Wednesday, May 29, 2019

The Goldfinch Trailer

So Ansel Elgort is definitely front and center, and Nicole Kidman's role is not as big as I thought. The one that intrigues me the most is Jeffrey Wright. Check out the baity trailer below:

Sunday, May 26, 2019

Cannes 2019: Parasite Wins the Palme d'Or

Bong Joon-ho, whose Snowpiercer was one of my favorite films in recent memory, has become the first Korean director to win the Palme d'Or. Here is the full list of winners:

Palme d’Or
Parasite  (Bong Joon-ho)

Grand Prix
Atlantics (Mati Diop)

Jury Prize 
(TIE) Les Misérables (Ladj Ly) and Bacurau (Kleber Mendonça Filho, Juliano Dornelles)

Best Actress
Emily Beecham “Little Joe”

Best Actor
Antonio Banderas “Pain & Glory”

Best Director
Jean-Pierre & Luc Dardenne "The Young Ahmed”

Best Screenplay
Céline Sciamma “Portrait of a Lady on Fire"

Special Mention of the Jury
It Must Be Heaven (Elia Suleiman)

Camera d’Or
Our Mothers (César Díaz)

Short Film Palme d’Or
The Distance Between Us And The Sky (Vasilis Kekatos)

Special Mention of the Jury
Monstruo Dios (Agustina San)

Queer Palm - Feature
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (Céline Sciamma)

Queer Palm - Short
The Distance Between Us And The Sky (Vasilis Kekatos)

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Cannes 2019: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Lands with Major Oscar Buzz

So the big one we've all been waiting for finally landed yesterday at Cannes. Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was a late entry into Cannes, and it ended up being one its biggest hits. So far, Metacritic has his latest sitting at a really nice 89. Even the film's critics still have it ranked pretty high, and still give it positive ratings. Those that love it praise it as a masterpiece, perfect Tarantino, well acted, impeccably written, and his beloved crazy, unstructured style. The great Anne Thompson, whose word and Oscar saavy I trust above most pundits has already declared it a major Oscar contender. It is Tarantino, plus Hollywood, plus mega star-power. Tarantino has delivered another hit, and will be in the awards conversation as it picks up in a few months.

Monday, May 20, 2019

Cannes 2019: The Lighthouse and Terrence Malick Heat Up Festival

While still waiting on the big Tarantino debut, two more festival films are garnering buzz:

First, after a string of misfires, it looks like Terrence Malick is back to form with his latest A Hidden Life. Billed as a romance, an anti-Nazi story, and a more classic take from the director, critics are praising his work, calling it emotionally effective and resonant, and timely. The question is, how will this resonate with audiences and Oscar voters? Tree of Life managed to get a Best Picture and Best Director nod, showing the love the director's branch has for Malick. Of course, it really is too early to answer the question, but Malick in good form is sure to inspire votes.

The other, maybe even more buzzed project is Robert Eggers' The Lighthouse. Whereas Malick's film has a few detractors, the reviews so far for Eggers' are universally, overwhelmingly positive. Its genre issue, yes films with horror elements still have to work harder to get attention, could prove problematic, but Focus Features could also have a huge awards hit on its slate, especially for its two leads, Dafoe and Pattinson, who are earning raves.

Tarantino this week...the 2020 Oscar race is on!

The 3rd Annual Chita Rivera Award Winners

Outstanding Choreography in a Broadway Show
David Neumann, Hadestown

Outstanding Male Dancer in a Broadway Show
Ephraim Sykes, Ain't Too Proud

Outstanding Female Dancer in a Broadway Show
(TIE) Ashley Blair Fitzgerald, The Cher Show and Gabrielle Hamilton, Oklahoma!

Outstanding Ensemble in a Broadway Show
King Kong

OFF-BROADWAY

Outstanding Choreography
Rick and Jeff Kuperman, Alice By Heart

Outstanding Male Dancer
Wesley Taylor, Alice By Heart

Outstanding Female Dancer
Irina Dvorovenko, The Beast in the Jungle

Outstanding Ensemble
Smokey Joe's Café, Steven Baruch, Mark Routh, Richard Frankel, Tom Viertel

FILM 

Theatrical Release
Mary Poppins Returns

Documentaries 
Moving Stories, Lives Transformed By Dance

Saturday, May 18, 2019

Cannes 2019: Pedro Almodovar and Elton John Kick Off Festival

A lot of films have already premiered, but two have dominated the early conversation. First is the Elton John biopic Rocketman. It ended with a standing ovation, but the overall reviews have been mixed to positive. There have been no outright bad reviews. Right now, it is ahead of Bohemian Rhapsody in the critical game. If it can inspire a similar love, it could ride to Oscar, particularly Taron Egerton as Elton. It is apparently a good time, with lots of music. The first thing out of many critics' mouths: Golden Globes bait.

The other major debut so far is Pedro Almodovar's Pain and Glory. There are a few that are mixed, but there are just as many that love this film. Of course its Almodovar, who has never made a film that wasn't at least slightly divisive. I have always admired Almodovar, although the last film of his that I thought was brilliant was Volver. I am looking forward to this one, based on the cast and personal nature of the story. It is tracking ahead of most of his latest films, so it could end up being a contender as the season goes on. Almodovar is an Oscar winner, and the growing international presence in the Academy only helps his chances.

The 85th Annual Drama League Awards

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A BROADWAY OR OFF-BROADWAY PLAY
The Ferryman

OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A BROADWAY OR OFF-BROADWAY PLAY
The Waverly Gallery

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A BROADWAY OR OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL
Hadestown

OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A BROADWAY OR OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL
Kiss Me, Kate

DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE AWARD
Bryan Cranston "Network"

Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
Kelli O'Hara

Founders Award for Excellence in Directing
Alex Timbers

Unique Contribution to the Theatre 
Taylor Mac

Thursday, May 16, 2019

20th Annual Broadway.com Audience Choice Award Winners

Favorite New Musical
Be More Chill

Favorite New Play
To Kill a Mockingbird

Favorite Musical Revival
Oklahoma!

Favorite Play Revival
The Boys in the Band

Favorite Long-Running Show
Dear Evan Hansen

Favorite Tour
Dear Evan Hansen

Favorite Leading Actor in a Musical
Andy Karl "Pretty Woman

Favorite Leading Actress in a Musical
Eva Noblezada "Hadestown"

Favorite Leading Actor in a Play
Daniel Radcliffe "The Lifespan of a Fact"

Favorite Leading Actress in a Play
Kerry Washington "American Son"

Favorite Featured Actor in a Musical
George Salazar "Be More Chill"

Favorite Featured Actress in a Musical
Orfeh "Pretty Woman"

Favorite Featured Actor in a Play
Jeremy Jordan "American Son"

Favorite Featured Actress in a Play
Celia Keenan-Bolger "To Kill a Mockingbird"

Favorite Funny Performance
Stephanie Hsu "Be More Chill"

Favorite Diva Performance
Orfeh "Pretty Woman"

Favorite Onstage Pair
Will Roland and George Salazar "Be More Chill"

Favorite Breakthrough Performance (Male)
Ephraim Sykes "Ain't Too Proud"

Favorite Breakthrough Performance (Female)
Stephanie Sykes "Kiss Me, Kate!"

Favorite Replacement (Male)
Jeremy Jordan "Waitress"

Favorite Replacement (Female)
Jessica Vosk "Wicked"

Favorite New Song
Hadestown  - "Wait for Me"

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

2019 MTV Movie & Television Award Nomination

The awards will be June 17th, visit www.mtv.com for more info.

BEST MOVIE
Avengers: Endgame
BlacKkKlansman
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
Us

BEST SHOW
Big Mouth
Game of Thrones
Riverdale
Schitt’s Creek
The Haunting of Hill House

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A MOVIE
Amandla Stenberg (Starr Carter) — The Hate U Give
Lady Gaga (Ally) — A Star is Born
Lupita Nyong’o (Red) — Us
Rami Malek (Freddie Mercury) — Bohemian Rhapsody
Sandra Bullock (Malorie) — Bird Box

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SHOW
Elisabeth Moss (June Osborne/Offred) — The Handmaid’s Tale
Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen) — Game of Thrones
Gina Rodriguez (Jane Villanueva) — Jane the Virgin
Jason Mitchell (Brandon) — The Chi
Kiernan Shipka (Sabrina Spellman) — Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

BEST HERO
Brie Larson (Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel) — Captain Marvel
John David Washington (Ron Stallworth) — BlacKkKlansman
Maisie Williams (Arya Stark) — Game of Thrones
Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark/Iron Man) — Avengers: Endgame
Zachary Levi (Billy Batson/Shazam) — Shazam!

BEST VILLIAN
Jodie Comer (Villanelle) — Killing Eve
Joseph Fiennes (Commander Fred Waterford) — The Handmaid’s Tale
Josh Brolin (Thanos) — Avengers: Endgame
Lupita Nyong’o (Red) — Us
Penn Badgley (Joe Goldberg) — You

BEST KISS
Camila Mendes & Charles Melton (Veronica Lodge & Reggie Mantle) — Riverdale
Jason Momoa & Amber Heard (Aquaman & Mera) — Aquaman
Ncuti Gatwa & Connor Swindells (Eric Effiong & Adam Groff) — Sex Education
Noah Centineo & Lana Condor (Peter Kavinsky & Lara Jean) — To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
Tom Hardy & Michelle Williams (Eddie Brock/Venom & Anne Weying) — Venom

REALITY ROYALTY
Jersey Shore: Family Vacation
Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta
The Bachelor
The Challenge
Vanderpump Rules

BEST COMEDIC PERFORMANCE
Awkwafina (Peik Lin Goh) — Crazy Rich Asians
Dan Levy (David Rose) — Schitt’s Creek
John Mulaney (Andrew Glouberman) — Big Mouth
Marsai Martin (Little Jordan Sanders) — Little
Zachary Levi (Billy Batson/Shazam) — Shazam!

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE
Awkwafina (Peik Lin Goh) — Crazy Rich Asians
Haley Lu Richardson (Stella) — Five Feet Apart
Mj Rodriguez (Blanca Rodriguez) — Pose
Ncuti Gatwa (Eric Effiong) — Sex Education
Noah Centineo (Peter Kavinsky) — To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

BEST FIGHT
Avengers: Endgame — Captain America vs. Thanos
Captain Marvel — Captain Marvel vs. Minn-Erva
Game of Thrones — Arya Stark vs. the White Walkers
RBG — Ruth Bader Ginsburg vs. Inequality
WWE Wrestlemania — Becky Lynch vs. Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair

BEST REAL-LIFE HERO
Alex Honnold — Free Solo
Hannah Gadsby — Nanette
Roman Reigns — WWE SmackDown
Ruth Bader Ginsburg — RBG
Serena Williams — Being Serena

MOST FRIGHTENED PERFORMANCE
Alex Wolff (Peter) — Hereditary
Linda Cardellini (Anna Tate-Garcia) — The Curse of La Llorona
Rhian Rees (Dana Haines) — Halloween
Sandra Bullock (Malorie) — Bird Box
Victoria Pedretti (Nell Crain) — The Haunting of Hill House

BEST DOCUMENTARY
At the Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal
McQueen
Minding the Gap
RBG
Surviving R. Kelly

BEST HOST
Gayle King — CBS This Morning
Nick Cannon — Wild ‘n Out
Nick Cannon — The Masked Singer
RuPaul — RuPaul’s Drag Race
Trevor Noah — The Daily Show with Trevor Noah

MOST MEME-ABLE MOMENT
Lindsay Lohan’s Beach Club — The Lilo Dance
Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood — Ray J’s Hat
RBG — The Notorious RBG
RuPaul’s Drag Race — Asia O’Hara’s butterfly finale fail
The Bachelor — Colton Underwood jumps the fence

Monday, May 13, 2019

2019 Outer Critics Circle Winners

OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY PLAY
The Ferryman

OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL
Hadestown

OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY PLAY
White Noise

OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL
Girl from the North Country

OUTSTANDING BOOK OF A MUSICAL
Robert Horn "Tootsie"

OUTSTANDING NEW SCORE (THE MARJORIE GUNNER AWARD)
Anaïs Mitchell "Hadestown"

OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A PLAY
All My Sons

OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
Fiddler on the Roof (in Yiddish)

OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR OF A PLAY
Sam Mendes "The Ferryman"

OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL
Rachel Chavkin "Hadestown"

OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A PLAY
Bryan Cranston "Network"

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Elaine May "The Waverly Gallery"

OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Santino Fontana "Tootsie"

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Stephanie J. Block "The Cher Show"

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY
Benjamin Walker "All My Sons"

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Celia Keenan-Bolger "To Kill a Mockingbird"

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
André De Shields "Hadestown"

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Amber Gray "Hadestown"

OUTSTANDING SOLO PERFORMANCE
Mike Birbiglia "The New One"

JOHN GASSNER PLAYWRITING AWARD
Jeremy Kareken & David Murrell, and Gordon Farrell "The Lifespan of a Fact"

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHER
Warren Carlyle "Kiss Me, Kate"

OUTSTANDING SCENIC DESIGN
David Korins "Beetlejuice"

OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN
Bob Mackie "The Cher Show"

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN
Bradley King "Hadestown"

OUTSTANDING PROJECTION DESIGN
Peter England "King Kong"

OUTSTANDING SOUND DESIGN
Peter Hylenski "King Kong"

OUTSTANDING ORCHESTRATIONS
Daniel Kluger "Oklahoma!"

Sunday, May 12, 2019

The Oscar Narrative: First 2020 Nomination Predictions - Best Picture

Firs 2020 Predictions
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Downton Abbey
The Goldfinch
Harriet
The Irishman
The Last Thing He Wanted
Little Women
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Rocketman
Wendy

Other Contenders -  Us, Toy Story 4, Avengers: Endgame, Booksmart, The Woman in the Window, Ford v. Ferrari, 1917, The Pope, Where'd You Go Bernadette?, Cats, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Clemency, The Last Black Man in San Francisco, The Laundromat, Untitled Roger Ailes Project, Untitled Todd Haynes Project, Untitled Noah Baumbach Project, Queen & Slim, Dolemite is My Name, Judy, The King, Waves, Knives Out, Jojo Rabbit, Lucy in the Sky, The Farewell, Late Night, Motherless Brooklyn, Ad Astra, Aladdin, The Lion King, Joker, Frozen 2, It: Chapter 2, Captain Marvel, Long Shot, High Life, Gloria Bell, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, Shazam!, Gemini Man, The Lighthouse, Misommar, The Kitchen, Ophelia, Spider-Man: Far From Home, The Art of Racing in the Rain, Zombieland: Double Tap, The Good Liar, Knives Out

Commentary - It's always a task to try to get it down to ten at this point, especially knowing how much further it will narrow in the coming months. I now have ten, but know that there are plenty waiting in the wings. Taratino and Scorsese return as legends with two buzzed projects that could vie for the top prize. I am currently predicting four films helmed by women to make the cut, a dramatic and historic increase for a single year: Little Women, The Last Thing He Wanted, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and Harriet. After Bohemian Rhapsody's epic Oscar run last year, I am watching Rocketman like a hawk for a similar outcome. Behn Zeitlin shocked us all with Beasts of the Southern Wild, so I am keeping Wendy in the list, so as not to be thrown of again. The Goldfinch has a lot of promise, and I probably should go back and add it in more categories, considering its an adaptation of a Pulitzer winner, by the director of Brooklyn. Finally, Downton Abbey was an Emmy juggernaut. The same type of voters who loved it in the Television Academy will love it in AMPAS. Older, white audiences will devour this film, and I think it could be an Oscar favorite. Then come the rest. Mid-range potentials like Ford v Ferrari, The Pope, Where'd You Go Bernadette?, The Woman in the Window, the Untitled Roger Ailes Project by Jay Roach, 1917, Late Night, The Good Liar, Ad Astra, The Laundromat, and The Art of Racing in the Rain could fill the Green Book slot. Smaller indies like the Todd Hayes and Noah Baumbach projects, Clemency, The Farewell, The Last Black Man in San Francisco, Motherless Brooklyn, Queen & Slim, Jojo Rabbit, The Lighthouse, High Life, Gloria Bell and Midsommar are on the radar. And after the triumph of the blockbusters last year look for Star Wars, Us, Toy Story 4, Avengers, Booksmart, Cats, Aladdin, The Lion King, Joker, Frozen 2, The Kitchen, Spider-Man: Far From Home, It: Chapter 2, Gemini Man, and Captain Marvel should not be discounted.

Saturday, May 11, 2019

The Oscar Narrative: First 2020 Nomination Predictions - Best Director

First 2020 Predictions
Greta Gerwig "Little Women"
Dee Rees "The Last Thing He Wanted"
Martin Scorsese "The Irishman"
Quentin Tarantino "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood"
Benh Zeitlin "Wendy"

Other Contenders - Marielle Heller "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood", Kasi Lemmons "Harriet", Lulu Wang "The Farewell", Olivia Wilde "Booksmart", Michael Engler "Downton Abbey", Tom Hooper "Cats", Ang Lee "Gemini Man", Dexter Fletcher "Rocketman", Fernando Meirelles "The Pope", Todd Haynes "Untitled Todd Haynes Project", Steven Soderbergh "The Laundromat", Richard Linklater "Where'd You Go Bernadette?", Pedro Almodovar "Pain & Glory", Joe Wright "The Woman in the Window, Jordan Peele "Us", Noah Baumbach "Untitled Noah Baumbach Project", John Crowley "The Goldfinch", James Mangold "Ford v. Ferrari", Craig Brewer "Dolemite is My Name", Scott Z. Burns "The Report", Sam Mendes "1917", Chinoye Chukwu "Clemency", Bill Condon "The Good Liar", Rian Johnson "Knives Out", J.J. Abrams "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker", Joe and Anthony Russo "Avengers: Endgame", James Gray "Ad Astra", Noah Hawley "Lucy in the Sky", Andrea Berloff "The Kitchen", Edward Norton "Motherless Brooklyn", Joe Talbot "The Last Black Man in San Francisco", Jon Favreau "The Lion King", Josh Cooley "Toy Story 4", Jay Roach "Untitled Roger Ailes Project", Claire Denis "High Life", Jonathan Levine "Long Shot", Sebastian Lelio "Gloria Bell", Tate Taylor "Ma", Nisha Ganatra "Late Night", Ari Aster "Midsommar", Gavin Hood "Official Secrets", Todd Phillips "Joker", Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck "Frozen 2", Melina Matsoukas "Queen & Slim", Taika Wahiti "JoJo Rabbit", Rupert Goold "Judy"

Commentary - Is this the year that we have multiple female directors nominated? Can we finally break that barrier? I think it is definitely possible. I have Greta Gerwig returning for her take on Little Women, after her Lady Bird success. I also have Dee Rees entering the director's race. She is such a talent and is definitely on the rise. I am not currently predicting them, but I think that Kasi Lemmons, Marielle Heller, Lulu Wang, Olivia Wilde and Melina Matsoukas, also could crash the traditional boys party. Beyond Gerwig and Rees, I have three previous nominees/winners returning the to top five. Benh Zeitlin shocked the world with his nomination for Beasts of the Southern Wild. He returns with Wendy, and could once again inspire votes. Finally, Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino return with two of the biggest projects of the year. We have to assume at this stage that they are in the mix. Several Oscar winning and nominated directors hope to once again join the race including Tom Hooper, Ang Lee, Pedro Almodovar, Fernando Mereilles, Steven Soderbergh, Jordan Peele, Sam Mendes, and Richard Linklater. There are a slew of directors that have flirted with Oscar glory, some of their films nominated even for Best Picture, but have not managed an Oscar nod for directing including Bill Condon, Todd Haynes, Noah Baumbach, John Crowley, Dexter Fletcher, James Mangold, Joe Wright, Craig Brewer, Jay Roach, and Tate Taylor. All are hoping this is the year they crack the top five. Finally, a mixture of newcomers and blockbuster directors make up the rest of the possibilities including Michael Engler, Scott Z. Burns, Rian Johnson, J.J. Abrams, Jon Favreau, Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, Todd Phillips, Josh Cooley, Edward Norton, Joe Talbot, Noah Hawley, James Gray, Chinoye Chukwu, and of course Anthony and Joe Russo, who are quickly making blockbuster history.

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

The Oscar Narrative: First 2020 Nomination Predictions - Best Actor

First 2020 Predictions
Christian Bale "Ford v. Ferrari"
Robert DeNiro "The Irishman"
Leonardo DiCaprio "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood"
Taron Egerton "Rocketman"
Mark Ruffalo "Untitled Todd Haynes Project"

Other Contenders -  Hugh Bonneville "Downton Abbey", Tom Hanks "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood", Eddie Murphy "Dolemite is My Name", Daniel Kaluuya "Queen and Slim", Robert Downey Jr. "Avengers: Endgame", Gary Oldman "The Laundromat", Ian McKellen "The Good Liar", Timothee Chalamet "The King", Anthony Hopkins "The Pope", Adam Driver "The Report", Adam Driver "Untitled Noah Baumbach Project", Ansel Elgort "The Goldfinch", Daniel Craig "Knives Out", John Lithgow "Untitled Roger Ailes Project", Will Smith "Gemini Man", Matt Damon "Ford v. Ferrari", Lucas Hedges "Waves", Brad Pitt "Ad Astra", Willem Dafoe "The Lighthouse", Benedict Cumberbatch "1917", Joaquin Phoenix "Joker", Edward Norton "Motherless Brooklyn", Winston Duke "Us", Zachary Levi "Shazam!", Robert Pattinson "High Life", Seth Rogen "Long Shot", Jimmie Fails "The Last Black Man in San Francisco", Tom Holland "Spider-Man: Far From Home", Milo Ventimiglia "The Art of Racing in the Rain"

Commentary - A tough race this year that is shaping up to have a lot of big names in the running. For the top five, I have Robert Deniro returning to the race for Scorsese's The Irishman. He is playing a character right up his alley, and this is set to be an epic. A lot is still unknown about Quentin Tarantino's latest, and will be revealed soon at Cannes, but Leonardo Dicaprio has become a reliable Oscar contender, and he always gives a worthy performance. Mark Ruffalo has alway been churning out great, Oscar-nominated work in recent years. He and Todd Haynes together seems like a perfect match. After Rami Malek's victory lap, I am starting out putting Taron Egerton in the top five. He actually sings in his, and will get to be Elton John without all of the straight-washing. Could be a winner. Christian Bale in a biopic got him close to an Oscar this year, and he is a favorite among voters. I think his role in Ford v. Ferrari could land him in the top five once again. That leaves out Hugh Bonneville. He is the one that I'm not sure can cross to the Oscars from the Emmys. It also leaves out Tom Hanks. The man has played Sully and Walt Disney, to rave reviews, and still gets passed over. I'd like to think his role as Mr. Rogers would inspire voters, but I'm starting to think they just take him for granted. Previous nominees and winners Gary Oldman, Eddie Murphy, Ian McKellen, Daniel Kaluuya, Adam Driver, Anthony Hopkins, John Lithgow Timothee Chalamet, Will Smith, Lucas Hedges, Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Edward Norton, and Willem Dafoe are back in the mix. There are also some folks hoping to finally secure a nod including Ansel Elgort, Winston Duke, Zachary Levi, Robert Pattinson, Milo Ventimiglia, Daniel Craig, along with newcomer Jimmie Fails who was a Sundance sensation.

2019 Broadway.com Audience Choice Award Nominations

Favorite New Musical
Be More Chill
Beetlejuice
The Cher Show
Hadestown
The Prom

Favorite New Play
Choir Boy
The Ferryman
Hillary and Clinton
Network
To Kill a Mockingbird

Favorite Musical Revival
Kiss Me, Kate
Oklahoma!

Favorite Play Revival
All My Sons
The Boys in the Band
Burn This
King Lear
Torch Song

Favorite Long-Running Show
Come From Away
Dear Evan Hansen
Hamilton
Waitress
Wicked

Favorite Tour 
Anastasia
The Book of Mormon
Dear Evan Hansen
Hamilton
Waitress

Favorite Leading Actor in a Musical
Alex Brightman, Beetlejuice
Reeve Carney, Hadestown
Santino Fontana, Tootsie
Andy Karl, Pretty Woman
Will Roland, Be More Chill

Favorite Leading Actress in a Musical
Stephanie J. Block, The Cher Show
Sophia Anne Caruso, Beetlejuice
Caitlin Kinnunen, The Prom
Beth Leavel, The Prom
Eva Noblezada, Hadestown

Favorite Leading Actor in a Play
Paddy Considine, The Ferryman
Bryan Cranston, Network
Jeff Daniels, To Kill a Mockingbird
Jim Parsons, The Boys in the Band
Daniel Radcliffe, The Lifespan of a Fact

Favorite Leading Actress in a Play
Annette Bening, All My Sons
Laura Donnelly, The Ferryman
Glenda Jackson, King Lear
Laurie Metcalf, Hillary and Clinton
Kerry Washington, American Son

Favorite Featured Actor in a Musical 
Corbin Bleu, Kiss Me, Kate
Gerard Canonico, Be More Chill
André De Shields, Hadestown
George Salazar, Be More Chill
Jason Tam, Be More Chill

Favorite Featured Actress in a Musical 
Kerry Butler, Beetlejuice
Amber Gray, Hadestown
Stephanie Hsu, Be More Chill
Bonnie Milligan, Head Over Heels
Orfeh, Pretty Woman

Favorite Featured Actor in a Play
Gbenga Akinnagbe, To Kill a Mockingbird
Matt Bomer, The Boys in the Band
Gideon Glick, To Kill a Mockingbird
Jeremy Jordan, American Son
Andrew Rannells, The Boys in the Band

Favorite Featured Actress in a Play
Joan Allen, The Waverly Gallery
Jenni Barber, All My Sons
Celia Keenan-Bolger, To Kill a Mockingbird
LaTanya Richardson Jackson, To Kill a Mockingbird
Tatiana Maslany, Network

Favorite Funny Performance
Brooks Ashmanskas, The Prom
Alex Brightman, Beetlejuice
Stephanie Hsu, Be More Chill
Leslie Kritzer, Beetlejuice
Beth Leavel, The Prom

Favorite Diva Performance
Brooks Ashmanskas, The Prom
Stephanie J. Block, The Cher Show
Amber Gray, Hadestown
Kelli O'Hara, Kiss Me, Kate
Orfeh, Pretty Woman

Favorite Onstage Pair
Samantha Barks and Andy Karl, Pretty Woman
Reeve Carney and Eva Noblezada, Hadestown
Stephanie Hsu and Will Roland, Be More Chill
Caitlin Kinnunun and Isabelle McCalla, The Prom
Will Roland and George Salazar, Be More Chill

Favorite Breakthrough Performance (Male)
Gbenga Akinnagbe, To Kill a Mockingbird
Matt Bomer, The Boys in the Band
Charlie Carver, The Boys in the Band
Armie Hammer, Straight White Men
Ephraim Sykes, Ain't Too Proud

Favorite Breakthrough Performance (Female)
Samantha Barks, Pretty Woman
Sophia Anne Caruso, Beetlejuice
Isabelle McCalla, The Prom
Ali Stroker, Oklahoma!
Stephanie Styles, Kiss Me, Kate

Favorite Replacement (Male)
Alex Boniello, Dear Evan Hansen
Gavin Creel, Waitress
Andrew Barth Feldman, Dear Evan Hansen
Jeremy Jordan, Waitress
Sky Lakota-Lynch, Dear Evan Hansen

Favorite Replacement (Female)
Krystina Alabado, Mean Girls
Shoshana Bean, Waitress
Mallory Bechtel, Dear Evan Hansen
Laura Benanti, My Fair Lady
Jessica Vosk, Wicked

Favorite New Song
"Dance With You" - The Prom
"I Love Play Rehearsal" - Be More Chill
"Loser Geek Whatever" - Be More Chill
"Michael in the Bathroom" - Be More Chill
"Wait For Me" - Hadestown

Monday, May 6, 2019

2019 Lucille Lortel Award Winners

Outstanding Play
Pass Over

Outstanding Musical
Rags Parkland Sings The Songs Of The Future

Outstanding Revival
Carmen Jones

Outstanding Solo Show
Fleabag

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play
Juan Castano, Transfers

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play
Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Marys Seacole

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play
Gabriel Ebert, Pass Over

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
Crystal Lucas-Perry, Ain't No Mo'

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical
Steven Skybell, Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical
Anika Noni Rose, Carmen Jones

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
George Salazar, Be More Chill

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Soara-Joye Ross, Carmen Jones

Outstanding Director
Lee Sunday Evans, Dance Nation

Outstanding Choreographer
Rick and Jeff Kuperman, Alice By Heart

Outstanding Scenic Design
Arnulfo Maldonado, Sugar In Our Wounds

Outstanding Costume Design 
(TIE) Montana Levi Blanco, The House That Will Not Stand AND Paloma Young, Alice By Heart

Outstanding Lighting Design
Lap Chi Chu, Mlima’s Tale

Outstanding Sound Design
Dan Moses Schreier, Carmen Jones

Outstanding Projection Design
Tal Yarden, Superhero

Outstanding Alternative Theatrical Experience
On Beckett

Outstanding Body of Work
Telsey + Company

Playwrights’ Sidewalk Inductee
María Irene Fornés

Edith Oliver Service to Off-Broadway Award
Terry Byrne

2019 GLAAD Awards: Part II NYC

Outstanding Film - Limited Release
Boy Erased

Outstanding Drama Series
Pose

Outstanding TV Movie or Limited Series
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Outstanding Kids & Family Programming
Steven Universe

Outstanding Music Artist
Janelle Monae

Outstanding Variety or Talk Show Episode
"Trans Rights Under Attack" - Full Frontal with Samantha Bee

Outstanding TV Journalism - Newsmagazine
"Conversion Therapy: God Only Knows," CBS Sunday Morning (CBS)

Outstanding TV Journalism Segment
"Same-sex Couple Reacts to Supreme Court Ruling," CNN Tonight with Don Lemon

Outstanding Newspaper Article
"He Took a Drug to Prevent AIDS. Then He Couldn't Get Disability Insurance." by Donald G. McNeil Jr. (The New York Times)

Outstanding Digital Journalism Article
"Bermuda Same-sex Marriage Ban Means Trouble for Tourism and Cruise Ships" by Ryan Ruggiero (CNBC.com)

Outstanding Digital Journalism – Video or Multimedia
"March for Our Lives and LGBT activism: 'They're definitely linked for me,' says Emma Gonzalez" by Beth Greenfield (Yahoo! Lifestyle)

Outstanding Blog
Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents

Outstanding Scripted Television Series (Spanish-Language)
(TIE) Elite (Netflix) AND Mi marido tiene mas familia (Univision)

Outstanding TV Journalism Segment (Spanish-Language)
"Primera Pareja Gay en Casarse en un Consulado Mexicano" Noticias Telemundo Mediodía (Telemundo)

Sunday, May 5, 2019

The 46th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards

On a personal note, I just want to say that I grew up watching Kristoff St. John, and he will forever be in our hearts. Congrats to all the winners.

Best Drama Series -The Young and the Restless
Best Digital Drama Series - After Forever
Best Actor in a Drama Series - Maurice Benard "General Hospital"
Best Actress in a Drama Series - Jacquline MacInnes Wood "The Bold and the Beautiful"
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Max Gail "General Hospital"
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Vernee Watson "General Hospital"
Best Younger Actor in a Drama Series - Kyler Pettis "Days of Our Lives"
Best Younger Actress in a Drama Series - Hayley Erin "General Hospital"
Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series - Patricia Bethune "General Hospital"
Best Directing Team in a Drama Series - The Young and the Restless
Best Writing Team in a Drama Series - The Young and the Restless
Best Entertainment Talk Show - The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Best Informative Talk Show - Rachel Ray
Best Entertainment Talk Show - Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest "Live with Kelly and Ryan"
Best Informative Talk Show Host - Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb "The Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda"
Best Culinary Program - Valerie's Home Cooking
Best Culinary Host - Valerie Bertinelli "Valerie's Home Cooking"
Best Entertainment News Program - DailyMailTV
Best Game Show - Family Feud
Best Game Show Host - Alex Trebek "Jeopardy!"
Best Legal/Courtroom Program - Lauren Lake's Paternity Court
Best Morning Program - CBS Sunday Morning
Best Entertainment Program in Spanish - Six Dreams
Best Morning Program in Spanish - Despierta America
Best Daytime Talent in a Spanish Language Program - Alejandra Oraa "Destinos"
Lifetime Achievement - Judge Judy Sheindlin

Saturday, May 4, 2019

46th Annual Daytime Creative Arts Emmys

Outstanding Preschool Children’s Series
Sesame Street

Outstanding Children’s or Family Viewing Series
Odd Squad

Outstanding Short Format Children’s Program
Nick Jr. Color Song: Red

Outstanding Children’s Animated Series
The Loud House

Outstanding Special Class Animated Program
Watership Down

Outstanding Educational or Informational Series
Weird But True

Outstanding Lifestyle Program
Ask This Old House

Outstanding Travel and Adventure Program
Samantha Brown's Places To Love

Outstanding Special Class Series
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors

Outstanding Special Class Special
Quiet Heroes

Outstanding Special Class - Short Format Daytime Program
Treatment Box “Opioids”

Outstanding Interactive Media for a Daytime Program
Crow: The Legend

Outstanding Daytime Promotional Announcement - Topical
The Star Wars Show

Outstanding Daytime Promotional Announcement - Brand Image Campaign -
Network or Program
Black History Month Campaign

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series
Vanessa Baden Kelly, Giants

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama Series
Kevin Spirtas, After Forever

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series
Erin Cherry, After Forever

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama Series
Terrence Terrell, Giants

Outstanding Guest Performer in a Digital Daytime Drama Series
Sean Patrick Flanery, The Bay The Series

Outstanding Performer in a Children’s, Family Viewing or Special Class Program
Michela Luci, Dino Dana

Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program
Jay Baruchel, Dragons: Race to the Edge

Outstanding Performer in a Preschool Animated Program
Ben Diskin, Muppet Babies

Outstanding Host for a Lifestyle, Children’s or Special Class Program
Samantha Brown, Samantha Brown's Places To Love

Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series
Days of Our Lives

Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design for a Drama Series
The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Lighting Direction for a Drama Series
The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Technical Team for a Drama Series
The Bold and the Beautiful

Outstanding Multiple Camera Editing for a Drama Series
General Hospital

Outstanding Live and Direct to Tape Sound Mixing for a Drama Series
The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Drama Series
Days of Our Lives

Outstanding Costume Design for a Drama Series
The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Hairstyling for a Drama Series
The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Makeup for a Drama Series
Days of Our Lives

Outstanding Casting for an Animated Series or Special
Elena of Avalor

Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - Winners
Kal Athannassov, Character Designer
Crow: The Legend

Alan Bodner, Production Designer
Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventures

Cody Gramstad, Production Designer
Crow: The Legend

Yizhou Li, Character Animator
Tumble Leaf

Brian Woods, Background Designer
Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventures

Kevin Wotton, Storyboard Artist
Spirit Riding Free

Outstanding Writing for a Digital Drama Series
After Forever

Outstanding Writing for a Preschool Animated Program
Ask the StoryBots

Outstanding Writing for an Animated Program
The Loud House

Outstanding Writing for a Children’s, Preschool Children’s, Family Viewing
Odd Squad

Outstanding Writing Special Class
The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Outstanding Directing for a Digital Drama Series
After Forever

Outstanding Directing for an Animated Program
Crow: The Legend Baobab Studios

Outstanding Directing for a Preschool Animated Program
Ask the StoryBots

Outstanding Directing for a Children’s, Preschool Children’s or Family Viewing Program
Odd Squad: World Turned Odd

Outstanding Directing for a Single Camera Lifestyle, Culinary, Travel or Educational and Informational Program
1st Look

Outstanding Directing for a Multiple Camera Lifestyle/Culinary or Educational and Informational Program
Milk Street

Outstanding Directing for a Talk Show, Entertainment News or Morning Program
The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Outstanding Directing for a Game Show
Family Feud

Outstanding Directing Special Class
Time For Ilhan

Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design
The Talk

Outstanding Main Title and Graphic Design for a Live Action Program
Six Dreams

Outstanding Main Title and Graphic Design for an Animated Program
Hilda

Outstanding Lighting Direction
The Inspectors

Outstanding Technical Team
The Price Is Right

Outstanding Cinematography
Tumble Leaf

Outstanding Single Camera Editing
Eat. Race. Win.

Outstanding Multiple Camera Editing
Sesame Street

Outstanding Live and Direct to Tape Sound Mixing
The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Outstanding Sound Mixing
Sesame Street

Outstanding Sound Mixing for an Animated Program
Tales of Arcadia: 3Below

Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Preschool Animated Program
Beat Bugs

Outstanding Sound Editing for a Live Action Program
The Who Was? Show

Outstanding Sound Editing for an Animated Program
Lego DC Super Heroes - The Flash!

Outstanding Sound Editing for a Preschool Animated Program
Vampirina

Outstanding Music Direction and Composition
The Tom & Jerry Show

Outstanding Original Song
“You're the One” - The Bold and the Beautiful

Outstanding Original Song in a Children’s or Animated Program
“Making a World With My Friend” - Peg+Cat

Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program
The Cast of The Band’s Visit - “Answer Me”, Today Show

Outstanding Costume Design/Styling
The New Legends of Monkey

Outstanding Hairstyling
The Talk

Outstanding Makeup
The Talk

Friday, May 3, 2019

The Oscar Narrative: First 2020 Nomination Predictions - Best Actress

First 2020 Predictions
Amy Adams "The Woman in the Window"
Michelle Dockery "Downton Abbey"
Cynthia Erivo "Harriet"
Natalie Portman "Lucy in the Sky"
Saoirse Ronan "Little Women"

Other Contenders - Meryl Streep "The Laundromat", Alfre Woodard "Clemency", Cate Blanchett "Where'd You Go Bernadette?", Awkwafina "The Farewell", Penelope Cruz "Pain & Glory", Charlize Theron "Long Shot", Emma Thompson "Late Night", Mindy Kaling "Late Night", Jodie Turner-Smith "Queen & Slim", Kristen Stewart "Against All Enemies", Anne Hathaway "The Last Thing He Wanted", Thomasin McKenzie "Jojo Rabbit", Nicole Kidman "Untitled Roger Ailes Project", Charlize Theron "Untitled Roger Ailes Project", Lupita Nyong'o "Us", Paula Beer “Transit”, Juliette Binoche “High Life”, Brie Larson “Captain Marvel”, Julianne Moore “Gloria Bell”, Elisabeth Moss “Her Smell”, Mary Kay Place “Diane”, Tessa Thompson “Little Woods”, Daisy Ridley "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker", Melissa McCarthy "The Kitchen", Diane Keaton "Poms", Yara Shahidi "The Sun is Also a Star", Elizabeth Banks "Brightburn", Kaitlyn Dever "Booksmart", Beanie Feldstein "Booksmart", Octavia Spencer "Ma", Helen Mirren "The Good Liar", Mia Wasikowska "Bergman Island", Renee Zellweger "Judy"

Commentary - After last year's dramatic finish, I am intrigued as to how this category will play out. My top five are pretty straight forward. Amy Adams seems to continually get nominated, and maybe this time she can actually win. The book by AJ Finn as a smash, and the material should give her plenty to chew on. Cynthia Erivo has already gotten flack for playing Harriet Tubman, because she is British, but if her recent history suggests itself, naysayers will be silenced by the power of her performance. If she wins the Oscar, she will join the EGOT club (she won a Tony, Grammy, and Daytime Emmy for The Color Purple's revival a few years ago). Lucy in the Sky is the type of material that could earn an actor an Oscar, and Natalie Portman has made a living playing damaged people. Little Women is Greta Gerwig's followup to her smash Lady Bird. Last time Ronan worked with her, she earned an Oscar nomination. I could see her repeating. Finally, I expect Downton Abbey to be a smash hit, and Michelle Dockery was always a favorite among Emmy voters. I expect Oscar voters to respond accordingly. Yes, that leaves Meryl Streep on the outside. I am predicting her in Supporting, and leaving her out here, well aware that could switch, or she could get both. She is Meryl Streep after all. Beyond those five, there are Sundance favorites Alfre Woodard, Mindy Kaling, Emma Thompson, and Awkwafina, all of whom earned rave reviews. Where'd You Go Bernadette? looked like it was out of contention, then it got moved to early fall, and suddenly Cate Blanchett is in play. Other previous Oscar winners Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Brie Larson, Juliette Binoche, Lupita Nyong'o, Julianne Moore, Octavia Spencer, Helen Mirren, and Renee Zellweger hope to return to the race. I am also looking out for breakout talents Thomasin McKenzie, Jodie Turner-Smith, Yara Shahidi, Beanie Feldstein, Kaitlyn Dever, as well as more established stars like Kristen Stewart, Mia Wasikowska, Elisabeth Moss, Elizabeth Banks, Daisy Ridley, and Tessa Thompson, who are looking for their first shot at Oscar gold.

2019 Billboard Music Award Winners

Top Artist
Drake

Top New Artist
Juice WRLD

Billboard Chart Achievement Award
Ariana Grande

Top Male Artist
Drake

Top Female Artist
Ariana Grande

Top Duo/Group
BTS

Top Billboard 200 Artist
Drake

Top Hot 100 Artist
Drake

Top Streaming Songs Artist
Drake

Top Song Sales Artist
Drake

Top Radio Songs Artist
Drake

Top Social Artist
BTS

Top Touring Artist
Ed Sheeran

Top R&B Artist
Ella Mai

Top R&B Male Artist
The Weeknd

Top R&B Female Artist
Ella Mai

Top R&B Tour
Beyoncé & JAY-Z

Top Rap Artist
Drake

Top Rap Male Artist
Drake

Top Rap Female Artist
Cardi B

Top Rap Tour
Beyoncé & JAY-Z

Top Country Artist
Luke Combs

Top Country Male Artist
Luke Combs

Top Country Female Artist
Carrie Underwood

Top Country Duo/Group
Dan + Shay

Top Country Tour
Kenny Chesney

Top Rock Artist
Imagine Dragons

Top Rock Tour
Elton John

Top Latin Artist
Ozuna

Top Dance/Electronic Artist
The Chainsmokers

Top Christian Artist
Lauren Daigle

Top Gospel Artist
Tasha Cobbs Leonard

ALBUM AWARDS

Top Billboard 200 Album
Drake “Scorpion”

Top Soundtrack
“The Greatest Showman”

Top R&B Album
XXXTentacion “17”

Top Rap Album
Drake “Scorpion”

Top Country Album
Luke Combs “This One’s For You”

Top Rock Album
Panic! At This Disco “Pray For The Wicked”

Top Latin Album
Ozuna “Aura”

Top Dance/Electronic Album
The Chainsmokers “Sick Boy”

Top Christian Album
Lauren Daigle “Look Up Child”

Top Gospel Album
Tori Kelly “Hiding Place”

SONG AWARDS

Top Hot 100 Song
Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B “Girls Like You”

Top Streaming Song (Audio)
Travis Scott “SICKO MODE”

Top Streaming Song (Video)
Drake “In My Feelings”

Top Selling Song
Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B “Girls Like You”

Top Radio Song
Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B “Girls Like You”

Top Collaboration
Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B “Girls Like You”

Top R&B Song
Ella Mai “Boo’d Up”

Top Rap Song
Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin “I Like It”

Top Country Song
Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line “Meant to Be”

Top Rock Song
Panic! At The Disco “High Hopes”

Top Latin Song
Casper Magico, Nio Garcia, Darell, Nicky Jam, Bad Bunny & Ozuna “Te Bote”

Top Dance/Electronic Song
Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey “The Middle”

Top Christian Song
Lauren Daigle “You Say”

Top Gospel Song
Koryn Hawthorne “Won’t He Do It”

2019 Theatre World Awards

Gbenga Akinnagbe, To Kill A Mockingbird
Tom Glynn-Carney, The Ferryman
Sophia Anne Caruso, Beetlejuice
Paddy Considine, The Ferryman
James Davis, Oklahoma!
Micaela Diamond, The Cher Show
Bonnie Milligan, Head Over Heels
Simone Missick, Paradise Blue
Jeremy Pope, Choir Boy
Colton Ryan, Girl from The North Country
Stephanie Styles, Kiss Me, Kate
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag

The John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement
Nathan Lane