So how did I do? I had a perfect six-for-six on this year’s predicted winners (and was happy with the results in each case). Here are the details: Best Picture The Field: “American Fiction,” “Anatomy of a Fall” (“Anatomie d’une chute”), “Barbie,” “The Holdovers,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Maestro,” “Oppenheimer,” “Past Lives,” “Poor Things,” “The Zone of Interest” Projected Winner:  “Oppenheimer” Actual Winner:  “Oppenheimer” Result: Correct call “Oppenheimer” was handily the best film of 2023, and it won virtually everything in the competitions in the run-up to the Oscars. Consequently, its victory on awards night came as no surprise – a deserving win for a deserving film whose juggernaut momentum simply could not be stopped. In all, the picture took home seven statues – best picture, actor (see below), supporting actor (see below), director (see below), cinematography, film editing and original score – on 13 total nominations, the most of any film in the running this year. The other nine nominees didn’t stand much of a chance. Best Actor The Field:  Bradley Cooper, “Maestro”; Colman Domingo, “Rustin”; Paul Giamatti, “The Holdovers”; Cillian Murphy, “Oppenheimer”; Jeffrey Wright, “American Fiction” Projected Winner:  Cillian Murphy, “Oppenheimer” Actual Winner:  Cillian Murphy, “Oppenheimer” Result: ...

Tune in for the latest Cinema Scribe segment on Bring Me 2 Life Radio, beginning Tuesday March 12, available by clicking here. You can also catch it later on demand on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Podchaser, Audible, Deezer, Podcast Addict and Jiosaavn ...

If it’s March, it wouldn’t be complete without the Gene Siskel Film Center Chicago European Union Film Festival. After several years of adjustments, the festival has gone through yet another transformation for its 27th annual edition. Rather than featuring films from throughout the Union, this year’s format focused exclusively on movies from one country, Belgium. The intent behind this change is to honor releases from the nation that currently serves in the role of the EU presidency, a function that rotates among member countries from year to year. The Center plans to retain this format in subsequent years, with the focus on Poland in 2025, Cyprus in 2026 and Lithuania in 2027. I’m not entirely sure what I think about this new format just yet. It’s resulted in a significant shortening of the event, from almost a month to 10 days. Consequently, it’s also resulted in a significant reduction in the number of offerings, dropping from approximately 25-30 to a mere 15. And, because the focus has shifted to just one country, the diversity has diminished, too. What’s more, the connection to the European Union as whole seems significantly diminished with this new focus, which might lead one to believe ...

“Tótem” (2023). Cast: Naíma Sentíes, Iazua Amador, Montserrat Marañon, Saori Gurza, Marisol Gasé, Mateo García Elizondo, Teresita Sánchez, Marisela Villarreal, Alberto Amador, Juan Francisco Maldonado. Director: Lila Avilés. Screenplay: Lila Avilés. Web site. Trailer. It’s never easy to face difficult situations, especially when they’re impending and it seems as though they’re inevitable, circumstances in which there’s nothing we can do about them. Indeed, it’s hard enough for us as adults to process and cope with such conditions, but how are children supposed to handle these kinds of situations? Youngsters seldom possess the experience and wisdom needed to deal with their feelings, leaving them unable to address their emotions and outlooks and to find ways to get by. These events can lead to devastating if not irreparable damage that can scar them for life. But are there ways of handling such scenarios that minimize the impact? Those are the issues beautifully and sensitively examined in the touching new Mexican comedy-drama, “Tótem.” Nine-year-old Sol (Naíma Sentíes) should be spending the carefree days of youth enjoying life and having fun. But that’s not easy, or at times even possible, given that her young father, Tona (Mateo García Elizondo), a gifted painter, is struggling ...

It’s that time of year again – time for my predictions of the winners at the upcoming annual Academy Awards. For me, this is a labor of love, especially since there were some excellent releases in 2023 that are very deserving of the accolades they have received, either as Oscar nominees and/or as nominees or winners in the major competitions leading up to this event. And so, with these contests now in the books, that leaves just the main event for the season’s biggest winners to be announced. Many of the prospective victors in the top six categories – actor, actress, supporting actor, supporting actress, director and picture – have come into view, though a few are still potentially up for grabs. So, with that said and for what it’s worth, here are my picks for who will take home statues on Oscar night. Best Actor The Field: Bradley Cooper, “Maestro”; Colman Domingo, “Rustin”; Paul Giamatti, “The Holdovers”; Cillian Murphy, “Oppenheimer”; Jeffrey Wright, “American Fiction” Who Will Likely Win: This is essentially a two-horse race between Cillian Murphy for “Oppenheimer” and Paul Giamatti for “The Holdovers,” with Murphy currently holding the edge. I wouldn’t go so far as to call ...

Tune in for the latest Cinema Scribe segment on Bring Me 2 Life Radio, beginning Tuesday February 27, available by clicking here. You can also catch it later on demand on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Podchaser, Audible, Deezer, Podcast Addict and Jiosaavn ...