Penrose Film Critiques

Continuing on from my awards for the alternate Oscar picks for films in 2019. A quick recap of the rules, you can only win a category if you aren't nominated for an Oscar in that same category. We've done the technical awards, now onto the acting and the big two, directing and best picture. Best Supporting Actor First up is our best supporting actor and with Mahershala Ali absent this year, its back to the academies favourites with Al Pacino and Joe Pesci both close to a win for The Irishman . However it looks like its finally time for Hollywood favourite Brad Pitt to receive his dues for his gruff machismo performance in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood . Yet my best supporting performance goes to an actor who has been passed along by the academy year after year, with 2019 giving by far his biggest challenge with Willem Dafoe in The Lighthouse . Both Dafoe and Pattinson gave a staggering performance as two Lighthouse keepers driven mad by isolation and misery, but it was Daf...

With the awards nominations announced and the internet prepare to complain on the outcome, we must remind ourselves that there is more to the world of film than the old crusty academy says it is. So here in the UK, one of the most notable figures in film journalism, Mark Kermode, designed an award specifically to counter the Oscar system known as the Kermode Awards. Simply put there is only one rule, you cannot win in a category you are already nominated in for the Oscars, thats it. Since me and Marks opinions have differed in the past, I thought to make my own winners for films that deserved a chance in the spotlight. Now remember to think about this less as a top 10, and more of a compilation of recommendations for the best of cinema in 2019. So here are my picks for the Penrose "Kermode award" winners, with some added thoughts of the Oscar nominations too. Best Cinematography So firstly comes the cinematography award and this year we have nominations for academy favo...