Danielle Kidd Film and TV Blogs

Award season is in full swing and much like many other people working in or interested in the Film industry, I love to shout at the TV screen when the nominee I loved doesn't win their respective award. So bearing all that in mind, here are my predictions for who will win the 2024 Oscars:

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE -

Cillian Murphy - simply because he keeps sweeping all these awards, though I feel like maybe this one should go to Bradley Cooper.

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE -

Robert Downey Jr - again I personally think Ryan Gosling for Ken should win but with the sweeps this is most likely, my bets are otherwise on Mark Ruffalo.

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE -

Lily Gladstone - it's either her or Emma Stone.

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE -

America Ferrera - this is the one I mean when I say I will be gutted when she doesn't win but I think she deserves it.

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM -

The Boy and The Heron - Spirited Away v2, though I think Spiderverse is by far the best there.

CINEMATOGRAPHY -

Oppenheimer - another sweep.

COSTUME DESIGN -

Napoleon - with renaissance there's always a demand for accurate costumes. If not this one, then it'll go to Poor Things.

DIRECTING -

The Zone of Interest - I just don't want Nolan to win and am still sad Greta isn't up there.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM -

20 Days in Mariupol - I honestly don't know for this category so it's just a guess.

DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM -

The Last Repair Shop - no idea, just a guess.

FILM EDITING -

Oppenheimer - another stupid sweep.

INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM -

Zone of Interest - if not this, then Society of The Snow.

MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING -

Poor Things - probably but I think maybe Maestro should win.

MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE) -

American Fiction - John Williams doesn't need it man.

MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG) -

What Was I Made For? - Though I'm just Ken should win it, the committees for these things don't like fun, they prefer the slower, more depressive tunes.

BEST PICTURE -

The Zone of Interest - I would love Barbie but it won't happen and I just want to wipe that smug smile off Nolan's face, as if Barbie didn't make triple what Oppenheimer did. A surprise would be nice again this year.

PRODUCTION DESIGN -

Barbie - please? Nah give it to Oppenheimer already...

ANIMATED SHORT FILM -

Letter To A Pig - no clue, but this sounds cool.

LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM -

Invincible - not sure why, got a good vibe.

SOUND -

Zone of Interest - its sound is one of the biggest parts of the experience.

VISUAL EFFECTS -

Godzilla Minus One - you can't give it to Mission Impossible, Tom Cruise says there isn't any visual effects and that it's all real. So, this is more process of elimination, though Napoleon has a chance.

WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY) -

Poor Things - the other good sweeper.

WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY) -

Past Lives - I reckon this has a good chance though Anatomy of a Fall might steal it away.

With the success of Uncharted, the The Last of Us Tv show in production, and a brand new animation for the Playstation Productions, I’m 100% sure that there are more game to film adaptations in the works. Jak and Daxter is definitely up there for the movie treatment. I know my boyfriend would love to see that along with a Ratchet and Clank film. I know Tom Holland said he’d be up for a Jak and Daxter film but Playstation shouldn’t overuse him. He makes a perfect Nathan Drake and I’m sure they’ll make a good trilogy of Uncharted films. So, I can’t wait to see where they take the characters and story. 

There are many films and new seasons of shows that I am excited for next year. Whether I actually get round to watching them is another matter, but this is my list for my most anticipated shows and films of 2022.  Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) - Thor: Ragnarok (2017) still stands as one of my favourite Marvel films and so with Taika Waititi back to direct I can’t wait to see where the story goes with this one with the return of Jane. Plus, who can resist the 80s sorta vibes it’s giving off.  Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) - I loved the first film and am a big Sonic fan so I can’t wait to see it and I’m looking forward to Tails and Knuckles. Though, I kind of would like them to stray away from James Marsden’s character and continue to build up the vast amount of characters in the Sonic Universe, making the SCU if you will. Turning Red (2022) - I’ve not been too eager to watch some of Disney Pixar’s new animations and know that I’ll just get round to them eventually. Turning Red, however, had me hooked from the trailer. The clever use of the NYSNC song, the red panda representing strong emotions, I don’t know I’m just super excited to watch this!  Tower of God (2020-???) Season 2 - As one of the first animes I ever watched, thanks to Stray Kids making the OP and ED, I am always on the lookout for news that there will be an official season 2. I know that the webtoon carries on and I’m slowly getting through that, but I just hope they continue to show Bam’s story in the anime soon. So yeah, I hope this gets released next year. 

Despite posting this before the release of Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), which is my most-anticipated film of the year, I have enjoyed a handful of this year’s releases. After another year of Covid delaying productions, I suspected that not much would be in cinemas or even on streaming services. While there are still many films that I have yet to see from this year, such as Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), Luca (2021), Last Night in Soho (2021), Free Guy (2021) and Old (2021), I have listed the shows and films I have enjoyed this year. The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021) - After hearing that one of my role models, Alex Hirsch, had worked on this, I immediately was intrigued. I was even more fascinated after seeing a trailer and I wasn’t disappointed. It was relatable, fun and even made me cry. I rated this film very highly on Letterboxd.  No Time to Die (2021) - The fact that this was my first cinema experience after the pandemic made me like this film even more. It’s a good 25th film and a nice send off to Daniel Craig’s Bond. 

Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Chat Noir (2015-Present) Season 4  - While it will still continue into next year, the development we have seen this year with the characters and the law of the universe is incredible. I enjoy watching videos on theories as well as debating them with my friends. It has amped things up and I can’t wait to see more and see what the 5th season brings. 

Bo Burnham: Inside (2021) - I’d heard a lot of the songs through TikTok and so thought I’d give the special a go. It was funny, satirical, honest and convinced me to watch more of Burnham’s comedy.  The Owl House (2020-Present) Season 2 Part 1 - Again, another Alex Hirsch project. When I started my binge of this show, I quickly fell in love with it and understood the hype it has. The first half of season 2 has continued to be amazing and seeing Amity and Luz become canon was an amazing moment in Disney history. The story, much like miraculous, is becoming more developed, deeper in terms of law and plot and I’m excited to see where it goes from here.  The Promised Neverland (2019-2021) - Okay, the majority of this came out in 2019 and 2020 BUT the last few episodes of season 2 came out at the start of this year. So while my binge of this was fairly recent, I appreciate how this year saw the development of the plot and the return of my much-loved favourite Phil. 

Growing up, I didn’t know of the distinction between Marvel and DC and their heroes. All I knew was that Tobey Maguire was Spiderman, Christopher Reeve was Superman, The Fantastic Four included Chris Evans and Wonder Woman was Lynda Carter. I’d never really acknowledged that they didn’t all exist in the same world/universe.

It wasn’t until I saw Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Spiderman: Homecoming (2017) and Wonder Woman (2017) that I realised that both comic book franchises were creating and expanding upon their own cinematic universes. 

Don’t get me wrong, back in the day, I saw both of them as equal. There were characters I loved on both sides. Spiderman, Wolverine, Professor X, Wonder Woman, Batman, Superman. And I still love a lot of characters in both universes. 

However, it seems to me that the MCU is far beyond and far better than the DCEU. Wonder Woman was a great film but it stands far above Man of Steel (2013), Batman vs Superman (2016) and even Wonder Woman 1984 (2020). While the DC films seem to be improving and Joker (2019) and The Suicide Squad (2021) both have very good reviews, Marvel with its multitude of phases has seen more success and have released films of a better quality to warrant that success. 

From the modern DCEU films I have seen, they are often slow starting and have a lot of material within them that can easily be cut down or reduced, both Man of Steel and Wonder Woman 1984 are key examples of this from when I watched them recently. 

There are many shows that these 3 voice actors are a part of where they each have a role to play. It’s like they enjoy following each other around and working alongside each other. The list includes:

1. Miraculous Ladybug. 

Cristina and Bryce voice the lead characters Marinette and Adrien respectfully with Keith voicing their arch enemy and Adrien’s father Gabriel aka Hawk Moth.

2. Violetta

Cristina was the english dub for the titular character Violetta, while Bryce voiced Maximiliano 'Maxi' Ponte, a best friend to Violetta, definitely appropriate showing how often Cristina and Bryce act alongside each other. Keith voiced Gregorio Casal in the same episode that Bryce featured in. 

3. Beastars

In this popular anime where a variety of beasts coexist, Cristina voices Sheila,  Bryce voices both Kibi and Tao and Keith voices both Gouhin and Dolf. 

4. Sword Art Online 

With Bryce voicing the main character, Kirito, we see Keith appear as Asuna’s, his girlfriend’s, father and Cristina voice Alicia, a reoccurring character in the SAO series.

5. Naruto: Shippuden

Each of these voice actors voiced multiple characters. Keith was the first of the trio to voice a character in this show, voicing multiple characters such as Kimimaro, Kyûsuke and Hagoromo Otsutsuki. Bryce voiced Taizo and Muyami and Cristina voiced Matatabi, Sukui and Suiren. 

6. Blood Lad

In this TV mini-series back in 2013, Cristina voiced Mamejirou/Mamejiro, Bryce voiced Staz Charlie Blood, yet, Keith was only featured in one episode as Heads Hydra. 

7. The Seven Deadly Sins 

With the show still continuing on today, Cristina voices Hawk and Bryce voices Meliodas/Zeldris from 2014 to 2020 with Keith joined the cast later in 2018, voicing the character Monspeet.

8. Bleach

Keith voiced a variety of voices throughout most of the show’s history. His voices included: Coyote Starrk, Tesra Lindocruz, Mabashi and Aaroniero Arruruerie. Cristina and Bryce also featured in this show with her voicing Riruka Dokugamine and him voicing Jinta Hanakari. 

9. Skip Beat! 

In this anime about idol life and the entertainment industry, Cristina voiced Erika Koenji, Keith voiced Takenori Sawara and Bryce voiced Yuusei Ishibashi, who has a slightly similar look to Adrien Agreste. 

10. Sailor Moon

This anime features the trio’s early voice acting credits with Cristina voicing Rei Hino aka Sailor Mars, Keith voicing Professor Souichi Tomoe as well as Kenji Tsukino and Bryce voicing Masanori Tsuzuki, Kakusui Yakushiji and Kijin Shinokawa. 

Sometimes voice actors have one major role, such as the example of Hana Hayes, who voices Sarah in The Last of Us. Sometimes voice actors have a variety of roles but are recognised for usually just one such as Bryan Dechart in Detroit: Become Human. And sometimes it can be hard to unhear a certain character that an actor voices when you’re watching a different show that that actor is in. For me, these are the voice of the Miraculous cast! Specifically, Adrien Agreste, Gabriel Agreste and Marinette Dupain Chang. 

Watching the English dub for Sword Art Online and hearing Adrien’s voice actor Bryce Papenbrook drew me to the series and made me love Kirito even more. It was when I heard Keith Silverstein as Asuna’s father and Cristina Valenzuela as Alicia that I realised that the Miraculous cast are everywhere and I was happy that I could recognise them. 

The miraculous cast are scattered across video games, tv shows and films. For example Bryce has been credited in Attack on Titan, Final Fantasy Awakening and Persona 5, Cristina has been credited in Beastars, Tower of God and LEGO Friends and Keith has been credited in A Whisker Away, The Seven Deadly Sins and Sonic Forces. 

Directed by Gorō Miyazaki, Hayao Miyazaki’s son, Tales From Earthsea (2006) centres around a wizard and a runaway prince. On the surface, it looks like an intriguing concept, with the dubbed voices of Timothy Dalton and William Da Foe, but many rank it as their worst or least favourite film made by Studio Ghibli. 

I disagree.

As someone with a fear of death, this film has been one of the best pieces of media to cover the topic and give reassurance and guidance. 

The villain of the film, Lord Cob, voiced by Da Foe, craves eternal life, not wanting to get old and die. However, as the film goes on to explain, a fear of death is actually a fear of life itself. The whole concept of life means that at some point it will end and hence that’s what makes life so special and so worthwhile. 

With season 4 of Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug & Cat Noir (2015-Present) gradually airing its episodes, there are already theories of what could happen in the remaining episodes of season 4 and into season 5.  But I’m under the impression that the show could continue almost forever in different variations. 

There’s so much to the world from the kwamis to the general law of powers and the ever-expanding roster of characters. Even after Marinette has lost her memories and given away the guardian role, there are so many possibilities with the world Thomas Astruc has created. 

In this sense, Miraculous could continue in a similar way to how the Star Trek franchise has, for example. There could be spin off shows that are placed within this world/universe following different miraculous holders or even focus on the next generations following Marinette and Adrian’s departure from their superhero roles. 

I’ve just seen adverts for the next Fast and Furious film... number 9 - technically number 10 if you include Hobbs and Shaw (2019). Now, I do appreciate their dedication! Plus, the fact that the 7th film has the highest opening weekend and lifetime gross amongst the franchise so far (Box Office Mojo) shows that there is still some kind of demand for it. 

However, at this point why are they still making them? Is there that much difference between the storylines that they can continue to refresh and add to the franchise? If they could continue the storyline on even further than 10 films, then why don’t they expand it into a TV show? Did they think of this earlier and just decide, ‘you know what we want to drain as much from the Fast and Furious name as possible’? 

Personally, I like sequels but I know that not all films need a sequel or should have a sequel. If you feel like a standalone film can naturally span out into another one and it effectively add to the building franchise, then go for it. But!!! If you are just making a sequel purely to make money, then the most likely outcome will be that it will taint the original film.