Kohn/Thompson: ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ is a “Major Oscar Contender”

The dust has settled, and critics in Los Angeles and New York have weighed in on Ryan Coogler’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and … it could get Best Picture nominated?

Anne Thompson and Eric Kohn have also added in their two cents this morning on their Screen Talk podcast. They are even more hyperbolic, calling it a “major Oscar contender.” Good God.

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” received an ecstatic reaction from press and industry this week with its starry red-carpet debut in L.A. and additional screenings in New York. While reviews are still a few days away, it’s not too early to dig into the awards season prospects for the movie, and they are bountiful. The original “Black Panther” received seven nominations, including Best Picture. ... “Wakanda Forever” could do all that and more, from a Best Director nomination for Ryan Coogler to a supporting actress nomination for Angela Bassett. Of course, this is still a Marvel movie, and not everyone in the Academy wants that breed of blockbuster to dominate awards season.”

I’m not supposed to watch “Wakanda Forever” until next week, but this is alarming. The reactions yesterday were NOT backflips from critics. Even the usually very fair Scott Mantz had some major reservations.

From what I gathered, based on yesterday’s reactions, the film is flawed at 161 minutes, but many (actually, most) are willing to let go of the imperfections to praise the film. This is 2018 all over again…

Yes, all Marvel movies get positive initial reactions, but there seems to be backing coming from critics and pundits such as Eric Kohn, David Ehrlich, Mike Ryan and Kyle Buchanan. There’s also Rian Johnson immediately weighing in on the film with praise.

Fact of the matter is that, even before it screened, there already were some out there who believed Coogler’s sequel had a shot at Oscar glory. Picture, Director, and Angela Bassett for Supporting Actress were specified as possibilities. Now it seems as though some critics will be pushing this one down our throats the same way they did with the original. Will it be enough?

Linus Sandgren to DP Shawn Levy's ‘Ghost Rider' on Film — Connor Storrie in Talks to Co-Star

Marvel's "Ghost Rider" just hired one of the best cinematographers working today. Linus Sandgren will serve as DP on Shawn Levy's MCU flick, and, most notably, the project will be shot on film.

Jafar Panahi Sentenced to Five Years in Prison as Iran Orders His Assets Seized

It keeps getting worse for Jafar Panahi. The Palme d'Or-winning director of "It Was Just an Accident" has been sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to five years in prison.

‘The Birds’ Limited Series Starring Sarah Snook Lands at HBO

Hollywood remaking anything connected to Hitchcock has rarely produced memorable results. Yet the industry keeps trying, despite overwhelming evidence that it’s a fool’s errand.

‘One of Them Days’ Filmmaker Lawrence Lamont to Direct Ice Cube-Penned ‘Last Friday’ Sequel

Lawrence Lamont, whose “One of Them Days” was one of the more pleasant low-key surprises of early 2025, has been tapped by New Line to direct “Last Friday,” the fourth instalment of the “Friday” franchise.

‘Coyote vs. Acme' Ruled Eligible for Best Animated Feature Oscar — Crashes the Race Against ‘Wildwood’ and ‘Toy Story 5’

Should "Coyote vs. Acme" even be considered an animated film? The Academy requires animation to cover 75% of a film's runtime, and somehow this movie cleared that bar.

August 19, 2019

3-Hour ‘Midsommar' Director's Cut Screened in NYC

This year’s 12th edition of the Scary Movies festival at Film at Lincoln Center premiered Ari Aster’s extended version of “Midsommar” this past Saturday.

CONFIRMED: Sadie Soverall Exits Brady Corbet's ‘The Origin of the World' Mid-Shoot, Lily McInerny Steps In Lead Role

Sadie Soverall was just let go after briefly filming on Corbet's new film — no official reason given. She had the lead role. Corbet has replaced her, last minute, with Lily McInerny.

Ron Howard’s ‘Alone at Dawn’ Starring Adam Driver and Anne Hathaway Sets Christmas 2027 Release

This is the adaptation of the nonfiction book by Dan Schilling and Lori Longfritz. It wrapped production in February and has been in post-production ever since. The film test-screened a few months ago.

Jeremy Saulnier’s Next Film Retitled to ‘Slayground,’ Current Runtime is 2.5 Hours, Plot Details

Jeremy Saulnier’s mysterious A24 project, formerly “October,” still has no release date. You’d think, given that it has been in post-production for almost a year now.

Jemima Kirke and Alexi Wasser to Star in Woody Allen's Next Film

A few months ago, Deadline reported that Woody Allen's next film, set in Madrid and carrying a $14M budget, will be "largely English-language" and feature a "high-profile cast."

Fritz Lang’s ‘M’ Tops the Best Films of the 1930s, According to 100+ Critics

We’ve gone through the decades. The ‘40s ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, ‘2000s, and ‘2010s. — all revisited, argued over. Now, here are the results for the best films of the 1930s.

Critics Poll: ‘Citizen Kane' Named Best Film of the 1940s

The results are in, and according to critics, this decade filled with cinematic riches did not have a better film than Orson Welles’ “Citizen Kane.” Nobody should be surprised by this result. “Citizen Kane” changed cinema forever.

Critics Poll: ‘Vertigo’ Named Best Film of the 1950s, Over 120 Participants

It was a closer race than anticipated, but Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo” has topped our best of the ’50s poll, besting Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen’s “Singin’ in the Rain” by just two votes.

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