Judy Garland @ 100: “The Wizard of Oz”

Team Experience is revisiting a dozen Judy Garland movies for her Centennial. Here’s Brent Calderwood to kick us off...

The Wizard of Oz is more than an insanely watchable film—it’s a gateway to a lifelong appreciation of Judy Garland.

“It was a place. And you and you and you and you were there.” Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale took us along with her to Oz, and we believed. It was more than the glorious art direction—head-high hibiscus, an acre of artificial poppies, and real birds in the forest including cranes and a peacock. It was Judy Garland’s performance. No, not her performance—it was Garland inhabiting Dorothy. The then sixteen-year-old became a nine-year-old girl. This woman-child made us feel her vulnerability, and revealed a heart as big as a farmhouse. (One of my personal favorite moments is when Dorothy is trapped in the Wicked Witch’s castle, trembling with fear, and Toto escapes. “He got away! He got away!” she cries, with real tears of joy and empathy for her terrier streaming down her cheeks amid the terror.) ...

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Almost There: Christian McKay in "Me and Orson Welles"

by Cláudio Alves

The Almost There series' month-long celebration of the Criterion Channel's May offerings draws to a close with a highlight from their Richard Linklater collection. In 2008, the Austin auteur made his most Oscar-ready project yet, complete with a dazzling supporting turn that seemed poised for a nomination. Me and Orson Welles is the well-researched and studiously put-together account of a teenager cast in the director's famous 1937 staging of Julius Caesar. The Academy usually loves these real-life tales, mainly when they include a good amount of celebrity mimicry, making the film an apparent shoo-in for Oscar glory.

And yet, Christian McKay's critically acclaimed take on young Orson Welles failed to secure a nomination. Considering precursor honors, he must have come close…

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ICYMI - Best of May

The multiverse fever of May breaks very soon and in its place, whatever June brings. But what will that be... beside birthday gifts for me (haha) But let's look back quickly at May in case you missed these highlights. You've been quiet as mice in the comments but we hope you're still enjoying. We do take requests if you have any. (May was very light outside of Cannes coverage we're aware but June will be jam-packed. Gird your loins)

A Dozen May Highlights
• FYC Honorary Oscars - 20 suggestions
• Anthony Hopkins full casting circle - from CS Lewis to Sigmund Freud
• Best Shot: Happy Together - what a ravishment to revisit
• Nostalgia via The Breakfast Club - Baby Clyde revisited from a British kid-at-the-time perspective
• On Alexander Skarsgård - Matt says he's a character actor in hunk body
• Multiverse of Madness - Raves for The Scarlet Witch, otherwise... eh
• Returning Show Bottleneck - Chris wondered what will happen at the Emmys since they like to repeat themselves but ALL of their favs are returning (so they won't be able to to)
• Support Everything Everywhere All At Once - Eurocheese argued it's a cant-miss big screen event. Lots of people agreed to leggy box office results 

and of course our Cannes coverage with 1 of us (Elisa) in the South of France and 2 of us (Nathaniel and Cláudio) typing away from our homes...

• Cannes Winners - with links to all of Elisa's reviews
• Cannes at Home: The Square and 4 Month 3 Weeks and 2 Days - It's hard to pick just one of Cláudio's retros to share but both of these films are so fascinating so it was great to revisit mentally if not by actual screenings
• Cannes Fashion - Your last chance to vote on these 11 rounds of Cannes gowns. Who were the greatest actress fashionistas this edition?

COMING IN JUNE

New films: Baz Luhrmann's Elvis, Joel Kim Booster in Fire Island, David Cronenberg's Crimes of the Future, Pixar prequel Lightyear, Fabulous Emma Thompson in Good Luck to you Leo Grande, and tiny Marcel the Shell with Shoes On; Retro celebrations: Judy Garland Centennial, Eleanor Parker Centennial, and the last episodes of "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" including Titanic, Yentl, and Klute; And More: Emmy FYCs, new interviews, Tony Awards coverage, and at the end of the month the "Halfway Mark" lists for Best Cinematic Achievements Thus Far in 2022. Plus the new SUPPORTING ACTRESS SMACKDOWN schedule. 

Cannes Gown, Final Double-Sized Round: Vote!

Final chance to vote on the previous rounds!: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10

The 75th Edition of Cannes has closed. We've already shared the winners so here is the final double-sized "best dressed?" poll from the festivals final two days of premieres and ceremonies. Who will it be for you?

online polls

Cannes Winners: Triangle of Sadness, Park Chan-wook, and more...

by Nathaniel R

TRIANGLE OF SADNESS

The world's most famous film festival wrapped today in the South of France after 10 days of celebrity glamour, arthouse flexing, and critical divisions. As with last year a big thank you to our Italian friend and contributor Elisa Giudici for her on-the-ground coverage. She reviewed all of the films that were given prizes! The links for the new films go to Elisa's reviews. Links on older films will take you to past coverage from various writers. 

Vincent Lindon's jury didn't seem to come to clear unanimous agreements since there were two different ties. Of the 21 competition features 10 won prizes...

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