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Predicting the Winners: 95th Academy Awards

Best Picture

  • All Quiet on the Western Front (Netflix) Malte Grunert, Producer
  • Avatar: The Way of Water (20th Century Studios) James Cameron and Jon Landau, Producers
  • The Banshees of Inisherin (Searchlight Pictures) Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin and Martin McDonagh, Producers
  • Elvis (Warner Bros) Baz Luhrmann, Catherine Martin, Gail Berman, Patrick McCormick and Schuyler Weiss, Producers
  • Everything Everywhere All at Once (A24) Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert and Jonathan Wang, Producers
  • The Fabelmans (Universal Pictures) Kristie Macosko Krieger, Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner, Producers
  • Tár (Focus Features) Todd Field, Alexandra Milchan and Scott Lambert, Producers
  • Top Gun: Maverick (Paramount Pictures) Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie, David Ellison and Jerry Bruckheimer, Producers
  • Triangle of Sadness (NEON) Erik Hemmendorff and Philippe Bober, Producers
  • Women Talking (United Artists Releasing/Orion Pictures) Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Frances McDormand, Producers

Will Win: “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

Could Win: “The Fabelmans”

Want to Win: “Everything Everywhere All at Once” or “Top Gun”

Actor in a Leading Role

  • Austin Butler in Elvis
  • Colin Farrell in The Banshees of Inisherin
  • Brendan Fraser in The Whale
  • Paul Mescal in Aftersun
  • Bill Nighy in Living

Will Win: Brendan Fraser

Could Win: Austin Butler

Want to Win: Brendan Fraser

Actor in a Supporting Role

  • Brendan Gleeson in The Banshees of Inisherin
  • Brian Tyree Henry in Causeway
  • Judd Hirsch in The Fabelmans
  • Barry Keoghan in The Banshees of Inisherin
  • Ke Huy Quan in Everything Everywhere All at Once

Will Win: Ke Huy Quan

Could Win: Barry Keoghan

Want to Win: Key Huy Quan

Actress in a Leading Role

  • Cate Blanchett in Tár
  • Ana de Armas in Blonde
  • Andrea Riseborough in To Leslie
  • Michelle Williams in The Fabelmans
  • Michelle Yeoh in Everything Everywhere All at Once

Will Win: Michelle Yeoh

Could Win: Cate Blanchett

Want to Win: Michelle Yeoh

Actress in a Supporting Role

  • Angela Bassett in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
  • Hong Chau in The Whale
  • Kerry Condon in The Banshees of Inisherin
  • Jamie Lee Curtis in Everything Everywhere All at Once
  • Stephanie Hsu in Everything Everywhere All at Once

Will Win: Angela Bassett

Could Win: Jamie Lee Curtis

Want to Win: Hong Chau or Angela Bassett or Jamie Lee Curtis

Animated Feature Film

  • Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio –Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson, Gary Ungar and Alex Bulkley
  • Marcel the Shell With Shoes On –Dean Fleischer Camp, Elisabeth Holm, Andrew Goldman, Caroline Kaplan and Paul Mezey
  • Puss in Boots: The Last Wish –Joel Crawford and Mark Swift
  • The Sea Beast –Chris Williams and Jed Schlanger
  • Turning Red –Domee Shi and Lindsey Collins

Will Win: “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio”

Could Win: No Contest

Want to Win: “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio”

Cinematography

  • All Quiet on the Western Front –James Friend
  • Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths –Darius Khondji
  • Elvis –Mandy Walker
  • Empire of Light –Roger Deakins
  • Tár –Florian Hoffmeister

Will Win: “All Quiet on the Western Front”

Could Win: “Elvis”

Want to Win: “All Quiet on the Western Front”

Costume Design

  • Babylon –Mary Zophres
  • Black Panther: Wakanda Forever –Ruth Carter
  • Elvis –Catherine Martin
  • Everything Everywhere All at Once –Shirley Kurata
  • Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris –Jenny Beavan

Will Win: “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

Could Win: “Elvis”

Want to Win: “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

Directing

  • Martin McDonagh, The Banshees of Inisherin (Searchlight Pictures)
  • Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Everything Everywhere All at Once (A24)
  • Steven Spielberg, The Fabelmans (Universal Pictures)
  • Todd Field, Tár (Focus Features)
  • Ruben Östlund, Triangle of Sadness (NEON)

Will Win: Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert

Could Win: Steven Spielberg

Want to Win: Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert

Documentary Feature Film

  • All That Breathes –Shaunak Sen, Aman Mann and Teddy Leifer
  • All the Beauty and the Bloodshed –Laura Poitras, Howard Gertler, John Lyons, Nan Goldin and Yoni Golijov
  • Fire of Love –Sara Dosa, Shane Boris and Ina Fichman
  • A House Made of Splinters –Simon Lereng Wilmont and Monica Hellström
  • Navalny –Daniel Roher, Odessa Rae, Diane Becker, Melanie Miller and Shane Boris

Will Win: “Navalny”

Could Win: “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed”

Want to Win: “Fire of Love”

Documentary Short Film

  • The Elephant Whisperers –Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga
  • Haulout –Evgenia Arbugaeva and Maxim Arbugaev
  • How Do You Measure a Year? –Jay Rosenblatt
  • The Martha Mitchell Effect –Anne Alvergue and Beth Levison
  • Stranger at the Gate –Joshua Seftel and Conall Jones

Will Win: “The Elephant Whisperers”

Could Win: “Stranger at the Gate”

Want to Win: “The Elephant Whisperers” or “Stranger at the Gate”

Film Editing

  • The Banshees of Inisherin –Mikkel E.G. Nielsen
  • Elvis –Matt Villa and Jonathan Redmond
  • Everything Everywhere All at Once –Paul Rogers
  • Tár –Monika Willi
  • Top Gun: Maverick –Eddie Hamilton

Will Win: “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

Could Win: “Top Gun: Maverick”

Want to Win: “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

International Feature Film

  • All Quiet on the Western Front –Germany
  • Argentina, 1985 –Argentina
  • Close –Belgium
  • EO –Poland
  • The Quiet Girl –Ireland

Will Win: “All Quiet on the Western Front”

Could Win: No Contest

Want to Win: “RRR” should be nominated

Makeup and Hairstyling

  • All Quiet on the Western Front –Heike Merker and Linda Eisenhamerová
  • The Batman –Naomi Donne, Mike Marino and Mike Fontaine
  • Black Panther: Wakanda Forever –Camille Friend and Joel Harlow
  • Elvis –Mark Coulier, Jason Baird and Aldo Signoretti
  • The Whale –Adrien Morot, Judy Chin and Anne Marie Bradley

Will Win: “The Whale”

Could Win: “Elvis”

Want to Win: “The Whale”

Music (Original Score)

  • All Quiet on the Western Front –Volker Bertelmann
  • Babylon –Justin Hurwitz
  • The Banshees of Inisherin –Carter Burwell
  • Everything Everywhere All at Once –Son Lux
  • The Fabelmans –John Williams

Will Win: “Babylon”

Could Win: “The Fabelmans”

Want to Win: “Babylon”

Music (Original Song)

  • “Applause” from Tell It like a Woman –Music and Lyric by Diane Warren
  • “Hold My Hand” from Top Gun: Maverick –Music and Lyric by Lady Gaga and BloodPop
  • “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever –Music by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler and Ludwig Goransson; Lyric by Tems and Ryan Coogler
  • “Naatu Naatu” from RRR –Music by M.M. Keeravaani; Lyric by Chandrabose
  • “This Is A Life” from Everything Everywhere All at Once –Music by Ryan Lott, David Byrne and Mitski; Lyric by Ryan Lott and David Byrne

Will Win: “Naatu Naatu”

Could Win: No Contest

Want to Win: “Naatu Naatu”

Production Design

  • All Quiet on the Western Front –Production Design: Christian M. Goldbeck; Set Decoration: Ernestine Hipper
  • Avatar: The Way of Water –Production Design: Dylan Cole and Ben Procter; Set Decoration: Vanessa Cole
  • Babylon –Production Design: Florencia Martin; Set Decoration: Anthony Carlino
  • Elvis –Production Design: Catherine Martin and Karen Murphy; Set Decoration: Bev Dunn
  • The Fabelmans –Production Design: Rick Carter; Set Decoration: Karen O’Hara

Will Win: “Babylon”

Could Win: “All Quiet on the Western Front”

Want to Win: “Babylon”

Animated Short Film

  • The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse –Charlie Mackesy and Matthew Freud
  • The Flying Sailor –Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby
  • Ice Merchants –João Gonzalez and Bruno Caetano
  • My Year of Dicks –Sara Gunnarsdóttir and Pamela Ribon
  • An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It –Lachlan Pendragon

Will Win: “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse”

Could Win: “Ice Merchants”

Want to Win: “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse”

Live Action Short Film

  • An Irish Goodbye –Tom Berkeley and Ross White
  • Ivalu –Anders Walter and Rebecca Pruzan
  • Le Pupille –Alice Rohrwacher and Alfonso Cuarón
  • Night Ride –Eirik Tveiten and Gaute Lid Larssen
  • The Red Suitcase – Cyrus Neshvad

Will Win: The Red Suitcase

Could Win: “An Irish Goodbye” or “Le Pupille”

Want to Win: “The Red Suitcase

Sound

  • All Quiet on the Western Front –Viktor Prášil, Frank Kruse, Markus Stemler, Lars Ginzel and Stefan Korte
  • Avatar: The Way of Water –Julian Howarth, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Dick Bernstein, Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers and Michael Hedges
  • The Batman –Stuart Wilson, William Files, Douglas Murray and Andy Nelson
  • Elvis –David Lee, Wayne Pashley, Andy Nelson and Michael Keller
  • Top Gun: Maverick –Mark Weingarten, James H. Mather, Al Nelson, Chris Burdon and Mark Taylor

Will Win: “Top Gun: Maverick”

Could Win: “All Quiet on the Western Front”

Want to Win: “Top Gun: Maverick”

Visual Effects

  • All Quiet on the Western Front –Frank Petzold, Viktor Müller, Markus Frank and Kamil Jafar
  • Avatar: The Way of Water –Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett
  • The Batman –Dan Lemmon, Russell Earl, Anders Langlands and Dominic Tuohy
  • Black Panther: Wakanda Forever –Geoffrey Baumann, Craig Hammack, R. Christopher White and Dan Sudick
  • Top Gun: Maverick –Ryan Tudhope, Seth Hill, Bryan Litson and Scott R. Fisher

Will Win: “Avatar: The Way of Water”

Could Win: “Top Gun: Maverick”

Want to Win: “Avatar: The Way of Water”

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

  • All Quiet on the Western Front –Screenplay by Edward Berger, Lesley Paterson & Ian Stokell
  • Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery –Written by Rian Johnson
  • Living –Written by Kazuo Ishiguro
  • Top Gun: Maverick –Screenplay by Ehren Kruger and Eric Warren Singer and Christopher McQuarrie; Story by Peter Craig and Justin Marks
  • Women Talking –Screenplay by Sarah Polley

Will Win: “Women Talking”

Could Win: “Top Gun: Maverick”

Want to Win: “Women Talking”

Writing (Original Screenplay)

  • The Banshees of Inisherin –Written by Martin McDonagh
  • Everything Everywhere All at Once –Written by Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
  • The Fabelmans –Written by Steven Spielberg & Tony Kushner
  • Tár –Written by Todd Field
  • Triangle of Sadness –Written by Ruben Östlund

Will Win: “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

Could Win: “The Banshees of Inisherin”

Want to Win: “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

THE OSCARS SET TO AIR LIVE, MARCH 12, ON ABC

95th Academy Awards Nomination Announcement

Best Picture

All Quiet on the Western Front (Netflix)
Malte Grunert, Producer

Avatar: The Way of Water (20th Century Studios)
James Cameron and Jon Landau, Producers

The Banshees of Inisherin (Searchlight Pictures)
Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin and Martin McDonagh, Producers

Elvis (Warner Bros)
Baz Luhrmann, Catherine Martin, Gail Berman, Patrick McCormick and Schuyler Weiss, Producers

Everything Everywhere All at Once (A24)
Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert and Jonathan Wang, Producers

The Fabelmans (Universal Pictures)
Kristie Macosko Krieger, Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner, Producers

Tár (Focus Features)
Todd Field, Alexandra Milchan and Scott Lambert, Producers

Top Gun: Maverick (Paramount Pictures)
Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie, David Ellison and Jerry Bruckheimer, Producers

Triangle of Sadness (NEON)
Erik Hemmendorff and Philippe Bober, Producers

Women Talking (United Artists Releasing/Orion Pictures)
Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Frances McDormand, Producers

Actor in a Leading Role

Austin Butler in Elvis

Colin Farrell in The Banshees of Inisherin

Brendan Fraser in The Whale

Paul Mescal in Aftersun

Bill Nighy in Living

Actor in a Supporting Role

Brendan Gleeson in The Banshees of Inisherin

Brian Tyree Henry in Causeway

Judd Hirsch in The Fabelmans

Barry Keoghan in The Banshees of Inisherin

Ke Huy Quan in Everything Everywhere All at Once

Actress in a Leading Role

Cate Blanchett in Tár

Ana de Armas in Blonde

Andrea Riseborough in To Leslie

Michelle Williams in The Fabelmans

Michelle Yeoh in Everything Everywhere All at Once

Actress in a Supporting Role

Angela Bassett in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Hong Chau in The Whale

Kerry Condon in The Banshees of Inisherin

Jamie Lee Curtis in Everything Everywhere All at Once

Stephanie Hsu in Everything Everywhere All at Once

Animated Feature Film

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson, Gary Ungar and Alex Bulkley

Marcel the Shell With Shoes On
Dean Fleischer Camp, Elisabeth Holm, Andrew Goldman, Caroline Kaplan and Paul Mezey

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Joel Crawford and Mark Swift

The Sea Beast
Chris Williams and Jed Schlanger

Turning Red
Domee Shi and Lindsey Collins

Cinematography

All Quiet on the Western Front
James Friend

Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths
Darius Khondji

Elvis
Mandy Walker

Empire of Light
Roger Deakins

Tár
Florian Hoffmeister

Costume Design

Babylon
Mary Zophres

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Ruth Carter

Elvis
Catherine Martin

Everything Everywhere All at Once
Shirley Kurata

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris
Jenny Beavan

Directing

Martin McDonagh, The Banshees of Inisherin (Searchlight Pictures)

Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Everything Everywhere All at Once (A24)

Steven Spielberg, The Fabelmans (Universal Pictures)

Todd Field, Tár (Focus Features)

Ruben Östlund, Triangle of Sadness (NEON)

Documentary Feature Film

All That Breathes
Shaunak Sen, Aman Mann and Teddy Leifer

All the Beauty and the Bloodshed
Laura Poitras, Howard Gertler, John Lyons, Nan Goldin and Yoni Golijov

Fire of Love
Sara Dosa, Shane Boris and Ina Fichman

A House Made of Splinters
Simon Lereng Wilmont and Monica Hellström

Navalny
Daniel Roher, Odessa Rae, Diane Becker, Melanie Miller and Shane Boris

Documentary Short Film

The Elephant Whisperers
Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga

Haulout
Evgenia Arbugaeva and Maxim Arbugaev

How Do You Measure a Year?
Jay Rosenblatt

The Martha Mitchell Effect
Anne Alvergue and Beth Levison

Stranger at the Gate
Joshua Seftel and Conall Jones

Film Editing

The Banshees of Inisherin
Mikkel E.G. Nielsen

Elvis
Matt Villa and Jonathan Redmond

Everything Everywhere All at Once
Paul Rogers

Tár
Monika Willi

Top Gun: Maverick
Eddie Hamilton

International Feature Film

All Quiet on the Western Front
Germany

Argentina, 1985
Argentina

Close
Belgium

EO
Poland

The Quiet Girl
Ireland

Makeup and Hairstyling

All Quiet on the Western Front
Heike Merker and Linda Eisenhamerová

The Batman
Naomi Donne, Mike Marino and Mike Fontaine

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Camille Friend and Joel Harlow

Elvis
Mark Coulier, Jason Baird and Aldo Signoretti

The Whale
Adrien Morot, Judy Chin and Anne Marie Bradley

Music (Original Score)

All Quiet on the Western Front
Volker Bertelmann

Babylon
Justin Hurwitz

The Banshees of Inisherin
Carter Burwell

Everything Everywhere All at Once
Son Lux

The Fabelmans
John Williams

Music (Original Song)

“Applause” from Tell It like a Woman
Music and Lyric by Diane Warren

“Hold My Hand” from Top Gun: Maverick
Music and Lyric by Lady Gaga and BloodPop

“Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Music by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler and Ludwig Goransson; Lyric by Tems and Ryan Coogler

“Naatu Naatu” from RRR
Music by M.M. Keeravaani; Lyric by Chandrabose

“This Is A Life” from Everything Everywhere All at Once
Music by Ryan Lott, David Byrne and Mitski; Lyric by Ryan Lott and David Byrne

Production Design

All Quiet on the Western Front
Production Design: Christian M. Goldbeck; Set Decoration: Ernestine Hipper

Avatar: The Way of Water
Production Design: Dylan Cole and Ben Procter; Set Decoration: Vanessa Cole

Babylon
Production Design: Florencia Martin; Set Decoration: Anthony Carlino

Elvis
Production Design: Catherine Martin and Karen Murphy; Set Decoration: Bev Dunn

The Fabelmans
Production Design: Rick Carter; Set Decoration: Karen O’Hara

Animated Short Film

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
Charlie Mackesy and Matthew Freud

The Flying Sailor
Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby

Ice Merchants
João Gonzalez and Bruno Caetano

My Year of Dicks
Sara Gunnarsdóttir and Pamela Ribon

An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It
Lachlan Pendragon

Live Action Short Film

An Irish Goodbye
Tom Berkeley and Ross White

Ivalu
Anders Walter and Rebecca Pruzan

Le Pupille
Alice Rohrwacher and Alfonso Cuarón

Night Ride
Eirik Tveiten and Gaute Lid Larssen

The Red Suitcase
Cyrus Neshvad

Sound

All Quiet on the Western Front
Viktor Prášil, Frank Kruse, Markus Stemler, Lars Ginzel and Stefan Korte

Avatar: The Way of Water
Julian Howarth, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Dick Bernstein, Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers and Michael Hedges

The Batman
Stuart Wilson, William Files, Douglas Murray and Andy Nelson

Elvis
David Lee, Wayne Pashley, Andy Nelson and Michael Keller

Top Gun: Maverick
Mark Weingarten, James H. Mather, Al Nelson, Chris Burdon and Mark Taylor

Visual Effects

All Quiet on the Western Front
Frank Petzold, Viktor Müller, Markus Frank and Kamil Jafar

Avatar: The Way of Water
Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett

The Batman
Dan Lemmon, Russell Earl, Anders Langlands and Dominic Tuohy

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Geoffrey Baumann, Craig Hammack, R. Christopher White and Dan Sudick

Top Gun: Maverick
Ryan Tudhope, Seth Hill, Bryan Litson and Scott R. Fisher

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

All Quiet on the Western Front
Screenplay by Edward Berger, Lesley Paterson & Ian Stokell

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Written by Rian Johnson

Living
Written by Kazuo Ishiguro

Top Gun: Maverick
Screenplay by Ehren Kruger and Eric Warren Singer and Christopher McQuarrie; Story by Peter Craig and Justin Marks

Women Talking
Screenplay by Sarah Polley

Writing (Original Screenplay)

The Banshees of Inisherin
Written by Martin McDonagh

Everything Everywhere All at Once
Written by Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert

The Fabelmans
Written by Steven Spielberg & Tony Kushner

Tár
Written by Todd Field

Triangle of Sadness
Written by Ruben Östlund

THE OSCARS SET TO AIR LIVE, MARCH 12, ON ABC

Top 10 Best Films of 2022

10. The Black Phone

At first glance, “The Black Phone” could come off as a “ripped from the headlines” Lifetime movie. In actuality, the film is a familiar story about a child kidnapper/serial killer that unfolds in a completely unnerving and original way! It also features an incredible and disturbingly eerie performance by Ethan Hawke.

9. I Want You Back

When I watched this film back in February, I knew it would be in my top 10. Not just because I love the genre, but because this one felt reminiscent of some of my favorite 90’s romcoms. The film follows Emma (Jenny Slate) and Peter (Charlie Day) after they have both been dumped by their significant others. They bond over their losses and decide to work together to get their exes back. “I Want You Back” has a refreshing and hilarious screenplay that shines even brighter through Slate and Day’s chemistry.

8. Hustle

Less is more when it comes to the brilliance that is “Hustle”. Adam Sandler plays a basketball scout whose goal is to become a coach. In the midst of that journey, he stumbles upon a talented baller in Spain. They connect as two underdogs trying to prove themselves worthy of coming out on top. This is just one of those movies that excels through incredible performances and it’s a feel-good story. It’s easily my favorite performance by Sandler to date. “Hustle” is the hidden gem of 2022 that I hope everyone was able to find.

7. The Woman King

Based on true events, “The Woman King” is the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s. The women are fierce warriors with unbelievable fighting skills. From its opening scene, the film hooks you in, and keeps you enthralled with exciting action sequences and a thrilling journey. It’s an inspiring and powerful movie.

6. Bros

Finally, a good romcom was shown in theaters this year! It’s crazy to think that “Bros” is the first romantic comedy about two men falling in love to be produced by a mainstream studio. It’s long overdue. But, if we had to wait this long, I’m glad we put it in the hands of Billy Eichner (Co-Writer) and Nick Stoller (Director/Co-Writer). In addition to the film’s historic romantic storyline, the movie also features and entirely LGBTQ+ cast. And it’s entertaining to watch some of those characters poke fun at their own current political identities. “Bros” goes beyond the surface level romcom with its conversation about the importance of LGBTQ+ historical figures.

5. Vengeance

B.J. Novak’s directorial debut is a dark comedy thriller about a podcaster who travels from New York to West Texas to investigate the death of a girl he was hooking up with. I may be bias, being from Texas, but anyone can relate to this story. It’s a hilarious satire about politics, media and technology. Novak is a tour de force, providing a sharp and witty script with a valuable message about how we “connect” with people. “Vengeance” is an original “whodunit” with a shocking and unforgettable ending.

4. Fresh

Mimi Cave’s debut feature goes from rom-com to a dark, provocative horror. Audiences may think they’ve seen this story before, but it hasn’t been told quite like this. For starters, the film features a Grade-A cast. Sebastian Stan’s character is unlike anything he’s played before. And Daisy Edgar-Jones gives an unforgettable performance, as she brings a whole new level to the “damsel turns badass” story arc. The film’s images range from picturesque to beautifully grotesque. “Fresh” delivers the whole package. It’s a deliciously, twisted horror/comedy that leaves you craving more.

3. The Menu

The best original screenplay award should go to “The Menu”. Talk about a brilliant script! This was one that audiences didn’t really know what they were walking into, but should have left very satisfied. In the film, a couple (Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult) travels to a coastal island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef (Ralph Fiennes) has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises. As the story unfolds, we find this is an exploration of the toxic relationship between art, artist and consumer. Are we still making the art that we were passionate about for ourselves or have we become sell outs? “The Menu” is a clever and delectable story.

2. The Batman

“The Batman” is one of the best Batman movies since “The Dark Knight”. I was hesitant when Robert Pattinson was cast, but he nails it with a brooding Bruce Wayne in his 20’s. The entire cast is fantastic, especially, the quick-witted Zoe Kravitz as probably the most realistic Cat woman, and a stunning, unrecognizable Colin Farrell as Penguin, and of course, a chilling Paul Dano as The Riddler. In this story, citizens know Batman’s name, but don’t quite know his full potential. However, when The Riddler, sadistically begins to murder key political figures and dirty cops in Gotham, Batman is pulled into the investigation to uncover the city’s hidden corruption and his family’s involvement. The film’s dark and gritty atmosphere paired with Matt Reeves’ alluring shots heightens the thrills and suspense during this enthralling murder mystery.

1. Top Gun: Maverick

My number one had to go to my favorite cinematic experience this year. This film had no business being as good as it was. But I am so happy to say it pulled off a sequel rarity in being better than the original. In “Top Gun: Maverick”, Pete Mitchell aka Maverick (Tom Cruise), has been serving as one the Navy’s top aviators for more than 30 years. He is ordered to return to “Top Gun” and instruct the new class of fighter pilots. Only problem, that class includes his late best friend, Goose’s son, Bradley (Miles Teller), who has unresolved issues with Maverick. What director Joseph Kosinski did here is no easy feat. He managed to take the good of the original film and elevate the story and special effects to new heights. The script is sharp, with a perfect combination of nostalgia and modern day. The acting is top notch, as these characters are portrayed with more emotion and vulnerability, and the flight sequences are heart pounding thrills.

The Rest of the Best:

11. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

12. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio

13. The Good Nurse

14. Women Talking

15. Bodies, Bodies, Bodies

16. Bullet Train

17. Everything Everywhere All at Once

18. The Whale

19. The Fabelmans

20. Senior Year

Top 5 Worst Films of 2022

5. Jurassic World: Dominon – You bring everyone back for a messy story about giant locusts?

4. Firestarter (2022) – Not even Zac Efron could make this reboot worth it.

3. They/Them – Such a great idea with poor delivery and some of the worst acting.

2. Pinocchio (2022) – A lazy remake with poor graphics and the most annoying Pinocchio.

1. Halloween Ends – I didn’t think it could get any worse than the last film, but then this monstrosity was made. Barely any Michael Myers and too much unwanted romance.

Trevor’s Top 10

10. Thor: Love and Thunder
9. The Black Phone
8. Fresh
7. Bullet Train
6. The Whale
5. Everything Everywhere All At Once
4. The Menu
3. Vengeance
2. The Batman
1. Top Gun: Maverick

DFW Film Critics Association 2022 Award Winners

SUMMARY OF AWARD WINNERS

2022 Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association

(Choices listed in order of votes received)

BEST PICTURE

Winner: EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE

Runners-up: THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN (2); THE FABELMANS (3); TAR (4); TOP GUN: MAVERICK (5); WOMEN TALKING (6); THE WHALE (7); GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO (8); BABYLON (9); THE WOMAN KING (10)

BEST ACTOR

Winner: Colin Farrell, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN

Runners-up: Brendan Fraser, THE WHALE (2); Austin Butler, ELVIS (3); Bill Nighy, LIVING (4); Tom Cruise, TOP GUN: MAVERICK (5)

BEST ACTRESS

Winner: Cate Blanchett, TAR

Runners-up: Michelle Yeoh, EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE (2); Michelle Williams, THE FABELMANS (3); Danielle Deadwyler, TILL (4); Viola Davis, THE WOMAN KING (5)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Winner: Ke Huy Quan, EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE

Runners-up: Brendan Gleeson, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN (2); Paul Dano, THE FABELMANS (3); Brian Tyree Henry, CAUSEWAY (4); Ben Whishaw, WOMEN TALKING (5)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Winner: Kerry Condon, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN

Runners-up: Hong Chau, THE WHALE (2); Angela Bassett, BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER (3); Jessie Buckley, WOMEN TALKING (4); Janelle Monae, GLASS ONION (5)

BEST DIRECTOR

Winner: Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE

Runners-up: Steven Spielberg, THE FABELMANS (2); Todd Field, TAR (3); Martin McDonagh, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN (4); Sarah Polley, WOMEN TALKING (5)

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

Winner: DECISION TO LEAVE

Runners-up: CLOSE (2); ARGENTINA 1985 (3); ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (4); EO (5)

BEST DOCUMENTARY

Winner: GOOD NIGHT OPPY

Runners-up: ALL THAT BREATHES (2); FIRE OF LOVE (3); MOONAGE DAYDREAM (4); BAD AXE (5)

BEST ANIMATED FILM

Winner: GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO

Runner-up: MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON

BEST SCREENPLAY

Winner: Martin McDonagh, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN

Runner-up: Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Winner: Russell Carpenter, AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER

Runner-up: Greig Fraser, THE BATMAN (tie); Claudio Miranda, TOP GUN: MAVERICK (tie)

BEST MUSICAL SCORE

Winner: Alexandre Desplat, GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO

Runner-up: John Williams, THE FABELMANS

RUSSELL SMITH AWARD (best low-budget or cutting-edge independent film)

Winner: EO

Review: “Top Gun: Maverick” & “Fire Island”

This week I review the highly anticipated sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick” and the perfect rom-com to kick-off Pride Month, “Fire Island”.

“Top Gun: Maverick” is currently playing in theaters and “Fire Island” will be available to stream on Hulu June 3, 2022.

Watch the full reviews in the video below!

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