Sonny, I read recently folks talking about boycotting “Melania” which opens this weekend. This article says the “documentary” needs to make only $5 million: “Melania Trump Documentary Box Office: Will It Work?” Source: The Hollywood Reporter
I haven’t seen it so I can’t critique it. Most documentaries are boycotted anyway in the sense that no one goes to see documentaries. But this one needs to make a lot more than $5M to hit breakeven, I can tell you that much.
I agree with much of your assessment, especially for Sinners. I'm really hoping it wins. It was my favorite movie of the year. Labeling it a "vampire" movie as some have done is simplistic. There is so much to this movie. My second favorite movie didn't make this list, but I hope it wins International feature: Sirat!! Everyone should see it. It's great. I will keep an eye on the director's future work. So much better than The Secret Agent (too long and sort of pointless) and Sentimental Value (boring and sort of basic but with good acting).
One Battle After Another is the only one I've seen. It was good, but I doubt it's the really the best picture. DiCaprio's character was an idiot. Benicio was terrific.
Sonny, I’ll be interested in your assessment of The Secret Agent. I couldn’t help but compare it to I’m Still Here, the superb 2024 film which also is set during the Brazilian dictatorship. I found The Secret Agent bloated and poorly constructed. Somewhere in this long film there was a good story—if only it had been more tightly written and edited.
Thank you for this rundown of the Oscar noms. But I have to say, I have not yet seen any of them. I really want to watch "One Battle After Another" and "Sinners" (love the concept of history, The Blues and Vampires) but both seem long for movies and by the time I am ready to watch normal media, it is always too late, the gummy is kicking in, or I just know I will be sawing logs before the second act. I'm hoping to be able to one day soon find time during a weekend day to pull myself away from the horror theater that is our current reality to actually make the time to watch these both from start to finish as whey were meant to be watched.
I couldn’t possibly choose between Sinners and One Battle After Another, they’re both excellent and not really comparable. I do think Sean Penn has a good chance at best supporting actor.
I was disappointed that Russell Crowe wasn’t nominated for Nuremberg. I saw it at a theater that’s suffered through some hard times so I didn’t get the best technological experience, but it still seemed that Crowe delivered when the movie didn’t. The movie itself was over the top too often, failing to connect plot points satisfactorily (I thought) which might have been the reason it was ignored by the Academy. But Crowe played Goring beautifully, hiding the evil until he found goodness wasn’t working anymore. Apparently I’m in the minority.
Marty Supreme was the best film of the year, probably of the decade. I'm sort of shocked that Eddington got no nominations. And I feel like Sinners is going to take it from one battle after another for precisely the backlash flip that you describe in the article.
I loved Train Dreams, and have recommended it to many. After watching it, I found your review. It was very helpful to me, putting into words a description of the movie that I felt, but couldn't have described with such clarity. Thanks for that.
Sonny, I read recently folks talking about boycotting “Melania” which opens this weekend. This article says the “documentary” needs to make only $5 million: “Melania Trump Documentary Box Office: Will It Work?” Source: The Hollywood Reporter
https://share.google/0B3D2ylUGbUWcDYwW. Perhaps this would be a timely critique or did I miss it?
I haven’t seen it so I can’t critique it. Most documentaries are boycotted anyway in the sense that no one goes to see documentaries. But this one needs to make a lot more than $5M to hit breakeven, I can tell you that much.
Thanks Sonny! I enjoy really your work.
Jack O’Connell should have to sing “The Rocky Road to Dublin” in every movie he’s in (and maybe also speak Chinese).
I can tell you in two words why “One Battle After Another” will win Best Picture: Mexican hairless!
I agree with much of your assessment, especially for Sinners. I'm really hoping it wins. It was my favorite movie of the year. Labeling it a "vampire" movie as some have done is simplistic. There is so much to this movie. My second favorite movie didn't make this list, but I hope it wins International feature: Sirat!! Everyone should see it. It's great. I will keep an eye on the director's future work. So much better than The Secret Agent (too long and sort of pointless) and Sentimental Value (boring and sort of basic but with good acting).
I think calling Eddington best picture cost u that sticker.
One Battle After Another is the only one I've seen. It was good, but I doubt it's the really the best picture. DiCaprio's character was an idiot. Benicio was terrific.
Thanks, I will look for the others.
I thought your review of Wicked for Good was a little harsh at the time but Sonny is Always Right!
“Sonny Is Always Right” stickers seem to be... sold out?
We can’t even keep them in stock! Everyone wants one!
Sonny, I’ll be interested in your assessment of The Secret Agent. I couldn’t help but compare it to I’m Still Here, the superb 2024 film which also is set during the Brazilian dictatorship. I found The Secret Agent bloated and poorly constructed. Somewhere in this long film there was a good story—if only it had been more tightly written and edited.
We should have that sticker! It is very on brand!
Thank you for this rundown of the Oscar noms. But I have to say, I have not yet seen any of them. I really want to watch "One Battle After Another" and "Sinners" (love the concept of history, The Blues and Vampires) but both seem long for movies and by the time I am ready to watch normal media, it is always too late, the gummy is kicking in, or I just know I will be sawing logs before the second act. I'm hoping to be able to one day soon find time during a weekend day to pull myself away from the horror theater that is our current reality to actually make the time to watch these both from start to finish as whey were meant to be watched.
I am so pleased that I am not alone thinking The Chair Company is fantastic.
I couldn’t possibly choose between Sinners and One Battle After Another, they’re both excellent and not really comparable. I do think Sean Penn has a good chance at best supporting actor.
I was disappointed that Russell Crowe wasn’t nominated for Nuremberg. I saw it at a theater that’s suffered through some hard times so I didn’t get the best technological experience, but it still seemed that Crowe delivered when the movie didn’t. The movie itself was over the top too often, failing to connect plot points satisfactorily (I thought) which might have been the reason it was ignored by the Academy. But Crowe played Goring beautifully, hiding the evil until he found goodness wasn’t working anymore. Apparently I’m in the minority.
Marty Supreme was the best film of the year, probably of the decade. I'm sort of shocked that Eddington got no nominations. And I feel like Sinners is going to take it from one battle after another for precisely the backlash flip that you describe in the article.
Covid is too divisive, people still cannot process it.
Sonny,
I loved Train Dreams, and have recommended it to many. After watching it, I found your review. It was very helpful to me, putting into words a description of the movie that I felt, but couldn't have described with such clarity. Thanks for that.
oh that's great to hear, glad I could help!