Thursday Morning Coffee — 1/30/20 Rotten Olives Return

Last year Friday Morning Coffee — 2/8/19 brought you The Return of The Rotten Olives. Now that we know the nominees for the Oscars, I give you my choices. My requirements are that the nominee must entertain, be fun, or, at least, educate.

Best Picture

1. Ford v Ferrari — no film was more entertaining, fun and educational.
2. 1917 — a very close second, unique in its presentation
3. Little Women — done well, with a new spin
4. Marriage Story — when divorce attorneys are the heroes, no Oscars
5. The Irishman — too much fiction pretending to be history
6. Once Upon A Time in Hollywood — ditto
7. Parasite — better than Uncut Gems, barely
8. Joker, Jojo Rabbit — didn’t see, probably won’t

Lead Actor

1. Jonathan Pryce — won’t win but excellent
2. Adam Driver — why would you ever divorce Scarlett Johannson?
3. Leonardo DiCaprio — He’s had better roles and performances
4. Joaquin Phoenix — magnificent just in the trailers
5. Antonio Banderas — didn’t see him, either

Lead Actress

1. Renee Zellweger — took a risk and aced it!
2. Saoirse Ronan — terrific in everything she does
3. Charlize Theron — good, but the makeup was even better
4. Cynthia Erivo — I thought the acting was a little too one-note
5. Scarlett Johansson — why would she ever marry Adam Driver?

Supporting Actor

1. Anthony Hopkins — won’t win but equally excellent to Pryce
2. Tom Hanks — almost as good as the original
3. Al Pacino and Joe Pesci (tie) — they invented these roles, nothing new
4. Brad Pitt — Like DiCaprio, he’s had better roles and performances

Supporting Actress

1. Laura Dern — she’d make a good divorce lawyer
2. Kathy Bates — Not her best but still very good
3. Florence Pugh — getting bigger and better parts as time goes by
4. Margot Robbie — versatile, but will shine as Harley Quinn
5. Scarlett Johansson — trailer was just too weird

Schedule of Upcoming Reviews:

Friday January 31 — Rhythm Section

Saturday February 1 — Despite The Falling Snow

Tuesday February 4 — The King