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This one goes out to all those who were children in the early aughts convinced that Spy Kids was the pinnacle of cinema. Your loyalty has been rewarded! Robert Rodriguez's beloved action comedy has been added to the National Film Registry. On Monday, the Library of Congress announced the...

We are just past the 40th anniversary of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. It's been now 42 years since the film came out and captivated audiences everywhere. It brought back an iconic Star Trek villain in Khan Noonien Singh and showcased one of the most impressive hero/villain dynamics in franchise history with Khan and James T. Kirk.

The performances of Ricardo Montalban and William Shatner captivated a generation and so much of the modern Star Trek trend follows the model that Wrath of Khan created. Even after 42 years the fans still flock to the film. In many ways, it's the touchtone of Star Trek's creativity.

This is why it was picked, alongside 24 other films, to be added to the National Film Registry for Preservation. The selections for the class of 2024 range from 1895's "Annabelle Serpentine Dance all the way to 2010's The Social Network. And no, the '1895' wasn't a typo.

As the year comes to a close, The National Film Preservation Board has announced which 25 films will be entering The Library of Congress this year. Since Congress passed the National Film Preservation Act in 1988, which established the National Film Preservation Board of the Library of Congress, 25 films from a wide range of times and genres are carefully considered each year for entry into the Library of Congress. These films are deemed culturally or historically significant and will be conserved by the Library, which will make them more available to the American public.

This year, the Board has chosen, as they often set out to do, a wide range of films to join the 900 other preserved films of history, from the genre-breaking 1974 horror film The Texas Chain Saw Massacre to David Fincher’s modern masterpiece The Social Network. While additions like the 1953 sci-fi classic Invaders from Mars and the Cohen brothers'...

25 films join the National Film Registry in 2024 (Photo courtesy of Library of Congress)

The 25 new additions to the Library of Congress National Film Registry include Texas Chainsaw Massacre (the original), Dirty Dancing, Beverly Hills Cop, The Social Network, and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. The 2024 honorees represent nearly every genre and were selected for their “cultural, historic, or aesthetic importance to preserve the nation’s film heritage.”

“Films reflect our nation’s history and culture and must be preserved in our national library for generations to come. We’re honored by the responsibility to add 25 diverse new films to the National Film Registry each year as we work to preserve our cultural heritage,” stated Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. “This is a collective effort in the film community to preserve our cinematic heritage, and we are grateful to our partners, including the National Film Preservation Board.”

The 2024 selection...

The Library of Congress is back to share one of the most-anticipated lists of the year: its selection of movies that will be placed in the National Film Registry for preservation.

This year’s collection of movies that the United States National Film Preservation Board has deemed as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” span from 1895 to 2010, with the public nominating more than 6,700 titles for consideration. Among the highlights are Beverly Hills Cop (1984), Dirty Dancing (1987), Spy Kids (2001), No Country for Old Men (2007), and the newest film added to the registry, David Fincher’s social media drama The Social Network (2010).

“Films reflect our nation’s history and culture and must be preserved in our national library for generations to come. We’re honored by the responsibility to add 25 diverse new films to the National Film Registry each year as we work to preserve our cultural heritage,” Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said in a statement.

The Library of Congress has added another selection of 25 movies to The National Film Registry. This year’s lineup includes gangster classics, horror essentials, landmark documentaries, and even Spy Kids.

Check out the full list of this year’s inductees into the National Film Registry:

Annabelle Serpentine Dance (1895)

KoKo’s Earth Control (1928)

Angels with Dirty Faces (1938)

Pride of the Yankees (1942)

Invaders from Mars (1953)

The Miracle Worker (1962)

The Chelsea Girls (1966)

Ganja and Hess (1973)

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

Uptown Saturday Night (1974)

Zora Lathan Student Films (1975-76)

Up in Smoke (1978)

Will (1981)

Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan (1982)

Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

Dirty Dancing (1987)

Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt (1989)

Powwow Highway (1989)

My Own Private Idaho (1991)

American Me (1992)

Mi Familia (1995)

Compensation (1999)

Spy Kids (2001)

No Country for Old Men (2007)

The Social Network (2010)

Notably, Wrath of Khan is the first Star Trek movie to be added, while The Social Network ranks as one of the most recent entries on the National Film Registry.

Nobody puts Baby in a corner, but the National Film Registry did just put “Dirty Dancing” on its 2024 list. The 1987 Patrick Swayze/Jennifer Grey classic was among the 25 films Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced this morning as being added to the Registry, which honors classic films worthy of preservation.

Trekkies’ hearts are rejoicing this morning, as well, because “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” is a new add to the list — making it the first “Trek” movie ever to join the Registry. And the theme of ’80s blockbusters continued with “Beverly Hills Cop” also making the cut. In a bit of shock that it wasn’t already on there before, Tobe Hooper’s “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,” one of the most acclaimed horror movies of all time, finally received recognition also.

Before this morning and its 25 additions, there were 900 films on the National Film Registry, which was...

David Fincher’s “The Social Network,” sci-fi classic “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” groundbreaking horror film “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” and Eddie Murphy’s “Beverly Hills Cop” are among the 25 films selected by the Library of Congress National Film Registry for 2024. These films will be added due to their cultural, historic or aesthetic importance to preserve the nation’s film heritage, and range from silent films to family features.

“The National Film Registry now includes 900 titles, and what’s remarkable to me is that every year when the board talks about films and their significance, we find new titles to consider,” TCM host and film historian Jacqueline Stewart said in a statement. “The wealth of American film history is sometimes rather overwhelming, and people often wonder: how do you recommend this film or that film? It’s through a lot of research, conversation and discussion, and it...

A new batch of classic films have made their way into the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry this week, including Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Bill Gunn’s Ganja & Hess!

The National Film Registry recognizes films that are of “cultural, historic or aesthetic importance which preserves the nation’s film heritage.”

Deadline reports that the new selections bring the number of feature titles in the registry to 900. The public submitted nominations of more than 6,700 titles for consideration this year for context.

The National Film Registry says of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, “Graphic, lurid and completely unapologetic in its brutality, ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ has since its debut in drive-ins and grindhouse theaters, become a cultural, generational and filmmaking touchstone. Filmed for a pittance and supposedly as difficult of a production as a film can be (beset with record heat and filthy locations), ‘Texas...

Since 1989, the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress has been accomplishing the important task of preserving films that “represent important cultural, artistic and historic achievements in filmmaking.” From films way back in 1897 all the way up to 2013, they’ve now reached 900 films that celebrate our heritage and encapsulate our film history.

Today they’ve unveiled their 2024 list, which includes David Fincher’s The Social Network, Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Coens’ No Country For Old Men, Andy Warhol and Paul Morrissey’s Chelsea Girls, Bill Gunn’s Ganja & Hess, Gus Van Sant’s My Own Private Idaho, and more.

“The National Film Registry is an essential American enterprise that officially recognizes the rich depth and variety, the eloquence and the real greatness of American cinema and the filmmakers who have created it, film by film,” said Scorsese.

Check out the list of this year’s additions below,...

David Fincher’s 2010 Facebook drama “The Social Network,” 1974’s indie horror classic “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey’s Catskills-set love affair “Dirty Dancing” have been selected for preservation by the National Film Registry.

The Librarian of Congress annually recognizes 25 motion pictures that are at least 10 years old and register as “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant. This year, more than 6,700 titles were submitted by the public for consideration.

Other titles added to the National Film Registry in 2024 include 1982’s sci-fi sequel “Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan,” Gus Van Sant’s 1991 drama “My Own Private Idaho” with River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves, 2001’s family adventure “Spy Kids” and the Coen brothers’ 2007 Western “No Country for Old Men,” as well as Eddie Murphy’s first feature film on the registry, 1984 action comedy “Beverly Hills Cop.”

This year’s selection brings the number of films in the registry...

Actor Wes Studi heard that director Michael Mann was putting together a little bank robbery picture called Heat. According to Wes Studi himself, he proactively called Michael Mann’s office to land the role of Detective Sammy Casals. His passion for the character and project led to his Last of the Mohicans director casting him again in another great role that allowed him to show off some range. This allowed Wes Studi to go beyond the “leather and feathers of period dramas” even though he excels in those too. He stole the show in Best Picture Dances with Wolves and his character didn’t even have a real name, the credits call him “Toughest Pawnee”. And he is probably the only actor who can get away with asking Daniel Day-Lewis to sign his autograph… with his left foot.

He has worked alongside some of the most talented artists in the...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is expanding its membership.

According to a press release, the organization that hands out Oscars each year at the Academy Awards has extended invitations to join the Academy to 398 artists and executives who have made notable contributions to the motion picture industry.

“The Academy is proud to welcome these artists and professionals into our membership. They represent extraordinary global talent across cinematic disciplines and have made a vital impact on the arts and sciences of motion pictures and on movie fans worldwide,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang in a joint statement.

Read More: The Academy Announces 2024 Oscars Date As Well As Submission Deadline

There are some big names and familiar faces among the invitees, including musicians Taylor Swift and David Byrne, and numerous actors, ranging from Selma Blair to Keke Palmer to “Elvis” Oscar nominee Austin Butler.

Those who accept will be only additions to Academy’s membership in 2023.

Vicky Krieps, Paul Mescal, Warner Bros Discovery head David Zaslav, Aftersun writer-director Charlotte Wells, She Said director Maria Schrader, and Kerry Condon are among 398 who have been invited to join the Academy.

Some 40% of the 2023 class identify as women, 34% belong to underrepresented ethnic/racial communities, and 52% are from 50 countries and territories outside the United States. There are 76 Oscar nominees including 22 winners among the invitees.

Those who accept the invitations will be the only additions to the Academy’s membership. Should they all accept, the total number of members...

“Everything Everywhere All At Once” Oscar winners Ke Huy Quan, Daniel Kwan, and Daniel Scheinert, recent acting nominees Austin Butler, Paul Mescal, and Stephanie Hsu, and bold-face names for the extremely online like Taylor Swift, Abel Tesfaye (a.k.a. The Weeknd), and Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav were among the 398 people announced as new members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Wednesday.

“The academy is proud to welcome these artists and professionals into our membership. They represent extraordinary global talent across cinematic disciplines and have made a vital impact on the arts and sciences of motion pictures and on movie fans worldwide,” said academy CEO Bill Kramer and academy president Janet Yang in a joint statement.

This year’s class of new members is heavy on 2022 breakouts, like the aforementioned Kwan and Scheinert – invitees in both the directors’ brand and the producers’ branch. In keeping with academy practice,...

The Academy has invited 398 artists across cinematic disciplines to join its membership, including Taylor Swift, Keke Palmer and this year’s Best Supporting Actor winner Ke Huy Quan.

“The Academy is proud to welcome these artists and professionals into our membership. They represent extraordinary global talent across cinematic disciplines and have made a vital impact on the arts and sciences of motion pictures and on movie fans worldwide,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang.

Also scoring invitations are actors Selma Blair, Austin Butler, Ram Charan, Kerry Condon, Bill Hader, Nicholas Hoult, Stephanie Hsu, Noémie Merlant, Paul Mescal, Nt Rama Rao Jr. and Paul Reiser, directors Joseph Kosinski, Maria Schrader and Michael Showalter, writers Josh Friedman, Kazuo Ishiguro and Charlotte Wells.

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” duo The Daniels (Credit: Getty Images)

Eight people were invited to join the Academy by multiple branches and must choose which...

Singer-songwriters Taylor Swift and David Byrne, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria, Everything Everywhere All at Once filmmakers Daniels (Kwan and Scheinert), Nobel Prize-winning writer Kazuo Ishiguro, former SXSW chief Janet Pierson, WME co-chairs Christian Muirhead and Richard Weitz, and actors including Selma Blair, Austin Butler, Bill Hader, Paul Mescal, Nicholas Hoult, Keke Palmer, Ke Huy Quan and Rrr stars Ram Charan and N.T. Rama Rao Jr. are among the 398 artists and executives from around the world who have been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences this year, the Oscar-dispensing organization announced Wednesday.

“The Academy is proud to welcome these artists and professionals into our membership,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang said in a statement. “They represent extraordinary global talent across cinematic disciplines and have made a vital impact on the arts and sciences of motion...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has released the names of its newest round of invitees, increasing the number of voting members past 10,000, should everyone accept.

With the addition of the 398 artists and executives that the Academy extended invitations to (totaling one more invite than last year), the Academy now boasts a membership that is 34 percent women, 18 percent from underrepresented ethnic and racial communities, and 20 percent from countries or territories outside of the United States. Though their invites have a rolling deadline, they must accept them and pay dues in order to vote for the Oscars and gain access to benefits like the Academy Screening Room.

Among the list of possible new members are, predictably, many of the filmmakers behind Best Picture winner “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” including Best Supporting Actor winner Ke Huy Quan, Best Supporting Actress nominee Stephanie Hsu, Best Film Editing winner Paul Rogers,...

It’s that time of year again — the break between Cannes and the fall festivals, when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences makes its membership invitations. The Oscars group said today that it has extended offers to 398 artists and execs — one more than last year — who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to motion pictures.

The list includes actors, directors, writers, producers, musicians, executives, artist reps, publicists and below-the-liners such as casting directors, cinematographers, costume designers, film editors, makeup artists and hairstylists, production designers and sound pros.

“The Academy is proud to welcome these artists and professionals into our membership,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said in a statement. “They represent extraordinary global talent across cinematic disciplines and have made a vital impact on the arts and sciences of motion pictures and on movie fans worldwide.”

As usual, the invitees include newly minted Oscar winners,...

Movies That Made Me veteran guest and screenwriter Dan Waters discusses his favorite year of cinema (1989) with Josh Olson and Joe Dante.

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

The Phantom Carriage (1921)

Love At First Bite (1979)

Hudson Hawk (1991)

Demolition Man (1993)

Heathers (1989)

Warlock (1989)

The Matrix (1999)

Johnny Mnemonic (1995)

Barry Lyndon (1975)

Jaws (1975)

Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

Nashville (1975)

Born On The Fourth Of July (1989)

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

Field Of Dreams (1989)

My Left Foot (1989)

Crimes And Misdemeanors (1989)

Do The Right Thing (1989)

Drugstore Cowboy (1989)

Sex Lies And Videotape (1989)

Easy Rider (1969)

Midnight Cowboy (1969)

The Wild Bunch (1969)

Apocalypse Now (1979)

All That Jazz (1979)

Hair (1979)

Alien (1979)

Fight Club (1999)

Office Space (1999)

Magnolia (1999)

The Sixth Sense (1999)

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

American Pie (1999)

The Iron Giant (1999)

All About My Mother (1999)

Being John Malkovich (1999)

The Breakfast Club (1985)

Pretty In Pink (1986)

Dr. Strangelove (1964)

Say Anything… (1989)

Miracle Mile (1989)

True Love (1989)

Powwow Highway (1989)

Lawrence Of Arabia (1962)

Southside With You...

Sterlin Harjo, co-creator of FX’s Reservation Dogs, discusses a few of his favorite movies with hosts Josh Olson and Joe Dante.

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

Mekko (2015)

Boy (2010)

Cool Hand Luke (1967) – Larry Karaszewski’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings

Being There (1979) – Alan Spencer’s trailer commentary, Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review

The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary

A Woman Under The Influence (1974)

Husbands (1970) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

Stand By Me (1986)

Hamburger: The Motion Picture (1986)

This Is Spinal Tap (1984) – John Landis’s trailer commentary

The Princess Bride (1987) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

Friday (1995)

One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) – Adam Rifkin’s trailer commentary

Dead Man (1995)

Powwow Highway (1989)

Airplane! (1980) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

Ghost Dog: Way Of The Samurai (1999)

Stalker (1979) – Glenn Erickson’s Criterion Blu-ray review

Come And See (1985) – Larry Karaszewski’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Criterion Blu-ray review

A Clockwork Orange...

There is a Native film from 1989 about a road trip called “Powwow Highway” starring Gary Farmer and A Martinez. It’s a wonderful film that I enjoyed, and I highly recommend it to people who haven’t seen it. However, it wasn’t so much the movie that had a huge impact on me as it was a single performance that moved me. This performance has stayed with me to this day. I look at it when I need some inspiration and guidance for my work.

I was around 13 years old and living in a small town on an Indian reservation in the eastern part of Montana when I first saw “Powwow Highway.” I had rented the film at our local video store and had no idea what the movie was going to be about. I just knew that it had Indians in it and that was cool enough for me.

From Pig starring Nicolas Cage, Writer/Director Michael Sarnoski and Writer/Producer Vanessa Block join Josh and Joe to discuss the movies that inspired them during the creation of their film.

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

Nobody (2021)

Infested (2002)

The Big Chill (1983)

A History of Violence (2005)

Pig (2021)

Mandy (2018)

John Wick (2014)

The Testimony (2015)

No Country For Old Men (2007) [Both] – John Badham’s trailer commentary

The Maltese Falcon (1941) – John Landis’s trailer commentary

Blood Simple (1984) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Criterion Blu-ray review, Dennis Cozzaliio’s review

Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

Raising Arizona (1987)

Moonstruck (1987) – Glenn Erickson’s trailer commentary

Joe (2013)

Witness For The Prosecution (1957) [Vanessa Block] – Larry Cohen’s trailer commentary

Easter Parade (1948)

Titanic (1997)

Never Been Kissed (1999)

Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) – John Landis’s trailer commentary

McCabe and Mrs. Miller (1971) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Criterion Blu-ray review

The Crow (1994)

Jurassic Park (1993)

Midnight Cowboy (1969) [Michael Sarnoski] – Glenn Erickson’s Criterion...

Exclusive: Four have been added to the cast of the Michael Bay-directed action thriller Ambulance: Garret Dillahunt, A Martinez, Keir O’Donnell and Moses Ingram.

The four join current cast members Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Eiza Gonzalez in a feature that’s based off the original Danish Film Ambulancen. While the plot is being kept under wraps, the pic is expected to be in the spirit of such 1990s action pics Speed and Bad Boys. Chris Fedak wrote the original script. Bay, James Vanderbilt, Bradley Fischer, Will Sherak and Ian Bryce are producing. Michael Kase and Mark Moran will executive produce. Deadline first reported about the Bay project with Gyllenhaal in talks.

Universal is distributing the movie with Endeavor Content packaging of the project.

Dillahunt recently wrapped Zack Snyder’s upcoming Netflix film Army of the Dead and stars in AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead as a series regular.

Full Moon Features is heading back into the Lovecraftian cinematic universe with the new film Miskatonic U: The Resonator. Starring Michael Paré and Amanda Wyss, Miskatonic U: The Resonator will premiere on February 26th, and ahead of its release, we've been provided with exclusive behind-the-scenes photos to share with Daily Dead readers!

You can check out our exclusive behind-the-scenes photos in the gallery below, which offers a close look at makeup effects artist Greg Lightner's creature creations for the movie, and visit Full Moon Features for more updates on Miskatonic U: The Resonator!

Miskatonic U: The Resonator Synopsis:

Set in the fictional college campus “Miskatonic University” in Arkham, Massachusetts where all sorts of fantastic and unworldly events have been known to unfold in Lovecraft lore, Miskatonic U: The Resonator follows six gifted students as they navigate life after one of them, Crawford Tillinghast, builds a machine known as the...

Right now, in this galaxy… featuring Lloyd Kaufman, Brad Simpson, Gilbert Hernandez, Grant Moninger and Blaire Bercy.

Please support the Hollywood Food Coalition. Text “Give” to 323.402.5704 or visit https://hofoco.org/donate!

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

Mondo Keazunt (1955)

The Human Tornado (1976)

Gigot (1962)

The Hustler (1961)

How to Commit Marriage (1969)

The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)

Citizen Kane (1941)

Touch of Evil (1958)

The Last Man On Earth (1963)

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

The Omega Man (1971)

I Am Legend (2007)

Panic In Year Zero! (1962)

Dogtooth (2009)

The Entity (1983)

Shelf Life (1993)

The Killers (1964)

The Next Voice You Hear… (1950)

Donovan’s Brain (1953)

Talk About A Stranger (1952)

Julius Caesar (1950)

They Saved Hitler’s Brain (1968)

The Exterminating Angel (1962)

The Jerk (1979)

Kings Row (1942)

Santa Fe Trail (1940

Bedtime For Bonzo (1951)

The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter (19468)

Point Blank (1967)

House of Wax (1953)

Black Shampoo (1976)

A History Of Violence (2005)

Return To Oz (1985)

Death Wish 4: The Crackdown (1987)

The Anderson Tapes (1971)

Psycho (1960)

Two Evil Eyes (1990)

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three...

In today’s film news roundup, Kino Lorber has started a VOD platform, Tony Todd is starring in a horror-comedy, the Red Nation International Film Festival sets its lineup and ballet dancer Kirsten Bloom Allen starts a production company. VOD Distribution Arthouse distribution specialist Kino Lorber is launching VOD platform Kino Now with more than 600 new releases, classics and international films. Kino Now, announced Monday, will offer exclusive early access to new theatrical releases, festival hits and exclusive titles not available on other streaming platforms or not yet available on home video.

The platform will also include special “bundle” offerings of selected hard-to-find titles as well as collections from renowned filmmakers including international TV series such as “Deutschland 83” and “Bad Banks”; documentary series including Joseph Campbell’s “The Power of Myth”; auteur collections built around Jean-Luc Godard, Lina Wertmüller and Fritz Lang; and pioneers of cinema restorations of the...

The Academy announced today that its Board of Governors voted to present Honorary Awards to David Lynch, Wes Studi and Lina Wertm&#252ller, and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to Geena Davis. The four Oscar&#174 statuettes will be presented at the Academy's 11th Annual Governors Awards on Sunday, October 27, at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center&#174. Said Academy President John Bailey.

"These Governors Awards given by the Academy each year recognize individuals who have devoted themselves to a lifetime of artistic accomplishment and brought outstanding contributions to our industry, and beyond. It is with great pleasure that we announce this year's recipients."

Born in Missoula, Montana, in 1946, Lynch is a filmmaker, musician and artist. He wrote, produced and directed his first full-length feature film, Eraserhead, in 1977. With editing, scoring and sound design also led by Lynch, the film continues to draw a large cult following. Its success brought...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors voted Saturday, three months earlier than usual, to select their choices for the 11th annual Governors Awards. The Academy moved up the date for the Governors Awards from November 16 to Sunday, October 27. The nearly three-week jump backward reflects a similar shift for the February 9, 2020 Oscars.

The non-televised awards program always draws a number of Oscar contenders to the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood and Highland to celebrate the honorary Oscar winners as well as the occasional Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and Irving J. Thalberg Memorial Awards.

This year’s selection reflects the Academy’s current emphasis on diversity, as Oscar-nominated Italian director Lina Wertmüller (“Seven Beauties”) and Native American actor Wes Studi (“The Last of the Mohicans”) join long-overdue director David Lynch to accept Honorary Oscars. Oscar-winner Geena Davis (“The Accidental Tourist”) will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors voted Saturday, three months earlier than usual, to select their choices for the 11th annual Governors Awards. The Academy moved up the date for the Governors Awards from November 16 to Sunday, October 27. The nearly three-week jump backward reflects a similar shift for the February 9, 2020 Oscars.

The non-televised awards program always draws a number of Oscar contenders to the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood and Highland to celebrate the honorary Oscar winners as well as the occasional Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and Irving J. Thalberg Memorial Awards.

This year’s selection reflects the Academy’s current emphasis on diversity, as Oscar-nominated Italian director Lina Wertmüller (“Seven Beauties”) and Native American actor Wes Studi (“The Last of the Mohicans”) join long-overdue director David Lynch to accept Honorary Oscars. Oscar-winner Geena Davis (“The Accidental Tourist”) will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award...

Directors David Lynch and Lina Wertmüller and actors Geena Davis and Wes Studi have been named recipients of this year’s Governors Awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Academy announced on Monday.

Lynch, Wertmüller and Studi will receive honorary Oscars and Davis will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at a ceremony at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland on Oct. 27.

The Academy’s Board of Governors chose the recipients at a special meeting on Saturday, with the announcement delayed until AMPAS President John Bailey could reach all the recipients to tell them of the honor.

Also Read: 2019 Emmy Contenders, From Sophie Turner to Richard Madden (Exclusive Photos)

The four awards reflect the Academy’s recent push for a more international and diverse membership. Wertmüller followed Agnes Varda, Hayao Miyazaki and Jean-Luc Godard as non-American directors to win the award. Studi was awarded as a pioneering Native American actor,...

PARK CITY -- In the past, Sundance has presented such gloriously entertaining, off-center American Indian films as "Pow-Wow Highway" and "Smoke Signals". That tradition continues with this enchanting and decidedly idiosyncratic dramatic entrant, "Four Sheets to the Wind". A captivating crowd-pleaser here at Sundance, "Four Sheets" should be a strong contender for the audience award.

Framed with a playfully wise voice-over of an American Indian who has just died and requested his son, Cufe, to place his body in a pond rather than endure the hoopla of a modern funeral, "Four Sheets" ripples with a wise and playful flurry. The old man's death enlivens Cufe (Cody Lightning), pushing him to venture from his reservation comfort-zone. Reflecting on his father's death, Cufe senses that his life depends on his getting off the reservation: He realizes that his current life of roofing and drinking is itself no life at all.

Nonetheless, Cufe is no young man with a yearning wanderlust, and he is able to make this leap of life only because he has a sister, Miri (Tamara Podemski) in the big city -- Tulsa, no less. Cufe finds her enduring on the fringes, laboring at a menial job and partying with horny rednecks. Nonetheless, the new land is inspiring to Cufe, in part because he meets a likable and adventurous young Caucasian (Laura Bailey) who appreciates his low-key wisdom and beguiling charm.

In the best tradition of coming-of-age films, "Four Sheets" weaves a personal story that transcends any specific heritage or geographic setting. Although the narrative is culture specific, set in Oklahoma and centering on a young Seminole/Creek American, it translates to universal human truths.

The performances are richly subdued. Lightning's portrayal of Cufe is superb, capturing the young man's reserved strength -- something he never knew he had. Podemski's performance as his hard-drinking sister shows the young woman's fears and loneliness, while Bailey is captivating as Cufe's new big-city flame.

Under filmmaker Sterlin Harjo's firm but whimsical hand, "Four Sheets" enchants, in large part because of its talented technical team. In particular, Jeff Johnston's score is an inspired mix: His sounds pulsate with kick-ass serenity, splendidly in sync with Cufe's own inner rhythms.

FOUR SHEETS TO THE WIND

Indion Entertainment Group

Credits:

Screenwriter-director: Sterlin Harjo

Producers: Chad Burris, Ted Kroeber

Executive producer: Cheyenne Fletcher

Director of photography: Frederick Schroeder

Production designer: Carla Marie Rugg

Music: Jeff Johnston

Cast:

Cufe Smallhill: Cody Lightning

Cora Smallhill: Jeri Arredondo

Miri Smallhill: Tamara Podemski

Francie: Laura Bailey

Frankie Smallhill: Richard Ray Whitman

David: Christian Kane

Sonny: Mike Randleman

Running time -- 90 minutes

No MPAA rating...