VistaVision @ the Oscars

by Cláudio Alves

With The Brutalist, Brady Corbet and cinematographer Lol Crawley revived VistaVision for a 21st century cinema. In the process, they also brought the format back to the Oscar stage, becoming the first film since Alfred Hitchcock's To Catch a Thief to win the Best Cinematography Oscar for a VistaVision lensing. If you've read my reviews over the years, you might have noticed I have a passion for film form. This fascination encompasses the innovations that took over the medium in the midcentury, with the introduction of new aspect ratios, processes, and techniques after decades under the 4:3 Academy ratio hegemony. 

I really love VistaVision, a happy medium between more extreme widescreen propositions and the classical square-ish proportions that dominated pre-1950s cinema. It's quite beautiful, harmonious and the technique itself lends itself to rich images, full of detail, crisp yet not in the sometimes bloodless way of digital filmmaking. But what is VistaVision exactly? And how have films shot in this widescreen variant performed at the Oscars? Let's find out…

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Actressexual Honors - Best Leading Actresses of 2024

 By Nathaniel R

It took me a second viewing to appreciate what Margaret Qualley was up to in "The Substance". Great work!

Reckless sex workers, repressed CEOs, witches-in-training, and a triple helping of “Elizabeths” (!?!) factor into the incredible characterizations offered up by gifted actresses in leading roles this past film season. As we say goodbye to the year in cinema just behind us, a tribute to my personal dozen favourites (alpha order) from leading ladies. Though it’s a full dozen I still had to leave out highly enjoyable star turns from June Squibb in Thelma and Scarlett Johansson in Fly Me to the Moon, as well as Amy Adams' funny and underappreciated juggling of dowdy and feral as “Mother” in Nightbitch. The actual shortlist for my own Best Lead Actress honors is revealed at the end. 

top dozen - alpha order

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A Supporting Actress Dozen (aka Nathaniel's Favourites)

by Nathaniel R

Joan Chen would have made such a magnificent Oscar nominee for "Didi"

While I realize my advocacy for actual supporting performances would do more good earlier in the year, I am who I am and my clock refuses to run on schedule. Nevertheless I shall carry the banner for genuine supporting players until the end of days. Movies just wouldn’t be the same without the undergirding of story beats, thematic reflections, and emotional contours that supporting players add to movies – often even elevating the lead performers as a result! Moreso than in ANY year in memory, there was shockingly little conversation about any actually supporting female performances this year so I'm here to rectify that by citing 12 favourites...

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The 97th Academy Awards (Cláudio's Version)

by Cláudio Alves

ALL WE IMAGINE AS LIGHT | © Janus Films / Sideshow
It's been a week and change since the 97th Academy Awards. At this point, we have to start saying goodbye to the season that was and start looking ahead to a new cinematic year. And yet, there's still some business to take care of - some Fernanda Torres ruminations, the traditional Best Picture in black-and-white business, top tens and personal awards. Speaking of which, while Nathaniel is busy with the Film Bitch Awards, I thought about presenting my own ideal Oscar ballot. Those things led to great discussions in the past – remember my 1980s acting lineups? – so, let's bring that idea back. Following strict Oscar eligibility rules, my 97th Academy Awards are rather different from the real deal. Better, in my opinion, but maybe not in yours.

Across 20 feature film categories, I nominate 70 distinct projects. All We Imagine as Light is my big winner, but no single film won more than two prizes. I'm a big believer in spreading the wealth…

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What was the first film you watched post-Oscars?

By Juan Carlos Ojano

An unpredictable awards season ended in an ANORA near-sweep at the Oscars.

It's been a week now since the Oscars.

The winners have celebrated, the losers have extended their congratulations (hopefully), the dust has settled, and the noise is slowly fading out. As we collectively move on from the recently concluded awards season, let me pose this question: what was the first film you watched post-Oscars?

Whether it be a leftover from the previous year, a new release from this current film year, or a good old classic, the first film one watches post-Oscars is fascinating to me because I do wonder if other cinephiles - especially those who intentionally subject themselves to the grueling roller-coaster ride of awards season - have a ritual of sorts on how to move forward with the recently concluded season...

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