Soundtracking: "The Shape of Water"

by Chris Feil

“You’ll never know...” Is it safe yet to discuss the musical flourish in The Shape of Water? It’s a moment that should remain unspoiled if you haven’t seen it.

Guillermo Del Toro’s interspecies romance is itself in love with the movies, and its genre bending owes as much to classic musicals as it does to Sirkian melodrama and monster movies. Even without the moment in question or Alexandre Desplat’s gorgeous score, the texture of the film recalls old Hollywood musicals from its structure to its overflowing emotionality. But Del Toro actually goes there, and unexpectedly reveals something more than an expression of love from its heroine Eliza, played by Sally Hawkins.

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January. That's a Wrap

Here are a baker's dozen highlights from this month that didn't quite fly by (this winter has been brutal) in case you missed any of them! Remember to vote daily for your choices in the Oscar charts. Now it's on February/early March when we can finally put this cinematic year in this history books.

most discussed
• FYC Allison Janney Seán loves her work in I Tonya
• Oscar Shut-Outs Team Experience grieves for fine work unrecognized
• SAG notes on the ceremony
• Worst Best Picture Snubs a dozen movies for the all time lists

other must-reads
• Roots and Wings Murtada's memory is stirred by Greta Gerwig's Globe win
• Blueprint Jorge's column reads up on the Original Screenplay nominees
• Soundtracking Chris Feil listens in on the Original Song nominees
• The Shape of Water's Design Daniel looks at the aqueous fantasies of del Toro's Oscar frontrunner
• Jamie Bell Interview Nathaniel talks to the Film Stars leading man about working with the Bening and his Old Hollywood dream project
• Team Experience Awards Lady Bird and Call Me By Your Name lead the crop
• 50 Beloved Movies That Got Zero Oscar Love time alters the fates of some movies!
• The editing of Baby Driver Tim's tribute to this Oscar nominated craft
• 22 black dresses the Globes red carpet was serious but not unglamorous

Coming in February:
The Supporting Actress Smackdown of 2017, Nathaniel's "Film Bitch Awards", Chile's A Fantastic Woman, Fifty Shades trilogy wrap-up, Marvel's Black Panther, various guild prizes, Aardman's Early Man, probably some Olympic detours, a 75th birthday celebration of Mike Leigh, and more. 

Red Carpet Lineup: Glorious "Royal Attire" at Black Panther's Premiere

by Nathaniel R

Daniel Kaluuya, Lupita Nyong'o, Angela Bassett, Chadwick Boseman

It's only January and 2018 has already seen the finest movie premiere red carpet of the year. We're getting started early with the superlatives, apparently. The Black Panther guests were asked to come with "royal attire" in mind and even the carpet had royalty in mind with its purple hue...

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Laurie Strode is Coming Home!

By Spencer Coile

Although filming for the Halloween sequel began several weeks ago, fans of the horror movie franchise were given another jolt of excitement today when scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis took to social media and posted a photo from the set.

There's so much to unpack in the behind-the-scenes promo...

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"Ant-Man and the Wasp" Peek and Digestif?

by Nathaniel R

Yes yes we already talked about Michelle Pfeiffer once today but where is the perfect goddess in the first, thankfully non-plot driven, teaser for Ant-Man and the Wasp? The trailer only really focuses on the second titular character, and will surely be just one of many trailers if recent history is indication with would be blockbusters. 

The trailer and a few Marvel-centric notes after the jump...

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