Sunday, September 30, 2018

The 22nd Annual Online Film and Television Association Television Award Winners

BEST DRAMA SERIES
The Crown

BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Matthew Rhys – The Americans

BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Claire Foy – The Crown

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
David Harbour – Stranger Things

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Yvonne Strahovski – The Handmaid’s Tale

BEST GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Cameron Britton – Mindhunter

BEST GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Diana Rigg – Game of Thrones

BEST ENSEMBLE IN A DRAMA SERIES
The Americans

BEST COMEDY SERIES
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Donald Glover – Atlanta

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Rachel Brosnahan – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Brian Tyree Henry – Atlanta

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Alex Borstein – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

BEST GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Sterling K. Brown – Brooklyn Nine-Nine

BEST GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Maya Rudolph – The Good Place

BEST ENSEMBLE IN A COMEDY SERIES
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

BEST MOTION PICTURE
USS Callister (Black Mirror)

BEST LIMITED SERIES
The Assassiantion of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

BEST ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE OR LIMITED SERIES
Darren Criss – The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

BEST ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE OR LIMITED SERIES
Laura Dern – The Tale

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE OR LIMITED SERIES
Jeff Daniels – Godless

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE OR LIMITED SERIES
Judith Light – The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

BEST ENSEMBLE IN A MOTION PICTURE OR LIMITED SERIES
The Assassiantion of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

BEST VARIETY PROGRAM
Saturday Night Live

BEST REALITY OR NON-FICTION PROGRAM
RuPaul’s Drag Race

BEST MALE PERFORMANCE IN A VARIETY PROGRAM
John Oliver – Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE IN A VARIETY PROGRAM
Kate McKinnon – Saturday Night Live

BEST INDIVIDUAL HOST OR PANELIST IN A REALITY OR NON-FICTION PROGRAM
Donald Glover – Saturday Night Live

BEST ENSEMBLE IN A VARIETY, REALITY OR NON-FICTION PROGRAM
Saturday Night Live

BEST ANIMATED PROGRAM
BoJack Horseman

BEST VOICE-OVER PERFORMANCE IN AN ANIMATED PROGRAM
Will Arnett – BoJack Horseman

BEST DIRECTION IN A DRAMA SERIES
Game of Thrones

BEST DIRECTION IN A COMEDY SERIES
Atlanta

BEST DIRECTION OF A MOTION PICTURE OR LIMITED SERIES
Twin Peaks

BEST DIRECTION OF A VARIETY PROGRAM
Saturday Night Live

BEST DIRECTION OF A REALITY OR NON-FICTION PROGRAM
Queer Eye

BEST WRITING IN A DRAMA SERIES
The Americans

BEST WRITING IN A COMEDY SERIES
Atlanta

BEST WRITING OF A MOTION PICTURE OR LIMITED SERIES
The Assassiantion of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

BEST WRITING OF A VARIETY PROGRAM
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

BEST WRITING OF A REALITY OR NON-FICTION PROGRAM
Queer Eye

BEST MUSIC IN A SERIES
Game of Thrones

BEST EDITING IN A SERIES
Game of Thrones

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY IN A SERIES
Game of Thrones

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN IN A SERIES
The Crown

BEST COSTUME DESIGN IN A SERIES
The Crown

BEST MAKEUP/HAIRSTYLING IN A SERIES
Game of Thrones

BEST SOUND IN A SERIES
Game of Thrones

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS IN A SERIES
Game of Thrones

BEST MUSIC IN A NON-SERIES
Twin Peaks

BEST EDITING IN A NON-SERIES
Twin Peaks

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY IN A NON-SERIES
Twin Peaks

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN IN A NON-SERIES
The Assassiantion of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

BEST COSTUME DESIGN IN A NON-SERIES
The Assassiantion of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

BEST MAKEUP/HAIRSTYLING IN A NON-SERIES
Twin Peaks

BEST SOUND IN A NON-SERIES
Twin Peaks

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS IN A NON-SERIES
USS Callister (Black Mirror)

BEST NEW THEME SONG IN A SERIES
Mindhunter

BEST NEW TITLES SEQUENCE
Westworld

Sunday, September 23, 2018

The Oscar Narrative: Post-Festival Predictions - Technical Categories Part I

Best Cinematography
Robbie Ryan "The Favourite"
Linus Sandgren "First Man"
James Laxton "If Beale Street Could Talk"
Alfonso Cuaron "Roma"
Matthew Libatique "A Star is Born"

Other Contenders - Rachel Morrison "Black Panther", Sean Bobbitt "Widows", Dick Pope "Peterloo", Greig Fraser "Vice", Hoyte Van Hoytema "Ad Astra", Bruno Delbonnel "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs", John Mathieson "Mary, Queen of Scots", Sean Porter "Green Book", Newton Thomas Sigel "Bohemian Rhapsody", Chayse Irvin "BlackKKlansman", Janusz Kaminski "Ready Player One", Dion Beebe "Mary Poppins Returns"

Best Costume Design
Black Panther
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
The Favourite
Mary Poppins Returns
Mary, Queen of Scots

Other Contenders - Peterloo, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, Green Book, Colette, First Man, If Beale Street Could Talk, A Wrinkle in Time, BlackKKlansman, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, A Star is Born, Vice, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Avengers: Infinity War, Aquaman

Best Film Editing
First Man
If Beale Street Could Talk
A Star is Born
Roma
Vice

Other Contenders - Widows, The Favourite, Green Book, Black Panther, BlackKKLansman, Beautiful Boy, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, Mid90s, Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Bohemian Rhapsody, Mary Queen of Scots

Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Black Panther
Mary, Queen of Scots
Peterloo

Other Contenders - Bohemian Rhapsody, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Destroyer, Colette, Stan and Ollie, Avengers: Infinity War, First Man, A Star is Born, Deadpool 2, Ant-Man and Wasp, A Wrinkle in Time, Mary Poppins Returns, At Eternity's Gate, Halloween, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, The Favourite, The Nutcraker and the Four Realms, Green Book, If Beale Street Could Talk

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

22nd Annual Online Film and Television Association Television Nominations

BEST DRAMA SERIES
The Americans
The Crown
Game of Thrones
The Handmaid’s Tale
Killing Eve
This is Us
Westworld

BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jason Bateman – Ozark
Sterling K. Brown – This Is Us
Jonathan Groff – Mindhunter
Kit Harington – Game of Thrones
Matthew Rhys – The Americans
Milo Ventimiglia – This is Us
Jeffrey Wright – Westworld

BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jodie Comer – Killing Eve
Claire Foy – The Crown
Tatiana Maslany – Orphan Black
Mandy Moore – This is Us
Elisabeth Moss – The Handmaid’s Tale
Sandra Oh – Killing Eve
Keri Russell – The Americans

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Nicolaj Coster-Waldau – Game of Thrones
Peter Dinklage – Game of Thrones
Noah Emmerich – The Americans
Joseph Fiennes – The Handmaid’s Tale
David Harbour – Stranger Things
Mandy Patinkin – Homeland
Matt Smith – The Crown

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Alexis Bledel – The Handmaid’s Tale
Millie Bobby Brown – Stranger Things
Ann Dowd – The Handmaid’s Tale
Lena Headey – Game of Thrones
Vanessa Kirby – The Crown
Thandie Newton – Westworld
Yvonne Strahovski – The Handmaid’s Tale

BEST GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Cameron Britton – Mindhunter
Matthew Goode – The Crown
Michael C. Hall – The Crown
Ron Cephas Jones – This Is Us
Gerald McRaney – This Is Us
Peter Mullan – Westworld
Jimmi Simpson – Westworld

BEST GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Viola Davis – Scandal
Cherry Jones – The Handmaid’s Tale
Rinko Kikuchi – Westworld
Diana Rigg – Game of Thrones
Marisa Tomei – The Handmaid’s Tale
Cicely Tyson – How to Get Away with Murder
Samira Wiley – The Handmaid’s Tale

BEST ENSEMBLE IN A DRAMA SERIES
The Americans
The Crown
Game of Thrones
The Handmaid’s Tale
Orange Is the New Black
This is Us
Westworld

BEST COMEDY SERIES
Atlanta
black-ish
GLOW
The Good Place
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Silicon Valley
Will & Grace

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Anthony Anderson – black-ish
Ted Danson – The Good Place
Larry David – Curb Your Enthusiasm
Donald Glover – Atlanta
Bill Hader – Barry
William H. Macy – Shameless
Eric McCormack – Will & Grace

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Pamela Adlon – Better Things
Alison Brie – GLOW
Rachel Brosnahan – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Alison Janney – Mom
Debra Messing – Will & Grace
Tracee Ellis Ross – black-ish
Lily Tomlin – Grace & Frankie

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Tituss Burgess – Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Sean Hayes – Will & Grace
Brian Tyree Henry – Atlanta
Marc Maron – GLOW
Tony Shalhoub – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Lakeith Stanfield – Atlanta
Henry Winkler – Barry

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Zazie Beetz – Atlanta
Alex Borstein – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
D’Arcy Carden – The Good Place
Betty Gilpin – GLOW
Laurie Metcalf – Roseanne
Rita Moreno – One Day at a Time
Megan Mullally – Will & Grace

BEST GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Sterling K. Brown – Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Jon Hamm – Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Leslie Jordan – Will & Grace
Jason Mantzoukas – The Good Place
Lin-Manuel Miranda – Curb Your Enthusiasm
Nick Offerman – Will & Grace
Katt Williams – Atlanta

BEST GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Christine Baranski – The Big Bang Theory
Alexandra Billings – Transparent
Blythe Danner – Will & Grace
Jane Lynch – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Maya Rudolph – The Good Place
Molly Shannon – Will & Grace
Wanda Sykes – black-ish

BEST ENSEMBLE IN A COMEDY SERIES
Atlanta
black-ish
Dear White People
GLOW
The Good Place
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Will & Grace

BEST MOTION PICTURE
The Commuter (Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams)
Fahrenheit 451
Flint
Paterno
Psych: The Movie
The Tale
USS Callister (Black Mirror)

BEST LIMITED SERIES
American Vandal
The Assassiantion of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Godless
Patrick Melrose
The Terror
Top of the Lake: China Girl
Twin Peaks

BEST ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE OR LIMITED SERIES
Antonio Banderas – Genius: Picasso
Darren Criss – The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Benedict Cumberbatch – Patrick Melrose
Jared Harris – The Terror
John Legend – Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert
Kyle MacLachlan – Twin Peaks
Jesse Plemons – USS Calister (Black Mirror)

BEST ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE OR LIMITED SERIES
Jessica Biel – The Sinner
Laura Dern – The Tale
Edie Falco – Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders
Sarah Gadon – Alias Grace
Regina King – Seven Seconds
Elisabeth Moss – Top of the Lake: China Girl
Sarah Paulson – American Horror Story: Cult

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE OR LIMITED SERIES
Jeff Daniels – Godless
Cody Fern – The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
John Leguizamo – Waco
Ricky Martin – The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Edgar Ramirez – The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Jason Ritter – The Tale
Finn Wittrock – The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE OR LIMITED SERIES
Pénélope Cruz – The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Elizabeth Debicki – The Tale
Laura Dern – Twin Peaks
Jennifer Jason Leigh – Patrick Melrose
Judith Light – The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Merrit Weaver – Godless
Letitia Wright – Black Museum (Black Mirror)

BEST ENSEMBLE IN A MOTION PICTURE OR LIMITED SERIES
American Vandal
The Assassiantion of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Godless
The Looming Tower
Patrick Melrose
Twin Peaks
USS Callister (Black Mirror)

BEST VARIETY PROGRAM
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Late Night with Seth Meyers
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
Portlandia
Saturday Night Live

BEST REALITY OR NON-FICTION PROGRAM
The Amazing Race
The Oscars
Queer Eye
RuPaul’s Drag Race
Shark Tank

BEST MALE PERFORMANCE IN A VARIETY PROGRAM
Fred Armisen – Portlandia
Alec Baldwin – Saturday Night Live
Stephen Colbert – The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Jimmy Kimmel – Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Trevor Noah – The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
John Oliver – Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Kenan Thompson – Saturday Night Live

BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE IN A VARIETY PROGRAM
Samantha Bee – Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
Carrie Brownstein – Portlandia
Aidy Bryant – Saturday Night Live
Leslie Jones – Saturday Night Live
Kate McKinnon – Saturday Night Live
Amy Sedaris – At Home with Amy Sedaris
Sarah Silverman – I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman

BEST INDIVIDUAL HOST OR PANELIST IN A REALITY OR NON-FICTION PROGRAM
W. Kamau Bell – The United Shades of America
Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Tan France, Antoni Porowski, Jonathan Van Ness – Queer Eye
RuPaul Charles – RuPaul’s Drag Race
Ellen DeGeneris – Ellen
Donald Glover – Saturday Night Live
Bill Hader – Saturday Night Live
Jimmy Kimmel – The Oscars

BEST ENSEMBLE IN A VARIETY, REALITY OR NON-FICTION PROGRAM
Drunk History
Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert
Portlandia
RuPaul’s Drag Race
Saturday Night Live

BEST ANIMATED PROGRAM
Archer
Bob’s Burgers
BoJack Horseman
Family Guy
Rick and Morty
The Simpsons
South Park

BEST VOICE-OVER PERFORMANCE IN AN ANIMATED PROGRAM
Will Arnett – BoJack Horseman
H. Jon Benjamin – Archer
Seth MacFarlane – Family Guy
Wendie Malick – BoJack Horseman
Amy Sedaris – BoJack Horseman

BEST DIRECTION IN A DRAMA SERIES
The Americans
The Crown
Game of Thrones
The Handmaid’s Tale
Killing Eve
Mindhunter
Westworld

BEST DIRECTION IN A COMEDY SERIES
Atlanta
black-ish
Curb Your Enthusiasm
GLOW
The Good Place
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Will & Grace

BEST DIRECTION OF A MOTION PICTURE OR LIMITED SERIES
The Assassiantion of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
The Looming Tower
Patrick Melrose
The Tale
The Terror
Twin Peaks
USS Callister (Black Mirror)

BEST DIRECTION OF A VARIETY PROGRAM
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Portlandia
Saturday Night Live

BEST DIRECTION OF A REALITY OR NON-FICTION PROGRAM
The Amazing Race
The Amazing Race
The Oscars
Queer Eye
RuPaul’s Drag Race
Shark Tank

BEST WRITING IN A DRAMA SERIES
The Americans
The Crown
Game of Thrones
The Handmaid’s Tale
Killing Eve
This is Us
Westworld

BEST WRITING IN A COMEDY SERIES
Atlanta
Brooklyn Nine Nine
Dear White People
GLOW
The Good Place
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Silicon Valley

BEST WRITING OF A MOTION PICTURE OR LIMITED SERIES
Alias Grace
American Vandal
The Assassiantion of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Patrick Melrose
The Tale
The Terror
USS Callister (Black Mirror)

BEST WRITING OF A VARIETY PROGRAM
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Portlandia
Saturday Night Live

BEST WRITING OF A REALITY OR NON-FICTION PROGRAM
The Amazing Race
Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath
The Oscars
Queer Eye
The Vietnam War

BEST MUSIC IN A SERIES
The Americans
The Crown
Game of Thrones
The Handmaid’s Tale
Insecure
Stranger Things
Westworld

BEST EDITING IN A SERIES
The Americans
Atlanta
Game of Thrones
The Handmaid’s Tale
Mindhunter
Stranger Things
Westworld

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY IN A SERIES
Atlanta
The Crown
Game of Thrones
The Handmaid’s Tale
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Mindhunter
Westworld

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN IN A SERIES
The Crown
Game of Thrones
The Good Place
The Handmaid’s Tale
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Westworld

BEST COSTUME DESIGN IN A SERIES
The Crown
The Deuce
Game of Thrones
GLOW
The Handmaid’s Tale
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
A Series of Unfortunate Events

BEST MAKEUP/HAIRSTYLING IN A SERIES
The Crown
Game of Thrones
GLOW
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Star Trek: Discovery
Westworld

BEST SOUND IN A SERIES
The Americans
Game of Thrones
The Handmaid’s Tale
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Star Trek: Discovery
Stranger Things
Westworld

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS IN A SERIES
Altered Carbon
Game of Thrones
The Handmaid’s Tale
Star Trek: Discovery
Stranger Things
USS Callister (Black Mirror)
Westworld

BEST MUSIC IN A NON-SERIES
American Horror Story: Cult
The Assassiantion of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
The Looming Tower
Twin Peaks
USS Callister (Black Mirror)

BEST EDITING IN A NON-SERIES
American Horror Story: Cult
American Vandal
The Assassiantion of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Twin Peaks
USS Callister (Black Mirror)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY IN A NON-SERIES
American Horror Story: Cult
The Assassiantion of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Genius: Picasso
Twin Peaks
USS Callister (Black Mirror)

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN IN A NON-SERIES
American Horror Story: Cult
The Assassiantion of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
The Oscars
Twin Peaks
USS Callister (Black Mirror)

BEST COSTUME DESIGN IN A NON-SERIES
American Horror Story: Cult
The Assassiantion of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Fahrnenheit 451
Little Women
Picnic at Hanging Rock

BEST MAKEUP/HAIRSTYLING IN A NON-SERIES
American Horror Story: Cult
The Assassiantion of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Genius: Picasso
The Last Tycoon
Twin Peaks

BEST SOUND IN A NON-SERIES
American Horror Story: Cult
The Assassiantion of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Fahrenheit 451
Genius: Picasso
Twin Peaks

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS IN A NON-SERIES
American Horror Story: Cult
Genius: Picasso
The Looming Tower
Twin Peaks
USS Callister (Black Mirror)

BEST NEW THEME SONG IN A SERIES
Godless
Marvel’s The Defenders
Mindhunter
The Terror
The Tick

BEST NEW TITLES SEQUENCE
Altered Carbon
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
GLOW
Mindhunter
Westworld

Monday, September 17, 2018

The 70th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards

I'm catching up at the moment (I work Monday nights), but will get all the winners posted:

Best Drama Series - Game of Thrones
Best Comedy Series - The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Best Actor in a Drama Series - Matthew Rhys "The Americans"
Best Actress in a Drama Series - Claire Foy "The Crown"
Best Actor in a Comedy Series - Bill Hader "Barry"
Best Actress in a Comedy Series - Rachel Brosnahan "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Peter Dinklage "Game of Thrones"
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Thandie Newton "Westworld"
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Henry Winkler "Barry"
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series - Alex Borstein "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"
Best Directing in a Drama Series - Stephen Daldry "The Crown - Paterfamilias"
Best Writing in a Drama Series - Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg "The Americans - START"
Best Directing in a Comedy Series - Amy Sherman-Palladino "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"
Best Writing in a Comedy Series - Amy Sherman-Palladino "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"
Best Limited Series - The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Best Actor in a Limited Series/TV Movie - Darren Criss "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story"
Best Actress in a Limited Series/TV Movie - Regina King "Seven Seconds"
Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series/TV Movie - Jeff Daniels "Godless"
Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series/TV Movie - Merritt Wever "Godless"
Best Directing in a Limited Series/TV Movie - Ryan Murphy "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story - The Man Who Would Be Vogue"
Best Writing in a Limited Series/TV Movie - William Bridges and Charlie Brooker "U.S.S. Callister: Black Mirror"
Best Variety Talk Series - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Best Variety Sketch Series - Saturday Night Live
Best Directing in a Variety Special - Glenn Weiss "The Oscars"
Best Writing in a Variety Special - John Mulaney "John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City"
Best Reality Competition Series - RuPaul's Drag Race

Sunday, September 16, 2018

2018 Emmy Predictions: Final List

Best Drama Series - The Handmaid's Tale
Best Comedy Series - The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Best Actor in a Drama Series - Sterling K. Brown "This is Us"
Best Actress in a Drama Series - Elisabeth Moss "The Handmaid's Tale"
Best Actor in a Comedy Series - Donald Glover "Atlanta"
Best Actress in a Comedy Series - Rachel Brosnahan "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Peter Dinklage "Game of Thrones"
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Ann Dowd "The Handmaid's Tale"
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Henry Winkler "Barry"
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series - Alex Borstein "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"
Best Directing in a Drama Series - Game of Thrones - Beyond the Wall
Best Writing in a Drama Series - The Americans - Start
Best Directing in a Comedy Series - Atlanta - Teddy Perkins
Best Writing in a Comedy Series - The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel - Pilot
Best Limited Series - The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Best Actor in a TV Movie/Limited Series - Darren Criss "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story"
Best Actress in a TV Movie/Limited Series - Regina King "Seven Seconds"
Best Supporting Actor in a TV Movie/Limited Series - Jeff Daniels "Godless"
Best Supporting Actress in a TV Movie/Limited Series - Penelope Cruz "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story"
Best Directing in a TV Movie/Limited Series - Jesus Christ Superstar Live
Best Writing in a TV Movie/Limited Series - U.S.S Callister: Black Mirror
Best Reality Competition Series - The Voice
Best Variety Talk Series - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Best Variety Sketch Series - Saturday Night Live
Best Directing in a Variety Special - The Oscars
Best Writing in a Variety Special - Full Frontal with Samantha Bee: The Great American* Puerto Rico (*It's Complicated)

Friday, September 14, 2018

2018 Emmy Predictions: Best Drama and Comedy Series

Best Drama Series
Will Win - The Handmaid's Tale

Could Win -  Game of Thrones, The Crown, or The Americans

Should Win - Westworld or The Americans

Commentary - This race is going to be an interesting final lap to the finish line. Game of Thrones won big at the Creative Arts Emmys, but The Handmaid's Tale and The Crown did surprisingly well too, which makes me think they are both primed for an upset. Game of Thrones is particularly interesting. Before The Handmaid's Tale and the year off, Game of  Thrones was an Emmy giant, and took the top prize for its previous two seasons. Then there is The Americans. It is not the kind of show that wins the top prize, particularly with its lack of broad support across the Academy. But it could upset as well. All of that being said, voters love repeat winners, and The Handmaid's Tale grew in terms of nominations and support. While I think it could have trouble in the future, based on the reaction to this season's ending, I think it has at least one more shot at the podium.

Best Comedy Series
Will Win - The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Could Win - Atlanta

Should Win - Either Atlanta or Mrs. Maisel

Commentary - We have an interesting battle in this race between two fantastic shows, both of which would be deserving winners. I like when races are like that, where no matter what happens a quality program or performer is going to get a great moment on stage. Neither of these shows are traditional winners in this category. With the absence of Veep this year, it gives an opportunity to two shows who would normally not have as good of a shot winning this category. Atlanta is a dark dramedy, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is an hour-long dramedy. Both did well at the Creative Arts, both did extremely well with nominations. Atlanta seems like the pick in many ways. But I think Maisel has three things going for it. First, it has had an incredible campaign. Second, it is the funnier of the two. That matters, voters still like funny shows for this category. Third, while the membership of the Academy has changed a lot over the years, there are still a lot of older voters who I think will connect with this show much better than with in Atlanta. In a close call, I am picking Maisel.

Thursday, September 13, 2018

2018 Emmy Predictions: Best Actor and Actress in a Drama Series

Best Actor in a Drama Series
Will Win - Matthew Rhys "The Americans"

Could Win - Sterling K. Brown "This is Us" or Milo Ventimiglia "This is Us"

Should Win - Jeffrey Wright "Westworld" or Rhys

Commentary - An interesting race has unfolded here, and it has swung towards another contender. This year, Sterling K. Brown could easily win another Emmy for This is Us. I think three things are going against him. First, This is Us dipped in terms of overall popularity with voters, and missed some big acting nominations that many were predicting. Second, last year he was a shoo-in, easily the best of the bunch, which meant there was no worry of vote splitting. This year, Milo Ventimiglia had an incredibly emotional arch that makes both really palatable to vote for. Finally, there is some nostalgia at play that could force another contender into the race. Like Kyle Chandler, I think Matthew Rhys could benefit from a need to reward The Americans before it is too late. It will most likely not win Drama series, but like Friday Night Lights, it could take a few consolation prizes and still get big moments on the Emmy stage. It is probably not the safest bet to go against Brown, but I am predicting the upset.

Best Actress in a Drama Series
Will Win - Elisabeth Moss "The Handmaid's Tale"

Could Win - Claire Foy "The Crown", Sandra Oh "Killing Eve", or Keri Russell "The Americans"

Should Win - Evan Rachel Wood "Westworld" or Oh

Commentary - Six months ago, everyone would have been predicting Elisabeth Moss to repeat. I am still predicting her, because The Handmaid's Tale rose in popularity with Emmy voters, and they love repeat winners. But I think that the last two or three episodes of this season (which were not eligible for Emmy voting and aired after the nomination votes were in), and that some other folks have risen in buzz. Keri Russell could benefit like Rhys is in Actor, but this category is a lot tougher. Sandra Oh should be in the mix, and has seen her stock rise and the historic nature of her nomination get positive press. Finally, after The Crown scored that Casting win, and did well in acting nominations, I would watch out for SAG winner Claire Foy, who beat Moss this year. This is their last chance to honor her for this role, and there is clearly some love there for the show. I would not be shocked if it had a big moment on Sunday either her or in supporting actor, defying all odds.

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

2018 Emmy Predictions: Best Actor and Actress in a Comedy Series

Best Actor in a Comedy Series
Will Win - Donald Glover "Atlanta"

Could Win - Bill Hader "Barry" or Ted Danson "The Good Place"

Should Win - Glover or Danson

Commentary - Bill Hader is probably the biggest threat to a repeat win for Donald Glover, and Ted Danson is a television legend. But honestly, I think as Atlanta continues to grow in popularity and is in a great position to win or get close to winning Comedy Series. Plus, this is Donald Glover's year. He was in big movies, his song This is America was everywhere, and Atlanta continues to be a popular and beloved television show. I think that triple threat puts him in first place.

Best Actress in a Comedy Series
Will Win - Rachel Brosnahan "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"

Could Win - Allison Janney "Mom" or Tracee Ellis Ross "black-ish"

Should Win - Issa Rae "Insecure"

Commentary - Rachel Brosnahan has been barreling towards this Emmy win for a while now, and with popular votes mattering more and more under the new voting system, I think she stands a really good chance. I only see two actresses potentially standing in her way. First, of course, is Allison Janney. The recent Oscar winner has won plenty of Emmys over the years, and she could easily inspire voters again. The other is Tracee Ellis Ross. She is extremely popular, on a show nominated for Best Comedy Series, and had a great emotional story arch over the last half of the season. But this is Brosnahan's to lose.

Sunday, September 9, 2018

2018 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys: Part II

Night two, here we go!:

Best Variety Special (Live) - Jesus Christ Superstar Live
Best Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) - Dave Chappelle: Equanimity
Best Structured Reality Program - Queer Eye
Best Unstructured Reality Program - United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell
Best Reality Host - RuPaul Charles "RuPaul's Drag Race"
Best Documentary or Nonfiction Series - Wild Wild Country
Best Documentary or Nonfiction Special - The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling
Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking - Strong Island
Best Informational Series or Special - Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
Best Interactive Program - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Best Creative Achievement in Unscripted Program - Conan Without Borders
Best Short Form Nonfiction/Reality Series - Anthony Bourdain: Explore Parts Unknown
Best Narrator - Sir David Attenborough "Blue Planet II"
Best Directing in a Variety Series - Don Roy King "Saturday Night Live - Host: Donald Glover"
Best Writing in a Variety Series - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Best Directing in a Reality Program - RuPaul's Drag Race
Best Directing in a Documentary or Nonfiction Program - Brett Morgen "Jane"
Best Writing in a Documentary/Nonfiction Program - Anthony Bourdain "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown"
Best Short Form Variety Series - Carpool Karaoke: The Series
Best Casting in a Reality Program - Queer Eye
Best Choreography - Mandy Moore "So You Think You Can Dance"
Best Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program - Jane
Best Cinematography for a Reality Program - Life Below Zero
Best Costumes for Variety/Nonfiction/Reality Program - RuPaul's Drag Race
Best Picture Editing for a Nonfiction Program - Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
Best Picture Editing for a Variety Program - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Best Picture Editing for a Structured or Competition Reality Program - Queer Eye
Best Picture Editing for an Unstructured Reality Series - United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell
Best Hairstyling for a Multi-Camera Series or Special - RuPaul's Drag Race
Best Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Series - Saturday Night Live
Best Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Special - Jesus Christ Superstar Live
Best Makeup for a Multi-Camera Series or Special - Saturday Night Live
Best Music Direction - Gregg Field "Tony Bennett: The Library Of Congress Gershwin Prize For Popular Song"
Best Original Music and Lyrics - Saturday Night Live - Come Back Barack
Best Production Design for Variety/Reality/Nonfiction Series - Saturday Night Live
Best Production Design for Variety/Reality/Nonfiction Special - Jesus Christ Superstar Live
Best Sound Editing for a Nonfiction Program - Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
Best Sound Mixing for a Variety Series/Special - Jesus Christ Superstar Live
Best Sound Mixing for a Nonfiction Program - Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
Best Technical Direction for a Series - Saturday Night Live
Best Technical Direction for a Special - Jesus Christ Superstar Live

75th Venice Film Festival Awards

IN COMPETITION

Golden Lion
Roma

Silver Lion for Best Director
Jacques Audiard “The Sisters Brothers”

Volpi Cup for Best Actress
Olivia Colman “The Favourite”

Volpi Cup for Best Actor
Willem Dafoe “At Eternity’s Gate”

Best Screenplay
Joel and Ethan Coen “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”

Special Jury Prize
The Nightingale

Marcello Mastroianni Award for Young Performer
Baykali Ganambarr “The Nightingale”

HORIZONS 

Best Film
Manta Ray

Best Director
Emir Baigazin “The River”

Special Jury Prize
The Announcement

Best Actress
Natalya Kudryashova “The Man Who Surprised Everyone”

Best Actor
Kais Nashif “Tel Aviv on Fire”

Best Screenplay
Pema Tseden “Jinpa”

Best Short Film
Kado

Luigi De Laurentiis Award for Best Debut Film
Soudade Kaadan “The Day I Lost My Shadow”

VENICE CLASSICS

Best Documentary on Cinema
The Great Buster: A Celebration

Best Restored Film
The Night of the Shooting Stars

VIRTUAL REALITY COMPETITION

Best Virtual Reality
Spheres

Best Virtual Reality Experience
Buddy VR

Best Virtual Reality Story
Isle of the Dead

TIFF 2018: Beautiful Boy, Widows, and Halloween Land Well

Three big films have premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, bringing buzz and intrigue. First is Beautiful Boy, starring Steve Carell and Timothee Chalamet. The initial reviews are great, particularly for those two lead performances. However, in terms of a bigger Oscar push, I'm not as sure. Reviews praise the perforamnces, but many say that it is often a hard film to watch. It luckily has the important factor going for it, similar to other difficult films that have found Oscar footing.

Widows, the highly anticipated Steve McQueen film, landed well with good reviews, and a big push by Fox for its box office run. The studio has already stated that they hope audiences will buoy its Oscar chances, because a genre heist thriller usually doesn't play well with Oscar voters. One particular performance, the great Viola Davis, is standing out among critics, and could play in the crowded Best Actress race.

Finally, outside of the Oscar race, the remake of Halloween became the first film of this long-running franchise, since the first classic, to really hit well with critics. This is not an Oscar contender, although Blumhouse was able to ride Get Out to Oscar glory last year. But it looks to be a big, box-office, and critically acclaimed horror film that gives the franchise and the genre a much needed positive boost. Critics are pointing out Jamie Lee Curtis as the standout among the cast, and give a lot of props to both David Gordon Green and Danny McBride for briging style and humor to the screen. After the Emmys next week, I can do updated Oscar predictions in the wake of all of these premieres.

Remember the Creative Arts Emmys, Part II will be announced this evening!

Saturday, September 8, 2018

2018 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys: Part I

I will update the winners live!!:

Best Television Movie - U.S.S. Callister: Black Mirror
Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series - Ron Cephas Jones "This is Us"
Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series - Samira Wiley "The Handmaid's Tale"
Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series - Katt Williams "Atlanta"
Best Guest Actress in a Comedy - Tiffany Haddish "Saturday Night Live"
Best Animated Program - Rick & Morty
Best Short Form Animated Program - Robot Chicken
Best Character Voice-Over  - Alex Borstein "Family Guy"
Best Short Form Comedy or Drama Series - James Corden's Next James Corden
Best Actor in a Short Form Series - James Corden "James Corden's Next James Corden"
Best Actress in a Short Form Series - Christina Pickles "Break a Hip"
Best Casting in a Drama Series - The Crown
Best Casting in a Comedy Series - The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Best Casting in a Limited Series/TV Movie - The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Best Children's Program - The Magical Wand Chase: A Sesame Street Special
Best Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Comedy Series - Will & Grace
Best Cinematography for a Single Camera Hour-Long Series - The Crown
Best Cinematography for a Single Camera Half-Hour Series - Atlanta
Best Cinematography for a Limited Series/TV Movie - Genius: Picasso
Best Commercial - P&G - The Talk - My Black is Beautiful
Best Costumes: Period - The Crown
Best Costumes: Fantasy/Sci-Fi - Game of Thrones
Best Costumes: Contemporary - The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Best Multi-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series - Will & Grace
Best Single Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series - The Handmaid's Tale
Best Single Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series - The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Best Single Camera Picture Editing for a Limited Series/TV Movie - U.S.S Callister: Black Mirror
Best Hairstyling for a Single Camera Series - Westworld
Best Hairstyling for a Limited Series/TV Movie - The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Best Creative Achievement in Interactive Media (Scripted) - Westworld
Best Original Interactive Program - NASA JPL: Cassini's Grand Finale
Best Makeup for a Single Camera Series - Westworld
Best Makeup for a Limited Series/TV Movie - The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Best Prosthetic Makeup - Game of Thrones
Best Main Title Theme Music - Godless
Best Main Title Design - Counterpart
Best Music Composition for a Series - Game of Thrones
Best Music Composition for a Limited Series/TV Movie - March of the Penguins 2
Best Music Supervision - The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Best Production Design for Narrative Period or Fantasy Series - Game of Thrones
Best Production Design for Contemporary (One Hour) - The Handmaid's Tale
Best Production Design for a Contemporary (Half Hour) - GLOW
Best Sound Editing for a One-Hour Comedy/Drama Series - Stranger Things
Best Sound Editing for a Half-Hour Series - Atlanta
Best Sound Editing for a Limited Series/TV Movie - U.S.S. Callister: Black Mirror
Best Sound Mixing for a Half-Hour Series - Barry
Best Sound Mixing for a One-Hour Series - Game of Thrones
Best Sound Mixing in a Limited Series/TV Movie - Genius: Picasso
Best Stunt Coordination for Drama/Limited Series - Game of Thrones
Best Stunt Coordination for a Comedy Series - GLOW
Best Special Visual Effects - Game of Thrones
Best Supporting Visual Effects - The Alienst

Friday, September 7, 2018

2018 Emmy Predictions: Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Will Win - Peter Dinklage "Game of Thrones"

Could Win - David Harbour "Stranger Things" or Matt Smith "The Crown"

Should Win - David Harbour "Stranger Things"

Commentary - When this race started, it looked like David Harbour's to lose. Consensus just seemed to be building around him taking the prize. I still think he is a viable choice, but I feel the tide turning. First, Matt Smith gets nominated. He is not the most likable character on The Crown by any means, but he definitely has a prominent and memorable role this season. Then I started thinking, why? Why was David Harbour so inevitable? I think its because he had a great season, and folks just felt like it was going to be his turn at bat. But I know Emmy voters, and for every new choice they make, they also fall back to old habits. Peter Dinklage is practically a lead on Game of Thrones, he has won for this role before, and had a great season. I don't really have the same level of reasoning for anyone else. In a toss-up race that I am really perplexed with, I stick with the old favorite.

Thursday, September 6, 2018

2018 Emmy Predictions: Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Will Win - Thandie Newton "Westworld"

Could Win - Ann Dowd "The Handmaid's Tale", Yvonne Strahovski "The Handmaid's Tale", or Vanessa Kirby "The Crown"

Should Win- Thandie Newton "Westworld"

Commentary - After Ann Dowd's surprise win last year, this category is causing me concern. Will Dowd win again? Conventional wisdom says yes. She managed to win last year over her co-star Samira Wiley and a tough lineup. But this year she faces not just one co-star, but two. Last year's Guest winner Alexis Bledel, and Yvonne Strahovski, who has a lot of pundits predicting her. When you are the clear standout, like Sterling K. Brown or Kate McKinnon, then it doesn't matter. But I think an Emmy winner already for the same role, and a huge breakout star could pull away enough votes in this new system that could lead to a split decision and a new winner. I think two contenders benefit from this. First is Vanessa Kirby, a surprise nominee for The Crown. The show did better than most folks were predicting in terms of nominations, and she was a standout this season. But I think that this paves the way for Thandie Newton. She was magnificent in Westworld this season, has tons of great buzz, and has incredible range (she spends an entire episode speaking in Japanese). This is my one big, out on a limb pick, and I know there is a very good chance I am wrong. But I have this hunch that this category is not going to go the way most folks are predicting.

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

2018 Emmy Predictions: Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Will Win - Henry Winkler "Barry"

Should Win - Winkler or Tituss Burgess "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"

Could Win - Burgess, Tony Shalhoub "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel", Brian Tyree Henry "Atlanta", or Alec Baldwin "Saturday Night Live"

Commentary - So this really is a five-way race. I think Louie Anderson should be thrilled with his nomination. He has already won for this category and buzz for Baskets has faded. You can also add Kenan Thompson to the list of guys who should feel lucky to be in the race. Alec Baldwin won this category last year, and the anti-Trump Hollywood voters might love to give him another opportunity on stage. But I think buzz has faded on his performance, and he was much less prevalent this season. Brian Tyree Henry could get swept up in the Atlanta wave. Tituss Burgess is really the only reason voters still like Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt as he is the only other nod for the series besides Comedy Series. Tony Shalhoub is a big threat. He is a previous Emmy favorite, and just won a Tony for The Band's Visit. He, like Henry, is in a huge contender for Comedy Series, which also helps. But I think that this category is going to Henry Winkler. He is a television legend in a show that they really like. This could easily serve two purposes for Emmy voters. It is a way to honor Barry, a show they clearly love, and it gives them a chance to give a way overdue Emmy to Winkler. Word is getting out that he has never won an Emmy, and apparently he is campaigning all over town. I think Emmy voters are not going to pass up a chance for an incredible Emmy moment.

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

2018 Emmy Predictions: Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Will Win - Alex Borstein "Will & Grace"

Could Win - Kate McKinnon "Saturday Night Live", Laurie Metcalf "Roseanne", or Megan Mulally "Will & Grace"

Should Win - Borstein or Mulally

Commentary - This race was so competitive that it took eight nominees to accommodate all of the actresses voters loved this year. I think that half of those nominees have a real shot at winning. Laurie Metcalf could easily get a big moment at the Emmy in the wake of the Roseanne controversy, which would also be a great lead-in to the Roseanne-less The Conners that premieres in October. She is a beloved Emmy favorite who has won for this role before, and there could be a movement in the Academy to reward the cast members burned by Barr's actions. They did the same thing with Jon Cryer the season after Charlie Sheen left Two and a Half Men. Another contender that has won for her character before is Megan Mulally. While Will & Grace sadly missed out at top categories, they made room for Mulally, who is beloved among these voters. If the episodes still mean anything, her turn in Rosie's Quinceanara was easily the best of the bunch. Of course, you cannot leave out Kate McKinnon. A lot of folks are predicting her to win a third, which is a smart move. Emmy voters love repeats, and she is a standout. I think two things are working against her this year. SNL definitely lost steam this season after its glorious election season, there is a lot stiffer competition this year, and there are now two other competitors from SNL that could pull votes away. That didn't stop her last year, but then again, she was unstoppable last year due to her Hillary Clinton. I don't know if she has the same kind of buzz and support this time around. I think all of this paves the way for Alex Borstein. Her series is nominated for Comedy Series unlike Mulally and Metcalf, and it is one of the two front runners who could prevail in the top prize. She is a beloved veteran in this industry, who even popped back into the Voice Over category after missing out for several years. I think this shows she is on voters minds. She apparently has be working the circuit as Amazon is making a huge push for the show, has been charming voters, and she is fantastic in the show. In a close race, I pick Borstein for the win.

Monday, September 3, 2018

2018 Telluride Film Festival: Melissa McCarthy Enters the Oscar Race with Can You Ever Forgive Me?

I had a hint that Melissa McCarthy's turn in Marielle Heller/Nicole Holofcener's latest Can You Ever Forgive Me was going to turn heads. These are two of the most talented women screenwriters/directors working in indie cinema, and they would not have put comedienne McCarthy in the driver's seat if they did not think she could pull it off. Well, after a rocky start to Telluride originals, it looks like the first big hit with Oscar buzz has emerged from the fest (besides the Venice originals that played there as well). The film as a whole is still a question mark, although I have moved it into Best Original Screenplay. I have also made sure Melissa McCarthy, an early pick of mine, has found and retained a slot in Best Actress, as the reviews so far have focused on her apparently fantastic performance. She is already a genuine movie and television star, an Emmy winner and Oscar nominee, and could easily take the Oscar world by storm yet again. Here is the trailer:

2018 Emmy Predictions: Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

Will Win - Cameron Britton "Mindhunter"

Could Win - Gerald McRaney "This is Us"

Should Win - Britton or McRaney

Commentary - Gerald McRaney could easily win a second Emmy this year for his role on This is Us. If voters are going off of name recognition alone, then McRaney, whose win last year was a favorite among pundits, is a shoo-in. But I think that there has been enough buzz and enough attention on the breakout role by Cameron Britton in Mindhunter. If voters have watched the episodes, then Britton is on his way to a surprise first Emmy. For the record, I might switch back to McRaney before this coming weekend, because I know how Emmy voters work. But for now, I am betting on Britton.

Sunday, September 2, 2018

2018 Emmy Predictions: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

Will Win - Diana Rigg "Game of Thrones"

Could Win - Samira Wiley "The Handmaid's Tale"

Should Win - Diana Rigg "Game of Thrones"

Commentary - Diana Rigg has been nominated so many times before in this category and never won, that it concerns me. But, she is magnificent this season, and it is the last chance for Emmy voters to reward her. I think that if anyone else wins it is Samira Wiley. But with too many Handmaid's Tale folks populating this category, particularly Cherry Jones, who is an Emmy winner, I think could pull votes. I don't think any of the three are strong enough to overcome each other. That paves the way for Rigg to win a well-deserved, and overdue Emmy. 

2018 Venice and Telluride Film Festivals - Second Batch of Films Have Soft Landings

After the initial rush of Roma, First Man, and The Favourite, the second batch of films have landed a lot softer and not had quite the same impact.

In Venice, Mike Leigh's latest Peterloo bowed to incredibly mixed responses. It looks like it will still be a contender in the technical categories, but I think that the writing and directing slot that seems to be reserved for Leigh will go to someone else this time around. Some critics think it is fantastic, but also the same number of critics think it is overly long, dry, and a bore to sit through.

Luca Guadagnino hit it big last year with Call Me By Your Name, but I do not think that his remake of Suspiria will bring him the same level of attention. Like Peterloo, the overall reviews are not bad, but incredibly polarizing. Some are labeling it as a masterpiece, others complete trash. This reminds me a big of mother! last year, which means that while it might find an audience and a cult following, awards attention might elude it.

Telluride's original premieres so far have not had quite the same buzz as Venice. The Front Runner, Jason Reitman's film about Gary Hart, is getting moderately positive notices, particularly for Hugh Jackman and Vera Farmiga. Unless the general audience likes it better, and some of the later releases turn out to be less than stellar, I don't know if this film will take off in the awards race.

One of the films I was really looking forward to was Joel Edgerton's Boy Erased. The term I would use for its first reactions is warm. Not glowing reviews, but not bad ones either. The reviews seem to indicate that there is a lot to like about this film, particularly the cast. But almost every reviewer said they were hoping for more in terms of the story. I still think this one is timely, and could find a bigger following outside of the festival folks. At the least, expect its cast to be in the mix for acting categories.

Nicole Kidman has two roles this year which are earning praise, the second one coming from Destroyer. The film is not getting as much attention as her performance however. I think that, from the looks of it, it might be too much for Academy voters, but could help propel her to a double nomination, or at least help boost her supporting bid in Boy Erased.

The one exception to these softer landings is The Old Man and the Gun. If this is, in fact, Robert Redford's last film, then I could see a huge push to get him an acting Oscar, which he has never won. The reviews are great so far, and the buzz is already on the rise.

Saturday, September 1, 2018

2018 Emmy Predictions: Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Will Win - Bill Hader "Saturday Night Live"

Could Win - Donald Glover "Saturday Night Live"

Should Win - Bill Hader "Saturday Night Live"

Commentary - The epic battle at this year's Emmys is between Bill Hader and Donald Glover who are competing in so many categories. I think Donald Glover is ahead in most of them, but I see a chance here for Bill Hader to slip through. Glover is so popular and having such a year that he could sweep. But Hader's episode was the better of the two, he is an SNL alum, and it is a way to honor a performer they really love, who is also having a banner year on television.