"Nomadland" and "Sound of Metal" dominate the Spirit Awards

by Nathaniel R

Last stop before the Oscars! The Spirit Awards were held last night and the big winner was Nomadland which fits the Spirits like a glove. Congratulations to Chloe Zhao and her team. Less expected but wonderful news is that Sound of Metal collected three prizes: First Feature, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actor, finally also getting its due. This 'spread the wealth' awards season was surely accidental but it's been beautiful as art is subjective and there's no reason to pretend that only say, four people and one movie are worthy of any prizes each year. In this one way, this season has been the best. In the other ways, zoom ceremonies... never seeing anyone holding their trophies or mingling in rooms together or on the red carpet has been quite glum. But we're in the last weekend now. Hoorah.

After the jump the winners and their acceptance speeches if we found them. Melissa Villaseñor hosted and if you missed her opening monologue here it is...

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Which Limited Series Will Dominate Year-End Awards?

By Abe Friedtanzer

There are more limited series than ever before on the air, though that classification is in itself complicated because of all the anthology series that introduce new characters and storylines each season. As we approach year-end awards that will, unlikee the Emmys, pull from both halves of 2020, which of the buzzy shows we talked about around Emmy time will still be in the running? What other offerings from the last few months will zoom ahead of them?

It’s worth remembering that the overall Emmy nominations leader this past season was a limited series, albeit not one that was considered as such at the end of 2019. Before its staggering 26-nomination haul at the Emmys, Watchmen competed as a drama series, landing four bids and two wins from the Critics Choice Association, a stunt ensemble nod from SAG, and absolutely nothing at the Golden Globes...

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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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Emmy Review: Contemporary Costumes

by Cláudio Alves

The Creative Arts Emmys are upon us but, before their double ceremony, there's still time to look at the last Costume category for narrative programs. This particular awards race is focused on contemporary-set narratives, a sort of design challenge seldomly celebrated by other organizations like the Oscars. Due to some new rules, this lineup of seven contenders is also the biggest one in any costume category throughout Emmy history. Let's see who wins out of this supersized selection…

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Emmy Review: Limited Series

by Juan Carlos

"And the Emmy goes to Watchmen."

Truth be told, it is hard to see a scenario where any other nominee overtakes HBO's series, which is the most nominated this year. The second-most nominated limited series Hollywood (with 11 nominations) was not even nominated in this, the top category. All of the other shows have a crucial nomination missing. Watchmen’s nomination haul demonstrates overwhelming support. Interesting to note that all of the nominees in this category are female-driven stories. Here is one last take on the contenders for limited series…..

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