Hello, Gorgeous: Best Actress of 2019

A new series by Juan Carlos Ojano

The Best Actress shortlist in this particular year is noteworthy in that all of them appear at the very beginning of their films.  Three of the five are in the very first shot of their films. One is the first person we see in the film. Meanwhile, another film begins with a different actress (a younger version of the character), but is still the character of the nominated performer.

While not always indicative of how centered they are in the respective narrative of their films, it is nevertheless a striking gesture that informs how we were supposed to enter their stories. Even in two instances where there are other leads aside from the Best Actress nominee, the five films featuring these actresses position them as navigators of their own stories.

Are you ready? The year is 2019...

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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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Linkin' along

Today's must read: Megan Garber at The Atlantic has a fascinating piece on sexual dignity and freedom (in current pop culture like Good Luck To You Leo Grande, Grace & Frankie, and Hacks) and the fall of Roe v Wade (in current reality)

More after the jump including BIFA awards changes, Todd Haynes long banned Superstar, Steven Yeun's role in Nope, Jodie Foster's new role, and the Pride cover for British Vogue featuring actresses Cynthia Erivo, Cara Delivingne, and Ariana DeBose...

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Cannes Gowns, Round 10. Vote

Previous Cannes Fashion: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and double-sized 9

We're nearing the finish line. The closing ceremony hits this weekend. In the meantime, will it be Milla Jovovich (who wore a Ukrainian brand in support... she's Ukranian-American), Margaret Qualley in town for her sexual drama Stars at Noon (read Elisa's review), Cynthia Erivo or Maggie Gyllenhaal for you? 

online polls

"Wicked" Movie announces its Elphaba and Glinda casting! What about the other roles?

by Nathaniel R

After years of fan-casting and online speculation we finally know who will be following in Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth's footsteps in that Emerald City of stage and screen legend. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande will be taking on the iconic roles of Glinda and Elphaba in the big screen adaptation of Broadway behemoth Wicked which is, if you've been sleeping under a rock, about the witches before the events of The Wizard of Oz. The news was announced tonight by the film's director Jon M Chu. 

How are you feeling about this news? Well how am I feeling? Not even sure and I'll tell you why...

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