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?

May el-Toukhy’s ‘Woman Unknown’ Wins the Golden Lion at Venice — Surprise!

The short version: "Woman Unknown" was a compromise. The jury deadlocked over "Possible Love" and "NAZA," not able to com to terms, fell back on their #3, May el-Toukhy's film.

Cory Finley's 'Reasonable People,' Starring Paul Rudd and Sam Rockwell, Shoots This Fall

Cory Finley, a talented filmmaker, has directed three films so far: "Thoroughbreds" (2017), "Bad Education” (2020), and "Landscape with Invisible Hand.”

Bassam Tariq Says Making ‘Blade' at Marvel Was ‘“a Different Thing”: “Somebody Else Is Running This”

Bassim Tariq was the first one in the chair. The "Mogul Mowgli" director spent two years building out the Mahershala Ali vehicle before exiting in 2022, and he's now letting the air out on this one.

‘The Family Stone’ Sequel Greenlit at Searchlight, Fall Shoot, Reunites the Entire Cast — Except Diane Keaton

Claire Danes, Rachel McAdams, Dermot Mulroney, Craig T. Nelson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Luke Wilson, Tyrone Giordano, Elizabeth Reaser, Paul Schneider, and Brian White will all be back.

Critics Are Fighting About ‘Fjord’ at TIFF; Sebastian Stan: “Not A MAGA Movie”

I was curious how Cristian Mungiu's "Fjord" would be received this fall. The Palme d'Or winner has become a culture-war flashpoint, and critics are more split on it than you might expect.

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.

Joaquin Phoenix Reuniting with Mike Mills for Next Film, Shooting in January 2027

Phoenix is set to reunite with Mills on this next film, which is being distributed by A24 and starts shooting January 2027. This will be Phoenix’s first film since “Eddington.”

Paul Thomas Anderson Has Already Chosen His Next Film, Jonny Greenwood Says

“Paul is getting close to pressing the button on the next film, I believe, and I’m already trying to learn a new instrument that would be central to it,” Greenwood tells Screen Daily.

Ridley Scott Says “I Didn’t Say That” After Calling ‘The Dog Stars’ His Best Movie Since ‘The Martian’

In June 2026, Scott told The Buyer that “The Dog Stars” is “probably the best movie I’ve done since The Martian.” He’s now denying he ever said that.

Todd Field-Written ‘The Girls’ Sets Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic to Direct, November Shoot

Cinephiles another Todd Field movie, and although we might have to wait for his next directorial effort, “The Girls” will have to suffice for now.

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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