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Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

Bad Writing.jpg

This is why you need good writers and why I put their names first.  Otherwise, you get some movie version of Stephen Miller ham-handing the English language in a way that makes you realize some people are better off drawing pictures like the suppressed Mennonites in Women Talking. 

Wonderful talent exhibited this year.

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  • Edward Berger, Lesley Paterson, Ian Stokell, All Quiet on the Western Front

    • Adapting an older, well-known novel that's already been a movie is no small feat. The revelry of the young German men (and boys) that turns to pure horror in the trenches is deeply moving.

  • Ehren Kruger and Eric Warren Singer and Christopher McQuarrie, Top Gun: Maverick

    • Honestly, I think this is an odd nomination. Juxtaposed against the fun, but sophomoric original script, it does develop some real human (and technical) drama. But consider this script against the aforementioned All Quiet -- the glory of battle, a human farce, to be sure, never ends in this one. I don't think this nomianation is anything more than a nod to movies people like, aka going for the green.

  • Sarah Polley, Women Talking

    • This is a writer's movie. In fact, it's all writing, true to the title. Some great acting to be sure, but Sarah truly should win in my not-so-humble opinion. She will.

  • Rian Johnson, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

    • The poster child for my favorite batch of movies each year: truly creative, clever writing. Rian -- yeah, we're old friends -- will not win only because of the "You're no Godfather II, senator" sequal stigma.

  • Kazuo Ishiguro, Living

    • Brilliant concept and great acting by Bill Nighy, but this just didn't hold up as well as the otthers. Ishiguro-san will have to go on Living statue-free...for now.

Writing (Original Screenplay)

  • Steven Spielberg & Tony Kushner, The Fabelmans

    • Kushner is indeed a world-class writer. Lincoln, Munich and, most assuredly, Angels In America are among my favorites. The Fabelmans doesn't live up to expectations -- much like this blog for you.

  • Todd Field, Tar

    • The lead character's dialogue is impressive, but it falls short of all the rest in this category, most especially: 

  • Ruben Ostlund, Triangle of Sadness

    • I won't be at all upset if either of the next two statue-out, but I think this is my favorite of the year. LOL-level humour, severe, unpredictable twists and a brilliant ending. The essence of the way I wish I could write.

  • Martin McDonagh, The Banshees of Inishirin

    • Does writer McDonagh take a statue for the brilliant dialogue? Does director McDonagh move you with the darkness and deftly applied civil war backstory? I want the man to have some hardware for this movie.

  • Daniel Kwan/Daniel Scheinert, Everything, Everywhere, All at Once

    • Kind of exhausted from punctuating that title. Can't imagine how they were able to muster a bizarre and complicated plot into a beautiful tale that feels well-understood at the end...even if I can't really explain the devices used to anyone who hasn't seen it. I will be emit a satisfied sigh if they win here as well.

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