(Re-posted from LimitéMagazine.com)

Dear Academy,

For the seventh year, we decided to offer you a little help in deciding some of the biggest Oscar races—free of charge. And never has it been as important that we do so than this year, one of the most competitive races in recent memory with no clear frontrunners in many categories. Take it from us, because we’re kinda good at this.

Your friends at Limité,
Dan Quitério & Drew Stelter
Continue reading 2016 Memo to the Academy →

(Re-posted from LimitéMagazine.com)

Dear Academy,

It’s that time of year again. You’ve watched dozens of movies, you’ve seen plenty of “For Your Consideration” ads, and you’ve heard everyone’s reasons why one film or another deserves to win. There’s a lot going through your mind; maybe you’re confused. No worries. Once again, Limité’s Film Team is ready to step up with its picks in some of the most hotly contested categories. Read below, then mark your ballots with confidence.

Your friends,

Dan Quitério, Joy Ganes, Morgan Goldin

Continue reading 2015 Memo to the Academy →

(Re-posted from LimitéMagazine.com)

Dear Academy,

You get thanked an awful lot by Oscar winners, but you don’t always make the smartest choices (#justsayin). Allow us to help you along a bit so you don’t make another embarrassing blunder (Affleck, anyone?) come February 24^th. Here’s who we say should win in some of the key races.

Your friends,

Dan Quitério

Limité Film Editor

Stephanie Dawson

Senior Film Contributor

Continue reading 2013 Memo to the Academy →

(Re-posted from LimitéMagazine.com)

Dear Academy,

Here we go again. The Super Bowl is over, and now it’s time for the real games to begin. You have a hefty task in front of you—choosing who’s most deserving of that little golden guy. With all the hype and buzz around, it’s easy to get confused. Here’s a little help.

Your friends,

Limité’s film staff

BEST PICTURE

Nominees: The Artist, The Descendants, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, The Help, Hugo, Midnight in Paris, Moneyball, The Tree of Life, War Horse

Dan Quitério—Hugo. For my money, Hugo is the best-composed film of the year—the imaginative performances, the vivid art direction, the crisp cinematography, the rich story—they all come together to provide the audience with a complex and colorful experience, all the while providing it with a lesson in film history without it feeling like sitting in a stodgy classroom. On top of that, the film provides some of the best use of 3D than any other film in recent memory—a format that surely isn’t going anywhere and was lovingly embraced by a true master of filmmaking in Martin Scorsese. No other film last year—except for maybe Midnight in Paris—has the capability of igniting the imagination quite like Hugo. This film reminds us why the film medium is so special.

Predicted Winner: The Artist

Stephanie Dawson—The Artist. I don’t think any of these films are as amazing or as groundbreaking as nominees in previous years. The Tree of Life is polarizing because of it’s “what?!” factor. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, The Help, and War Horse revel in their emotional manipulation of the audience. Moneyball and Midnight in Paris are better writing achievements than complete films. The story momentum in both Hugo and The Descendants keeps sputtering and the central stories change at least twice in each. The Artist is simple, enjoyable from the first frame, and just the right amount of “sweet,” and so it has my vote, unfortunately by default.

Predicted Winner: The Artist

Janice Perez—Midnight in Paris. I haven’t seen anything in a very long time that resonated with me on a very intimate and highly personal level the way Woody Allen’s darling of a film did. Maybe it stems from my being a dedicated Francophile, or probably because that film was a beautiful homage to art. Well, whatever the cause, I loved Midnight in Paris to the hilt for being a film that really brought my own fondest imagination to life.

Predicted Winner: The Artist

Continue reading 2012 Memo to the Academy →