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As the afternoons grow darker, we dig out our woolen gloves and scarves from the cupboards. The streets are illuminated with neon Santas and people are searching for mulled wine recipes on Google. This means it’s time for me to share my “Braddies” movie awards, a list of my personal favorite films from the year (different from the film section’s official best-of-year list).
This indicates the top 10 lists for movies, directors, actors and supporting actors, best actresses and supporting actresses, directorial debuts, cinematographers, screenplays, and films that are most likely to be ignored by the mainstream media catering to baby boomers.
This year in Britain, we observed the unexpected trend of #Barbenheimer. It started as a joke on social media, but ended up drawing in crowds. Viewers flocked to see Christopher Nolan’s intense film about the A-bomb, Oppenheimer, and Greta Gerwig’s comedic Barbie movie – often in that order, with Barbie as a lighter follow-up after Nolan’s heavy main course. These two films significantly increased ticket sales in UK cinemas and suggested that audiences were becoming fatigued with superhero movies and seeking fresh narratives from innovative creators.
The movie industry had its fair share of heated debates and editorial disagreements. Some people were not impressed by Ridley Scott’s impressive film, “Napoleon,” which starred Joaquin Phoenix. In interviews, Sir Ridley provocatively provoked historians, causing them to react strongly. I must admit, this film took some liberties with historical accuracy, but it made up for it with its thrilling action, dynamic energy, lively spirit, and audacious flair. It was far from being dull enough to be considered respectable.
However, there was a more complex argument surrounding a film on social media: the discussion surrounding Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Saltburn, a modern take on Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead with elements of Patricia Highsmith’s Ripley. I personally wasn’t entirely sold on this film, but what caught my attention were the poorly executed attacks and criticisms aimed at Fennell’s affluent background. It seemed that her critics were either ignoring or unaware of the numerous privileged men in the industry. It is true that Emerald Fennell comes from a privileged background, but so did Visconti.
In the past year, there were strikes led by Hollywood actors and writers, which involved actual industrial action. This is not a common topic portrayed in Hollywood movies, and when it is, it is usually shown as something ineffective or compromised. Surprisingly, these strikes were portrayed sympathetically in the media, unlike most other types of strikes. The Writers Guild of America went on strike from May to September, and the Sag-Aftra union, representing actors, went on strike from July to September. Ultimately, they were successful in negotiating a deal that included residual payments from streaming services and limitations on artificial intelligence. This is something that British writers and actors, without the same level of bargaining power, can only admire. The aftermath of the strike was captured in many Instagram photos with the hashtags #nofilter and #nomakeup, featuring smiling stars holding protest signs.
However, a character reminiscent of a villain in a pantomime play emerged from the Hollywood film industry this year. He was a despicable antagonist, known in American wrestling as a “heel”, and was met with boos from all those involved in the business. This “heel” was none other than Mr. David Zaslav, the newly appointed CEO of Warner Bros Discovery. Initially praised for his plans to shift away from releasing films directly to streaming services, Mr. Zaslav’s reputation quickly took a hit. The industry rejoiced when he announced his commitment to showing films in traditional movie theaters. However, their excitement quickly turned to disappointment when it became evident that Mr. Zaslav was more concerned with saving money than honoring his promise. He attempted to take a tax write-down on a completed movie, Batgirl, which meant that all the hard work put into it by countless creative professionals would go to waste. To make matters worse, he tried the same tactic with another film, Coyote vs Acme, a Looney Tunes comedy that was also met with backlash from the industry. Eventually, Mr. Zaslav backed down and offered Coyote vs Acme to other distributors, but he still maintained that his actions were “courageous”. The message was clear: do not underestimate the value of hard work put in by creative individuals. It was a valuable lesson to end on.
Best film
The Eight Mountains
Godland
Past Lives
Killers of the Flower Moon
Wonka
Reality
The Fabelmans
Oppenheimer
Bottoms
Napoleon
Best director
Christopher Nolan for Oppenheimer
Martin Scorsese directed “Killers of the Flower Moon”.
Justine Triet for Anatomy of a Fall
Celine Song for Past Lives
Lukas Dhont nominated for the Close category.
Ken Loach for The Old Oak
Aki Kaurismäki’s film “Fallen Leaves”
Carol Morley for Typist Artist Pirate King
Todd Haynes for May December
Molly Manning Walker for How to Have Sex
Best actress
Margot Robbie for Barbie
Sydney Sweeney for Reality
Aline Küppenheim for Chile ’76
Glenda Jackson for The Great Escaper
Danielle Deadwyler for Till
Greta Lee is being considered for the role of Past Lives.
Monica Dolan is known as a skilled typist, artist, and pirate king.
Mia McKenna-Bruce for How to Have Sex
Cate Blanchett for Tár
Lily Gladstone is starring in the film adaptation of “Killers of the Flower Moon”.
Lily Gladstone has been cast as the lead in the movie version of “Killers of the Flower Moon”.
Best actor
Cillian Murphy is cast as Oppenheimer.
Bradley Cooper for Maestro
Tom Cruise for Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Teo Yoo starring in Past Lives.
Reworded: The Killer starring Michael Fassbender
Michael Caine for The Great Escaper
Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon
Nicolas Cage for Dream Scenario
Nathan Stewart-Jarrett is representing the feminine population.
Femme’s choice is George MacKay.
Best supporting actress
Rosamund Pike has been selected as the representative for Saltburn.
The ancient city of Ebla Mari, known for its iconic Old Oak tree.
Cara Jade Myers for Killers of the Flower Moon
The Fabelmans starring Michelle Williams
Maestro starring Carey Mulligan
Oppenheimer’s choice to cast Emily Blunt
Vic Carmen Stone is selected as the Godland representative.
Aicha Tebbae is the author of The Damned Don’t Cry.
Jessica Clement is responsible for the Dream Scenario project.
Danielle Vitalis for The Great Escaper
Best supporting actor
Hugh Grant as Wonka
Ryan Gosling for Barbie
Aidan Gillen for Dance First
Robert De Niro is set to star in the upcoming film “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
Emeka Amakeze for Mami Wata
John Magaro has been cast in the film Past Lives.
One Fine Morning stars Pascal Greggory.
Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson for Godland
Sebastian Stan is starring in the film “Sharper.”
Ali Junejo for Joyland
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Best cinematographer
Maria von Hausswolff for Godland
Lílis Soares for Mami Wata
Andrew Dunn is the author of The Book Club: The Next Chapter.
Timo Salminen for Fallen Leaves
Matthew Libatique for Maestro
Erik Messerschmidt for The Killer
Aaron McLisky for Talk to Me
Linus Sandgren for Saltburn
Ruben Impens worked on the film “The Eight Mountains.”
Artur Tort is the creator of Pacifiction.
Best documentary
20 Days in Mariupol
I am Alfred Hitchcock.
Town of Strangers
Manipulated: Control through Sex, Cameras, and Power
Squaring the Circle
On the Adamant
Reworded: The Beauty and Violence
Anselm
Tish
“Diary of a Siege” in Little Palestine
Best debut
Earth Mama’s Savanah Leaf
Molly Manning Walker for How to Have Sex
Rewording: Cecile’s Song about Previous Experiences
Sam H Freeman and Ng Choon Ping collaborated on a project for Femme.
Revised:
Charlotte Regan is a scrapper.
Danny and Michael Philippou for their Talk to Me project.
Dina Amer for You Resemble Me
Lola Quivoron for Rodeo
Mary Nighy for Alice, Darling
Nida Manzoor for Polite Society
Best screenplay
Eric Roth and Martin Scorsese collaborated on “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
Emma Seligman and Rachel Sennott are the creators of Bottoms.
Danny Philippou, Bill Hinzman and Daley Pearson for Talk to Me
Rewording: “Past Lives” by Celine Song
Carolina Cavalli and Babak Jalali for Fremont
Joanna Hogg for The Eternal Daughter
Objects
Reworded: Sharper Objects was created by Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka.
Christopher Nolan, Kai Bird, and Martin Sherwin were recognized for their work on Oppenheimer.
The Beasts, directed by Isabel Peña and Rodrigo Sorogoyen.
Laura Citarella and Laura Paredes for Trenque Lauquen Parts 1 & 2
Most likely to be ignored by the mainstream media dominated by baby boomers.
My father is dearly loved by me.
Source: theguardian.com
