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Yesterday, the nominees for the 74th annual Tony Awards were announced. Honoring Broadway’s best, it comes as the industry is shut down due to COVID-19, reminding us all that the film industry isn’t the only one feeling the brunt of Coronavirus.

One of the first things that sticks out to you about Cooper Raiff’s movie Shithouse (or S#!%house, for those who prefer not having the curse right there in front of you) is the title. Simple put, the name of this film is terrible.

This morning, Netflix dropped another potential Academy Award player on us with the release of the first Trailer for Ron Howard’s Hillbilly Elegy. Not only is the movie pegged as a possible major Oscar contender, it features two long overdue nominated actresses in Amy Adams and Glenn Close, both of whom could be competing for wins once again here.

Some big news hit yesterday, folks. Potentially game-changing, in fact.

Over the weekend, the Closing Night Selection of the 58th New York Film Festival officially revealed itself in French Exit. One of the only true sight unseen X factors of this very unusual awards season, the movie was looked at as potentially an Oscar player for Michelle Pfeiffer at the very least.

I love when puppets are naughty. Ironically, I’m also a huge fan of the Muppets, who are somewhat more wholesome, but the concept has always thrilled me.

Two movies in, actor and writer/director Jim Cummings has certainly proven to be a talent full of idiosyncrasies. His debut, Thunder Road, made him someone to watch, while now, we have his sophomore feature to consider.

You really do usually know what you’re getting with a new Adam Sandler comedy on Netflix. After all, the actor and comedian has been consistently putting his movies on to the streaming service for years, being one of the first to commit to them.

Moments ago, Netflix dropped a Teaser Trailer for Mank, one of their prime awards vehicles for 2020. An epic looking film, it certainly seems like it will stand out from the pack, especially when movies of this size and scope have almost entirely shifted into 2021 and even 2022, due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Sundance Film Festival alums that receive a ton of acclaim usually have one of two paths. They either end up as Oscar players, taking that strong buzz and carving out a path in the awards season, or they crumble under the weight of added expectations.

Lost in the shuffle a bit last week, A24 dropped a Trailer for one of their big Academy Award hopefuls this year. Plus, it’s a movie that actually seems to still be coming out, which is an achievement these days! Yes, those who weren’t at the Sundance Film Festival have finally been able to see a bit of Minari, a possible awards player here in 2020.

Another one bites the dust. Just a few short days after James Bond suffered the same fate with his film No Time to Die, Dune is next in the barrel.

There are plenty of hit Broadway productions that are aching to be translated to film. Conversely, there are tons of shows that really have no need for a cinematic adaptation.

James Bond continues to not be immune to the Coronavirus. After all, no one is, as we’ve learned over these last many months.

It’s always an added bonus when a horror film does something a bit different. Whether it’s a concept or just a setting, the ability to differentiate oneself can sometimes make a real difference.

It would have been completely understandable if Brandon Cronenberg had looked to become a completely different sort of director than his father. After all, David Cronenberg is a very specific kind of auteur.

Gloria Steinem is a towering figure in the women’s rights movement. Just in terms of activists, overall, she’d be up there.

Well, this is unusual news. When you think about what an Academy Award winning filmmaker might be planning for his next feature, you don’t immediately jump to Disney prequels.

Keep an eye on Katie Kelly. The young actress has an X factor that suggests an ability to shoot to the top of the A-list in no time.

Well, all good things must come to an end at some point. Yes folks, this is the final installment of the second go-around of this series of mine, and as such, it’s (hopefully) a bit of a doozy…the Best Picture field.

THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7 (L to R) KELVIN HARRISON JR. as Fred Hampton, YAHYA ABDUL-MATEEN II as Bobby Seale, MARK RYLANCE as William Kuntsler in THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7. Cr. NIKO TAVERNISE/NETFLIX © 2020

In case you missed it earlier in the week, some big news dropped, with Disney basically punting on the year 2020, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Given how movie theaters are still largely closed in the major American markets like Los Angeles and New York City, this is totally understandable.

How much quirk is too much quirk? That question is one that everyone has to answer for themselves. That being said, there’s always a point at which things go over the top and a film stops being enjoyable.

Sometimes, you can just sense a franchise being born. Often, that feeling is one of indifference or resignation, since it’s among the least creative things that Hollywood can do.

Somehow, Sean Durkin made his breakthrough movie Martha Marcy May Marlene nearly a decade ago. Even harder to believe, sadly, is that it has taken him nine years to get a follow-up feature made.

Last night, the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards were held, obviously under much different circumstances than normal. Conducted virtually, it was a sign of the COVID-19 times, but more or less went off without a hitch.

It’s still very early, but it’s impossible not to take notice of what Chloe Zhao’s film Nomadland is doing right now. The fall film festival season has launched other movies, like Regina King’s One Night in Miami…, but none like Nomadland.

Earlier in the week, the 2020 incarnation of the New York Film Festival got underway officially, with one part of Steve McQueen’s Small Axe anthology, Lovers Rock, serving as the Opening Night Selection. Having seen it, the movie serves as both a strong start for NYFF this year, as well as a smaller and far less awards friendly selection.

A great cast can paper over a lot of issues. Watching talented actors and actresses at work is part of the main charm of the gift that is cinema.

Watching a character make poor choices can be a trying experience, depending on the genre at hand. Seeing this in a comedy? Potentially hilarious.

When The Mandalorian came to Disney+ last year, it was, arguably, a shock to most how great it was. Sure, there was no doubt that Disney and Lucasfilm would waste no expense in their first true live-action television venture (not to mention a flagship Disney+ streamer) being top notch.

Photographing a President is about as apolitical a job as it gets. At least, that’s how it traditionally was.

Last night, during Sunday Night Football, Netflix debuted our first look at one of the year’s biggest award hopefuls. Yes, we finally got to see Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial of the Chicago 7 in action.

It’s impossible to watch Haley Lu Richardson and not see that she’s a star in the making. She just has that “it factor” about her.

The first major award of 2020, and in particular, the 2020 fall film festival season, has now been given out. The Venice Film Festival announced their prize winners, with the top prize, known as the Golden Lion, going to Chloe Zhao’s Nomadland.

It’s no secret that social media has left an indelible mark on the world. Whether it’s more of a positive or a negative mark depends on who you are and how you view its impact.