Is 2026 Sandra Hüller’s year?

by Cláudio Alves

PROJECT HAIL MARY, Chris Lord & Phil Miller | © Amazon MGM Studios

One of the most widely loved and acclaimed films in the first half of 2026 has been Project Hail Mary. Personally, I didn’t fall head over heels for Lord and Miller’s Andrew Weir adaptation, though one element did earn some adoration. After all, how can you not love Sandra Hüller doing her damnedest to add dimension and dynamism to her scenes, elevating what could have been an exposition machine into the picture’s most arresting presence? The moment when she belts out Harry Styles’ “Sign of the Times” in a most fatalistic going-away party is enough to justify the admission price. Give this German thespian a mic and a pop tune, and you’ll get instant movie magic. Toni Erdmann fans remember!

Honestly, 2026 is shaping up to be Sandra Hüller’s year, even more than 2023 already was. With that in mind, consider some Berlinale musings, Cannes news, and Venice speculation, after the jump…

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Readers Poll: Who would you love to see as the next... ?

Here we are again. I'll give you all one more day to vote (or convince a friend) to vote on this "who should be the next Amy Madigan?" poll, cutting that poll off this Thursday night (04/09). In the meantime though, let's honor the men despite our perpetual actressy focus! Same parameters apply as the last poll-- only one Oscar nomination, more than 20 years ago, still alive, over 50, still Oscarless -- the latter meaning that an Honorary Oscar still disqualifies you. So who should it be? Here are the actors who fit the brief. 

While a man isn't going to be able to win Best Supporting Actress like Amy Madigan, it's still fun to contemplate a similar scenario. It wasn't that long ago that it happened for Robert Downey Jr. in Oppenheimer (2023). Judd Hirsch also managed to return after an even longer time away from his first nomination though his role in The Fabelmans (2022) wasn't substantial enough to spark a winning narrative like Madigan or RDJ.

OK, ready? VOTE BY SUNDAY, APRIL 12TH AND SHARE THE POLLS WITH FELLOW OSCAR / MOVIE / ACTING LOVERS.

Drag Race RuCap: "Good Morning Bitches"

Condragulations, Teyana Taylor, you're the winner of this week's episode.

CLÁUDIO ALVES: It’s legitimately impressive how this season is falling apart so close to the finish line. Who decided the last competitive episode of the year should be another damned comedy challenge? Specifically, the return of season 9’s dreadful Morning Show parody!?! I don’t know what’s going on in those producers’ minds, but it’s nothing good. At least, the challenge results were so obvious that there’s no debate about who should end up at the bottom, the two teams presenting a real case of "hydrogen bomb versus coughing baby." Honestly, Know Your Meme should reference this episode on their page about it. Then again, they sorta spoiled it all with a lip-sync verdict that left me scratching my head in confusion. But there’s a lot to talk about before we get there, including some heinous AI art. Aren’t you excited?

NICK TAYLOR: I’m not! From bones to skin, this was such an insufficient semifinal challenge for these queens...

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A Brief History of Oscar Ties

by Cláudio Alves

Best Live-Action Short Film is the only category to count two ties in its Oscar history.

Last month, at the 98th Academy Awards, the world got to witness the seventh official tie in Oscar history. Presenter Kumail Nanjiani was quick to assure the audience that this was not a bit but something that was really happening as the Best Live-Action Short Film race came down to two victors – The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva. For someone like me, what made this even more momentous was how, for once, the Academy made a good choice, even if they didn’t make up their mind. In a category where good taste goes to die, our champions are good examples of the form, amply deserving of this honor and their new place in the annals of Oscar history. Who would have thought?

For some added context, join me as I go over these seven ties. Were they all deserving? Let’s find out…

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Reader Poll: Who would you love to see as the next Amy Madigan?

This question was posed by a loyal reader and to double the fun we want you to participate with our Team. 

AMY MADIGAN "FLUMMOXED" AND BEAUTIFUL OSCAR SPEECH

At the 98th Oscars Amy Madigan improbably returned to the Oscars 40 years after her first nomination (Twice in a Lifetime, 1985) and WON for Weapons. Who would we like to see as the next Amy Madigan? Here is the criteria for eligibility for this niche actressexual poll: 

• The actress must have received only one one previous Oscar nomination (they lost)
• That nomination was 20 or more years ago
• They are at least 50 years of age at this writing.

Check out the eligibility list and VOTE FOR YOUR TOP TEN by Wednesday night April 8. Share the link with friends you think would like to play. We'll discuss the results from TEAM EXPERIENCE and from readers here on the weekend of April 10th.