Pablo Larraín Explains How he Mixed Angelina Jolie And Maria Callas Together
We know Angelina Jolie’s talents are vast. The Oscar-winner has been an action star, used her celebrity for significant humanitarian, causes, and directed $100 million dollar-grossing historical epics. We have no doubt she could sing in a movie musical, but…
Read more
Do Not Sleep On Marianne Jean-Baptiste’s Oscar-worthy Turn In ‘Hard Truths’
In a year of incredible performances, the work of one actress continues to be top of mind. Marianne Jean-Baptiste delivers the performance of her career in Mike Leigh’s “Hard Truths.” It’s a thunderbolt of emotion that is as subtle and…
Read more
Jon M. Chu On The Surprising Cameos That Are More Than Cameos
Jon M. Chu appears to have pulled off a rare feat. He’s shepherded a beloved Broadway stage musical to the screen in an adaptation that actually lives up to its predecessor. Judging by critical and public reaction on opening weekend,…
Read more
The Great Best Actress And Supporting Actress Oscars Gauntlet Of 2025
We are not exaggerating when we suggest the race for a Best Actress and, only to a minusculely lesser degree, a Supporting Actress nomination is at historically competitive levels. The most recent comparison we can give is the race for…
Read more
Timothee Chalamet And Monica Barbaro Strike An Oscars Chord
Eight years ago, less than two weeks after a shock election that saw he who will not be named on their way to the White House, 20th Century Fox held a screening of “Hidden Figures” on the Fox lot. The…
Read more
Ethan Slater And Marissa Bode Reflect On Their Wonderful Journey To ‘Wicked’
To be frank, when the interview confirmations came through we were a bit disappointed we didn’t get to speak to “Wicked” stars Cynthia Erivo or Ariana Grande. And we’re still scratching our heads as to why Jeff Goldblum and Michelle…
Read more
Conan O’Brien Is Your Surprise 2025 Oscars Host
Seemingly out of nowhere, Conan O’Brien is hosting the 97th Academy Awards. The announcement was made by ABC and The Academy early this morning, on a Friday, no less, with a subdued amount of fanfare. This will be O’Brien’s first…
Read more
‘Nosferatu’ Steps Out From The Oscars Shadows
[This edition of the Contender Countdown was originally published in The Breakdown newsletter on Monday, Nov 11. Get all of The Playlist’s Oscar rankings including Best Picture, Best Actress, and more in The Breakdown first. Subscribe here.] A week before…
Read more
Steve McQueen Reflects On The ‘Useful And Urgent’ Message Of ‘Blitz’
Steve McQueen will tell you the toughest part of making his new WW II period drama wasn’t the set pieces. It wasn’t the visual effects. It was finding “the love.” For the two-time Oscar winner, the most important part of…
Read more
‘The Room Next Door’ And ‘Emelia Perez’ Top 2024 European Film Awards Nominations
If you are curious as to what films Oscar voters overseas may be inclined to support, look no further than the nominees for the 37th European Film Awards. The European Film Academy revealed this year’s crop of honorees this morning…
Read more
How Will Sharpe Found A Complicated Character In ‘A Real Pain’
Here’s the thing. Will Sharpe has taste. He’s starred in Joe Barton‘s critically acclaimed series “Girl/Haji.” He wrote and directed the critically acclaimed HBO limited series “Landscapers,” and he earned an Emmy nomination for his role in the smash second…
Read more
Saoirse Ronan Sings In ‘Blitz’ But Wants Greta Gerwig To Direct Her In A Musical
This impressive Saoirse Ronan performance in Steve McQueen’s “Blitz” wasn’t supposed to happen. Her role as Rita, a young mother protecting her son George (newcomer Elliott Hefferman) during the Nazi bombing of London in World War II could have gone…
Read more