Almost There: It's time to vote!

by Cláudio Alves

Every week since December 30th, 2019, we've had a new Almost There episode to enjoy, Apologies, dear readers, but the series' taking a break this week. However, this mini interruption is a good opportunity to, once again, have you chose what you want to read about via these reader polls. While two Almost There slots have already been decided for November, there are still two vacant spots in need of filling. That's where you come in.

For next week, the 1987 theme shall persist in anticipation of the Supporting Actress Smackdown. With that in mind, here are ten performances which vied for nominations at the 60th Academy Awards, but ended up empty-handed.

bike trail guide

After those '87 related matters, it's time to focus on some new to streaming titles. Looking at the varied selection from the main platforms, I've come up with this list of potential contenders:

online survey

If you choose wisely (or unwisely), we might even have the first negative Almost There piece ever. As much as it's fun to write endless praise, it can also be a challenge to do a vitriolic pan. In any case, the choice is yours.

You have until next Saturday, November 7th, to make your choice. You can vote once a day, if so inclined.

Sweden's Oscar History

by Nathaniel R

Charter, a child custody and abduction drama, will represent Sweden this season at the Oscars. It previously played at the Göteborg, Sundance, and Zurich film festivals. It's the second feature from Amanda Kernell who won several festival awards with her debut Sami Blood (2016). Familiar face and acclaimed Norwegian star Ane Dahl Torp (1001 Grams, Pioneer, Dead Snow, The Wave) headlines. 

Though Denmark is currently more popular with Oscar voters than Sweden, Sweden is the all-time leader among Scandinavian countries. That's due in large part to three auteurs: Ingmar Bergman, Jan Troell, and Bo Widerberg who were contemporaries in mid 20th century cinema. An investigation of Sweden's Oscar history after the jump...

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Showbiz History: Paul in prison, Olivia in leather, Dolph in the altogether

To be honest, apart from get out the vote phone calls we have no idea how we're going to concentrate on anything today, election day. GO VOTE! 

But if you're looking to disassociate from the here and now after you've voted or if you aren't a US citizen and don't want to watch us struggle -- and who can blame you after four years of this bullshit? -- here are 7 random things that happened on this day, November 3rd, in showbiz history to distract yourself.

 1930 Lois Smith born in Topeka, Kansas. A very happy 90th birthday to this great character actress who is still churning out fine performances on stage and television and in the movies. She's currently a Tony nominee for a performance in The Inheritance that made me cry my eyes out. Get that Tony, girl...

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Over & Over: 1987's "Baby Boom"

by Eric Blume

Baby Boom, directed by Charles Shyer with a script by him and his then-wife Nancy Meyers, encapsulates 1987 beautifully.  From young James Spader's Wham!-like hair to Keaton's fashions to the dated woman-in-the-workplace-can-she-have-it-all plot, it could be a time capsule film for the year and its essence.  While we're celebrating 1987, this film couldn't be a better example of exactly where we were.

And yes, Baby Boom is a mercilessly commercial enterprise, engineered with cliche characters and "adorable" cutaway shots to the child inherited by the "Tiger Lady", J.C. Wiatt, played by Diane Keaton.  I can't defend this movie as a work of fine cinema, but I've returned to it over a dozen times for the sheer joy in Keaton's peerless performance...

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Oscar's Documentary Feature Race Heats Up

by Nathaniel R

According to the Wrap, AMPAS has 86 films currently available to CONSIDER for their Documentary branch members. The list will grow until some point in January (the list generally runs anywhere from 120-170 titles), and then the Documentary Branch will whittle it down to 15 contenders before the final nomination balloting.

If we've written about them -- but mostly if Glenn has written about them ;) -- there's a link in the list that follows. We've also indicated which are currently streaming if you'd like to watch any of them. The prestigious International Documentary Association has 30 shortlisted titles  (from which they'll draw their eventual nominations) and we've also mentioned the 14 titles that were nominated by the Critics Choice Documentary Awards for Best Documentary Feature. Why there are so many nominees we don't know! (If 5 is good enough for Oscar) 

Eligible Features (Thus Far) That Oscar's Doc Branch Is Watching...

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