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  • ‘Shadow Force’ Exclusive Interview: Director Joe Carnahan

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    The new action thriller ‘Shadow Force’, which was directed by Joe Carnahan (‘The A-Team’) and stars Kerry Washington (’Django Unchained’), Omar Sy (‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’), Mark Strong (‘Shazam!’), Cliff “Method Man” Smith (‘Garden State’), and Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph (‘The Holdovers’), opens in theaters on May 9th.

    Related Article: Kerry Washington and Omar Sy Talk New Action Thriller ‘Shadow Force’

    Director Joe Carnahan on the set of 'Shadow Force'. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
    Director Joe Carnahan on the set of ‘Shadow Force’. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with director and co-writer Joe Carnahan about his work on ‘Shadow Force’, developing the screenplay with co-writer Leon Chills, shooting the bank action sequence, Kyrah and Isaac’s relationship, working with Kerry Washington and Omar Sy, if Method Man’s Wu-Tang Clan reference was an improv, and the importance of Lionel Richie’s music to the film, as well as discussing his adaptation of ‘The A-Team’ and why Jon Hamm took an uncredited role.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Washington, Sy, director Joe Carnahan, and screenwriter Leon Chills.

    Director Joe Carnahan talks 'Shadow Force'.
    Director Joe Carnahan talks ‘Shadow Force’.

    Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about working with screenwriter Leon Chills and what were some of the elements that you wanted to add to his script?

    Joe Carnahan: I think Leon had written such an interesting script. I think my perspective on it was to make it more about the nuclear family or this idea of these two people having to make this gut-wrenching choice of like, “Listen, I’m going to go out into the world and make sure that no one attacks you. You’re going to raise our son.” I think that in and of itself kind of opened the gates for all this wonderful drama and this interpersonal stuff with Omar and Kerry’s characters, and the tension and this forlorn notion of lost love or forsaken love or what have you, and then this event forcing them back together. I think that became the centrifuge, the family aspect of it that I think I brought to it. I think, again, a lot of these movies where they succeed when they’re good, it’s a very binary kind of emotional connections that the audience has developed because I think if they care deeply then they’re in. I still haven’t seen an elaborate visual effect that could beat it. There’s a moment where Kerry’s reunited with her son, and he has an action figure that looks like her. I remember looking around the test screening and everyone’s crying. I think once those things start happening and then you start to imperil and endanger those characters, there’s that much more of the buy-in and there’s that much more of the emotional investment from the audience. I think it’s not difficult to do, but it takes time to figure out how to hit those little keys and those little notes.

    MF: Can you talk about shooting the action scenes, particularly the bank sequence?

    JC: I thought, wouldn’t it be interesting if you shot the bank robbery from the point of view of the child, which is he can’t see any of this, so his dad’s telling him, “Close your eyes and cover your ears.” I just thought I’d never seen that. Listen, I’m not that smart. But I’ll think to myself oftentimes, “Have I seen it? No.” Sometimes that’s worth doing all by itself. If it’s a familiar thing, which is a bank robbery in a movie, audiences have seen tons of those. It’s how you execute it, and the fact that it stuck out to you. If I had shot it in a very traditional way, it may have not had the same impact, but because it’s from his point of view, it’s interesting. I think, I’m a father. I’ve got four kids; I’ve got two 10-year-old girls. I wouldn’t want them to see their father being violent, I’d want to shield them from that. So, I thought it was very cool the way we did that. It reminds you there’s this little kid in there. It’s tricky because the studio could have said, “It’s too much. You can’t put a kid in the middle of that,” but I thought the way we did it, we just were able to thread that needle. So, I was very happy with the way that came out.

    (L to R) Omar Sy as Isaac and Kerry Washington as Kyrah in 'Shadow Force'. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
    (L to R) Omar Sy as Isaac and Kerry Washington as Kyrah in ‘Shadow Force’. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

    MF: Can you talk about the relationship between Kyrah and Isaac, the threat against them and what they are willing to do to protect their child?

    JC: Well, listen, it’s that we always say, “I’d go to the ends of the earth for my kid,” or “I’d do anything for my child.” Then the idea that you would have to physically separate to be safe, to ensure that there’s this kind of huntress out there, which is Kerry’s character, which is kind of a non-traditional way of doing it. Like Omar being the maternal figure, raising their son, I thought was intriguing. Because we have this whole society where it’s like, how could you do that? Her character says that. “Why will it work? Because no one would believe I’d walk away from my son.” That’s why it’ll work. To me that’s gut-wrenching. I think Kerry’s so lovely in delivering that sentiment because she’s a mom and she knows what that means. So, it puts a lump in your throat because it’s coming from her, the part of her that’s a wonderful actor. Then there’s that part of her that’s a mom and that infusion is lovely in a tugging your heartstrings kind of way. But I just thought it was an unusual way to set that whole thing up.

    MF: What was it like directing Kerry Washington and Omar Sy on set?

    JC: I mean, listen, they’re both just angels. They’re both just wonderful. Omar is possessed of just this innate decency and kindness as a man. Then, I was in Paris after we wrapped and Omar came to have dinner with me and my girls at Beef Bar in Paris, and you want to see what fame looks like? I told my girls, “Watch this restaurant when Omar walks in.” It was crazier than anything I’d ever seen. So, you got this, and you see him in ‘Lupin’ and then you have Kerry, they both have such generosity of spirit and instant chemistry with one another. Also, I think this really abiding respect from one another and their craft as actors. I think once you get that you have this mutual admiration society as they had, it’s very easy to do your job, at least it was for me.

    (L to R) Cliff “Method Man” Smith as Unc and Da'Vine Joy Randolph as Auntie in 'Shadow Force'. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
    (L to R) Cliff “Method Man” Smith as Unc and Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Auntie in ‘Shadow Force’. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

    MF: In the film, Method Man’s character references the Wu-Tang Clan, was that line improvised?

    JC: It was not. I decided I was going to have him say it and ask the kid if he likes Wu-Tang. Then I told Jahleel (Kamara) to say that line and if you see the film Method Man’s reaction is his actual reaction to hearing Jahleel say it. He just froze. It was great. What I love about Cliff is that meta part of it, his understanding of like, “Okay, I’m going to wink, wink, nudge, nudge the audience and go, ‘We’re talking about me.’” But he was not so precious about that. He was just lovely about it. It was great.

    MF: Can you talk about the importance of Lionel Richie’s music to this film and how you chose the right songs to use?

    JC: I mean, that’s my junior high slow dance song with Kelly Hines at Shepherd Elementary School in 1980. I’m such a Commodores and Lionel Richie fan. I just loved the idea that this little kid would be a Lionel Richie fanatic and a Commodores fanatic because I was as a kid. My mom had all those albums. You can’t find anybody that doesn’t love Lionel Richie, you know what I mean? It’s like you forget how great that band was, and that guy was. I just thought that was truly great, and the scene in the car where he knows all the lyrics and you realize it’s like that’s the wedding song. You’re playing our wedding song, which I just thought was great and kind of the way that gets set up and paid off I thought was lovely.

    Jon Hamm in 'The A-Team'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    Jon Hamm in ‘The A-Team’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    MF: Finally, I’m a fan of your version of ‘The A-Team’ but I’ve always wanted to ask you, why did Jon Hamm make an appearance at the end of the movie? Were you setting him up to be the villain in a possible sequel?

    JC: Yes, that’s exactly it, Jami. He was going to be the Lynch character in the sequel. That is why Jon Hamm is in ‘The A-Team’. I’ll tell you this quick, the head of Fox Marketing at the time, who shall remain unnamed, because got destroyed by ‘The Karate Kid’ remake. Three weeks after the film opens, he sees me in the Fox commissary and he gives me a big hug and says, “I screwed up.” But if I had a nickel for everybody that said, “I love that movie. When are you going to do a sequel, can you do a sequel?” Not now. They could never afford Liam (Neeson) and they certainly couldn’t afford Bradley (Cooper), but it was fun to make. I had a blast making it, man. It was great. I mean, Jon’s so lovely and so unassuming and so great. It would’ve been nice to be able to go take that into the next movie, but alas, who knows. You never know, man. With sequels, sometimes years pass and then everybody wants another one.

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    What is the plot of ‘Shadow Force’?

    Kyrah (Kerry Washington) and Isaac (Omar Sy) were once the leaders of a multinational special forces group called Shadow Force, but broke the rules by falling in love, and they go underground to protect their son (Jaheel Kamara) with the rest of the Shadow Force hot on their trail.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Shadow Force’?

    'Shadow Force' opens in theaters on May 9th. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
    ‘Shadow Force’ opens in theaters on May 9th. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

    List of Joe Carnahan Movies:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Shadow Force’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Joe Carnahan Movies on Amazon

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  • Movie Review: ‘Shadow Force’

    (L to R) Omar Sy as Isaac and Kerry Washington as Kyrah in 'Shadow Force'. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
    (L to R) Omar Sy as Isaac and Kerry Washington as Kyrah in ‘Shadow Force’. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

    ‘Shadow Force’ receives 6.5 out of 10 stars.

    Opening in theaters on May 9th is the new action thriller ‘Shadow Force’, which was directed by ‘The A-Team’s Joe Carnahan, and stars Kerry Washington, Omar Sy, Mark Strong, Cliff “Method Man” Smith, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph.

    Initial Thoughts

    Kerry Washington as Kyrah in 'Shadow Force'. Photo: Juan Pablo Gutierrez.
    Kerry Washington as Kyrah in ‘Shadow Force’. Photo: Juan Pablo Gutierrez.

    Pulling inspiration from ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ and the Roger Moore era James Bond movies, ‘Shadow Force’ is an entertaining enough action movie but struggles with cliché villains and a complicated third act that will leave viewers slightly puzzled.

    Director Joe Carnahan has crafted some unique action sequences that are really the highlight of the movie, while Kerry Washington and Omar Sy give strong performances that help to try and create the heart of the film. But in the end the film fails to establish a cohesive story and the action, and the lead performances are not enough to overcome the script’s shortcomings.

    Story and Direction

    Director Joe Carnahan on the set of 'Shadow Force'. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
    Director Joe Carnahan on the set of ‘Shadow Force’. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

    The movie begins by introducing us to Isaac Sarr (Sy), a former member of s special forces group called Shadow Force, raising his young son Ky (Jahleel Kamara) in hiding. Ky’s mother, Kyrah Owens (Washington) is also a former member of Shadow Force, and the two broke ties with the group after they fell in love and she became pregnant with Ky, which was forbidden by the group’s leader, Jack Cinder (Strong). Kyrah has since gone underground to protect Isaac and Ky, so that she can confuse Cinder and keep her family safe.

    Trouble begins when Isaac, who has hearing loss, protects Ky during an unexpected bank robbery, and Cinder becomes aware of their location, sending the remaining members of Shadow Force to eliminate Isaac and Ky. This leads Kyrah no choice but to step out of the shadows and return to protect her family, reuniting for the first time with Ky since he was born.

    Meanwhile, Isaac and Kyrah’s former colleagues Auntie Clanter ( Randolph) and Marcus “Unc” Owens (Smith) are also on their trail, but do they want to help Kyrah and her family, or are they working for Cinder? What follows is a cat and mouse game that ends in a showdown between Kyrah and Cinder where all the characters’ true intentions are revealed.

    (L to R) Natalia Reyes as Moriti, Mark Strong as Cinder and Sala Baker as Scath in 'Shadow Force'. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
    (L to R) Natalia Reyes as Moriti, Mark Strong as Cinder and Sala Baker as Scath in ‘Shadow Force’. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

    With films like ‘Smokin’ Aces’, ‘The Grey’, ‘The A-Team’, and ‘Boss Level’ under his belt, Joe Carnahan has established himself as one of the best action directors working today, but except for ‘Smokin’ Aces’, Carnahan’s films usually fall apart in the third act and only feature flashy characters and great action sequences. Unfortunately, ‘Shadow Force’ is no different.

    However, the movie is worth seeing for the director’s unique take on a bank robbery, as well as a chase sequence involving massive trucks, and the film’s final set piece, a very impressive boat chase. Co-written by Carnahan and screenwriter Leon Chills, you can tell that Chills original script was more of a character-driven story and that Carnahan’s contributions included the action sequences and the supporting characters and villains, that are not as fleshed out as much as the two main characters.

    While it would have been a completely different movie, it would have been interesting to see Chills’ original screenplay produced, which would have focused more on the relationship between Kyrah and Isaac, and less of the convoluted spy thriller plot and the generic villains. Although Carnahan’s chaotic shooting style lends itself well to some of his past films, it does become a burden here, but his choice to tie the movie’s music, several beloved Lionel Richie songs, to the core plot works surprisingly well.

    Cast and Performances

    (L to R) Kerry Washington as Kyrah and Jahleel Kamera as Ky in 'Shadow Force'. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
    (L to R) Kerry Washington as Kyrah and Jahleel Kamera as Ky in ‘Shadow Force’. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

    With the film drawing so heavily from ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’, it’s interesting to note that Kerry Washington was in that movie, but except for that, has not had a chance to do a lot of action in the past. Much like watching Viola Davis fight terrorists in the recent ‘Die Hard’ inspired ‘G20’, it was refreshing to see an actress of Washington’s caliber take on a role like this. But while she is strong in the action sequences, it’s the scenes when she’s with Sy, and especially reuniting with her son, where Washington shines the most.

    While American audiences might not be as familiar with Omar Sy’s work as European audiences are thanks to the French series ‘Lupin’, he did excel in last year’s action movie ‘The Killer’, which was directed by the legendary John Woo. Sy is again great here, especially in the action sequences and has a very strong presence on screen. I also loved the way his character’s hearing loss is treated like a superpower (Not unlike Marvel’s Daredevil character who is name dropped in the film) and not a disability.

    (L to R) Cliff “Method Man” Smith as Unc and Da'Vine Joy Randolph as Auntie in 'Shadow Force'. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
    (L to R) Cliff “Method Man” Smith as Unc and Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Auntie in ‘Shadow Force’. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

    Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Cliff “Method Man” Smith add a good amount of humor to the film, but their characters are not given a lot to do, and the guessing game of their true intentions becomes trying by the film’s end. But Smith does have a funny moment with Jahlell Kamara, when Ky references the Wu-Tang Clan and Method Man breaks the fourth wall (He is a founding member of the seminal hip hop group in real life) after hearing the comment.

    But the weak point of the movie is by far Mark Strong’s performance, as well as the rest of the very forgettable Shadow Force members. Strong, who is typically a very good actor, is clearly phoning this performance in for a paycheck and it shows. To be fair, the character is underwritten to begin with, but Strong does nothing to elevate Cinder from a typical mustache-twirling Bond villain.

    Final Thoughts

    Omar Sy as Isaac in 'Shadow Force'. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
    Omar Sy as Isaac in ‘Shadow Force’. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

    ‘Shadow Force’ is a flawed but still fun movie with some great action sequences and good performances from Washington and Sy but falls flat by the end. Carnahan’s vibey direction, the incredible set pieces, the Lionel Richie music and the main characters’ love story is not enough to make this a “rush out to the theaters to see it” movie. But I think it does have enough excitement to hold your attention on a Saturday afternoon once it is available to stream.

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    What is the plot of ‘Shadow Force’?

    Kyrah (Kerry Washington) and Isaac (Omar Sy) were once the leaders of a multinational special forces group called Shadow Force, but broke the rules by falling in love, and they go underground to protect their son (Jaheel Kamara) with the rest of the Shadow Force hot on their trail.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Shadow Force’?

    'Shadow Force' opens in theaters on May 9th. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
    ‘Shadow Force’ opens in theaters on May 9th. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

    List of Joe Carnahan Movies:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Shadow Force’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Joe Carnahan Movies on Amazon

     

  • Pharrell Williams and Michael Gondry’s ‘Golden’ Scrapped

    (Left) Pharrell Williams arrives for the 84th Annual Academy Awards® from Hollywood, CA February 26, 2012. Credit/Provider: Heather Ikei / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Right) Michael Gondry accepts the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay during the 77th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 27, 2005. HO/AMPAS. Credit/Provider: HAND OUT. Copyright: AMPAS
    (Left) Pharrell Williams arrives for the 84th Annual Academy Awards® from Hollywood, CA February 26, 2012. Credit/Provider: Heather Ikei / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Right) Michel Gondry accepts the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay during the 77th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 27, 2005. HO/AMPAS. Credit/Provider: HAND OUT. Copyright: AMPAS

    Preview:

    • Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry are ending editing work on their movie ‘Golden.’
    • Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey and Da’Vine Joy Randolph were among the stars.
    • The film is unlikely to ever see the light of day.

    It’s a hard, old truth in Hollywood and beyond that movies can hit roadblocks at any stage in the process. Some are lost forever in the deep wells of development hell. Others reach production, but money issues curtail shooting, or problems arise.

    And then there are the unusual stories of movies that make it all the way through the shoot, only to fall apart at the final hurdle.

    In the last couple of years, we’ve seen the frustrating behavior of Warner Bros., overseen by money-grubbing CEO David Zaslav, who has decreed that movies he and his accountants aren’t sure will be financially viable should be locked away or deleted forever, the studio instead taking a tax hit: ‘Batgirl’ and ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’ are the two that we know about.

    But ‘Golden,’ the movie formerly known as ‘Atlantis,’ a collaboration between musician Pharrell Williams and visual stylist/filmmaker Michel Gondry, is a different case altogether.

    According to Variety, they’ve been editing the new movie, and have decided it simply doesn’t work. And that’s despite Universal assigning a release date for May.

    What’s the story of ‘Golden?’

    Pharrell Williams stars in director Morgan Neville’s 'Piece By Piece', a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.
    Pharrell Williams stars in director Morgan Neville’s ‘Piece By Piece’, a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.

    ‘Golden’ came about following Universal’s collaboration with Pharrell on ‘Piece by Piece.’ Distributed by the company’s Focus Features arm, the unusual biopic told his life story through the medium of LEGO animation.

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    ‘Piece by Piece’ was not exactly a success for the company –– it actually lost money, taking in $10 million worldwide on a $16 million budget –– but given the musician’s long connection to the studio (he’s provided hit music for the ‘Despicable Me’ franchise among others), it was seemingly happy to keep working with him.

    This new movie put him together with Gondry, the French filmmaker behind the likes of ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ and ‘Be Kind Rewind.’

    Gondry agreed to direct from a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson.

    Described as a musical expedition set in the summer of 1977 in Virginia Beach, it was to have told more of a coming-of-age story than anything directly influenced by Williams’ story (aside from the setting).

    Here’s what he told Empire about the movie and how it differs from his previous project:

    “ ‘Piece By Piece’ is about my life, whereas ‘Golden’ is about a neighborhood that I grew up in. It’s a coming-of-age story about self-discovery and pursuing your dreams, but it’s so much more magical than that. It’s a celebration of Black life, Black culture, and most importantly, Black joy.”

    And while it was originally named ‘Atlantis’ after the building from Williams’ early life, he also explained the title change:

    “It just speaks to the narrative, the area, the energy and literally everything about the film, which is this analysis of what being ‘golden’ is. Children and grown-ups with inner children within them can connect to it and realise that there’s a golden aspect to them too, whether it’s realised or latent.”

    Together, Gondry and Williams rounded up an impressive cast that included Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Brian Tyree Henry, Janelle Monáe, Missy Elliott, Quinta Brunson, Anderson Paak and Jaboukie Young-White, with cameras rolling last year.

    Related Article: Director Morgan Neville Talks ‘Piece By Piece’, Pharrell Williams and LEGO

    What has happened since then?

    Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer Pharrell Williams serves as music consultant for the 84th Academy Awards, telecast producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer. Credit/Provider: Jam Sutton.
    Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer Pharrell Williams serves as music consultant for the 84th Academy Awards, telecast producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer. Credit/Provider: Jam Sutton.

    Unfortunately for those anticipating the new movie, it has now been shut down after unanimous agreement from producers and Gondry that the film did not live up to its developed conceit.

    Gil Netter (‘The Blind Side’) was serving as producer alongside Williams and his creative partner Mimi Valdes.

    Here’s what the main duo told Variety about the decision to halt work:

    “When all of us got into the editing room we collectively decided there wasn’t a path forward to tell the version of this story that we originally envisioned. We appreciate all the hard work of the talented cast and crew. While we’re disappointed we can’t deliver this film, we have incredible partners at Universal and will collaborate in a different capacity again soon.”

    And in case you’re wondering whether it’ll find release in some other venue, the disappointing news is that it’ll apparently never see the light of day. So your visions of Gondry and Williams somehow whipping up a hand puppet version of the story are unlikely to come to fruition.

    What else are Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry working on?

    Kerry Washington in 'The Six Triple Eight'. Photo: Netflix.
    Kerry Washington in ‘The Six Triple Eight’. Photo: Netflix.

    It’s not the pair doesn’t have plenty of other projects to keep them busy.

    Pharrell is currently serving as the men’s creative director at fashion house Louis Vuitton.

    He last contributed original music to the Tyler Perry film ‘The Six Triple Eight,’ released by Netflix in December.

    Gondry’s other movie credits include ‘The Science of Sleep,’ and ‘The Book of Solutions,’ along with Jim Carrey-starring TV series ‘Kidding.’

    His next project is the animated ‘Maya, Give Me A Title,’ about his relationship with his daughter. It will screen at this month’s Berlin Film Festival.

    Oscar®-nominated for Best Song, Pharrell Williams on stage during the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA. Credit/Provider: Michael Yada / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar®-nominated for Best Song, Pharrell Williams on stage during the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA. Credit/Provider: Michael Yada / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Movies and TV Shows Featuring Pharrell Williams:

    Buy Pharrell Williams Movies on Amazon

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  • Live 2024 Academy Awards Full Results

    The 96th Academy Award ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 10th on ABC.
    The 96th Academy Award ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 10th on ABC.

    Preview:

    • ‘Oppenheimer’ dominated the 96th annual Academy Awards with wins for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor, while ‘Poor Things’ landed four Oscars, including Best Actress for Emma Stone.
    • ‘Barbie,’ ‘The Zone of Interest,’ and ‘The Holdovers’ all nabbed awards as well, while ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ ‘Past Lives,’ and ‘Maestro’ were shut out.
    • Jimmy Kimmel hosted a smooth, mostly well-paced show, with a naked John Cena and Messi the dog pulling off the most entertaining bits.

    ‘Oppenheimer’ hauled in seven Oscars at the 96th annual Academy Awards on Sunday night (March 10), including wins for Best Picture, Best Director (Christopher Nolan), Best Actor (Cillian Murphy), and Best Supporting Actor (Robert Downey Jr.), while ‘Poor Things’ waltzed away with four trophies, including Emma Stone’s second statuette for Best Actress.

    Jimmy Kimmel once again hosted the broadcast, which began for the first time at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT – an hour earlier than usual – a shift that became grist for a handful of one-liners from the late-night comedian, who at point joked that so many viewers missed the first hour that the producers were going to restart the show.

    Jimmy Kimmel hosts the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Jimmy Kimmel hosts the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    If they had, viewers tuning in late would have gotten a chance to see an emotional acceptance speech from Da’Vine Joy Randolph, who notched the first prize of the evening, Best Supporting Actress, for her work in ‘The Holdovers.’ Randolph was one of several first-time nominees and winners, a list that included Cillian Murphy and ‘American Fiction’ screenwriter/director Cord Jefferson (winner for Best Adapted Screenplay), who admonished Hollywood, “Instead of making one $200 million movie, why not make 20 $10 million movies?”

    Although Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O’Connell won Best Song for the ‘Barbie‘ tune “What Was I Made For?” – making them the youngest two-time Oscar winners ever after triumphing in 2022 for their James Bond theme song ‘No Time to Die‘ – ‘Barbie’ itself was shut out the rest of the night, along with other high-profile contenders like ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ ‘Maestro,’ and ‘Past Lives.’ Perhaps the biggest shockers of the night were Stone’s win – since she was locked in a tight race with ‘Killers’ star Lily Gladstone – and the stunning Best Visual Effects win for ‘Godzilla Minus One,’ the surprise hit that notched the big green lizard’s first-ever Oscar.

    Ryan Gosling performs onstage during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Ryan Gosling performs onstage during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    In two of the evening’s more somber moments, a visibly nervous Jonathan Glazer – director of Best International Feature winner ‘The Zone of Interest’ – accepted his Oscar by noting that his film’s accounting of the Nazi horrors of the past was very much a reflection of the “dehumanization” of people in the present. The night’s other powerful moment came when ’20 Days at Mariupol’ – made in Ukraine literally as Russia’s horrific war against that country was underway – landed Best Documentary Feature. Director Mstyslav Chernov, almost overcome with emotion, said that while he was honored to accept Ukraine’s first Oscar, he “[wished] I would never make this film. I wish to be able to exchange this [for] Russia never attacking Ukraine, never occupying our cities.”

    Among the evening’s other highlights were the testimonials by five previous winners in each of the acting categories for each one of the night’s nominees, featuring a star-studded roster than ranged from Nicolas Cage to Jessica Lange; Ryan Gosling’s anthemic performance of ‘I’m Just Ken,’ featuring Slash on lead guitar; Messi the dog (from ‘Anatomy of a Fall’) “clapping” for Robert Downey Jr.’s long-anticipated win; John Cena coming out naked to present Best Costume Design in a nod to an infamous 1974 incident in which a streaker ran onstage; and one of Kimmel’s closing bits, in which he read an apparently real social media post lambasting his performance from a certain former president. “Isn’t it past your jail time?” the host quipped, one of just two politically-tinged jokes in an otherwise placid and (much to the producers’ relief) scandal-free ceremony.

    (L to R) Jimmy Kimmel and John Cena present the Oscar® for Costume Design during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S.. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    (L to R) Jimmy Kimmel and John Cena present the Oscar® for Costume Design during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S.. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Here Are The Winners:

    BEST PICTURE

    (L to R) Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, and Christopher Nolan accept the Oscar® for Best Picture during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    (L to R) Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, and Christopher Nolan accept the Oscar® for Best Picture during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    BEST DIRECTOR

    Christopher Nolan accepts the Oscar® for Directing during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Christopher Nolan accepts the Oscar® for Directing during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

    Cillian Murphy accepts the Oscar® for Actor in a Leading Role during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Cillian Murphy accepts the Oscar® for Actor in a Leading Role during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

    Emma Stone accepts the Oscar® for Actress in a Leading Role during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Emma Stone accepts the Oscar® for Actress in a Leading Role during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

    Robert Downey, Jr. accepts the Oscar® for Actor in a Supporting Role during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Robert Downey, Jr. accepts the Oscar® for Actor in a Supporting Role during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

    Da'Vine Joy Randolph accepts the Oscar® for Actress in a Supporting Role during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Da’Vine Joy Randolph accepts the Oscar® for Actress in a Supporting Role during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

    Cord Jefferson accepts the Oscar® for Adapted Screenplay during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Cord Jefferson accepts the Oscar® for Adapted Screenplay during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    • ‘American Fiction’, Cord Jefferson – WINNER
    • ‘Barbie’, Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach
    • ‘Oppenheimer’, Christopher Nolan
    • ‘Poor Things’, Tony McNamara
    • ‘The Zone of Interest’, Jonathan Glazer

    ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

    (L to R) Arthur Harari and Justine Triet accept the Oscar® for Original Screenplay during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    (L to R) Arthur Harari and Justine Triet accept the Oscar® for Original Screenplay during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    CINEMATOGRAPHY

    Hoyte van Hoytema accepts the Oscar® for Cinematography during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Hoyte van Hoytema accepts the Oscar® for Cinematography during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    ORIGINAL SONG

    (L to R) Finneas O'Connell and Billie Eilish accept the Oscar® for Original Song during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    (L to R) Finneas O’Connell and Billie Eilish accept the Oscar® for Original Song during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    COSTUME DESIGN

    Holly Waddington accepts the Oscar® for Costume Design during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Holly Waddington accepts the Oscar® for Costume Design during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    SOUND

    (L to R) Tarn Willers and Johnnie Burn accept the Oscar® for Sound during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    (L to R) Tarn Willers and Johnnie Burn accept the Oscar® for Sound during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    ORIGINAL SCORE

    Ludwig Göransson accepts the Oscar® for Original Score during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Ludwig Göransson accepts the Oscar® for Original Score during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM

    Benedict Cumberbatch as Henry Sugar in 'The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar.'
    Benedict Cumberbatch as Henry Sugar in ‘The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar.’ Photo: Netflix ©2023.

    ANIMATED SHORT FILM

    (L to R) Brad Booker, Dave Mullins and Sean Lennon accept the Oscar® for Animated Short Film during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    (L to R) Brad Booker, Dave Mullins and Sean Lennon accept the Oscar® for Animated Short Film during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM

    (L to R) Raney Aronson-Rath, Mstyslav Chernov and Michelle Mizner accept the Oscar® for Documentary Feature Film during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    (L to R) Raney Aronson-Rath, Mstyslav Chernov and Michelle Mizner accept the Oscar® for Documentary Feature Film during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM

    (L to R) Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers accept the Oscar® for Documentary Short Film during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    (L to R) Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers accept the Oscar® for Documentary Short Film during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM

    (L to R) James Wilson, Leonard Blavatnik and Jonathan Glazer accept the Oscar® for International Feature Film during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    (L to R) James Wilson, Leonard Blavatnik and Jonathan Glazer accept the Oscar® for International Feature Film during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    • ‘Io Capitano’ (Italy)
    • ‘Perfect Days’ (Japan)
    • ‘Society of the Snow’ (Spain)
    • ‘The Teachers’ Lounge’ (Germany)
    • ‘The Zone of Interest’ (United Kingdom) – WINNER

    ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

    'The Boy and the Heron.'
    ‘The Boy and the Heron.’ Copyright: © 2023 Studio Ghibli.

    MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING

    (L to R) Mark Coulier, Nadia Stacey and Josh Weston accept the Oscar® for Makeup and Hairstyling during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    (L to R) Mark Coulier, Nadia Stacey and Josh Weston accept the Oscar® for Makeup and Hairstyling during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    PRODUCTION DESIGN

    (L to R) James Price and Shona Heath accept the Oscar® for Production Design during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    (L to R) James Price and Shona Heath accept the Oscar® for Production Design during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    • ‘Barbie’, production design: Sarah Greenwood; set decoration: Katie Spencer
    • ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’, production design: Jack Fisk; set decoration: Adam Willis
    • ‘Napoleon’, production design: Arthur Max; set decoration: Elli Griff
    • ‘Oppenheimer’, production design: Ruth De Jong; set decoration: Claire Kaufman
    • ‘Poor Things’, production design: James Price and Shona Heath; set decoration: Zsuzsa Mihalek – WINNER

    Film Editing

    Jennifer Lame accepts the Oscar® for Film Editing during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Jennifer Lame accepts the Oscar® for Film Editing during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    VISUAL EFFECTS

    (L to R) Masaki Takahashi, Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya and Tatsuji Nojima accept the Oscar® for Visual Effects during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    (L to R) Masaki Takahashi, Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya and Tatsuji Nojima accept the Oscar® for Visual Effects during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    The 2024 Academy Awards ceremony, to be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, will be broadcast on the ABC network on March 10th, 2024.
    The 2024 Academy Awards ceremony, to be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, will be broadcast on the ABC network on March 10th, 2024.

    Please check out red carpet arrival photos below: 

    Margot Robbie at The 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024.Credit/Provider: Nick Agro ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Margot Robbie at The 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024.Credit/Provider: Nick Agro ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Lupita Nyong'o arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Lupita Nyong’o arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Charlize Theron arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Charlize Theron arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Zendaya arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Zendaya arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Jennifer Lawrence arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Jennifer Lawrence arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Lily Gladstone arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Lily Gladstone arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Florence Pugh arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Florence Pugh arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Danielle Brooks arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Danielle Brooks arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Greta Gerwig arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Greta Gerwig arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee America Ferrera arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee America Ferrera arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Anya Taylor-Joy arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Anya Taylor-Joy arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Cynthia Erivo arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Cynthia Erivo arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Emma Stone arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Emma Stone arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Regina King arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Regina King arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Carey Mulligan arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Carey Mulligan arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Billie Eilish arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Billie Eilish arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominees Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell arrive on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominees Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell arrive on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Emily Blunt arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Emily Blunt arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    (L to R) Emily Blunt and John Krasinski arrive on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    (L to R) Emily Blunt and John Krasinski arrive on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Susan Downey and Robert Downey Jr. arrive on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    (L to R) Susan Downey and Robert Downey Jr. arrive on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    (L to R) Oscar® nominee Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey arrive on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    (L to R) Oscar® nominee Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey arrive on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Steven Spielberg arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Steven Spielberg arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Christopher Nolan arrives with Emma Thomason at the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Christopher Nolan arrives with Emma Thomason at the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Christopher Nolan arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mark Von Holden / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Christopher Nolan arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mark Von Holden / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas arrive on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Warrick Page ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    (L to R) Oscar® nominee Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas arrive on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Warrick Page ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Martin Scorsese arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Martin Scorsese arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Robert De Niro and Tiffany Chen at the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Warrick Page ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    (L to R) Oscar® nominee Robert De Niro and Tiffany Chen at the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Warrick Page ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Colman Domingo arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Colman Domingo arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Cillian Murphy arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Cillian Murphy arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Dwayne Johnson arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Dwayne Johnson arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Ryan Gosling arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Ryan Gosling arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Ryan Gosling arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Richard Harbaugh / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Ryan Gosling arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Richard Harbaugh / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Jeffery Wright arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker / ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Jeffery Wright arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker / ©A.M.P.A.S.
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    Paul Giamatti arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Kyusung Gong / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Paul Giamatti arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Kyusung Gong / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Sterling K. Brown arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Sterling K. Brown arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Matthew McConaughey at The 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Matthew McConaughey at The 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Bradley Cooper arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Bradley Cooper arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Hailee Steinfeld arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Hailee Steinfeld arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Ariana Grande arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Ariana Grande arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Becky G arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Kyusung Gong ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Becky G arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Kyusung Gong ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

     

     

  • Final Oscar Predictions for the 96th Academy Awards

    (Left) Cillian Murphy is J. Robert Oppenheimer in 'Oppenheimer,' written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan. (Left Center) Lily Gladstone in 'Killers of the Flower Moon,' coming soon to Apple TV+. (Right Center) Robert Downey Jr is Lewis Strauss in 'Oppenheimer,' written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan. (Right) Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Mary Lamb in director Alexander Payne’s 'The Holdovers,' a Focus Features release. Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.
    (Left) Cillian Murphy is J. Robert Oppenheimer in ‘Oppenheimer,’ written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan. (Left Center) Lily Gladstone in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ coming soon to Apple TV+. (Right Center) Robert Downey Jr is Lewis Strauss in ‘Oppenheimer,’ written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan. (Right) Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Mary Lamb in director Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

    The 96th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, March 10th and with it will come the end of the 2024 award season.

    Jimmy Kimmel is once again set to host, with scheduled presenters including last year’s winners Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Lee Curtis, Brendan Fraser and Ke Huy Quan, as well as former Oscar winners Nicolas Cage, Jessica Lange, Sam Rockwell, Matthew McConaughey, Lupita Nyong’o, and Al Pacino.

    Nominated films include two of the biggest blockbusters of last year, ‘Oppenheimer’ and ‘Barbie,’ as well as critically acclaimed movies like ‘The Holdovers,’ ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ ‘Poor Things,’ and ‘Maestro.’

    While ‘Oppenheimer’ seems poised to have a big night, and Robert Downey Jr. and Da’Vine Joy Randolph are virtual locks in their supporting categories, Best Actor is still a two-man race between Cillian Murphy and Paul Giamatti, with the Best Actress category too close to call between Lily Gladstone and Emma Stone.

    Below are our predictions for who will win Oscars on Sunday at the 96th Academy Awards. We are only breaking down our predictions for the six major categories, Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress.

    Let’s Begin!

    BEST PICTURE

    Cillian Murphy is J. Robert Oppenheimer in 'Oppenheimer,' written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan.
    Cillian Murphy is J. Robert Oppenheimer in ‘Oppenheimer,’ written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan.

    This is probably the easiest category to call as it’s obvious that ‘Oppenheimer’ will win Best Picture. The film has won every major award so far including the Golden Globes, Critics Choice and a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast.

    Considering the movie’s critical acclaim, box office achievements, domination during award season, and the overall love for director Christopher Nolan, it would seem like this is finally his year to win Best Picture and Best Director, but more on that in a minute.

    While many fans are probably rooting for ‘Barbie’ to pull out a win, it doesn’t seem very likely at this point. ‘Oppenheimer’s biggest competition is probably ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ ‘Poor Things’ and possibly ‘The Holdovers,’ but again, it seems very unlikely that any of them will ultimately be able to best Nolan’s movie.

    Nominees:

    Who Will Win: ‘Oppenheimer’

    Who Could Win: ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ or ‘Poor Things’

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    BEST DIRECTOR

    Writer, director, and producer Christopher Nolan on the set of 'Oppenheimer.'
    Writer, director, and producer Christopher Nolan on the set of ‘Oppenheimer.’

    If Best Picture is the easiest category to predict this year, then Best Director is the second easiest. Again, this is Christopher Nolan’s year!

    Having won a Golden Globe, a Critics Choice Award, and the all-important DGA Award, Nolan is all but a lock to win his long-overdue first Best Director Oscar.

    Nolan’s biggest competition is probably a nostalgia win from legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese, or a surprise win from ‘Poor Things’ Yorgos Lanthimos, but neither seem very likely. It would be quite a shock if Nolan does not end up winning this award.

    Nominees:

    Who Will Win: Christopher Nolan, ‘Oppenheimer’

    Who Could Win: Martin Scorsese, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’

    BEST ACTOR

    Cillian Murphy is J. Robert Oppenheimer in 'Oppenheimer,' written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan.
    Cillian Murphy is J. Robert Oppenheimer in ‘Oppenheimer,’ written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan.

    As mentioned earlier, this has become a two-man race between ‘Oppenheimer’s Cillian Murphy and ‘The Holdover’s Paul Giamatti.

    Since the Golden Globes puts comedic performances in a separate category, both actors won, however Giamatti bested Murphy at the Critics Choice Awards. It seemed like Giamatti was the frontrunner, but with Murphy recently winning the all-important SAG award, I think this is now Murphy’s award to lose.

    Since the actor’s branch of the Academy is who votes for this award, and they are also SAG members, you never want to bet against the SAG winner, as it is almost always a precursor of who will win on Oscar night. That doesn’t mean Giamatti is completely out, but the momentum is no longer on his side and with ‘Oppenheimer’ poised to have a big night, Murphy seems like the clear choice at this point.

    Nominees:

    Who Will Win: Cillian Murphy, ‘Oppenheimer’

    Who Could Win: Paul Giamatti, ‘The Holdovers’

    BEST ACTRESS

    JaNae Collins, Lily Gladstone, Cara Jade Myers and Jillian Dion in 'Killers of the Flower Moon,' coming soon to Apple TV+.
    (L to R) JaNae Collins, Lily Gladstone, Cara Jade Myers and Jillian Dion in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ coming soon to Apple TV+.

    In another category that seems too close to call, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’s Lily Gladstone has a slight edge over ‘Poor Things’ Emma Stone.

    Again, because the Golden Globes separates comedic and dramatic performances, both actresses won. But Stone won the Critics Choice Award, putting her in the frontrunner’s seat.

    However, Gladstone recently won the all-important SAG Award, and again, since it’s basically the same group that votes for this category, I’d say she is now the frontrunner.

    There has been some talk that Gladstone’s role is really a supporting performance, and that could hurt her chances of winning. But since Stone already has a Best Actress trophy for her work in ‘La La Land,’ I think Gladstone will end up being triumphant and that’s how the Academy will reward Scorsese’s movie.

    Nominees:

    Who Will Win: Lily Gladstone, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’

    Who Could Win: Emma Stone, ‘Poor Things’

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    BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

    Robert Downey Jr is Lewis Strauss in 'Oppenheimer,' written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan.
    Robert Downey Jr is Lewis Strauss in ‘Oppenheimer,’ written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan.

    This is an easy category to call, as this is clearly Robert Downey Jr.’s year too!
    Having won the Golden Globe, Critics Choice and SAG Award, Downey has virtually no competition in this category and with ‘Oppenheimer’ poised to sweep most of its categories, Downey’s win is all but locked.

    A surprise upset could possibly come from Ryan Gosling for his work in ‘Barbie,’ but it’s not very likely and it seems that Downey will be rewarded not only for ‘Oppenheimer’ but also for his famous career comeback and work creating the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

    Nominees:

    Who Will Win: Robert Downey Jr., ‘Oppenheimer’

    Who Could Win: Ryan Gosling, ‘Barbie’

    BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

    Da’Vine Joy Randolph stars as Mary Lamb in director Alexander Payne’s 'The Holdovers,' a Focus Features release.
    Da’Vine Joy Randolph stars as Mary Lamb in director Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

    In another locked category, Da’Vine Joy Randolph should end up winning for her work in ‘The Holdovers.’

    Randolph has been winning all season, taking home a Golden Globe, Critics Choice and SAG Award for her work. This is probably how the Academy will reward Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ especially if Murphy ends up beating Giamatti.

    She could have some competition from Emily Blunt, especially if ‘Oppenheimer’ sweeps, but otherwise it’s safe to say that Randolph should be practicing her acceptance speech now.

    Nominees:

    Who Will Win: Da’Vine Joy Randolph, ‘The Holdovers’

    Who Could Win: Emily Blunt, ‘Oppenheimer’

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    Don’t forget to watch the 96th Academy Award ceremony Sunday, March 10th on ABC.

    Oscars Stage
    The 94th Oscars®. Photo credit: Blaine Ohigashi / A.M.P.A.S.

    Related Article: ‘Oppenheimer’, ‘Barbie’ and ‘Poor Things’ Among The 2024 Oscar Nominees

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  • 2024 Screen Actors Guild Awards Winners

    Motion Picture Cast, 'Oppenheimer.'
    Motion Picture Cast, ‘Oppenheimer.’ Photo: Stewart Cook/Shutterstock for SAG.

    Preview:

    • ‘Oppenheimer’ dominated the movie section of the 2024 SAG Awards.
    • In the TV categories, ‘The Bear’ and ‘Beef were predictable winners.
    • The show was carried by Netflix for the first time.

    This year’s Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony happened Saturday evening, and while they’re extremely limited in their Oscar prognostication (since this is all about acting), there were still few surprises, but shared love among a variety of movies and shows.

    Perhaps the most unusual element was the venue –– not the location, but the fact that it is being carried live via Netflix after years on broadcast cable.

    The show itself had some fun elements –– like the Emmys, it opted for a number of reunions from much-loved shows and movies, including ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ (Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt), ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Elijah Wood and Sean Astin, and the casts of ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Modern Family’, among others.

    On the movie front, ‘Oppenheimer’ and ‘Barbie’ led the nominations, with the former taking Motion Picture Cast, Male Actor in a Leading Role for Cillian Murphy (does this point to him taking the Oscar instead of ‘The Holdovers’ Paul Giamatti?) and Male Actor in a Supporting Role for Robert Downey Jr. (who is a big Oscar favorite for playing Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan’s film). “Why me? Why now? Why do things seem to be going my way?,” RDJ quipped. “Unlike my fellow nominees, I will never grow tired from the sound of my own voice….”

    Male Actor in a Leading Role - Motion Picture, Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer - with Robert Downey Jr. 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards, Show, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA - 24 Feb 2024.
    (L to R) Male Actor in a Leading Role – Motion Picture, Cillian Murphy, ‘Oppenheimer’ – with Robert Downey Jr. 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards, Show, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA – 24 Feb 2024. Photo by Christopher Polk/Shutterstock for SAG .

    ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ only saw Lily Gladstone winning another award as Female Actor in a Lead Role, while ‘The Holdovers’ Da’Vine Joy Randolph added Female Actor in a Supporting Role to her considerable collection, pointing to her surely nabbing an Oscar next month.

    TV-wise, there were even fewer shockers since the delayed Emmys and other shows had featured many of the same winners. So ‘The Bear’ duo Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri once again took the stage to collect trophies (both deserving winners, even though the debate remains as to whether the tension-filled show is truly a comedy), as well as being part of the series wining the Comedy ensemble award. ‘Succession’ meanwhile, nabbed the Drama Ensemble trophy.

    In other no-real-surprise news, Ali Wong and Steven Yeun both won for ‘Beef’.

    A mild surprise given what has happened so far? Pedro Pascal took Male Actor in a Drama Series for ‘The Last of Us’, beating out ‘Succession’s Kieran Culkin. Pascal was typically charming, admitting he’d thought he was allowed to get a little drunk and concerned he was making a fool of himself.

    Related Article: ‘Barbie’, ‘Oppenheimer’ and ‘Succession’ Lead 2024 SAG Nominations

    Screen Actors Guild: Full Movie Winners List

    Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

    Motion Picture Cast, 'Oppenheimer' 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards, Show, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA - 24 Feb 2024.
    Motion Picture Cast, ‘Oppenheimer’ 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards, Show, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA – 24 Feb 2024. Credit: Photo by Christopher Polk/Shutterstock for SAG.

    Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

    Male Actor in a Leading Role - Motion Picture, Cillian Murphy, 'Oppenheimer' 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards, Show, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA - 24 Feb 2024.
    Male Actor in a Leading Role – Motion Picture, Cillian Murphy, ‘Oppenheimer’ 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards, Show, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA – 24 Feb 2024. Credit: Photo by Christopher Polk/Shutterstock for SAG.

    Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

    Female Actor in a Leading Role - Motion Picture, Lily Gladstone, 'Killers of the Flower Moon' 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards, Show, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA - 24 Feb 2024.
    Female Actor in a Leading Role – Motion Picture, Lily Gladstone, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards, Show, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA – 24 Feb 2024. Photo by Christopher Polk/Shutterstock for SAG.

    Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

    Male Actor in a Supporting Role - Motion Picture, Robert Downey, Jr., 'Oppenheimer.'
    Male Actor in a Supporting Role – Motion Picture, Robert Downey, Jr., ‘Oppenheimer.’ Credit: Stewart Cook/Shutterstock for SAG.

    Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

    Female Actor in a Supporting Role - Motion Picture, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, 'The Holdovers.'
    Female Actor in a Supporting Role – Motion Picture, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, ‘The Holdovers.’ Credit: Stewart Cook/Shutterstock for SAG.

    Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture

    Tom Cruise plays Ethan Hunt in 'Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning - Part One 'from Paramount Pictures and Skydance.
    Tom Cruise plays Ethan Hunt in ‘Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning – Part One ‘from Paramount Pictures and Skydance.

    Screen Actors Guild: Full TV Winners List

    Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

    Drama Series Ensemble, 'Succession.'
    Drama Series Ensemble, ‘Succession.’ Photo: Stewart Cook/Shutterstock for SAG.

    Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series

    Comedy Series Ensemble, 'The Bear.'
    Comedy Series Ensemble, ‘The Bear.’ Photo: Stewart Cook/Shutterstock for SAG.

    Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series

    Male Actor in a Drama Series, Pedro Pascal, 'The Last of Us.'
    Male Actor in a Drama Series, Pedro Pascal, ‘The Last of Us.’ Credit: Stewart Cook/Shutterstock for SAG.

    Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series

    Female Actor in a Drama Series, Elizabeth Debicki, 'The Crown.'
    Female Actor in a Drama Series, Elizabeth Debicki, ‘The Crown.’ Credit: Stewart Cook/Shutterstock for SAG.

    Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series

    Female Actor in a Comedy Series, Ayo Edebiri, The Bear 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards, Show, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA - 24 Feb 2024.
    Female Actor in a Comedy Series, Ayo Edebiri, ‘The Bear’ 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards, Show, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA – 24 Feb 2024. Credit: Photo by Christopher Polk/Shutterstock for SAG.

    Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series

    Male Actor in a Comedy Series, Jeremy Allen White, 'The Bear' 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards, Show, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA - 24 Feb 2024.
    Male Actor in a Comedy Series, Jeremy Allen White, ‘The Bear’ 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards, Show, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA – 24 Feb 2024. Credit: Photo by Christopher Polk/Shutterstock for SAG.

    Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series

    Female Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries, Ali Wong, 'Beef.'
    Female Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries, Ali Wong, ‘Beef.’ Credit: Stewart Cook/Shutterstock for SAG.

    Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series

    Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries, Steven Yeun, 'Beef.'
    Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries, Steven Yeun, ‘Beef.’ Photo: Stewart Cook/Shutterstock for SAG.

    Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series

    Pedro Pascal and Anna Torv in 'The Last of Us.' Photo: Warner Media.
    (L to R) Pedro Pascal and Anna Torv in ‘The Last of Us.’ Photo: Warner Media.

  • 2024 Oscar Nominations Predictions

    (Left) Margot Robbie as Barbie in Warner Bros. Pictures’ 'Barbie,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. (Center Left) Paul Giamatti stars as Paul Hunham in director Alexander Payne’s 'The Holdovers,' a Focus Features release. Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC. (Center Right) Cillian Murphy is J. Robert Oppenheimer in 'Oppenheimer,' written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan. (Right) Emma Stone in 'Poor Things.' Photo by Yorgos Lanthimos. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2023 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.
    (Left) Margot Robbie as Barbie in Warner Bros. Pictures’ ‘Barbie,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. (Center Left) Paul Giamatti stars as Paul Hunham in director Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC. (Center Right) Cillian Murphy is J. Robert Oppenheimer in ‘Oppenheimer,’ written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan. (Right) Emma Stone in ‘Poor Things.’ Photo by Yorgos Lanthimos. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2023 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.

    Following the results of the recent Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, the Oscar race is starting to shape up.

    It will officially begin on January 23rd when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announce the Oscar nominees, with the 96th Oscars Ceremony scheduled for March 10th.

    At this point, ‘Oppenheimer‘ seems to be the front runner in the Best Picture category, with Christopher Nolan and Robert Downey Jr. being locks for Best Director and Best Supporting Actor, respectively. Actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph also seems to be a lock for Best Supporting Actress for ‘The Holdovers.’

    In the Best Actor and Best Actress categories, it seems like a two person race now between Cillian Murphy (‘Oppenheimer’) and Paul Giamatti (‘The Holdovers’), and Lily Gladstone (‘Killers of the Flower Moon‘) and Emma Stone (‘Poor Things‘), respectively. But who else will be nominated?

    Moviefone is making its Oscar nomination predictions for the major categories including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress, ahead of the nominee announcements on January 23rd.

    Let’s begin!

    BEST PICTURE

    Cillian Murphy is J. Robert Oppenheimer in 'Oppenheimer,' written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan.
    Cillian Murphy is J. Robert Oppenheimer in ‘Oppenheimer,’ written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan.

    Nominee Predictions:

    In The Mix:

    BEST DIRECTOR

    Writer, director, and producer Christopher Nolan on the set of 'Oppenheimer.'
    Writer, director, and producer Christopher Nolan on the set of ‘Oppenheimer.’

    Nominee Predictions:

    In The Mix:

    • Bradley Cooper – ‘Maestro’
    • Jonathan Glazer – ‘The Zone of Interest’
    • Cord Jefferson – ‘American Fiction’
    • Celine Song – ‘Past Lives’
    • Justine Tried – ‘Anatomy of a Fall’

    BEST ACTOR

    Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully and Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham in director Alexander Payne’s 'The Holdovers,' a Focus Features release.
    (L to R) Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully and Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham in director Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

    Nominee Predictions:

    In The Mix:

    BEST ACTRESS

    JaNae Collins, Lily Gladstone, Cara Jade Myers and Jillian Dion in 'Killers of the Flower Moon,' coming soon to Apple TV+.
    (L to R) JaNae Collins, Lily Gladstone, Cara Jade Myers and Jillian Dion in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ coming soon to Apple TV+.

    Nominee Predictions:

    In The Mix: 

     

    BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

    Robert Downey Jr is Lewis Strauss in 'Oppenheimer,' written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan.
    Robert Downey Jr is Lewis Strauss in ‘Oppenheimer,’ written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan.

    Nominee Predictions:

    In The Mix: 

    BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

    Da’Vine Joy Randolph stars as Mary Lamb in director Alexander Payne’s 'The Holdovers,' a Focus Features release.
    Da’Vine Joy Randolph stars as Mary Lamb in director Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

    Nominee Predictions:

    In The Mix: 

    Don’t forget to watch the 96th Academy Award ceremony Sunday, March 10th on ABC.

    Oscars Logo Courtesy of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
    Oscars Logo Courtesy of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

  • Where To Watch Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers’

    Paul Giamatti stars as Paul Hunham and Dominic Sessa as Angus Tully in director Alexander Payne’s 'The Holdovers,' a Focus Features release.
    (L to R) Paul Giamatti stars as Paul Hunham and Dominic Sessa as Angus Tully in director Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

    Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdover’ is a holiday dramedy set in the 1970s starring Paul Giamatti (‘Jungle Cruise’), Da’Vine Joy Randolph (‘Rustin’), and Dominic Sessa. Taking place at the elite Barton Academy, a history teacher, a school kitchen manager, and a student are stuck in the school and are forced to spend the holidays together. They form an interesting and unlikely bond as they learn more about each other.

    This film reunited Academy Award winning director Alexander Payne with Paul Giamatti since their collaboration on ‘Sideways’, which was released almost 20 years ago in 2004.

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    Where Can I Watch ‘The Holdovers’?

    Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully and Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham in director Alexander Payne’s 'The Holdovers,' a Focus Features release.
    (L to R) Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully and Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham in director Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of FOCUS FEATURES / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

    The movie held its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023. Following the positive reaction from Telluride attendees, the film was also screened at TIFF on September 10, 2023. It was released domestically on October 27, 2023. ‘The Holdovers’ is set to have its release in the UK on January 15, 2024.

    Buy Tickets: ‘The Holdovers’ Movie Showtimes

    With the film being in theaters for over 60 days, showings have become quite limited. However, you still have plenty of opportunities to view the movie from the comfort of your home. The film became available for streaming on Peacock on December 29, 2023.

    Where to Watch: ‘The Holdovers’ Online

    The film is also available for purchase digitally on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Vudu, and Microsoft for $19.99

    A Story of Grief, Coming of Age, and Self-Discovery

    Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully and Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Mary Lamb in director Alexander Payne’s 'The Holdovers,' a Focus Features release.
    (L to R) Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully and Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Mary Lamb in director Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

    The movie’s three leads find themselves in a different time in their lives. Mary Lamb (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) is mourning the loss of her son, Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti) is a grumpy history teacher disliked by students and fellow faculty, and Angus Tully, a student at Barton who is having a hard time coming to terms with the loss of his father, and his mother’s new relationship.

    This unlikely trio is forced to spend the holidays at the Academy, and through this experience, though unpleasant at first, their eventual bond and appreciation for each other slowly help them come to terms with their hardship.

    Related Article: Movie Review: ‘The Holdovers’

    ‘The Holdovers’ Wins At The Golden Globe Awards

    Paul Giamatti at the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards, airing live from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT, on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
    Paul Giamatti at the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards, airing live from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT, on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    After its successful showings at Telluride and TIFF, buzz began to build around the movie, and as we head into award season, you can expect to see ‘The Holdovers’ be a part of the conversation.

    At the 2024 Golden Globe Award, ‘The Holdovers’ was nominated for four awards: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture, Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

    Paul Giamatti took home the award for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, making it his third Golden Globe win. Da’Vine Joy Randolph wins for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture, making it her first Golden Globe win.

    Aside from the Golden Globe nomination and wins, ‘The Holdovers’ is touted to be a top contender during the upcoming Award season. For the 2024 Critics Choice Awards, it received eight nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Young Actor/Actress, Best Acting Ensemble, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Comedy.

    We’ll be keeping an eye on ‘The Holdovers’ as the 94th Academy Awards approach.

    When Will ‘The Holdovers’ Be Available On Blu-Ray?

    Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully and Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham in director Alexander Payne’s 'The Holdovers,' a Focus Features release.
    (L to R) Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully and Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham in director Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

    The movie is currently available on VOD, but if you prefer physical media, you’re in luck. It was announced that ‘The Holdovers’ became available on DVD and Blu-ray on January 2, 2024. You can purchase it from retailers such as Amazon and Walmart.

    The DVD and Blu-ray will include bonus features such as deleted scenes and featurettes such as “Working with Alexander” and “The Cast of The Holdovers.”

    Buy ‘The Holdovers’ on Amazon

    Watch the official trailers for ‘The Holdovers’ below:

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    The official synopsis for ‘The Holdovers’ is below:

    “’The Holdovers’ follows a curmudgeonly instructor at a New England prep school who is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to babysit the handful of students with nowhere to go. Eventually, he forms an unlikely bond with one of them — a damaged, brainy troublemaker — and with the school’s head cook, who has just lost a son in Vietnam. Together, the three work to rediscover and redefine the meaning of “family.”

    Director Alexander Payne and actor Dan Aid on the set of their film 'The Holdovers,' a Focus Features release.
    Director Alexander Payne and actor Dan Aid on the set of their film ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

    Other Alexander Payne Movies:

    To watch our exclusive interviews with the cast of ‘The Holdovers,’ please click on the video player below.

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    To watch our exclusive interviews with director Alexander Payne, writer David Hemingson, and editor Kevin Tent about ‘The Holdovers,’ please click on the video player below.

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  • ‘The Holdovers’ Exclusive Interview: Paul Giamatti

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    Currently in theaters now is the critically acclaimed ‘The Holdovers,’ which is the eighth feature film from two-time Academy Award winning filmmaker Alexander Payne (‘The Descendants’) and reunites him with ‘Sideways’ actor Paul Giamatti.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Paul Giamatti about his work on ‘The Holdovers,’ reuniting with Alexander Payne, if his filmmaking process has changed since ‘Sideways,’ Giamatti’s inspiration for the role, working with first time actor Dominic Sessa, and the surrogate family their characters create.

    Paul Giamatti stars in 'The Holdovers.'
    Paul Giamatti stars in ‘The Holdovers.’

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph.

    Moviefone: We recently had the chance to speak to Alexander Payne and he mentioned that during the writing process he sent you rough drafts of the screenplay to get your input. Is that correct, and what kind of input did you give?

    Paul Giamatti: He did send me some rough drafts along the way, and my only input was, “Keep going. This is awesome. Just let me know. Just keep sending me this.” He’s always a step ahead of you of coming up with great stuff.

    Paul Giamatti stars as Paul Hunham in director Alexander Payne’s 'The Holdovers,' a Focus Features release.
    Paul Giamatti stars as Paul Hunham in director Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

    MF: What was your initial take on this character, and did you draw inspiration from any teachers you had growing up?

    PG: Well, it very much reminded me of a teacher I had. So, that inspiration, he was right there, there was a guy that I had in mind who was a cranky, difficult, curmudgeonly, sarcastic guy who maybe had drunk a little too much. But I remembered thinking he was a good teacher, and he was a really dedicated teacher. So, I didn’t want to ever forget the fact that this guy really cared about teaching and that underneath the bitterness and all the self-deception was an actual desire to teach people, to teach kids. So, that always was there in the back of my head.

    Related Article: Director Alexander Payne and Editor Kevin Tent Talk ‘The Holdovers’

    Director Alexander Payne and actor Dan Aid on the set of their film 'The Holdovers,' a Focus Features release.
    Director Alexander Payne and actor Dan Aid on the set of their film ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

    MF: What was it like reuniting with Alexander Payne on this film, and has his process as a filmmaker changed at all since ‘Sideways’?

    PG: It’s interesting, it was different. It was a different movie, and so there was even more precision on this one, that was really kind of cool. He had a definite sense of the pace of it. I picked that up very early on and I was like, “Okay, this has got a kind of different pace from ‘Sideways.’” So that was just different. I don’t know if it was better or anything like that. But in terms of me and him working together, it was easier. I mean, we’d become friends in the interim, so now I was just actually there with a friend of mine who I was getting to hang out with, and I happened to be making a movie. Which is what he makes it feel like anyway for everybody, but it really was even deeper for me in that regard.

    Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully and Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham in director Alexander Payne’s 'The Holdovers,' a Focus Features release.
    (L to R) Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully and Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham in director Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

    MF: What is like working opposite a first-time actor and what was your experience like working with Dominic Sessa?

    PG: It’s super exciting, because he’s feeling everything fresh for the first time, and he’s a smart guy. He’s watchful and he’s picking up on everything, and it was great to just watch him. It mimicked in some ways the thing going on in the movie, that this guy is gaining the pleasure of watching this kid in the world and starting to really appreciate the kid. He was great. He’s such a good guy. He was a good guy to just hang out with. It was like, I like being with this guy. So, it made it such a pleasure.

    Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully, Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham and Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Mary Lamb in director Alexander Payne’s 'The Holdovers,' a Focus Features release.
    (L to R) Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully, Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham and Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Mary Lamb in director Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

    MF: Finally, can you talk about the surrogate family that Paul, Angus and Mary form together through the course of the movie because they have nowhere else to go?

    PG: They have nobody else there, so it’s like they’re thrown together, but they all need something. They all need to move beyond where they’re stuck a little bit and somehow each one of them begins to gain empathy for each other and move themselves forward, even for that little space of time. It’s going to break apart, they’re never going to see each other again, but it’s like they find that moment of empathy to help themselves slightly move on to the next place, which is great.

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    What is the plot of ‘The Holdovers’?

    Set in the early 1970s, the film follows Paul Hunham (Giamatti), a disliked teacher at Barton Academy, who’s responsible for supervising students who are unable to return home for the Christmas holidays. During this process, Hunham is forced to deal with one particularly rebellious but troubled student, Angus (Sessa), who is grieving the loss of his father.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Holdovers’?

    Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully and Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham in director Alexander Payne’s 'The Holdovers,' a Focus Features release.
    (L to R) Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully and Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham in director Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of FOCUS FEATURES / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

    List of Alexander Payne Movies:

    Buy Tickets: ‘The Holdovers’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Alexander Payne Movies on Amazon

     

  • Movie Review: ‘The Holdovers’

    Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully and Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham in director Alexander Payne’s 'The Holdovers,' a Focus Features release.
    (L to R) Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully and Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham in director Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of FOCUS FEATURES / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

    Opening in theaters in limited release on October 27th before opening wide on November 10th is the eighth feature film from two-time Academy Award winning filmmaker Alexander Payne (‘Sideways,’ ‘The Descendants‘) entitled ‘The Holdovers.’

    Initial Thoughts

    Reuniting with actor Paul Giamatti for the first time since 2004’s ‘Sideways,’ director Alexander Payne delivers his best movie since the acclaimed Wine-themed film. ‘The Holdovers’ is a smart, sensitive and awkwardly funny movie, which is wonderfully acted and directed and is not only set in the 1970s but is also brilliantly structured like a film from that era.

    Story and Direction

    Director Alexander Payne and actor Dan Aid on the set of their film 'The Holdovers,' a Focus Features release.
    Director Alexander Payne and actor Dan Aid on the set of their film ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

    Set in the early 1970s, screenwriter David Hemingson’s beautiful screenplay first introduces us to Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti), a grumpy teacher at the Barton Academy, a New England boarding school for boys, who is equally disliked both by the students and the faculty. Approaching the holidays, and with no real plans of his own, Hunham is forced to stay on campus and supervise the few students who are not going home for Christmas. Eventually he is left with only Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa), a smart but difficult student who is struggling with the loss of his father and his Mother’s new marriage. Along with Mary Lamb (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), a cafeteria worker dealing with her own family tragedy, the three lost souls find friendship and love together over the holidays.

    Director Alexander Payne has always excelled at finding humor in the most tragic and awkward of circumstances. That is clearly on display in some of his best movies including ‘Election,’ ‘About Schmidt,’ ‘Sideways,’ ‘The Descendants,’ and ‘Nebraska.’ With ‘The Holdovers,’ Payne not only finds the humor but also goes deep into the human emotions of the characters in a way that he has only been able to scratch the surface with in his earlier films. This is a master filmmaker just hitting the apex of his talents after almost 30 years of the craft. Every shot meticulously framed, every edit perfectly placed, and every scene masterfully directed, as only someone with Payne’s experience could achieve.

    Payne’s choice of shots and his framing with cinematographer Eigil Bryld (‘No Hard Feelings’) helps add to the 1970’s feel of the movie. There are also some beautifully framed shots of when the characters take a trip to Boston. That city has changed tremendously since the 1970s, (I know, I grew up there), and Payne and Bryld are able to capture it in a way that it really looks like the city of my childhood. Many of the movie’s best moments play out in long masters, that never feel rushed and really take their time much like the films of the 1970s. Crafting a movie that is set in the ‘70s to feel like a movie that would have been made in that era was a neat trick, and helps the audience immerse itself in the story. The music, editing and production design also helped tremendously in this endeavor, but more on that in a moment.

    Related Article: Director Alexander Payne and Editor Kevin Tent Talk ‘The Holdovers’

    Paul Giamatti’s Performance

    Paul Giamatti stars as Paul Hunham in director Alexander Payne’s 'The Holdovers,' a Focus Features release.
    Paul Giamatti stars as Paul Hunham in director Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

    While ‘Sideways’ made Paul Giamatti a household name, the actor has carved out a brilliant career for himself since appearing in other modern classics like ‘Cinderella Man,’ ’12 Years a Slave,’ ‘Love & Mercy’ and ‘Straight Outta Compton,’ but ‘The Holdovers’ might just be the best performance of his career. Giamatti is perfectly cast as Hunham, as the actor is excellent at playing a curmudgeon, but also has a likable venerability. While he is very funny in the most awkward moments, it’s his more sensitive and emotional scenes that really open up the honest pain of the character. Giamatti has a fun dynamic with Da’Vine Joy Randolph, but his chemistry with newcomer Dominic Sessa is really at the heart of the movie.

    Other Strong Performances

    Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully and Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Mary Lamb in director Alexander Payne’s 'The Holdovers,' a Focus Features release.
    (L to R) Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully and Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Mary Lamb in director Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

    Previously mentioned newcomer Dominic Sessa gives a sensational debut performance playing smartass teenager Angus Tully. It would be easy for a character like this to come off bratty and unlikable very quickly, but Sessa’s performance never crosses that line, as his emotional pain his apparent from the first time we meet him. It’s obvious from the performance that he is a smart and sweet kid that feels abandoned by his mother and is just looking to be seen. The reluctant friendship that forms between Paul and Angus through the course the film feels truly earned, thanks to Sessa and Giamatti’s strong performances.

    Actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph, best known for her breakout performance in ‘Dolemite Is My Name,’ is as much a revelation in this movie as she was in that one. Randolph’s emotional range is absolutely captivating on screen and the actress has some great moments to explore that in this movie. Her character very much becomes a mother to both Angus and Paul, at a very difficult time in her life personally, where she needs that. But she also has a deep respect and affection for Paul, which at a point you wonder if it might not be something more. But Randolph is wonderful in her scenes with both actors and is a fantastic addition to the cast.

    Editing, Production Design and Music

    Director Alexander Payne and actors Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph on the set of their film 'The Holdovers,' a Focus Features release.
    (L to R) Director Alexander Payne and actors Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph on the set of their film ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

    The film’s production design is exquisite, and instantly transports you to a New England boarding school in the 1970s. Barton Academy comes alive in the most palpable ways when it is bubbling with students, but then feels cold and alone when the school is empty over the holidays. The brilliant costumes also help set the 1970’s vibes, as does the smart musical choices, including the film’s score.

    But it is really the impressive pacing and editing of the movie that gives it the authentic ‘70s look and feel. Editor Kevin Tent has cut every feature film Alexander Payne has ever directed, but I think this is truly his best work. From the opening credits that look like they belong at the beginning of a movie from the ‘70s, to the pacing and cutting between shots, Tent is invaluable to Payne in truly achieving the look and feel he was going for.

    Awards Contender

    Actor Da’Vine Joy Randolph and director Alexander Payne on the set of their film 'The Holdovers,' a Focus Features release.
    (L to R) Actor Da’Vine Joy Randolph and director Alexander Payne on the set of their film ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

    It’s always difficult predicting the Oscar race this early in the season, especially in a year like 2023, but with the movie’s impressive pedigree, I’d be shocked if at least the film, screenplay, director and lead actor were not on most shortlists of awards contenders. Both Payne and Giamatti deliver some of their best work in years and deserve recognition. Giamatti has never been nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars, and Payne has only won Best Adapted Screenplay (albeit twice), so it would be nice to see them recognized in the Best Actor and Best Director categories, respectively, at least with nominations this year.

    While Dominic Sessa is excellent in his debut, I’m always reluctant to nominate first time actors, but Da’Vine Joy Randolph, who was criminally overlooked for Best Supporting Actress for ‘Dolemite Is My Name’ definitely deserves attention this time around. And in addition to nominations in Cinematography, Production Design, and Score, I would also like to push a nomination for Editing, which often goes to action-driven movies like the last two winners ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ and ‘Dune,’ but it’s some of the best work I’ve seen in this category in years.

    Final Thoughts

    ‘The Holdovers’ is a masterfully directed movie with humorous and emotional performances from the entire cast including Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa and Da’Vine Joy Randolph. Director Alexander Payne is at the top of his game, as is his entire production team, delivering a heartwarming movie framed with the loving nostalgia of a time (and almost a type of filmmaking) that no longer exists.

    ‘The Holdovers’ receives 10 out of 10 stars.

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    What is the plot of ‘The Holdovers’?

    Set in the early 1970s, the film follows Paul Hunham (Giamatti), a disliked teacher at Barton Academy, who’s responsible for supervising students who are unable to return home for the Christmas holidays. During this process, Hunham is forced to deal with one particularly rebellious but troubled student, Angus (Sessa), who is grieving the loss of his father.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Holdovers’?

    Paul Giamatti stars as Paul Hunham and Dominic Sessa as Angus Tully in director Alexander Payne’s 'The Holdovers,' a Focus Features release.
    (L to R) Paul Giamatti stars as Paul Hunham and Dominic Sessa as Angus Tully in director Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

    Other Alexander Payne Movies:

    Buy Tickets: ‘The Holdovers’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Alexander Payne Movies on Amazon

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