Upscaling Analog Laserdisc in a Digital World.

Today I hooked up my Panasonic DVD Recorder DMR-E55 because it has a good digital comb filter and so I basically have one composite video cable going directly into the Kramer switch/scaler and another composite cable going directly into the Panasonic and then have component video output going from the Panasonic into the Kramer, which then outputs both depending on what I choose to 1080p/60 via HDMI out into my Samsung 4K LED UHDTV in my bedroom. Then I have a coaxial digital audio cable for AC3 on Laserdisc going into the Sony Decoder and from the decoder I have the SPIDIF TOSLINK fiber optic digital cable going into a four port TOSLINK SPIDIF Switch so I can choose between devices because in keeping with their minimalist approach, the SONOS Playbar only has one digital input because SONOS expects the user’s television to act as a switch. 

So now I could experiment and tune up the picture using Video Essentials. So what were the results?

I found Video Essentials helped me tune in the fleshtones, but more often than not I prefer to do it by eye to get the best possible picture though the disc is still very good and I intend on using it again as I learn how to fine tune the image.

Composite video direct looked softer than I expected, but the colors were rich. Running it through the Panasonic with the digital comb filter to output the image at 480p progressive scan and then upscale to 1080p/60 yielded cleaned results, but I had to recalibrate for component separately. 

The image quality was very sharp and solid, but not blu-ray quality. I have to tell the truth here so sorry for disappointing anyone. I still need to do more work, but in both cases it is a definite improvement, but since this is a model from 2012, I don’t expect it to look like the 773 and I have not seen a 773 in person so I am assuming that it is better because of the new chipset and so forth. 

Yet for $56 dollars off EBay, I think this is a can’t go wrong deal. Now I also wanted to see how DVD and VCD looked from the Panasonic into the Kramer and so forth and the DVD playback was what one would expect from upscaled DVD. I can confirm that the Sonos did a great job with both Dolby Digital direct into the Playbar and DTS sounded even better. I had forgotten how great DVD DTS can sound. Aggressive and sharp.

The biggest surprise was trying a genuine Malaysian import copy of Star Wars and with the CD stereo and upscaled and cleaned up image, I have never seen a VCD look so good in my life. Amazing. I was the most impressed by that because my expectations were low.

So that is it. Thank you for reading. 

Namaste.

(C) Copyright 2022 By Mark A. Rivera

All Rights Reserved.

HBO MAX RENEWS PEACEMAKER FOR A SECOND SEASON

 

• Following the stellar launch of PEACEMAKER, HBO Max has renewed the critically acclaimed and fan favorite series, written and directed by James Gunn and starring John Cena, for a second season. The eight-episode first season of the DC spinoff series premiered on Thursday, January 13 and will have its finale on February 17.  Gunn will direct and write all episodes for season two.

• Rolling Stone heralded the series as “inspired” and “thrilling,” highlighting that “in a wildly oversaturated market for tales of hyper muscular men and women punching their way to justice, PEACEMAKER stands out.” PEACEMAKER debuted as the #1 new original streaming series for social engagement on Twitter across all of television and remains the #1 social show YTD across Max Originals on multiple social platforms.

• Logline: PEACEMAKER follows the explosive escapades of the character that John Cena reprises in the aftermath of James Gunn’s 2021 film “The Suicide Squad” – a compellingly vainglorious man who believes in peace at any cost, no matter how many people he has to kill to get it.

• Sarah Aubrey, Head of Original Content, HBO Max quote: “The brilliance of James Gunn once again shines with Peacemaker. He took this character, brought to life by the inimitable John Cena, and created an exceptional series that’s simultaneously thrilling, hilarious and heartfelt, showcasing the humanity beneath this team of misfits living in a superhuman world. As the first original DC show to have its series premiere on HBO Max, we are thrilled that the viewers agreed to give peace a f***ing chance.”

• James Gunn quote: “Creating Peacemaker has been one of the true highlights of my life, both professionally and otherwise, with John Cena and the incredible creative team around me, as well as our partners at HBO Max. To have something we all love so much be loved by the audience in turn has been a wonderful experience. I can’t wait for folks to see where Team Peacemaker goes in Season Two!”

• John Cena quote: “I am incredibly honored and humbled by the response to Peacemaker and the experience of playing this character. Thank you to James Gunn, Peter Safran, HBO Max, the crew, and my castmates who worked tirelessly to make this unforgettable series.”

• Season 1 cast: John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Jennifer Holland, Chukwudi Iwuji, Steve Agee, and Robert Patrick.

• Season 1 credits: James Gunn wrote all eight episodes of PEACEMAKER and directed five, including the first. Gunn, Peter Safran and Matt Miller serve as executive producers on the series, with John Cena as co-executive producer and Stacy Littlejohn as consulting producer. Based on characters from DC, PEACEMAKER is produced by Gunn’s Troll Court Entertainment and The Safran Company in association with Warner Bros. Television.

From Emmy®-Winning Directors Judd Apatow And Michael Bonfiglio, The Two-Part Documentary Explores Carlin’s Tumultuous Life and Enduring Legacy

 

• GEORGE CARLIN’S AMERICAN DREAM, a two-part documentary directed by Judd Apatow (HBO’s “Girls,” “The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling”) and Michael Bonfiglio (HBO’s “May It Last: A Portrait of the Avett Brothers”), will debut this May on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.  
   
• Synopsis: GEORGE CARLIN’S AMERICAN DREAM chronicles the life and work of legendary comedian George Carlin. Dubbed the “dean of counterculture comedians,” Carlin’s career spanned half a century during which he headlined 14 HBO comedy specials and appeared on “The Tonight Show” over 130 times, constantly evolving with the times and staying sharply resonant up until his death in 2008 and beyond.  Carlin’s ability to zoom in on societal ills has proven eerily prophetic and much of his work resonates today with alarming (and still hilarious) clarity. The documentary examines a cultural chameleon who is remembered as one of the most influential stand-up comics of all time.
   
• The documentary tracks Carlin’s rise to fame and opens an intimate window into Carlin’s personal life, including his childhood in New York City, his long struggle with drugs that took its toll on his health, his brushes with the law, his loving relationship with Brenda, his wife of 36 years, and his second marriage to Sally Wade.  Intimate interviews with Carlin and Brenda’s daughter, Kelly Carlin, offer unique insight into her family’s story and her parents enduring love and partnership. 
   
• Documentary features a treasure trove of never-before-seen archival material including archival films, photos, audio recordings, letters, and diaries and interviews with Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Patton Oswalt, Stephen Colbert, Bill Burr, Bette Midler, W. Kamau Bell, Sam Jay, Judy Gold, Jon Stewart, and others. Joining them to share their memories of Carlin are daughter Kelly Carlin, manager Jerry Hamza, second wife Sally Wade, and others. 
   
• Credits: HBO Documentary Films, Rise Films and Apatow Productions present GEORGE CARLIN’S AMERICAN DREAM, directed by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio; edited by Joe Beshenkovsky; executive produced by Judd Apatow, Michael Bonfiglio, Teddy Leifer, Jerry Hamza, and Kelly Carlin.  For HBO: executive producers, Lisa Heller and Nancy Abraham.

The Great. The second season of the Emmy-nominated series is available now on Digital and will be available on DVD April 26th

EMMY AWARD NOMINATED^* SERIES STARRING ELLE FANNING AND NICHOLAS HOULT MAKES ITS TRIUMPHANT RETURN

Season Two

Available Now for Purchase on Digital

DVD Arrives April 26, 2022 with Exclusive Deleted Scenes

and an Uproarious Blooper Reel

    

 

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – The critically acclaimed and wildly entertaining comedic series “THE GREAT” Season Two arrives on DVD April 26, 2022 from Paramount Home Entertainment.  Season Two is now available for purchase on Digital platforms.

Created and executive produced by Academy Award^® and Golden Globe^® nominee** Tony McNamara (The Favourite​), “THE GREAT” is a satirical comedy—and occasionally true story—about the rise of Catherine the Great (Elle Fanning) from outsider to the longest reigning female ruler in Russia's history. With Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult reprising their Golden Globe^®-nominated roles, Season Two finds Catherine finally taking the Russian throne for her own. But if she thought coup-ing her husband was difficult, it’s nothing compared to the realities of liberating a country that doesn’t want to be.  She’ll battle her court, her team, even her own mother (played by two-time Emmy Award^®-winning^*** actress Gillian Anderson) in a bid to bring the Enlightenment to Russia.

 

The 4-disc DVD set features all ten episodes from Season Two, plus exclusive deleted scenes and an uproarious blooper reel.

 

“THE GREAT” Season Two is available to stream on Hulu in the U.S. and is currently Certified Fresh^® on Rotten Tomatoes^® at 100%.^**** The MRC Television and Civic Center Media series, which has been renewed for a third season, has garnered notable awards recognition since its debut in 2020, including multiple Emmy^®, SAG Award, Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globe^® nominations.“THE GREAT” has also been nominated for four Writers Guild Awards, with Tony McNamara winning for Episodic Comedy in 2021.

“THE GREAT” is created, written and executive produced by McNamara and executive produced by Marian Macgowan, Mark Winemaker, Elle Fanning, Nicholas Hoult, Echo Lake’s Brittany Kahan Ward, Doug Mankoff and Andrew Spaulding, Thruline’s Josh Kesselman and Ron West, and Matt Shakman.  The project is produced by Civic Center Media in association with MRC Television

Nightmare Alley will debut on all major digital platforms March 8 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on March 22.

“NIGHTMARE ALLEY IS ALL AROUND BRILLIANCE”

– Jazz Tangcay, Variety

 

Academy Award® Best Picture Nominee Nightmare Alley Appears on
Digital March 8 and 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD on March 22

LOS ANGELES, CA (February 10, 2022) – From the imaginative filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and Searchlight Pictures arrives an electrifying film noir, Nightmare Alley. Available on Digital March 8 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on March 22.

The suspenseful psychological thriller is nominated for 4 Academy Awards® including Best Picture, 8 Critics’ Choice Awards, a Screen Actors’ Guild Award for Supporting Actress for Cate Blanchett, and BAFTA, SDSA, MPSE, ADG, CDG, VES, and WGA Awards.

Film Synopsis
When charismatic but down-on-his-luckStanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) endears himself to clairvoyant Zeena (Toni Collette) and her has-been mentalist husband Pete (David Strathairn) at a traveling carnival, he crafts a golden ticket to success, using this newly acquired knowledge to grift the wealthy elite of 1940s New York society. With the virtuous Molly (Rooney Mara) loyally by his side, Stanton plots to con a dangerous tycoon (Richard Jenkins) with the aid of a mysterious psychiatrist (Cate Blanchett) who might be his most formidable opponent yet.

Del Toro co-wrote the enthralling film with Kim Morgan, based on William Lindsay Gresham’s novel.

Bonus Features*

• Del Toro’s Neo Noir – Writer-director Guillermo del Toro and his standout cast decipher the dark, complicated world of Nightmare Alley. The filmmaker reveals how his take on noir is rooted in classic cinema but offers an accessible, modern narrative.
• Beneath the Tarp – Production designer Tamara Deverell and her talented team skillfully delivered both a decaying traveling carnival world and a gilded Art Deco high society with striking visuals. We explore how this design supported del Toro’s genre-bending filmmaking.
• What Exists in the Fringe – Costume designer Luis Sequeira unravels his collaboration with Guillermo del Toro and reveals the symbolism that’s constantly at play in the film’s carefully crafted wardrobe’s design.

*bonus features vary by product and retailer

Cast
Bradley Cooper as Stanton Carlisle
Cate Blanchett as Doctor Lilith Ritter
Toni Collette as Zeena Krumbein
Willem Dafoe as Clem Hoatley
Richard Jenkins as Ezra Grindle
Rooney Mara as Molly Cahill
Ron Perlman as Bruno
Mary Steenburgen as Felicia Kimball
David Strathairn as Pete Krumbein
    
Directed by
Guillermo del Toro

Produced by
Guillermo del Toro, p.g.a.
J. Miles Dale, p.g.a.
Bradley Cooper, p.g.a.
            
Screenplay by
Guillermo del Toro
& Kim Morgan
    
Music by
Nathan Johnson

Based on the book by
William Lindsay Gresham

Product Specifications
U.S. Street Date
Digital: March 8
Physical: March 22

Product SKUs
Digital: 4K UHD, HD, SD
Physical: 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack (4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital Code), Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + Digital Code) & DVD

Feature Run Time
Approx. 150 minutes

Rating
U.S. Rated R
*Rated R for sequences of strong/bloody violence, language, and some sexual material.

Aspect Ratio
Digital: 1.85:1
Physical: 1.85:1

U.S. Audio
4K Ultra HD: English Dolby Atmos, English AD 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
Blu-ray: English 5.1 DTS-HDMA, English AD 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
DVD: English 5.1 Dolby, English AD 2.0 Dolby, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital
Digital: English ATMOS (UHD only, some platforms), 2.0 AD Dolby (some platforms), French & Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital

U.S. Subtitles
4K Ultra HD: English SDH, Spanish, French
Blu-ray: English SDH, Spanish, French
DVD: English SDH, Spanish, French
Digital: English SDH, Spanish, French (some platforms)

"FUTURAMA" LANDS FUTURE AT HULU WITH NEW EPISODES

LOS ANGELES (February 9^th, 2022)– The future is looking bright for Fry, Leela and Bender at Hulu.  20th Television Animation and Hulu announced today the return of Matt Groening and David X. Cohen's brilliantly subversive animated sci-fi comedy, FUTURAMA.  The announcement was made today by Craig Erwich, President, Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment and 20^th Television Animation Head Marci Proietto.  The order is for 20 new episodes and the series will go into production in February, with a 2023 premiere.  The show’s returning voice cast includes stars Billy West, Katey Sagal, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr and David Herman.

 

“I’m thrilled to have another chance to think about the future… or really anything other than the present,” said David X. Cohen.

 

“It’s a true honor to announce the triumphant return of Futurama one more time before we get canceled abruptly again,” commented Matt Groening.  

 

“When presented with the opportunity to bring fans and viewers new episodes of Futurama, we couldn’t wait to dive in. This iconic series helped blaze the trail for the success of adult animation since its initial launch and we look forward to Matt & David continuing to pave the way and further establishing Hulu as the premiere destination for fans of the genre,” said Craig Erwich, President, Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment.

 

“What I love about animation is that it’s possible for a successful show to take a pause and then resume years later, even on a different platform, and pick up right where it left off. Futurama is one of those shows. The excitement from Hulu about returning Matt and David’s genius creation for all-new episodes has been off the charts. I’m thrilled that this incredible team will get to tell more stories, and that our Planet Express crew will have more adventures together. It’s a win for the fans who have loved the show since the beginning, and for the ones who will now discover it for the very first time,” commented Marci Proietto, Head of 20^th Television Animation.

 

First airing on FOX from 1999-2003, FUTURAMA was brought back in 2007 with four direct-to-DVD movies that subsequently aired as 30-minute episodes on COMEDY CENTRAL.  Based on their success, COMEDY CENTRAL ordered new seasons of the series which made a triumphant return to television in June 2010.  FUTURAMA is only the second series in the history of the medium to go back into production based on the strength of its DVD sales and repeat airings on cable.   Over the course of its storied run, FUTURAMA earned six Emmy^® Awards--including two Outstanding Animated Program, seven Annie Awards, two Environmental Media Awards and two Writer’s Guild of America Awards. Over its seven seasons spanning two decades, 140 original episodes were produced, with the then-final episode airing on September 4, 2013.  

 

FUTURAMA focuses on the life of Philip Fry (Billy West), a 25-year-old pizza delivery boy who accidentally freezes himself on December 31, 1999 and wakes up 1,000 years later with a fresh start at life and a "diverse" new group of friends including Leela (Katey Sagal), a tough but lovely one-eyed alien and Bender, a robot who possesses human characteristics and flaws.  

 

FUTURAMA, created by Matt Groening and developed by Groening and David X. Cohen, is produced 20^thTelevision Animation a part of Disney Television Studios, with Rough Draft Studios, Inc. contributing the animation.

 

The Long-Awaited Sequel to the Smash Hit Coming To America Debuts on Blu-ray™

Arriving March 8, 2022, Brand-New Disc Includes Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Footage and Director Commentary

 

 

The highly anticipated follow-up to the beloved classic Coming To America makes its Blu-ray and DVD debut when COMING 2 AMERICA arrives March 8, 2022 from Paramount Home Entertainment.

 

Akeem and Semmi are back for a brand-new, hilarious adventure!  In COMING 2 AMERICA, newly crowned King Akeem (Eddie Murphy) and his trusted confidante Semmi (Arsenio Hall) traverse the globe from their great African nation of Zamunda to the borough of Queens, New York when Akeem learns he has a long-lost son in the United States.  In addition to Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall, the outrageously entertaining film features an incredible cast including James Earl Jones, John Amos, Louie Anderson, Shari Headley, Wesley Snipes, Tracy Morgan, and Leslie Jones.

 

The COMING 2 AMERICA Blu-ray includes commentary by director Craig Brewer (Dolemite Is My Name, “Empire”) and an exclusive featurette entitled “From Queens to Zamunda,” which includes never-before-seen footage and interviews.

 

The COMING 2 AMERICA DVD includes the feature film in standard definition.

Learn How to Overcome Introverted Tendencies and Thrive in the Workplace

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Learn How to Overcome Introverted Tendencies and Thrive in the Workplace

Courtenay, British Columbia/New York, NY, Feb. 8, 2022 — To thrive in any industry where success hinges heavily on the ability to build relationships, business professionals must know how to navigate large networking events, start conversations, cultivate connections and grow their reach — all of which can sound overwhelming, if not impossible, for those who are shy or introverted. 

Despite struggling with crippling shyness for most of her life, Monica Parkin is a successful entrepreneur and keynote speaker who has a wide circle of friends and business associates. How did a self-described socially awkward introvert become such a people person? 

“Well, the answer is that you can evolve,” Parkin says. “I was making myself crazy with all the social cues I did not understand and wondered why this comes so naturally to some people but was so impossibly hard for me. Today, I love the opportunity to go to events, meet people, hear people's stories and build relationships. I can have the best of both worlds now, and so can you.” 

To help others overcome anxiety in both their professional and personal lives, Parkin shares her refreshingly relatable, actionable approach in her ground-breaking new book, Overcoming Awkward: The Introvert’s Guide to Networking, Marketing, and Sales. 

Part memoir, part instruction guide, Overcoming Awkward reveals Parkin’s private struggles, shared with candid honesty and vulnerability. Her “one step at a time” approach, punctuated with personal anecdotes and humor, is easy to follow and implement. 

In Overcoming Awkward, readers will learn:
- How to overcome social fears; 
- How to build relationships effortlessly; 
- Effective social media marketing;
- How to sow seeds for organic growth;
- How to win over angry clients;
- How to expand their comfort zone;
- The value of expert mentorship;
- And so much more.

“This is the definitive guide you've been waiting for,” Parkin adds. “Gone is the advice to introverts that they must learn to take on a persona that is light years away from who they really are. You will finally be free to just be you and will discover that your vibe attracts your tribe.”

Monica Parkin is a licensed mortgage broker and successful serial entrepreneur. She is an award-winning international speaker and the host of the Juggling without Balls podcast. She is also a self-professed introvert and crazy goat lady who lives on a small farm with an assortment of furry creatures. She loves to hear feedback from readers and looks forward to opportunities to speak on topics that empower others to feel more connected, confident and successful. 

For more information, please visit https://www.monicaparkin.ca/. 

Overcoming Awkward: The Introvert's Guide to Networking, Marketing, and Sales 
ISBN-13: ‎ 979-8773835998 
Available from Amazon.com, BN.com and Goodreads

OSCAR NOMINATIONS 2022 BY CATEGORY - 94th AWARDS

OSCAR NOMINATIONS 2022 BY CATEGORY - 94th AWARDS

Best Picture

BELFAST
Laura Berwick, Kenneth Branagh, Becca Kovacik and Tamar Thomas, Producers

CODA
Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi and Patrick Wachsberger, Producers

DON'T LOOK UP
Adam McKay and Kevin Messick, Producers

DRIVE MY CAR
Teruhisa Yamamoto, Producer

DUNE
Mary Parent, Denis Villeneuve and Cale Boyter, Producers

KING RICHARD
Tim White, Trevor White and Will Smith, Producers

LICORICE PIZZA
Sara Murphy, Adam Somner and Paul Thomas Anderson, Producers

NIGHTMARE ALLEY
Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale and Bradley Cooper, Producers

THE POWER OF THE DOG
Jane Campion, Tanya Seghatchian, Emile Sherman, Iain Canning and Roger Frappier, Producers

WEST SIDE STORY
Steven Spielberg and Kristie Macosko Krieger, Producers

Actor in a Leading Role

Javier Bardem in BEING THE RICARDOS

Benedict Cumberbatch in THE POWER OF THE DOG

Andrew Garfield in TICK, TICK...BOOM!

Will Smith in KING RICHARD

Denzel Washington in THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH

Actor in a Supporting Role

Ciarán Hinds in BELFAST

Troy Kotsur in CODA

Jesse Plemons in THE POWER OF THE DOG

J.K. Simmons in BEING THE RICARDOS

Kodi Smit-McPhee in THE POWER OF THE DOG

Actress in a Leading Role

Jessica Chastain in THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE

Olivia Colman in THE LOST DAUGHTER

Penélope Cruz in PARALLEL MOTHERS

Nicole Kidman in BEING THE RICARDOS

Kristen Stewart in SPENCER

Actress in a Supporting Role

Jessie Buckley in THE LOST DAUGHTER

Ariana DeBose in WEST SIDE STORY

Judi Dench in BELFAST

Kirsten Dunst in THE POWER OF THE DOG

Aunjanue Ellis in KING RICHARD

Animated Feature Film

ENCANTO
Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Yvett Merino and Clark Spencer

FLEE
Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Monica Hellström, Signe Byrge Sørensen and Charlotte De La Gournerie

LUCA
Enrico Casarosa and Andrea Warren

THE MITCHELLS VS. THE MACHINES
Mike Rianda, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Kurt Albrecht

RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON
Don Hall, Carlos López Estrada, Osnat Shurer and Peter Del Vecho

Cinematography

DUNE
Greig Fraser

NIGHTMARE ALLEY
Dan Laustsen

THE POWER OF THE DOG
Ari Wegner

THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH
Bruno Delbonnel

WEST SIDE STORY
Janusz Kaminski

Costume Design

CRUELLA
Jenny Beavan

CYRANO
Massimo Cantini Parrini and Jacqueline Durran

DUNE
Jacqueline West and Robert Morgan

NIGHTMARE ALLEY
Luis Sequeira

WEST SIDE STORY
Paul Tazewell

Directing

BELFAST
Kenneth Branagh

DRIVE MY CAR
Ryusuke Hamaguchi

LICORICE PIZZA
Paul Thomas Anderson

THE POWER OF THE DOG
Jane Campion

WEST SIDE STORY
Steven Spielberg

Documentary (Feature)

ASCENSION
Jessica Kingdon, Kira Simon-Kennedy and Nathan Truesdell

ATTICA
Stanley Nelson and Traci A. Curry

FLEE
Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Monica Hellström, Signe Byrge Sørensen and Charlotte De La Gournerie

SUMMER OF SOUL (...OR, WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT BE TELEVISED)
Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, Joseph Patel, Robert Fyvolent and David Dinerstein

WRITING WITH FIRE
Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh

Documentary (Short Subject)

AUDIBLE
Matt Ogens and Geoff McLean

LEAD ME HOME
Pedro Kos and Jon Shenk

THE QUEEN OF BASKETBALL
Ben Proudfoot

THREE SONGS FOR BENAZIR
Elizabeth Mirzaei and Gulistan Mirzaei

WHEN WE WERE BULLIES
Jay Rosenblatt

Film Editing

DON'T LOOK UP
Hank Corwin

DUNE
Joe Walker

KING RICHARD
Pamela Martin

THE POWER OF THE DOG
Peter Sciberras

TICK, TICK...BOOM!
Myron Kerstein and Andrew Weisblum

International Feature Film

DRIVE MY CAR
Japan

FLEE
Denmark

THE HAND OF GOD
Italy

LUNANA: A YAK IN THE CLASSROOM
Bhutan

THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD
Norway

Makeup and Hairstyling

COMING 2 AMERICA
Mike Marino, Stacey Morris and Carla Farmer

CRUELLA
Nadia Stacey, Naomi Donne and Julia Vernon

DUNE
Donald Mowat, Love Larson and Eva von Bahr

THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE
Linda Dowds, Stephanie Ingram and Justin Raleigh

HOUSE OF GUCCI
Göran Lundström, Anna Carin Lock and Frederic Aspiras

Music (Original Score)

DON'T LOOK UP
Nicholas Britell

DUNE
Hans Zimmer

ENCANTO
Germaine Franco

PARALLEL MOTHERS
Alberto Iglesias

THE POWER OF THE DOG
Jonny Greenwood

Music (Original Song)

"Be Alive" from KING RICHARD
Music and Lyric by DIXSON and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter

"Dos Oruguitas" from ENCANTO
Music and Lyric by Lin-Manuel Miranda

"Down To Joy" from BELFAST
Music and Lyric by Van Morrison

"No Time To Die" from NO TIME TO DIE
Music and Lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell

"Somehow You Do" from FOUR GOOD DAYS
Music and Lyric by Diane Warren

Production Design

DUNE
Production Design: Patrice Vermette; Set Decoration: Zsuzsanna Sipos

NIGHTMARE ALLEY
Production Design: Tamara Deverell; Set Decoration: Shane Vieau

THE POWER OF THE DOG
Production Design: Grant Major; Set Decoration: Amber Richards

THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH
Production Design: Stefan Dechant; Set Decoration: Nancy Haigh

WEST SIDE STORY
Production Design: Adam Stockhausen; Set Decoration: Rena DeAngelo

Short Film (Animated)

AFFAIRS OF THE ART
Joanna Quinn and Les Mills

BESTIA
Hugo Covarrubias and Tevo Díaz

BOXBALLET
Anton Dyakov

ROBIN ROBIN
Dan Ojari and Mikey Please

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER
Alberto Mielgo and Leo Sanchez

Short Film (Live Action)

ALA KACHUU - TAKE AND RUN
Maria Brendle and Nadine Lüchinger

THE DRESS
Tadeusz Łysiak and Maciej Ślesicki

THE LONG GOODBYE
Aneil Karia and Riz Ahmed

ON MY MIND
Martin Strange-Hansen and Kim Magnusson

PLEASE HOLD
K.D. Dávila and Levin Menekse

Sound

BELFAST
Denise Yarde, Simon Chase, James Mather and Niv Adiri

DUNE
Mac Ruth, Mark Mangini, Theo Green, Doug Hemphill and Ron Bartlett

NO TIME TO DIE
Simon Hayes, Oliver Tarney, James Harrison, Paul Massey and Mark Taylor

THE POWER OF THE DOG
Richard Flynn, Robert Mackenzie and Tara Webb

WEST SIDE STORY
Tod A. Maitland, Gary Rydstrom, Brian Chumney, Andy Nelson and Shawn Murphy

Visual Effects

DUNE
Paul Lambert, Tristan Myles, Brian Connor and Gerd Nefzer

FREE GUY
Swen Gillberg, Bryan Grill, Nikos Kalaitzidis and Dan Sudick

NO TIME TO DIE
Charlie Noble, Joel Green, Jonathan Fawkner and Chris Corbould

SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS
Christopher Townsend, Joe Farrell, Sean Noel Walker and Dan Oliver

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME
Kelly Port, Chris Waegner, Scott Edelstein and Dan Sudick

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

CODA
Screenplay by Siân Heder

DRIVE MY CAR
Screenplay by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Takamasa Oe

DUNE
Screenplay by Jon Spaihts and Denis Villeneuve and Eric Roth

THE LOST DAUGHTER
Written by Maggie Gyllenhaal

THE POWER OF THE DOG
Written by Jane Campion

Writing (Original Screenplay)

BELFAST
Written by Kenneth Branagh

DON'T LOOK UP
Screenplay by Adam McKay; Story by Adam McKay & David Sirota

KING RICHARD
Written by Zach Baylin

LICORICE PIZZA
Written by Paul Thomas Anderson

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The Followers By Radhia Gleis Book Review

Title: The Followers

Author: Radha Gleis

Publisher: Sage Card Publishing

Genre: Non Fiction - Cults/Mind Control Religion/Politics

Pages: 426 Pages

Edition: First Edition - Paperback

ISBN#: 978-1-7371258-0-9

Reviewer: Mark A. Rivera

The late Science Fiction Author Frank Herbert was inspired to write Dune because he wanted to warn people about the dangers of unquestionably following charismatic leaders. He joking said his favorite President was Richard Nixon because he taught Americans to distrust their government and he did so by example. The reference to Herbert is actually relevant to Radha Gleis’ Pencraft Award Winning Book for Literary Excellence entitled The Followers. Ms. Gleis’ book an account of her time in a cult and how she got out of it as well as a examination of how cults parallel the cultural mania of contemporary America. I think the book is an excellent resource as both a reference and a textbook of sorts. I certainly believe it should be read by anyone and everyone because we live in a world where critical thinking skills are not encouraged and more often than not we are all blind followers from one time or another based on the innate need to belong to something larger than ourselves and to feel special. We look outward when we should look inward, which is not always easy because who doesn’t have a memory or feeling that we may feel guilt or shame for and yet if the only salvation comes from within then how could we expect to find answers in others if we can’t find them within ourselves?

With a sense of humor Ms. Gleis chronicles her personal experiences and compares them to the various group think mentality that has our country divided and ultimately as long as we are satiated with bread and circuses and gossip that has nothing to do with most people’s personal lives then we will forever be in our own way. It is like watching a soap opera or “reality program” and forgetting life is not a dress rehearsal. So many people cannot tell the difference between fantasy and reality because at one point or another, we walk around like we are the stars of our own sitcom, drama or internet series and that is why I purposely limit what I watch on my free time because to quote The Empire Strikes Back, “Do or do not. There is no try.” If you can’t help yourself or refuse to then how can you expect others. 

When reading The Followers do not get caught up in the left and right paradigm that may make some stop reading because it is too this or that. Instead follow your heart and intuition because a full glass cannot hold any new water. The Followers by Radhia Gleis is available now at book sellers on and offline in both soft or hardcover editions as well as on audible and kindle digitally courtesy of Sage Card Publishing.

(C) Copyright 2022 By Mark A. Rivera

All Rights Reserved.