Yes No Maybe So: That other "Pinocchio"

by Nathaniel R

Pinocchio is everywhere. It's a cyclical thing that happens with a lot of "public domain" characters who are essentially free IP for storytellers. Consider that in the 21st century alone Pinocchio has appeared --take a deep breath the list is long-- as a supporting character multiple films in the Shrek franchise, as a character in a TV musical (Geppetto), as the subject of two live action adaptations (interesting enough both were Italian films) and three animated adaptations (from Canada, Italy, and Russia). Next up in the next several months he'll be the lead in a new video game (only hot and 20something this time), and have two more feature-length adaptations of his story. We've already seen the trailer for the Guillermo del Toro's stop motion version of the story which arrives in December. Now we get the trailer to the live action (with lots of CG characters) version from director Robert Zemeckis which will be on Disney+ beginning September 8th.

A Yes No Maybe So™ breakdown after the jump...

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I'll Link to That

TODAY'S MUST READ Self-Styled Siren debunks myths surrounding John Wayne and Sacheen Littlefeather at the Oscars in March '73. Really interesting piece as it shows you how press and stars speak about charged incidents, how incredible stories get started, how they change over time, and how often they're accepted as gospel once enough time has gone by. (P.S. Personally speaking I have always disliked John Wayne but even so, I have had trouble believing this story)

More after the jump including a biography of an Almodóvar regular, funeral screenings for Batgirl, the cult of A24, Black Panther toys, and a couple of remakes. Question: why does the entire internet call all remakes (and even some sequels) reboots now? The three separate words actually do mean three separate things... 

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Spain announces its three Oscar finalists. Plus: Spain's Oscar history

by Nathaniel R

Earlier today in Spain, the actress Maria Pedraza Morillo (Money Heist, Elite) had the privilege of announcing the three films that will compete to become Spain's Oscar submission for 2022. These three films were selected from a pool of 43 films (we have not been able to find the longlist) and now they will be narrowed down to one by September 13th as the members of Spain's Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences vote. Which of the following three do you think it will be? 

Details on their choices after the jump...

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Canada and Germany pick their Oscar horses

We're up to seven official contenders in Oscar's Best International Feature Film category. Only 85ish more to go! Canada and Germany have made their selections, one is surprising the other is exactly what everyone expected...

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Yes No Maybe So: "Empire of Light"

by Nathaniel R

Olivia Colman standing in front of the titular character, a movie theater named "Empire"

You know it's August when the Oscarrific trailers start hitting. Today's newbie is something we're very curious about. The film is Sam Mendes' Empire of Light starring Olivia Colman and A Movie Theater (from the looks of it). What a perfect combo that is... though the last time Colman tried to watch a movie onscreen things did NOT go well (remember that great but ferociously frustrating scene in The Lost Daughter?). In addition to being a movie about movies, Empire of Light also has racial and romantic elements in the drama.

The gorgeous trailer and a Yes No Maybe So breakdown after the jump...

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