Ranking the Films of Wes Anderson From Worst to Best

Isle of Dogs is out this weekend, which means now is a perfect opportunity to look back at the filmography of its director, Wes Anderson. To say that Wes Anderson is one of the most unique filmmakers in modern cinema is an understatement. From his deadpan characters, to his catchy soundtracks, and his awe-inspiring pastel visuals, Anderson's filmmaking style is one that is instantly recognisable. Underneath the pretty visuals and snappy dialogue however, there tends to lie complex themes and characters throughout Anderson's work, making them emotionally compelling films as well as visually stunning ones. So now let us reflect on Anderson's career, including Isle of Dogs, by ranking his films from worst to best.

The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

This family dramedy sees three estranged brothers reunite for a train trip across India after not speaking to one another for over a year. The Darjeeling Limited isn't necessarily a bad film by any means, however in the context of Anderson's wider filmography it feels like a bit of a mixed bag. It's got the colourful imagery, that deadpan wit, with Anderson regulars Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman all giving great performamces. However the story is just one big train journey to nowhere, with a couple of memorable sequences strung together by a rather weak plot. It's a shame, because a film that parodies white people going on 'spiritual journeys' to India has a lot of potential, especially in Wes Anderson's hands. Unfortunately, that potential is never truly realised and we can't help but feel that even Anderson was aware of this himself. Still, Wilson, Brody, and Schwartzman seamlessly bring to life that natural family dynamic and there are a couple of moments that make it worth watching, just don't put it at the top of your watchlist.

The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou (2004)

Years after his partner was eaten by a jaguar shark, oceanographer Steve Zissou (Bill Murray) sets out with his crew in order to exact his revenge upon it. This homage to French explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau was certainly an ambitious effort from Anderson, and the fact that he retained his own artistic integrity instead of opting for a more mainstream approach is highly admirable. However, one can't help but feel like The Life Aquatic is a bit hit and miss. It's certainly got a great cast, great visuals, and a phenomenal soundtrack including Portuguese covers of Bowie songs by Seu Jorge, but overall it feels severely unbalanced. Anderson and co-writer Noah Baumbach attempt to balance a large ensemble of characters, but unlike his previous effort The Royal Tenenbaums, we can't really connect with most of them. Even with stellar performances from Murray and company the film still can't help but feel a little overstuffed, and with a two hour run time things just begin to feel a bit sluggish overall. The Life Aquatic still has its fans however, with some claiming that it's Anderson's best film. I hope they don't crucify me for this. 

Bottle Rocket (1996)

A lot of people would consider Anderson's debut to be his worst, but I found something strangely poignant about this stylish little heist film. Owen and Luke Wilson portray friends Dignan and Anthony respectively, who set off on a series of heists as part of a 75 year plan devised by Dignan himself. While it's definitely Andersons simplest film, there's something strangely compelling about how Bottle Rocket captures such small things in such unique ways. Be it the way characters act or the way in which they interact, Anderson puts his own signature flare on everyday things to make for a truly captivating experience. For example, the conversations between Anthony and Inez (Lumi Cavazos) are as hilarious as they are touching, and Anderson uses their language barrier in a playful, non-patronising manner. As well as that, it's also a standout performance from Owen Wilson as the erratic Dignan, and has a bizarre cameo from James Caan as landscaper and part-time criminal, Mr. Henry. Sure, it's certainly not as realised as most of his later films, but it's definitely a lot tighter than Darjeeling and The Life Aquatic in my opinion. 

Rushmore (1998)

Anderson's sophomore effort is really what established him as the talented filmmaker that he is today. This coming of age film follows teenage protagonist Max (Jason Schwartzman) as he attempts to gain the affection of his schoolteacher Rosemary Cross (Olivia Williams) while competing against disenchanted industrialist Herman Blume (Bill Murray). With Rushmore, Anderson crafted his greatest character yet in Max Fischer. This sophisticated teenage rebel has his flaws, but being the charming narcissist he is, opts to simply ignore them despite being well aware of what they are. Schwartzman gives a stand out performance as Max and is matched only by Bill Murray's vulnerable Herman Blume. The duo play off each other nicely and share a believable dynamic despite their drastically different onscreen personalities. While at times it feels a bit uneven, this is the film that  established Anderson as a true auteur. Building upon everything he did right with Bottle Rocket, Anderson crafts an unusual, yet compelling story, that launched the career of Jason Schwartzman, re-launched the career of Bill Murray, and made Wes Anderson a name to watch out for.

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

What is perhaps Anderson's most widely-adored film follows a duo of 12 year old outcasts who, in order to escape their equally miserable lives, decide to run away together into the wilderness. It's easy to see why Moonrise Kingdom is so universally loved, apart from its aesthetic beauty and razor-sharp script, the themes of young love and rebellion conjure up feelings of warm nostalgia among audiences of all ages. Every frame is packed full of such whimsy and charm, but like every Wes Anderson film it's the moving story beneath those visuals that really carries the film. In this case, it's the Bonnie & Clyde-type love story between our two young protagonists, Suzy (Kara Hayward) and Sam (Jared Gilman). Despite their deadpan attitudes and unusual personalities, their relationship is believable and strangely touching, all thanks to the performances from the two young leads. Even among the ensemble cast of veteran actors, Hayward and Gilman still shine through as the films highlights. Since its release, Moonrise Kingdom has garnered a considerable cult following among the tumblr crowd, but more importantly it ushered in a new generation of Wes Anderson fans to revel in his filmography. 

The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

The Royal Tenenbaums is the film where Wes Anderson's directorial style became fully solidified, if you were playing a game of Wes Anderson bingo during this you'd be sure to win. The film follows the eccentric yet selfish patriarch of the Tenenbaum clan, Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman) as he attempts to reconnect with his family 22 years after separating from his wife. While Royal is indeed the main character, the large ensemble cast is well-balanced and each character receives their own respective arcs and degrees of development as well. From the depressed former tennis prodigy Richie Tenenbaum (Luke Wilson), to his paranoid, Adidas-wearing brother Chas (Ben Stiller), this is very much a family affair as opposed to just a one man show. Thematically and stylistically, The Royal Tenenbaums is the first time where we really see that signature Anderson-esque style come into fruition. From the pastel colour palette, themes of family, and large ensemble cast, The Royal Tenenbaums laid the foundations for the films that Anderson would subsequently make over the next decade. On top of that, it's also got what is quite possibly Anderson's best soundtrack yet, with "Ruby Tuesday" and "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" among the tunes, you simply can't go wrong.

Isle of Dogs (2018)

Anderson's latest effort follows Atari Kobayashi (Koyu Rankin), a young boy in search of his dog on Trash Island, where all dogs in Japan have been exiled due to an outbreak of dog flu. It was refreshing to see Anderson return to the world of stop-motion, once again proving that the director is just as equipped when it comes to animation. There is so much detail poured into everything, from the sets, to the characters, to every hair on each little dog, the world of Isle of Dogs feels immense, and we really get a feel for that sense of scale throughout the film. Each dog, no matter how many lines or how much screen time they have, feels wholly unique in their own right. From Jeff Goldblum's gossip-loving Duke, to Scarlett Johansson's showdog Nutmeg, and Bryan Cranston's stern individualist Chief, no two dogs feel the same. As well as being emotionally engaging, the film feels politically relevant in today's society as well. The themes of oppression and isolation against a certain species under the rule of a tyrannical government can easily parallel today's political climate, and while Anderson did start working on it several years ago, those themes appear even stronger now. With its gorgeous animation, political themes, and homages to the likes of Akira Kurosawa, Isle of Dogs is a film that will appeal to all audiences, because at the end of the day, it's really all about one boy and his dog.

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

This Stefan Zweig-inspired film follows the bizarre events that unfold when the highly established concierge, Mr. Gustav H. (Ralph Feinnes) is framed for murder, causing him and his trusted lobby boy Zero (Tony Revolori) to go on the run. 13 years after The Royal Tenenbaums solidified Anderson's distinct style, we were treated to the most Wes Anderson-y film yet in The Grand Budapest Hotel. Balancing his usual wit and whimsy with mature themes such as war and oppression, Anderson managed to craft what is possibly the most colourful black comedy to date. Every frame is like a painting, full of such texture and detail, but as always the visuals are backed up by a captivating plot and particularly clever dialogue from Anderson. The world of Grand Budapest feels so well-built and meticulously layered, that there is easily spin-off potential for any of the supporting characters, locations, or businesses such as Mendl's bakery. While it has a well-balanced ensemble cast, Ralph Feinnes is the real highlight here, giving a career-defining performance that's world's away from his menacing S.S. officer in Schindler's List. You'll definitely laugh, you may very well cry, but if one thing is certain it's that The Grand Budapest hotel emotionally resonates with everyone on some level, no matter how many times you watch it. 

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Following a particularly crafty fox (George Clooney) and his run-in with three unsightly farmers, Fantastic Mr. Fox is not only Anderson's best film, but also the film that rescued his career after the disappointing Darjeeling Limited. Putting his own signature spin on Roald Dahl's beloved children's book, Anderson manages to maintain his own artistic integrity while simultaneously remaining respectful to the great authors source material. He builds upon the characters introduced in the book, giving them more personality and development, while still capturing the essence of Dahl's work. From Clooney's charming, quote, unquote, Fantastic Mr. Fox, to Willem Dafoe's finger-snapping rat, the film is rich with memorable characters and even more memorable dialogue. Fantastic Mr. Fox is by far Anderson's best script yet, once again co-written with Noah Baumbach, and is arguably more quotable than Pulp Fiction itself. As well as that, the film is visually incomparable as Anderson brings his own signature flare to stop-motion animation for the first time. Stop motion was nothing new at the time, but the way Anderson utilised it and the sheer detail provided by his animation team made Fantastic Mr. Fox stand out from its contemporaries in the genre. Packed with unlimited wit, an uplifting sense of emotion, and topped off with a bonkers original song from Jarvis Cocker, Fantastic Mr. Fox is nothing less than a triumph for Wes Anderson. 

So that's my ranking of the films of Wes Anderson. If you've not seen Isle of Dogs yet then I suggest you do because it's great, and if your cinema happens to have any dog-friendly screenings then definitely bring along a canine companion. I'll be back next week with more of my scariest horror movie moments, so stay tuned for that!

The 100 Scariest Horror Movie Moments: 75-51

So last time I began counting down the scariest horror movie moments from numbers 100 to 76, now it's time to pick up where we left off with the next 25. Enjoy!

75. Oh Christmas Tree- Gremlins (1984)

When the mutated gremlins hatch from their cocoons, Lynn Peltzer (Frances Lee McCain) must do whatever it takes to defend herself. After taking care of the ones terrorising her kitchen however, one gremlin still awaits her.

74. Monster mash- The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

When Dana (Kristen Connolly) and Marty (Fran Kranz) find themselves trapped in the mysterious facility beneath the cabin, they realise that in order to escape, they must release the menagerie of monsters being held there. This may not be the scariest scene, but it's undeniably one of the coolest.

73. Shish kebab- A Bay of Blood (1971)

While two teenagers go at it in the bedroom of a seemingly empty house, a mysterious killer enters, spear in hand, to interrupt them. Jason Voorhees was clearly a fan of this film as he killed two other teens in the same manner in Friday the 13th Part 2. (cut to around 01:20 for this scene).

72. Roaches- Creepshow (1982)

During a power outage in New York city, the ruthless yet reclusive Upson Pratt (E.G. Marshall) finds his apartment being invaded by a horde of cockroaches. Overwhelmed by the situation, Pratt dies of a heart attack, but it's what happens after that's really grizzly.

71. Hiya Georgie- It (2017)

All poor Georgie Denborough (Jackson Robert Scott) wanted to do was play with his new paper boat out in the rain. However, his cheerful day is ruined when he encounters Pennywise the dancing clown (Bill Skarsgard) in a nearby storm drain.

70. Upstairs, downstairs- Alice, Sweet Alice (1976)

Annie (Jane Lowry) and her niece Alice (Paula Sheppard) never quite saw eye to eye, but would Alice really go as far as to attack her own aunt? Annie sure thinks so, when she is stabbed by the raincoat-wearing killer on the stairwell.

69. Rats!- Nosferatu Der Vampyre (1979)

It is clear that something is very wrong in Wismar when Lucy Harker (Isabelle Adjani) comes to the town square, only to realise that it's infested with hundreds of Count Dracula's (Klaus Kinski) furry friends.

68. Home alone- Scream (1996)

Casey Becker (Drew Barrymore) was just looking forward to a night in alone with a bit of popcorn and a couple of scary movies. However, an unusual phone call soon takes a twisted turn, leaving her to fend for her very life.

67. Bee afraid- Candyman (1992)

Before Nicolas Cage became the main man associated with bees, the chilling spirit of Candyman (Tony Todd) was the big bee on campus, all thanks to this spine-tingling scene.

66. Run for your life- 28 Days Later (2002)

Upon entering a flat block, Jim (Cillian Murphy) and Selena (Naiomi Harris) find themselves once again being pursued by the ravenous rage zombies. The duo must run for their lives to the upper-most floor of the tower block in order to escape the infected.

65. Having nun of it- The Conjuring 2 (2016)

Before jetting off to Enfield to investigate the mysterious poltergeist residing there, Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) has a vision of a demonic nun roaming around her house. As if nuns weren't terrifying enough as it is.

64. End of the Rhodes- Day of the Dead (1985)

Amidst all of the monstrous zombies in this George Romero classic, the real monster is the increasingly unhinged Captain Henry Rhodes (Joseph Pilato). We can't help but feel a little bit of satisfaction when he meets his demise at the hands of a hungry zombie horde.

63. Teachers pets- The Brood (1979)

A seemingly normal day in Ruth Mayer's (Susan Hogan) playschool class takes a dark turn when a duo of strange children arrive. The rest of the kids look on in horror as the mutated youngsters attack poor Ruth.

62. Instrument of evil- Demons (1985)

After being infected by the demonically-possessed Rosemary (Geretta Giancarlo), her friend Carmen (Fabiola Toledo) also begins to turn into a demon. With a new set of teeth and nails protruding from beneath her own, it's certainly not the prettiest sight.

61. Off the cuff- Gerald's Game (2017)

Speaking of unsightly things, I now come to this instantly iconic scene from last years Gerald's Game. In order to free herself from the bed to which she is handcuffed, Jessie (Carla Gugino) uses a piece of broken glass to her advantage. You can probably guess what happens next..

60. Mask of Satan- Black Sunday (1960)

Evil witch Asa Vajda (Barbara Steele) has been sentenced to death for practicing dark magic and is due to be burned at the stake. However, before she is executed and after cursing her families descendants, a metal mask with interior spikes is hammered onto her face.

59. The assault- The Last House on the Left (1972)

This lengthy and heavily-cut scene from Wes Craven's directorial debut is not easy to watch, no matter what version you're watching. The most grizzly part overall however, has to be the violent death of Phyllis Stone (Lucy Grantham) at the hands of Krug's (David A. Hess) gang.

58. Ice to meet you- Curtains (1983)

Professional ice-skater Christie (Lesleh Donaldson) decides to go for a quick skate on the pond while she has some free time. Things get weird however, when she uncovers a porcelain doll from beneath the snow, marking the arrival of the hag-mask-wearing killer..

57. Night terrors- Phantasm (1979)

As young Mike Pearson (Michael A. Baldwin) settles into bed, he suffers a horrific nightmare in which his bed stands in the middle of a cemetery, and the Tall Man (Angus Scrimm) watches over him..

56. Batteries not included- Child's Play (1988)

Karen Barclay (Catherine Hicks) is upset when her son is accused of a number of crimes that he blames on his Good Guy Doll, Chucky. Karen is initially skeptical, but she soon makes a shocking discovery when she realises that the dolls batteries are missing..

55. Close encounters- Signs (2002)

In the midst of mysterious extra terrestrial activity on his families farm, Merrill Hess (Joaquin Phoenix) witnesses startling footage on the news of an alien sighting in Brazil.

54. A witch stole Sam- The Witch (2015)

Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy) and her family had only been on their new settlement a short while before her youngest sibling Sam goes missing. We soon learn that the unfortunate infant was taken by a witch and subsequently used for some wicked purpose.

53. By the lake- Let's Scare Jessica to Death (1971)

Jessica (Zohra Lampert) believes that she is slowly losing her mind, something made all the more worse after an encounter at the lake with local girl Emily (Mariclare Costello). 

52. Puppet on a string- A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)

Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) has been known for his creative and sadistic ways of offing his prey in the dream world, but this may be one of his most disturbing kills yet. Phillip (Bradley Gregg) becomes Freddies latest victim when he is turned into a living marionette by the devious dream master, using his veins and arteries as strings.

51. Nobody puts baby in the corner- The Blair Witch Project (1999)

When they hear their friends screams coming from the basement of an abandoned house, Heather (Heather Donahue) and Mike (Michael C. Williams) go to investigate. As the supernatural events escalate and the duo finally reach the basement, they soon realise the events are mirroring those of the Blair Witch legend.

To be continued...

Nevermore: Clive Barker's "The Mummy"

Welcome back to Nevermore, where I delve into the fascinating world of films that never got made. Last time I looked at Guillermo Del Toro's scrapped adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's "At the Mountains of Madness", and this week I'll be looking at another doomed project from one of the most prolific writers in modern horror, Clive Barker. See, back in the 90's Universal were looking to revamp their old classic monster movies (a bit like they are now) and to kick things off, they decided that a mummy movie would be the best bet (again, a bit like now). Here is the story of what happened when Clive Barker was set to helm the project.

Background:

By the early nineties, British horror author and visual artist Clive Barker had made a name for himself as a talented director as well. With the phenomenal Hellraiser, and cult classic Nightbreed under his belt (both adapted from his own works), Barker clearly had a talent behind the camera. When Universal studios sought to remake The Mummy during the 90's, Barker was chosen to helm the project, collaborating on a screenplay with co-writer Mick Garris. With Barker's imagination and keen eye for visual detail, it would seem like the perfect decision to put him in charge of a mummy remake, but unfortunately for him, Universal weren't too fond of his script. So what was it that turned off those studio execs from Barker and Garris' script? Well, this is where it gets interesting..

Plot Details:

Barker's mummy movie would have focused on a director of an art museum who was secretly a cultist, attempting to resurrect the ancient mummies on display. In typical Clive Barker fashion, the film would have been violent and sexually-charged, but there's one particular aspect of the story that really didn't sit well with the producers.

The film would have opened with with a boy-child being born, under circumstances that Barker stated would "suggest that something unnatural is afoot". The narrative would then cut to twenty years later in an American museum where ancient Egyptian artifacts were being brought for a new exhibition. Que the anti-heroine, a beautiful young woman who Barker described as a "seducer and murderer of mysterious origin", who would have seduced the male character throughout the film. Meanwhile there is no sign of the boy-child from the beginning, until the final third of the film when it is revealed that the mysterious woman is the child from the beginning, and made the transition to a woman through surgery and hormones.

Yep, Barker would have pulled a Sleepaway Camp and put a transgender character front and center, without the audience knowing that they were trans. It was certainly an ambitious move from Barker and Garris, and although one can't help but feel like this would have fetishized trans individuals, we'll never really know how Barker would have handled it in the final film. Above is a sketch that Barker shared, of a ghoulish looking mummy that would have appeared in his film.

So What Happened?

The studio were not impressed with Barker's script, using words such as 'perverted' and 'weird' to describe it, which was a really immature move on their part. As well as that, they deemed the script too horrific (god forbid a horror film be horrific) and ultimately it was scrapped altogether. Contrasting "At the Mountains of Madness" last week, there were no budgetary problems with Barker's mummy movie, supposedly it would have been a reasonably low-budget production. It was simply Barker's vision that put the producers off and led them to scrap the project. I mean, what did they expect? Were they even familiar with Clive Barkers work or what?

In 1992, Neil Jordan's The Crying Game was released, a film known now for having a transgender protagonist. The film was an instant success and garnered quite a bit of profit at the box-office, something that Clive Barker found quite amusing considering the circumstances surrounding his mummy movie. Supposedly Barker would send The Crying Game's box-office returns to Universal as a joke, showing them that a film with a trans protagonist could be successful financially.

Other directors were considered after Barker, with names such as Joe Dante and the late George Romero to name a few, but those projects were also unfortunately laid to rest. In the end we got Stephen Sommers' The Mummy in 1999, with Brendan Fraiser and Rachel Weisz in lead roles, and Arnold Vosloo as the titular mummy Imhotep. While it was more of a pulpy action film as opposed to a straight-up horror, it's entertaining nonetheless and remains a cult classic regardless.

Chances of it Ever Getting Made:

It's unlikely that we'll ever get to see Barker's mummy film get made, the closest we have is a few lines of dialogue from his script that were used in Sommers' film. It's a shame because it sounded like a really interesting and unique take on the mummy genre, and could have changed the landscape of Universal's horror films as we know it. Instead we're stuck with Tommy Cruise and the 'Dark Universe' although god knows for how long.

While Barker's film may be entombed for good, it's at least refreshing to see that cinemas attitude towards the transgender community is changing. With films like Tangerine and A Fantastic Woman garnering critical acclaim within the past few years, it's clear that cinema is becoming more progressive in terms of representation. However, from films like last years The Mummy it's also clear that Universal still need to get a grip in terms of monster movies.

So that's it for this weeks installment of Nevermore, next time I'll be looking at an earlier version of a film that actually did get made, albeit a very different film than originally conceived. That'll be up in two weeks time, in the meantime I'll be talking Wes Anderson and continuing the countdown of my 100 scariest horror movie moments so stay tuned for that!

The 100 Scariest Horror Movie Moments: 100-76

Every horror film has its scary moments, even some of the shite ones have a couple of jumpy bits here or there, but what are the scariest horror movie moments of all time? Well, I have decided to compile a list of my personal 100 scariest horror movie moments. I'll be sticking to horror films with this list as opposed to just films in general, so don't expect any Willy Wonka boat scenes or the wicked witch of the West to show up, they deserve a list of their own. As well as that I'll be trying to stick to one scene per film, but not necessarily per franchise, so expect a couple of sequels to crop up here or there. Finally, it's a bit of a long list as you can probably tell, so I'll be splitting it up into four parts starting with numbers 100 to 76. So, here we go now, the first quarter of my 100 scariest horror movie moments, enjoy...

100. When the autumn moon is bright- The Wolfman (1941)

After an encounter with a mysterious lupine beast, Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney Jr.) finds himself transforming into a similar monster under the full moon. Unable to control his actions, he sets off into the woods where he claims his first victim.

99. Getting the axe- My Bloody Valentine (1981)

In order to scare the local youths, bartender Happy (Jack Van Evera) sets up a dummy in a miners costume and pretends that it's actually legendary serial killer Harry Warden. However, the joke takes an unexpected turn when the real Harry shows up, pickaxe in hand.

98. Burn the witch- Witchfinder General (1968)

After convicting a woman for practicing witchcraft, the sadistic witch hunter Matthew Hopkins (Vincent Price) watches on as she is tortured and burned alive. Turns out he might not have been telling the truth about the whole thing..

97. Stop the bus- Cat People (1942)

Alice (Jane Randolph) believes that she is being followed by a mysterious figure and begins to pick up the pace in order to get away. Before her assailant can catch up however, they're interrupted by an abnormally loud bus.

96. Under the Skin- House of Wax (1953)

The true face of the insane professor Henry Jarrod (Vincent Price yet again) is finally revealed, when his wax mask is cracked open by would be victim Sue (Phyllis Kirk)

95. Cesare's visit- The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)

Under the influence of the devious Dr. Caligari (Werner Krauss), Cesare the somnambulist (Conrad Veidt) sneaks into the home of an unsuspecting victim. While he initially attempts to stab her, he instead abducts her and carries her out the window.

94. Sore throat- Friday the 13th (1980)

Jack (Kevin Bacon) is rather chuffed with himself after just having sex with one of his fellow counselors. However, nothing good ever comes from sex at Camp Crystal Lake, and teenage Kevin Bacon soon finds this out the hard way.

93. Need a hand?- The Blood on Satan's Claw (1971)

Following the discovery of a strange skeleton in a small English town, local villager Peter (Simon Williams) has a bizarre encounter with a furry, demonic hand. When he tries to defend himself however, he soon realises that the devil has many tricks up his sleeve.. (the scene begins around 26:32 in the video above)

92. Unmasked- The Phantom of the Opera (1925)

Deep within the catacombs under the Paris Opera House, Christine (Mary Philbin) finds herself at the mercy of the mysterious Phantom (Lon Chaney). As he plays his organ for her, Christine takes the opportunity to remove his mask, revealing his disfigured face beneath.

91. Children of the Night- Dracula (1931)

The sinister Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi) makes his first appearance, greeting his new guest Renfield (Dwight Frye) before strolling through a massive cobweb as if he were a ghost.

90. Under the bed- You're Next (2011)

After her family meal is ruined by masked murderers, Aubrey (Barbara Crampton), the matriarch of the Davison family, heads up to her room in shock where she attempts to rest. Little does she know however, that one of the killers is waiting under her bed. (Cut to about 01:08 for this scene).

89. Mirror mirror- The Church (1989)

A bridal model (Antonella Vitale) becomes the next victim of the demonically possessed cathedral, when she comes across an old mirror that causes hallucinations. She then watches in horror as her face turns into that of a hag, causing her to tear it off with her bare hands. (This scene occurs at the 1:23:37 mark).

88. Creepy Crawlers- The Descent (2005)

As if being trapped in an ancient underground cavern wasn't bad enough, a group of female cavers soon discover that they are not alone down there, as the chilling crawlers make themselves known.

87. The raft- Creepshow 2 (1987)

After a deadly encounter with a sentient tar-like substance, Randy (Daniel Beer) and Laverne (Jeremy Green) find themselves as the only survivors. However, the persistent blob manages to seep its way between the boards of their raft, latching onto Laverne's face and claiming another victim.

86. Run rabbit, run- Get Out (2017)

While strolling through a suburban neighbourhood, Andre Hayworth (Lakeith Stanfield) finds himself being followed by a mysterious car. While he initially brushes it off and turns the other way, he is then ambushed by the vehicles masked driver.

85. Seeing dead people- The Sixth Sense (1999)

Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment) has the ability to see dead people, making him feel highly unsettled whenever he does. One night, he takes refuge in his tent in order to escape the spectral visions, only to discover that one of the apparitions awaits him there.

84. Show us your fangs- Dracula (1958)

Just as Jonathan Harker (John Van Eyssen) is about to be bitten by a vampiric bride, Count Dracula (Christopher Lee) bursts into the room, fangs ablaze, in all his bloody glory. 

83. Brains!- Return of the Living Dead (1985)

While searching for her boyfriend, Tina (Beverly Randolph) winds up at the warehouse where he works. Upon entering the basement however, she comes face to face with the half-melted, zombified corpse of the tarman who has only one thing on his mind: brains!

82. Overdue book- Inferno (1980)

After taking a copy of the mysterious 'Three Mothers' book from the library, Sara (Eleonora Giorgi) ventures into the basement where she meets a strange figure with unusual hands. As she turns to leave however, the figure recognises her book and begins their pursuit. (The scene begins around 27:54)

81. I am your daughter- The Others (2001)

Upon walking in on her daughter acting strangely, Grace (Nicole Kidman) soon makes a terrifying discovery when she witnesses her child's face.

80. Lady fingers- Raw (2017)

After a botched Brazilian wax incident, Alex (Ella Rumpf) has her finger dismembered and subsequently faints. When her sister Justine notices the finger on the floor however, she decides to, ahem, expand her taste buds.

79. Model criminal- Blood and Black Lace (1964)

After stealing a diary from one of her fellow models, Peggy (Mary Arden) arrives at an empty antique store where she is pursued by a masked killer clad in all black. The killer soon catches up to her and, well, just watch and see..

78. Lawn of the dead- Braindead (1992)

When his home becomes the epicenter of a deadly zombie epidemic, Lionel Cosgrove (Timothy Balme) decides to wipe them out once and for all, using his trusty lawn mower.

77. Home invasion- It Follows (2015)

Jay (Maika Monroe) is being followed by a mysterious, shape-shifting entity as part of a curse passed onto her during sexual intercourse. The entity soon catches up to her, breaking into her home and terrorising both her and her friends. 

76. Big dummy- Profondo Rosso (1975)

While investigating an unusual murder scene, psychologist, Professor Giordani (Glauco Mauri) is distracted by a creepy clockwork puppet that enters his office. Little does he know that the real killer is waiting in the wings.. 

So that's the first quarter out of the way, stay tuned for more in the coming weeks as well as a new segment of 'Nevermore' next week.

Nevermore: At the Mountains of Madness

Welcome to "Nevermore", a new fortnightly segment where I look at some of the greatest films never made. Be they earlier versions of films that eventually would be made, or films that were just scrapped altogether, this segment will cover different films that unfortunately never quite took off. They will mainly be horror, sci-fi, and cult films for the foreseeable future, but who knows where this segment will take us in the coming months. This week to kick things off, I thought it would be appropriate to look at a project that would have been helmed by recent Oscar-winner Guillermo Del Toro: his adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's At the Mountains of Madness.

Background:

At the Mountains of Madness is a sci-fi horror novella written by acclaimed horror author H.P. Lovecraft in 1931. Del Toro, who has ferquently paid homage to Lovecraft's work in his own filmography, penned a screenplay with Matthew Robbins back in 2006 based on Lovecraft's story. Originally the project was taken to Warner Bros. where there were disputes over aspects of the story and the budget. An adaptation like this would have required a rather hefty budget to begin with, but because of how ambitious and unconventional the project was, the company were unwilling to fund it. Del Toro stated that the studio were anxious about the budget, as well as certain aspects of the story such as its lack of a romantic subplot, and unfortunately they just would not budge. However, in 2010 things began to look up for the project with James Cameron on board as producer and Tom Cruise set to star. This was excellent news for Del Toro, who aimed to begin production in the summer of 2011. However, once again certain things got in the way..

Plot Details:

It's unclear how faithful Del Toro and Robbins' screenplay was to Lovecraft's original work, but it's safe to assume that it would have remained reasonably close. The original novella followed an expedition to Antarctica during which the party members discover strange new lifeforms unlike anything else on Earth, as well as the ruins of an ancient city. However, as the team carry out their research and explore the ruined city, it soon becomes clear that there are ancient beings awaiting them there, and they don't take kindly to strangers.

If anyone can tackle Lovecraft, it's Del Toro. His keen understanding of the genre as well as his distinct visual style would be perfect for adapting a Lovecraftian story. He has claimed that he still has a lot of concept art and story boards for the project, and that some day he will finally release them to the public. However, for now all we have is a model of one of the films creatures that was on display at his 'At Home With Monsters' exhibition (the giant penguin below).

So What Happened?

While initially things seemed to be looking up for Del Toro, it unfortunately didn't last. This time the dispute was with Universal Studios over the films rating, Del Toro was insistent on an R-rating, but the studio would not comply as they believed that a PG-13 movie would sell better. As well as that, Del Toro further stated that his adaptation bore too many similarities to Ridley Scott's Prometheus released in 2012. This left Del Toro to put the film on a "long pause- if not demise", and the project has not been touched since. Although considering last years Mummy movie, perhaps it's a good thing that Tom Cruise was kept out of this one.

It's a shame that At the Mountains of Madness never came to fruition as Del Toro and Lovecraft seem like a match made in heaven. However, due to recent events and the fact that Prometheus turned out to be shite, perhaps there is still some hope for the project yet..

Chances of it Ever Getting Made:

If Del Toro was ever going to give At the Mountains of Madness another go, now would be the perfect time. First of all, Del Toro has just won both Best Picture and Best Director at the Academy Awards, which have really gained the Mexican filmmaker a lot of well deserved prestige. Perhaps with such achievements under his belt at the moment, studios would now be more inclined to take that risk and give him the creative freedom he needs to bring his project to life.

Secondly, the success of R-rated studio films such as Deadpool and Logan has shown that a film doesn't have to be PG-13 to make significant profit at the box-office. Like the comics that inspired both of those films, H.P. Lovecraft's work has a massive cult following that would easily flock to theaters if At the Mountains of Madness was eventually released. With Del Toro's name attached as well, you'd be mad not to see a profit there.

Finally, after the release of Annihilation this week, it would seem that the world is more ready for a new Lovecraft adaptation than they ever were. While it's not adapted from a Lovecraft story itself, Alex Garland's Annihilation bares many similarities with another of Lovecraft's short stories The Colour Out of Space. Annihilation managed to capture the essence of Lovecraft's seemingly unfilmable story, despite not being a direct adaptation itself. Due to the rave reviews that the film has since been getting, it's clear that more people are ready to embrace the world of Lovecraft. Guillermo Del Toro may not get to make a third Hellboy film, but I have a strong feeling that At the Mountains of Madness still might just have a chance at getting made. Let's hope so anyway.

So that's it for the first installment of 'Nevermore', I hope you liked it because there's plenty more where that came from. The next installment will be focusing on a certain Mummy movie, but I'm not saying which one just yet, you'll have to wait. I'll be back next week with more content but until then, have a good weekend and a smashing St. Patrick's Day!

Hibernian Horror: 10 Irish Horror Films Worth Watching This Paddy's Day

St. Patrick's Day is just over a week away, which means that there are plenty of bad stereotypes, Americans claiming heritage, and painful hangovers inbound. Being a fan of horror films I thought that I'd celebrate the impending Paddy's Day by looking at some of our countries greatest (and strangest) horror films from over the years. From indie hits, to cult classics, from zombies, to demons, Ireland has a surprising number of entertaining horror films under its belt. So if you're Irish or just a fan of horror cinema in general, I suggest you give some of these films a look.

Dementia 13 (Francis Ford Coppola, 1963)

What's it about?

In an attempt to secure her late husbands inheritance, Louise Haloran (Luana Anders) travels to his families estate in Ireland with a plan to trick her mother-in-law. However, Louise's plan is cut short when a deranged axe murderer arrives at the estate.

Why it's worth a watch:

Before Apocalypse Now and The Godfather, Francis Ford Coppola made his first legitimate directorial effort with Dementia 13. Taking inspiration from earlier films such as Hitchcock's Psycho, the film relies heavily on tension, with several bloody death scenes here or there to keep us on our toes. It's a bit messy and convoluted at times however, and for a film set in Ireland there's a surprise lack of, you know, actual Irish people in it. At the end of the day though, it's a decent whodunnit film with some surprisingly memorable moments, proving that Coppola was a talented filmmaker from early on in his career. If you're a fan of his later stuff then you should definitely check out Dementia 13. 

Rawhead Rex (George Pavlou, 1986)

What's it about?

An ancient pagan deity known as Rawhead Rex is unleashed upon the unsuspecting folk of a small village in rural Ireland, wreaking havoc upon anyone who crosses his path.

Why it's worth a watch:

The film is written by Clive Barker himself, although he infamously disowned it, but regardless of that it's still got a certain B-movie charm that earns it a spot on this list. The schlocky creature design, over the top violence, and bizarre performance from Ronan Wilmott as evil cultist Declan all make this an entertaining watch, especially for fans of cult cinema. However, what I like most about Rawhead Rex is that it actually feels Irish. The cast is predominantly made up of Irish actors (including veteran Niall Tóibín) who have genuine Irish accents, there's not a 'begorrah' or 'diddley eye' in sight thank God. Rawhead Rex is not only an entertaining creature feature, but also a national treasure in my eyes.

Wake Wood (David Keating, 2011)

What's it about?

Two grieving parents (Aidan Gillen and Eva Birthistle) are granted the opportunity to spend three days with their deceased daughter by partaking in a pagan ritual. However, it soon becomes clear that their newly-revived child is not all that she seems.

Why it's worth a watch:

Wake Wood feels like a cross between Pet Sematary and The Wicker Man, but at the same time it feels wholly unique as well. It introduces its own mythology that puts a new spin on the familiar 'be careful what you wish for' trope, with impressive results. Despite its low budget the film manages to build this subtle sense of dread throughout that culminates in a catharsis of blood and terror by the final act. Ella Connolly is really unnerving as the undead daughter Alice, while Timothy Spall even pops up in a memorable supporting role. Wake Wood is an eerie and effective folk horror that puts its own spin on a familiar formula. Word of warning though, if you're an animal lover you might want to give this one a miss.

Boy Eats Girl (Stephen Bradley, 2005)

What's it about?

After a series of unfortunate events lead to his death, teenager Nathan (David Leon) is resurrected by his mother, only as a zombie. Nathan must control his thirst for flesh while preventing a zombie apocalypse and winning over the girl of his dreams.

Why it's worth a watch:

Written by Derek Landy of Skulduggery Pleasant fame, this rom-zom-com gives an early look at the writers ability to seamlessly blend comedy with horror together. As expected from Landy, the morbid subject matter and outlandish gore is balanced by witty dialogue and humor, acting as both a parody of and homage to the zombie genre. The climactic sequence in which Jessica (played by former pop sensation Samantha Mumba) slaughters a zombie horde with a tractor feels very reminiscent of Peter Jackson's Braindead and its lawnmower scene. As well as that, a young Domhnall Gleeson also makes an appearance as an unfortunate teenager who is attacked by a zombie priest. So if you've ever wanted to see Samantha Mumba slay some zombies, or Bob from Fair City die a grizzly death, then Boy Eats Girl is just right for you.

Stitches (Conor McMahon, 2012)

What's it about?

After a prank gone wrong leads to his death at a children's party, Stitches the clown (Ross Noble) returns from the grave several years later, to wreak his vengeance on those responsible.

Why it's worth a watch:

If you're a fan of Elm-Street-style 80's slashers, then you'll absolutely love Stitches. Much like the Elm Street franchise, the film is full of inventive death scenes that blur the lines between scary and silly. One of the most memorable involves intestines fashioned into balloon animals and an exploding head, but I don't want to spoil any more of the gory goodness. Ross Noble is also quite entertaining as the sleazy slasher Stitches, quipping one-liners here and there to add some comedic balance to the ensuing horror. It's a shame we never got a Stitches sequel, as the foul-mouthed zombie clown would fit in well with slasher giants like Freddy Krueger and co. Fun, freaky, and filled to the brim with gore, Stitches is a severely underrated Irish slasher film.

Without Name (Lorcan Finnegan, 2017)

What's it about?

Land surveyor Eric (Alan McKenna) is sent to assess an ancient forest in Dublin where he meets up with his student and mistress Olivia (Niamh Algar). However, strange forces are at play in the forest, causing Eric to slowly lose his mind.

Why it's worth a watch:

One of my top ten horror films of last year, Without Name is a psychedelic nightmare that preys on the senses. Using disorienting imagery and a sinister atmosphere, the film toys with the mind of its audience and will quickly put you under its spell. It's not an explicitly scary film, nor is it significantly bloody either, but instead it opts for a more psychological approach that works wonderfully. Its slow-pacing and ambiguous ending means that this won't be everybody's cup of tea, but if you're into more cerebral, mind-bending stuff, then Without Name might just be the film for you. 

Dead Meat (Conor McMahon, 2004)

What's it about?

After a strain of mad cow disease spreads throughout rural Ireland, the infected humans begin to turn into ravenous, flesh-eating zombies. Spanish tourist Helena (Maria Araujo) finds herself stranded in this zombie-infested landscape, teaming up with a gravedigger (David Muyllaert) in order to fight for survival.

Why it's worth a watch: 

Before going on to do Stitches, Conor McMahon gave us the true spectacle of low-budget cinema that is Dead Meat. Feeling very much in the same vein as The Evil Dead, the film does wonders with its low budget by creating memorable zombies and even more memorable death scenes. One of my favourites involves a hoover being used to suck out an eyeball. The rural Irish backdrop gives the film a further sense of isolation as well, never before had Leitrim looked so apocalyptic. The real highlight however is Cathal (Eoin Whelan), the paddy-cap-wearing zombie slayer who is probably the only person to ever kill a zombie with a hurl. Dead Meat proves that you can do a lot with very little, making for an effectively gory, rural zombie romp.

The Canal (Ivan Kavanagh, 2014)

What's it about?

A film archivist (Rupert Evans) finds his sanity beginning to slip after watching a film reel with footage of a gruesome murder that took place at his home in the 1900's.

Why it's worth a watch:

Next to Bono and the housing prices, The Canal is without a doubt one of the scariest things to come out of Dublin. The film constantly plays with the viewers mind, blurring the lines between dreams and reality to create a truly nightmarish experience altogether. Instead of relying on jump scares or excessive gore, the film instead focuses heavily on sound and imagery which makes for a much more atmospheric film overall. The pacing is a bit on the slow side so it does require a bit of patience at times, but trust me, it's so worth it in the long run. If you're a native Dub like myself you'll also probably spot a few locations from around the city as well, such as the National Archives and areas along the Grand Canal. Packed to the brim with spine-tingling tension and constantly messing with the audiences head, The Canal is definitely not one for the fainthearted. 

The Hallow (Corin Hardy, 2015)

What's it about?

Adam (Joseph Mawle) travels to Ireland with his wife and infant son in order to survey a vast woodland that's set to be logged. However, it soon becomes clear that strange creatures inhabit the woods, and they're not exactly friendly when it comes to trespassers.

Why it's worth a watch:

This unique creature feature from Corin Hardy has the setup and suspense of a home invasion film, packed with the creativity and visual flare of a classic monster movie. Full of slow-burning tension, imaginative creature designs, and plenty of Easter eggs for horror fans, The Hallow is a fantastic homegrown horror. The practical effects and unique monster designs give the film its own sense of personality, akin to the works of Guillermo Del Toro, but its allusions to Irish folklore and mythology make it feel a lot closer to home. It's a truly original film with excellent performances from Joseph Mawle and Bojana Novakovic as his characters wife, Claire. Also be sure to look out for Michael McElhatton from Game of Thrones, and the always entertaining Michael Smiley making a cameo as a Garda. The Hallow will make you fear nature like nothing ever before.

Grabbers (Jon Wright, 2012)

What's it about?

When a remote island comes under attack from blood-sucking, tentacled aliens, alcoholic Garda Ciarán O'Shea (Richard Coyle) and his workaholic partner Lisa Nolan (Ruth Bradley) are the first line of defense against them. However, they soon exploit a weakness in their extraterrestrial foes: alcohol-tainted blood, meaning that the only way to defeat the Grabbers is to get absolutely smashed.

Why it's worth a watch:

If you're going to watch any film this Paddy's Day, horror or not, let it be Grabbers. This memorable horror comedy plays on that stereotype of the Irish and their alcohol in a clever way that isn't patronising, but is a lot of fun. The idea that alcohol is the only means of survival for these characters is pure genius, and perfect for a Paddy's Day watch. Along with its brilliant premise and sharp humor, Grabbers also boasts some excellent special effects and a talented cast including both Coyle and Bradley, as well as Being Human's Russell Tovey, and Bronagh Gallagher herself. In a way it feels almost like Ireland's answer to Edgar Wright's Cornetto trilogy, blending comedy, terror, and alcohol in the most inventive way possible. So if you're stuck for something to watch this Paddy's Day, look no further than the alcohol-fuelled, sci-fi spectacular that is Grabbers.

So if you find your plans have fallen through this Paddy's Day, or if you're just not that into going out, then why not sit back and enjoy one of these homegrown horror films? I should be back next week with some more content, but in case I'm not, have a happy (and safe) St. Patrick's Day!

2018 Oscar Predictions

It's hard to believe that the 2018 Academy Awards are almost upon us, it feels like only yesterday since Moonlight-gate after all (I hope poor Warren Beatty has recovered). Tonight however, Hollywood's finest will congregate once again for the 90th Academy Awards. This is an exciting year as there are a number of really strong contenders nominated in each category. From expected nominees such as Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri, to some truly surprising ones such as Jordan Peele's racially-charged horror Get Out, it's hard not to feel this years Oscar-hype. It's always difficult to speculate who will win what, especially after Moonlight's surprise victory last year, but when it comes to the Oscars one simply can't help but speculate. These are just my predictions for how the awards will fare, and to be honest they'll probably be far off, but regardless I thought I'd share them nonetheless. I'll have to leave out categories such as Best Documentary and Best Foreign Language Film, simply because I haven't seen any of the films in those categories, so if you don't see any categories here then that's why. So without further ado, here are my predictions for the 2018 Academy Awards.

Best Actor in A Leading Role.

Judging by his success throughout this awards season, it looks as though Gary Oldman is highly likely to take home this years award for best actor for his role as Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour. From his wins at the BAFTAs and Golden Globes, to his all round critical acclaim, Oldman winning wouldn't come as much of a surprise. However, if anyone could come close to beating him for the award my money's on Timothéé Chalamet for Call Me by Your Name. As he is the youngest ever nominee in this category many people seem to take view this as a disadvantage, however, Chalamet gave such a nuanced performance as Elio which gives him just as much a chance as his fellow nominees. It would be phenomenal to see his talents be acknowledged tonight.

Best Actress in A Leading Role.

As an Irishman I would obviously be delighted for Saoirse Ronan to win best actress, especially considering how strong her performance in Lady Bird was. However, it doesn't take a genius to spot how Frances McDormand is absolutely dominating the awards season. After her powerfully layered performance in Three Billboards it's no surprise that she's doing so well and I think that she is truly deservant of her respective award. Although if anyone was to overtake her my money would be on Sally Hawkins for her portrayal as mute custodian Elisa in The Shape of Water. Being able to express that much emotion with no dialogue whatsoever is no easy feat, but Hawkins pulled it off so well that I think she deserves the sort of recognition that comes with a Best Actress award.

Best Actor in A Supporting Role.

I still think about Sam Rockwell's performance in Three Billboards a lot. Not only was he able to bring to life the truly nasty character of Dixon, but somehow Rockwell managed to convey this characters surprising developments in a natural, and almost sympathetic way. He was capable of showing us more dimensions to such a mean-spirited character, and I feel like he'll be the one to take home this particular award tonight.

Best Actress in A Supporting Role.

Allison Janney was by far the highlight of I, Tonya, portraying domineering mother LaVona Harding. Her razor-sharp delivery of each line of dialogue, as well as her ability to convincingly portray this character at different stages of her life make her the strongest contender in my opinion. However, Laurie Metcalf could just beat her to it for her portrayal of Ms. McPherson in Lady Bird, we shall see tonight.

Best Adapted Screenplay.

While I would obviously love to see The Disaster Artist win considering this marks its only nomination, I have a feeling that James Ivory will be the one holding this particular award for Call Me By Your Name. Ivory's screenplay based on André Aciman's novel of the same name has been lauded by critics since the films release, and I'll be really surprised if it doesn't win in this category.

Best Original Screenplay.

Get Out has only been nominated in 4 categories, and I feel like this is the one that could garner it an Academy Award. Jordan Peele's script is incredibly clever, full of sharp dialogue and careful foreshadowing, and I feel like this makes it a really strong contender. However, with Martin McDonagh and Greta Gerwig also nominated for Three Billboards and Lady Bird, it's tough to determine who will reign supreme in this category. Personally though, I think Peele really deserves this one and has a really strong chance of overcoming his competitors. 

Best Animated Feature Film.

Although 'The Oscar-winning Boss Baby' has a certain ring to it, I've got a hunch that Disney Pixar's Coco is set to win. With its bright colors, fantastic world-building, and strong emotional resonance, Coco is a sure fire winner in my eyes.

Best Cinematography.

Right, this is it, this will FINALLY be the year that Roger Deakins takes home the best cinematography award for Blade Runner 2049. This marks the acclaimed cinematographers 14th nomination so far, and after 13 snubs I feel like it would be criminal if he didn't win this year. His cinematography is what truly brought the world of Blade Runner 2049 to life and became instantly iconic, if he doesn't win this time then there truly is no justice in the world.

Best Original Score.

After his ridiculous disqualification for There Will Be Blood 10 years ago, it looks like Johnny Greenwood will finally have his day. His score for Paul Thomas Anderson's Phantom Thread is nothing short of beautiful and adds an another layer of elegance to an already sophisticated film. This will be Johnny Greenwood's comeback for sure. 

Best Original Song.

This is a tough one, and I feel like it's neck-and-neck between "Remember Me" from Coco, and "Mystery of Love" from Call Me By Your Name. Both hold a very different sense of emotional resonance that made their respective films all the more compelling, or in short, they could both make you bawl into your pillow for about a week. Sufjan Stevens and his original songs have been some of the most praised aspects of Call Me By Your Name, so if he does manage to beat Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, it wouldn't come as a surprise. 

Best Director.

This is by far the closest category yet. It's tough to determine who will win in this category as each nominee is equally talented in their own respect. While I would personally love to see Jordan Peele win for Get Out, I'm not getting my hopes up too high. Realistically I think it'll come down to Guillermo Del Toro or Greta Gerwig. Del Toro was awarded best director at both the BAFTA's and Golden Globes, and being a huge fan of his I feel like it's about time he got an Oscar already. Gerwig on the other hand has been a bit of an underdog this awards season. While she has rightfully gained an immense amount of acclaim for Lady Bird, she hasn't been nominated for much at all, which is a real shame. Being the only female nominee in this category it would be really inspiring if she took home the award, and she's definitely got the directoral skill to back up her victory. May the best filmmaker win.

Best Picture.

With 13 nominations it's easy to assume that The Shape of Water has this one in the bag, however, as we learned from last years ceremony anything could happen. I have a feeling that if Del Toro doesn't win best director, he'll win best picture for sure. However, if last years ceremony has taught us anything it's that anything could happen, so I wouldn't say Del Toro has this in the bag just yet. I have a strong gut feeling that Lady Bird or Call Me by Your Name could take home Best Picture tomorrow night. Last year the coming of age drama Moonlight won, which makes both of these films strong contenders to follow in its footsteps. It's a tough call, but something tells me that it will come down to those three tonight.

Best Sound Editing: Dunkirk.
Best Production Design: Blade Runner 2049.
Best Costume Design: Phantom Thread.
Best Film Editing: Baby Driver (it is an Edgar Wright film after all).
Best Visual Effects: Blade Runner 2049 OR War For the Planet of the Apes.


Now watch as all of these predictions turn out to be horribly wrong. Best of luck to all of the nominees tonight, and I mean it when I say that this is a really close year so the competition will be tough. One thing is certain however, this will be one hell of an Oscars.