State of the Awards race since Cannes and Venice: Tom Cruise, Austin Butler, Cate Blanchette, Steven Spielberg, and Michell Yeoh

CANNES: Tom Cruise received a special award and his film, “Top Gun,” opened the festival to rave reviews.  Movies are back in theaters in a big way and respect for American film at Cannes seemed to fly over the skies.  It was a story of overcoming all odds after the Big Shutdown of the last several years.

VENICE: premiered “Tar,” and critical response to star Cate Blanchette’s performance has never wavered from the competition for Best Actress.  Cate went on to receive an award at the Palm Springs Film Festival, The Globes, Critic’s Choice awards, and she is nominated by SAG/AFTRA for Best Actress. The Oscar nominations will be announced on Tuesday morning.

“The Fableman’s and Steven Spielberg and cast started out in Palm Springs receiving a special award.  He and the film received awards at the Globes and he is nominated by the DGA and his cast is nominated by SAG/AFTRA.  

Austin Butler’s remarkable performance won him an award in Palm Springs and at The Globes where the Presley family were there to share in his recognition.  Colin Farrell has also  taken home awards from Palm Springs, The Globes, and garnered nominations at the BFTA’s .

This has been a year of  extraordinary film from seasoned Masters like James Cameron, Steven Spielberg.  The Oscars still might have some surprises with so many guild members not necessarily members of the Academy.  which in recent years has added many members internationally.  Now the nomination votes are in.  Hopefully host Jimmy Fallon can give us all a smile as we view great art, and artists against a background of an ever-changing world.