Consider me none-too-surprised, and unmoved, by the news that Barry Jenkins’ tepid love story “If Beale Street Could Talk” won Best Picture and Best Director at the 34th annual Indie Spirit Awards. The “Moonlight” writer-director’s adaptation of James Baldwin’s novel about racial injustice in America had beautiful photography, courtesy of James Laxton fine lenses, but could match its aesthetic prowess with thematic resonance. I am of the minority opinion when it comes to this film, alas, hopefully father time will make these sentiments age like fine wine.
Read moreOf Course, Regina King Doesn't Deserve the Oscar for “Beale Street”
Listen, Regina King’s performance in “If Beale Street Could Talk” was perfectly fine, but worthy of a Best Supporting Actress win? Of course not. Pundits and critics going the King route are either a) virtue signaling and/or b) a social media-backed wolf pack of Jenkins aficionados. Talk to most normal moviegoers that have nothing on the line except their unadorned and honest taste on movies and they will tell you King doesn’t deserve it. It doesn’t help that she was snubbed by SAG two months ago, ditto BAFTA.
Read more'Green Book' will most likely be your Best Picture front-runner
Awards Watch writer Erik Anderson, who I finally had the pleasure of meeting at TIFF this year, knows his stuff and his list of the ten films most likely to be rewarded with a Best Picture nomination, is, more or less, what we'll likely be greeted with come nominations day January 24th. Although, I would replace the impenetrable "If Beale Street Could Talk" with "Eighth Grade." Also, if "Vice," the Dick Cheney movie, fails critically and/or commercially, I can see "The Hate U Give," which is going to get a huge push with reviews and box-office intake, sneak into the Best Picture race.
Read moreTIFF Recap: The Best Movies of the Fest
In previous years, I would include films in my TIFF recap that had also premiered at Telluride and Venice. But this year’s slate in Toronto was so strong, we can fill a full report with nothing more than the note-worthy world premieres that screened at the festival’s 42nd edition. There was plenty to cheer. Although Venice and Telluride perhaps featured the peak title of the festival season — Alfonso Cuaron’s masterful Roma — TIFF managed to deliver a memorable week. Artistic director Piers Handling and festival programmer Cameron Bailey year’s carved out an outstanding group of films, distinct from the other competitive festivals they compete with every September.
Read moreBarry Jenkins' 'If Beale Street Could Talk' Disappoints [TIFF]
Barry Jenkins' "Moonlight" was such a universally praised film that you knew whatever he made next would be met with tremendously high expectations. His decision to adapt James Baldwin's masterful 1974 novel "If Beale Street Could Talk" was unexpected but much welcome, as that novel's themes of social injustice, poverty, and racial disillusionment still very much resonate to this day.
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Paul Greengrass’ "The Uprising," starring Andrew Garfield, opened to $3.2M from 2,068 theaters this weekend. Yikes. The budget hasn’t been disclosed, but is said to be in the $20-$30M range.