Can 1917 Shake Up The 2020 Oscars?

Awards season is in full swing. With just over two months before Oscar nominations, most of the potential nominees have been released in theaters, premiered at festivals, or at the very least, been screened by critics. However, there’s still one film on the horizon that hasn’t been seen by most. It’s this year’s “ace-in-the-hole” and it should be on everyone’s watchlist. That film is 1917.

1917 tells the story of two young British soldiers (George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman) who are given a seemingly impossible task during the height of World War I during Spring 1917 in northern France. The soldiers must deliver a message in enemy territory that will stop 1,600 men, including one of the soldier’s brothers, from walking into a deadly trap.

1917 is no ordinary war epic. Director Sam Mendes imagined and eventually directed the film as one continuous shot, meaning that the film will feel like a few long takes with choreographed moving camera shots. The idea behind the one-shot technique heightens the race against time as well as immerse the audience with the two young soldiers throughout the entire film. Cinematographer Roger Deakins, who worked on the film, worried that the one-shot approach was a “gimmick” at first, but he later said, “It’s a way to get sucked into the story.”

1917 is full of speculation in the film community because hardly anyone has seen it. The majority of critics have not seen this film and most likely won’t see it until the end of November. The film will have its world premiere on December 4 at a UK Royal Charity event. However, back in September, there were reports about a test screening with enthusiastic and positive reactions, with one source comparing it to Saving Private Ryan.

If the test screening reactions are a sign of what’s to come, 1917 could end up being the film that shakes up the 2020 Oscars. Right now, most critics have Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, The Irishman, and Marriage Story as the leaders of the pack this awards season. However, with strong reviews and a successful run at the box office, 1917 could catapult to the top of the Best Picture hopefuls.

First of all, the Academy loves war movies. Giant set pieces, elaborate battle sequences, and elegant costumes are right up the Academy’s alley. Out of 91 ceremonies, 16 films set against the backdrop of war have won Best Picture at the Oscars. Casablanca, Patton, Platoon, Braveheart, and The Hurt Locker are some of the war films that have won Best Picture. That list doesn’t include previously nominated war movies that didn’t win like Saving Private Ryan, War Horse, and Dunkirk.

The Academy also loves familiarity and rewarding previously nominated filmmakers and actors. Mendes directed American Beauty, which won five Oscars including Best Director and Best Picture. Deakins is a living legend and one of the most heralded cinematographers ever. Deakins has received fourteen nominations (!) for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography, winning once for Blade Runner 2049. Plus, the cast includes Golden Globe and Oscar nominees and winners such as Richard Madden, Colin Firth, and Benedict Cumberbatch.

1917 has all the ingredients of an Oscar-nominated film. I don’t see a world where 1917 isn’t nominated for Best Picture. 1917 should be nominated (and win) for Best Cinematography. Plus, it should clean up in all of the technical categories (film editing, sound editing, etc.) and there’s a chance that Mendes could pick up a nomination for Best Director.

Let the 1917 Oscar campaign begin.

Will 1917 be a force at the 2020 Oscars? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow, or email us immad@unafraidshow.com.

2020 Golden Globes Predictions: Who Should Win And Who Will Win

Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood

Welcome to one of the best days of the year. Two wildcard football games during the day and the Golden Globes at night is my idea of a perfect day. Like most years, the Golden Globes are very difficult to predict and the 2020 ceremony is no different. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) loves star power and I don’t blame them whatsoever. You’d be hard-pressed to find something cooler than Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, and Quentin Tarantino being “stars” at their table. That being said, trying to decipher where the HFPA stands on each performance is a challenge because I have no idea who is in the HFPA. Plus, it’s the first major awards show of the year so it sets the tone for the shows in the coming weeks.

Here are my biggest questions/storylines going into the ceremony:

  1. The Irishman, Marriage Story, or Once Upon a Time in Hollywood are the top dogs. Will they each take home a few wins and split up the vote?
  2. USUALLY, the winner of Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy wins at least one other award. It doesn’t happen all the time, but it’s something to keep in mind when determining predictions.
  3. Hardest categories to predict: Best Actor – Drama, Best Director, Best Orginal Score, and Best Screenplay.
  4. Television is a lot harder to predict.
  5. Will Fleabag dominate as it did at the Emmys?
  6. Upsets of the night: The Morning Show wins Best Television Series – Drama and Sacha Baron Cohen wins Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film.

Here are my predictions for the 2020 Golden Globes.

Joker Movie Joaquin Phoenix

2020 GOLDEN GLOBES – FILM

BEST MOTION PICTURE — DRAMA

  • 1917
  • The Irishman
  • Joker
  • Marriage Story
  • The Two Popes

Who Should Win: 1917
Who Will Win:
The Irishman

BEST MOTION PICTURE — MUSICAL or COMEDY

  • Dolemite Is My Name
  • Jojo Rabbit
  • Knives Out
  • Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
  • Rocketman

Who Should Win: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Who Will Win:
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

BEST ACTOR – DRAMA

  • Christian Bale – Ford v Ferrari as Ken Miles
  • Antonio Banderas – Pain and Glory as Salvador Mallo
  • Adam Driver – Marriage Story as Charlie Barber
  • Joaquin Phoenix – Joker as Arthur Fleck / Joker
  • Jonathan Pryce – The Two Popes as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio

Who Should Win: Adam Driver – Marriage Story as Charlie Barber
Who Will Win:
Joaquin Phoenix – Joker as Arthur Fleck / Joker

BEST ACTRESS – DRAMA

  • Cynthia Erivo – Harriet as Harriet Tubman
  • Scarlett Johansson – Marriage Story as Nicole Barber
  • Saoirse Ronan – Little Women as Josephine “Jo” March
  • Charlize Theron – Bombshell as Megyn Kelly
  • Renée Zellweger – Judy as Judy Garland

Who Should Win: Saoirse Ronan – Little Women as Josephine “Jo” March
Who Will Win:
Renée Zellweger – Judy as Judy Garland

BEST ACTOR – COMEDY/MUSICAL

  • Daniel Craig – Knives Out as Benoit Blanc
  • Roman Griffin Davis – Jojo Rabbit as Jojo Betzler
  • Leonardo DiCaprio – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as Rick Dalton
  • Taron Egerton – Rocketman as Elton John
  • Eddie Murphy – Dolemite Is My Name as Rudy Ray Moore

Who Should Win: Leonardo DiCaprio – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as Rick Dalton
Who Will Win:
Eddie Murphy – Dolemite Is My Name as Rudy Ray Moore

BEST ACTRESS – COMEDY/MUSICAL

  • Ana de Armas – Knives Out as Marta Cabrera
  • Awkwafina – The Farewell as Billi Wang
  • Cate Blanchett – Where’d You Go, Bernadette as Bernadette Fox
  • Beanie Feldstein – Booksmart as Molly Davidson
  • Emma Thompson – Late Night as Katherine Newbury

Who Should Win: Ana de Armas – Knives Out as Marta Cabrera
Who Will Win:
Awkwafina – The Farewell as Billi Wang

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

  • Tom Hanks – A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood as Fred Rogers
  • Anthony Hopkins – The Two Popes as Pope Benedict XVI
  • Al Pacino – The Irishman as Jimmy Hoffa
  • Joe Pesci – The Irishman as Russell Bufalino
  • Brad Pitt – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as Cliff Booth

Who Should Win: Brad Pitt – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as Cliff Booth
Who Will Win:
Brad Pitt – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as Cliff Booth

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

  • Kathy Bates – Richard Jewell as Barbara “Bobi” Jewell
  • Annette Bening – The Report as Dianne Feinstein
  • Laura Dern – Marriage Story as Nora Fanshaw
  • Jennifer Lopez – Hustlers as Ramona Vega
  • Margot Robbie – Bombshell as Kayla Pospisil

Who Should Win: Jennifer Lopez – Hustlers as Ramona Vega
Who Will Win:
Jennifer Lopez – Hustlers as Ramona Vega

BEST DIRECTOR

  • Bong Joon-ho – Parasite
  • Sam Mendes – 1917
  • Todd Phillips – Joker
  • Martin Scorsese – The Irishman
  • Quentin Tarantino – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Who Should Win: Bong Joon-ho – Parasite / Sam Mendes – 1917
Who Will Win:
Bong Joon-ho – Parasite

BEST SCREENPLAY

  • Noah Baumbach – Marriage Story
  • Bong Joon-ho and Han Jin-won – Parasite
  • Anthony McCarten – The Two Popes
  • Quentin Tarantino – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
  • Steven Zaillian – The Irishman

Who Should Win: Bong Joon-ho and Han Jin-won – Parasite
Who Will Win:
Noah Baumbach – Marriage Story

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

  • “Beautiful Ghosts” (Taylor Swift, Andrew Lloyd Webber) – Cats
  • “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) – Rocketman
  • “Into the Unknown” (Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez) – Frozen II
  • “Spirit” (Beyoncé, Timothy McKenzie, Ilya Salmanzadeh) – The Lion King
  • “Stand Up” (Joshuah Brian Campbell, Cynthia Erivo) – Harriet

Who Should Win: “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) – Rocketman
Who Will Win:
“(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) – Rocketman

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

  • Alexandre Desplat – Little Women
  • Hildur Guðnadóttir – Joker
  • Randy Newman – Marriage Story
  • Thomas Newman – 1917
  • Daniel Pemberton – Motherless Brooklyn

Who Should Win: Thomas Newman – 1917
Who Will Win:
Randy Newman – Marriage Story

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

  • The Farewell (USA)
  • Les Misérables (France)
  • Pain and Glory (Spain)
  • Parasite (South Korea)
  • Portrait of a Lady on Fire (France)

Who Should Win: Parasite (South Korea)
Who Will Win:
Parasite (South Korea)

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

  • Frozen II
  • How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
  • The Lion King
  • Missing Link
  • Toy Story 4

Who Should Win: Toy Story 4
Who Will Win:
Toy Story 4

Merritt Wever and Toni Collette in Unbelievable
Merritt Wever and Toni Collette in Unbelievable / Netflix

2020 GOLDEN GLOBES – TELEVISION

BEST TELEVISION SERIES — DRAMA

  • Big Little Lies
  • The Crown
  • Killing Eve
  • The Morning Show
  • Succession

Who Should Win: Succession
Who Will Win:
The Morning Show

BEST TELEVISION SERIES — MUSICAL or COMEDY

  • Barry
  • Fleabag
  • The Kominsky Method
  • The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
  • The Politician

Who Should Win: Fleabag
Who Will Win:
Fleabag

BEST TELEVISION LIMITED SERIES or MOVIE

  • Catch-22
  • Chernobyl
  • Fosse/Verdon
  • The Loudest Voice
  • Unbelievable

Who Should Win: Chernobyl / Unbelievable
Who Will Win:
Chernobyl

LEAD ACTOR IN A TELEVISION DRAMA

  • Brian Cox – Succession as Logan Roy
  • Kit Harington – Game of Thrones as Jon Snow
  • Rami Malek – Mr. Robot as Elliot Alderson
  • Tobias Menzies – The Crown as Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
  • Billy Porter – Pose as Pray Tell

Who Should Win: Rami Malek – Mr. Robot as Elliot Alderson
Who Will Win:
Brian Cox – Succession as Logan Roy

LEAD ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION DRAMA

  • Jennifer Aniston – The Morning Show as Alex Levy
  • Olivia Colman – The Crown as Queen Elizabeth II
  • Jodie Comer – Killing Eve as Oksana Astankova / Villanelle
  • Nicole Kidman – Big Little Lies as Celeste Wright
  • Reese Witherspoon – The Morning Show as Bradley Jackson

Who Should Win: Jodie Comer – Killing Eve as Oksana Astankova / Villanelle
Who Will Win:
Jennifer Aniston – The Morning Show as Alex Levy

LEAD ACTOR IN A TELEVISION COMEDY

  • Michael Douglas – The Kominsky Method as Sandy Kominsky
  • Bill Hader – Barry as Barry Berkman / Barry Block
  • Ben Platt – The Politician as Payton Hobart
  • Paul Rudd – Living with Yourself as Miles Elliot / Miles Elliot’s Clone
  • Ramy Youssef – Ramy as Ramy Hassan

Who Should Win: Bill Hader – Barry as Barry Berkman / Barry Block
Who Will Win:
Bill Hader – Barry as Barry Berkman / Barry Block

LEAD ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION COMEDY

  • Christina Applegate – Dead to Me as Jen Harding
  • Rachel Brosnahan – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel as Miriam “Midge” Maisel
  • Kirsten Dunst – On Becoming a God in Central Florida as Krystal Stubbs
  • Natasha Lyonne – Russian Doll as Nadia Vulvokov
  • Phoebe Waller-Bridge – Fleabag as Fleabag

Who Should Win: Phoebe Waller-Bridge – Fleabag as Fleabag
Who Will Win:
Phoebe Waller-Bridge – Fleabag as Fleabag

LEAD ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR TELEVISION FILM

  • Christopher Abbott – Catch-22 as Capt. John Yossarian
  • Sacha Baron Cohen – The Spy as Eli Cohen / Kamel Amin Thaabet
  • Russell Crowe – The Loudest Voice as Roger Ailes
  • Jared Harris – Chernobyl as Valery Legasov
  • Sam Rockwell – Fosse/Verdon as Bob Fosse

Who Should Win: Jared Harris – Chernobyl as Valery Legasov
Who Will Win:
Sacha Baron Cohen – The Spy as Eli Cohen / Kamel Amin Thaabet

LEAD ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR TELEVISION FILM

  • Kaitlyn Dever – Unbelievable as Marie Adler
  • Joey King – The Act as Gypsy Rose Blanchard
  • Helen Mirren – Catherine the Great as Catherine the Great
  • Merritt Wever – Unbelievable as Det. Karen Duvall
  • Michelle Williams – Fosse/Verdon as Gwen Verdon

Who Should Win: Kaitlyn Dever – Unbelievable as Marie Adler / Merritt Wever – Unbelievable as Det. Karen Duvall
Who Will Win:
Michelle Williams – Fosse/Verdon as Gwen Verdon

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A SERIES, MINISERIES, OR TELEVISION FILM

  • Alan Arkin – The Kominsky Method as Norman Newlander
  • Kieran Culkin – Succession as Roman Roy
  • Andrew Scott – Fleabag as The Priest
  • Stellan Skarsgård – Chernobyl as Boris Shcherbina
  • Henry Winkler – Barry as Gene Cousineau

Who Should Win: Andrew Scott – Fleabag as The Priest
Who Will Win:
Andrew Scott – Fleabag as The Priest

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A SERIES, MINISERIES, OR TELEVISION FILM

  • Patricia Arquette – The Act as Dee Dee Blanchard
  • Helena Bonham Carter – The Crown as Princess Margaret
  • Toni Collette – Unbelievable as Det. Grace Rasmussen
  • Meryl Streep – Big Little Lies as Mary Louise Wright
  • Emily Watson – Chernobyl as Ulana Khomyuk

Who Should Win: Toni Collette – Unbelievable as Det. Grace Rasmussen
Who Will Win:
Helena Bonham Carter – The Crown as Princess Margaret

What are your predictions for the 2020 Golden Globes? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet me, @danny_giro.

10 Best Movies Of The Decade

Determining the 10 best movies of the decade is a somewhat impossible task. For starters, there are thousands of movies to choose from so narrowing it down to 10 is not easy. That being said, a huge selection is a great problem to have. Think about how far movies have come in a decade. Who would’ve thought that streaming services would be winning Oscars? Maybe I’m the “old man yelling at cloud” but I didn’t think it would happen, but I’m glad it has.

When making my best of the decade list, I took into account the following factors:

  1. Do I rewatch the movie frequently and can I find something new every time?
  2. Do I think about it often?
  3. When I watch a film in the same genre, do I compare it to this film?
  4. Do I revisit scenes on YouTube?
  5. Was it a memorable theater viewing?

There were so many films I had to cut and if you talk to me in a few weeks, I’m sure I’ll adjust this list in some way, shape, or form. That being said, here are the 10 best films of the decade.

10. Free Solo

I watch movies to be inspired, and one of the most inspiring movies I’ve ever seen is Free Solo. I can’t remember leaving a theater saying “humans are awesome” until I saw Free Solo. Not only is the story of Alex Honnold’s death-defying climb inspiring, but it’s visuals are jaw-dropping. Even though I knew Honnold would complete the climb, my heart could not stop racing to the point where I debated on taking a xanax after it ended.

9. Get Out

By far, Get Out is the most memorable viewing experience I’ve ever had at a theater. I saw Get Out on a Sunday afternoon a few days after its premiere. The sold-out crowd was laughing, screaming, and cheering throughout the entirety of the film. I felt like I was at a basketball game. It’s an experience that will never be replicated. Get Out is one of the most unique pieces of social commentary I’ve ever seen. Jordan Peele is a genius.

8. Moneyball

Every year, you can make a case that X should have won the Oscar over Y. I understand it’s completely subjective and arguments can be made for or against every performance. That being said, one of the biggest crimes of the decade happened at the 2012 Oscars when Brad Pitt lost in Best Actor for Moneyball. Look at this category and make the case that any of these performances should have won over Pitt.

Billy Beane is my favorite Brad Pitt performance of all time. Pitt somehow made a movie about spreadsheets and on-base percentage so entertaining and riveting that whenever it’s on television, I stop everything I’m doing to watch.

7. Sicario

A “Best of the decade” list without a film from Denis Villeneuve should be invalid. This is Villeneuve’s decade of movies since 2013: Prisoners, Enemy, Sicario, Arrival, Blade Runner 2049. Swap in any of those for Sicario and you won’t hear a peep out of me. However, I’m going with one of the most underrated films of the 21st century, Sicario. It’s a thriller that relentlessly punches you in the stomach and shakes you to your core for two hours. It’s terrifying but brilliant.

6. The Wolf of Wall Street

I’m not fucking leaving! I’ve done an entire 180 on The Wolf of Wall Street. When I first saw it in 2013, I thought it was over-the-top, long, and ridiculous. Now, it’s one of the funniest movies of the decade and I appreciate all the aspects that I initially believed held it back. It’s an adrenaline rush fueled by cocaine and quaaludes. Oh, it also has one of the greatest living directors, Martin Scorsese, and actors, Leonardo DiCaprio, at the top of their games.

5. Parasite

Never in my wildest dreams did I expect a South Korean black comedy thriller from 2019 to be included in the best of the decade list. That all changed when I saw Parasite. I saw Parasite on a Friday afternoon in November, three weeks after it premiered in my local theater. The theater was packed. Parasite fever is real. Masterpiece is the only word that comes to mind when describing Bong Joon-ho’s film. Parasite successfully manages to be a popcorn thriller disguised as a social commentary piece on the wealthy versus the poor. Could this be recency bias? Honestly, who cares. Parasite is phenomenal.

4. Inception

Christopher Nolan is the greatest living director of mass spectacle. His ability to craft gigantic set pieces and enthralling action sequences is second to none. This spot on my list came down to Dunkirk or Inception. You can’t go wrong in my opinion. However, I went with his 2010 follow-up to The Dark Knight. Imagine directing the greatest comic book movie of all time and following that up with a film about the unconscious mind and our perception of what’s real and what’s a dream. That takes stones and Nolan has major onions. It’s a genius and innovative film that still keeps you guessing a decade later.

3. Mad Max: Fury Road

In an age where content is often rushed, Mad Max: Fury Road is the perfect example of when patience is rewarded. After a 30 year absence, Max Rockatansky returned to the big screen in 2015’s Max Max: Fury Road. This film is the greatest action film of the decade. From the exhilarating chase sequences to the spectacular performance from Charlize Theron, Mad Max: Fury Road proved that blockbusters can be both entertaining and thematically compelling.

2. The Social Network

The Social Network is a perfect movie. Having both David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin was a cheat code. Between Sorkin’s sharp script and Fincher’s keen direction, The Social Network is a spell-binding look into the mind of one of the most important minds of the 21st century. Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield Armie Hammer, and Justin Timberlake all give career-best performances. The score from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross is a triumph for cinematic music. How it lost Best Picture is beyond me. Spend your next two hours revisiting this 21st-century classic.

1. La La Land

This musical is a joy to watch. La La Land a love letter to all of the dreamers searching for a better life. The musical numbers are breathtaking and bring me so much joy. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone have so much chemistry together that it’s shocking to learn that they’re not a real-life couple. From Justin Hurwitz’s score to Damien Chazelle’s script and direction, La La Land is a film I find myself revisiting every week of my life. The ending is not your fairytale ending, but its sheer honesty is beautiful. Simply put, La La Land is why I watch movies.

What are your favorite movies of the decade? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet me, @danny_giro.

12 Greatest Christmas Movies of All-Time

‪It’s Christmas Eve. Most of us are celebrating with our family, friends, and loved ones. If you choose to spend some of that time watching movies, I have some help for you when deciding what to watch. Don’t waste your time watching other Christmas movies before you finish these 12. It just so happens that some of the greatest Christmas movies of all-time are not kid-friendly, so I have included the ratings. The best Christmas movies are those you can watch year in and year out and still be entertained. Be sure to leave a comment or drop an email unafraidshow@gmail.com. Here is the definitive list of the 12 Best Christmas movies of all time:  

12. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (PG-13)

Come hell or high water, Clark Griswold is determined to have a great Christmas. He hassles his wife and kids while trying to make sure the lights, tree and everything else is perfect. Between unplanned family members showing up and not getting a holiday bonus at work all hell breaks loose.  

11. Miracle on 34th Street (PG)

You can’t go wrong with either version of this Christmas classic. It’s the story of a man on trial for claiming to be Santa Claus. It is impossible to leave Miracle on 34th Street off the list despite only needing to see it once.   

10. Gremlins (PG)

There’s far more naughtiness than niceness on display in the 1984 horror-comedy Gremlins. There is a mystical Chinese creature known as a “mogwai” named Gizmo. It looks cute and cuddly, but when fed after midnight or touched by water it gives bubbling birth to mischievous monsters.  

9. The Best Man Holiday (R)

The Best Man Holiday is completely underrated as a Christmas movie. It has everything you want. There is football, family, food, presents, and surprises. You laugh and cry when friends and family get together for the first time in 15 years.  

8. A Charlie Brown Christmas (G)

Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees everywhere during the Christmas season. Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant, and Charlie Brown accepts. He tries to restore the proper Christmas spirit and teach those around him.  

7. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (PG)

You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch. You really are a heel. You’re as cuddly as a cactus, you’re as charming as an eel, Mr. Grinch. You’re a bad banana with a greasy black peel! A classic Dr. Seuss book adapted for the movies. The people of Whoville get their villain and hero in one.  

6. Bad Santa (R)

Bad Santa is a hilarious dark comedy. Santa Claus is a cold-hearted, drunk, sex-addict, and thief who robs department stores. The story ends well when Santas ends up finding hope and a heart in from a little boy who is determined to give him a Christmas present.

5. Die Hard (R)

I cannot believe that some people have the nerve to debate the validity of Die Hard as a Christmas movie. It is set on Christmas Eve, John McClane delivers the gift of freedom, there’s a pregnant woman, and it has a great Christmas Song (Christmas in Hollis by Run DMC).   

4. Home Alone (PG)

There is no limit on the number of times that a person can watch and enjoy Home Alone. Macaulay Culkin is forgotten at home by his family as they leave on a trip. He is forced to battle a couple of dimwit thieves who he catches in the act of robbing a home.  

3. It’s a Wonderful Life (PG)

Not only is this a Christmas movie, but it is also a classic movie despite the genre. Few films define Christmas like Frank Capra’s 1946 fantasy starring Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey, who, on the verge of committing suicide, is visited by an angel who shows him the true importance of his life.  

2. Trading Places (R)

Trading Places doesn’t get enough praise as a Christmas movie. This movie embodies everything about the Christmas spirit. It starts a few days before Christmas and ends after New Years Day. What better way to embody the Christmas spirit than by charity, love, and a little payback!  

1. A Christmas Story (PG)

Absolutely and unequivocally the Best Christmas movie of all-time! This movie teaches you about bullying, leg lamps, washing your mouth out with soap, and air rifles. It is impossible to forget the best line from the entire movie, “You’ll shoot your eye out.”

2020 Golden Globes Predictions: What Films And Shows Will Receive Nominations?

Awards season is about to kick into high gear this Monday morning when the nominations for the 77th Golden Globes are announced. The Globes are the most enjoyable and entertaining awards show because the biggest film and television stars are under one roof and drink like there’s no tomorrow. It’s my dream to attend a Globes afterparty (hit me up if you have an in).

That being said, it’s been a strong year in television thanks to hits like Fleabag, Succession, Barry, When They See Us, and Chernobyl. The year in film started off slowly but after the release of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, it’s really taken off with critically acclaimed films like Parasite, The Irishman, and Joker. With the Oscars in February, the Globes are a critical event for many actors and films that have Academy Award aspirations.

When predicting nominations, there are a few things to keep in mind.

  1. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) loves to spotlight new shows and talent.
  2. The HFPA LOVE stars. If there’s an A-list star in a movie or television show, whether it’s good or bad, there’s a solid chance they’re getting a nomination in order to guarantee their attendance.
  3. The Golden Globes don’t predict Oscar winners, but it’s a good barometer. For example, Rami Malek, Olivia Colman, Mahershala Ali, Regina King, Alfonso Cuaron, and Green Book all won Golden Globes before going on to win the Oscars in the same categories.

Here are my Golden Globes nomination predictions.

Marriage Story
Scarlett Johansson, Azhy Robertson, and Adam Driver in Marriage Story / Netflix

FILM

BEST MOTION PICTURE — DRAMA

The Irishman
Marriage Story
Little Women
Joker
1917

BEST MOTION PICTURE — MUSICAL or COMEDY

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Jojo Rabbit
Rocketman
Knives Out
Cats

BEST ACTOR – DRAMA

Adam Driver, Marriage Story
Joaquin Phoenix, Joker
Robert De Niro, The Irishman
Adam Sandler, Uncut Gems
Paul Walter Hauser, Richard Jewell

BEST ACTRESS – DRAMA

Renee Zellweger, Judy
Saoirse Ronan, Little Women
Charlize Theron, Bombshell
Scarlett Johansson, Marriage Story
Lupita Nyong’o, Us

BEST ACTOR – COMEDY/MUSICAL

Eddie Murphy, Dolemite Is My Name
Leonardo DiCaprio, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Taron Egerton, Rocketman
Daniel Craig, Knives Out
Himesh Patel, Yesterday

BEST ACTRESS – COMEDY/MUSICAL

Awkwafina, The Farewell
Beanie Feldstein, Booksmart
Kaitlyn Dever, Booksmart
Constance Wu, Hustlers
Ana de Armas, Knives Out

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Tom Hanks, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Al Pacino, The Irishman
Joe Pesci, The Irishman
Shia LaBeouf, Honey Boy

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Laura Dern, Marriage Story
Jennifer Lopez, Hustlers
Margot Robbie, Bombshell
Florence Pugh, Little Women
Zhao Shuzhen, The Farewell

BEST DIRECTOR

Martin Scorsese, The Irishman
Quentin Tarantino, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Bong Joon Ho, Parasite
Sam Mendes, 1917
Greta Gerwig, Little Women

BEST SCREENPLAY

Marriage Story
The Irishman
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Little Women
Parasite

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

“Spirit,” Beyoncé, The Lion King
“(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again,” Elton John, Rocketman
“Beautiful Ghosts,” Taylor Swift and Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cats
“Glasgow,” Mary Steenburgen, Wild Rose
“Into the Unknown,” Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Frozen II

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

Alexandre Desplat, Little Women
Hildur Guðnadóttir, Joker
Randy Newman, “Marriage Story”
Thomas Newman, 1917
John Williams, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

Parasite
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Atlantics
Les Misérables
Pain and Glory

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

Toy Story 4
Frozen II
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
Abominable
Weathering with You

Phoebe Waller-Bridge in Fleabag / Amazon

TELEVISION

BEST TELEVISION SERIES — DRAMA

Succession
The Crown
The Morning Show
Game of Thrones
Big Little Lies

BEST TELEVISION SERIES — MUSICAL or COMEDY

Fleabag
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Barry
Russian Doll
Schitt’s Creek

BEST TELEVISION LIMITED SERIES or MOVIE

When They See Us
Chernobyl
Unbelievable
El Camino
Fosse/Verdon

LEAD ACTOR IN A TELEVISION DRAMA

Billy Porter, Pose
Jeremy Strong, Succession
Brian Cox, Succession
Tobias Menzies, The Crown
Kit Harington, Game of Thrones

LEAD ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION DRAMA

Jodie Comer, Killing Eve
Nicole Kidman, Big Little Lies
Olivia Colman, The Crown
Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show
Sandra Oh, Killing Eve

LEAD ACTOR IN A TELEVISION COMEDY

Bill Hader, Barry
Ben Platt, The Politician
Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method
Paul Rudd, Living with Yourself
Eugene Levy, Schitt’s Creek

LEAD ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION COMEDY

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag
Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Hailee Steinfeld, Dickinson
Natasha Lyonne, Russian Doll
Kirsten Dunst, On Becoming a God in Central Florida

LEAD ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR TELEVISION FILM

Jharrel Jerome, When They See Us
Jared Harris, Chernobyl
Aaron Paul, El Camino
Sam Rockwell, Fosse/Verdon
Mahershala Ali, True Detective

LEAD ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR TELEVISION FILM

Michelle Williams, Fosse/Verdon
Merritt Wever, Unbelievable
Helen Mirren, Catherine the Great
Joey King, The Act
Kathryn Hahn, Mrs. Fletcher

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A SERIES, MINISERIES, OR TELEVISION FILM

Andrew Scott, Fleabag
Tony Shalhoub, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Stellan Skarsgard, Chernobyl
Kieran Culkin, Succession
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A SERIES, MINISERIES, OR TELEVISION FILM

Meryl Streep, Big Little Lies
Toni Collette, Unbelievable
Patricia Arquette, The Act
Laura Dern, Big Little Lies
Helena Bonham Carter, The Crown

Check back for predictions in January and follow me on Twitter for more analysis

This Is Us Season 4 Fall Finale: What Just Happened?

This Is Us

If you’re not watching This Is Us or you left the bandwagon after Season 2, it’s time to turn the channel to NBC at 9 PM EST on Tuesday nights. This Is Us is a television rollercoaster for both good and bad reasons. Season 1 was phenomenal. Season 2 was solid. Season 3 was a step in the wrong direction. Season 4 is back to creating the magic formed in Season 1.

If you’re reading this, I’m assuming you watched the midseason finale last night. First of all, it was another solid episode, but the ending was great thanks to a flash forward that revealed some major storylines. What do they mean? What does the future hold for the Big Three? Let’s break down all of the clues revealed in the final scene.

*This post will contain major spoilers from the midseason finale of This Is Us. You’ve been warned.

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Kevin’s 40 With An Engaged Fiancée

Without a doubt, the MVP of Season 4 has been Kevin. The first member of the Big 3 is having his best season of the series. Between his chemistry with Uncle Nicky and the storyline with Cassidy, Kevin’s character arc is the one I’m invested in the most. Sterling K. Brown gets most of the love from critics (and rightfully so), but Justin Hartley is closing in fast. Hartley’s not just the comedic presence anymore. His performance is emotionally gripping, carefully nuanced, and when the smoke clears, he should be rewarded with an Emmy nomination.

In the episode, after becoming a better person thanks to his time Nicky, Kevin wants to marry a woman and start a family by age 40, which is nine months away. In typical This Is Us fashion, the flash forward revealed that Kevin has a pregnant fiancee on his 40th birthday. Who is the lucky lady? Many fans are saying that it’s Cassidy because the timeline of when they spent the night together matches up with Kevin’s 40th birthday. Could it be a past love such as Sophie or Zoe?

Prediction: Kevin’s fiancee is a new character that we’ll meet sometime in the second half of the season. However, I’m Team Sophie for life.

Are Kate And Toby Separated?

Kate and Toby are on the rocks and I, for one, am SHOCKED! Ok, I’m really not shocked because they fight every episode. Some type of separation has been brewing for a while now. Only time will tell if it leads to a divorce. Back in Season 3, fans (myself included) went wild when Toby was seen without a wedding ring in a flash forward. In last night’s midseason finale, This Is Us revealed a few more breadcrumbs. When Kate picked up Toby’s phone, he received a text from “LadyKryptonite” in the Crossfit Crew that implies Toby revealed his marital problems to his group. Is this woman Toby’s actual “kryptonite?”

Then, in the flash forward, Kate signed the police report as “Kate Pearson,” not “Kate Damon” or “Kate Pearson-Damon.” However, Kate is still wearing her wedding ring.

https://twitter.com/l_janele/status/1196990084639272966?s=20

Prediction: Toby is not having an affair with Lady Kryptonite. However, Kate will accuse Toby of cheating on her, which Toby will deny because it never happened. However, the damage will be done. This accusation will lead to another fight and temporary separation. However, they won’t get divorced.

Rebecca’s Memory

For a show about memory, this storyline hurts the most. For the past few episodes, Rebecca has been in a battle with memory loss. Losing her phone, forgetting the movie during the trailer, and constantly taking pictures on her phone hint that Rebecca’s memory is deteriorating. But how much is it deteriorating? It’s important to note that only Randall and Miguel know about Rebecca’s memory struggles. In the flash forward, Rebecca’s memory has gotten significantly worse, so much so that the police had to drive her to the cabin to meet up with the rest of the family. These aren’t what Miguel called “senior moments.” We know that Rebecca’s health will eventually lead to a hospital bed in Kevin’s house with Nicky at her side, but how will the show get there?

Prediction: Rebecca has Alzheimer’s and by the end of Season 4, that will be the official diagnosis.

Randall And Kevin’s Falling Out

Just when you think all is well with the Pearson brothers, think again. While the flash forward revealed Kevin’s future as a father, it also showed that Kevin is no longer speaking to Randall. Considering the two were on great terms during Thanksgiving means a huge fight is on the horizon.

Prediction: Kevin and Randall have a falling out over Rebecca’s mental health. Randall finds out about the diagnosis, but Rebecca swears him to secrecy so he doesn’t tell Kevin and Kate. Kevin eventually finds out months later and chastizes Randall for keeping this huge secret that leads to their split.

What are your predictions after the midseason finale of Season 4? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow, or email us at immad@unafraidshow.com.

Christmas Movie Debate: Home Alone Vs. Home Alone 2: Lost In New York

When I think of the perfect Christmas movie, one franchise comes to mind and that’s Home Alone. What’s not to like about the Home Alone franchise? The first two movies are hilarious, heart-warming, and most importantly, the most quotable Christmas movies of all-time. It’s rare to have two classic movies in the same franchise, but I’ll put Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York up with any Christmas movie out there.

This month, Home Alone will celebrate its 29th anniversary (Nov. 16) and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York will celebrate its 27th anniversary (Nov. 20). Almost three decades later and these films are still extremely rewatchable. That being said, which one is better, the original or the sequel? Which movie has the better young Macaulay Culkin performance? There are no right answers, but then again, I have the right answer. Let’s break it down, shall we?

Better Plot

If you have never seen either movie, first of all, are you a normal human? Secondly, what basic plotline would grab your attention more?

  • “An eight-year-old troublemaker must protect his house from a pair of burglars when he is accidentally left home alone by his family during Christmas vacation.”
  • “A nine-year-old troublemaker accidentally boards a plane to New York instead of Florida and must defeat a pair of criminals who seek revenge in an NYC apartment.”

The first plot doesn’t make a lot of sense. Why would a kid have to defend his house from burglars? Why would burglars attempt to fight a kid? The second plot has more storylines built-in. A kid misses his plane to Florida, ends up in NYC, and has to fend off revenge-seeking criminals. I’ll take the second plot, which belongs to Home Alone 2.

Winner – Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Better House

Home Alone
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

New York City brownstones are cool, but the McCallister’s Chicago residence is my dream home.

Winner – Home Alone

Better Proof That Peter And Kate McCallister Are The Worst Parents Ever

One of the underlying themes of the Home Alone series revolves around parenting. Peter and Kate McCallister SUCK as parents. How the hell do you leave your child behind not once, but twice? When/If I become a parent, my routine for leaving the house will be as followed: phone, keys, wallet, and child. The selfish McCallisters only care about arriving at the airport in order to enjoy Christmas in a foreign climate. How about you check to make sure you have your children before saying “bon voyage” to Chicago?

What makes you a worse parent, forgetting about your child before a flight the first time or the second time? Some may argue it’s the second time, but in Home Alone 2, getting lost in an airport and boarding the wrong flight is possible. You’re still a shitty parent, but I can throw you the tiniest of bones. In Home Alone, there are no excuses. Forgetting about your child who slept in the ATTIC is the more egregious offense.

Winner – Home Alone

Better Use Of The Angels With Filthy Souls Series

https://youtu.be/GcOsVzSOqoQ

“Keep the change, you filthy animal,” or “Merry Christmas, you filthy animal?” I’ll preface this argument by saying Home Alone 2 has the funnier scene. Between Tim Curry’s “I love you,” to Cliff’s “It’s a lie,” the scene is comedic genius. However, the better use of the Angels With Filthy Souls happens in Home Alone. Not only does Kevin use the movie to purchase a pizza (Kevin left a shitty tip, but no 8-year-old knows how to tip), but he successfully scares off Marv from burglarizing his house during the afternoon. It was the first of many wins for Kevin.

Winner – Home Alone

Better Old Person Who Saves The Day

Full disclosure, Old Man Marley and Pigeon Lady still scare me to this day. Both Old Man Marley and Pigeon Lady are old, social outcasts who provide Kevin with sage wisdom and loving advice. I think of them as Kevin’s grandpa and grandma. Old Man Marley saved Kevin from having his fingers eaten by Joe Pesci, but his “talent” is shoveling salt onto the sidewalk. Whoop-de-doo, Basil! Pigeon Lady was a badass who could control the minds of pigeons and manipulate them to attack her enemies. Ok, so not all of that is true, but Pigeon Lady and her bird friends saved Kevin from being shot to death. Pigeon Lady gets the nod.

Winner – Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Better Performance From The Wet Bandits

https://youtu.be/-Xe0AzKBLzA

This is by far the toughest category. Kevin may be the heart of the Home Alone series, but Harry and Marv aka the Wet Bandits are the backbones. Without the stupidity and the charm of the Wet Bandits, this movie doesn’t work. Between their iconic one-liners to their near-death experiences, Harry and Marv are the worst criminals known to man and we love them for it. This category is a wash.

Winner – Tie

Better Traps

The Wet Bandits would have had a hall of fame career as criminals had it not been for a boy genius with a thrill for the dramatics and love for torture. In both films, Kevin created deathly traps that would kill most people. The first movie has the iconic paint bucket trap as well as the tarantula scene. But, Kevin took his mischevious mind to the tenth power in the sequel. The electrocution, the hat explosion, the staple gun, and the rope-burn still make cringe. However, my favorite is still the brick throw. Suck brick, kid!

Winner – Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Better Ending

Waking up on a white, snowy Christmas to your mom and family is a pretty good ending. However, just like Kevin, I’m a sucker for Christmas trees and New York City has the crème de la crème of Christmas trees at Rockefeller Center. Kevin could have gone anywhere in New York City, but he chose one of the most magical (and touristy) places to go and for that, I salute him.

Winner – Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

In the end, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York narrowly beats Home Alone. However, you truly can’t go wrong with either film. It’s one of the few times that both the original and sequel are top-notch. If I don’t see you over the holiday season, Merry Christmas, you filthy animals.

P.S. We don’t talk about Home Alone 3, 4, and 5. However, we can talk about how a young Scarlett Johansson was in Home Alone 3. Save that fact for a snowy day.

Which is better, Home Alone or Home Alone 2: Lost in New York? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow, or email us at immad@unafraidshow.com.

2020 Oscars Best Picture Predictions: Is There A Frontrunner?

Marriage Story

The race for Best Picture at the 2020 Oscars is heating up, or is it? Back in July, these were my early Best Picture predictions.

These predictions aren’t bad, but there are a few misfires. Your honor, please remove A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Ad Astra, Cats (LOL), and Toy Story 4 from the list. Now, let’s go with the locks of the group. The Irishman and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood are guaranteed to be nominated for Best Picture. From there, I’m confident in keeping Ford v. Ferrari and Little Women on this list because of their positive reviews and well-respected directors (James Mangold for Ford v. Ferrari and Greta Gerwig for Little Women). I’m also going to keep Bombshell (previously titled Fair and Balanced) for now because of strong buzz after its initial screening last week. Plus, it’s a reflection on the political climate (think Vice from last year) and that should play well with voters.

So who rounds out the list? For argument’s sake, let’s say that the Academy will choose ten films to receive Best Picture nominations, which means there are five spots remaining. (Best Picture has not included 10 nominations since 2010. It’s usually been eight or nine.) One of those spots is going to Marriage Story, which has a chance to win the top prize. Because it won the Golden Lion at Venice and its box office success, Joker should get a nomination as well.

Now comes the hard part. With three spots remaining, the Academy can go in one of many directions. Parasite, the South Korean thriller from Bong Joon-ho, has been met with universal acclaim and should win Best International Feature Film. That being said, will it also be nominated for Best Picture? Remember that last year, Roma won International Film, but lost in Best Picture. Jojo Rabbit, Taika Waititi’s satirical black comedy about Hitler youth, won the People’s Choice Award at TIFF. Why is that significant? The last seven winners of that award went on to be nominated for Best Picture. The Farewell won critics over earlier this Summer, but the film’s best chance at a nomination may be in Best Actress for Awkwafina. The Two Popes has not been seen by most people but it received a warm reception on the festival circuit. Finally, watch out for 1917, a WWI film about two young British soldiers racing to deliver a message to save their troops against the Germans. WWI epic with an Academy Award-winning director (Sam Mendes for American Beauty) has a Best Picture nomination written all over it.

We’re still over a month away from Golden Globes‘ nominations, which will be a good barometer for the Oscars. That being said, here are my Best Picture nominations as of Oct. 25.

Best Picture Predictions

  • 1917
  • Bombshell
  • Ford v. Ferrari
  • The Irishman
  • Jojo Rabbit
  • Joker
  • Little Women
  • Marriage Story
  • Parasite
  • Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

As for the answer I posed in the headline, there is no true frontrunner, but the three films near the top are The Irishman, Marriage Story, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

What are your Best Picture predictions? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

What Worked And What Didn’t Work In El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie

Aaron Paul El Camino

The wait is over. Jesse Pinkman, welcome back to our lives. After six long years, Jesse Pinkman has returned to our television screens in El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie. After taking the weekend to process my thoughts, I’m ready to talk. Here’s what worked and what didn’t work in El Camino.

This post will contain major spoilers for El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie. If you have not watched the film yet, stop reading now.

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Seriously, spoilers ahead. You’ve been warned.

What Worked: Jesse’s Ending

Out of all the major characters in Breaking Bad, Jesse was the biggest name to have an open-ended future. In the series finale, Jesse escaped in Todd’s El Camino and his future was up to the audience to decide. Part of me believes that Gilligan created El Camino because of his unsatisfaction and guilt with how Jesse’s story ended and felt like he needed to properly close his saga. In 2013, Gilligan stated that he hoped Jesse moved to “Alaska to live a peaceful life.” Then, in the first scene, Mike mentioned that he would go to Alaska if he were Jesse. Right then and there, I knew Jesse was making it to Alaska. Did that ruin the film for me knowing that Jesse would stay alive the entire time? No, it did not. After being tortured for the last season and a half of Breaking Bad, Jesse deserved a peaceful resolution.

What Didn’t Work: The Entire Film Being Set In Albuquerque

I have no problem with Jesse getting to Alaska successfully. However, I wish the film spent more time in Alaska and less time in Albuquerque. Between Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, we spend so much time in Albuquerque. It would’ve been awesome to see a Breaking Bad movie in Alaska. Imagine if we saw Jesse adjusting to life in his Alaskan cabin and had to interact with the townspeople. If El Camino spent the first half of the film in Albuquerque and the second half in Alaska, then I’d sign up for that film in a heartbeat. Setting the film in Alaska would have been a risk, but these Gilligan could have pulled it off.

What Worked: Todd

TODD! My biggest takeaway from the film revolves around Todd and how amazing he was as a villain. Breaking Bad highlighted on a few of Todd’s evil tendencies (most notably, shooting Drew in “Dead Freight” and Andrea in “Granite State“), but the show never fully displayed how Todd broke Jesse, both physically and mentally. The scene where Todd convinced Jesse to give him the gun in the desert while persuading him with a pepperoni pizza and some beer is equally horrifying as it is impressive. This scene is why Jesse exacting his revenge on Todd in “Felina” is so satisfying. Jesse Plemons is a fantastic villain as evidenced in Breaking Bad, Fargo, and Black Mirror. If Breaking Bad ever wanted to do a spinoff on Todd’s life and how he got mixed up with Uncle Jack and the drug universe, I’m all in for “Breaking Todd.”

What Didn’t Work: Walt

It truly pains me to type this, but Walt’s flashback scene did nothing for me. In El Camino, the flashback takes place during a season two episode titled, “4 Days Out,” where Walt and Jesse go on a meth-cooking bender in order to try and secure enough money for Walt’s family. The scene takes place sometime between leaving the desert and dropping off Walt at the airport. The significance is that it takes place a few episodes before meeting Gus Fring and Jane’s death. In other words, it’s a few episodes before Walt breaks bad. The scene at the cafe is purely fan service, which is both good and bad. If Walt was not featured in some capacity, fans would have rioted. It was a light, semi-fun scene that highlighted the initial friendship between Walt and Jesse. But that friendship was so long ago that it’s hard to remember Walt as a “good guy.” I preferred Heisenberg Walt in a flashback over “I’m selling drugs for my family” Walt.

What Worked: Aaron Paul

Aaron Paul
Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman in Breaking Bad / Sony Pictures Television

Jesse might have been Walt’s sidekick, but Aaron Paul was equally as good as Bryan Cranston. Just like his character, it took some time for Paul to find his own as Jesse, but when he got it right, it was magic. Walt might have been the brains behind the show, but Jesse was the heart. Walt may have broken bad, but Jesse tried to hold onto his morality throughout the entire show. El Camino gave Paul a chance to shine as the true lead, and he made the most of this opportunity. Paul’s Jesse is the perfect mix of a criminal trying to make up for previous mistakes. Paul’s performance is full of heartbreak, compassion, and finally, satisfaction as the book of Jesse Pinkman came to an end.

What Didn’t Work: It Felt Like A Long Episode of Breaking Bad, Not A Film

To some, this is a positive. A long episode of Breaking Bad is better than no Breaking Bad at all. El Camino was a fan service at its finest. The montage in Todd’s apartment, the return of memorable characters, and the aerial camera shots were all familiar elements from the series. However, I wouldn’t consider El Camino a film. El Camino felt like an episode during the middle of a season. Spending time at Skinny Pete’s house and searching for money at Todd’s dragged out and could have been shorter. I expected the film to be more action-packed and to the point. The film didn’t really “get going” until Jesse interacted with the Kandy Welding Company at Todd’s apartment. As I said earlier, a long episode of Breaking Bad is better than no Breaking Bad at all, but that doesn’t necessarily work for something billed as a film.

Final Takeaway

El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie was a satisfying film that provided a lot of fan service thanks to cameos from memorable characters. Will it be ranked towards the top of the Breaking Bad universe? No. Will it be ranked towards the bottom? No. It will stand on its own as a tribute to a phenomenal show, which is where it should be.

Did you enjoy El Camino? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Joker Review: Joaquin Phoenix Goes All In And Shines

Joker Movie Joaquin Phoenix

While speaking with his mother, Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck turns to his mother and says, “I used to think that my life was a tragedy. But now, I realize it’s a comedy.” Arthur may be smiling, but the audience cowers in fear as they watch a man embrace his inner demons and become one of the world’s most famous villains, the Joker.

*This article will have light spoilers. However, it will not discuss major plot points.

Phoenix stars as Arthur Fleck, a mentally ill man who has been humiliated and disregarded by society in Gotham City circa 1981. Arthur, who has little to no money, is a clown for hire who dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian. Arthur cares for and lives with his mother Penny (Frances Conroy), who is both mentally and physically ill. The duo both share a love and obsession for acclaimed late-night host Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro), who they watch every night on television. Franklin inadvertently becomes a catalyst for Arthur’s violent turn after the late-night comedian poked fun at Arthur’s standup. When Arthur and Murray finally meet, it’s suspenseful and downright terrifying because Arthur finally goes off the deep end. However, not all things are bad for Fleck as he’s able to strike up a relationship with Sophie (Zazie Beetz), who lives down the hall.

The entire film rests on the protruding backbone of Phoenix, who lost 52 pounds for the role. There’s going “all in” for a role, and then there’s what Phoenix did. Phoenix completely immersed himself into the mind of a mentally ill and deranged man who turns to unspeakable actions of violence. The way Phoenix contorts his body and maniacally laughs is both disturbing and unsettling, but also spellbinding. Phoenix expertly toes the line between a sympathetic and hopeful Arthur to a twisted and demented Joker. Phoenix, a three-time Academy Award nominee, terrifies and dazzles in a performance that will most certainly be nominated for Best Actor.

At the very beginning, there is some sympathy for Arthur after witnessing how society made him feel inconsequential and inferior. All of that sympathy is a credit to Phoenix’s ability to connect with the audience. That being said, the sympathy disappears as Joker reminds the audience that it’s a character study into the mind of a monster. Arthur is a murderous psychopath who commits heinous crimes that are unforgivable. Joker is a look into how a man could break bad and turn into a nihilistic outlaw who shows no remorse for his actions.

For the first time, the Joker is not the calculated criminal that Jack Nicholson and the late Heath Ledger, whose legendary performance earned an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, portrayed. In fact, Batman is not even here to save the day. Joker is the origin story about how the villainous clown became a murderous criminal. This version of the Joker is not a mastermind. There’s never a moment where the Joker becomes the strategic genius that will rule Gotham. From the start, Arthur is suffering from a severe mental illness and the film never strays away from that fact.

Had it not been for a handful of references to the Wayne family and Gotham City, Joker would be a standalone film about a dark, damaged outcast from society. The film is actually better when it steers away from the comics and focuses on a man and his path towards evil. Joker was director Todd Phillips’ trojan horse as he used the famous clown to create an homage to dark, 70s crime movies. Phillips, who is known for directing comedic hits like Old School and The Hangover trilogy, crafted a film that’s the lovechild of Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy. The grim setting and spine-tingling score become characters in their own right as it adds to the suspense and pure shock value of the film.

Ever since Joker won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, critics have been divided on whether the film is a masterpiece or a Taxi Driver ripoff. With the FBI monitoring mass shooting threats ahead of its premiere, some critics have even debated if this movie is dangerous, saying that it glorifies villains and could incite violence from the “kill the rich” scenes in the movie. That being said, Joker makes the audience aware that it’s an origin story about a villain. Villans are bad guys who do bad things and yes, sometimes those bad things are murder. It’s not a sympathy piece to glorify a murderer, but rather a look at the circumstances that fueled a chaotic man to commit brutal crimes. Plus, the references to the Wayne family and Gotham City instill that the film is based on a famous villain from a comic book, not real life.

Joker is going to stir up controversy, but that’s the Joker’s job. The Joker is not kind or good, but rather, sadistic and evil. The film reflects those dark themes of isolation and omission. Furthermore, Joker also will change the future of superhero films especially if Phoenix receives a Best Actor nomination and the film is up for Best Picture. Some will call Joker a triumph. Others will say it’s a letdown because of the insurmountable hype it created. What it really caused is chaos and for that, Joker gets the last laugh.