Cláudio gives thanks, 2020

by Cláudio Alves

2020 has been a rollercoaster of a year, as full of dismay as of jubilation. I started it sick, feverish, and bone-tired, a fitting first chapter to an annus horribilis fated to forever be remembered for worldwide disease. As the months unfurled, much happened, including cinematic triumphs whose wonder I couldn't believe, universal despairs I hoped would always be enclosed in my nightmares, loss, and life. 

Thanksgiving isn't a holiday we have in Portugal, but I admire the idea of celebrating gratitude, of giving thanks to what makes our existence happy or at least tolerable. With that in mind, I'd like to express my gratitude for some wonders of cinema, TV, and pop culture, that made living through 2020 just a tiny bit easier…

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Abe Gives Thanks 2020

A few volunteer members of Team Experience will be giving thanks this holiday week. Here's Abe Friedtanzer

This year has had its share of disappointments, but there’s plenty to celebrate personally and cinematically. I’m fortunate to have great weather in Los Angeles where I can spend time outdoors on a regular basis. It’s also been exciting to write much more frequently for The Film Experience and to interact with contributors and readers who were mostly willing to forgive my lukewarm attitude towards Schitt’s Creek. Here are ten movie/TV-related reasons I’d like to give thanks:

• Parasite winning Best Picture. I predicted 1917 but couldn’t have been more thrilled to see a stat-busting international triumph. It’s also the first time since The Departed that my #1 film of the year was also chosen by Oscar.

• The Sundance Film Festival happened completely as normal. For my seventh time in Park City, Utah, I got to see 41 films and enjoy sitting in the front row in crowded theaters for five movies in a row per day for a week straight. Little did I know that January would be my last visit to a movie theater...

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Fave Costume: Dr Ellie Sattler from "Jurassic Park"

We thought it would be fun to have Team Experience share favourite Halloween costumes with you. Here's the final entry from Ginny O'Keefe

It’s DOCTOR Ellie Sattler. She went to school and got a PhD in paleontology so you better put some respect on her full name!

 Jurassic Park was the first film I remember seeing. It was on a constant loop throughout most of my childhood. As a kid I would re-enact the kitchen scene with the raptors by hiding in my kitchen cabinets and crawling on the floor hoping to be unseen by my mother who just wanted to make dinner in peace! I also saw the movie in theaters when it was re-released and in 3D back in 2013 for it’s 20th anniversary. Yes, I sobbed like baby because of the power of nostalgia. This movie has always been a huge part of my life and it helped unleash my imagination and creativity as a kid. So, of course I needed to honor it on the scariest night of the year. I just happened to honor it 26 years after its original release. A little late, but better late than never...

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Emmy Reactions Pt 2: What We Do in the Shadows, Unbelievable, Mrs America...

We polled Team Experience yesterday with several questions on the brand new Emmy nominations. In part one we explored fav nominations and anger-inducing snubs. Here are four more pressing questions -- and please provide your own answers to compliment our teams in the comments!   

• What We Do in the Shadows surprised with a big nomination haul but none for its actors. Who you think is most deserving from that hilarious show?
  
  
• What happened to Unbelievable? Only 4 nominations and only 1 acting nod.
  
  
• Mrs America landed three Supporting Actress nods: Uzo Aduba, Margot Martindale and Tracey Ullman. Were those your three favourite from that series? 
  
  
• Which acting category is the sexiest?  

Our individual answers are after the jump...

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Emmy Reactions Survey Pt 1: Fav Nominations, Snubs, and the Problematic "Guest" Categories

HBO's Watchmen and Amazon's The Marvelous Mrs Maisel led the Emmy nominations with 26 and 20 nominations respectively though it was Netflix that had the biggest morning, breaking the record for most nominations (previously held by HBO) with 160 (!!!). As is our habit we polled Team Experience on their reactions. Here's what they had to say about the following three questions which we hope you'll answer, too, in the comments. 

• What was your favourite surprise this morning?
  
  
• What omission perplexes or enrages you?
  
  
• How would you fix the guest categories which are now just like the other categories repeating the same performers each year (series regulars with small parts instead of true "guests")?

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