Movie Review: Encanto (2021)

Directed by

Jared Bush, Byron Howard, & Charise Castro Smith

As with any of the previous 59 Disney animated movies, Encanto shows a lot of heart, however this 60th film doesn't hit all the right notes as this movie you want to love falls just short.

Encanto tells the story of the Madrigal family, a family with extraordinary abilities that leads their small Colombian town.  At the heart of the family is the matriarch Abuela, who was given a magical candle as a young woman that has allowed for this magical family, and their magical house to exist.  She is stern and will do anything to protect her family's magic.  The main character of this story is Mirabel (voiced by Stephanie Beatriz), the one member of the Madrigal family that was not blessed with a special gift.  As she struggles to find her place in her family and her purpose for her life, there begins to be evidence that the family's exceptional gifts may be starting to fade.  Mirabel finds herself in a position to investigate and try to save her family and prove her worth.  The other star of the film is one that is never seen or heard directly as Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote all the original songs that are featured throughout the movie.

The strength of this film is the story, developed by the three filmmakers also credited with directing.  It is original, creative, and explores themes we can all relate to.  Another strength is the vocal talent, which is always strong in every Disney animated film (well, really any animated film these days).  This is led by Beatriz, who gives a wonderful performance and makes you want to see her lead a live action film soon.

With music brought to us by one of the hottest names in the industry in Lin-Manuel Miranda, it's impossible not to compare Encanto with some of his other efforts composing the music for animated films, like 2016's Moana or even Vivo, which hit Netflix earlier this year.  I loved Moana and was also a big fan of Vivo, in which he also leant his voice to the titular character.  I think Encanto is probably Miranda's weakest effort of these three films.  The songs are fine and fun, but none of them are really that catchy.  There's no "How Far I'll Go" here, which earned Miranda his only Oscar nomination to date.  The songs in Vivo are even much more memorable.  (Personally, I am rooting for "My Own Drum" to sneak out an Original Song nomination this year.)  If you are comparing, Encanto's soundtrack probably most closely resembles In the Heights.  It works better for a full musical like In the Heights than it does for the few songs that pop up in Encanto.  The second issue I have with the music is it doesn't seem to fit.  More than any other musical I have seen, I thought the musical numbers distracted and took away from the rest of the story.  They felt forced, and I think the film would've been better if they just weren't there.

Even though the music was distracting, I really did enjoy most of the movie.  It is an engaging story, beautiful to look at ... it's really a movie you want to love.  I would probably be giving this a thumbs up despite these flaws if it had stuck the ending.  It had some great ideas and had the makings of a great conclusion to the story, but instead it felt rushed, not fully flushed out, and really unexplained in what it was going for.  I think I know what it was trying to say, but it needed to take a little more time saying it.

I wanted to like Encanto, I really did.  There were just a few too many misfires in the execution for me to fully sign off on it.  It might grow on me with a re-watch (probably will), but I'm not there yet.

Now a message for Lin-Manuel Miranda.  I appreciate what you are doing and I love your music, but I think I speak for a lot of people when I say I would rather see the next Hamilton than the next Moana.

Rating: 2.5 stars

Top 10 Movie Predictions for the Upcoming Decade!

As we journey into a brand new decade, we always tend to look back at the decade that was and reflect.  We make our Top Ten Lists - giving you our favorite movies, characters, moments, etc.  They are always challenging, therapeutic, but mostly a blast to put together!  

So, as I was in the process of making one of these type of lists, an idea came to my mind that excited me.  Instead of us looking back at the decade that was, how about we look forward and predict where the next decade will take us!  The possibilities are truly limitless! 

As I put this list together, please keep a few things in mind.  Some of these things I truly do hope will happen in the upcoming years. So, some will come across as me being a fanboy.  Other things on the list, are the direction I see Hollywood would go for stories.  No time frame will be given, as ten years is a very long time and will be hard to point to exactly where things will fall. So without further ado, here are my predictions of the 10 Movie related things we will see things next decade!

Honorable Mentions:

Tom Brady Biopic

Blu-Rays will become this decades DVDs

 

Disney buys back all the Marvel properties

A24 makes a blockbuster horror film

 Almost Sideways get quoted from a review

10.

The MCU will have a Rotten Movie

At the time of writing this, the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) is 23 films in and still going strong.  With a full slate of films on the horizon there aren't any signs of slowing down.  With their upcoming slate featuring such films as Black Widow, Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, Thor: Love and Thunder, and Black Panther 2, just to name a few.  Being owned by Disney will also add a significant amount of resources at their disposal.  

With each release fans will continue to flock to the theater to watch these epic films.  Being a fan of this universe and the comics, it's hard not to have a great time with each release.  Marvel is showing that they want to take more risk with their films, by introducing the multiverse and more cosmic stories as well.

Being 23 films in, the MCU still has a spotless record based on the tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes!

23 films in, every film but 2 (Thor: The Dark World, The Incredible Hulk) are certified fresh by critics on Rotten Tomatoes.  So the prediction is that the good luck that the MCU is having will run out and they will be given their first rotten film!  The film will still cross the billion dollar mark but it won't be a spotless record anymore.  

9.

Music Biopic Shared Universe?

This one, I'll admit this might be a bit of a stretch and mostly something I would love to see.  The Shared Universe is something that is becoming more and more of a common occurrence at this point.  With the MCU leading the way, followed by the likes of DCEU. The Dark Universe, and MonsterVerse. 

For this idea to actually work they would have to get a lot of people on board and come up with a solid game plan.  We don't have to go too far to see that this idea could very well become a reality.  In 2017, the Tupac biopic, All Eyez on Me, released with an actor who had previously played a rapper in a different film.  Jamal Woolard was cast to reprise his role from Notorious (2009) playing The Notorious B.I.G..  As an audience member, it was so awesome to see someone play the same iconic rapper in both films!  

I do have some ideas of bands and rappers I would love to see have this connected universe:

Nirvana vs Pearl Jam, John Lennon w/ The Beatles vs Bob Dylan, Van Halen, Guns and Roses, Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne/Black Sabbath, Flavor Flav/Public Enemy, The Wu-Tang Klan and many more.  Heck, make a biopic about Madonna and have Taron Egerton play Elton John again!

8.

Netflix wins Best Picture

Now this one might happen sooner rather than later! As the 2019 Oscar race heats up - Netflix has two films that are bidding for the Best Picture Oscar (The Irishman, Marriage Story) against the likes of Parasite, 1917, Bombshell and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood!  I can totally see either of the Netflix movies going home happy on Oscar night, however my personal pick is Parasite to win.

Netflix, for a long time was the only streaming service around, but recently many more companies have been craving a piece of that streaming pie! With the rise of Amazon and the new addition of Disney+, streaming has become a more prominent form to digest our entertainment.  Sometimes being the first to the party means that your last for the recognition.  If Netflix doesn't win this year, I think in the next few years they will eventually earn their Oscar.

As of now, Netflix's biggest Oscar wins so far are for - Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Foreign Film for Roma (2018) and Best Documentary for Icarus (2018).  

7.

Jon Favreau takes over Star Wars

With the Skywalker saga finally wrapping up, I find it highly unlikely that Kathleen Kennedy renews her contract with Disney to stay on board as overseer of the Star Wars I.P.  Back when Disney acquired the rights to Star Wars, fans were overjoyed for the possibility for more journeys to a galaxy far far away!  In the years since that feeling has been a sour taste in many fan's mouths.  The fanbase has become a toxic one that even for myself has felt like an inescapable Sarlac pit.  Kathleen Kennedy, has been at the forefront of a lot of the fan backlash.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens, even though being a carbon copy of A New Hope, made critics and fans alike celebrate!  But every release since received more and more backlash from fans.  If it was stories we didn't want to see (Solo: A Star Wars Story), a film that truly divided fans (The Last Jedi), a character that is compared to being a Mary Sue (Rey), and a complete course correction (Rise of Skywalker) - these things broke the fan base.  Also with every film, there have been directors that have been fired or let go (Lord and Miller, Colin Trevorrow) for creative differences by Kathleen Kennedy.  But for me the biggest thing that was wrong with how things were run was that there wasn't a guideline that they stuck to while making these films!  Problems like that come from management and unforgettably that is Kathleen Kennedy!

The one bright spot for Star Wars has been on Disney+, The Mandalorian.  By far the best thing that Disney has done with the Star Wars I.P., created by Jon Favreau.  He would be perfect for the role as the head of Star Wars for Disney.  He has the experience with the property and knows how to tell stories that has a lot of moving parts (Marvel).  He's already familiar with the Disney higher-ups, as well.  If he, and Dave Filoni (head of Lucasfilm Animation) as his number two take over Star Wars, I truly feel it would be in good hands and fans would be happy too!

6.

First Time Oscar Winners! 

There are so many amazing actors and actresses, that I feel will finally win an Oscar sometime this next decade!  Each actor that I will mention has given me some of my favorite performances of the past decade.  So with that complete bias, I truly hope they continue doing amazing work and get rewarded for it as well!  I'll mention the actors and actresses below along with some of the roles I loved from the last decade!

Adam Driver - Marriage Story, Paterson, Star Wars, Blackkklansman, Silence

Amy Adams - Arrival, Nocturnal Animals,

Ben Foster - Leave No Trace, Hell or High Water

Daniel Kaluuya - Get Out, Widows, Black Panther, Queen and Slim

Emily Blunt - A Quiet Place, Sicario, Edge of Tomorrow

Florence Pugh - Fighting with my Family, Little Women, Midsommar 

Jake Gyllenhaal - Nightcrawler, Prisoners, Enemy, 

Ryan Gosling - Blade Runner 2049, Drive, Blue Valentine, La La Land

The list is endless!

5.

Daniel Day Lewis returns

While we are on the topic of Oscar winners, let's talk about one of our favorites!  Daniel Day-Lewis has gone on the record saying that he's retiring from acting,  Making his final film, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, Phantom Thread (2017). 

He's a man who's is totally devoted to his craft and perfecting every role he takes!   I can understand why he might want to walk away.  However, I refuse to think that we have seen the last of this great performer!  Just like another one of my favorite actors, Joe Pesci, the right role could bring him out of retirement!  The only question now is what role would he make his comeback with. In my dream world, Quentin Tarantino would write some crazy role that he couldn't refuse!  I can dream, right?

4.

A Great Video Game Movie?!?

The video game medium has been around for a very long time and has brought some amazing characters and stories.  Very recently, I've been getting back into playing games.  There are so many great ones now, I'm truly having a hard time catching up on all the ones I want to play!  

The beautiful thing about games compared to movies, is that you have longer with the characters and story.  Movies average roughly 2 hrs, where as a game could last 10-20 hrs or more depending on the type of game you play.  Also, you get to control the character and have a longer time with them as well.

However, video games haven't translated to films as well as one might think.  We have seen some video game franchises try to make the jump to the big screen (Tomb Raider, Resident Evil, Super Mario Bros, Mortal Kombat) but were a shell of the greatness they once were.  

This next decade will see a brand new generation of video game consoles (PS5 and XBOX 2) release in 2020!  Also, with some amazing story driven games the time might finally be here for a great video game movie!  We could have an epic war invasion film (Gears of War), battle giant dinosaur robots (Horizon Zero Dawn), reboot horror classics (Resident Evil, Doom, Silent Hill), search for a lost treasure (Uncharted), or battle alongside the Chief (Halo).  But if we are being honest the correct video game to make into a GREAT film is Metal Gear Solid!

3.

Female Best Directors!

One of the hot topics of this last decade was put in place with a simple hashtag: #oscarsowhite. Now, I'm fully aware that while the Oscars are by no means perfect in who gets nominated, at least things are moving in better direction.  More people of color are being nominated each year!  Progress is progress and more is always needed!  One big thing I would like to see happen is more female directors get the recognition they deserve.

The last few years we have seen some amazing films from the likes of Patty Jenkins (Wonder Woman), Lulu Wang (The Farewell), Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird, Little Women), Ava DuVernay (Selma), Debra Granik (Leave No Trace), and Chloe Zhao (The Rider), just to name a few!  Each visionary brings unique perspective that I appreciate. These women weave together their narratives with such ease.  I hope that these women inspire more women to become future directors!  I believe that more women in this decade will be nominated and we will at least see two women take home the Best Director Oscar!  I can't wait to experience their films!

2.

Films surrounding the 2016 Presidential Election

One of the biggest and arguably most divisive things of the last decade was the Presidential Election.  Regardless of your views of the man in the oval office, it was an important moment in our country's history.  I can totally see a film about Donald Trump being made similar to the ones about George W. Bush.

Trump is a very controversial individual and could have lots of subject matter that would lend itself to the big screen.  However, I would be more interested if the film follows either a member of the press, or someone on the Trump advisory staff.  Having it from a different perspective could be an Ides of March situation but with more intrigue.  

Whatever your political views may be,  there's always an audience for political films.  Based off the box office numbers from 2017's Vice, which grossed 47.8 million, I could see this subject grossing more in the right person's hands.  Of course, seeing that most of Hollywood does disagree with Trump's views, there is a chance that his supporters might not like the way the film turns out.  I have some strange feeling that Oliver Stone would make this type of film at some point!

1.

Harvey Weinstein Exposure

I know, I was saving the controversial films for the end of this list!  The #MeToo movement has been one of the most important talking points from the last few years.  The Me Too founder, Tarana Burke, first coined the hashtag back in 2006. However, it first gained traction in 2017.  In late 2017, the New York times exposed the long-rumored accusations of sexual-harassment and assault by Hollywood producer, Harvey Weinstein.

The film could be a mix of Spotlight (2015) and the recent release, Bombshell (2019).  It's clearly a film that Hollywood would make.  The subject matter is important, not just for the people involved with heinous acts, but to the thousands of people who have yet to speak up.  Also, clearly a topic of conversation that won't be going away anytime soon.

For Weinstein, the only person I can truly see playing him is, John Goodman.  I feel like he could deliver something good with the role. However, his performance shouldn't be celebrated.  Just like John Lithgow playing Roger Ailes in Bombshell.  A film like this would be the perfect opportunity to have a female director at the helm, with a possibility of the Best Director nomination and win (like we talked about previously).  

Well that's my list of predictions for this upcoming decade!  It will be fun to look back in ten years and see what I got right and what I got wrong!  What do you think will happen in the next decade?  Let us know down below!  

Adam Daly of Almost Sideways!

Movie Battle The Finals: Best Disney Animated Film!

This is it folks, the finals are finally here!  Out of 32 competitors we are only left with 2 that hope to be crowned, "King of Disney Animation".  Both films had a hard fought road just to make it to the finals.  Lets take a look at the results and how we got to this point!

Princess vs Talkin Animal:

#1 The Lion King (54.29%) takes down #2 Beauty and the Beast (45.71%)

Pixar vs Wild Card:

#1 Toy Story (55.71%) takes down #3 Aladdin (44.29%)

The Lion King, had to defeat - #8 Bolt, #4 Dumbo, #7 The Jungle Book, and #2 Beauty and the Beast.

Toy Story had to defeat - #8 Walle, #4 Inside Out, #7 The Incredible, and #3 Aladdin.

Similar roads for both films, though Toy Story had harder opponents.  #7 The Incredibles gave it a run for it's money! 

So lets find out who is going to take the crown!  Also there will be some choices for the next Movie Battle too!

VOTE HERE

https://surveynuts.com/surveys/take?id=133884&c=2623590881LRRH

Movie Battle: (Final Four) Best Disney Animated Film!

We are finally at the Final Four films in the Movie Battle, to determine the Number One Disney Animated Film.  Its been a crazy road up to this point.  A lot of good stories have come from this tournament!  We watched higher ranking films not even make the second round.  We watched as underdog films made the elite eight!  It's been fun seeing the films battle for the top spot, but now we are down to just four films left!

Here are the results for the 3rd round!

Princess Bracket:

#2 Beauty and the Beast 73.53% takes out #4 Cinderella 26.47%.  (Beauty and the Beast has the highest percentage of the votes out of all the films in this round!  Can it go to the finals?)

Talking Animal Bracket:

#1 The Lion King 67.65% devours #7 The Jungle Book 32.35% (The number 7 seed put up the hardest fight for the number 1 seed but it was all for not.  Has the Lion King lost some steam?)

Pixar Bracket:

#1 Toy Story 52.94% holds off #7 The Incredibles 47.06%  (The Incredibles almost had the up set.  They were leading the whole week until the very last day of voting and lost by two votes.)

Wild Card Bracket:

#3 Aladdin 53% upsets #1 Pinocchio 47% (Aladdin had the lead the whole week and never gave it up.  Did the Genie help it win?)

Here are the match ups for the Final Four!

Princess vs Talking Animal: #2 Beauty and the Beast vs #1 The Lion King

Pixar vs Wild Card: #1 Toy Story vs #3 Aladdin

VOTE BELOhttps://surveynuts.com/surveys/take?id=132992&c=2606111249VNJP

Movie Battle: (Round 3) The Best Disney Animated Film!

Round 3!

When we started this tournament, we had 32 Disney Animated films in the bracket!  Now we are down to the Elite 8!  This last round, we lost a mermaid, a voyager, Nemo, our emotions, a flying elephant, a warrior princess, a city of animals, and a group of six heroes!  Lets check out what won our votes!

Princess Bracket:

#4 Cinderella 58.33% beats #8 Mulan 41.67%   (Mulan's Cinderella like story is over)

#2 Beauty and the Beast 63.89% beats #3 The Little Mermaid 36.11%  (Did the live action remake help Belle and the Beast?)

Talking Animal Bracket:

#1 The Lion King 86.11% beats #4 Dumbo 13.89%  (The Lion King is looking like the favorite)

#7 The Jungle Book 58.33% beats #3 Zootopia 41.67%  (Old School beats New School)

Pixar Bracket:

#1 Toy Story 66.67% beats #4 Inside Out 33.33%  (The Power of the number one seed.  Inside Out traveled to the moon !)

#7 The Incredbiles 52.78 beats #3 Finding Nemo 47.22%  (The slimiest of margins proved to much for Nemo)

Wild Card Bracket:

#1 Pinocchio 61.11% beats #5 Big Hero 6 38.89%  (Pinocchio proves to us, there are no strings on him!)

#3 Aladdin 69.44% beats #2 Moana 30.56%  (It looks like Moana was to close to the water and fell in) 

Here are the match ups for Round 3

Princess Bracket:

#4 Cinderella vs #2 Beauty and the Beast

Talking Animal Bracket:

#1 The Lion King vs #7 The Jungle Book

Pixar Bracket:

#1 Toy Story vs #7 The Incredibles

Wild Card Bracket:

#1 Pinocchio vs #3 Aladdin

VOTE NOW BELOW

https://surveynuts.com/surveys/take?id=132320&c=2592942737LNPD

Movie Battle: The Best Disney Animated Film, Round 2

 Round One of the Movie Battle is in the books.  We had 32, Disney Films, enter this tournament now we are down to just 16!  So welcome to the Sweet Sixteen! 

We had a crazy first round, that had a few surprises!  We witnessed a number one seed lose to an eight seed and a number two seed lose to a seven.  We watched as two different games went down to the wire and had a difference of less than 3 percent.  So here are the results of the first round!

Winning film will have there percentage of votes next to there name.

Princess Brackett:

#8 Mulan (56.67%) upsets #1 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

#4 Cinderella (75%) beats #5 Sleeping Beauty

#3 The Little Mermaid (70%) beats #6 Frozen

#2 Beauty and the Beast (78.33%) beats #7 Tangled

Talking Animal Brackett:

#1 The Lion King (88.33%) devours #8 Bolt

#4 Dumbo (50.82%) barely survives #5 Bambi

#3 Zootopia (51.67%) beats #6 Lady and the Tramp

#7 The Jungle Book (55%) upsets #2 101 Dalmatians

Pixar Brackett:

#1 Toy Story (70%) is no match for #8 Walle

#4 Inside Out (61.67%) holds off #5 Ratatouille

#3 Finding Nemo (60%) beats #6 UP

#7 The Incredibles (56.67%) upsets #2 Toy Story 3

Wild Card Brackett:

#1 Pinocchio (55%) beats #8 Alice in Wonderland

#5 Big Hero 6 (56.67%) upsets #4 The Nightmare Before Christmas

#3 Aladdin (68.33%) beats #6 Tarzan

#2 Moana (51.67%) holds off #7 Lilo and Stitch

Movie with the Most Votes: The Lion King (53 out of 60)

Here are your Round Two Match Ups!

Princess Brackett:

#8 Mulan vs #4 Cinderella

#3 The Little Mermaid vs #2 Beauty and the Beast

Talking Animal Brackett:

#1 The Lion King vs #4 Dumbo

#3 Zootopia vs #7 The Jungle Book

Pixar Brackett:

#1 Toy Story vs #4 Inside Out

#3 Finding Nemo vs #7 The Incredibles

Wild Card Brackett:

#1 Pinocchio vs #5 Big Hero 6

#3 Aladdin vs #2 Moana

VOTE HERE

https://surveynuts.com/surveys/take?id=131367&c=2574267749VPPF

Movie Battle: The Best Disney Animated Film! Round One!

Have you ever had a debate about which movie is king?  Well, Movie Battles is where we end those debates! 

Our very first Movie Battle will help us determine which Disney movie is King!  We have 32 films in our tournament, divided into 4 different brackets. (Princess Bracket, Talking Animal Bracket, Pixar Bracket, Wild Card Bracket)  In each bracket the films are ranked 1-8.  We came up with each films rank by which film had the highest Rotten Tomatoes score. 

Here are our Round One match ups.

Princess Bracket:
#1 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs vs #8 Mulan
#5 Sleeping Beauty vs #4 Cinderella
#3 The Little Mermaid vs #6 Frozen
#2 Beauty and the Beast vs #7 Tangled

Talking Animals Bracket:
#1 The Lion King vs #8 Bolt
#5 Bambi vs #4 Dumbo
#3 Zootopia vs #6 Lady and the Tramp
#7 The Jungle Book vs #2 101 Dalmatians

Pixar Bracket:
#1 Toy Story vs #8 Walle
#5 Ratatouille vs #4 Inside Out
#3 Finding Nemo vs #6 UP
#2 Toy Story 3 vs #7 The Incredible

The Wild Card Bracket:
#1 Pinocchio vs #8 Alice in Wonderland
#5 Big Hero 6 vs #4 The Nightmare Before Christmas
#3 Aladdin vs #6 Tarzan
#7 Lilo and Stitch vs #2 Moana

Vote Below!!

Princess Bracket and Talking Animal Bracket:
https://surveynuts.com/surveys/take?id=130407&c=2555455589JVTF

Pixar Bracket and The Wild Cards Bracket:
https://surveynuts.com/surveys/take?id=130408&c=2555475185HPPL


Voting will remain open until March 31, 2017.

  Vote as many times as you would like. 

Next weekend I will post results of this poll as well as Round two of the tournament!

Have fun battling!!

Adam

almostsideways.com

Power Rankings: Top 5 Pixar Films

With the release of the newest Pixar film, Finding Doy, lets count down the Top Five Pixar Films!  
Now all top list are subject for debate and discussion.  So lets start one, here is my list!

Honorable Mentions: Up, Ratatouille, Toy Story 2, A Bug's Life, Finding Nemo

5.

Wall-E

Starting off our list is the crazy and curious little robot named

Wall-E.  I remember watching this film in theaters, with a ton of kids and their families.  I know i left the theater with a greater appreciation of this film then the kids did.  That's what makes Pixar so great,  their films are entertaining for kids and thought provoking for adults. 

4.

Toy Story

The one that started it all and made Pixar a force to be reckoned with in animation. This was every kids dream, to make their toys come to life.  Buzz and Woody are the greatest characters that Pixar have ever created and the most endearing as well. 

3.

Monster's Inc.

This film answered the age old question, Is there a monster in my closet?  The monster's inc. universe is such a fun and interesting place to be apart of.  I loved every minute of it.  I was glad that Pixar made a sequel to this hit film too.  Though, it didn't live up to the original.  

2.

Inside Out

One of the newest additions to the Pixar filmography.  Inside Out has to be the craziest idea for a film, that has the best pay off!  It is a movie that made me cry, several times through out and made me laugh just as much.  It should of gotten some best picture love at the Oscars in 2016 but at least it won, best animated film!

1. 

Toy Story 3

Now if you would of told me, that back in 1995 when the original Toy Story released that it would be the beginning of a trilogy, I wouldn't believe you.  The reason why is because I didn't know what a trilogy was back then and that I thought the first film was perfect as is.  With each chapter of Toy Story films, you can see that Pixar has love for these characters.  This is their baby and they totally don't want to put out a bad film.  What a heart felt, tear jerking, and fun time this film showed us!  Totally worthy of the top spot on my list and other peoples list as well!

Pixar is money $ when it comes to films!

What is your top five films?

Comment Below!

Adam

2014 Golden Globes Preview and Predictions

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association loves star power, foreign actors, new TV shows, and musicals. Check out how that is reflected in my yearly Golden Globe predictions. Nominations are announced December 12^th, and the ceremony is on January 12^th. I am nowhere near as good at this as the Oscars, which is why I sort of mock the awards with my “HFPA Dream Lineup” prediction every year, but it makes for fun conversation and something to pay attention to in preparation for the real awards show.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES, MINISERIES, OR TV MOVIE

1. Anna Gunn – Breaking Bad

2. Kathy Bates – American Horror Story: Coven

3. Sofia Vergara – Modern Family

4. Kate Mara – House of Cards
5. Holly Hunter – Top of the Lake

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES, MINISERIES, OR TV MOVIE

1. Jon Voight – Ray Donovan

 

2. Mandy Patinkin – Homeland

3. Peter Dinklage – Game of Thrones

4. Aaron Paul – Breaking Bad

5. Corey Stoll – House of Cards

BEST ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR TV MOVIE

1. Elisabeth Moss – Top of the Lake

 

2. Jessica Lange – American Horror Story: Coven

3. Helen Mirren – Phil Spector

4. Laura Linney – The Big C Hereafter
5. Carrie Underwood – The Sound of Music

BEST ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR TV MOVIE

1. Michael Douglas – Behind the Candelabra

2. Al Pacino – Phil Spector

3. Matt Damon – Behind the Candelabra

4. Larry David – Clear History
5. Christopher Plummer – Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight

BEST MINISERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE

1. Behind the Candelabra

2. Phil Spector

3. American Horror Story: Coven

4. Top of the Lake
5. The Bible

BEST ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Lena Dunham – Girls

2. Julia Louis-Dreyfus – Veep

3. Amy Poehler – Parks and Recreation

4. Zooey Deschanel – New Girl
5. Mindy Kaling – The Mindy Project

BEST ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Michael J. Fox – The Michael J. Fox Show

2. Jim Parsons – The Big Bang Theory

3. Robin Williams – The Crazy Ones

4. Andy Samberg – Brooklyn Nine-Nine
5. Jason Bateman – Arrested Development

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Girls

 

2. Modern Family

3. The Michael J. Fox Show

4. Arrested Development
5. The Big Bang Theory

BEST ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

1. Claire Danes – Homeland

2. Kerry Washington – Scandal

3. Vera Farmiga – Bates Motel

4. Robin Wright – House of Cards
5. Taylor Schilling – Orange is the New Black

BEST ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

1. Kevin Spacey – House of Cards

2. Bryan Cranston – Breaking Bad

3. Jeff Daniels – The Newsroom

4. Damian Lewis – Homeland
5. Liev Schreiber – Ray Donovan

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

1. House of Cards

 

2. Breaking Bad

3. Homeland

4. Game of Thrones
5. The Newsroom

BEST ANIMATED FILM

1. Frozen

 

2. The Wind Rises

3. Monsters University

4. Despicable Me 2
5. Epic

Explanation: Animation at the Golden Globes is a bit different than the Oscars. They like the blockbusters, so the smaller or foreign animated films do not stand as much of a chance.

BEST FOREIGN FILM

1. The Hunt

 

2. Blue Is the Warmest Color

3. The Grandmaster

4. The Past
5. Wadjda

Explanation: Normally, if there is an American movie in another language, such as Letters from Iwo Jima or In the Land of Milk and Honey then those films will at least be nominated. Here, I went with the most known and widely released of the foreign films of 2013.

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

1. “So You Know What It’s Like” – Short Term 12

 

2. “Young and Beautiful” – The Great Gatsby

3. “Let It Go” – Frozen

4. “Go Where the Love Is” – The Way, Way Back
5. “Best Song Ever” – The Is Us

Explanation: This is where the Golden Globes can get pretty shameless with their star invites. Here, they would invite the likes of Demi Lovato and One Direction. Sounds like a win for the HFPA.

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

1. Steven Price – Gravity

 

2. Arcade Fire – Her

3. Thomas Newman – Saving Mr. Banks

4. Hans Zimmer – 12 Years a Slave
5. Steve Jablonsky – Lone Survivor

Explanation: The original scores at the Golden Globes are certainly more random than the other awards. They always nominate a film that gets no other recognition. That film could be Lone Survivor. They will also jump at the opportunity to invite Grammy-winning band Arcade Fire to the mix.

BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE

1. Woody Allen – Blue Jasmine­

2. John Ridley – 12 Years a Slave

3. Eric Singer – American Hustle

4. Terence Winter – The Wolf of Wall Street
5. Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke, July Delpy – Before Midnight

Explanation: I hate predicting this category, but I love the idea of it. A screenplay is a screenplay. I don’t care if it is an original thought, an expansion of a short film, based on a play, or whatever. The HFPA loves Woody Allen. They also love Boardwalk Empire, so this will give them a chance at inviting Terence Winter during a weaker period in his show. The others seem like the preordained nominees and near-locks. I can see the Coens sneaking in there too.

BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE

1. Martin Scorsese – The Wolf of Wall Street

 

2. Alfonso Cuaron – Gravity

3. Steve McQueen – 12 Years a Slave

4. David O. Russell – American Hustle
5. Woody Allen – Blue Jasmine

Explanation: Scorsese has won four Golden Globes, the last being for Hugo a couple years ago. He could add another trophy to his collection. Woody Allen films, especially his dramas, are beloved by the HFPA. The others are the obvious contenders. This seems like a category that John Wells could show up in for August: Osage County, since they really like the talkative movies, especially based on plays. Keep an eye on him. The Globes is where that film could shine.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Nat Faxon, Jim Rash – The Way, Way Back

Ron Howard – Rush

Peter Jackson – The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Martin Scorsese – The Wolf of Wall Street

Ben Stiller – The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

1. Oprah Winfrey – Lee Daniels’ The Butler

2. Julia Roberts – August: Osage County

3. Jennifer Lawrence – American Hustle

4. Lupita Nyongo – 12 Years a Slave
5. Sally Hawkins – Blue Jasmine

Explanation: This seems like a fairly easy category to predict. Oprah would bring an audience bigger than anyone could imagine. Roberts was even nominated for doing nothing in Charlie Wilson’s War. Jennifer Lawrence…clearly. The other two are just great roles that will get in. Hawkins seems like a future regular at the Globes.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Scarlett Johansson – Don Jon or Her

Jennifer Lawrence – American Hustle

Reese Witherspoon – Mud

Julia Roberts – August: Osage County

Oprah Winfrey – Lee Daniels’ The Butler

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

1. James Gandolfini – Enough Said

 

2. Tom Hanks – Saving Mr. Banks

3. Jonah Hill – The Wolf of Wall Street

4. Michael Fassbender – 12 Years a Slave
5. Harrison Ford – 42

Explanation: Harrison Ford would be the Michael Douglas in Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps-type nomination, reigniting a dormant career. Gandolfini’s death will only heighten his chances to get one last award from the organization that worshipped him and his show The Sopranos. Hanks is always here. I love this category. Watch out for comedy supporting guys. The Globes nominate the best performances, regardless of whether they make them cry or not.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

George Clooney – Gravity

Bradley Cooper – American Hustle
James Franco – Spring Breakers

Mel Gibson – Machete Kills

Tom Hanks – Saving Mr. Banks

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Meryl Streep – August: Osage County

 

2. Sandra Bullock – The Heat

3. Emma Watson – The Bling Ring

4. Melissa McCarthy – The Heat
5. Greta Gerwig – Frances Ha

Explanation: Meryl Streep made a movie, so she is in. The Heat seems like the typical trash that the Globes will flip over. Watson and Gerwig are the ones that actually deserve the votes. There are quite a few contenders for this category. This could be one of the random categories that get six nominees.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Jennifer Aniston – We’re the Millers

Sandra Bullock – The Heat

Julia Louise-Dreyfus – Enough Said

Helen Mirren – Red 2

Meryl Streep – August: Osage County

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Ben Stiller – The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

 

2. Leonardo DiCaprio – The Wolf of Wall Street

3. Oscar Isaac – Inside Llewyn Davis

4. Joseph Gordon-Levitt – Don Jon
5. Joaquin Phoenix – Her

Explanation: These all seem like locks, unless there is some category change like Hanks for Saving Mr. Banks or if The Wolf of Wall Street goes drama. It is still strange to think that it has been campaigning as a comedy. Perhaps someone like Bruce Dern could sneak in, but Nebraska does not seem like a GG-type movie.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Johnny Depp – The Lone Ranger

Robert De Niro – Last Vegas

Leonardo DiCaprio – The Wolf of Wall Street

Michael Douglas – Last Vegas

James Franco – Oz the Great and Powerful

BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Inside Llewyn Davis

 

2. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

3. The Wolf of Wall Street

4. Her
5. Black Nativity

Explanation: The Globes love their musicals, no matter if they are good or not. Here, they can express that love by nominating a couple. Her is a bit of a strange inclusion here, but there is a bit of randomness at the Globes sometimes. Inside Llewyn Davis seems like a clear frontrunner, but if Walter Mitty or Wall Street kill the box office, look for one of them to take the trophy.

The HFPA Dream Lineup: The Heat

Last Vegas

Red 2

This Is the End

The Wolf of Wall Street

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

1. Sandra Bullock – Gravity

 

2. Cate Blanchett – Blue Jasmine

3. Emma Thompson – Saving Mr. Banks

4. Amy Adams – American Hustle
5. Judi Dench – Philomena

Explanation: Bullock won for her last nomination, which was also a double nom, and Gravity’s box office seems like all she will need to get another. Blanchett is her biggest threat. The other three are just normal nominees that will not take home the trophy. I am still not even sure if Adams is leading or not. I can see Kate Winslet maybe making it into the lineup, or one of the foreign actresses from Blue is the Warmest Color. Maybe Berenice Bejo has a shot. I am confident in these five, though.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Sandra Bullock – Gravity

Cate Blanchett – Blue Jasmine

Nicole Kidman – Stoker

Jennifer Lawrence – The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Kate Winslet – Labor Day

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

1. Matthew McConaughey – Dallas Buyers Club

 

2. Chiwetel Ejiofor – 12 Years a Slave

3. Robert Redford – All Is Lost

4. Tom Hanks – Captain Phillips
5. Hugh Jackman – Prisoners

Explanation: This is going to be the most interesting nomination announcement of the group. It seems like McConaughey would be a lock, but I thought the same thing about him in Magic Mike. Ejiofor will get nominated. The rest are less certain. How much did they like Captain Phillips? Greengrass has not had a great track record with the Globes. I like the randomness of Jackman getting in. I am just not sure here. There is so much star power.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Christian Bale – American Hustle

Tom Cruise – Oblivion

Leonardo DiCaprio – The Great Gatsby

Ryan Gosling – The Place Beyond the Pines

Tom Hanks – Captain Phillips

Chris Hemsworth – Rush

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

1. 12 Years a Slave

 

2. American Hustle

3. Lee Daniels’ The Butler

4. Gravity
5. Blue Jasmine

Explanation: The Butler seems like the weird one in the group, but Weinstein got the movie to blow up the box office, so its chances are great to secure a nom. Blue Jasmine is the stuff the HFPA dreams of. It could perform here as well as Allen’s Match Point. The rest of these are likely good box office films that are going to get mentioned no matter which show it is. They will be the frontrunners at the beginning of awards season.

The HFPA Dream Lineup: 

Gravity

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Lee Daniels’ The Butler

Saving Mr. Banks

There they are. What do you like most about the Globes? Any TV stuff I overlooked? What are your predictions for this year’s awards? Let me know below.