The 96th Academy Awards: A Night of Triumph, Tears, and Twitter Tirades

 

The Dolby Theatre glittered like a scattered diamond necklace on March 10th, 2024, as Hollywood's elite gathered for the 96th Academy Awards.

Jimmy Kimmel, the ever-charming host, returned for his fourth time, keeping the night light with his signature wit and a few playful jabs at the industry's quirks.

Oppenheimer Reigns Supreme

The night belonged to Christopher Nolan's epic biopic, Oppenheimer.

The film, a chronicle of the enigmatic physicist's life and the creation of the atomic bomb, swept the major categories, bagging seven awards including Best Picture and Best Director for Nolan himself.

The win cemented Nolan's status as a true auteur, sparking renewed discussions about the power of historical dramas in a world saturated with superheroes.

Stone, Stuns, Again

Emma Stone proved she's a force to be reckoned with winning her second Best Actress Oscar for her captivating performance in Poor Things.

Her portrayal of a young woman resurrected with a new identity resonated with audiences, leaving them both heartbroken and hopeful. Stone's emotional acceptance speech, where she thanked her family and championed emerging female filmmakers, had the audience reaching for tissues.

Animation Heats Up

The animation categories were a battle royale this year. 

Hayao Miyakaki's whimsical The Boy and the Heron triumphed over the highly anticipated Spiderman: Across the Spider-verse, sparking debate among animation enthusiasts.

Some praised the Academy's recognition of a quieter, character-driven story, while others felt the snub of the visually groundbreaking Spiderman sequel was a missed opportunity.

Where Was The Diversity?

Despite strides towards inclusivity, the #OscarsSoWhite conversation resurfaced.

The lack of nominations for actors and directors of colour fueled social media discussions, prompting renewed calls for the Academy to reflect the vast tapestry of filmmaking talent.

A Night to Remember

The 96th Academy Awards will be remembered for its celebration of cinematic excellence, tearful victories, and of course, a healthy dose of controversy.

One thing's for sure: the conversation around these awards is sure to keep the buzz going until next year's red carpet rolls out.

The Oscars 2024

Facebook

X (formerly Twitter)

Instagram

TikTok

DJ Foundation - Paradise - Album Review

 

DJ Foundation proves you can be in the middle of nowhere and become the most resourceful with limited materials, and DJ Foundation has done just that.

You can be excused and say, 'who is DJ Foundation?' And you can ask yourself what the hell am I talking about!

But DJ Foundation is from Mosul, Iraq. Okay putting that to one side, he lives in the most dangerous and violent country he has managed to produce an album called Paradise of Iraqi and Middle Eastern music fused together with good old Western disco beats and vibes.

Now it doesn't stop there as his guest vocals were provided by religious leaders, political figures, business types and any other vocal soundbites he could get his hands on, not bad considering he used a battered old computer to do his project on.

Paradise on Vinyl

Have You Heard That God Is Dead! Single on Vinyl

Rob Clarke

We may receive a commission on links and products on our Blogger site

Asian Dub Foundation - Punkara - Album Review

 

Asian Dub Foundation have been bubbling under the surface and are now back with their latest release Punkara.

This album is just as vocal to social issues and the continuing fight against injustices, which songs like Target Practice, Superpower, and Altered Statesmen says it all in itself.

Asian Dub Foundation name speaks for itself usinf sub-continent Asian music mixed with punk driven guitars, dub, pop, and this time reggae beats.

One surprise is Iggy Pop making a guest appearance on one of his songs No Fun!

ADF - Punkara CD

ADF - Japanese Import CD

ADF Vintage T-shirt

Facebook

X (formerly Twitter)

Dylan Thompson

We may receive a commission on links and products on our Blogger site

Pendulum - In Silico - Album Review

 Pendulum have released their second album called In Silico.

If you haven't heard of this band from Australia then you are missing out on a band that make drum 'n' bass music but this follow-up to their debut Hold Your Colour, is somewhat different as they incorporate pop, dance, and fusions of guitar laden music with electronic beats underneath driving the tracks along.

Pendulum T-shirt

Pendulum Poster

Facebook

X (formerly Twitter)

Rob Clarke

We may receive a commission on links and products on our Blogger site

Drag Me To Hell - Film Review

 

Drag Me To Hell is a superb horror film, which starts with Mrs. Ganush (Lorna Raver) a little old lady begging Christine Brown (Alison Lohman), the financial advisor of the bank to be lenient with her and give her an extension on her home loan, even going as far as getting on her knees to help change the refusal of her request.

Products on eBay for a spooky Halloween

But Mrs. Ganush has a few surprises up her sleeve and seeks revenge for not only the refusal of the home extension loan but the humiliation she suffered in the bank, while back workers and customers looked on in disbelief.

A warning to bank staff always accept requests from little old ladies or you may find yourselves meeting the same fate as the bank's financial advisor Christine Brown, especially in the bank induced, credit crunch recession, we find ourselves needlessly in!

Drag Me To Hell available on DVD and Blu-ray

Facebook

X (formerly Twitter)

Little Ashes - Film Review

 

Little Ashes is a true story about one of the greatest artists that lived in the 20th Century, painter, photographer, sculptor, and writer Salvador Dali.

The film takes you back to a young Salvador Dali back in the 1920's - 1930's when Dali met poet Federico Garcia Lorca, who tried to have a homosexual relationship with Dali.

Painting Supplies on eBay 

While studying in The Residencia de Estudiantes (Students Residence), which was a modern and influential cultural centre in Madrid, especially in the 20's and during the Spanish Civil War in 1936, Dali, Lorca and film maker Bunuel formed an artistic group.

Salvador Dali moved to Paris where high society and a decadent lifestyle ensues and Dali becomes involved with a married woman known as Gala (who he later marries), when Lorca visits Dali in Paris he finds Dali has a different and changed outlook to life.

Little Ashes is available on DVD and Blu-ray

Facebook

Star Trek - Film Review

Star Trek has been remarkably and perfectly mordenised and will start a new beginning for existing fans of years gone by and a new younger audience that will enjoy this film.

The director J.J. Abrams, if unfamiliar with his name was responsible for directing films like Mission Impossible III, and programmes like Lost and Alias, and then the screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman who wrote for films such as Transformers, Mission Impossible I and II plus Lost and Alias, so if you like the films and programmes of the above then you'll love the slickness of Star Trek.

Star Trek products on eBay

So, what's in store for this new beginning in the world of Star Trek, well a new young crew which look very much like the original crew of the past. The film starts a new mission and that's a new construction of the Spaceship Enterprise going 'boldly where no one has gone before'.

The mission involves defending and being glorious in defeating their enemies with very impressive battles and fighting scenes but just as important is the story and with top notch screenwriters you get that not just relying with the special effects like we've seen with other films, which disappoints film fans, it is democracy in films where the 'people' are being listened to?

Go and see with your own eyes and enjoy.

Star Trek available on DVD and Blu-ray

Facebook

X (formerly Twitter)