shape of Water

Best Supporting Actress
Laurie Metcalf - Lady Bird

Best Original Screenplay
The Shape of Water - Guillermo del Toro & Vanessa Williams

Best Adapted Screenplay
The Disaster Artist - Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber (Screenplay);
Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell (Book)

Best Editing
Baby Driver - Jonathan Amos and Paul Machliss

Best Cinematography
Blade Runner 2049 - Roger Deakins

Best Production Design
The Shape of Water - Paul D. Austerberry

Best Visual Effects
Blade Runner 2049

Best Score
Phantom Thread - Jonny Greenwood

Best Soundtrack
Baby Driver

Best Animated Feature
Coco

Best Documentary Feature
Jane

Best Foreign Language Feature
Land of Mine

Best Scene
The Disaster Artist - Sixty-seven takes of "I did not hit her".

The 6th Annual Award Psychic Music Award Winners

Album of the Year

Winner - Kendrick Lamar "DAMN."
Runners Up - LCD Soundsystem "American Dream", SZA "CTRL", and A Tribe Called Quest “We Got it From Here…Thank You For Your Service”
Commentary - For the first time in these awards short history, an artist has won this top award twice. Kendrick Lamar is one of the greatest rappers of all time, and four albums in, he doesn't show any sign of slowing up. DAMN is yet another masterpiece from hip-hop's newest master. Stylish yet tough, dark yet at times fun. Impeccable song writing and master production value, easily make this the best album of this year. I hope the Grammy voters finally agree.

Single of the Year

Winner - Kendrick Lamar "HUMBLE"
Runners Up - Kesha "Praying" and Bruno Mars "That's What I Like"
Commentary - Praying is a power anthem, and That's What I Like is pure 90's R&B bliss, but HUMBLE is Kendrick Lamar at his best. It was a catchy, important, and beautifully crafted song. 

Best New Artist

Winner - SZA
Other Contenders - Khalid and Julia Michaels
Commentary - On her first full-length album, SZA proved she has a bright future in modern R&B music. Her album CTRL has potent autobiographical lyrics, showcases her vocal abilities, and in many ways continues to push her genre further by combining old instincts with new sounds. Her future in this business is bright indeed, and once again, I hope Grammy voters recognize that on their ballots this year.

Best Pop Vocal Album

Winner - Kesha "Rainbow"
Runner Up - Lorde "Melodrama"
Commentary - I never thought in this lifetime that I would reward Ke$ha with a music award. But this award isn't for Ke$ha, this one is for Kesha. The music industry chewed her up and spat her out, abused her kindness and talent, and created a pop machine. Through her pain though, came the rebirth of an artist, in a transformation rarely seen in modern music. She can still have fun, as evidenced by her Dap Kings collaboration Woman, but also shows us her pain, her emotion, her raw energy as an artist, and her never-before-seen talent. On her song Praying she sings, "I'm proud of who I am". I think I speak for all of her fans, when we say we are proud of your personal strength and ability to overcome hardship, and we are proud of the brave new artist you have become. I cannot wait to see what she does next, but I'm sure it will be spectacular.

Best Pop Performance

Winner - Kesha "Praying"
Runner Up - Harry Styles "Sign of the Times" and Lady Gaga "Million Reasons"
Commentary - Praying was a song for 2017. In the midst of the floodgate that has seen many powerful men fall down due to their indiscretions, this song can serve as a reminder that all those who have suffered abuse of any kind can pull through and can triumph. This song is powerful, it's potent, and it's a perfect representation of the new artist Kesha has become, freed from her constraints, and allowed live up to her talent. 

Best Rock/Alternative Album

Winner - (TIE) LCD Soundsystem "American Dream" and Leonard Cohen "You Want It Darker"
Runner Up - Queens of the Stone Age "Villains"
Commentary - In their return LCD Soundsystem gives a lot old fans of their work will love, with its nostalgia. Yet, the energy and creativity given to each song showcases a band that is always working to keep their sound fresh and exciting. I also though could not leave without honoring the last brutal, honest, dark, and wonderful album of the great Leonard Cohen. Rest in peace old friend. 

Best Rock/Alternative Performance

Winner - LCD Soundsystem "Call the Police"
Runners Up - Arcade Fire "Everything Now" and Beck "Dear Life"
Commentary - Call the Police is the perfect representation of LCD's vibrant return.

Best R&B Album

Winner - SZA "CTRL"
Runners Up - Childish Gambino "Awaken, My Love!" and Bruno Mars "24K Magic"
Commentary - See Best New Artist. 

Best R&B Performance

Winner - Bruno Mars "That's What I Like"
Runners Up - SZA "The Weekend" and Childish Gambino "Redbone"
Commentary - Like I said in Single of the Year, That's What I Like is perfect 90's soul, with a sick beat and catchy lyrics. I used to hate Bruno Mars, when he was in his pop phase. But since he rediscovered his soul side, he has become an essential and fun artist to watch. 

Best Rap Album

Winner - (TIE) Kendrick Lamar “DAMN.” and A Tribe Called Quest “We Got it From Here…Thank You For Your Service”
Runner Up - Jay-Z "4:44"
Commentary - DAMN is the best album of the year. But the legends A Tribe Called Quest released one of the best albums of the year, with the final work of the late Phife Dawg. I didn't want to go away this year without honoring this great achievement, and the achievement of a late, great rap legend.

Best Rap Performance

Winner - Kendrick Lamar "HUMBLE"
Runners Up - Cardi B "Bodak Yellow" and A Tribe Called Quest "We the People..."
Commentary - See Single of the Year

Best Country Album

Winner - Chris Stapleton "From a Room: Vol. 1"
Runner Up - Miranda Lambert "The Weight of These Wings"
Commentary - I'm not a huge country fan, but I respect the hell out of Chris Stapleton, and his latest two-volume work proves why he is an impeccable artist with amazing talent. 

Best Country Performance

Winner - Little Big Town "Better Man"
Runners Up - Miranda Lambert "Tin Man" and Willie Nelson "Delete and Fast-Forward"
Commentary - The folks in Little Big Town sure as hell know how to write a song. While not quite as clever as Girl Crush, Better Man is still clever as hell, catchy, and showcases these artist's vocal and songwriting talents.

Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award Nominations

Winners announced Monday!

Best Picture
Dunkirk
Lady Bird
Phantom Thread

Best Actor
Timothée Chalamet, Call Me by Your Name
Daniel Day-Lewis, Phantom Thread
Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour

Best Actress
Sally Hawkins, The Shape of Water
Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird

Best Supporting Actor
Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project
Armie Hammer, Call Me By Your Name
Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Supporting Actress
Allison Janney, I, Tonya
Lesley Manville, Phantom Thread
Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird

Best Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, Phantom Thread
Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird
Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk

Best Screenplay
Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird
Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Jordan Peele, Get Out

Best Foreign Language Film
BPM
A Fantastic Woman
The Square

Best Documentary
Ex-Libris: The New York Public Library
Faces Places
Jane

CANADA SECTION

Best Picture
Black Cop
Fail to Appear
Never Steady, Never Still

Best Director
Sofia Bohdanowicz, Maison du bonheur
Denis Côté, A Skin So Soft
Kathleen Hepburn, Never Steady, Never Still

One to Watch
Cody Bown, Gregoire
Winston DeGiobbi, Mass for Shut-Ins
Seth A. Smith, The Crescent

Best Screenplay
Cody Bown, Gregoire
Kathleen Hepburn, Never Steady, Never Still
Pascal Plante, Fake Tattoos

Best Actor
Jared Abrahamson, Gregoire
Ronnie Rowe, Black Cop
Anthony Therrien, Fake Tattoos

Best Actress 
Deragh Campbell, Fail to Appear
Shirley Henderson, Never Steady, Never Still
Rose-Marie Perreault, Fake Tattoos

Best Supporting Actor
Joe Buffalo, Luk’Luk’I
Ben Cotton, Gregoire
Nathan Roder, Fail to Appear

Best Supporting Actress
Morgan Taylor Campbell, Gregoire
Grace Glowicki, Cardinals
Yaité Ruiz, All You Can Eat Buddha

Best Canadian Documentary
In the Waves
Maison du bonheur
A Skin so Soft
Unarmed Verses

Best BC Film
Gregoire
Never Steady, Never Still
The Road Forward
Luk’Luk’I

Dallas-Ft. Worth Film Critics Association Awards

Best Film
The Shape of Water

Best Director
Guillermo Del Toro "The Shape of Water"

Best Actor
Gary Oldman — Darkest Hour

Best Actress
Sally Hawkins "The Shape of Water"

Best Supporting Actor
Sam Rockwell — Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Supporting Actress
Allison Janney — I, Tonya

Best Screenplay
Greta Gerwig — Lady Bird

Best Foreign Language Film
The Square

Best Documentary
City of Ghosts

Best Animated Film
Coco

Best Cinematography
The Shape of Water

Best Musical Score
The Shape of Water

Russell Smith Award 
(best low-budget or cutting-edge independent film)
The Florida Project

DFWCA's Top Ten Movies
1. The Shape of Water
2. The Post
3. Lady Bird
4. Call Me By Your Name
5. Get Out
6. Dunkirk
7. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
8. I, Tonya
9. The Florida Project
10. Darkest Hour

18th Annual Black Reel Award Nominations

Outstanding Motion Picture
Detroit
Get Out
Girls Trip
Marshall
Mudbound

Outstanding Actor
Chadwick Boseman "Marshall"
Daniel Kaluuya "Get Out"
Algee Smith "Detroit"
Lakeith Stanfield "Crown Heights"
Denzel Washington "Crown Heights"

Outstanding Actress
Simone Baker "Gook"
Carmen Ejogo "It Comes At Night"
Natalie Paul "Crown Heights"
Amandla Stenberg "Everything Everything"
Jessica Williams "The Incredible Jessica James"

Outstanding Director
Margaret Betts "Novitiate"
Reginald Hudlin "Marshall"
Malcolm D. Lee "Girls Trip"
Jordan Peele "Get Out"
Dee Rees "Mudbound"

Outstanding Supporting Actor
Idris Elba "Molly's Game"
Laurence Fishburne "Last Flag Flying"
Jamie Foxx "Baby Driver"
Lil Rey Howrey "Get Out"
Jason Mitchell "Mudbound"

Outstanding Supporting Actress
Mary J. Blige "Mudbound"
Betty Gabriel "Get Out"
Tiffany Haddish "Girls Trip"
Octavia Spencer "The Shape of Water"
Tessa Thompson "Thor: Ragnarok"

Outstanding Screenplay
Gerald McMurray & Christine T. Berg "Burning Sands"
Jordan Peele "Get Out"
Kenya Barris and Tracey Oliver "Girls Trip"
Dee Rees and Virgil Williams "Mudbound"
Margaret Betts "Novitiate"

Outstanding Ensemble
Detroit
Get Out
Girls Trip
Marshall
Mudbound

Outstanding Documentary Feature
Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary
Let it Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992
Step
Strong Isalnd
Whose Streets?

Outstanding Foreign-Language Film
Felicite (France)
Kati Kati (Kenya)
The Wound (South Africa0

Outstanding Voice Performance
Vin Diesel "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2"
Kevin Hart "Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie
Jenifer Lewis "Cars 3"
Maya Rudolph "The Emoji Movie"
Maya Rudolph "The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature"

Outstanding Score
Detroit
Get Out
Girls Trip
Gook
Marshall

Outstanding Original Song
"Best of Me" (La Vie Magnifique de Charlie)
"Jump" (Step"
"Mighty River (Mudbound)
"Stand Up for Something" (Marshall)
"Starlight" (Zo! Making of Skybreak)

Outstanding Independent Feature
Buring Sands
Crown Heights
Gook
Imperial Dreams
The Incredible Jessica James

Outstanding Independent Short
90 Days
Amelia's Closet
Gema
Oscar Micheaux
See You Yesterday

Outstanding Independent Documentary
Back to Natural: A Documentary Film
Quest
Tell Them We are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities
Yemanja: Wisdom from the African Heart of Brazil
Zo! Making Skybreak!

Outstanding World Cinema Motion Picture
Brown Girl Begins (Canada)
Cargo (Bahamas)
A United Kingdom (UK)

Outstanding Emerging Director
Margaret Betts "Novitiate"
Damon Davis and Sabaah Folayan "Whose Streets?"
J.D. Dillard "Sleight"
Jordan Peele "Get Out"
Malik Vitthal "Imperial Dreams"

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male
Nmamdi Asomugha "Crown Heights"
Sterling K. Brown "Marshall"
J. Quinton Johnson "Last Flag Flying"
Daniel Kaluuya "Get Out"
Lil Rey Howrey "Get Out"

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Female
Mary J. Blige "Mudbound"
Betty Gabriel "Get Out"
Tiffany Haddish "Girls Trip"
Natalie Paul "Crown Heights"
Jessica Williams "The Incredible Jessica James'

Outstanding First Screenplay
Gerald McMurray & Christine T. Berg "Burning Sand"
Malik Vitthal and Ismet Prcic "Imperial Dreams"
Margaret Betts "Novitiate"
J.D. Dillard and Alex Theurer "Sleight"
Caroline Jules "Tourment d'Amour"

Academy Announces Nine Finalists for Best Foreign Language Film

As always, this confusing process for this category has left out some big contenders such as BPM, Jolie's latest. Also missing are Tom of Finland, Thelma, You Disappear, and others

Chile, “A Fantastic Woman,” Sebastián Lelio, director
Germany, “In the Fade,” Fatih Akin, director
Hungary, “On Body and Soul,” Ildikó Enyedi, director
Israel, “Foxtrot,” Samuel Maoz, director
Lebanon, “The Insult,” Ziad Doueiri, director
Russia, “Loveless,” Andrey Zvyagintsev, director
Senegal, “Félicité,” Alain Gomis, director
South Africa, “The Wound,” John Trengove, director
Sweden, “The Square,” Ruben Östlund, director

I think based on these I would go with these five right now:

A Fantastic Woman
Foxtrot
In the Fade
Loveless
The Square

24th Annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards

Big miss for Shape of Water, Call Me By Your Name, The Florida Project, Dunkirk, and The Post, and a big boost for Lady Bird, Get Out, and Three Billboards, one of whom will most likely be your Best Picture winner at the Oscars. No Meryl Streep or Tom Hanks, no Armie Hammer or Michael Stulbarg, No Daniel Day-Lewis, Octavia Spencer, or Jake Gyllenhaal. Big surprise inclusions for Judi Dench, Denzel Washington (which after the Globe should not have surprised, so that's on me), Steve Carell, and a well-deserved notice for Woody Harrelson alongside his co-star Rockwell, who was expected. Also, this is probably small, but LilRey Howrey and Betty Gabriel, the two best supporting roles in the film, were left off the cast list.

Best Ensemble
The Big Sick
Get Out
Lady Bird
Mudbound
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Actor
Timothee Chalamet "Call Me By Your Name"
James Franco "The Disaster Artist"
Daniel Kaluuya "Get Out"
Gary Oldman "Darkest Hour"
Denzel Washington "Roman J. Israel, Esq."

Best Actress
Judi Dench "Victoria & Abdul"
Sally Hawkins "The Shape of Water"
Frances McDormand "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri"
Margot Robbie "I, Tonya"
Saoirse Ronan "Lady Bird"

Best Supporting Actor
Steve Carell "Battle of the Sexes"
Willem Dafoe "The Florida Project"
Woody Harrelson "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri"
Richard Jenkins "The Shape of Water"
Sam Rockwell "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri"

Best Supporting Actress
Mary J. Blige "Mudbound"
Hong Chau "Downsizing"
Holly Hunter "The Big Sick"
Allison Janney "I, Tonya"
Laurie Metcalf "Lady Bird"

Best Ensemble in a Drama Series
The Crown
Game of Thrones
The Handmaid's Tale
Stranger Things
This is Us

Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series
black-ish
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Glow
Orange is the New Black
Veep

Best Actor in a Drama Series
Jason Bateman "Ozark"
Sterling K. Brown "This is Us"
Peter Dinklage "Game of Thrones"
David Harbour "Stranger Things"
Bob Odenkirk "Better Call Saul"

Best Actress in a Drama Series
Millie Bobby Brown "Stranger Things"
Claire Foy "The Crown"
Laura Linney "Ozark"
Elisabeth Moss "The Handmaid's Tale"
Robin Wright "House of Cards"

Best Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson "black-ish"
Aziz Ansari "Master of None"
Larry David "Curb Your Enthusiasm"
Sean Hayes "Will & Grace"
William H. Macy "Shameless"
Marc Maron "Glow"

Best Actress in a Comedy Series
Uzo Aduba "Orange is the New Black"
Alison Brie "Glow"
Jane Fonda "Grace & Frankie"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus "Veep"
Lily Tomlin "Grace and Frankie"

Best Actor in a TV Movie/Limited Series
Benedict Cumberbatch "Sherlock: The Lying Detective"
Jeff Daniels "Godless"
Robert DeNiro "The Wizard of Lies"
Geoffrey Rush "Genius"
Alexander Skarsgard "Big Little Lies"

Best Actress in a TV Movie/Limited Series
Laura Dern "Big Little Lies"
Nicole Kidman "Big Little Lies"
Jessica Lange "FEUD: Bette and Joan"
Susan Sarandon "FEUD: Bette and Joan"
Reese Witherspoon "Big Little Lies"

Best Movie Stunts
Baby Driver
Dunkirk
Logan
War for the Planet of the Apes
Wonder Woman

Best Television Stunts
Game of the Thrones
Glow
Homeland
Stranger Things
The Walking Dead

Chicago Film Critics Association Award Winners

BEST PICTURE
Lady Bird

BEST DIRECTOR
Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk

BEST ACTOR
Timothée Chalamet, Call Me By Your Name

BEST ACTRESS
Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Jordan Peele, Get Out

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
James Ivory, Call Me By Your Name

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
The Square

BEST DOCUMENTARY
Jane

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Coco

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Roger Deakins, Blade Runner 2049

BEST EDITING
Jonathan Amos and Paul Machliss, Baby Driver

BEST ART DIRECTION
Blade Runner 2049

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Johnny Greenwood, Phantom Thread

MOST PROMISING PERFORMER
Timothee Chalamet, Call Me By Your Name

MOST PROMISING FILMMAKER
Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird

Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Nomination Predictions

Best Ensemble
Call Me By Your Name
Lady Bird
The Post
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Actor
Timothee Chalamet "Call Me By Your Name"
Daniel Day-Lewis "Phantom Thread"
James Franco "The Disaster Artist"
Tom Hanks "The Post"
Gary Oldman "Darkest Hour"

Best Actress
Sally Hawkins "The Shape of Water"
Frances McDormand "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri"
Margot Robbie "I, Tonya"
Saoirse Ronan "Lady Bird"
Meryl Streep "The Post"

Best Supporting Actor
Willem Dafoe "The Florida Project"
Armie Hammer "Call Me By Your Name"
Richard Jenkins "The Shape of Water"
Sam Rockwell "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri"
Michael Stuhlbarg "Call Me By Your Name"

Best Supporting Actress
Mary J. Blige "Mudbound"
Hong Chau "Downsizing"
Allison Janney "I, Tonya"
Laurie Metcalf "Lady Bird"
Octavia Spencer "The Shape of Water"

Best Ensemble in a Drama Series
The Crown
Game of Thrones
The Handmaid's Tale
Stranger Things
This Is Us

Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series
black-ish
Modern Family
Orange is the New Black
Veep
Will & Grace

Best Actor in a Drama Series
Sterling K. Brown "This is Us"
Peter Dinklage "Game of Thrones"
David Harbour "Stranger Things"
Bob Odenkirk "Better Call Saul"
Milo Ventimiglia "This is Us"

Best Actress in a Drama Series
Millie Bobby Brown "Stranger Things"
Claire Foy "The Crown"
Chrissy Metz "This is Us"
Elisabeth Moss "The Handmaid's Tale"
Robin Wright "House of Cards"

Best Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson "black-ish"
Aziz Ansari "Master of None"
Tituss Burgess "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"
Sean Hayes "Will & Grace"
William H. Macy "Shameless"

Best Actress in a Comedy Series
Uzo Aduba "Orange is the New Black"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus "Veep"
Megan Mullally "Will & Grace"
Tracee Ellis Ross "black-ish"
Lily Tomlin "Grace & Frankie"

Best Actor in a TV Movie/Limited Series
Robert DeNiro "The Wizard of Lies"
Ewan McGregor "Fargo"
Alfred Molina "Feud: Bette and Joan"
Geoffrey Rush "Genius"
Alexander Skarsgard "Big Little Lies"

Best Actress in a TV Movie/Limited Series
Laura Dern "Big Little Lies"
Nicole Kidman "Big Little Lies"
Jessica Lange "Feud: Bette and Joan"
Susan Sarandon "Feud: Bette and Joan"
Reese Witherspoon "Big Little Lies"

Women Film Critics Circle Award Nominations

BEST MOVIE ABOUT WOMEN
A Quiet Passion
Lady Bird
Sophie And The Rising Sun
The Florida Project

BEST MOVIE BY A WOMAN
Detroit
First They Killed My Father
Lady Bird
Mudbound

BEST WOMAN STORYTELLER [Screenwriting Award]
Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird
Maggie Greenwald: Sophie And The Rising Sun
Dee Reese, Mudbound
Angela Workman, The Zookeeper’s Wife

BEST ACTRESS
Sally Hawkins, Maudie
Sally Hawkins, The Shape Of Water
Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Cynthia Nixon, A Quiet Passion

BEST ACTOR
Timothée Chalamet, Call Me By Your Name
Daniel Kaluuya, Get Out
Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour
Denzel Washington, Roman J. Israel, Esq.

BEST YOUNG ACTRESS (Under 21)
Seo-Hyun Ahn, Okja
Mckenna Grace, Gifted
Brooklynn Prince, The Florida Project
Millicent Simmonds, Wonderstruck

BEST COMEDIC ACTRESS
Tiffany Haddish, Girls Trip
Allison Janney: I, Tonya
Margo Robbie: I, Tonya
Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird

BEST FOREIGN FILM BY OR ABOUT WOMEN
A Fantastic Woman
First They Killed My Father
In The Fade
Thelma

ADRIENNE SHELLY AWARD: For a film that most passionately opposes violence against women:
Maudie
The Light Of The Moon
The Rape Of Recy Taylor
Wind River

JOSEPHINE BAKER AWARD: For best expressing the woman of color experience in America
Girls Trip
Mudbound
Step
The Rape Of Recy Taylor

KAREN MORLEY AWARD: For best exemplifying a woman’s place in history or society, and a courageous search for identity
Battle Of The Sexes
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story
Mudbound
The Post

COURAGE IN ACTING [Taking on unconventional roles that radically redefine the images of women on screen]
Sally Hawkins, Maudie
Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Michelle Rodriguez, The Assignment
Charlize Theron, Atomic Blonde

COURAGE IN FILMMAKING
Amma Asante, A United Kingdom
Kathryn Bigelow, Detroit
Angelina Jolie, First The Killed My Father
Dee Rees, Mudbound

THE INVISIBLE WOMAN AWARD [Supporting performance by a woman whose exceptional impact on the film dramatically, socially or historically, has been ignored]
Jessica Chastain, The Zookeeper’s Wife
Betty Gabriel, Get Out
Sally Hawkins, Maudie
Cynthia Nixon, A Quiet Passion

BEST DOCUMENTARY BY OR ABOUT WOMEN:
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story
Faces Places
Jane
Step

WOMEN’S WORK: BEST ENSEMBLE
A Quiet Passion
Girls Trip
Sophie And The Rising Sun
Wonder Woman

BEST FEMALE ACTION HERO
Atomic Blonde
In The Fade
The Shape of Water
Wonder Woman

BEST EQUALITY OF THE SEXES
Atomic Blonde
Battle Of The Sexes
Professor Marston And The Wonder Women
Wonder Woman

BEST SCREEN COUPLE
Maudie
Professor Marston and the Wonder Women
The Big Sick
The Shape of Water

BEST ANIMATED FEMALE(S)
Coco
Loving Vincent
The Breadwinner
Window Horses: The Poetic Persian Epiphany of Rosie Ming

BEST FAMILY FILM
Coco
Beauty And The Beast
The Breadwinner
Wonder