THE OPTIMIST - MOVIE REVIEWS

Even in the midst of a global pandemic, the Oscars are in full swing! In what can only be described as a unique and crazy year, 2020 has offered up some really great pieces of cinema! I did my best to catch everything, but it was tough! I can say, though, that I have seen just about everything that was nominated. So, after much deliberation and many, many viewings, here are my predictions for this year's winners!  I don't know if there are any clear front runners; there are a lot of choices that I want to see win, choices that I didn't necessarily choose TO win, but who knows! Let's see how many I can get right! Check back Monday for the results! *UPDATED: The winners are in! Winners are in  BLUE  and my incorrect guesses are in  RED . Got  18 out of 23  this year! Not bad! BEST PICTURE THE FATHER , David Parfitt, Jean-Louis Livi and Philippe Carcassonne, Producers JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH , Shaka King, Charles D. King and Ryan Coogler, Producers MANK , Ceán Chaffin,

                Anyone familiar with who I am and what this blog is will know that I am no hater of the cinema. In fact, finding fault in a film can sometimes be challenging for me. Movies are a major part of who I am, and no one wants to hate themselves, right? No. I’m just a dude who finds movies as both a means for entertainment, as well as this enveloping source of inspiration, growth, and intellectual stimulation. I am, what many would call…a nerd. Nerd culture has shifted in the last 20-30 years; we’re freakin’ cool now! It is out of this nerdy coolness that the following words, or dissertation, or tome of unnecessary proportions—whatever you want to call this crazy, insane piece of writing—has made itself manifest. For those who may  not  know me, or who have yet to venture through my reviews here, allow me to provide context for what I’m sure will be the underlying foundation for what you’ll read from here on out.              For as long as I can remember, going to the movies