Okay, here we have the BAFTAs, or the long version would be British Academy Film Awards, from the year 2023 and these took place last weekend in fact, so really fresh and new. The ceremony went for minimally over two hours if we do not count commercial breaks, but we do count the interviews of course that took place in-between and brought us some of the winners or also just nominees and I guess as a contrast to an old White man hosting the event itself, they picked a chubby Black women for these interviews that featured Emma Thompson, Austin Butler and the two acting winners from the movie "The Banshees of Inisherin". The surprising thing there is not necessarily the inclusion of Kerry Condon, but the fact that Barry Keoghan took home Best Supporting Actor. That was maybe the biggest surprise of the entire evening. Ke Huy Quan had dominated the awards season until this point really, but looks like the BAFTAs really did not like his film too much at all. If people had predicted Banshees to win the supporting actor category, then almost everybody would have selected Brendan Gleeson I am sure. And in retrospective Albrecht Schuch could have been more likely even if we look at how his film dominated the night. This domination of "Im Westen Nichts Neues" was maybe the second biggest surprise of the evening. I mean the film did have the most nominations by far, but not too many would have guessed that it wins 7 out of 14, including Best Picture and Best Director for Edward Berger. It will be interesting to see what impact this is going to have on the Oscar race. Maybe this movie does even have a shot now at Academy Award wins. We will see.
Anyway, I went deep into the awards already, but let's look at some basics again. The host here was Richard E. Grant and I think he is likable, also a good actor, but as a host he did not really win me over. He is cool and all, but his comedic deliver is just not particularly good sadly. Then again, if we look at who else hosted this show recently, we should be totally happy with him and hope he comes back. Of course, I am referring to the awful Rebel Wilson there and not to the excellent Stephen Fry. I really wish he would return, but oh well, at least he hosted so many editions and the memories will always remain. Grant's most memorable moment here was maybe when he had to briefly interrupt his announcement of the upcoming in memoriam segment. I am not sure if this was real or authentic, but it is alright. Kinda shocking to see though how many big names died in the last 52 weeks. Often, these segments are full of people that you maybe do not recognize right away unless you belong to the industry too, but this year 2023 I felt there were especially many who have made an impact in front of the camera too. Raquel Welch they had to include quickly because she just died a few days ago and the news of Burt Bacharach's death really went past me, so this was sad to see. Also not too long ago. At least, he reached a really high age. Speaking of deaths, it can also be said that these were the first BAFTAs without the Queen. Don't wanna go any further into detail there, but of course, as always, the Royals were present and this time it was in the form of William and Kate. I must still say age shows a bit. First time that I did not find Kate downright stunning.
On a completely different note, I thought the war in Ukraine might be a big subject here too, but it was almost completely excluded from the show and I must say I am happy about this. Always nice to see when these awards shows do not get too political. Berger early on with his first award of the broadcast, for his screenplay, made a brief connection and I found it interesting how he said that there are no heroes in this war. This is open to interpretation, but I like this statement in the face of western media (plus Sean Penn) trying to turn the Ukrainian President into some kind of heroic figure which he definitely is not. But this shall also be enough about politics from me here. Instead, let's look at the show again. The interviews in-between, I mentioned them earlier, were surprising of course, but somehow they worked. Good inclusion. Another good inclusion was that the show was not stuffed with music, even if the one song performance there was pretty awful and I did not see it as inspiring. Then they had it again that some winners (including quite a few from Western Front) were announced earlier. I generally do not like that, but it was still tolerable. At least they showed the winners receiving the awards and did not just give us their names. I want to say a few words about the lead acting categories and there Butler and Blanchett triumphed and increased their chances at the Oscars this way too. Good for them. With Blanchett I am happy because I am not too big on Michelle Yeoh and it's between the two. Blanchett could already win her third Oscar. Interesting also how there the number is so crucial, but nobody really knows how many BAFTAs and Golden Globes they have.
Anyway, Butler seems like a nice bloke, so I don't mind him winning either. Luhrmann was so happy too. I was a bit surprised Butler did not say anything more specific about Lisa Marie Presley in his acceptance speech, but no big issue either. There it is maybe still a three-people race with Farrell and Brendan Fraser trailing. It will be a two-people race after the SAG Awards perhaps or if Butler wins there too, then the Oscar is probably his as well. It is telling anyway that the British Film Awards picked him, an American actor, over Farrell, but then again the two performances could not be any more different. And maybe awards bodies are also just happy with Farrell (and Fraser) finally getting the recognition and getting in at the Oscars for the first time that they say yeah the nomination is enough. Then again, Butler was also not nominated before. Interesting body of work from teenage-oriented television shows with female starlets in the lead to becoming an Oscar winner. Would be quite something. He seems close with Tarantino too, which is surely another plus in my book. Okay, what else can I say? Oh yeah, Guillermo del Toro won as well and that is pretty cool. Nice to see big-name filmmakers deliver in the animation category. It has happened before, but usually the stars from live action films, like Wes Anderson, have only managed nominations. This time, we have a win and as I like GdT I think it's awesome, even if his take on Pinocchio did not blow me away as much as everybody else. It's still a decent film. With one great song. Sandy Powell got the BAFTA Fellowship this time and compared to other editions, they did not include this at the very end here, perhaps because she does not have the same star factor as a really famous actor maybe. I think it's a good decision. The end should be for the big(gest) awards. Hope they keep it this way. Prince (still) William also did not hold a speech this time to introduce the recipient, but we saw a tribute video instead. One that featured many who worked with Powell and some who would like to work more with her in the future. I did not know she was part of so many Scorsese films. Good for her and it raises my appreciation for her as well. I like Marty.
This is it then, even if I could say a few more words, like how I want to see "The Swimmers" because of the lead actresses, how it was a good night for Banshees, even if they did not win the big award and also how I found the praise for Felix Kammerer was maybe a bit too much at the end. Kinda telling that the triumph of this German film mostly stems from a Swiss director and an Austrian lead. The German film industry is still not in a good spot and hasn't been for a long time now. Western Front does not change anything about that. I am still curious if this wins the Oscar or if it will be the Argentine film, maybe the Belgian even? An Irish film is nominated too, was also here at the BAFTAs. Good year for Irish film. McDonagh's joke on the Irish-British relationship was cool too. I like the dude. Hope he has great things in store in the future, even if his newest film here is not among my favorites from him. And speaking of Banshees again, I liked Troy Kotsur's take on hands in movies including this one and another plus the differences between American and English sign language. Hilarious! He was last year's winner and last year's supporting actress winner DeBose was also hand out an award and do the opening number. They kept music away from Grant there, but oh well I just find her not too talented, more on the attractive side. Emma Mackey is a stunner too. Aside from that, Eugene Levy keeps getting less and less funny and pity that Bill Nighy did not win. At least we learned some wisdom from him through Powell it was I think. Martin Freeman is still annoying while Geri Halliwell looks as stunning as one can for 50. Did not expect that, also her physical shape. Julianne Moore has aged though, but then again she is more than a decade older, so no shame. Only crossed my mind because I always thought she looked at least five years younger than her age. That advantage seems gone. To finish the review as well as the brainstorming, I'd say that Viola Davis still brings nothing to the table and Steve Martin in the opening segment well tolerable, but could have been better. This is all then. It was close, but I give the BAFTAs a positive recommendation overall. Worth seeing if you like movie awards shows in general. I suggest you go for it then.
Anyway, I went deep into the awards already, but let's look at some basics again. The host here was Richard E. Grant and I think he is likable, also a good actor, but as a host he did not really win me over. He is cool and all, but his comedic deliver is just not particularly good sadly. Then again, if we look at who else hosted this show recently, we should be totally happy with him and hope he comes back. Of course, I am referring to the awful Rebel Wilson there and not to the excellent Stephen Fry. I really wish he would return, but oh well, at least he hosted so many editions and the memories will always remain. Grant's most memorable moment here was maybe when he had to briefly interrupt his announcement of the upcoming in memoriam segment. I am not sure if this was real or authentic, but it is alright. Kinda shocking to see though how many big names died in the last 52 weeks. Often, these segments are full of people that you maybe do not recognize right away unless you belong to the industry too, but this year 2023 I felt there were especially many who have made an impact in front of the camera too. Raquel Welch they had to include quickly because she just died a few days ago and the news of Burt Bacharach's death really went past me, so this was sad to see. Also not too long ago. At least, he reached a really high age. Speaking of deaths, it can also be said that these were the first BAFTAs without the Queen. Don't wanna go any further into detail there, but of course, as always, the Royals were present and this time it was in the form of William and Kate. I must still say age shows a bit. First time that I did not find Kate downright stunning.
On a completely different note, I thought the war in Ukraine might be a big subject here too, but it was almost completely excluded from the show and I must say I am happy about this. Always nice to see when these awards shows do not get too political. Berger early on with his first award of the broadcast, for his screenplay, made a brief connection and I found it interesting how he said that there are no heroes in this war. This is open to interpretation, but I like this statement in the face of western media (plus Sean Penn) trying to turn the Ukrainian President into some kind of heroic figure which he definitely is not. But this shall also be enough about politics from me here. Instead, let's look at the show again. The interviews in-between, I mentioned them earlier, were surprising of course, but somehow they worked. Good inclusion. Another good inclusion was that the show was not stuffed with music, even if the one song performance there was pretty awful and I did not see it as inspiring. Then they had it again that some winners (including quite a few from Western Front) were announced earlier. I generally do not like that, but it was still tolerable. At least they showed the winners receiving the awards and did not just give us their names. I want to say a few words about the lead acting categories and there Butler and Blanchett triumphed and increased their chances at the Oscars this way too. Good for them. With Blanchett I am happy because I am not too big on Michelle Yeoh and it's between the two. Blanchett could already win her third Oscar. Interesting also how there the number is so crucial, but nobody really knows how many BAFTAs and Golden Globes they have.
Anyway, Butler seems like a nice bloke, so I don't mind him winning either. Luhrmann was so happy too. I was a bit surprised Butler did not say anything more specific about Lisa Marie Presley in his acceptance speech, but no big issue either. There it is maybe still a three-people race with Farrell and Brendan Fraser trailing. It will be a two-people race after the SAG Awards perhaps or if Butler wins there too, then the Oscar is probably his as well. It is telling anyway that the British Film Awards picked him, an American actor, over Farrell, but then again the two performances could not be any more different. And maybe awards bodies are also just happy with Farrell (and Fraser) finally getting the recognition and getting in at the Oscars for the first time that they say yeah the nomination is enough. Then again, Butler was also not nominated before. Interesting body of work from teenage-oriented television shows with female starlets in the lead to becoming an Oscar winner. Would be quite something. He seems close with Tarantino too, which is surely another plus in my book. Okay, what else can I say? Oh yeah, Guillermo del Toro won as well and that is pretty cool. Nice to see big-name filmmakers deliver in the animation category. It has happened before, but usually the stars from live action films, like Wes Anderson, have only managed nominations. This time, we have a win and as I like GdT I think it's awesome, even if his take on Pinocchio did not blow me away as much as everybody else. It's still a decent film. With one great song. Sandy Powell got the BAFTA Fellowship this time and compared to other editions, they did not include this at the very end here, perhaps because she does not have the same star factor as a really famous actor maybe. I think it's a good decision. The end should be for the big(gest) awards. Hope they keep it this way. Prince (still) William also did not hold a speech this time to introduce the recipient, but we saw a tribute video instead. One that featured many who worked with Powell and some who would like to work more with her in the future. I did not know she was part of so many Scorsese films. Good for her and it raises my appreciation for her as well. I like Marty.
This is it then, even if I could say a few more words, like how I want to see "The Swimmers" because of the lead actresses, how it was a good night for Banshees, even if they did not win the big award and also how I found the praise for Felix Kammerer was maybe a bit too much at the end. Kinda telling that the triumph of this German film mostly stems from a Swiss director and an Austrian lead. The German film industry is still not in a good spot and hasn't been for a long time now. Western Front does not change anything about that. I am still curious if this wins the Oscar or if it will be the Argentine film, maybe the Belgian even? An Irish film is nominated too, was also here at the BAFTAs. Good year for Irish film. McDonagh's joke on the Irish-British relationship was cool too. I like the dude. Hope he has great things in store in the future, even if his newest film here is not among my favorites from him. And speaking of Banshees again, I liked Troy Kotsur's take on hands in movies including this one and another plus the differences between American and English sign language. Hilarious! He was last year's winner and last year's supporting actress winner DeBose was also hand out an award and do the opening number. They kept music away from Grant there, but oh well I just find her not too talented, more on the attractive side. Emma Mackey is a stunner too. Aside from that, Eugene Levy keeps getting less and less funny and pity that Bill Nighy did not win. At least we learned some wisdom from him through Powell it was I think. Martin Freeman is still annoying while Geri Halliwell looks as stunning as one can for 50. Did not expect that, also her physical shape. Julianne Moore has aged though, but then again she is more than a decade older, so no shame. Only crossed my mind because I always thought she looked at least five years younger than her age. That advantage seems gone. To finish the review as well as the brainstorming, I'd say that Viola Davis still brings nothing to the table and Steve Martin in the opening segment well tolerable, but could have been better. This is all then. It was close, but I give the BAFTAs a positive recommendation overall. Worth seeing if you like movie awards shows in general. I suggest you go for it then.
