The 15 shortlisted films vying to become one of the five Best International Feature nominees at the 2021 Academy Awards are a surprising and creatively engaging bunch. Their stories often are drenched in history — much of it tragic and disturbing — and turbulent social and political currents course through any number of them. Just four of the 15 were directed by familiar names so, for the most part, the filmmakers behind these works are in the early stages of their careers, which can only create optimism and excitement about what these up-and-comers will do in the future. Oscar nominations will be revealed on March 15. I’ve now seen all of the contenders and must say that it was, for the most part, stimulating to encounter so many fresh voices from some often little-heard-from realms of the cinematic world. Fewer than half of the semi-finalists come from countries typically thought of as regularly representing the cinematic front-rank — France, Iran, Denmark, Mexico, … [Read more...] about Oscars: Todd McCarthy’s Top Picks For Best International Feature Nominations
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The Best Flannel Shirts for Channeling Every Style, from Grunge to Cool Lumber Jack
Products featured are independently selected by our editorial team and we may earn a commission from purchases made from our links; the retailer may also receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. When you think of flannel, the humble plaid shirt usually comes to mind. The word “flannel” though, refers to the soft wool or cotton fabric designed in a range of prints and patterns (not just plaid) — and these days, the popular checked button-down is one of the most versatile pieces out there. Just like the cardigan , the plaid garment’s story begins centuries ago in Europe. The material originated in Wales, where it was spun from the sheep-rich country’s plentiful supply of wool, and rubbed with a fine metal brush to create a texture that was soft and warm enough to wear in the winter. Mass production during the Industrial Revolution brought the already affordable silhouette to even more people, and it eventually hopped across the pond to America’s chilliest west coast … [Read more...] about The Best Flannel Shirts for Channeling Every Style, from Grunge to Cool Lumber Jack
Parineeti Chopra-Starrer Saina’s Trailer Is The Best Thing To Watch On The Women’s Day
Today (March 8, 2021), on the eve of International Women's Day, the makers of Saina starring Parineeti Chopra in the lead role, dropped the film's trailer, and it looks every bit promising. For the unversed, Saina traces the journey of the ace Indian badminton champion Saina Nehwal, who with her never-give-up spirit inspired billions across the globe. While the world knows about the triumphs and victories of Saina Nehwal, the film will tell the unknown stories about what Saina went through to fulfill her dreams. The trailer starts with a dialogue, mouthed by Saina's mother Usha Rani (played by Meghna Malik) "Raaste par chalna ek baat hai Saina, aur raasta banana doosri baat. Tu na beta, doosri baat karne ki soch." The first half of the trailer shows how with the support of her parents, a little Saina, who belongs to a small village from Haryana, happily dreams of becoming the world's number one badminton player. Whereas, the second half of the trailer … [Read more...] about Parineeti Chopra-Starrer Saina’s Trailer Is The Best Thing To Watch On The Women’s Day
The Best Online Courses for Learning Guitar, Piano and Your Favorite Instruments
Products featured are independently selected by our editorial team and we may earn a commission from purchases made from our links; the retailer may also receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. If learning an instrument has been on your list for months, years, even decades, right now is an ideal time to dust off that guitar, keyboard, flute, violin, or ukulele and sign up for online lessons. No more carrying your instrument to a music store, school or an instructor’s house. These classes let you learn right from home, and provide complete coverage from the basics on up. If you’re a beginner, that’s fine too, as the courses are all taught by passionate professional musicians, and designed with increasing difficulty levels to ease you in at your own pace. But just because the lessons are pre-recorded and the instructors aren’t physically there with you doesn’t mean they won’t be available. Most are incredibly responsive and are always there to answer questions and … [Read more...] about The Best Online Courses for Learning Guitar, Piano and Your Favorite Instruments
Int’l Critics Line: Todd McCarthy On Tunisia’s Oscar-Shortlisted ‘The Man Who Sold His Skin’
The doings of the international art world often seem arcane and over the top, but never moreso than as depicted in The Man Who Sold His Skin . This is a madly dramatic and engrossing melodrama about a political refugee whose unique predicament bundles with it issues pertaining to personal and political identity, the Middle East quagmire, romantic rejection and the outer limits of art world presumption and extravagance. Tunisia’s shortlisted submission in the International Feature Oscar race is a very tasty couscous of fine ingredients and flat-out entertaining enough to warrant significant international exposure. Kaouther Ben Hania ’s follow-up to her 2017 Cannes Un Certain Regard selection Beauty And The Dogs is notable for its gutsy narrative moves, rich visuals and sheer drive, which marks her, along with her notably resourceful and elegant Lebanese cinematographer Christopher Aoun, as talents who should emerge even more decisively before long. Related … [Read more...] about Int’l Critics Line: Todd McCarthy On Tunisia’s Oscar-Shortlisted ‘The Man Who Sold His Skin’