We’re not sure what’s more shocking: this weekend’s BAFTA Awards or French film critics’ great love of James L. Brooks’ Ella McCay. But, we are here to break it all down for you. First up, we thought we had a handle on the Supporting Oscar races, but BAFTA voters just tossed a huge curve ball into the game. They rebuffed convention and handed their supporting prizes to Sean Penn (One Battle After Another) and Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners) when most Oscar watchers thought their nominations would be their win. Will BAFTA change Oscar’s trajectory?

Then, we finally take a look at Ella McCay, the much-maligned new film from James L. Brooks. We thought we’d put this one behind us, but French critics seem primed to rescue it with some using the “M word.”

Jalal joins us to talk about both topics as we head into next weekend’s The Actor Awards (formerly SAG).

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Click here to listen to our audio podcast. Our video podcast follows below.

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The post ‘Ella McCay’ and the Case of the Unpredictable Supporting Oscars [VIDEO] appeared first on The Contending.

Every time I gaze at Kate Hawley’s costume design for Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein, I feel like I discover something new. Maybe The Creature’s hunt for humanity and compassion can be translated into our own curiosity for the exquisite Oscar-nominated work. One of the reasons why Hawley’s designs have dominated this season is because every piece is driven by character but also steeped in drama. Hawley’s work is robust, meaningful, and hypnotic.

One might assume that a man of science like Victor Frankenstein doesn’t care about what he wears, but that is not the case in this new iteration. Oscar Isaac brings such a sexy swagger to the role but he allows his intelligence and passion for science do the talking. Hawley, though, translates that into how the doctor wears his clothes. His red gloves (I need…) are something that he has carried with him from his childhood, but notice how the camera captures the shape of his hats or how he wears his robes or jackets open. In the anatomical lecture scene, I love the knotted red tied around his neck and the dangling silver chain that hangs from his vest.

Mia Goth’s Elizabeth has her curiosity almost sewn into all of her designs. The way that she looks at Jacob Elordi’s Creature is different than how she looks at Victor, and Hawley gives each elaborate, gorgeous piece different layers–as if you could dissect or peel back different materials to inspect them. This is a perfect example of how a designer doesn’t design just to make the costumes big or boistrous. Everything carries meaning even if the character isn’t yet aware of it. Elizabeth’s wedding gown is an event unto itself.

Hawley and I gush over how Felix Kammerer wears clothes–his golden mustard waitcoat is to die and his pearly groom tuxedo should not go unnoticed–and that character’s closet obviously varies from how we literally see The Creature building the clothes on his back.

There is so much to celebrate in Hawley’s work in this film. It’s passionate, sexy, bold, and vibrant.

Click here to listen to our audio podcast interview with Oscar-nominated costume designer Kate Hawley as she speaks all the drama and the passion for the designs of Frankenstein.

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Track: Here We Go! by cinematic alex
https://tunetank.com/track/802-here-we-go/

The post Kate Hawley On the Hunger of Red and Victor’s Dandy Taste for the Costumes of ‘Frankenstein’ appeared first on The Contending.

On this week’s Water Cooler podcast, we review the new Hulu on FX limited series Love Story. Created by Connor Hines and executive produced by Ryan Murphy (among others), Love Story looks at the tabloid-fodder relationship between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Is this a series worth exploring, or is it a cheap tabloid-fodder knock-off? And what’s to be made of Naomi Watts as Jackie Kennedy Onassis?

Then, we revisit the 2026 Best Supporting Actor Oscar contenders. Is it Stellan Skarsgård’s to lose? Or is there something to his omission at The Actor (formerly SAG Awards)? If it’s not Skarsgård, then who could take home the Oscar? Could Sinners co-star Delroy Lindo surprise on Oscar night?

We’re deeply appreciative for your shares, likes, and positive ratings on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Click here to listen to our audio podcast. Our video podcast follows below.

Podcast Music:
Royalty Free Music from Tunetank.com
Track: Here We Go! by cinematic alex
https://tunetank.com/track/802-here-we-go/

The post It’s a ‘Love Story,’ Baby, Should You Say “Yes?” appeared first on The Contending.