WARNING: The following post is over 14,000 words long. As of this publication, that is more words than the total episode count of “The Simpsons…” multiplied by 18. Get a bag of popcorn. Get a soda. Get in a comfy chair. Do whatever makes you happy. Take a break if you have to, and come back when you’re ready. But most importantly, enjoy the show.

Hello, and welcome to the 6^th Annual Jack Awards! For those who did not experience the 1^st through 5^th Jack Awards, do not worry, you do not need to go back and read those to understand this one.

This is a celebration of the many movies that came out in 2023. Or as Taylor Swift calls them, those things that rearranged release dates so she can take up more screens. We have a great ceremony ahead where we will recognize all the films that yours truly saw throughout the span of 2023, including 10 films that have the distinct quality that makes them worthy of being nominated for Best Picture! 

How does the show work? There will be a list of categories ranging in a multitude of aspects that go into making a movie. Categories like Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and so on. There will be five nominees in each category, but only one will win. The key thing about this show, is that it is determined by perhaps the most selfish voting body in the history of mankind. As it is only run by myself. I will be determining the winners for all these categories. Except for one. Because a couple weeks leading into the show, I announced the nominees and gave you all a task. I listed what I found to be the 10 best movies of 2023 leading into this ceremony. And you all got to vote on your favorite. The votes have been tallied, and the winner, which will be revealed at the end of the show, will be this year’s Best Picture! 

Lastly, if it must be known, all the films presented here must have had a theatrical release. If you were looking forward to finding a film primarily made for a streaming service like Netflix and Disney+, one that went straight to TV, straight to DVD, taking home Best Production Design, don’t get your hopes up. We are here to talk about movies, not television. There is a difference. That said, I want to start off this post by congratulating everyone who made a movie in the past year. And this includes the movies I did not like. I recognize it is hard work. A lot of time has gone into these projects, and I admire your efforts. With that being said, let’s start the show! 

To kick things off, we are going to be doing a monologue. It is time for Jack Drees Tells Jokes to Nobody in Order to Please Himself!

There is no audience during this ceremony, and therefore, there shall be no laughs. So, for those experiencing this ceremony today, please use your imagination and pretend you are listening to me live telling you all sorts of random crap. And I must say, 2023 was an interesting 365 days. I am not gonna sugarcoat it. Last year was rough for the film industry. Much like 2020, there felt like a deficit of movies, particularly bigger ones, but for a justifiable reason. That said, I saw plenty of wonderful movies over the past year, including some all-time greats. Industry-wise, this was a lesser year. But if you’re talking about the movies that ultimately came out, I would be lying if I did not say 2023 had some banger moments for cinema. Unless you were a Ken, killed by Sisu, annihilated by John Wick, or stomped on by Mario. 

Of course, we cannot talk about 2023 cinema without addressing the strikes. On May 1^st, the Writers Guild of America announced all writers within the union will strike from their work on film and television. The combined industry didn’t quit, they were just fading to black. 

In July, while the writers were still on strike, the Screen Actors Guild also announced a strike of their own. There were so many picketers out there this year. What a huge, committed cast! Everyone went from trying to remember their lines, to the picket lines! 

“Killers of the Flower Moon” became one of 2023’s most prestigious films. Directed by Martin Scorsese, the film is about an FBI investigation into the murders of a Native American tribe in Oklahoma. Star Leonardo DiCaprio expressed his excitement regarding the project, but said once it turns twenty-five, it’s over! He’s never talking about it again! 

Best Buy announced in October that they were officially going to stop DVD sales. Honestly, Best Buy should be absolutely embarrassed. There is a Blockbuster that is still open and selling movies to this day! It’s true! It’s in Oregon! Imagine getting one-upped by the butt of going out of business jokes since the late 2000s! Best Buy, you had a chance to come out on top and you failed miserably! Just wait until this Blockbuster starts selling fridges and we’ll see who’s winning then. 

Speaking of DVDs, Netflix also stopped their DVD-by-mail rental service. Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos made the huge announcement to the world with the preface, “Hey, in case you missed it! We amazingly still have DVDs!” 

“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” is one of the year’s biggest, brightest, and most innovative animated films. The film is nominated for 5 awards tonight, including Best Animated Feature and Best Picture! The Daily Bugle calls it “The worst movie ever made.” As far as I am concerned, this only means every other outlet liked it. 

National Cinema Day made a comeback this year! The initiative, which happened on Sunday, August 27, is designed to give discount tickets and deals to moviegoers for one day. So now instead of paying an arm and a leg to see a movie, we just pay a finger! 

…They call it the Banshees of Inisherin special! 

Yes, I know that’s a movie from 2022, not quite this past year. It’s a little irrelevant. But if that’s your comeback. I would flash a finger at you, but I can’t, because it’s chopped off! 

I came across an article from People, and this is real… The article is headlined “Today Is National Cinema Day! Here’s How to Claim Your $4 Movie Tickets Now.” Are you guys kidding me? …Go to the theater and buy the bloody ticket you moron! 

One of my biggest surprises this year was “Godzilla Minus One.” The latest film featuring one of the world’s most famous creatures was a roaring good time! The film is nominated for six Jack Awards, including Best Picture tonight. Because nothing says Best Picture like “Big lizard has a hissy fit with tall buildings.” 

Moving on from the King of the Monsters to King of Rock and Roll’s wife, let’s talk about “Priscilla!” A24’s new film, “Priscilla,” also nominated for three awards including Best Picture, is a coming-of-age story about the woman many would come to know as Priscilla Presley. I’m not going to lie, I love the movie. I really do. But I had somewhat low expectations sometime before going into it. Safe to say, I had a suspicious mind. 

Last year during the Jack Awards, “Elvis” was nominated in multiple categories. This year, the title character’s spouse’s movie is being honored. Again, that movie being “Priscilla.” Fun fact about “Priscilla,” there is not a single song by Elvis Presley in it. Yeah, Elvis Presley Enterprises did not approve of the use of the artist’s music. When it came to “Priscilla’s” music, the people behind it were looking for a little less conversation from Elvis and a little more action from everybody else. 

As of 2023, the Walt Disney Company is officially 100 years old. According to the RSPCA, an animal charity in the UK, mice usually live for about three years. At this point Mickey Mouse should be wrinkled and using a walker! Actually, I take that back, Mickey should be rotting and unable to move! What’s his secret? 

To celebrate Disney’s 100^th anniversary, the company’s animation division released “Wish”, a film about a girl named Asha who wishes upon a star only to have chaos unleash on her homeland. By the way, the film has a nomination tonight for Best Original Song. Congratulations! And to truly honor the 100^th anniversary, Disney had all the customers hoping to see this in a theater wait in a two hour long line before they could get in.

Warner Brothers also turned 100 last year. So, in honor of the occasion, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav announced the company will be making 100 tax write-offs. 

Warner Brothers released four DC movies in 2023. Despite what the title may suggest, I can confirm “The Flash” is more than a second long. 

The last of the Detective Comics Extended Universe films released this year was “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.” This film is supposed to close out the DCEU for good. So now it’s sleeping with the fishes. 

“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” came out this April and it was a smash hit at the box office. By the way, its song “Peaches” is nominated tonight for Best Original Song. The movie made so much money that Mario can finally quit his dayjobs as a plumber, doctor, tennis player, golfer, and go-kart racer. He finally made it in life! 

Chris Pratt voiced the title character in “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” And to prepare for the role, he ate mushrooms, practiced his jumping, spewed fire and ice at turtles, and pulled down flags on a regular basis. 

Chris Pratt also reprised his role as Star Lord in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.” And to prepare for that role, he painstakingly refreshed his memory on how to talk to trees. 

One of the biggest movie events of the past summer was Barbenheimer. For the people who only saw “Mario” this year, Barbenheimer is the combination of the popular titles “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” both of which came out on July 21^st. It was the summer of bombs, bombshells, and box office results so explosive; you would think Michael Bay manufactured the results himself. 

“Oppenheimer” is the latest film from Christopher Nolan. I’m sure his next film, “Tenet,” will be just as exciting. 

… 

If you did not get what I just said, I should note, the joke hasn’t happened yet. 

You know, it is crazy how a few years ago, “Tenet” was heavily marketed as the film to save cinemas. And in some ways, it brought people back. But it took films like “Godzilla vs. Kong,” “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” and “Top Gun: Maverick” to crack the code. I wish you could have understood what I just said, but Christopher Nolan is in charge of this joke, and the sound mix seems to be a bit off.

…On that note, I should mention “Oppenheimer” is nominated for Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing tonight. The sound in “Oppenheimer” was so powerfully authentic. I can prove it by how many times I shouted “WHAT?!” to somebody when they talked to me after seeing the movie.

“Barbie,” under the vision of Greta Gerwig, became one of the highest-grossing films ever directed by a woman. In a surprisingly charitable move, Gerwig used the money she earned on Barbie to buy Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling a life-sized dollhouse. 

“Barbie” used so much pink paint to design its sets, that the world experienced a shortage of the product while filming. 2022 must have been an atrocious time to open a Baskin Robbins location. That’s literally a huge portion of your identity! Pink, ice cream, and helping Ant-Man when he is in between jobs! That’s Baskin Robbins in a nutshell! 

When it comes to Barbenheimer, “Barbie” ultimately ended up making more money than ”Oppenheimer.” In retrospect, if “Oppenheimer” had Taylor Swift in the film, maybe it would have had a chance of winning the box office. Instead, they had to settle for just the biggest MCU star. 

AMC Theatres announced over the summer that they could run out of money in 2024. Thankfully though, this crisis was avoided within a few days. How so? Nicole Kidman decided to donate her life savings. 

Speaking of taking away people’s money, AMC announced in January they were going to slowly implement a new seating system in all their theatres. The new program, called Sightline, was going to charge people more money for “better” seats. So instead of finding five pieces of popcorn in your seat, you might find four if you pay a little extra! 

The AMC Sightline program was going to charge three different prices for seats. There’s the Preferred tier, which is dedicated to the middle of most rows. There’s the Standard tier, where you pay a little less and sit on the sides or a little closer to the screen depending on the auditorium. If you decide to partake in the Value tier and sit in the front row, the price goes down even further. And if you sneak in from the outside, you make the front row bargain hunters look like fools! 

AMC ended up not going through with the Sightline program. Partially because according to AMC, there was not much of a change to the number of tickets purchased for the front row, which again, is called the Value tier. Because there is nothing more valuable than straining your neck after sitting down and watching “Oppenheimer” for three plus hours.

Before we get started with the show, I want to give you all a heads up. Literally. We are going to take a moment to thank our sponsor of tonight’s ceremony. I am sure this… partnership… is not breaking their brain whatsoever. Take a look at this ad that has been put together featuring some of tonight’s nominees.

As the host of the Jack Awards, I shall declare the awards-giving to begin!

We will be starting the show the way we always do, with Best Animated Feature.

This year, Best Animated Feature has its fair share of franchise additions to properties like “Spider-Man” and “Slam Dunk” to charming new originals like “Suzume,” “The Boy and the Heron,” and “The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes.” No matter where these movies came from, or what worlds they represent. They all accomplish the same goal. Make the best movie possible. Here are the nominees for Best Animated Feature.

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE 

• The Boy and the Heron – Hayao Miyazaki, Toshio Suzuki 
• The First Slam Dunk – Takehiko Inoue, Toshiyuki Matsui 
• Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson, Avi Arad, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Amy Pascal, Christina Steinberg 
• Suzume – Makoto Shinkai, Kōichirō Itō, Genki Kawamura 
• The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes – Tomohisa Taguchi, Akenosuke Kanazawa, Makiko Mameda, Keijirô Taguchi

And the award goes to…

“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse!”

This is almost a trip down memory lane! This is the second “Spider-Man” film to win the Best Animated Feature category. The first one being 2018’s “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse!” Congratulations to Sony and everyone involved with these movies, particularly the “Spider-Verse” titles, for maintaining a healthy, lovable franchise! This film is the classic case of how you pitch a sequel. Go bigger, make it better. What may be one of the most basic marketing tactics in making a sequel actually ends up working for “Across the Spider-Verse,” because so much time and care was put into each scene. The film has a large cast, six dazzling animation styles, and a story that both stands on its own but expands lore that people have come to learn in the original film. “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” introduced a wonderful world that provided for one of the most unique comic book movies of the year. “Across the Spider-Verse” does exactly the same thing, all the while arguably improving what already made that original film so great. Congratulations to “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse!” And may I remind you, this film, and two others on this list, “Suzume” and “The First Slam Dunk,” are nominated for Best Picture. This film could win the ultimate award tonight.

We now move onto Best Visual Effects. This category honors the effects that takes otherworldly concepts and brings them to ours. It honors elements in film that turn fantasy into reality. The ones that turn science fiction into non-fiction. The ones that do everything and more to immerse the viewer into a world that may not exist, but nevertheless seems believable. Here are the nominees for Best Visual Effects.

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS 

• The Creator 
• Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves 
• Godzilla Minus One 
• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 
• Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

And the award goes to…

“The Creator!”

Of the films listed here, “The Creator” is the only one that is not based on any preexisting property or franchise. The film did everything it could to create a world that centers around a future that not only feels closeby, but one that contains a great deal of verisimilitude. The four other nominees are more than deserving of their place here. They all have clean, crisp instances of CGI and visuals up the wazoo. I almost cannot imagine seeing these movies without the amazing, unbelievable effects work. But the thing about “The Creator” is that it was able to create something so lifelike to the point where it made the film itself feel twice as relevant as it could have been. “The Creator” is what happens when you stick to your guns, stick to your $80 million budget, and create a world that could only be described as one of the most polished of the year. And while $80 million is a lot of money in many circumstances, not only is it cheaper some of the other nominees, it is chump change compared to a lot of movies that come out today. And it many cases, it looks better! Let’s face it, if you are going to see a movie at the theater, chances are you are going to pay very similar prices for every movie on the list. But if we are strictly talking budgets, “The Creator” may be one of the biggest bangs for your buck on the 2023 roster. Congratulations to “The Creator!”

Now it is time to introduce our first Best Picture nominee. Throughout the show, we will be introducing the nominees for Best Picture by giving a description of the film, how many nominations they have, and inserting a trailer for your viewing pleasure.

Our first Best Picture nominee comes from Japan. And it brings forth one of its biggest and most popular properties to the big screen one more time. This reimagining on a classic premise unleashes a powerful punch. Between a gripping, hallowing, eerie vibe… An emotional, hypnotizing, edge of your seat story… And human characters that can only be described as some of the best that have ever been created for the genre… This entire movie is one of the most obnoxiously visceral and satisfying thrill rides of the decade. The titular character may be a familiar face, but you have never seen him like this. Nominated for 6 Jack Awards, this is “Godzilla Minus One.”

If you have experienced the Jack Awards before, you may be familiar with my formula for the sound categories. In the process of filmmaking, editing comes before mixing. In the process of citing the alphabet, E comes before M. Therefore, in the process of the Jack Awards, it only makes sense to present the Sound Editing category first, and the Sound Mixing category second. These films have done everything to provide an audio experience that brings endless doses of immersion and chills. Here are the nominees for Best Sound Editing.

BEST SOUND EDITING 

• Godzilla Minus One 
• John Wick: Chapter 4 
• Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One 
• Oppenheimer 
• Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 

And the Jack goes to…

“Oppenheimer!”

This is “Oppenheimer’s” first win! For the record, “Oppenheimer” is today’s frontrunner with 14 nominations. That makes the film the second most-nominated title in Jack Awards history. And trust me, audio-wise, “Oppenheimer” blows the competition out of the water. Both literally and figuratively. Yours truly saw “Oppenheimer” in IMAX three times, and each one was sweet as the last. Not only was the audio brought with Christopher Nolan’s trademarked, over the top volume, but some of it was used to enhance the emotion of the film. There are moments where the ears are just overwhelmed but in a way that can only be described as raw. One of the best instances of audio in the entire movie are sequences involving the stomping of feet. Not only is it great sound, not only is it immersive sound, but it is drilled into my memory. There is honestly a good chance that the next time I end up hearing tons of people stomping their feet, I will think of “Oppenheimer.” With context, it might be kind of sad to think that way, but that is the power of terrific sound editing. “Oppenheimer” achieves its first win of the ceremony, and in its first category too! It needs thirteen more for a clean sweep, and seven more to beat “Everything Everywhere All at Once” as the winningest film in Jack Awards history.

And now onto the second sound category, here are the nominees for Best Sound Mixing.

BEST SOUND MIXING 

• Godzilla Minus One 
• Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One 
• Napoleon 
• Oppenheimer 
• Suzume

And the Jack goes to…

“Oppenheimer!”

And “Oppenheimer” takes its second win! Christopher Nolan’s latest film dominates the sound categories! These are words I never thought I would say! The sound mixing in “Oppenheimer” is not just top tier, but it is a significant improvement over some of Nolan’s recent fare like “Dunkirk” and “Tenet.” I liked both movies. Very much so in fact. But the thing about those movies is that the sound and music were so obnoxious that it was hard to hear the characters speak sometimes! “Oppenheimer,” even in scenes where the talking may seem endless, you can at least decipher every word out of everyone’s mouth. And that is with Ludwig Göransson’s excellent score. That is with the endless instances of explosive, visceral bursts of audio that put me in the middle of each scene. Watching “Oppenheimer,” in many ways, felt like watching a slice of life. It is not a slice of life film per se. But in some ways, it felt like a documentary with slightly more epic scenes. I felt like I was a part of every moment. You could almost argue that my eyesight almost became black and white at times. The audio in “Oppenheimer” was so good that it ended up making the more visual aspects of the films all the more pleasing. Congratulations to “Oppenheimer” for its second win of the night! It takes home both sound awards!

Our second Best Picture nominee is James Gunn’s third, and likely final, installment to an iconic Marvel franchise. A band of unlikely heroes return one more time to take on the High Evolutionary, played with pure captivation by Chukwudi Iwuji. The film lets us get to know more about the backstory and origins of one of the franchise’s notable faces, Rocket. It shows us how he lived, how he bonded with old friends, and how he became the ferocious raccoon we have all come to know. The film features a killer soundtrack, bombastic action, and stunning visual effects. It is a feast for the eyes and ears, all the while delivering one heck of an adventure. Nominated for 2 Jack Awards, this is “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.”

It is time for the first acting award of the ceremony. Best Supporting Actor. They say there is no I in the word team. You gotta have some help from those around you. For Leonardo DiCaprio in “Killers of the Flower Moon,” some of the help came from Robert De Niro. For Cillian Murphy in “Oppenheimer,” much of that movie, including his performance, wouldn’t have been as iconic if it were not for the talent on display from Robert Downey Jr.. These nominations belong to five men who broke their legs in support of their craft and their individual films. And ladies and gentlemen… Do you hear that? That… is the sound of competition!!! It is our first “Barbenheimer” matchup! The double feature event of the summer makes its way to the Jacks! So let’s get to it! Maybe “Barbie” will win an award. Maybe “Oppenheimer” will win an award! We will see! Here the nominees for Best Supporting Actor.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR 

• Ryan Gosling – Barbie 
• Glenn Howerton – BlackBerry 
• Robert de Niro – Killers of the Flower Moon 
• Robert Downey Jr. – Oppenheimer 
• Jacob Elordi – Priscilla

And the Jack goes to…

Ryan Gosling for “Barbie!”

And this “Barbenheimer” matchup is a win for “Barbie.” Congratulations! He says he’s just Ken, but in the greater span of the “Barbie” movie, I would say Ryan Gosling so much more than that. He is one of the most integral characters on screen. He has an instant charm that can do no wrong. He has a performance that brings forth tons of range in various scenes. The beautiful thing about “Barbie” is how it imagines what could happen if the toys we know came to life, perhaps came to our world. And the way it goes about it sometimes delivers spectacular results. This is especially true with Ryan Gosling’s Ken. Not only is he funny. Not only is he charismatic. He dances! Sings! Flexes! As the song says, he’s great at doing stuff! And I would have to say that stuff is acting his butt off as one of the year’s most iconic and memorable characters. Many people were surprised by “Barbie” in 2023. Even though I knew to expect something unique and happened to maintain high expectations for the movie, even I was delightfully shocked by how intense and hardcore Gosling’s performance is. Congratulations to Ryan Gosling! And this is another fine, sweet, delightful addition to his Mojo Dojo Casa House! Here is a clip of Ryan Gosling from his time in “Barbie.”

Moving onto the Best Supporting Actress category. These five women brought some assistance of their own. “The Creator” may have had John David Washington, but that movie would not be what it is if not for the endless charm of Madeliene Yuna Voyles being there by his side. Of course, “The Holdovers” has Paul Giamatti, but the movie was made even better knowing that a great actress like Da’Vine Joy Randolph could be in several scenes with him. These five women brought their best to their roles, and now they are recognized as the nominees for Best Supporting Actress.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS 

• Viola Davis – Air 
• Madeliene Yuna Voyles – The Creator 
• Minabi Hamabe – Godzilla Minus One 
• Da’Vine Joy Randolph – The Holdovers 
• Emily Blunt – Oppenheimer

And the Jack goes to…

Da’Vine Joy Randolph for “The Holdovers!”

“The Holdovers” is one of the most charming movies I have seen all year. But even with its endless comforting vibe, it does have its moments where things take a bit of a downward turn. And a large part of that is based on the presence of Da’Vine Joy Randolph as the character of Mary Lamb. Throughout the movie, we find out that she is a lunch lady who is dealing with the loss of her son. And while we may get a sense that the character may be a positive individual, there are various subtleties to help realize that there is more than meets the eye. But this is what the best performances do! They give a multitude of emotions, and this one is no exception! This multitude is best exemplified by a scene from a Christmas party where we see the character taking everything in, but also realizing how much she misses her son. It is a scene that provides a defining moment for every character in this film, including her. It helps us get to know her weaknesses, her pain, her grief. It is just a small fraction of a performance for the ages. Here is a clip of Da’Vine Joy Randolph in “The Holdovers!”

Our third Best Picture currently stands as the fourth highest-grossing Japanese film of all time. Makoto Shinkai is back with a brand-new movie and vision to captivate audiences everywhere. The movie is stunningly animated, brilliantly voiced, and gorgeously colored. It follows a young girl who discovers what it means to be a closer, or someone is supposed to close doors to prevent incoming disasters. Not only is the film easy on the eyes, but also the ears. The sound is thundering and the music is booming. It is easily one of the most immersive theatrical experiences of the year. The film also asks and brilliantly answers the question, “What if a person’s body and soul entered a three-legged chair and brought it to life?” Nominated for 4 Jack Awards, this is “Suzume.”

They say no film is perfect, and those who say that are absolutely right. For example, “The Hunger Games” does not have a ton to do with eating. There are more uses of guns than knives in the “Blade Runner” series. And last time I checked, there are not many wolves on Wall Street. No film is perfect. Even the films from this year. And there are many good ones, keep that in mind. Even those films have their imperfections. That is where this segment comes in. Because it is time to take the films of 2023, no matter how perfect or imperfect they are, and make them even better. It is time for the latest edition of Film Improvements.

This is a movie awards show, but it does not mean there is no room for the recognition of other art forms. For example, one of our nominees would not be possible if it were not for comic books. And another one would not be possible if it were not for television and manga. But all five of our next films would not be here today if it were not for the memorable pieces of music that play throughout each one. From vocally active choirs to banging and clanging percussion to the master’s touch of a fine conductor, these five films all have scores that both enhance the film as its being watched, and may also be played elsewhere once the film is over. Here are the nominees for Best Original Score.

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE 

• The Boy and the Heron – Joe Hisaishi 
• The First Slam Dunk – Satoshi Takebe 
• Godzilla Minus One – Naoki Satô 
• Oppenheimer – Ludwig Göransson 
• Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – Daniel Pemberton

And the Jack goes to…

Joe Hisaishi for “The Boy and the Heron!”

To be honest, of all the categories during this show, this may be the hardest one to declare a winner. All are deserving, but I have to pick one. And the reason why I picked “The Boy and the Heron” is because the soundtrack throughout feels the most diverse. Not only do we get a good variety of tracks for the taking with all sorts of different sounds and tunes, but all of them are done well! Not only that, but it seems to match the otherworldly feel of the film from start to finish. “The Boy and the Heron” is one of those movies whose best moments are about discovery, exploring the unknown. When it comes to world-building, it is one of the year’s finest examples of that. The music in “The Boy and the Heron” not only work as great singular pieces, but they do a spectacular job at matching the visuals, the art style, the characters, every little sprinkle you could imagine. And it is all wound together beautifully with an admirable protagonist who takes on engaging obstacles. It is no wonder why this film’s director, Hayao Miyazaki, brought Joe Hisaishi onboard one more time to conduct his latest film. The two previously worked together on films like “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” “Spirited Away, and “Howl’s Moving Castle.” Hisaishi has always had a magic touch with his work and it has all led to this. One of his best creations yet. Fun fact about “The Boy and the Heron,” there was one piece of music that conductor Joe Hisaishi presented to director Hayao Miyazaki on his birthday. And Miyazaki loved it so much that he made it the main theme for the movie. I can tell you right now, it is a fine choice. There are several variants of the piece throughout the film, and this is one of them. Here is a sample of the music, particularly the main theme, simply known as “Ask Me Why,” from “The Boy and the Heron.”

Our previous category was about things that you hear. Now let’s move onto the things that you see. And what I see are five dazzling pictures that put all their glitzy, glamour-esque glory onto the screen. Specifically, its talent. And more specifically, the makeup and hairstyles on the talent. This category is dedicated the makeup artists and hairstylists who have done everything they can to make the movie’s talent pop, represent an era, or blend right into their character like a chameleon. It is time for “Barbenheimer” matchup number two! Here are the nominees for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.

BEST MAKEUP & HAIRSTYLING 

• Barbie – Ivana Primorac 
• Ferrari – Marcelle Genovese, Marco Pompei, Brian Wade, Scott Wheeler 
• Maestro – Kazu Hiro, Kay Georgiou, Lori McCoy-Bell 
• Oppenheimer – Luisa Abel 
• Poor Things – Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier, Josh Weston

And the award goes to…

Ivana Primorac for “Barbie!”

That’s another win for “Barbie!” So far, it has defeated “Oppenheimer” twice, and individually, the movies are taking home two trophies! Double trouble! But I can tell you, there is no trouble in the makeup department in this film. This film is like seeing a giant toybox come to life. It is almost amazing, but almost not surprising, to think that something so heavily associated with a child’s fantasy could translate this well to the screen. Never has it been more appropriate say these characters are dolled up to the max! Out of all the movies this year, it is fair to say that “Barbie” may be the best one when it comes to hair. Margot Robbie’s character very much resembles what many people think of when it comes to the idea of a Barbie doll. One of the more memorable scenes in the entire movie is where the narrator jumps in and rejects the idea that Margot Robbie isn’t “stereotypical Barbie pretty.” Well, this win proves the narrator right! Other Barbie doll characters like those played by Issa Rae, Kate McKinnon, and Alexandra Shipp also sparkle and shine on screen with their unique styles. And as for Ryan Gosling as Ken, never has the actor looked more like a blonde boy toy. His hair is puffy, wild, and stylish. It completely works! And it is all due to some magical behind the scenes work. Congratulations to Ivana Primorac on the win!

Our fourth best picture is like a great basketball game. Fast-paced, intense, and engaging. Inspired by the “Slam Dunk” manga and television series, this film is about Ryota Miyagi. A point-guard for his high school basketball team who plays the game in honor of his late brother. The story is mainly set around a high stakes match against a rival team, and the game itself never feels low in stakes. The film is not short on non-linear storytelling and flashbacks. All of it is essential to tell a story that starts with a bang and ends with a swish. With a well-established rivalry and fantastic set of characters, this is not only a spectacular piece of animation, but it joins the ranks of the greatest sports movies ever made. Nominated for 3 Jack Awards, this is “The First Slam Dunk.”

Each and every year during the Jack Awards, we give out two Lifetime Achievement awards. This includes the Roger Deakins Award, which honors someone who has made outstanding contributions to film and cinema. Additionally, we also hand out the Stan Lee Award, which honors someone who made equally outstanding contributions, but is no longer with us. We will award that one later in the show. For now, it is time for the Roger Deakins Award. 

This year’s Roger Deakins Award is given to a fantastic filmmaker. Born in 1941 in Tokyo, Japan. This mind is considered one of the greatest in the history of animation. To say he is a master of anime is an understatement. This man who would become one of the industry’s most iconic names joined Toei Animation in 1963. During his time there, he helped with notable productions such as “Doggie March” and “Gulliver’s Travels Beyond the Moon.” He worked with another notable name in the field, Isao Takahata, who he would also collaborate with after moving to another animation studio, A-Pro. Together, they co-directed “Lupin the Third Part I” released in 1973. He also worked at Zuiyō Eizō, which would later be known as Nippon Animation, and Tokyo Movie Shinsha. For the latter, he helmed his feature-length directorial debut. That film being “Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro.” He also directed the television series “Sherlock Hound” in the 1980s. In that same decade, he would be working on the manga “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind,” which he would adapt as an animated film released by Toei Company. In 1985, he would go on to co-found Studio Ghibli with his collaborator, Isao Takahata. Today he is known for directing many of the studio’s iconic works. These include “Castle in the Sky,” “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” “Howl’s Moving Castle,” and “The Wind Rises” just to name a few. His 1997 feature film, “Princess Mononoke” was for a time the highest-grossing film in Japan. His 2001 feature, “Spirited Away” received endless acclaim and just so happened to hold the top spot at the Japanese box office for 19 years. To this day, it remains the country’s second-highest grossing film. It is also the second film to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, beating notable western competitors like “Ice Age” and “Lilo & Stitch.” He also has a Critics Choice Award, a Golden Globe, and several Annies. This is on top of many other wins and nominations from various platforms. His cinematic legacy lives on today. His son, Goro, directed “Tales from Earthsea,” “From Up on Poppy Hill,” and “Earwig and the Witch.” His latest feature, “The Boy and the Heron” is being recognized tonight. This was said to be his last film, but Studio Ghibli vice president Junichi Nishioka said in September 2023 that he comes to the office daily to plan his next film. Whatever that next film is, it will add to an already historic library. Ladies and gentlemen, this year’s Roger Deakins Award goes to Hayao Miyazaki.

First off, shoutout to our friends at the Oscars for taking all our celebrity guests. Hope they have a good time in a couple weeks. But more importantly, the work of Hayao Miyazaki is some that will never be forgotten. His accomplishments are some of the finest amongst his peers in animation, and an enormous rival to those even in live-action. Between his many originals and even some work on previously established projects, he gives every bit his all. Miyazaki is being honored tonight for his work on “The Boy and the Heron,” which may or may not be his last film. Who knows if he’ll announce another one?… But as far as I am concerned, he has released banger after banger after banger. So, if he does come out with another project, the numbers don’t lie. Chances are it will be a banger. Congratulations to Hayao Miyazaki.

Now, the way I personally much of experienced Miyazaki’s work was through physical media. I watched most of his movies on Blu-ray. And to buy some of those Blu-rays like “My Neighbor Totoro” and “Spirited Away,” Best Buy was a good store to go to. Key word… Was. That is because Best Buy was in the news this year for a significant reason. The popular electronics chain announced that in 2024 they are going to get rid of their movie inventory. That goes for all DVDs, Blu-rays, and so on. As someone who goes to Best Buy every week to press my luck at picking up a new title, this is an issue near and dear to my heart. Obviously, I love my movies. I go to the theater all the time. Thank you, AMC A-List… But when it comes to the home experience, I love being able to hold movies and possess them. I thought I would take a moment to record a trip to a local Best Buy to see what the inventory is like in its final days. And if you are watching this several years from now, this is a reminder of what made people like me go to Best Buy week after week. Take a look.

Our fifth Best Picture is a showcase of the adventure of life. It dives into the journey of being a two-time immigrant. It shows both the inevitability of adapting another country’s trademarks, all the while having nostalgia for how you grew up. It is a tale of love, friendship, and finding your identity. Celine Song directs one of this year’s most romantic films and brings forth one of the most admirable on-screen marriages in a long time, all the while highlighting a long lost connection that maybe could have been something more. The film highlights the choices we make as people that change the course of our lives, and flirts with the idea as to whether those choices were meant to be or we could have backed out of it. But one choice is clear, the one where you go out and see this movie. Nominated for 4 Jack Awards, this is “Past Lives.”

And now we move onto a couple of design categories! Starting with Production Design, this category is dedicated to the people who put together some amazing sets and backdrops this year. From Barbieland to Los Alamos to 1920s Oklahoma, all of these designers are deserving of their place here. But only one can build themselves up to taking home the gold. Here are the nominees for Best Production Design.

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN 

• Barbie – Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer 
• John Wick: Chapter 4 – Kevin Kavunaugh, Rand Abdel Nour, Mark Rosinski 
• Killers of the Flower Moon – Jack Fisk, Adam Willis 
• Oppenheimer – Ruth De Jong, Claire Kaufmann 
• Poor Things – James Price, Shona Heath, Zsuzsa Mihalek

And the Jack goes to…

Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer for “Barbie!”

“Barbie” takes another “Barbenheimer” victory! On that note, a hearty congratulations to Ruth De Jong and Claire Kaufmann on their nominations today, including the other three films here as well. This is the third win for “Barbie,” meaning it is now the winningest film tonight! Says a lot considering the film did not receive a Best Picture nomination! As I have established previously on Scene Before, movies are experiences. Movies are escapes. And few have brought as otherworldly of an experience as “Barbie” did this year. The film does a spectacular job at creating a world where you believe these characters actually happen to exist. Everything is pink, glossy, and colorful! Aesthetically, this is one of the finest-looking movies of the year. This movie creates an original story revolving around popularly known toys, and part of why that story works so well is because much of it is done in this attractive dollhouse-esque, toybox-like environment. It is hard to imagine Barbieland looking any other way after watching this film. Well done!

Moving onto costume design, this category is dedicated to five films that showcase the year’s finest outfits, fashions, and getups. The talent on screen wear these costumes well, and part of it is because the movie has designers who put them together well. From dolly designs to historical throwbacks, the films represented here have designers who allow their talent to dress to impress. Here are the nominees for Best Costume Design.

BEST COSTUME DESIGN 

• Barbie – Jacqueline Durran
• Napoleon – Janty Yates, Dave Crossman
• Oppenheimer – Ellen Mirojnick
• Priscilla – Stacey Battat
• Sisu – Anna Vilppunen

And the award goes to…

Jacqueline Durran for “Barbie!”

That is win number four for “Barbie!” For those keeping track, that’s four wins total, and it has won every Barbenheimer matchup we have done so far. Unbelievable! But you know what? It makes sense! Because when it comes to the costumes of “Barbie,” there is no other movie that goes as all out as this one does. I mentioned the film has a colorful, detailed, glossy production design, and the costumes honestly match the backdrops. They match the characters and their personalities. And they honestly look like something you would put on a toy if given the opportunity. When it comes to costume design, “Barbie” is the perfect example of quality and quantity. Not only are there tons of costumes to admire throughout the movie, but every outfit is polished and serves their purpose. To all the random dresses to the roller-blading gear to the cowboy getup, there is a lot to take in throughout the span of two hours! It all adds up to be completely fashionable. Congratulations!

Our sixth Best Picture is the fourth installment of a popular action franchise that has only gotten better with each installment. Its first film had humble beginnings with a Keanu Reeves comeback and a simple revenge plot. Since then, it has expanded into one absolutely ridiculous thrill ride of a saga. This movie is the definition of epic. And I mean that in more ways than one. Between its long runtime, fast-paced sequences, globe-trotting adventure, emotional scenes, and one of the most painful trips down a stairwell ever caught on camera, this film is massive. Keanu Reeves is not only thinking he is back, but he is also knowing it this time and giving 110% as the titular character. We also see the return of franchise mainstays played by Laurence Fishburne, Ian McShane, and the late Lance Reddick. And that is not to say the newcomers fail to bring their A-game. Because the performances from those including Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, and Clancy Brown just to name a few, help make the movie as compelling as it is. Nominated for 4 Jack Awards, this is “John Wick: Chapter 4.”

In 2023, the Writers Guild of America went on a long, hard fought strike. One of the reasons why writers went on strike this year against major studios, specifically those represented by the AMPTP, was due to terms regarding use of A.I.. When the strike ended, it was agreed that A.I. could not be credited as a writer. These writers struck for the ability to continue their craft without worry, and with a 99% vote in favor of a new contract over the fall, it is safe to say the writers are proudly continuing to do what they love. These writers are coming up with stories that are totally extraordinary, totally admirable, and totally human. We are honoring ten films tonight for their brilliant writing. Five of them are adapted. Five of them are original. All ten are made by the people for the people. Here are the nominees for Best Adapted Screenplay.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY 

• American Fiction – Cord Jefferson 
• BlackBerry – Matt Johnson, Matthew Miller 
• Oppenheimer – Christopher Nolan 
• Poor Things – Tony McNamara 
• Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Dave Callaham

And the award goes to…

Tony McNamara for “Poor Things!”

Going back to what I said about films being escapes, “Poor Things” is another great example of that. And that is most certainly highlighted with its screenplay. Yes, it takes some inspiration from “Frankenstein” and is based on previous work, but it has a feel to it that can arguably be described as original. There is no other movie from this year that feels like this one. While Yorgos Lanthimos did not write this movie, Tony McNamara crafted something so beautiful to match the wacky, cuckoo, colorful style Lanthimos had in mind and brought to the screen. And this screenplay has the essentials of what a movie experience should be. It is funny. It is emotional. It gets you attached to the characters. There are some deep scenes that enhance certain characters and their backstories. The entire movie feels like it was written for its own universe. It is something that we could never obtain, even in our future. But it is a universe that for a couple of hours, I would not mind visiting. Congratulations to Tony McNamara and his work on “Poor Things.”

And now, onto the Best Original Screenplay category, here are the nominees!

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY 

• Air – Alex Convrey 
• Bottoms – Emma Seligman, Rachel Sennott 
• The Holdovers – David Hemingson 
• Maestro – Bradley Cooper, Josh Singer 
• Past Lives – Celine Song

And the Jack goes to…

Celine Song for “Past Lives!”

This is a film whose dedication to authenticity knows no bounds! The film proves that great stories, even original ones, have to come from somewhere. And in the case of “Past Lives,” the film comes from the life experiences of the writer herself, Celine Song. What separates this film from its competitors is its ability to do what films do better than any other art form, showing and not telling. Of course, the film has dialogue. In fact, the dialogue is spoken in multiple languages. But even with the dialogue, you can tell the emotional backdrop is there. And that is because of Song’s personal touch. But there are tons of moments where the film takes its characters through various environments where the frame allows you to be there watching everything that is going on with minimal interruption from anyone’s voice. It is the definition of a visual trip. Every word feels real. Every interaction feels lifelike. This movie may have the single most romantic encapsulation of marriage put on screen in years. And that is while also showcasing the reality of what life could have been had our characters gone in a different direction. Every scene had my eyes and ears paying attention. This is easily one of the best movies of the year, and much of it is owed to Celine Song. It shows what it means to appreciate what you have now. It shows what it means to reminisce over what you enjoyed then. It shows what it means to love. It shows what it means to live. It shows what it means to be human. Congratulations!

Our seventh Best Picture is about an electronic that defined a few years of many people’s lives, and one that would give way to several others. This film is about the rise and fall of a company that you would literally encounter everywhere you go. It was in advertisements! Hands! Pockets! Offices! And look what happened to it! This film details the company’s humble beginnings, unbelievable tick to relevancy, and its downfall to notable competitors. It is hilarious, well-written, stupendously acted, and all around just a great dose of fun. This entertaining and thought-provoking take on geek history has all the ingredients to achieve nerdvana. Nominated for 3 Jack Awards, this is “BlackBerry.”

Our next category involves cuts. Not paper cuts. Not pizza cuts. But we’re talking rough cuts, final cuts, J-cuts, L-cuts, and sometimes, scenes that go on for so long that you wonder when it is going to cut. But let’s cut to the chase. Editing is one of the most important, individualistic aspects that defines what movies are. Without it, filmmaking would not be what it is today. And these five films have made the cut for today’s show, so it is time to give them the honors they deserve. Here are the nominees for Best Film Editing.

BEST FILM EDITING 

• The Holdovers – Kevin Tent 
• Maestro – Michelle Tesoro 
• Oppenheimer – Jennifer Lame 
• Poor Things – Yorgos Mavropsaridis 
• Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – Michael Andrews

And the Jack goes to…

Jennifer Lame for “Oppenheimer!”

That is win number 3 for “Oppenheimer!” For those keeping track… That is “Barbie” – 4, “Oppenheimer” – 3.

And what a victory this is! This is Jennifer Lame’s third Jack nomination and second win! She was previously nominated for “Marriage Story” and won for, coincidentally, another Christopher Nolan movie, “Tenet.” And much like “Tenet,” the craftsmanship in this work is off the charts good. It is actually kind of crazy to know that a movie could be this well done. Much of why “Oppenheimer” works so well is owed to the precise timing and pacing within Lame’s work. And there are certain scenes that if they were done by a different crew, chances are they would be nowhere near as emotional. Nowhere near as gripping. And at times, nowhere near as horrifying. While “Oppenheimer” may not be a horror movie, it has a story that idealistically would have a feel that evokes scares, chills, and fear. The film is very much a visual experience. It is a trip not only through World War II, it is trip not only through a piece of history that will be long remembered, but it is a trip through a person’s mind. We see that person’s mind brought to life within the span of three hours. And what a mighty three hours it is. Jennifer Lame should be proud of her work. Congratulations! She has another Jack on her mantle!

Moving onto cinematography. These next five nominees are beautifully shot, exquisitely lit, and easy on the eyes. Without cinematography, there would be no movies. There would be no lights, there would be no camera, and there would certainly be no action. Whether they were shot on digital, film, or IMAX, these movies contain many frames that sparkle, shine, and stand out. Here are the nominees for Best Cinematography.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY 

• Asteroid City – Barney Pilling
• John Wick: Chapter 4 – Dan Laustsen
• Killers of the Flower Moon – Rodrigo Prieto
• Oppenheimer – Hoyte van Hoytema
• Poor Things – Robbie Ryan

And the Jack goes to…

Hoyte van Hoytema for “Oppenheimer!”

This is the fourth win for “Oppenheimer!” And it is a big win! Literally! So big you could fit it on an IMAX screen! For the record, this is Hoytema’s fourth Jack nomination! He was previously nominated for “Ad Astra,” “Tenet,” and “Nope!” Hoytema ended up winning Best Cinematography last year for his work on “Nope,” making this is the second year in a row he won a Jack. Much like “Nope,” “Oppenheimer” was shot using a mixture of standard 65mm film and IMAX film. But this film also uses a mixture of black and white and color. The spectrum and shot variety of this film knows no bounds. Just when you think a film of this subject matter should look bleak, they somehow make it look as pretty as can be and somehow make it work. This film was nominated in both sound categories, but you could arguably watch “Oppenheimer” with the sound off and be riveted in every frame. This is a movie that takes an event that actually happened and frame it in such a way that feels nothing more than an outrageous, nightmare-fueled fantasy. I am over six feet tall. Probably 6 foot 2 or something like that. That’s fairly tall. Not necessarily humungous, but it’s fairly tall. Having watched this film in IMAX, it has undoubtedly made me feel tiny. It is hard to believe that some of the shots in this film actually exist. There are instances of explosions, fire, and sparks that are incomparable. This is Hoyte van Hoytema’s fourth collaboration with Christopher Nolan, not to mention the fifth movie he shot using IMAX film cameras. If I were directing a movie and wanted to shoot it in IMAX, I would go by the numbers and trust Hoyte van Hoytema to give the best possible results. He knows what he is doing. He’s done it for years. Not to mention, he’s done it well. Bravo! Congrats on another year of taking home the gold!

Our eighth Best Picture is a trip through the early life of an interesting individual. Cailee Spaeny leads a brilliantly done story helmed by Sofia Coppola. Talk about a riveting, captivating, sometimes terrifying flick that takes a deep dive into a relationship featuring two prominent people. Plunging into the perspective of its titular protagonist, it delivers one of the most raw, honest, and emotional tales of the year. It centers around a character whose choices are ones they would look back on and regret, but at the same time, they come across as genuine and understandable. Overall, it is a compelling tale of first love and what one would do to continue to stay connected to one of the most popular stars of their time. Nominated for 4 Jack Awards, this is “Priscilla.”

One of the most talked about films of 2023 is “Barbie.” In fact, not only did a lot of people see the movie, the hype and conversation going into the film was sky high. It was so high in fact that Mattel, the toymaker behind the Barbie brand, announced they are going to create, get this, 45 films based on their properties. Some of these include He-Man, Barney, and Uno. How the heck are you gonna make an Uno movie?! What the heck are you gonna do? Is the protagonist gonna try to stop the villain from making him draw 4 every 5 minutes?! But there is also another property Mattel is looking to give the Hollywood treatment, and we have the first exclusive footage of the film. We can confirm it is happening, it is in the works, and we are proud to show it to you. Take a look.

This next category is gonna sing! And that is because we are moving onto Best Original Song! This year honors three animated films and two live-action films that are responsible for the creation and execution of five memorable tunes. These are the bops so good you’ll never want to get them out of your head. The lyrics so catchy you’ll wanna sing along. The beats so terrific you’ll want to headbang until the day you die. Every verse, every riff, every note has led to this. Here are the nominees for Best Original Song.

BEST ORIGINAL SONG 

• I’m Just Ken – Barbie – Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt 
• Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People) – Killers of the Flower Moon – Scott George 
• Peaches – The Super Mario Bros. Movie – Jack Black, Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Eric Osmond, John Spiker 
• Suzume – Suzume – Radwimps, Toaka 
• This Wish – Wish – Julia Michaels, Benjamin Rice, JP Saxe, Ariana DeBose 

And the Jack goes to…

Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt for “I’m Just Ken” from “Barbie!”

Hi-five to “Barbie!” Because it is win number 5! “Barbie” was a film that I knew from the beginning was going to be unlike anything anyone could have predicted. Even with that notion in mind, I can say I was blown away at times. The film has a few good original songs in it between Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night,” Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For,” and I even enjoyed Lizzo’s opening song, “Pink.” The film has a few good tunes. But the track that dominates the competition is “I’m Just Ken,” sung fantastically by the one and only Ryan Gosling, who of course plays Ken. The track is one of the most integral in the entire movie. It perfectly defines his character, what he is going through, and his emotional state. So in the context of the movie, it is perfect. But of course, it would help if the song is good. But it is not good, it is bloody incredible! The lyrics are top-notch. The pace is bombastic. The song is basically what happens when a Hot Topic and the entire decade of the 1980s get married. It is a thing of beauty. If you want to hear the track for yourself, I provided two links. One is the track itself. The other one is the track in context of the film. Enjoy!

Congratulations! In more ways than one! First, congratulations to everyone who was nominated today. Second, congratulations to everyone who won today! Third, congratulations to everyone who somehow managed to make it this far into the show. You’re the real heroes! For those keeping track, we are down to the final four categories, starting with the one that honors maybe the most prominent position in film, the director. It is the job of the director to imagine their vision, and translate it into a visual medium. Because of these five individuals, we’ve had visions of lifelike dolls, a composer’s love and life story, a throwback to one of the most important times in all of history, a reconnecting of childhood friends, and an oddball, unique journey of self-discovery unlike any other. Here are the nominees for Best Director.

BEST DIRECTOR 

• Greta Gerwig – Barbie 
• Bradley Cooper – Maestro 
• Christopher Nolan – Oppenheimer 
• Celine Song – Past Lives 
• Yorgos Lanthimos – Poor Things 

And the Jack goes to…

Christopher Nolan for “Oppenheimer!”

These are words I have waited to say for the longest time. Christopher Nolan wins Best Director. And I mean it! Nolan is responsible for some of my favorite movies ever. “Memento,” “Inception,” “Interstellar,” “Dunkirk.” All of these films have helped define my tastes. Much like tonight’s Roger Deakins Award winner, Hayao Miyazaki, I cannot say he has a single bad film on his resume. And now he comes out with his most visceral sucker punch of a vision yet. The telling of a man’s progression through one of the most important events in the history of the world, and the wild aftermath that ensues as a result. When I go watch a movie at the theater, I usually want to go and have a good time. In the case of “Oppenheimer,” the reason why I had such a good time was because it made me leave on a sour note. Because that was the point. The whole idea of “Oppenheimer,” everything the movie established, would not work as well if it were not for an emotional script. If it were not for intriguing drama. If it were not for the fact that it allowed a shift in multiple perspectives. But I think Nolan’s greatest achievement as a director of the film is simply this… Taking a concept like this, taking a script like this, and making it interesting. Because on the surface, a three hour movie featuring nothing but people talking and maybe an occasional explosion here and there, would be boring. But Nolan does his best to keep your attention, keep the pace flowing, and put his best foot forward. Per usual, Nolan’s use of IMAX technology here is astounding. When it comes to Hollywood movies, he started using IMAX scenes with “The Dark Knight” in 2008, and with his latest effort in “Oppenheimer,” his use of the technology continues to be jaw-dropping. There is nothing like a Christopher Nolan movie, and this year proves that. Congratulations!

And you know what? This is the most perfect of transitions! Because our ninth Best Picture just so happens to be the latest film from Christopher Nolan! The director of epic action films like “The Dark Knight,” “Inception,” and Jack Awards Best Picture winner “Tenet” is back to deliver his grandest outing yet. It features intense scenes of people talking in a court. People talking in a home. People talking on grass. People talking in the hallway. But that’s not a bad thing. Because there are several moments in this film that make it worth talking about. It is a three-hour masterpiece combining 65mm and IMAX shot scenes, audible sound editing, a booming score from Ludwig Göransson, and one heck of a screenplay. It is a film that I walked out of both happy that I saw it but also a little weary for the future. Much like one of his previous films, “Dunkirk,” this is yet another worthy World War II-set picture that will be remembered for a very long time. With a stacked cast from Cillian Murphy to Emily Blunt to Robert Downey Jr. to Florence Pugh to Matt Damon, this film is packed with enough star power to fill a galaxy. And if you thought a three-hour film about a guy inventing a bomb with black and white scenes would fail to get audiences in seats, think again. This film did it, and it did so perfectly. Nominated for 14 Jack Awards, I present, today’s frontrunner! This is “Oppenheimer!”

From the beginning, my objective with the Jacks has always been to put on a show. But when I look at these next five nominees, all I can say is that they are nothing more than “showstoppers.” These five actors broke a leg, then refused to end there. They utilized their chameleon-like powers. They turned into authors, businessmen, teachers, musicians, and scientists. These are the five leading actors that make this show pale in comparison to their magnificence. Here are the nominees for Best Actor.

BEST ACTOR 

• Jeffrey Wright – American Fiction 
• Adam Driver – Ferrari 
• Paul Giamatti – The Holdovers 
• Bradley Cooper – Maestro 
• Cillian Murphy – Oppenheimer

And the Jack goes to…

Cillian Murphy for “Oppenheimer!”

“Oppenheimer” has achieved win number six! It is one win away from tying the record “Everything Everywhere All at Once” set last year as the winningest film in Jacks history. And I’m not necessarily doing this for show, Murphy is THAT good in this movie! When I saw his marvelous portrayal of this important, notable man in July, I wondered if anything else during the upcoming awards bait season could top him, but they didn’t! The reason why Murphy’s performance works so exquisitely is because he refuses to play it up. Of course, the movie is quite fast-paced for a biopic on the building of the atomic bomb, but Murphy plays a center of the cast who frankly lives in the moment. Never once does he feel like a character. The entire time, he feels like a person. Some may reenact history. But people like Cillian Murphy choose to embody it. To capture it. To live it. In doing so, he makes a history-defining performance of his own. He is arguably Christopher Nolan’s most impeccable lead yet. It should not come as a surprise that these two are working together as they’ve established a relationship in previous works, but “Oppenheimer” brought the best out of both of these two. Film is about showing, not telling. And what several frames reveal just from Murphy’s facial expressions tell you everything you need to know about the character. When you take that and his incredible, intimate delivery, and combine it with the off the charts technical mastery this film aces across the board, you know that this is something special. And you know how I said these actors are showstoppers? Well, speaking of that, I feel like this show has been stopped a little. I cannot believe I am saying this… But for the first time in Jack Awards history, I do not have a high quality clip to share of the actor’s performance. I’ve looked everywhere but I cannot find a thing! So, I figured, as a substitute, I put a little featurette of the “Oppenheimer” crew talking about Murphy’s performance. It’s the best of a bad situation. If you so much as decide to watch, enjoy. It’s two minutes long. I’m sure they’ve had plenty of footage to work with for this video…

Moving onto Best Actress, we have five more showstoppers to discuss! These five women used their powers to bring some well realized characters of their own. They’ve turned into the heart and soul of the Osage Nation. A bartender and Uber driver who will do anything, or anyone, to have a car. A two-time immigrant whose past is being brought into her present. A revived individual who discovers what it means to live, indulge, and discover. And the woman who rose to prominence through her attachment to an equally prominent musician. The show cannot stop now, because here are the nominees for Best Actress!

BEST ACTRESS 

• Lily Gladstone – Killers of the Flower Moon 
• Jennifer Lawrence – No Hard Feelings 
• Greta Lee – Past Lives 
• Emma Stone – Poor Things 
• Cailee Spaeny – Priscilla 

And the award goes to…

Emma Stone for “Poor Things!”

Looks like big things are in store for “Poor Things!” In fact, two big things for that matter! This is the second win of the night for the film, its first being for Best Adapted Screenplay. This is a performance that I honestly thought redefined acting. I say that without exaggeration. It is hard to come up with another performance I have seen in my entire life that is like this one. It is difficult to know whether it is the greatest of all time. There are a lot of movies out there, including some I have never seen. But this is perhaps the best performance of Emma Stone’s career. And she has brought forth a series of scene stealers and showcases of talent. She did a great job as Gwen Stacy in “The Amazing Spider-Man” movies. She was stupendous in the technically brilliant “Birdman.” She was spectacular in “La La Land.” She was great in “Battle of the Sexes.” As far as modern actresses go, there are few with as prolific, diverse, and fantastic of a resume as Stone. And despite all this praise, this is Stone’s first Jack nomination and first win! But she deserves it! She is given so much to do in this one film as Bella Baxter, not to mention as Victoria Blessington. She has to blend into this fairy tale of a universe with a scientific edge. She has to embody the personality of an infant, a child, a teenager, and someone barely trying to be an adult all in one body. It is a great mix of quantity that unleashes some unforgettable quality. There is nothing like it. Her performance defines the film. While the story has a consistently tragic flair to it, there are little doubts about its comedic edge. Stone has to balance drama, comedy, sensuality, and curiosity all at once. It is a performance that very much centers around the human condition, all the while displaying the life of someone who is spending much of their time refusing to play by the rules. And I have some good news, the show is not completely broken, because I have a decent clip showcasing Emma Stone’s performance in “Poor Things!” All is right with the world!

It is time for the second Lifetime Achievement Award. This one is known as the Stan Lee award. It is given to an individual who has made significant contributions to the film industry who is no longer with us. Nevertheless, their legacy will live on through eternity. This year’s winner is an actor and filmmaker. Born in New York, New York on March 26^th, 1934, this gentleman has been active as a performer in the industry since the 1950s. He had a career in folk music – performing in groups like The Tarriers and The Baby Sitters. On the film side, his first role was in the 1957 musical “Calypso Heat Wave.” In the early 1960s, he made his Broadway debut in 1961’s “From the Second City.” He also entered the world of television, where he appeared in shows like “East Side/West Side” and “ABC Stage 67.” Over the years, he has received many accolades. He has won an Academy Award, a BAFTA, a Tony, two SAGs, a Golden Globe, and has been nominated for six Emmys. Different people across multiple generations will remember him for varying roles. One group of people will say they know him best from his work as Captain John Yossarian in “Catch-22.” Some will point to his portrayal of Bill in “Edward Scissorhands.” Others will remember him most from his sole Oscar winning role as Edwin Hoover in “Little Miss Sunshine.” Then you have another group of people fondly reminiscing over the times they’ve seen him as Lester Siegel in “Argo,” which earned him his fourth and final Academy Award nomination. He has also not shied away from animation and voiceovers. On the television side he has lent his voice for four episodes of Netflix’s “BoJack Horseman” and on the movie side he appeared in 1982’s “The Last Unicorn” as Schmendrick. His last role for the screen was in 2022’s “Minions: The Rise of Gru” as Wild Knuckles. He is also no stranger to being behind the camera. Throughout his career he directed three films, including 1971’s “Little Murders,” which was given a limited release. Reviews were positive for the picture. To this day, the film has an 80% Rotten Tomatoes audience score and a 71% critic score. Roger Ebert of Chicago Sun-Times gave the film a perfect four stars. Ebert’s eventual on-screen partner in “At the Movies,” Gene Siskel of Chicago Tribune also gave the film high praise with his own top grade of four stars. There are way too many credits to name in order to fully discuss this man’s prolific career in one show, so I am just going to say that this year’s recipient of the Stan Lee Award is none other than Alan Arkin.

Alan Arkin has lived a prolific, busy life and it is more than appropriate to honor it with pride. From comedy to television to film, he kept himself going until the end. I think a little part of us all aspire to live a life like that. All we can do is keep going until the end. Congratulations to Alan Arkin! May he rest in peace.

Our tenth and final Best Picture is a spectacular, amazing, animated sequel that would make for a great watch in any multiverse. The original film received a Best Picture nomination during the first Jack Awards, and now, we have this thrilling sequel to continue the tradition. The film sees the return of Shameik Moore as Miles Morales, a teenager living in Brooklyn who must maintain a balance between his personal life and hero life. Joining Moore is a talented voice cast including Hailee Steinfeld, Oscar Isaac, Jason Schwartzman, Daniel Kaluuya, and Karan Soni just to name a few. This is one of the most ambitious animated titles of all time with one of the longest runtimes for an animation made in Hollywood, six different styles, and tons and tons of characters, many of whom have memorable personalities and great utterances of dialogue. The film dives into a fantastic arc with its main character but also introduces compelling villains like Miguel O’Hara and the Spot. We also see the return of Gwen Stacy, whose journey is one of the most enthralling I have seen this year. The film is funny, action-packed, and full of wonder. Nominated for 5 Jack Awards, this is “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.”

Back in July, popular musician Taylor Swift held a couple concerts in Seattle, Washington. According to a seismologist, the noise during those concerts was enough to equal a 2.3 magnitude earthquake. Swifties, I see your earthquake and ask my readers to raise the roof! Because it is time to give out the biggest honor of the show, BEST PICTURE! Per usual, this category is not up to me. It is up to you! Now I pick the ten films that are to be awarded Best Picture, but I let you decide which one you think is the most deserving to win. Pretty balanced relationship I’d say. And this year we have ten of the finest films humanity has ever seen. Just to have a place amongst this group is a huge honor and everyone behind these projects should be proud. From the crews who worked tirelessly through days and nights, to the studios who greenlit the project, to the producers who put up all the money to make some magic happen. Congratulations to everyone. But… There can only be one winner. And one has been decided! So it is time to introduce this year’s nominees for Best Picture!

BEST PICTURE

• BlackBerry – Fraser Ash, Niv Fichman, Kevin Krikst, Matthew Miller 
• The First Slam Dunk – Toshiyuki Matsui 
• Godzilla Minus One – Minami Ichikawa, Shūji Abe, Kenji Yamada, Kazuaki Kishida, Gō Abe, Keiichirō Moriya 
• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – Kevin Feige 
• John Wick: Chapter 4 – Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Chad Stahelski 
• Oppenheimer – Emma Thomas, Charles Roven, Christopher Nolan 
• Past Lives – David Hinojosa, Christine Vachon, Pamela Koffler 
• Priscilla – Sofia Coppola, Youree Henley, Lorenzo Mieli 
• Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – Avi Arad, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Amy Pascal, Christina Steinberg 
• Suzume – Kōichirō Itō, Genki Kawamura

Once again, if “Oppenheimer” wins this award, it ties “Everything Everywhere All at Once” as the winningest film in Jacks history. Here we go…

Without further ado, the Jack goes to…

“Oppenheimer!”

This is the seventh win for “Oppenheimer.” The film has also won for Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Director, and Best Actor. The film was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Score, Best Makeup & Hairstyling, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Adapted Screenplay. This is the second Best Picture win for a film released by Universal Pictures.

The world will remember this day! The day “Oppenheimer” won Best Picture! This is the second Christopher Nolan film to be bestowed with such an honor at the Jack Awards. The previous one being “Tenet.” This film is everything that movies should be. Entertaining. Moving. And captivating. Plain and simple. Actually, you know what? I take that back. Because it’s not simple! In fact, it is one of the most intriguingly complicated narratives of 2023! This is a film I saw in theaters three times, and each one was as sweet as the last. The film is a triumph like no other! It has a star-studded cast featuring Nolan regular Cillian Murphy as the title character. His performance is one of the most grounded, hallowing, and emotional he has ever given. Joined by him is Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss. Of course, he’s had a notable career in years prior. But after many years of contributing to the success of the MCU and having that success therefore contribute to his own, this movie answers the question, can Robert Downey Jr. maintain a career nowadays outside of Marvel? The answer to that? A definite yes. Not only does he show off in his performance, he slays it with heat vision! Both Murphy and Downey Jr. were nominated today for their acting roles, but let’s not forget one more nominee. The talented Emily Blunt as Kitty Oppenheimer, whose presence in every scene makes the movie better. She is a tour de force. But there is also plenty of magic behind the camera. The movie is shot on 65mm and IMAX 70mm film. And in no way does this feel like a throwback gimmick. If anything, it looks more pristine and appealing than most of the movies that came out this year. Not just because of the high quality of the material used to the shoot the movie, but the talent of Hoyte van Hoytema as a cinematographer. Throughout his career, he has continued to work with high quality cameras and work with them exquisitely. I cannot wait to see what he shoots next. Aesthetically, the film could not be better. The locations are beautiful. The costumes are authentic. The makeup is grounded. Top tier work all around! But of course, I need to talk about the biggest surprise for me… The sound. Now, I will not deny that Christopher Nolan’s movies have always been good when it comes to sound editing. His sound choices and ability to immerse you into the scene continue to amaze me. But even when the sound editing is good, there have been times where the sound mixing feels like an afterthought. Not here. For the first time in years, I not only felt immersed by the sound of a Christopher Nolan movie, I could essentially decipher and take in just about every word the characters say. And given how the film is chock full of dialogue in its nominated screenplay, that is especially important. In front of the camera, the film is magical. Behind the camera, it is astounding. Together, it makes for the Best Picture of 2023! Congratulations to the producers, cast, crew, and everyone involved with this film!

And I apologize because this show is already long enough, but I want to say one more thing. I want to acknowledge one of the biggest surprise events in the history of moviegoing. Barbenheimer. July 21st, 2023 will go down in the books as one of the most iconic, celebrated, epic, unmatched days in film’s lifespan. Honestly, it is one of the best things that has ever happened to movie theaters. Combined, the two movies made more than $2 billion at the box office. Both have earned rave reviews. Both have significant followings from fans and average moviegoers. It got people to dress up to go to the theater. It did so many things this year for the people who made these pictures and the viewers going to see them. And I also want to shout these movies out for this reason, “Oppenheimer” is today’s top winner with 7 awards. For the record, it was nominated for 14, including Best Picture, which of course it won. “Barbie” was nominated for 6 awards. While Best Picture was not one of them, it nevertheless ended up winning 5 awards, making it a near perfect run at today’s show. These are the two winningest movies of the ceremony with 12 awards combined. That’s more than half of the categories! It just goes to show, if you make a great movie. Put in the time, the care. the effort, your heart and soul… People will show up. You can make whatever argument you want about “Barbie” winning the box office or “Oppenheimer” winning the awards. The real winner as far as I am concerned is the audience. And I’m talking about the critics, the average moviegoers, those who go to the theater every weekend! And how could I forget the fashionistas, cosplayers, and those folks who made a last minute trip to the store to buy something pink or perhaps a suit, tie, or a hat!!! Because these people are getting two great movies that are worthy investments of their time and money. If you have not seen either of these films, you owe it to yourself to check them out. Do a double feature at some point, make a night of it, and have some fun. Congratulations to both of these films for bringing people together, creating long-lasting memories, and keeping movies alive! Cheers!

And that’s our show! Special thanks to everyone who tuned in this year for the 6th edition of the Jack Awards! Shoutout to everyone who voted for Best Picture! Shoutout to even those who accidentally clicked on the link to be here! Congratulations to all our nominees and winners! I owe my gratitude to everyone who put in tons of effort into movies this year! And it is my pleasure to honor them all here. The Jack Awards is a Scene Before tradition and I enjoy doing it every year!

For those wanting to stick around on Scene Before, I’ve got several reviews coming, including one for one of our nominees, “American Fiction!” I will also soon be reviewing “Lisa Frankenstein,” “Madame Web,” “Drive Away Dolls,” and “Bob Marley: One Love!” So for those who hate reading, movies, and guys who won’t shut up about their opinions, prepare to be disappointed! That said, thank you for the clicks! And speaking of clicks, click onto the official Scene Before Facebook page and give it a like! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Hey everyone, Jack Drees here! It is that time once again! It is time to announce this year’s nominations for the Jack Awards! The Jack Awards have been a Scene Before tradition going back to 2019. Back when it was called the Jackoff Awards. As I have explained before, I did not choose that name. It won an X poll, back when it was better known as Twitter, a much more sophisticated and engaging social media platform. The 2024 edition of the Jack Awards is the 6th edition of the ceremony. It will honor and recognize the movies of 2023. These movies come from far and wide. Most are from the United States, but there are a few outside the country as well. Just a reminder to everyone reading this post, the Jack Awards is, quite literally, Jack’s awards show. So, all the nominations and winners will be decided by yours truly, except for one. More on that at the end. This also means I have to have seen the movies listed here. Otherwise this would not be a legitimate show. This means movies like “May December,” “Nyad,” and “The Color Purple” are unfortunately disqualified. Another rule that must be noted is that every movie that is listed for a nomination has to be a theatrical release. No DVD exclusives. No straight to television fare. No streaming originals. Unless of course they played in theaters. The show will also have two Lifetime Achievement Award winners. Someone who is still with us will be taking home the Roger Deakins Award. Someone who unfortunately passed in 2023 will be remembered with the Stan Lee Award. Those winners will be revealed during the ceremony. With that said, this show is set to honor the best pieces of cinema offered to audiences in 2023, and it is time they have their moment in the sun. Here are the nominees for the 6th Annual Jack Awards!

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE 

• The Boy and the Heron – Hayao Miyazaki, Toshio Suzuki 
• The First Slam Dunk – Takehiko Inoue, Toshiyuki Matsui 
• Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson, Avi Arad, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Amy Pascal, Christina Steinberg 
• Suzume – Makoto Shinkai, Kōichirō Itō, Genki Kawamura 
• The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes – Tomohisa Taguchi, Akenosuke Kanazawa, Makiko Mameda, Keijirô Taguchi 

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS 

• The Creator 
• Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves 
• Godzilla Minus One 
• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 
• Transformers: Rise of the Beasts 

BEST SOUND EDITING 

• Godzilla Minus One 
• John Wick: Chapter 4 
• Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One 
• Oppenheimer 
• Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 

BEST SOUND MIXING 

• Godzilla Minus One 
• Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One 
• Napoleon 
• Oppenheimer 
• Suzume 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR 

• Ryan Gosling – Barbie 
• Glenn Howerton – BlackBerry 
• Robert de Niro – Killers of the Flower Moon 
• Robert Downey Jr. – Oppenheimer 
• Jacob Elordi – Priscilla 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS 

• Viola Davis – Air 
• Madeliene Yuna Voyles – The Creator 
• Minabi Hamabe – Godzilla Minus One 
• Da’Vine Joy Randolph – The Holdovers 
• Emily Blunt – Oppenheimer 

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE 

• The Boy and the Heron – Joe Hisaishi 
• The First Slam Dunk – Satoshi Takebe 
• Godzilla Minus One – Naoki Satô 
• Oppenheimer – Ludwig Göransson 
• Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – Daniel Pemberton 

BEST MAKEUP & HAIRSTYLING 

• Barbie – Ivana Primorac 
• Ferrari – Marcelle Genovese, Marco Pompei, Brian Wade, Scott Wheeler 
• Maestro – Kazu Hiro, Kay Georgiou, Lori McCoy-Bell 
• Oppenheimer – Luisa Abel 
• Poor Things – Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier, Josh Weston 

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN 

• Barbie – Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer 
• John Wick: Chapter 4 – Kevin Kavunaugh, Rand Abdel Nour, Mark Rosinski 
• Killers of the Flower Moon – Jack Fisk, Adam Willis 
• Oppenheimer – Ruth De Jong, Claire Kaufmann 
• Poor Things – James Price, Shona Heath, Zsuzsa Mihalek 

BEST COSTUME DESIGN 

• Barbie – Jacqueline Durran 
• Napoleon – Janty Yates, Dave Crossman 
• Oppenheimer – Ellen Mirojnick 
• Priscilla – Stacey Battat 
• Sisu – Anna Vilppunen 

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY 

• American Fiction – Cord Jefferson 
• BlackBerry – Matt Johnson, Matthew Miller 
• Oppenheimer – Christopher Nolan 
• Poor Things – Tony McNamara 
• Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Dave Callaham 

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY 

• Air – Alex Convrey 
• Bottoms – Emma Seligman, Rachel Sennott 
• The Holdovers – David Hemingson 
• Maestro – Bradley Cooper, Josh Singer 
• Past Lives – Celine Song 

BEST FILM EDITING 

• The Holdovers – Kevin Tent 
• Maestro – Michelle Tesoro 
• Oppenheimer – Jennifer Lame 
• Poor Things – Yorgos Mavropsaridis 
• Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – Michael Andrews 

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY 

• Asteroid City – Barney Pilling 
• John Wick: Chapter 4 – Dan Laustsen 
• Killers of the Flower Moon – Rodrigo Prieto 
• Oppenheimer – Hoyte van Hoytema 
• Poor Things – Robbie Ryan 

BEST ORIGINAL SONG 

• I’m Just Ken – Barbie – Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt 
• Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People) – Killers of the Flower Moon – Scott George 
• Suzume – Suzume – Radwimps, Toaka 
• Peaches – The Super Mario Bros. Movie – Jack Black, Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Eric Osmond, John Spiker 
• This Wish – Wish – Julia Michaels, Benjamin Rice, JP Saxe, Ariana DeBose 

BEST DIRECTOR 

• Greta Gerwig – Barbie 
• Bradley Cooper – Maestro 
• Christopher Nolan – Oppenheimer 
• Celine Song – Past Lives 
• Yorgos Lanthimos – Poor Things 

BEST ACTOR 

• Jeffrey Wright – American Fiction 
• Adam Driver – Ferrari 
• Paul Giamatti – The Holdovers 
• Bradley Cooper – Maestro 
• Cillian Murphy – Oppenheimer 

BEST ACTRESS 

• Lily Gladstone – Killers of the Flower Moon 
• Jennifer Lawrence – No Hard Feelings 
• Greta Lee – Past Lives 
• Emma Stone – Poor Things 
• Cailee Spaeny – Priscilla 

BEST PICTURE (VOTE HERE): 

• BlackBerry – Fraser Ash, Niv Fichman, Kevin Krikst, Matthew Miller 
• The First Slam Dunk – Toshiyuki Matsui 
• Godzilla Minus One – Minami Ichikawa, Shūji Abe, Kenji Yamada, Kazuaki Kishida, Gō Abe, Keiichirō Moriya 
• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – Kevin Feige 
• John Wick: Chapter 4 – Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Chad Stahelski 
• Oppenheimer – Emma Thomas, Charles Roven, Christopher Nolan 
• Past Lives – David Hinojosa, Christine Vachon, Pamela Koffler 
• Priscilla – Sofia Coppola, Youree Henley, Lorenzo Mieli 
• Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – Avi Arad, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Amy Pascal, Christina Steinberg 
• Suzume – Kōichirō Itō, Genki Kawamura

And those are your 6th Annual Jack Awards nominees! Congratulations! Per usual, Best Picture is not up to me, it is up to YOU! The list of nominees is inspired by my own top movies of the year, but I have listed them all here for you to decide which one is the greatest of them all. For those who want to vote for Best Picture, CLICK THIS LINK RIGHT HERE. The survey will expire on Sunday, February 25th at midnight! It will take you to a poll where all these movies are listed. That is the only legitimate way these votes will count. Do not even try commenting on this post, it defeats the purpose of the poll and will not be counted towards the final tally. Either way, these are the nominees of the most legitimate, ambitious, groundbreaking awards show you could ever find on a movie blog. Why? Because I said so. Therefore, it’s true! Be sure to tune into the Jack Awards on Sunday, February 25th. For those keeping track, it is the same day as the Film Independent Spirit Awards. I am sure the nominees appearing at that show in California are gonna look at this show and think, you know what? Maybe I’ll make a guest appearance on the Jacks instead. That’ll be a hoot. If you are not following Scene Before, do so now with an email or WordPress account to get the 6th Jack Awards in your feed when it arrives! Also, be sure to like the official Facebook page!

I dropped a new trailer for the 6th Annual Jack Awards on my YouTube channel, feel free to view it above! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!