Spirit Awards 2022: My Personal Ballot

by Cláudio Alves

The Film Independent Spirit Awards are upon us! After a few years of hewing concerningly close to the Oscars, this year's slot of nominees feels more connected to the organization's purpose of celebrating independent cinema, even the obscure stuff. Indeed, exploring the many nominated pictures was one of the highlights of this awards season. I discovered some beautiful gems and have new artists to look for in the incoming years. Isn't that the most beautiful part of movie awards – the uncovering of heretofore unknown talents and voices? It seems right, seeing as the Spirit Awards are voted on by cinephiles, all those who become Film Independent members out of their love for the seventh art.

With that in mind, I thought it could be fun to share my (not so anonymous) ballot for the Spirit Awards, perchance some predictions too…

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FYC: Gaby Hoffmann in "C'mon C'mon"

by Lynn Lee

Gaby Hoffmann doesn’t make it look easy.  Motherhood, that is.  Neither is she a drama queen about it.  As down-to-earth Viv – sister to thoughtful, sad-eyed journalist Johnny (Joaquin Phoenix) and mother of Jesse (Woody Norman), the precocious 9-year-old Johnny looks after for a time – she just shows and tells it like it is, with an honesty, humility, and humor that’s as refreshing as it is rare to see on screen.  And that, precisely, is why she’s the secret weapon of C’mon C’mon, and why she should be in the running for Best Supporting Actress Oscar.

That she isn’t even in the conversation is due as much to the nature of C’mon C’mon as Hoffmann’s performance...

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A slow week at the box office. What did you see?

What did you see this past week/weekend?  

Weekend Box Office December 3rd-5th 🔺 = new or expanding | ★ = recommended
WIDE RELEASE	LIMITED RELEASE
HOUSE OF GUCCI	LICORICE PIZZA
1 ENCANTO ★ $13.1 (cum. $58.3) Songs ranked	1 C'MON C'MON  ★🔺$565k on 565 screens (cum. $1.1) Jason's Review
2  GHOSTBUSTERS AFTERLIFE  $10.3 (cum. $102.2)	2 LICORICE PIZZA ★ $241k on 4 screens (cum. $779k)
3 HOUSE OF GUCCI  $7 (cum. $33.8) Lady Gaga's Costumes, Capsule Review	3 BENEDETTA ★🔺$136k on 201 screens (cum. $136k)  Jason's Review
4 ETERNALS   $4 (cum. $156.6) Nathaniel's Review	4 ALINE  $90k on 72 screens (cum. $380k)
5 RESIDENT EVIL: WELCOME TO RACOON CITY  $2.6 (cum. $13.2)	5 WOLF 🔺 $82k on 308 screens Jason's Review

The box office was down for everything, which is typical for the weekend after a holiday weekend. But it's not all bad news for Hollywood. Ghostbusters and Dune both broke the $100 million domestic barrier, Licorice Pizza continues to pack theaters (albeit only 4 of them), and Encanto is a solid performer though Disney is barely giving it any time to earn money in theaters since it hits Disney+ on Christmas Eve.

This Friday Things really heat up. Steven Spielberg's remake of West Side Story opens in wide release (with high expectations). Sean Baker's latest fringe comedy Red Rocket opens in limited release. The new Sandra Bullock Unforgiveable begins streaming on Netflix. The new Riz Ahmed Encounter beings streaming on Amazon. And, on a last note, two more Best Picture Oscar hopefuls the political satire Don't Look Up and the showbiz drama Being the Ricardos get their theatrical qualifying releases before moving to their streaming platforms, Netflix and Amazon, in time for Christmas.

FYC Critics Choice Young Performers Awards

by Nathaniel R

Saniyya Sidney as "Venus Williams" in King Richard

Each year the Critics Choice votes on a category that doesn't get a lot of press or campaigning: Best Young Actor/Actress. Without constant discussion (as with other acting categories) I've noticed critics default to whatever movie is popular that happens to have a major role for a child. Which is why, say, Belfast's Jude Hill could easily be in contention. But, generally speaking, there are better performances out there than whichever one happens to be most visible in this particular category in any given year. (Same goes for famous adult movie stars in the regular categories, come to think of it). So each year we try to help by listing eligible performers in this "Young Performer" category which requires a bit of research since the actors often aren't famous (yet) and the attention is usually directed at their adult co-stars...

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C'mon C'mon is "...a gift"

The new trailer for C'Mon C'Mon is upon us and we were proud to see our own Jason Adams quoted from his typically brilliant review. The movie arrives on November 19th in time for Thanksgiving. We currently have predicted it for 3 Oscar nominations (Picture, Screenplay, Supporting Actor) which is either too much or too little. What'cha think?