2017 New York Film Critics Circle Awards Winners

Early today the east coast group started to vote for their annual winners and seems that there is no visible trend from an independent film award and the two major film critics, as for example Best Film category in Gotham went to Call Me by Your Name, in NBR to The Post and the NYFCC to Lady Bird.  There are high probabilities current award season will be interesting and perhaps even unpredictable which makes all exercises a lot more fun.

The NYFCC also announced that this year's ceremony will be dedicated to the memory of late film critic, filmmaker and author Richard Schickel.  The awards will be handed out in New York in January.

In previous years the call-by-many "harbingers of the Oscars nominations" score have been on the lower side but last year score was on the positive side with La La Land, Moonlight and Manchester by the Sea got top and many awards.  So, if this year group repeats, Lady Bird, The Florida Project and Call Me By Your Name could get nominations.

My most expected win in the current award season was finally honored by this group, I really hope Faces Places run to finish line ends with Oscar for Best Documentary and I'm not alone as many in both side of the ocean are hoping for the honor that will give Agnes Varda the second Oscar in the same year.

The Winners. To check winners at official site go here.

Best Picture: Lady Bird
Best Animated Film: Coco
Best Non-Fiction Film: Faces Places
Best Foreign Language Film: BPM (Beats Per Minute)
Best First Film: Get Out

Best Director: Sean Baker for The Florida Project

Best Actress: Saoirse Ronan in Lady Bird
Best Supporting Actress: Tiffany Haddish in Girls Trip
Best Actor: Timothee Chalamet in Call Me by Your Name
Best Supporting Actor: Willem Dafoe in The Florida Project

Best Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson for Phantom Thread
Best Cinematographer: Rachel Morrison for Mudbound

Career Achievement Special Award: Molly Haskell

Mindhunter Season 2 Netflix Series Confirmed

Mindhunter (2017-)
Season 2 - (2018)

Mindhunter Season 2 will return in 2018

Netflix revealed the second season in a twitter video and with a press release. No details were revealed, other than the video claiming more suspects must be interviewed.
While work for season two began soon after the first season launch, the second season was officially confirmed on November 30.

In the show, two FBI agents interview imprisoned serial killers to solve ongoing cases in 1979.
Produced by David Fincher & Charlize Theron, this series is based on the 1995 book by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker. It stars Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallanay, Anna Torv, and Hannah Gross. David Fincher also helped launch Netflix's House of Cards.

Watch the Season 1 trailer or read my review. 

Black Mirror Season 4 Netflix Series Hang the DJ Trailer

Black Mirror (2011-)
Season 4 - 6 episodes (2018)

Black Mirror Season 4 premieres in 2018

Originally scheduled for 2017, it wasn't on the release schedule for December and no updates have been provided.

Find your perfect match in Hang the DJ.

Netflix has released trailers for the season 4 episodes Arkangel, Crocodile, and Black Museum.
Each unconnected episode explores how technology could help and then ruin our lives.

The six episode titles and cast for season four:

• Arkangel: Stars Rosemarie Dewitt , Brenna Harding, Owen Teague. Directed by Jodie Foster
• Black Museum: Stars Douglas Hodge, Letitia Wright, Babs Olusanmokun. Directed by Col McCarthy.
• Crocodile: Stars Andrea Riseborough, Andrew Gower, Kiran Sonia Sawar. Directed by John Hillcoat.
• Hang the DJ: Stars Georgina Campbell, Joe Cole, George Blagden. Directed by Tim Van Patten.
• Metalhead: Stars Maxine Peake, Jake Davies, Clint Dyer. Directed by David Slade.
• USS Callister: Stars Jesse Plemons, Cristin Milioti , Jimmi Simpson, Michaela Coel. Directed by Toby Haynes. Writers: Charlie Brooker and William Bridges.

In October 2016 it was revealed Jodie Foster would direct an episode with Rosemarie Dewitt starring.

In May 2017 an Orange is the New Black - Black Mirror mashup video released.

 

 

 

Stranger Things Season 3 Netflix Series Official Announcement

Stranger Things (2016-)
Season 3 (2018, projected)

Stranger Things Season 3 premieres in 2018, projected

While the Duffer brothers have talked about season 3, Netflix officially announced the renewal today via a Twitter post.

Season one was set in 1983 where a mother tries to find her son after he disappears mysteriously in the small town of Hawkins.
Season 2 is set one year later, and is more of a sequel than continuation. A new monster emerges from the upside down to wreak havoc in Hawkins.

The Duffer brothers have confirmed season 3, and are planning a season 4 as the last season. They've said season 3 will be more character focused, embracing the fact the kids are growing up.
It was reported on November 18 that Kali (Eight) is likely to return to Season 3 to resolve her story line.

Untitled Sabrina The Teenage Witch Netflix Series Announced

Untitled Sabrina The Teenage Witch (TBA)
Season 1 - 10 episodes
Season 2 - 10 episodes

Untitled Sabrina The Teenage Witch premieres date is unknown

The series re-imagines the origin and adventures of Sabrina the Teenage Witch as a dark coming-of-age story that traffics in horror, the occult, and witchcraft. In the vein of Rosemary’s Baby and The Exorcist, this adaptation finds Sabrina wrestling to reconcile her dual nature of half-witch, half-mortal while standing against the evil forces that threaten her, her family, and the world humans inhabit. The one-hour drama is based on the comic Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

Netflix made a 20 episode, two season order. The series was originally in development with The CW as a companion to the Archie Comics Riverdale.

English Vinglish (2012)

For years I've avoided Indian cinema because I thought it was all singing and dancing and romancing because those are the kind of Indian movies on TV here in Italy. English Vinglish isn't one of those movies (and thank you, Sid, for the suggestion).

It's a beautiful, funny and sweet film about Shashi (Sridevi), a regular Indian housewife who is constantly mocked by her husband (Adil Hussain) and daughter (Navika Kotia) because she doesn't speak English. Then one day she had to go to New York to attend her niece's wedding and once there she joins a four-week English tuition class. From there, her life changes. 

In spite of what I just wrote, English Vinglish isn't the story of a woman who just wants to learn a language. It's the story of the journey of a woman that comes from a world of low self-esteem and complete lack of confidence who eventually learns to love herself. It's a very simple story, the kind of story that would be boring if not told properly, but the filmmakers did a really good job here. It flows smoothly and it moves at the same pace from start to finish without getting boring. 

Eros International

One of the many things I liked about this film is that the script also delivers the struggles of a stranger in a foreign land, especially in a society that is not very tolerable, in such a natural way that it makes you feel the pain of the character.

Which brings me to what's easily the best thing about English Vinglish, Sridevi and her character, Shashi. I don't know her but, after a brief Google search, I've learnt that she is one of most famous and admired stars of Indian cinema and I can totally see why. She carries the entire movie on her shoulders, her comedic timing is just perfect and she delivers the shyness and insecurities of Shashi beautifully.

The supporting characters are also nice, especially the other foreign students Shashi meets in New York, the songs always work and never feel out of place, and there's some sort of romance that actually has a point. 

Thursday Movie Picks: Television Edition: Workplace

Do you know what day is today? Thursday, but not any Thursday, it's the 100th Thursday I participate in Thursday Movie Picks, the weekly series hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves. But enough with the bragging, let's talk about this week's picks. It's the last Thursday of the month so it's TV time and the theme is the workplace. So not fun, am I right? Well, actually my picks make it look cool. Kinda.

Kevin from Work (2015)

Kevin has a huge crush on a co-worker and just before accepting a new job in Italy, he declares his love with a letter. He then finds that the offer has been rescinded and he's stuck with his crush and her boyfriend. And the weird people at the office. Not the best series out there, but I had fun watching it.

Ugly Betty (2006-2010)

Smart, hardworking, wannabe writer Betty gets a job at a fashion magazine. The problem? Everyone around her is more attractive and people make fun of her. But she won't let this stop her or her positive attitude. This was one of my favourite series. Watching it on tv in the afternoon after I had done my homework was pretty much the highlight of my day.

Suits (2011- )

On the run from a drug deal gone bad, brilliant Mike slips into a job interview with one of the best lawyers in New York and he gets hired. But he doesn't have a law degree and that equals troubles. It started out brilliant but then it declined along the seasons. But I still watch it because I care about the character too much. So yeah, I'm pissed Rachel, I meant Meghan, is going to marry Prince Harry. 

Godless Netflix Series Review

Godless (2017)
Mini-series - 7 episodes

Watch Godless on Netflix
Created by: Scott Frank, Steven Soderbergh
Written by: Scott Frank
Directed by: Scott Frank
Starring: Jeff Daniels, Michelle Dockery, Jack O'Connell, Sam Waterston, Kim Coates
Rated: TV-MA

Plot
This 1800s era Western features Frank Griffin (Jeff Daniels) as an outlaw gang leader hunting down his former partner Roy Goode (Jack O'Connell) who is hiding at a ranch owned by Alice (Michelle Dockery).

Verdict
This slow burn Western got better as it went along. The sprawling story encompasses more than the outlaws hunting for a defector. The only issue is that Frank and Roy are the best characters in the season, though their tales are disjointed. The timeline in this can be frustrating. We start midway in the story, with flashbacks to fill in the blanks.
The stories of the town and side characters build until the final episode, and it is fantastic. Part of that is the foundation built in the preceding episodes, but along the way it often felt like a digression. I like how this ends, and it makes the entire series better because of it.
Watch it.

Review

A teaser video released on October 16, with the trailer following on October 24.

The first episode generates a lot of questions. It opens with a sheriff played by Sam Waterson riding into a town where everyone is dead, even the children. I would have liked to see that character do more.
We don't know who did it yet, but it seems that outlaw Frank Griffin (Jeff Daniels) might be the culprit. He's in rough shape himself after a shootout. One of his gang Roy Goode betrayed him and ran off. Frank and his gang are on the hunt.

I wondered how this could sustain itself for seven episodes. It does that by taking its time and expanding the focus to more than just Roy and Frank. Unfortunately I preferred seeing Frank. Jeff Daniels does a great job as this subdued villain. Frank's really unsettling. He lives by a strange code, quoting scripture and helping the sick, but we've seen him slaughter an entire town. He's unpredictable and one of the best parts of this show.
Frank is not afraid of death. Whenever the subject comes up he tells anyone listening he's already seen his death and usually adds, "this isn't it." Later in the series he states it won't be long, and you know this is setting up a scene where we'll surely see him die. Will it be as he predicted?

Frank served as a father to Roy, picking up the orphan at a young age. Frank promised to be a good dad, and I have to assume he was, aside from the looting and killing that surely occurred. Roy ends up on a ranch owned by Alice. Roy is a good father figure to her son Truckee, which leads us to believe that in some aspects Frank was a good father. Where else would Roy have learned those skills?
Roy carries a letter with him, unopened. I like that prop. The show tells us nothing about it until later, but we know it has power as he still has it. Is he scared of what it could contain?

I would like to see a version of this edited in chronological order. I just never had a good handle on how much time had passed. At first I thought the gang was on Roy's heels and would catch him in days, but for whatever reason they aren't, though Roy did make a few stops after his departure from them. It seems like the gang took months to catch up to him, but they never seemed unsure of where Roy was, always on his trail. I just don't get how it took so long to find him. The jumbled chronology doesn't help. It's meant to add excitement and help pacing, but it also adds confusion.

While I began to like the story about the town of La Belle the series crafted, no longer annoyed we weren't focused on the main story, there is a fair amount of character sprawl. Many of these characters are shallow. We've got Sheriff Bill who doesn't do much. He could be completely cut and the story would be unaffected. The men that buy the rights to the mine from the women of La Belle just distract from the main plot as well. Their purpose is to stir trouble in the town, but they do little more than twirl their evil mustaches.

As much as I didn't like some of the digressions, the final episode proves that everything had a place, even if I didn't find it necessary. The side stories give the shootout some depth. The final episode makes this show worth it. The rest isn't bad, it's just a slow burn that gives the final episode a sturdy foundation. That episode is just well done television. The way this ends makes me like the whole series better. The biggest problem with the show are that Roy and Frank are the best characters. When we aren't seeing them, the series can drag. All of Frank's gang are nameless goons. Developing them could have been a nice touch. This is an ambitious series that had me doubting initially, but manages to craft a solid story.

A Korean Odyssey Distributed Netflix Series Coming in 2018

A Korean Odyssey (2018-)
Season 1 - (2018)

A Korean Odyssey Season 1 premieres in 2018
Inspired by the classic Chinese novel, Journey to the West (Xi You Ji), a monk takes a journey with four troublesome companions who must atone for their sins. The companions are a entertainment agency CEO, a real estate CEO, a top star for the entertainment agency, and a real estate businessman.
It features Lee Seung-Gi as the powerful Son Oh-Gong (based on Sun Wukong the Monkey King a mythical character featured in numerous legends), Cha Seung-Won as Woo Hwi-Chul (based on Bull Demon King), and Oh Yeon-Seo as Jin Sun-Mi (based on Xuanzang the seventh century Buddhist monk). There series will begin airing in Korea in December.
With A Korean Odyssey, Netflix also brings Prison Playbook and Argon onto its service. Prison Playbook is a comedy about a famous baseball player who suddenly ends up in jail, and Argon is about reporters who fight for the truth in the world of fake news.

Press Release

Judd Apatow: The Return Netflix Comedy Special Trailer

Judd Apatow: The Return (2017)

Judd Apatow: The Return premieres on December 12

Judd Apatow returns to stand up for the first time in twenty-five years. He's an American producer, writer, director, comedian, and actor. He developed the television series Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared. He directed The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005), Knocked Up (2007), and Trainwreck (2015).

A teaser video released on November 14.

 

 

 

New in Theaters for December

A lot of movies are premiering in December, but only a few of them interest me. This is why they might be worth watching... or avoiding.

WATCHING

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (December 15, 2017)
Being Star Wars alone is a draw. I thought I'd get tired of the yearly Star Wars release, but that hasn't happened yet. On top of that it's directed by Rian Johnson, who just got the okay to create his own Star Wars spin off trailer.

Phantom Thread (December 29, 2017)  
Paul Thomas Anderson and Daniel Day-Lewis last joined forces to bring us There Will Be Blood. I've seen all his feature films and don't intend to stop.

The Disaster Artist (December 1, 2017)
The Room is considered one of the worst movies of all time, but delving into what went on behind the scenes sounds like a great idea. I think James Franco can bring this one home.

Downsizing (December 22, 2017)  
In a world where you can be shrunk to an inch tall... This has the trappings to be a great social commentary.

AVOIDING

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (December 22, 2017)
Not even "The Rock" can save this. Why does this need to be made? Why is it a video game?

Just Getting Started (December 8, 2017)
How many retiree themed movies is Morgan Freeman going to do? Is he typecast or has he just found a well paying gig?

Pitch Perfect 3 (December 22, 2017)
I've never had an interesting seeing these movies, and this is no exception. There's no way this isn't a cash grab.

PODCAST 284: Raptor, Repligator, It Conquered the World & Zontar: The Thing From Venus

This week the Horror Duo take on not two, not three, but FOUR FILMS! In a special Thanksgiving stinker blowout, Forest shares his thoughts on Raptor - the weakest of the Carnosaur films as well as Repligator...a film with "gator-babes" starring Gunner Hanson & Brinke Stevens. Cory takes on a suggested pair of films that have a supersizing connection, Roger Corman's It Conquered the World and Larry Buchannan's Zontar: The Thing From Venus.

CONTINUE READING

2017 Film Critics Awards

Today, November 29 the post becomes alive again and activity will become intense until a week before Christmas when will quiet a bit with January activity will gain full force to end quietly around the first weeks of February 2018.

---///---
10/7/17
The annual film critics awards post starts today.  Now all the fuzz and buzz about #Oscars2018 foreign-language submissions is over and it's time to start with all the fuzz and buzz from film critics that always gives you a better idea about the films that could win nominations and the one that will collect the award.  Yes, we know that not very often great films win AMPAS accolades, so IF we wish to guess right on the Oscars office pool or any of the many online polls -some with good prices- then here will find info for better guessing.  Enjoy!

Post will be a work in progress until the last critics group announces their winner which will happen in early February 2018.

Most critics' groups are American but you will also find groups from Canada, Ireland and UK -if info becomes available online.  This year will include again the FIPRESCI Grand Prix, an award voted by film critics from all over the world.  As in previous years' posts will publish link to read all the winners and will list winners in the following categories:  Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor and Best Documentary.  Before the list, and to have ALL critics info in one post, is the summary for major film critics' groups; each major group has a post in blog.

By now most know that announced or estimated date for each critics' group announcement is in blog's 2017/2018 Key Dates Calendar.  Most dates come from group official site while some estimates come from industry sources.

Major Critics' Groups

FIPRESCI
2017 Grand Prix: Toivon Tuolla Puolen  (The Other Side of Hope) by Aki Kaurismäki

Cahiers du Cinéma (CdC)
Top Ten List: Official Site
No.1 Film: Twin Peaks by David Lynch

Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA)
Official Site
Winners:  Post Official Site
Best Film: Call Me by Your Name
Best Director: tie
Guillermo del Toro for The Shape of Water
Luca Guadagningo for Call Me by Your Name
Best Actress: Sally Hawkins in The Shape of Water
Best Actor: Timothee Chalamet in Call Me by Your Name
Best Documentary: Faces Places

Critics' Choice Movie Awards (BFCA)
Official Site
Nominations: Official Site Post
Winners: Feature Films Documentary Post
Best Film: The Shape of Water
Best Director: Guillermo del Toro for The Shape of Water
Best Actress: Frances McDormand in Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actor: Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Best Documentary: Jane

Golden Globe Awards (HFPA)
Official Site
Nominations: Official Site  Post
Winners: Official Site Post
Best Film:
Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
Lady Bird
Best Director: Guillermo del Toro for The Shape of Water
Best Actress
Frances McDormand in Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
Saoirse Ronan in Lady Bird
Best Actor
Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
James Franco in the Disaster Artist
Best Documentary: N/A

International Press Academy (Satellite Awards) (IPA) - Due to many "tie" not added to tally.
Official Site
Nominations:  Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: (tie)
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
God's Own Country
Best Director: Jordan Peele for Get Out
Best Actress: (tie)
Sally Hawkins in The Shape of Water
Diane Kruger in In the Fade
Best Actor: (tie)
Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Harry Dean Stanton in Lucky
Best Documentary: Chasing Coral

National Board of Review (NBR)
Official Site
Winners: Post Official Site
Best Film: The Post
Best Director: Greta Gerwig for Lady Bird
Best Actress: Meryl Streep in The Post
Best Actor: Tom Hanks in The Post
Best Documentary: Jane

New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC)
Official Site
Winners:  Post Official Site
Best Film: Lady Bird
Best Director: Sean Baker for The Florida Project
Best Actress: Saoirse Ronan in Lady Bird
Best Actor: Timothee Chalamet in Call Me by Your Name
Best Documentary: Faces Places

The List

African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA)
Official Site
Winners: Article
Best Film: Get Out
Best Director: Jordan Peele for Get Out
Best Actress: Frances McDormand in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actor: Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out
Best Documentary: Step

Alliance of Women Film Journalists (EDA Awards) (AWFJ)
Official Site
Nominations: Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: The Shape of Water
Best Director: Guillermo del Toro for The Shape of Water
Best Actress: Frances McDormand in Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actor: Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Best Documentary: Faces Places

Atlanta Film Critics Circle (AFCC)
Official Site
Winners: Article
Best Film: Get Out
Best Director: Christopher Nolan for Dunkirk
Best Actress: Sally Hawinks in The Shape of Water
Best Actor: Thimothee Chalamet in Call Me by Your Name
Best Documentary: (tie)
Jane
Kedi

Austin Film Critics Association (AFCA)
Official Site
Nominations: Official Twitter
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: Get Out
Best Director: Guillermo del Toro for The Shape of Water
Best Actress: Frances McDormand in Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actor: Timothee Chalamet in Call Me by Your Name
Best Documentary: Faces Places

Black Film Critics Circle (BFCC)
facebook
Winners: Article
Best Film: Mudbound
Best Director: Jordan Peele for Get Out
Best Actress: Frances McDormand in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actor: Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Best Documentary: Strong Island

Boston Society of Film Critics (BSFC)
Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: Phantom Thread
Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson for Phantom Thread
Best Actress: Sally Hawkins in The Shape of Water
Best Actor: Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out
Best Documentary: Dawson City: Frozen Time

Boston Online Film Critics Association (BOFCA)
Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: Get Out
Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson for Phantom Thread
Best Actress: Frances McDormand in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actor: Thimothee Chalamet in Call Me by Your Name
Best Documentary: Faces Places

Central Ohio Film Critics Association (COFCA)
Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: Lady Bird
Best Director: Greta Gerwig for Lady Bird
Best Actress: Sally Hawkins in The Shape of Water
Best Actor: Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Best Documentary: Faces Places

Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA)
Official Site
Nominations: Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: Lady bird
Best Director: Christopher Nolan for Dunkirk
Best Actress: Saoirse Ronan in Lady Bird
Best Actor: Timothee Chalamet in Call Me by Your Name
Best Documentary: Jane

Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle (CIFCC)
Official Site
Nominations: Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: Lady Bird
Best Director: Jordan Peele for Get Out
Best Actress: Saoirse Ronan in Lady Bird
Best Actor: tie
Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out
Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Best Documentary: Faces Places

Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association (DFWFCA)
Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: The Shape of Water
Best Director: Guillermo del Toro for The Shape of Water
Best Actress: Sally Hawkins in The Shape of Water
Best Actor: Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Best Documentary: City of Ghosts

Denver Film Critics Society (DFCS1)
Official Site
Nominations: Article
Winners: Article
Best Film: Lady Bird
Best Director: Christopher Nolan for Dunkirk
Best Actress: Saoirse Ronan in Lady Bird
Best Actor: Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Best Documentary: Faces Places

Detroit Film Critics Society (DFCS2)
Official Site
Nominations: Official Site
Winners:  Official Site
Best Film: The Florida Project
Best Director: Sean Baker for The Florida Project
Best Actress: Frances McDormand in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actor: James Franco in The Disaster Artist
Best Documentary: Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond

Dublin Film Critics Circle (DFCC) - for info only, not added to tally
Winners: Article
Best Film: Dunkirk
Best Director: Christopher Noland for Dunkirk
Best Actress: tie
Natalie Portman in Jackie
Isabelle Huppert in Elle
Best Actor: James Franco in The Disaster Artist
Best Documentary: The Farthest

Entertainment Weekly (EW)
2017 List: Article
Best Film: Dunkirk

Filmcomment Film Society of Lincoln Center (FFSLC)
Official Site
Best films of 2017: Article
Best Film: Good Times

Florida Film Critics Circle (FFCC)
Official Site
Nominations: Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: Dunkirk
Best Director: Christopher Nolan for Dunkirk
Best Actress: Margot Robbie in I, Tonya
Best Actor: Timothee Chalamet in Call Me by Your Name
Best Documentary: Jane

Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association (Dorian Awards) (GALECA)
Official Site
Nominations: Article
Winners: Article
Best Film: Call Me by Your Name
Best Director: Greta Gerwig for Lady Bird
Best Actress: Sally Hawkins in The Shape of Water
Best Actor: Timothee Chalamet in Call Me by Your Name
Best Documentary: Faces Places

Georgia Film Critics Association (GAFCA)
Official Site
Nominations: Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: Lady Bird
Best Director: Greta Gerwig for Lady Bird
Best Actress: Saoirse Ronan in Lady Bird
Best Actor: Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out
Best Documentary: Jane

The Guardian UK Top 10 films (TGUS and TGUK)
Official Site
Best Film US 2017: Call Me By Your Name
Best Film UK 2017: Call Me By Your Name

The Houston Film Critics Society (HFCS)
facebook
Nominations: facebook post
Winners: Article
Best Film: Lady Bird
Best Director: Greta Gerwig for Lady Bird
Best Actress: Sally Hawkins in The Shape of Water
Best Actor: James Franco in The Disaster Artist
Best Documentary: Jane

Indiana Film Journalist Association (IFJA)
Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: Lady Bird
Best Director: Greta Gerwig for Lady Bird
Best Actress: Saoirse Ronan in Lady Bird
Best Actor: Harry Dean Stanton in Lucky
Best Documentary: Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992

Indiewire Annual Critics Survey Voted by over 200 individuals (IW)
Official Site
Best Films and Performances: Official Site
Best Film: Get Out

Iowa Film Critics Association (IFCA)
Winners: Article
Best Film: Lady Bird
Best Director: Greta Gerwig for Lady Bird
Best Actress: Saoirse Ronan in Lady Bird
Best Actor: Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Best Documentary: Jane

Kansas City Film Critics Circle (KCFCC)
Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: Get Out
Best Director: Guillermo del Toro for The Shape of Water
Best Actress: Sally Hawkins in The Shape of Water
Best Actor: Timothee Chalamet in Call Me by Your Name
Best Documentary: Jane

Las Vegas Film Critics Society (LVFCS)
Official Site
Winners: Official Twitter
Best Film: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Director: Guillermo del Toro for The Shahpe of Water
Best Actress: Frances McDormand in Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actor: Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out
Best Documentary: Jane

Los Angeles Online Film Critics Society (LAOFCS)
Official Site
Nominations: Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: The Shape of Water
Best Director: two awards
Guillermo del Toro for The Shape of Water
Greta Gerwig for Lady Bird
Best Actress: Sally Hawkins in The Shape of Water
Best Actor: Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Best Documentary: tie
Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond
Jane

London Film Critics Circle (LFCC)
Official Site
Nominations:  Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Director: Sean Baker for The Florida Project
Best Actress: Frances McDormand in Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actor: Timothee Chalamet in Call Me by Your Name
Best Documentary: I Am Not Your Negro

Miami Film Awards (MFA)
Winners: Article
Best Film: Get Out
Best Director: Greta Gerwig for Lady Bird
Best Actress: Saoirse Ronan in Lady Bird
Best Actor: Timothee Chalamet in Call Me by Your Name
Best Documentary: N/A

National Society of Film Critics (NSFC)
Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: Lady Bird
Best Director: Greta Gerwig for Lardy Bird
Best Actress: Sally Hawkins in The Shape of Water
Best Actor:  Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out
Best Documentary: Faces Places

Nevada Film Critics Society (NFCS)
Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Director: Guillermo del Toro for The Shape of Water
Best Actress: Sally Hawkins in The Shape of Water
Best Actor: tie
Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
James Franco in The Disaster Artist
Best Documentary: Jane

New Mexico Film Critics (NMXFC)
Official Site
Winners: Official Twitter
Best Film: Blade Runner 2049
Best Director: Greta Gerwig for Lady Bird
Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence in Mother!
Best Actor: Sam Elliott in The Hero
Best Documentary: City of Ghosts

New York Film Critics Online (NYFCO)
Official Site
Winners:  Official Site
Best Film: tie
The Florida Project
Mudbound
Best Director: Dee Rees for Mudboud
Best Actress: Margot Robbie in I, Tonya
Best Actor: Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Best Documentary: Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story

North Carolina Film Critics Association (NCFCA)
Official Site
Nominations: Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: Get Out
Best Director: Jordan Peele for Get Out
Best Actress: Sally Hawkins in The Shape of Water
Best Actor: Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Best Documentary: Kedi

North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA)
facebook
Nominations: Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: The Post
Best Director: Guillermo del Toro for The Shape of Water
Best Actress: Frances McDormand in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actor: Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Best Documentary: Jane

Oklahoma Film Critics Circle (OFCC)
Official Site Facebook
Winners: Official Twitter
Best Film: Get Out
Best Director: Jordan Peele for Get Out
Best Actress: Sally Hawkins in The Shape of Water
Best Actor: Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Best Documentary: Oklahoma City

Online Film Critics Society (OFCS)
Official Site
Nominations:  Official Site
Winners:  Official Site
Best Film: Get Out
Best Director: Christopher Nolan for Dunkirk
Best Actress: Sally Hawkins in The Shape of Water
Best Actor: Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Best Documentary: Faces Places

Philadelphia Film Critics Circle (PFCC)
Official Site
Winners: Official Twitter
Best Film: Get Out
Best Director: Jordan Peele for Get Out
Best Actress: Sally Hawkins in The Shape of Water
Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis in Phantom
Best Documentary: Jane

Phoenix Critics Circle (PCC)
Official Site
Nominations: Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: tie
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Director: Christopher Nolan for Dunkirk
Best Actress: tie
Sally Hawkins in The Shape of Water
Frances McDormand in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actor: Timothee Chalamet in Call Me by Your Name
Best Documentary: City of Ghosts

Phoenix Film Critics Society (PFCS)
Official Site
Nominations: Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: The Shape of Water
Best Director: Guillermo del Toro for The Shape of Water
Best Actress: Frances McDormand in Three Billboarads Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actor: Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Best Documentary: City of Ghosts

RollingStone Magazine (RS)
Article in Magazine: Official Site
Best Film: Dunkirk

St. Louis Film Critics Association (StLFCA)
Official Site
Nominations: Article
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: The Shape of Water
Best Director: Guillermo del Toro for The Shape of Water
Best Actress: Frances McDormand in Three Billboard Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actor: Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Best Documentary: Jane

San Diego Film Critics Society (SDFCS)
Official Site
Nominations: Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: Get Out
Best Director: Greta Gerwig for Lady Bird
Best Actress: Sally Hawkins in Maudie
Best Actor: James McAvoy in Split
Best Documentary: Jane

San Francisco Film Critics Circle (SFFCC)
Official Site
Nominations:  facebook
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: The Florida Project
Best Director: Guillermo del Toro for The Shape of Water
Best Actress: Margot Robbie in I, Tonya
Best Actor: Andy Serkis in War for the Planet of the Apes
Best Documentary: Faces Places

ScreenDaily UK Magazine (SD)
Article in Magazine:  Official Site

Seattle Film Critics Society (SFCS)
Official Site
Nominations: Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: Get Out
Best Director: Christopher Nolan
Best Actress: Saoirse Ronan in Lady Bird
Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis in Phantom Thread
Best Documentary: Faces Places

Sight&Sound Film Magazine (188 International Critics) (S&S)
Best Films of 2017:  Official Site
Number 1 Film: Get Out

Southeastern Film Critics Association (SEFCA)
Official Site Awards Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: Get Out
Best Director: Guillermo del Toro for The Shape of Water
Best Actress: Sally Hawkins in The Shape of Water
Best Actor: Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Best Documentary: Jane

Toronto Film Critics Association (TFCA)
Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: The Florida Project
Best Director: Great Gerwig for Lady Bird
Best Actress: Frances McDormand in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis in Phantom Thread
Best Documentary: Faces Places

Utah Film Critics Association (UFCA)
Nominations: Article
Winners: Article
Best Film: A Ghost Story
Best Director: Christopher Nolan for Dunkirk
Best Actress: Sally Hawkins in The Shape of Water
Best Actor: Andy Serkis in War for the Planet of the Apes
Best Documentary: Jane

Vancouver Film Critics Circle (VFCC)
Official Site
Nominations: Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: Lady Bird
Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson for Phantom Thread
Best Actress: Saoirse Ronan in Lady Bird
Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis in Phantom Thread
Best Documentary: Ex Libris: The New York Public Library

Variety Film Critics Poll (VFCP)
Official Site

The Village Voice Critics Poll (TVVC)
Official Site

The Washington DC Area Film Critics (WAFCA)
Official Site
Nominations:  Official Site
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: Get Out
Best Director: Christopher Nolan for Dunkirk
Best Actress: Frances McDormand in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actor: Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Best Documentary: Jane

Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC)
Official Site
Nominations:  Article
Winners: Official Site
Best Film: Lady Bird
Best Director: N/A
Best Actress: Frances McDormand in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actor: Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Best Documentary: tie
Jane
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story

Tally

The following is a summary with winners in the five main categories. Tally will be update when each group makes their announcement.

Best Film
16- Get Out (S&S, WAFCA, BOFCA, PFCC, AFCC, SDFCS, AAFCA, KCFCC, SFCS, SEFCA, IW, OFCS, MFA, OFCC, NCFCA, AFCA)
13- Lady Bird (NYFCC, CFCA, VFCC, IFJA, WFCC, CIFCC, NSFC, COFCA, HFCS, HFPA, IFCA, GAFCA, DFCS1)
7- The Shape of Water (DFWFCA, StLFCA, PCC, LAOFCS, PFCS, AWFJ, BFCA)
5- Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (PCC, LVFCS, NFCS, HFPA, LFCC)
4- The Florida Project (DFCS2, TFCA, SFFCC, NYFCO) 
4- Call Me by Your Name (LAFCA, TGUK, TGUS, GALECA)
3- Dunkirk (RS, FFCC, EW) 
2- The Post (NBR, NTFCA)
2- Mudbound (NYFCO, BFCC)
1- Twin Peaks (CdC)
1- Phantom Thread (BSFC)
1- Blade Runner 2049 (NMXFC)
1- Good Times (FFSLC)
1- A Ghost Story (UFCA)

Best Director
15- Guillermo del Toro (LAFCA, SFFCC, DFWFCA, StLFCA, KCFCC, LVFCS, SEFCA, NTFCA, LAOFCS, NFCS, PFCS, AFCA, HFPA, AWFJ, BFCA)
13- Greta Gerwig (NBR, TFCA, NMXFC, SDFCS, LAOFCS, IFJA, MFA, NSFC, COFCA, HFCS, IFCA, GAFCA, GALECA)
9- Christopher Nolan (WAFCA, AFCC, CFCA, UFCA, PCC,  SFCS, FFCC, OFCS, DFCS1)
6- Jordan Peele (PFCC, AAFCA, BFCC, CIFCC, OFCC, NCFCA) 
3- Paul Thomas Anderson (BOFCA, BSFC, VFCC) 
3- Sean Baker (NYFCC, DFCS2, LFCC)
1- Luca Guadagnino (LAFCA)
1- Dee Rees (NYFCO)

Best Actress
18- Sally Hawkins (LAFCA, BSFC, PFCC, AFCC, DFWFCA, KCFCC, UFCA, PCC, SEFCA, LAOFCS, NFCS, OFCS, OFCC, NCFCA, NSFC, COFCA, HFCS, GALECA) 
17- Frances McDormand (DFCS2, WAFCA, BOFCA, TFCA, AAFCA, StLFCA, PCC, LVFCS, NTFCA, BFCC, PFCS, WFCC, AFCA, HFPA, AWFJ, BFCA, LFCC) 
11- Saoirse Ronan (NYFCC, CFCA, SFCS, VFCC, IFJA, MFA, CIFCC, HFPA, IFCA, GAFCA, DFCS1)
3- Margot Robbie (SFFCC, NYFCO, FFCC)
1- Meryl Streep (NBR)
1- Jennifer Lawrence (NMXFC)
1- Sally Hawkins in Maudie (SDFCS)

Best Actor
21- Gary Oldman (WAFCA, NYFCO, DFWFCA, StLFCA, SEFCA, NTFCA, BFCC, LAOFCS, NFCS, PFCS, WFCC, OFCS, CIFCC, OFCC, NCFCA, COFCA, HFPA, IFCA, AWFJ, BFCA, DFCS1)
12- Timothee Chalamet (NYFCC, LAFCA, BOFCA, AFCC, CFCA, KCFCC, PCC, FFCC, MFA, AFCA, LFCC, GALECA)
6- Daniel Kaluuya (BSFC, AAFCA, LVFCS, CIFCC, NSFC, GAFCA)  
4- Daniel Day-Lewis (TFCA, PFCC, SFCS, VFCC)
4- James Franco (DFCS2, NFCS, HFCS, HFPA)  
2- Andy Serkis (SFFCC, UFCA)
1- Tom Hanks (NBR)
1- Sam Elliot (NMXFC)
1- James McAvoy (SDFCS)
1- Harry Dean Stanton (IFJA)

Best Documentary
21- Jane (NBR, WAFCA, PFCC, AFCC, SDFCS, CFCA, StLFCA, KCFCC, UFCA, PCC, LVFCS, SEFCA, NTFCA, LAOFCS, FFCC, NFCS, WFCC, HFCS, IFCA, BFCA, GAFCA)
14- Faces Places (NYFCC, LAFCA, BOFCA, TFCA, SFFCC, SFCS, OFCS, CIFCC, NSFC, COFCA, AFCA, AWFJ, DFCS1, GALECA)
3- City of Ghosts (NMXFC, DFWFCA, PFCS)
2- Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond (DFCS2, LAOFCS)
2- Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story (NYFCO, WFCC)
2- Kedi (AFCC, NCFCA)
1- Dawson City: Frozen Time (BSFC)
1- Step (AAFCA)
1- Ex Libris: The New York Public Library (VFCC)
1- Strong Island (BFCC)
1- Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992 (IFJA)
1- Oklahoma City (OFCC)
1- I Am Not Your Negro (LFCC)

A Few Best Men (2011)

In spite of the rating A Few Best Men has pretty much everywhere, I still decided to give it a chance. What can I say, I love British humour and, after yesterday's horrendous comedy, I needed something to cheer me up. That, of course, this film didn't do. 

English David (Xavier Samuel) and Australian Mia (Laura Brent) meet and fall in love while on a vacation. After a week he proposes and they plan to marry in a few days, so he goes back to England, gets his three best mates (Kris Marshall, Kevin Bishop and Tim Draxl) to come to his wedding. Needless to say, the wedding will be filled with havoc and chaos. 

It's a very predictable and ridiculous plot. Wedding comedies are usually exaggerated but this one goes beyond that. It's basically what would happen if The Hangover met with Bridesmaids and Meet the Parents. Actually, it's not like that. If those three movies hang out, it'd probably be a lot of fun, and A Few Best Men wasn't fun. At all.

Icon Film Distribution, Buena Vista International

One of the reasons is the awful, bland characters. The bride and the groom are completely forgettable, although they are the only normal people in this film. The three best men are nothing more than three morons with no characterization and development whatsoever. Not to mention how insane the bridesmaid (which is also the bride's fake-lesbian sister) and the mother of the bride are. And the acting is goddamn awful. 

And the comedy barely works. It's a cringy and boring mixture of British slapstick and Australian humour with unfunny gags and jokes that fall flat most of the time. Maybe I would have found this funny with a bottle of Jack, but unfortunately that's not what I was drinking. Rebel Wilson is usually funny, but there's nothing she can do here since there's barely something to work with. Kudos to Olivia Newton-John though. She pulled off the role of the mother decently and the fact that she was snorting cocaine (not Newton-John, the character) help the comedy.