The 2020 Next Level Blockbuster Award Nominees

Best Picture

Avengers: Endgame
Dolemite Is My Name
Ford v Ferrari
The Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
Joker
Marriage Story
1917
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

Best Comedy Picture

Dolemite Is My Name
Fighting with My Family
Jojo Rabbit
Knives Out
Shazam!

Best Action Picture

Angel Has Fallen
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw
John Wick: Chapter 3 -Parabellum
Rambo: Last Blood
Spider-Man: Far From Home

Best Horror Picture

Annabelle Comes Home
Doctor Sleep
It Chapter Two
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
Us

Best Inspirational Picture

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Breakthrough
A Dog’s Journey
The Peanut Butter Falcon
The Upside

Best Drama Picture

Ford v Ferrari
The Irishman
Joker
1917
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Best Science Fiction Picture

Ad Astra
Avengers: Endgame
Captain Marvel
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
Terminator: Dark Fate

Best Live Action Family Picture

Aladdin
Dumbo
Jumanji: The Next Level
Pokémon Detective Pikachu
Togo

Best Animated Family Picture

Abominable
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
Klaus
The Lion King
Toy Story 4

Best Digital or Direct to Video Picture

Dolemite Is My Name
The Irishman
Marriage Story
Togo
The Two Popes

Best Sequel or Remake

Avengers: Endgame

John Wick: Chapter 3 -Parabellum

The Lion King

Spider-Man: Far From Home

Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

Best Short Format Film
Battle at Big Rock
Hair Love
How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming
Kitbull
Rocko’s Modern Life: Static Cling

Best Actor

Daniel Craig
Knives Out

Matt Damon
Ford v Ferrari

Robert De Niro
The Irishman

Leonardo DiCaprio
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Robert Downey Jr.
Avengers: Endgame

Adam Driver
Marriage Story

Taron Egerton
Rocketman

Chris Evans
Avengers: Endgame

Eddie Murphy
Dolemite Is My Name

Joaquin Phoenix
Joker

Best Actress

Awkwafina
The Farewell

Ana de Armas
Knives Out

Cynthia Erivo
Harriet

Scarlett Johansson
Marriage Story

Brie Larson
Captain Marvel

Chrissy Metz
Breakthrough

Lupita Nyong’o
Us

Florence Pugh
Fighting with My Family

Daisy Ridley
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

Renee Zellweger
Judy

Best Supporting Actress

Kathy Bates
The Highwaymen

Frances Conroy
Joker

Laura Dern
Marriage Story

Carrie Fisher
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

Linda Hamilton
Terminator: Dark Fate

Lena Headey
Fighting with My Family

Scarlett Johansson
Jojo Rabbit

Dakota Johnson
The Peanut Butter Falcon

Da’Vine Joy Randolph
Dolemite Is My Name

Margot Robbie
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Best Supporting Actor

Christian Bale
Ford v Ferrari

Bryan Cranston
The Upside

Willem Dafoe
The Lighthouse

Tom Hanks
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Chris Hemsworth
Avengers: Endgame

Anthony Hopkins
The Two Popes

Al Pacino
The Irishman

Joe Pesci
The Irishman

Brad Pitt
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Wesley Snipes
Dolemite Is My Name

Best Voice Actor or Actress

Donald Glover
The Lion King

Tom Hanks
Toy Story 4

Hugh Jackman
Missing Link

Idina Menzel
Frozen II

Ryan Reynolds
Pokémon Detective Pikachu

Best Ensemble

Avengers: Endgame
The Irishman
It Chapter Two
Knives Out
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

Best Director

J.J. Abrams
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

Noah Baumbach
Marriage Story

James Mangold
Ford v Ferrari

Sam Mendes
1917

Jordan Peele
Us

Todd Phillips
Joker

Anthony and Joe Russo
Avengers: Endgame

Martin Scorsese
The Irishman

Quentin Tarantino
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Taika Waititi
Jojo Rabbit

Best Adapted Screenplay

Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely
Avengers: Endgame

Steven Zaillian
The Irishman

Taika Waititi
Jojo Rabbit

Todd Phillips and Scott Silver
Joker

Stephany Folsom and Andrew Stanton
Toy Story 4

Best Original Screenplay

Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth
and Jason Keller
Ford v Ferrari

Rian Johnson
Knives Out

Noah Baumbach
Marriage Story

Quentin Tarantino
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Jordan Peele
Us

Best Original Music

Alan Silvestri

Avengers: Endgame

Hildur Guðnadótti

Joker

Randy Newman

Marriage Story

Daniel Pemberton

Motherless Brooklyn

John Williams

Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

Best Original Song

“Catchy Song” performed by T-Pain
and That Girl Lay Lay

from the motion picture “The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part”

“I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away” performed by Randy Newman

from the motion picture “Toy Story 4”

“(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” performed by Elton John and Taron Egerton

from the motion picture “Rocketman”

“Into the Unknown” performed by Panic! At The Disco
from the motion picture “Frozen II”

“Speechless” performed by Naomi Scott
from the motion picture “Aladdin”

Best Casting

Fighting with My Family

It Chapter Two

Joker

1917

Shazam!

Best Production Design

Avengers: Endgame
Jojo Rabbit
Joker
Knives Out
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

Best Cinematography

Ford v Ferrari
Joker
Knives Out
The Lighthouse
1917

Best Costume Design

Avengers: Endgame
Joker
1917
Rocketman
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

Best 3D Presentation

The Addams Family
Alita: Battle Angel
Avengers: Endgame
Shazam!
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

Best Film Editing

Avengers: Endgame
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Ford v Ferrari
Joker
Knives Out

Best Sound Editing

Avengers: Endgame

Ford v Ferrari

1917

Rocketman
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

Best Sound Mixing

Avengers: Endgame
Ford v Ferrari
Godzilla: King of the Monsters
1917
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

Best Special Effects

Alita: Battle Angel
Avengers: Endgame
Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Pokémon Detective Pikachu
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

Best Makeup Effects

Hellboy
Joker
Judy
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

Best Stunt Work

Angel Has Fallen
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw
John Wick: Chapter 3 -Parabellum
Rambo: Last Blood
Terminator: Dark Fate

 Best Home Video Release

Alita: Battle Angel 4K/3D Blu-ray
Aquaman 3D Blu-ray
Avengers: Endgame 4K Blu-ray
Batman Beyond: The Complete Animated Series Deluxe Limited Edition Blu-ray Set
Godzilla: The Showa Era Films 1954-1975 The Criterion Collection Blu-ray Set
The House of Hitchcock Collection Blu-ray Set
Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Gauntlet-Season 12 Blu-ray Set
Scarface Limited Gold Edition 4K Blu-ray
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!: The Complete Series Blu-ray Set
Ultraman: The Complete Series Blu-ray Set

Next Level Blockbuster Icon Award

Lucille Ball
Carrie Fisher
Cary Grant
Alfred Hitchcock
Howard Hughes
John Hughes
Stanley Kubrick
Stan Lee
Leonard Nimoy
Robin Williams

Next Level Blockbuster Legacy Award
Back to the Future
Batman
Platoon
Rocky
The Shawshank Redemption
The Shining
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Terminator 2: Judgement Day
The Wizard of Oz

“1917” Movie Review

    War, what is it good for?  If your answer was anything but “absolutely nothing”, shame on you for not respecting the lyrics of the hit song by the band War.  The same can’t be said for films focusing on war however.  War films, if done well, have a way of showcasing the brutality of battle and depicting the physical and mental strain it puts on soldiers.  It also has a way making us reflect on the human cost of war.  Unfortunately for many people, war is an inescapable reality.  Does the new film “1917” reach the high bar already set by such war classics as “Platoon” or “Saving Private Ryan”?

    Set during the Great War (World War I), Corporals Blake and Schofield are tasked with crossing the German trenches to deliver a message of vital importance to Colonel Mackenzie.  Mackenzie is about to lead an attack which would jeopardize the lives of thousands of men, including Blake’s brother.  The men risk their lives to reach Colonel Mackenzie in time before his troops are massacred in a tactical German trap.

    Much of the success of “1917”, from a storytelling point of view, is it’s rather simplistic plot which allows us to grow attached to the men as they make their way across no man’s land.  A lot of the best war movies put a focus on the soldiers over the grander battle.  We should care about these men’s lives, not find war to be visually appealing.  What happens to the two leads sticks with you throughout the film and you find yourself rooting for them to just survive.

    The lighting and cinematography overall for this film was breathtaking.  The way the shadows fell on every frame was mesmerizing.  It’s amazing how organic they managed to make it seem as well.  “1917” and “Joker” are going to be the films to beat in the Oscar’s best cinematography category this year.

     Director Sam Mendes has made a stunning film depicting the lives of soldiers fighting in World War 1 loosely based on a story his grandfather shared with him.  Mendes once again delivers a unique movie going experience by telling “1917” through one long continuous shot (or at least the illusion of one).  To be completely honest, I didn’t even notice it in the theater since I was so engrossed with story.  Now, it gives me an excellent excuse to revisit this film just to soak up Mendes’ filmmaking techniques.

    Using two relative unknown actors also helped make the film feel ‘real’, never was I distracted by movie stars in this film.  This isn’t to say the film was without star power at all.  Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Richard Madden all appeared in the film, but they were minor roles that didn’t last long enough to pull you out of the movie.

    “1917” is definitely one of the most unique war movies ever made and one of the best films of 2019.  “1917” is a film best scene on the big screen but important to see regardless how you see it.

Grade: B+

“Spies in Disguise” Movie Review

    Now that awards season is upon us, I wanted to check out the Oscar nominated war film “1917” since it is now in wide release.  As much as I enjoy films with heavy subject matters, sometimes a more simplistic is just what the doctor ordered however.  So, “1917” will have to wait because “Spies in Disguise” looked like just the humorous pick me up I was looking for after a hard week at work.

    The film follows Lance Sterling, the most daring spy on the planet, on a mission to recover an attack drone from being sold to known terrorist Killian.  Upon arriving back from what he thinks was a successful mission, Lance fires Walter Beckett for supplying him with unwanted safe technology.  During his debriefing, it is revealed that Lance’s mission wasn’t the success he thought it was and he is now on the run.  With no one in the agency he can turn to, Lance tracks down Walter for help to clear his name.  Unfortunately for Lance, it will require him to go undercover...as a pigeon.

    Now this movie definitely isn’t going to be considered a masterpiece by any means but I did think it was really cute and humorous.  Animation studio Blu Sky is rather hit or miss in my book but this was one of their better films in my opinion.  There were more than a few instances where I literally laughed out loud.  Most comedy films recently have not had that effect on me.

     The voice cast is top notch and really brings to life their respective characters.  Will Smith is charming as ever as Lance Sterling.  Tom Holland brings some of his Spider-Man charisma (and an American accent once again) to the voice of Walter Beckett.  The rest of the voice cast is made up of very recognizable voices including Ben Mendelsohn, Rashida Jones, DJ Khaled, and Reba McEntire.

    This is the first Blue Sky Studios production released by Disney after they took over 20th Century Fox and it is pretty clear Disney does not prioritize the animated studio.  I wonder if Blue Sky Studios will remain a production company or if it will be viewed as Disney competing with itself and slowly phased out.

    “Spies in Disguise” is a humorous kid’s movie with plenty of humor for adults as well.  It’s a shame the movie hasn’t performed better in the box office because I would actually be interested in seeing this property turned into a franchise.  As it stands, the movie is an overall winner in my book.

Grade: B