Chrisicisms: An announcement, Oscars, Larry David and Jon Stewart
Some things on my mind this Friday.
You may have noticed a recent uptick in new release reviews here in the last week, starting with my thoughts on Dune: Part II and Kung Fu Panda 4. That’s because I recently decided to make Chrisicisms my central outlet for publishing all of my writing, including reviews of newer films.
In recent weeks and months, engagement with this newsletter has really grown, and it recently hit a pretty significant goal milestone. It’s always felt a bit weird to have the main thing a critic is known for – talking about the newest films – divorced from much of the writing I do here, and I never really could figure out why something new was more appropriate for another site as opposed to this one.
Also, I’ll just admit it: Time was a factor. Sometimes, I’m able to sit down in the evening and crank out a few pieces each week. But with the busyness of career and home life, that’s not always the case. And if I only have time to write one piece that week, it means I have to choose whether this newsletter or another platform gets content. Which usually means that another platform – where people haven’t made the choice to sign up specifically to hear from me – gets the new content and this newsletter gets something a bit more tossed off. And that doesn’t seem fair to all of you.
In the end, I think it came down to some fears over legitimacy. If I published everything from a platform I independently operated, could I still consider myself a “real” critic? In the end, I think that said more about my own imposter syndrome than about the platform itself, and I realized I should probably own this. I’ve been writing about film for nearly two decades, I’ve been published at several well-respected outlets and even in a book, I have a grad degree in media arts and studies, and I’m part of a respected film critics board. And if it makes more sense to have everything in one centralized spot, then I’m going to do the thing that makes sense.
Plus, there is always a sacrifice you make when writing for another outlet. You necessarily have to pull back your voice so that your personality doesn’t become the attraction; reviews for other places need to be a bit anonymous. And, that’s not very fun for a writer. Here, I can sneak in my snark, muse on political or spiritual views, and take a few more chances with form if I so desire. And so, it seemed the right choice for my readers, for my personal growth and for my own sanity to make Chrisicisms the main hub for my writing.
What does that mean for the site? For one, more new release reviews, just as we’re getting into the busy spring and upcoming summer season. But I hope it also means more content in general. We’re gonna have a new We’re Watching Here episode dropping post-Oscars, and I have a few pieces coming up that I’m pretty excited about, including some more Franchise Fridays. As content starts to pile up, I’ll probably start dropping some of these behind paywalls – stories more than a month old, with a few exceptions, are already back there – so if you’ve enjoyed these writings and want to support it, it is always appreciated.
But today, I want to just take some time to write about a few random things on my mind that I’ve been enjoying or thinking about. I want to do this a bit more because it’s a nice way to get my opinion out on things that don’t quite merit a full post but are still worth talking about.
Oscar gets ready to love bomb Oppenheimer
Normally, I’d do a full predictions post for the Oscars, even though I’m rarely accurate in any of my prognosticating. But here’s the problem – I think many, if not most, of the big awards this year are a forgone conclusion. If you’ve been paying attention throughout the award season, it’s been a series of many of the same names and faces, and I can’t see that changing come Sunday night. So, I’m not going to do a prediction post, although Perry and I are planning to chat in the day or so after the ceremony for a post mortem.
I think barring a big game-changer, it’s pretty apparent that Sunday night will be a love fest for Chris Nolan and Oppenheimer. The movie seems to have Best Actor locked up for Cillian Murphy (unless Paul Giamatti gets a legacy win) and I can’t foresee a scenario where Robert Downey Jr. doesn’t cap one of Hollywood’s great redemption arcs by taking home a trophy. Nolan is the frontrunner for Best Director, and I don’t think there’s any serious competition for the Best Picture; I think that was all locked up once Oppenheimer got great critical notices and made nearly $1 billion. It pushes back against the “cinema is dead” narrative without feeling like empty calories, and the Academy is going to want to award it
And, I’m good with that! Oppenheimer is not my favorite of the nominees – it’s actually near the bottom of the list. But I think it’s a good movie; one of Nolan’s best. There are arguments I would entertain that he should have previously won for Memento or even The Dark Knight. And where some films would be hurt by a Best Picture win – both Barbie and American Fiction, two films I like quite a bit, would be the classic “it was good, but not Best Picture good” victims if they won. Poor Things is too weird, Anatomy of a Fall and Past Lives too small, and the love just doesn’t seem to be there for Killers of the Flower Moon. But Oppenheimer feels like an Oscar winner; it’s got broad enough appeal, it’s about an important subject, and it’s a work of technical mastery. Come on, Oppy, let’s go party.
Nolan’s film will also likely take cinematography and some other tech awards, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Nolan pick up an adapted screenplay trophy. As for the rest of the awards, I think Lily Gladstone and Da’Vine Joy Randolph will continue their streaks for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, respectively. So really, it’s just some tight competition in a few tech awards, short subjects, documentaries and animation (which I’d presume will go to Miyazaki’s Boy and the Heron).
It’s a pretty much preordained night for winners, but I’m still looking forward to a fun show. The earlier start time gives me hope that it won’t be a super-late night. Kimmel’s not my favorite host, but he is a reliable one. And maybe there’s some surprises in store. Like I always say, the Oscars don’t really matter….except for the people they matter to. Christopher Nolan and Robert Downey Jr. don’t need their Oscars; their careers will be fine, but I’ll happily applaud for them. But nominations for Anatomy of a Fall and Past Lives mean it will be that much easier for Justine Triet and Celine Song to get support for their next films, and some of those tech winners will be given a chance to celebrate in front of the entire world for the first time. And if casual moviegoers turn in to see clips from Barbie and walk away thinking American Fiction and Poor Things look worthy of a shot, then the job of the Oscars is done! As always, it’s a night to celebrate movies, and I’ll always turn out for that!
Larry David and Jon Stewart return to grump-up my nights
Last month, Larry David kicked off the final run of episodes for Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Jon Stewart climbed back behind the desk for The Daily Show, at least on Mondays through the election. My twenties are back, baby!!
Listen, neither Curb nor The Daily Show are quite as vibrant, hilarious and sharp as they were in their prime. In particular, in the 24 years since Curb Your Enthusiasm debuted, Larry David’s kvetching has gone from being relatable “hey, isn’t this annoying” observations to the bitches and moans of any senior citizen spending too much time at the golf course. This season alone, Larry’s cussed out Siri, caused a ruckus over restaurant breakfast hours, and gotten into hot water with the manager of his country club. It’s Rich Old White Man Problems: The TV Show.
But while David’s shtick might be growing familiar and the show isn’t able to bring all its plot points together with the surprise and finesse of its heyday, I’m still having a lot of fun with this final season. It helps that Larry seems well-aware that he’s entering privileged old white guy territory, and he’s not afraid to steer into unlikability. He gets so much joy in being a crank that it fuels entire episodes, even when not all of the jokes land. Few shows have such a funny supporting cast, and this year, everyone seems to get a chance to shine. The very recently departed Richard Lewis had a great bit this past week regarding treating his AA confessions like stand-up acts, and anytime JB Smoove shows up on screen, the show becomes the funniest program on the air. All that, plus Tracy Ullman in a wonderful turn as Larry’s annoying girlfriend (the JG Wentworth jingle will be stuck in your head for days) and a very funny turn by Vince Vaughn, whose subplot this week involving a girlfriend he thinks works at Disney (when she actually works at the Disney store) made me laugh several times. It’s probably time to say goodbye to Curb, but I’m glad it’s keeping me entertained on its way out the door.
Stewart, meanwhile, commandeers the Daily Show desk like no time has passed, and he’s still got a great voice for satire, combining righteous indignation with Borscht Belt delivery. He’s not beyond going for the easy, juvenile jokes, but he can also deliver a pointed, smart tirade better than nearly anyone. I know he had some controversy his first week back for having the temerity to suggest that the age of both Joe Biden and Donald Trump is a valid issue and that you can’t ignore concerns about Biden just because Trump is a greater evil – a point I agree with. But it’s been nice having him back.
But nice isn’t the same as essential, and the truth is that time has passed since Stewart left Comedy Central. American politics have become more ridiculous and exaggerated than any jokes Stewart and his writers can come up with, and with Donald Trump poised to be back for re-election, the stakes for democracy’s future feel so high and the situation so perilous that the same withering snark isn’t going to cut it. Plus, Stewart’s now on air at a time when his former Daily Show cohorts are just simply lapping him. If you wanted pointed, heartfelt rage, Colbert can deliver that four nights a week. And just a night before Stewart takes the air, John Oliver has perfected the formula his old boss created. It’s not that Stewart feels like he’s lacking; he just doesn’t feel like the only voice of comedy and reason in the room any longer.
Alright, that seems like as good a place as any to leave it today! But like I said, I’m planning to have a bit more content coming out on the regular, and I’m hoping that we’ll have at least a We’re Watching Here and a look at an older film – and possibly a few newer ones – throughout next week!
Happy Oscar watching, everyone!