Split Decision: "Nickel Boys"

In the Split Decision series, two of our writers face off on an Oscar-nominated movie one loves and the other doesn't. Today, Nick Taylor and Nathaniel R discuss Nickel Boys...

NICK: Hello Nathaniel! Hope you’re doing well on this fine day. We’re here, we’re queer, and we’re . . . . I can’t think of another rhyme. What I can think of is Nickel Boys, and how blindsided I was to see it show up in this year’s Best Picture lineup after only showing up in Adapted Screenplay.

I’m happy for the film and RaMell Ross but also confused, and a little annoyed it didn’t make a bigger showing. It’s one of my favorites from this year’s Oscar nominees, and though I get the divisiveness around its first-person POV and how the film actually uses it, I’m a very big fan of what Nickel Boys achieves. That’s been the biggest point of discussion around the film, so maybe it’s best to dive in there? I’m not sure I actually know what you think of Nickel Boys, so lemme hand you the mic. 

NATHANIEL: It's funny how personal feelings are often distracting static when it comes to Oscar expectations, whether you're on the pro or the con side of any given film.  I wasn't the least bit surprised about Nickel Boys crashing Oscar's biggest category after all the breathless raves and its solid if unspectacular showing in the precursors. I'm Still Here was the only Picture nomination that threw me. Sadly,  trust me I didn't want to feel this way, Nickel Boys is my least favourite of the nominated ten...

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The 13th Annual Team Experience Awards: NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCEMENT!

by Cláudio Alves

THE BRUTALIST | © A24

The Brutalist leads the nominations for the 13th annual Team Experience Awards. Brady Corbet's Oscar player scored in seven categories, including Best Picture, Director, and Actor. The film premiered on digital today, so if you missed it in theaters, it's time to give this epic a look. Many other Oscar frontrunners appeared on our ballots, with every one of AMPAS' Best Picture nominees featured in one category or another. As always, it's a fascinating mix of prestige fare and outré offerings, awards magnets, and obscure titles that got here on the basis of a few writers' burning passion. These awards are a testament to the variety of opinions featured on The Film Experience, having been voted by several members of its team. With the notable exception of Nathaniel, whose Film Bitch Awards are another matter altogether.

Discover the full list of nominees in 20 categories after the jump…

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Split Decision: "A Complete Unknown"

In the Split Decision series, two of our writers face off on an Oscar-nominated movie one loves and the other doesn't. Today, Eric Blume and Ben Miller discuss A Complete Unknown...

ERIC:  Hey Ben!  It's cool to be able to discuss A Complete Unknown with you.  I didn't love the movie, but I did find it very entertaining until its final reel, and it kind of felt like the kind of sturdy Hollywood films they don't make very often nowadays.  I have lots of thoughts about it, but where do you stand on the movie overall? 

BEN:  This is where we diverge, because outside of some of the supporting performances, I found it dreadful.  I wasn't even entertained.  The entire film felt like an anti-musical biopic, but the more it tried to get away from the formula, the more it leaned into it...

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Drag Race RuCap: Time to play the "Snatch Game"

Alyssa and this talking buttplug were more entertaining than some of the season 17 queens.

CLÁUDIO ALVES: Last week, we had the “Let’s Get Sea Sickening” ball. This week, the season 17 girls face another classic RuPaul’s Drag Race challenge in the form of Snatch Game. Sadly, the results weren’t as strong across the board, even if the cast stayed clear of an outright disaster à la season 14. And even if, in an unprecedented move, someone was told they bombed the thing and still placed on top. Madness, Rigga Morris, favoritism the house down boots. No wonder they invited Alyssa Edwards to guest-star! That said, this was still a fun hour of reality TV. These bitches keep bringing the drama and old-school messiness, keeping the whole thing feeling more alive and vital than it has in years.

Do you agree, or do you feel that I, like Suzie Toot, have been possessed by Joella’s delusional spirit? Do we need to call the exorcist? 

NICK TAYLOR: I can’t believe Joella turned out to be the physical manifestation of season 17’s vibes. The girls are clearly talented, but even beyond sheer artistry, they have the indefatigable sense of their own supremacy that makes competitive reality TV so good. This doesn’t translate into being good at competing, but they know how to make a spectacle of themselves, and we love that...

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Berlinale 75: Islands, Reflection in a Dead Diamond, and Köln 75

by Elisa Giudici

 

Three more reviews for you from the 75th edition of the Berlin Film Festival, all of them successful films, too. 

KÖLN 75 by Ido Fluk (Belgium/Poland/Germany)

The word that best describes this film is energetic. While it firmly belongs to a well-trodden genre, Köln 75 immediately stands out for the sheer force and irresistible vitality of its young protagonist. That energy pulses through this fast-paced, sharp-witted musical biopic, which engages directly with its audience, frequently breaking the fourth wall to recount a remarkable yet nearly unthinkable chapter of 1970s music history.

The film centers on the legendary Köln Concert, Keith Jarrett’s solo performance that would later become an iconic album. What makes the story feel so fresh, though, is its unexpected perspective...

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