Almost There: Cary Grant in "The Awful Truth"

by Cláudio Alves

Since last month, the Criterion Channel has hosted a curated collection of screwball comedies, spanning the subgenre's pre-Code genesis to its postwar decline. Among the many screwy delights, you'll find The Awful Truth, Leo McCarey's 1937 classic, and a Best Director Oscar winner to boot. Indeed, the movie was most beloved by the Academy, scoring five additional nominations, including for Picture, Actress, and Supporting Actor. According to contemporary publications, that last honor was a relative surprise, especially since the movie's leading man was left off the ballot altogether.

You would think a major star associated with such an awards juggernaut would have an easy time nabbing themselves a coattails nomination, but Cary Grant was out of luck in 1937. Well, when it comes to the AMPAS, he was often unfortunate, only ever getting their seal of approval in the early 40s with a couple of dips into melodrama-land. Though much of the star's legacy relies on comedies, Old Hollywood voters seemed perpetually unimpressed by Grant's funny business. In that regard, The Awful Truth stands out as his most egregious snub…

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Dorian TV Awards: "Interview with the Vampire" and "Hacks" win big!

by Cláudio Alves

AMC's beautiful bloodsuckers vamped their way to three Dorian Awards.

As a proud new member of GALECA, I was overjoyed to vote on the Dorian TV Awards for the first time ever. Of course, I can't say I agree with every choice, but this is the way of judging art and prizes. Indeed, disagreement is part of the fun. Not that I'd ever say a word against the two awards juggernauts that took the Dorians by storm this television season. Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire surprises by taking three major categories, including Best Drama, while Hacks is the overall leader with four individual wins. But then, half of the Max comedy's victories were for its acting, which, along with the drama duo, makes one question the current system and the ever-present curse of category fraud. 

The complete winners' list, plus some personal ruminations, after the jump…

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"Harry and Tonto" @50: In defense of Art Carney's Oscar Win

by Cláudio Alves

After the dust settles and the rush of euphoria dissipates, an Oscar victory can be cause for woe rather than joy. Sometimes, a win is a loss in the big picture, even something of a curse. The effects may not be immediate or felt in the flesh by the prizewinner. Not in life, at least. It's their legacy that takes the toll. Those considered robbed will always have their defenders, misfortune becoming legend, another kind of validation no less impressive than the little gold man they failed to grasp. But those who the Academy rewarded are a different story. They become villains in recollection, mayhap fools. It's a sad affair because, more often than not, those whom history paints in these unfortunate colors are themselves robbed. The glory of victory isn't theirs to enjoy, merit buried by outrage over injustice. 

Such is the case of Art Carney, who won the Best Actor Oscar at the 47th Academy Awards for the now 50-year-old Harry and Tonto, besting such high-regarded turns as Pacino in The Godfather Part II and Nicholson in Chinatown. Did he deserve the prize? Maybe not. Does he deserve to have his triumph regarded as a mistake, a joke, a robbery? Hell no…

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Another Todd Haynes Film Bites the Dust

by Nick Taylor

Julianne wouldn't do this to him

Tragedy has struck this afternoon. Todd Haynes' would-be next film is officially dead in the water, two weeks after Joaquin Phoenix stormed off set from Mexico. No reason has been stated yet for why Phoenix has left the production, or why his departure has killed the film outright. Danny Ramirez is still ready to go. Todd Haynes is still ready! Why can't we have nice things?

The pity party continues under the cut . . . .

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Yes No Maybe So: "The Outrun"

by Nick Taylor

After a strong premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, we have our first trailer for The Outrun from Sony Pictures Classics, directed by Nora Fingscheidt and starring international sensation Saoirse Ronan. The film has been seen as a possible contender for Best Actress 2024 since January, something no one wants to hear before the 2023 Oscars have even been handed out. But now we’re past the halfway mark of 2024’s cinematic year, and as the prestige-y vehicle and awards hopefuls start revving up their engines, we now have the time and patience to discuss Best Actress awards. At long last.

Trailer and first reactions below the cut...

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