Time to play 20:19. We had intended to rank every Best Picture nominees by how intriguing their 20th minute and 19th second was until our DVD player (remember those?) decided to malfunction. Oops. So streaming it is with just two of 'em. Pretend you haven't seen either of these Best Picture nominees. What do you suppose these two movies are about based on these fleeting images?
- Let us know if you'd like to be part of our writer's room. I bet you'd be really helpful.
-Or, I could direct.
Too much sunshine! (This is why The Film Experience is based in NYC). Is this movie a documentary about Scarlett Johansson getting bored of playing Black Widow (note the wig) and wanting to spread her artistic wings? Color us intrigued.
Reality check: You could argue Marriage Story is about an actress spreading her wings... or, rather, having the life-altering desire to do just that.
No dialogue.
A ghostly woman descends a staircase without dialogue or score. A man wearily walks into view and they stare at each other. He's been through it. Is this heavy Bergmanesque marriage story? It's beautifully shot, that's for sure.
Reality check: Nope it's The Irishman and the story of these marriages is that the women are always sidelined. Even though this actress (Kathrine Narducci) is a fucking mood every time we see her, Scorsese rarely utilizes her. But kudos to the casting director Ellen Lewis.