The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Season 1 (2019) TV review

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Season 1 (2019)
Creators: Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews
Director: Louis Leterrier
Voice Cast: Taron Egerton, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nathalie Emmanuel, Simon Pegg, Mark Hamill, Jason Isaacs, Donna Kimball, Victor Yerrid, Caitriona Balfe, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Andy Samberg, Helena Bonham Carter, and Sigourney Weaver

PLOT:
"Return to the world of Thra, where three Gelfling discover the horrifying secret behind the Skeksis' power and set out to ignite the fires of rebellion and save their world." - IMDB.com


Another world, another time...

It's been 37 years since Jim Henson's highly ambitious fantasy The Dark Crystal was released. While it wasn't the biggest hit upon it's release, it's developed an incredible cult over the years with books, comics and such expanding the world. Even if you haven't seen the film, you've probably, at least, seen what a Skeksis looks like.

From South Park: Tsst (2006)

After a sequel film that was in development hell for years and which has basically been shelved, us 'Crystal' fans are finally getting something new for the screen.

Now, like any fantasy property, it would take a while to explain all the species and creatures of this world but here are the basics: Gelflings and Mystics - good, Skeksis - bad.

Also, like any prequel to a property, my worry was I was going to be sitting through this ten-episode season and think, "okay, yeah, yeah, I know what's gonna happen. Why bother?"

Thankfully that was not the case!

The story centers around three characters, each a part of the seven Gelfling clans. There's Rian (voiced by Taron Egerton, performed by Neil Sterenberg), a member of the Stonewood Clan and a guard of the Crystal Castle. Brea (voiced by Anya Taylor-Joy, performed by Alice Dinnean), a princess of the Vapra Clan. And Deet (voiced by Nathalie Emmanuel, performed by Beccy Henderson) an animal caretaker of the Grottan Clan.

Each of them realizes and tries to help their Gelfling brothers and sisters see how their rulers - the Skeksis - have manipulated them and have lied to them.

Anyone who has watched this and the original film can tell how much care the team went into recreating this world and expanding it. They had a pretty good blueprint to go off of.

Say what you will about the original film but there's one certain thing - Jim Henson knew how to create a world! A goal that he and Brian Froud had when creating the world of Thra was that once the story ended the world continued to exist. And this series shows that existed before the events of the film and will continue to exist.

If I had to pick something to criticize with the original film is that the lead Jen (performed by Henson and Kiran Shah, voiced by Stephen Garlick) is boring. Like, mayonnaise on white bread boring. Part of that is that he's one of the last of his kind and nothing really makes him stand out, besides being the last of his kind and he doesn't know ANYTHING about his heritage - his parents were murdered when he was young and was raised by the Mystics (urRus). Even Kira (performed by Kathryn Mullen and Sinah, voiced by Lisa Maxwell) who is a bit more interesting due to her connection with nature and has wings, she was still raised by Podlings after her parents' deaths.

In this series, though, each of our three leads stands out magnificently. Rian goes through an arc where he must confront his fears and cease running (figuratively and literally). Brea bares a strong resemblance to characters like Belle from Beauty and the Beast (1991). Someone who takes it upon herself to see all there is to learn and use it to better society.

Then there's Deet. She is the best character in the entire series and if you disagree... that's fine. I love Deet's optimism as she wonders from her underground home into this world that quite frankly should terrify her. But she sees it as this brave new adventure and is happy to go on her quest.

Speaking of the Gelflings, I feel the creative team gave us a good strong first look at the Gelfling's civilization. In the 'making of' special about the series, they discussed how none of the seven Gelfling clans are based directly on a group from our world. But they have similarities in how they act and in how they can hold prejudices over their fellow man... er Gelfling... over petty and nonsensical reasons. The working class Stonewood hate the upper-class Vapra because they're rich, and the Vapra view everyone as lesser because... whatever.

But despite the show holding a mirror to us about this reality, there's one thing it keeps intact that Jim himself would approve - optimism. One of Henson's most famous quotes is, "I know I drive some people with what seems like ridiculous optimism, but it has always worked for me." That is reflected in this show. Despite the overwhelming odds going against our heroes - including betrayals and the unfortunate fact that we know what's gonna happen to the Gelflings - the show maintains optimism that things will eventually resolve themselves fine.

Before I go further, I want to highlight one performer in particular - Louise Gold. While everyone in the show was amazing, it was a real pleasure to see that she performed a bunch of characters and brought a lot of the personality to Maudra Argot the Shadow Bender of the Grottan Clan.

Real quick: going off the whole "what Jim would want" idea. The way this show uses both practical puppet effects and CGI together is exactly what he would want. Make no mistake, the characters and creatures in the show are puppets (or at least practical effects) but they use the CGI to enhance them with any possible shortcomings. 

Then there's the Skeksis... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Much like in the original film, each of these creatures is given an amazing amount of detail with their costumes and the harsh and twisted bodies, reflecting their harsh and twisted ways!

Simon Pegg does a pretty good job at mimicking the late Barry Dennen's Chamberlain voice, Mark Hamill was more than perfect for the voice of the Scientist, and Jason Isaacs did a great job and providing a voice for a character we saw only briefly in the film.

We some of them from the original in this film but we get "new" ones (some were first introduced in expanded universe stuff); the slimy (figuratively and literally) skekLach the Collector (performed by Helena Smee, voiced by Awkwafina), the brutal skekVar the General (performed by Kevin Clash and Katherine Smee, voiced by Benedict Wong) not to be confused with skekUng the Garthaim-Master (he doesn't appear but gets mentioned), the sadist skekMal the Hunter (performed by Kevin Clash, voiced by Ralph Ineson), and the defector skekGra the Heretic (performed by Damian Farrell, voiced by Andy Samberg). And each one is fantastic.

In particular, I like how agile they made the Hunter. The way he moves so fast and his sadist need to fulfill his hunt make him a terrifying foe for our heroes. With the Heretic, I like how they make him and his uRu counterpart - urGoh the Wanderer (voiced by Bill Hader) - basically into a bizarre Ernie and Bert style couple.

Speaking of the Mystics, if I had one criticism it would be I wish they did more with them. Outside of the stuff with the Wanderer and Heretic, the only other Mystic in urVa the Archer (performed by Olly Taylor, voiced by Ólafur Darri Ólafsson) - the uRu counterpart to the Hunter. He's great and I love how they handle the story involving those two but I wish we got to see more. I know the other Mystics by this point are probably hiding "far from the castle" but still maybe something to show they're present elsewhere. Hopefully, they'll be featured more in the next season.

I could honestly go on and on about this show. Whether it's Aughra's story arc or how awesome the Podling Hup is but I want you all to experience it. It's all on Netflix along with the film and the behind the scenes special, please check it out!

SCORE: 5/5

Quick fun fact: The title of each episode is a quote from the original film. 

What did you think of the series? Like, dislike, indifferent? Share your thoughts!

All images and video clips belong to their respective sources.

Doctor Who Retrospective: Season 2 (1964-1965)

Let's go straight into the second season. There's not much to report that happened between the two seasons except it was successful and people looked forward to the new adventures.

Heck, it was so popular, film producers Milton Subotsky and Max J. Rosenberg adapted The Daleks into a movie called Dr. Who and the Daleks (1965, dir. Gordon Flemying) starring Peter Cushing as a human called Dr. Who. But... um... that's uh... yeah, that and the sequel need their own post.

Verity Lambert is still the producer and David Whittaker would serve as script editor until the second story of the story. He would be replaced by Dennis Spooner. 

So, let's get on with it. 

Planet of Giants

(three parts)

W: Louis Marks

D: Mervyn Pinfield and Douglas Camfield

"We have been reduced roughly to the size of an inch!" - The Doctor

PLOT: The doors of the TARDIS open of their own accord just before it materializes, running out of control. On emerging, the travelers find the ship has been reduced in size and they are now only about an inch tall.

Starting off the second season, we get a disappointing one. Okay, it's not bad but - spoilers - it turns out not to be a planet of giants but just Earth except the TARDIS crew is small. Also, this story takes place in an English resident's backyard - er, I mean garden - in 1969. This then leads to them getting in the kitchen. So, basically, Doctor Who did Honey, I Shrunk the Kids before the movie even happened.

The main villain of the plot is an evil businessman (Alan Tilvern) who benefited from a pesticide meant to end famine but can cause damage.

Yeah, this isn't as compelling as other stories. Now what is interesting is apparently on the DVD release there's a special feature where people recreate the missing parts of the script using the original script, newly recorded dialogues, and animations.

By the way, John Guilor is absolutely amazing with his impersonating Hartnell. He would go on to do Hartnell's voice again for the 50th Anniversary episode Day of the Doctor. 

A fact I discovered later on! Alan Tilvern who plays the villain in this story would go onto to play R.K. Maroon in Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988, dir. Robert Zemeckis).

I don't hate it and it's far from the worse but for me, you won't miss much if you skip it.

RATING: 2/5

The Dalek Invasion of Earth

(six parts)

W: Terry Nation

D: Richard Martin

"One day, I shall come back. Yes, I shall come back. Until then, there must be no regrets, no tears, no anxieties. Just go forward in all your beliefs and prove to me that I am not mistaken in mine." - The Doctor

PLOT: The TARDIS returns to London; however, it's the 22nd century. With bodies in the river, and quiet in the Docklands, the city is a very different place. The Daleks have invaded and it's up to the Doctor to thwart them once again.

Now, we're getting into some great stuff. This is a memorable episode for two reasons: 1. the reappearance of the Daleks who have upped their game by taking over the world! 2. The first companion departure.

Yes, the first companion departure of the show is the Doctor's own granddaughter Susan. Having her be the first companion to leave signifies that no actor on the show will last forever. Of course, this is hindsight considering how I'm sure the producers didn't realize how long the show would last. But having Susan leave is not only a great significant moment for the show but also for the Doctor's character. It shows that he's starting to get out of his hermit-like life and realize that things change. As he says in his famous speech, "You are still my grandchild and always will be. But now, you're a woman too. I want you to belong somewhere, to have roots of your own."

Susan says goodbye

This to me ranks as one of the best companion departures of the series. This won't be the last time Susan appears in the show. Carole Ann Ford will play her again in future specials, audio dramas and be referenced time and again. One appearance that Susan made that packs a punch to me is in the Eighth Doctor short story Ghost of Christmas Past by Scot Hancock - part of the anthology book Twelve Doctors of Christmas. Trust me, you'll love it.

Onto the other point I mentioned above:

I like how they've upped the ante with Daleks. The Doctor hasn't bumped into them when they're planning an invasion or take over, they've already won. It gives the story a WWII resistance feel to it. Not too hard to imagine especially since the Daleks are based around Nazi ideology.

Another aspect I like is that it really takes advantage of his being a more ensemble cast. The TARDIS crew gets separated in the story and the audience follows them as they try to reconnect while trying to survive. Through their travels, we get a look at what the world looks like after the Daleks conquered it -at least what the U.K. looks like. They've enslaved some, made some into foot soldiers called Robomen, make them grunt work, and while many are fighting against the Daleks there are some who are just trying to get by.

And, yes, this story was also adapted into a movie starring Peter Cushing called Daleks' Invasion of Earth 2150 A.D. (1966, dir. Gordon Flemying). I'll talk about that with my post about the first movie. For now, I'll say that the only thing really notable about the film is stars Bernard Cribbins who would go on to play Wilfred in the modern day series.

Overall, this is definitely one of my favorite First Doctor stories and Dalek stories.

RATING: 4.5/5

The Rescue

(two parts)

W: David Whitaker

D: Christopher Barry

"This used to be the people's Hall of Judgement. Fitting, in the present circumstances, don't you think?" - The Doctor.

The Doctor confronts Koquillion.

PLOT: The Doctor, Ian, and Barbara arrive on the planet Dido. They find a crashed spaceship, the only two survivors of which are terrorized by the monster Koquillion. But who is Koquillion?

Much like The Daleks, we go from a sprawling epic to a fairly contained two-parter, although it's not that contained and it does pack a lot just within its two parts. 

The main thing is this is the first appearance of the new companion Vicki played by Maureen O'Brien. A now orphaned girl who is one of two survivors of a spaceship crash.

Vicki Pallister (Maureen O'Brien)

While it can be easy to see to Doctor just taking her on to be as a stand-in for Susan, you can tell that the Doctor recognizes her scenario and she needs help. This is also another step in the Doctor's character growth because I'm more than certain that if that happened in the first season, The Doctor would have opposed it. 

Also worth noting is that this is the first episode where the characters visit a planet that the Doctor claims to have visited before. This plays a part in how the Doctor figures out what's going on with the plot. 

Now it turns out that that the other survivor of the crash - Bennett - was masquerading as Koquillion by wearing their religious garb. Bennet informs the Doctor that before the ship crashed he was arrested for murdering a crew member. After the ship crashed he engineered an explosion that killed both the other survivors and many of the Dido native - who are actually humanoid looking. He kept Vicki alive because she was unaware of his crime and she could testify to his innocence. 

The Doctor perfectly summarizes Bennett, "You destroyed a whole planet just to save your own skin. You're insane!"

While there's nothing that spectacular elsewhere in the story I do like this story. It's a short and simple story that does a good job of introducing our new companion. 

RATING: 3.5/5

The Romans

(four parts)

W: Dennis Spooner

D: Christopher Barry

"You know, I am so constantly outwitting the opposition, I tend to forget the delights and satisfaction of the gentle art of fisticuffs." - The Doctor.

PLOT: Landing in Rome, A.D. 64, the travelers take a rare holiday. While Ian and Barbara are happy to relax, the Doctor and Vicki set off to pursue adventure.

However, adventure soon finds Ian and Barbara too as they are kidnapped by slave traders, and the Doctor's imitation of Maximus Pettulian sees him taken to the court of Emperor Nero.

This four-parter took a while for me to get into it but eventually, I grew to enjoy it.

This is another historical that does a good job incorporating the characters into the historical environment.

Michael Peake as Tavius. I'm mainly sharing this because I love this face.

There's nothing too spectacular the episode, but it's a fun one to watch none-the-less.

And of course, you can't go wrong with the Doctor engaging in the gentle art of fisticuffs. Give it a watch.

RATING: 3.5/5

The Web Planet

(six parts)

W: Bill Strutton

D: Richard Martin

"Come along, drop this hairdryer or whatever it is." - The Doctor.

PLOT: On the planet Vortis, the Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Vicki are swept up in the struggles of the butterfly-like Menoptera, the original denizens of Vortis who were forced to flee the planet for the moon Pictos to escape the encroaching web of the Animus and its mind-controlled minions, the ant-like Zarbi, and their living weapons, the larvae guns.

Jacqueline Hill is thinking, "what the hell?"

Oooooohhhhhh boy... I do not particularly care for this story. I think I've seen some people say they like this during the Doctor Who streaming marathon. If so, then fine, but I seriously found this to be so annoying. And that's because of all the noise... all the noise, noise, noise, noise!

Seriously, there are so much random "bleepings" and "bloopings" and weird noises that it becomes so annoying. 

There was seriously so much weird random noises at some points that I seriously thought I was watching planet Koozebane sketch from The Muppet Show.

Yeah, I don't have much to say about this episode outside of I didn't like and found it annoying. But I will say one nice thing about it. Barbara gets to step up and becoming a driving force to defeat the enemy - Animus.

Again, if you like it, that's fine, no judging on my part but I just didn't like. Right now it stands as my least favorite story so far. I'm certain others will take that spot. 

RATING: 1.5/5

The Crusade

(four parts/two missing)

W: David Whitaker

D: Douglas Camfield

"There's something new in you, yet something older than the sky itself. I sense that I can trust you." - Princess Joanna.

PLOT: The TARDIS arrives in 12th century Palestine where a holy war is in progress between the forces of King Richard the Lionheart and the Saracen ruler Saladin. Barbara is abducted in a Saracen ambush and the Doctor, Ian, and Vicki make their way to King Richard's palace in the city of Jaffa.

This is an okay, historical story. 

I won't lie, this is a story where I can't help but feel like nothing spectacularly happened. I guess this is just me having too high of expectations given how other historical stories have been awesome. 

Also, a part of me feels like this episode takes a step back with Barbara, seeing as how throughout a majority of the story she's just a hostage. Like, I didn't care for the last story but she was incredibly active with that one. It felt like it took forever for her to try and do something.

The Doctor and Vicki meet Joanna (Jean Marsh).

But even then, it's still an okay story. I like the scenes with Richard the Lionheart (Julian Glover) and his sister Joanna (Jean Marsh). Both of their actors we'll see more in the future.

RATING: 3/5

P.S.

I've met Julian Glover. I met him at the 2017 Cincinnati Comic Expo and he was an absolute delight and a gentleman. I mean it, he shook every man's hand and kissed every woman's hand. It was amazing!

The Space Museum

(four parts)

W: Glyn Jones

D: Mervyn Pinfield

"The least important things, sometimes, my dear boy, lead to the greatest discoveries." - The Doctor

PLOT: "The TARDIS jumps a time track and the travelers arrive on the planet Xeros. There they discover their own future selves displayed as exhibits in a museum established as a monument to the galactic conquests of the warlike Morok invaders who now rule the planet. When time shifts back to normal, they realize that they must do everything they can to avert this potential future."

Here we have what could possibly be the first "wibbly wobbly, timey-wimey" stories and... meh. I don't hate but it feels like they haven't quite stuck the landing on the concept and such - though it's debatable if this type of time jumping has ever been truly nailed down.

Now, the last time Doctor Who Magazine published a ranking of all Doctor Who episodes in 2014, this was the lowest ranking of all the Hartnell episodes sitting at #232 out of 241 (counting Trial of a Time Lord as one episode). Which is a bit harsh to me. Especially since we still have Web Planet.

Truth be told I really don't remember that much about it. Grant it, it's been a while since I watched it and writing this but the only scene I remember is the cliffhanger for the first part (which is an effective one) and the Doctor giggling in an empty Dalek shell. And really how could I forget that scene?

RATING: 2.5/5 

The Chase

(six parts)

W: Terry Nation

D: Richard Martin and Douglas Camfield

"London 1965!" - Ian Chesterton.

PLOT: "The travelers learn from the Time-Space Visualiser (taken from the Moroks' museum) that Daleks, equipped with their own time machine, are on their trail with orders to exterminate them."

We now must say fare thee well to two of the best companions ever - Barbara and Ian. But we'll get on that later.

This six-parter sees the Tardis crew being chased by the Daleks. But instead of having just ONE long pursuit they broke it up with taking place in different places - both futuristic sci-fi locations and historical locations. Even a Haunted Mansion! Well, sort of.

A couple moments that stand out to me. First, is a rather brief one. At one moment, the Tardis crew are operating on the Time-Space Visualiser first mentioned in Space Museum, which allows them to see actual events in history including Lincoln reading the Gettysburg Address, Queen Elizabeth I meetings Sir Francis Bacon and William Shakespeare, and the Beatles performing "Ticket to Ride" on Top of the Pops. That little clip you see of them performing is all that remains of that episode because, like with this show, Top of the Pops deleted a lot of episodes.

Then there's a mini-history lesson. At one point the Tardis crew find themselves on the sailing ship Mary Celeste in 1872. For that aren't aware, the ship set sailed from New York in October of '72 with Capt. Benjamin Briggs, his wife, and infant daughter, and seven crewmen. Weeks later, the ship was found abandoned and all occupants missing. Nothing appeared damaged, nothing stolen, and there was no sign of foul play. It remains one of the great mysteries of history... but according to this episode, everyone jumped ship upon seeing the Daleks.

The Daleks didn't kill them but the occupants were so spooked they just jumped overboard.

The other interesting moment is this is the first time we have an actor who would become a companion to make an earlier appearance. Usually when this happens it before they're cast as the companion but in this one, Peter Purves plays both soon-to-be-companion Steven Taylor but also as an Alabama tourist in NYC earlier in the episode.

The other major moment is, of course, Ian and Barbara's departure. Yes, our beloved school teacher duo leave. They realize they have an opportunity to leave via a Dalek time machine and return to their own time. Their wanting to leave has nothing to do with malice towards the Doctor but, as Ian puts it, "I want to sit in a pub and drink a pint of beer again. I want to walk in a park and watch a cricket match. Above all, I want to belong somewhere, do something, instead of this aimless drifting around in space." In other words, they want a sense of normalcy again. Which makes sense to me.

Most of the time a companion joins because they're frustratingly bored with where they are and want something more than their provisional lives. But Ian and Barbara, well, they were basically kidnapped and seemed to enjoy how things were going for them.

That's not saying they didn't have fun or have contempt for the Doctor but, well, as they say: be it ever so humble, there's no place like home.

Ian and Barbara's wedding from the 11th Doctor comic Hunters of the Burning Stone

As for Ian and Barbara post TV episodes, sadly the two never made an appearance again. Jacqueline Hill (Barbara) would pop up again as the villain the Fourth Doctor story Meglos (as of right now the only time that's happened) and they would be referenced time and again. Ian almost made an appearance in the Fifth Doctor story Mawdryn Undead but sadly that never came about.

And of course, it is hinted at with their mentioning - particularly in an episode of The Sarah Jane Adventures - that the two got married. Their wedding was a part of a comic story.

RATING: 3.5/5

The Time Meddler

(four parts)

W: Dennis Spooner

D: Douglas Camfield

"That is the dematerializing control, and that, over yonder, is the horizontal hold. Up there is the scanner; those are the doors; that is a chair with a panda on it. Sheer poetry, dear boy! Now please stop bothering me." - The Doctor.

The Doctor confronts the Meddling Monk

PLOT: "The Doctor, Vicki, and new companion Steven Taylor arrive in Saxon Northumbria on the eve of the Viking and Norman invasions. It is 1066, a pivotal moment in British history. The hand of a mysterious Monk is at work in the nearby monastery, intending that history takes a different course."

Right now, if I had to pick my overall favorite Hartnell episode, there's no debate, it would be this one!

This one is just a pure delight all the way through with memorable lines, great character moments, and world expansion.

This is also when I think we really start to see the Doctor fully move past his grumpy/anti-hero characteristics. Here he's a bit more mischievous and light-hearted, with quick and witty retorts and a bit more willing to get involved.

The episode is also very significant because it's the first time we meet someone of the Doctor's race that's not Susan. The Meddling Monk as he'll be called (Peter Butterworth) is an absolutely fantastic villain.  In a way, he's kind of the middle ground between the Doctor and the Master. He's a renegade Time Lord but he's not doing what he's doing for a nefarious purpose or to do good. He's just having fun - although that could be seen as somewhat worse.

Peter Butterworth as the Monk

Really this is an episode I want you all to just watch and enjoy there's too much for me to gush about.

RATING: 5/5

OVERALL SEASON SCORE:

3/5

From a writing standpoint, in my opinion, it's still okay I definitely see it heading into the direction we'd all know it for. The Doctor by the end isn't as much of grump and we see him becoming more of the whimsical traveler we know. So, yeah, I'm rating this one slightly above the previous one. 

Next time around... oh boy... things get a bit heavier. And hopefully, I'll get it out a lot sooner. 

Thoughts on "Rise of Skywalker"

Ever since watching the teaser for the new Star Wars trailer, I've been nothing but excited for this film. Which is nothing new at this point, I'll admit.

I will say though the episode title "Rise of Skywalker" is a bit iffy for me. But I think I know what they're trying to do.

The Skywalker in question is not Rey (she's not a Skywalker let's just deal with it) but the rise in the legend of Luke Skywalker. Note how in the teaser they talk about how every generation has a legend, and in the previous films, they wanted to find Luke and have him be a symbol of hope for the Resistance.

The only other theory I have is that the Skywalker in Kylo Ren/Ben Solo rises up over the dark side and becomes good again. Problem with that is its too much similar to Darth Vader's arc in Return of the Jedi. Now, that could work still as he soon realizes what happened with Vader in his final moments. But then again one of Kylo's main character traits is stubbornness - that's putting it lightly. So, chances are even if the Force ghost of Anakin Skywalker showed up and told him to be good again, he wouldn't listen. He'd claim, "IT'S A TRICK! YOU'RE LYING!"

Now, obviously, we all heard the beautifully sinister Palpatine laugh in the teaser. A writer I follow named Brad Meltzer indicated it may be indicating that Kylo did lie to Rey about who her parents, and she could be a part of the Emperor's heritage.

This would be an interesting take because it would be an interesting comparison to Kylo's upbringing. Kylo grew up in a good household but still ended up with the Dark Side, Rey comes from a lineage that struck fear and terror throughout the galaxy but has found herself to be a hero.

While that's a cool idea, a part of me wishes they'd keep it as Rey's parents being "nobodies." Because that shows you don't need to be worthy to have the Force or from a "royal bloodline."

But those are my thoughts.

What are yours?

And I know I probably don't need to say this but given how heated arguments can get with this topic (especially the newer films) please, please, PLEASE be respectful and courteous. Let's have civilized discussions, not a schoolyard argument.

P.S. It's great to see Lando again.

FINAL OSCAR PREDICTION 2018

Picture:
The Favourite
Roma
Green Book
A Star Is Born
BlacKkKlansman
Black Panther
Vice
Bohemian Rhapsody

Director:
Alfonso Cuaron - Roma
Spike Lee - BlacKkKlansman
Yorgos Lanthimos - The Favourite
Adam McKay - Vice
Pawel Pawlikowski - Cold War

Actor:
Christian Bale - Vice
Rami Malek - Bohemian Rhapsody
Bradley Cooper - A Star Is Born
Viggo Mortensen - Green Book
Willem Dafoe - At Eternity's Gate

Actress:
Olivia Colman - The Favourite
Glenn Close - The Wife
Lady Gaga - A Star Is Born
Melissa McCarthy - Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Yalitza Aparicio - Roma

Supp. Actor:
Mahershala Ali - Green Book
Richard E. Grant - Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Adam Driver - BlacKkKlansman
Sam Elliott - A Star Is Born
Sam Rockwell - Vice

Supp. Actress:
Regina King - If Beale Street Could Talk
Rachel Weisz - The Favourite
Emma Stone - The Favourite
Amy Adams - Vice
Marina de Tavira - Roma

O. Screenplay:
Roma
The Favourite
First Reformed
Green Book
Vice

A. Screenplay:
If Beale Street Could Talk
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
BlacKkKlansman
A Star Is Born
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

Art Direction:
The Favourite
Black Panther
Mary Poppins Returns
Roma
First Man

Cinematography:
Roma
The Favourite
Cold War
A Star Is Born
Never Look Away

Costume Design:
Black Panther
The Favourite
Mary Queen of Scots
Mary Poppins Returns
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

Film Editing:
The Favourite
Vice
BlacKkKlansman
Bohemian Rhapsody
Green Book

Hair/Makeup:
Vice
Mary Queen of Scots
Border

Sound Editing:
A Quiet Place
First Man
Bohemian Rhapsody
Roma
Black Panther

Sound Mixing:
A Star Is Born
First Man
Roma
Bohemian Rhapsody
Black Panther

Visual Effects:
Avengers: Infinity War
Ready Player One
First Man
Christopher Robin
Solo: A Star Wars Story

Score:
If Beale Street Could Talk
Isle of Dogs
Black Panther
Mary Poppins Returns
BlacKkKlansman

Song:
"Shallow" - A Star Is Born
"All the Stars" - Black Panther
"The Place Where the Lost Things Go" - Mary Poppins Returns
"I'll Fight" - RBG
"When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings" - The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

Animated:
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Isle of Dogs
Incredibles 2
Ralph Breaks the Internet
Mirai

Foreign Language:
Roma
Shoplifters
Cold War
Capernaum
Never Look Away

Documentary:
Free Solo
RBG
Minding the Gap
Hale County This Morning, This Evening
Of Fathers and Sons

MY 2018 OSCAR PREDICTIONS

With the Oscar nominations coming out on Jan. 23, here are my predictions. Sadly I haven't seen a lot of these films. 2018 was not a good moving going year for me. Here's hoping I fix that this for 2019.

Anyway here are my predictions:


BEST PICTURE: I'm doing ten because that's their maximum. I won't be surprised if there's only 8 or 9. 

Black Panther
BlacKkKlansman
Crazy Rich Asians
Eighth Grade
The Favourite
Green Book
If Beale Street Could Talk
A Quiet Place
Roma
A Star Is Born

Best Director:
Bradley Cooper - A Star Is Born
Alfonso Cuaron - Roma
Peter Farrelly - Green Book
Yorgos Lanthimos - The Favourite
Spike Lee - BlacKkKlansman

Best Lead Actor:

Christian Bale - Vice
Bradley Cooper - A Star Is Born
Ethan Hawke - First Reformed
Rami Malek - Bohemian Rhapsody
Viggo Mortensen - Green Book

Best Lead Actress:
Emily Blunt - Mary Poppins Returns
Glenn Close - The Wife
Olivia Colman - The Favourite
Lady Gaga - A Star Is Born
Melissa McCarthy - Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Best Supporting Actor:
Mahershala Ali - Green Book
Timothee Chalamat - Beautiful Boy
Adam Driver - BlacKkKlansman
Richard E. Grant - Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Michael B. Jordon - Black Panther

Please let me be wrong and Sam Elliott gets nominated instead of Timothee Chalamat! Nothing against Chalamat, but Sam Elliot deserves it so damn badly!

Best Supporting Actress:
Amy Adams - Vice
Claire Foy - First Man
Regina King - If Beale Street Could Talk
Emma Stone - The Favourite
Rachel Weisz - The Favourite

Original Screenplay:
Eighth Grade
The Favourite
First Reformed
Green Book
Roma

Adapted Screenplay:
Black Panther
BlacKkKlansman
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
If Beale Street Could Talk
A Star Is Born

Art Direction/Production Design:
Black Panther
The Favourite
First Man
Mary Poppins Returns
Roma

Cinematography:
Cold War
The Favourite
First Man
If Beale Street Could Talk
Roma

Costume Design:
Black Panther
Bohemian Rhapsody
The Favourite
Mary Poppins Returns
Mary Queen of Scots

Film Editing:
The Favourite
First Man
Mission: Impossible - Fallout
Roma
Widows

Hair/Makeup:
Bohemian Rhapsody
Mary Queen of Scots
Vice

Sound Editing:
Black Panther
First Man
Mission: Impossible - Fallout
A Quiet Place
A Star Is Born

Sound Mixing:
Black Panther
First Man
Mission: Impossible - Fallout
A Quiet Place
A Star Is Born

Visual Effects:
Avengers: Infinity War
Black Panther
First Man
Mary Poppins Returns
Ready Player One

Original Score:
Black Panther
First Man
If Beale Street Could Talk
Isle of Dogs
Mary Poppins Returns

Original Song:
"All the Stars" - Black Panther
"Girl in the Movies" - Dumplin'
"The Place Where the Lost Things Go" - Mary Poppins Returns
"Trip a Little Light Fantastic" - Mary Poppins Returns
"Shallow" - A Star Is Born

Animated Film:
Incredible 2
Isle of Dogs
Mirai
Ralph Breaks the Internet
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Foreign Language:
Burning (South Korea)
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)

Documentary:

Free Solo
Minding the Gap
RBG
Three Identical Strangers
Won't You Be My Neighbors?