What If... Glenn Close had won?

by Cláudio Alves

Glenn Close in THE DELIVERANCE (2024) Lee Daniels | © Netflix

Oscar obsessives everywhere know the dark and winding road of 'what if' like the back of their hand. What if my favorite had won? How would that change things down the line? What's the domino effect in Oscar history? What about film history? It can be a fun exercise, but it's also a shortcut to madness if you're not careful about it. That's especially true when considering one of those Academy Award sad sacks, the unlucky few who've earned multiple nominations yet never get the gold. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride - the Deborah Kerrs and Peter O'Tooles of the world. Or, for a more contemporary example, the Glenn Closes.

Speaking of that Oscar-less titan, her new movie is now in theaters and will soon arrive on Netflix. As we wait for Lee Daniels' The Deliverance to hit streaming, let's celebrate Close with some awards lunacy. Let's reflect on what would have happened if she had been victorious in one of those eight bids for gold…

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Through Her Lens: 2011 (The 84th Oscars)

A series by Juan Carlos Ojano. Introduction / Explanation

At the 84th Oscars, the winner for Best Director was first-time nominee Michel Hazanavicius for The Artist (2011), the story of a silent film star on the verge of downfall as Hollywood transitions into the talkies. The recreation of that era's silent filmmaking became one of the more unusual Best Picture wins of recent memory. Hazanavicius was up against four men who were previous nominees in the category: Alexander Payne for the dramedy The Descendants, Terrence Malick for the art film The Tree of Life, and two previous winners in Martin Scorsese for the adventure Hugo, and Woody Allen for the period fantasy Midnight in Paris.

2011 was business as usual in the Best Director race, with no female director ever really in serious consideration. The only arguable exception was one extreme longshot early on in the conversation - Angelina Jolie for her directorial debut In the Land of Blood and Honey. Out of the 265 films included in the Reminder List of Eligible Films in 2011 (84th Academy Awards), only 19 (7.2%) were directed/co-directed by women...

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Streaming Roulette, June: Martha Marcy May Titanic

We never know which films to cover since there are so many channels so please note that we welcome comments and requests for more in-depth coverage of new-to-streaming titles.  June is looking very strong (nice change of pace) for streaming fun so we'll have so much to discuss.

Okay, time for this month's streaming roulette. You know the rules. We highlight new-to-streaming movies and an occasional TV series by freezing them on the scroll bar at entirely random places and just sharing what pops up. No cheating*!

The hulls not designed to deal with that pressure so what happens [SOUND] she splits, right down to the keel. And the stern falls back level. Then as the bow sinks, it pulls the stern vertical and then finally detaches... 

TITANIC (1997) on Netflix
Do you also forget about the long prologue to Titanic? I do. One of my fondest memories of moviegoing with my family is watching my dad fall in love with this movie...

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'The Help' just keeps on being an Oscar good luck charm!

by Nathaniel R

from Jessica Chastain's Instagram

They is kind. They is smart. They is important. They is winning Oscars. Have you noticed that the cast of The Help, one of 2011's biggest hits (just behind the first Captain America, no joke, that year) just keeps collecting golden statues?! The Help had detractors from the start but it was hugely popular with the public considerably raising the profiles of all of its cast members, except the ones who were already enduring stars (hey Sissy Spacek, Mary Steenburgen, and Cicely Tyson! xo). It's greatest legacy might now be the Oscar winners it shoved towards the Dolby Theatre stage... 

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Almost There: Charlize Theron in "Young Adult"

by Cláudio Alves

Ten years ago, Young Adult arrived in theaters, signaling the second collaboration between director Jason Reitman and screenwriter Diablo Cody. It was also the creative duo's first work alongside Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron. Polarizing to this day, the picture divided critics and audiences alike, even as it gained champions heading into awards season. Cody's work and Patton Oswald's supporting turn won many admirers, but Theron's acidic star turn proved to be the movie's biggest Oscar bid. While already blessed with much critical recognition for her dramatic efforts, the actress wasn't known for comedy. Her casting was, thus, a bit of an against-type choice and her success a surprise. 

In retrospect, it sounds silly that there were any doubters. A decade after its premiere, Young Adult shines bright as Charlize Theron's greatest achievement…

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