SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26
OSCARS property of A.M.P.A.S.
Late night’s boy-next-door is going big time. It isn’t often that a host graces two award show stages in one year. Jimmy commanded the stage for the Emmys and there is little doubt that he will hold his own at the Oscars. Don’t expect a song and dance... but how will he manage the presence of his “rival” Matt Damon?
PHOTO: Jeff Lipsky | ABC
As you flip through the Watchlist, keep an eye out for this badge. While I can’t say with precise certainty on who will take home the prizes, these are safe bets.
Nominees By the #’s 14 La La Land 8 Arrival // Moonlight 6 Hacksaw Ridge // Lion // Manchester by the Sea 4 Fences // Hell or High Water 3 Hidden Figures // Jackie 2 Florence Foster Jenkins // Kubo and the Two Strings // Moana
BEST PICTURE, DIRECTING, CINEMATOGR FILM EDITING, PRODUCTION DESIGN, SO SOUND MIXING & ADAPTED SCREENPLAY The aliens are here... now to figure out why. This visually stunning and intellectually compelling science fiction tale is a dynamic study on loss, destiny and the complex concept of time. It is a shame that Amy Adams was snubbed for her roll as linguist Louise Banks, but given the Best Actress race this year, it is hardly a surprise. Any other year and things could have been different. Own it now through iTunes or Amazon.
PHOTOS: Jan Thijs | Paramount Pictures
RAPHY, OUND EDITING,
PHOTOS: Garfield - Mark Rogers | Summit Entertainment; Gosling - Dale Robinette | Lionsgate; Mortensen - Erik Simkins | Bleecker Street & Sundance; Washington - David Lee | Paramount Pictures
FENCES LA LA LAND
EVERYMAN the the WILDMAN
MUSICIAN the
HERO the
DENZEL WASHINGTON CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
RYAN GOSLING HACKSAW RIDGE
VIGGO MORTENSEN ANDREW GARFIELD
Casey Affleck
MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
PHOTO: Claire Folger | Roadside Attractions and Amazon Studios
the WOUNDED SOUL By most accounts, the Oscar is Casey Affleck’s to lose, and has been for some months. Though, with a last minute surge, it looks like Denzel Washington could be coming for the win. It really comes down to the heartbreaking tale of personal loss matched against the struggle with dreams unrealized. My money is on Affleck, but I would not be surprised to see the award go to Washington... tune in to find out.
BEST PICTURE, ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE, ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE & ADAPTED SCREENPLAY Reality isn’t always pretty, but that’s part of what makes it so real. August Wilson, the playwright of Fences, was a master at taking the everyman and shining the light on his very existence. It is what makes the story so enthralling and the performaces so real. The film honors his insight and the performances bring 1957 Pittsburgh to life. Preorder your copy through Amazon or on iTunes.
PHOTO: David Lee | Paramount Pictures
PHOTO: Focus Features
Emma Stone LA LA LAND
PHOTO: Dale Robinette | Lionsgate
the DREAMER There are few actresses who seem to exude approachability in quite the same way as Emma Stone. She seems like the girl you could grab a coffee with while simultaneously feeling like she will always be smarter than you. Some critics say that her role as Mia is a little too normal to be worthy of Oscar gold but, to me, that is part of what makes it so much more impressive. While Natalie’s version of First Lady Jackie Kennedy is stirring and Isabelle’s Michéle is compelling, I vote Emma for the win.
PHOTOS: Huppert - Sony Pictures Classic; Negga - Focus Features; Portman - Fox Searchlight; Streep - Paramount Pictures
ISABELLE HUPPERT ELLE
NATALIE PORTMAN RUTH NEGGA
JACKIE
LOVING
the
AVENGER
the
INSPIRATION
MERYL STREEP FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS
the
ICON
the
“VOICE”
PHOTOS: Mark Rogers | Summit Entertainment
BEST PICTURE, DIRECTING, ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE, FILM EDITING, SOUND EDITING & SOUND MIXING Team up star Andrew Garfield and director Mel Gibson and we can talk about an odd couple. Yet, they come together to create a beautiful story showing the strenght of faith and the brutality of war. Garfield, who was most likely best known for his aww-shucks, web-slinging superhero, proved that he can be just as engaging as an aww-shucks conscientious objector, war hero. He brings depth and nuance to the real-life character he plays. While not likely to bring home the big prize, it could grab some of the smaller awards... if La La Land doesn’t beat it to the punch. Available to own through Amazon or on iTunes.
PHOTOS: CBS Films
BEST PICTURE, ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE, FILM EDITING & ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Add this to the list of best movies you most likely haven’t seen. It is the story of two brothers who decide to steal money from the bank that is about to foreclose on their family farm. Written by Taylor Sheridan (Sicario), this western-thriller is as exciting as it is stirring. It is nice to see a “summer” movie get a little recognition, even though the only chance it will walk away with an award is if it steals it... now that would be worth tuning in for. Available to order through Amazon or on iTunes.
PHOTOS: Bridges - CBS Films; Hedge - Claire Folger | Roadside Attractions and Amazon Studios; Patel - Mark Rogers | Long Way Home Productions; Shannon - Focus Features
TEXAN the
SEEKER the
PLAYER the
OFFICER the
NOCTURNAL ANIMALS MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
MICHAEL SHANNON LION
LUCAS HEDGE HELL OR HIGH WATER
DEV PATEL JEFF BRIDGES
Mahershala Ali MOONLIGHT
PHOTO: David Bronfriend
the CONTRADICTION This is a tight race. Each and every one of the nominees brings out the best of their roles and shines for every moment on screen. Jeff Bridges and Michael Shannon are lawmen looking for justice. Dev Patel captivates as he looks for his place in the world. And Lucas Hedge is every bit as angst-y as you’d hope a teenager who lost his father would be. But it is Mahershala Ali who truly made his mark this year. His turn as a drug-dealer/mentor/father-figure in the first chapter of Moonlight makes such an impact you feel his presence through the rest of the film. Talk about being in a supporting role.
BEST PICTURE, ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE & ADAPTED SCREENPLAY It is true movie magic that can make a story of mathematicians one of the most emotionally engaging movies of the year. Perhaps it was the fact that it was a largly untold story. Or maybe it was because of the powerful performances by each of the actresses. Whatever it was, this is one piece of history I am glad was un-hidden and equaly glad it is getting some recognition. There is little chance it will bring home any gold, but sometimes being seen is just as important. Preorder the film on iTunes or Amazon.
PHOTO: Warner Bros.
PHOTOS: Hopper Stone | Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
Viola Davis FENCES
the SUPPORT
PHOTO: Focus Features
PHOTO: Everett Collections, Inc.
PHOTOS: Harris - David Bornfriend; Kidman - Mark Rogers | Long Way Home Productions; Spencer - Hopper Stone | Twentieth Century Fox Film Company; Williams - Claire Folger | Roadside Attractions and Amazon Studios
NAOMIE HARRIS MOONLIGHT
OCTAVIA SPENCER NICOLE KIDMAN
HIDDEN FIGURES
LION
the
USER
the
MOTHER
MICHELLE WILLIAMS MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
the
In 2017, everything is coming up Viola. And it is a truly wonderful thing. Way back when I first saw the trailer for Fences, I said “she is sooooo winning an Oscar for that.” Here we are, months later, and it looks like the prediction is all but a lock. Davis had brought home every award she has been nominated for and while the other nominees are impressive, she is simply solid gold.
BOSS
the
EX
BEST PICTURE, DIRECTING, ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE, ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE, ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY, CINEMATOGRAPHY, COSTUME DESIGN, FILM EDITING, ORIGINAL SCORE, ORIGINAL SONG(S), PRODUCTION DESIGN, SOUND EDITING & SOUND MIXING
PHOTO: Dale Robinette | Lionsgate
It looks like there just might be another day in the sun for the La La Land team. It is the movie to beat for Best Picture. And while there is plenty to be said for Moonlight, there is also plenty to be said for the technicolored spectacular that is one of the top movies of 2016. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling provide career-defining performances and while there are moments you might not want to like them, you also fall for them as they fall for each other. Sure there is THE ending, but that is what helps to ground something that could be trite into something with a little more gravitas. You could also ask the question: Do some people in Hollywood have an ego? And the answer is most assuredly - yes. So start counting down, with a record-breaking 14 nominations, there is no doubt that we will be seeing plenty La La Sunday night. Available to preorder through Amazon or on iTunes.
PHOTO: Dale Robinette | Lionsgate
City of stars Are you shining just for me? City of stars There’s so much that I can’t see Who knows? I felt it from the first embrace I shared with you That now our dreams They’ve finally come true City of stars Just one thing everybody wants There in the bars And through the smokescreen of the crowded restaurant It’s love Yes, all we’re looking for is love from someone else A rush A glance A touch A dance A look in somebody’s eyes To light up the skies To open the world and send it reeling A voice that says, I’ll be here And you’ll be alright I don’t care if I know Just where I will go ‘Cause all that I need is this crazy feeling A rat-tat-tat on my heart Think I want it to stay City of stars Are you shining just for me? City of stars You never shined so brightly LA LA LAND
MUSIC: JUSTIN HURWITZ LYRICS: BENJ PASEK & JUSTIN PAUL
BEST PICTURE, ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE, ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE, ADAPTED SCREENPLAY, CINEMATOGRAPHY & ORIGINAL SCORE Finding your place in the world is a hard thing, especially when you don’t really know where you belong. Based on a true story, this engrossing story of Saroo’s quest to find his long-lost home is powerful and filled to the brim with astounding performances and more than a few helpings of love. Available to preorder on iTunes or through Amazon.
PHOTOS: Mark Rogers | Long Way Home Productions
PHOTOS: Villeneuve - Jan Thijs | Paramount Pictures; Gibson - Mark Rogers | Summit Entertainment; Lonergan - Claire Folger | Roadside Attractions and Amazon Studios; Jenkins - Aaron Davidson
REALIST the
DRAMATIST the
HISTORIAN the
EXPLORER the
MOONLIGHT HACKSAW RIDGE
BARRY JENKINS MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
MEL GIBSON ARRIVAL
KENNETH LONERGAN DENIS VILLENEUVE
Damien Chazelle LA LA LAND
the VISIONARY As I said before, it looks like things are going to be coming up La La Land. While there is plenty to be said about the drama of Kenneth Lonergan’s Manchester by the Sea or the complexity of Barry Jenkin’s Moonlight, it is the contemporary, yet classic, vision of Damien Chazelle that takes him to a whole other level. He is one director I can’t wait to see evolve and grow.
PHOTO: Dale Robinette | Lionsgate
PHOTO: Claire Folger | Roadside Attractions and Amazon Studios
BEST PICTURE, DIRECTING, ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE, ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE, ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE & ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Lee Chandler knows loss. It is etched in his body and reflected in his eyes. He goes about his days as a janitor in Boston but is barely living. Heartbreakingly told in two timelines, Affleck brings a range of emotions from pain and grief to the full-of-life former version of himself. In the end, it is the glimmers of home that shine through paired with the connection to reality that make this one of the most impressive performances of the year. Available to own on iTunes or through Amazon.
Let’s hear it for the animals! Who would expect a movie featuring talking beasts to be one of the most human films of the year. While I can’t say that Zootopia was my top pick for 2016, there is no doubt that the momentum is in its favor. But will the stop-motion Kubo spin magic to create an upset? Only the envelope will tell.
KUBO and the TWO STRINGS
MY LIFE as a ZUCCHINI
the
RED TURTLE
PHOTOS: Zootopia - Walt Disney Pictures; Kubo - Leika Pictures; Moana - Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; Zucchini - Gebeka; Trutle - Studio Ghibli
MOANA
Zootopia
PHOTOS: David Bornfriend | A24
BEST PICTURE, DIRECTING, ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE, ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE, ADAPTED SCREENPLAY, CINEMATOGRAPHY, FILM EDITING & ORIGINAL SCORE A story in three parts and each of them with heart. Moonlight is both hard to watch and a must see. The tale of Chiron growing from lost young boy to troubled teen to strong but lost adult is as engrossing as it is transformative. Each boy brings an individuality connecting to the root of the character. It is the supporting cast that helps to bring everything together. In whatever light, this is one film that is sure to make a mark. Available to own on iTunes or through Amazon.
BEST PICTURE
Arrival
Fences
ACTOR
Casey Affleck MANCHESTER BY THE SEA Andrew Garfield HACKSAW RIDGE Ryan Gosling LA LA LAND Viggo Mortensen CAPTAIN FANTASTIC Denzel Washington FENCES
ACTRESS
Isabelle Huppert ELLE Ruth Negga LOVING Natalie Portman JACKIE Emma Stone LA LA LAND Meryl Streep FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS
SUPPORTING ACTOR Mahershala Ali MOONLIGHT Jeff Bridges THE REVENANT Lucas Hedge MANCHESTER BY THE SEA Dev Patel LION Michael Shannon NOCTURNAL ANIMALS
SUPPORTING ACTRESS Viola Davis FENCES Naomie Harris MOONLIGHT Nicole Kidman LION Octavia Spencer HIDDEN FIGURES Michelle Williams MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
DIRECTOR
Denis Velleneuve ARRIVAL Mel Gibson HACKSAW RIDGE Damien Chazelle LA LA LAND Kenneth Lonergan MANCHESTER BY THE SEA Barry Jenkins MOONLIGHT
Hacksaw Ridge
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Hell or High Water TAYLOR SHERIDAN La La Land DAMIEN CHAZELLE The Lobster YORGOS LANTHIMOS, EFTHIMIS FILIPPOU Manchester by the Sea KENNETH LONERGAN 20th Century Women MIKE MILLS
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY Arrival ERIC HEISSERER Fences AUGUST WILSON Hidden Figures
ALLISON SCHROEDER AND THEODORE MELFI
Lion LUKE DAVIES Moonlight SCREENPLAY: BARRY JENKINS STORY: STARELL ALVIN MCCRANEY
Hell or High Water
Hidden Figures
VISUAL EFFECTS
Deepwater Horizon CRAIG HAMMACK, JASON SNELL, JASON BILLINGTON, BURT DALTON
Doctor Strange STEPHANE CERETTI, RICHARD BLUFF, VINCENT CIRELLI, PAUL CORBOULD
The Jungle Book
ROBERT LEGATO, ADAM VALDEZ, ANDREW R. JONES, DAN LEMMON
Kubo and the Two Strings
STEVE EMERSON, OLIVER JONES, BRIAN MCLEAN, BRAD SCHIFF
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story JOHN KNOLL, MOHEN LEO, HAL HICKEL, NEIL CORBOULD
PRODUCTION DESIGN Arrival
PRODUCTION: PATRICE VERMETTE & SET: PAUL HOTTE
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
PRODUCTION: STUART CRAIG & SET: ANNA PINNOCK
FILM EDITING
Arrival JOE WALKER Hacksaw Ridge JOHN GILBERT Hell or High Water JAKE ROBERTS La La Land TOM CROSS Moonlight NAT SANDERS, JOI McMILLON
CINEMATOGRAPHY Arrival BRADFORD YOUNG La La Land LINUS SANDGREN Lion GREIG FRASER Moonlight JAMES LAXTON Silence RODRIGO PRIETO
Hail, Caeser!
PRODUCTION: JESS GONCHER & SET: NANCY HAIGH
La La Land
PRODUCTION: DAVID WASCO & SET: SANDY REYNOLDS-WASCO
Passengers
PRODUCTION: GAY HENDRIX DYAS & SET: GENE SERDENA
COSTUME DESIGN
Allied JOANNA JOHNSTON Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them COLLEEN ATWOOD Florence Foster Jenkins CONSOLATA BOYLE Jackie MADELINE FONTAINE La La Land MARY ZOPHRES
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING A Man Called Ove EVA VON BAHR, LOVE LARSON Star Trek Beyond JOEL HARLOW, RICHARD ALONZO Suicide Squad ALESSANDRO BERTOLAZZI, GIORGIO GREGORINI, CHRISTOPHER NELSON
OSCARS 2017 WATCHLIST BALLOT
La La Land
SOUND MIXING
Arrival BERNARD GARIÉPY STROBL, CLAUDE LA HAYE Hacksaw Ridge KEVIN O’CONNELL, ANDY WRIGHT, ROBERT MACKENZIE, PETER GRACE
La La Land ANDY NELSON, AI-LING LEE, STEVE A. MORROW Rogue One: A Star Wars Story DAVID PARKER, CHRISTOPHER SCARABOSIO, STUART WILSON
13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi GREG P. RUSSELL, GARY SUMMERS, JEFFERY J. HABOUSH, MAC RUTH
SOUND EDITING Arrival SYLVAIN BELLEMARE Deepwater Horizon
WYLIE STATEMAN, RENÉE TONDELLI
Hacksaw Ridge ROBERT MACKENZIE, ANDY WRIGHT La La Land AI-LING LEE, MILDRED IATROU MORGAN Sully ALAN ROBERT MURRAY, BUB ASMAN
ORIGINAL SCORE Jackie MICA LEVI La La Land JUSTIN HURWITZ Lion DUSTIN O’HALLORAN, HAUSCHKA Moonlight NICHOLAS BRITELL Passengers THOMAS NEWMAN
ORIGINAL SONG
"Audition (The Fools Who Dream)" LA LA LAND music by Justin Hurwitz; lyrics by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul
"Can’t Stop the Feeling" TROLLS
music and lyrics by Justin Timberlake, Max Martin & Johan Schuster
"City of Stars" LA LA LAND
music by Justin Hurwitz; lyrics by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul
"The Empty Chair" JIM: THE JAMES FOLEY STORY
Lion
Manchester by the Sea
Moonlight
ANIMATED FEATURE
LIVE ACTION SHORT
ANIMATED SHORT
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Kubo and the Two Strings Moana My Life as a Zucchini The Red Turtle Zootopia
Blind Vaysha THEODORE USHEV Borrowed Time ANDREW COATS, LOU HAMOU-LHADJ Pear Cider and Cigarettes
ROBERT VALLEY, CARA SPELLER
Pearl PATRICK OSBORNE Piper ALAN BARILLARO, MARC SONDHEIMER
Ennemis Intérieurs SÉLIM AZZAZI La Femme et le Tgv TIMO VON GUTEN, GIACUN CADUFF Silent Nights ASKE BANG, KIM MAGNUSSON Sing KRISTOF DEÁK, ANNA UDVARDY Timecode JUANJO GIMÉNEZ
Land Minds DENMARK A Man Called Ove SWEDEN The Salesman IRAN Tanna AUSTRALIA Toni Erdmann GERMANY
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE Fire at Sea GIANFRANCO ROSI, DONATELLA PALERMO I am Not Your Negro
RAOUL PECK, RÉMI GRELLETY, HÉBERT PECK
Life, Animated
ROGER ROSS WILLIAMS, JULIE GOLDMAN
O.J.: Made in America
EZRA EDELMAN, CAROLINE WATERLOW
13th AVA DUVERNAY, SPENCER AVERICK, HOWARD BARISH
DOCUMENTARY SHORT Extremis DAN KRAUSS 4.1 Miles DAPHNE MARZIARAKI Joe’s Violin KAHANE COOPERMAN, RAPHAELA NEIHAUSEN Watani: My Homeland
MARCEL METTELSIEFEN, STEPHEN ELLIS
The White Helmets
ORLANDO VON EINSIEDEL, JOANNA NATASEGARA
music and lyrics by J. Ralph & Sting
“How Far I'll Go” MOANA
music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda
WHAT DO YOUR CHOOSE?
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