I say "tomato" and you say...that's a pineapple you son of a bitch! That's pretty much where the country is at when it comes to anything these days. In an age where your political leanings may influence whether you see the sky as blue or not, there is one thing that most people on the "right" and "left" can agree on: "Cats" was terrible.

If movies are a reflection of our society, one "side" claims to see themselves reflected much less often these days. As the Academy Awards continue to see their viewership dwindle over the years (this year's 23 million viewers is the lowest in the show's history...a trend that is affecting all awards shows, not just this one), there are cries from the "right" that her fair lady Oscar - and Hollywood as a whole - are more disconnected from reality than ever. The opposing view of course, is that there is never been a more dire time in our nation's history, and that it's the DUTY of anyone with a platform of any kind to try to affect change, for the betterment of us all.

But one thing is true: Bitching about the Academy Awards is as American as apple pie, and has been a commonality in our country long before people were wearing red mesh or pink knit hats. For anyone that knows me, they know that the Oscars telecast is my favorite day of the year...it's a time for celebration of all things movies, and it's the clearest night to see all of the shiniest stars. I've been ridiculed (I want the Oscars to be LONGER, not shorter) and I've vehemently defended keeping the technical categories as part of the show...these categories, after all, are what made me aware of what movie-making is all about in the first place.

When I asked the newest Movie Show Plus contributor, Pedro Schwarzenegger (yes, that's his real name), to participate in a friendly debate about the Oscars, the reason was thrice-fold: One, he's one of the best writers and critics out there that you need to pay attention to, if you aren't already. Two, I knew that he had...shall we say..."strong feelings" about what the Oscars have become over the course of the past few decades. And Three, I know we have different overall tastes, like how he liked Liam's Neeson's "The Grey" and how I can feel his side-eye whenever I gush publicly about "La La Land."

​The idea was pitched as a friendly debate.

And of course, it was friendly. But as you'll see below, the conversation opened up in directions that I hadn't expected. Not to speak for Pedro (Pedro is the only one who speaks for Pedro), but I think we both came away with an absolutely MIRACULOUS discovery:  That we - two dudes perhaps on the opposite end of the political spectrum and definitely on opposite ends of the Oscars spectrum - have much, much in common than we have differences.

In other words, Pedro and I are a model of what civility should look like, and we hope that you can learn from us that starting a dialogue is the most effective medicine to heal this country's deep wounds.

You're welcome, America.

With that, I give you the epic Oscar-showdown:  Santilli v. Schwarzenegger.

​Click the following link for the full list of this year's Oscar Nominees!
http://www.axs.com/2017-oscar-nominations-the-complete-list-113525

The Detroit Film Critics Society is pleased to announce the BEST OF 2016 winners in ten categories. The society was founded in Spring 2007 and consists of a group of 17 Michigan film critics who write or broadcast in the Detroit area as well as other major cities within a 150-mile radius of the city including Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Flint, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio. 
 
This year, there are two winners in Best Supporting Actress due to a tie, Viola Davis for FENCES and Greta Gerwig for 20th CENTURY WOMEN share that honor.  Also three categories, Best Actress, Best Breakthrough and Best Documentary, had six nominations due to ties.  MANCHESTER BY THE SEA received the most nominations (eight) and picked up one win for Casey Affleck as Best Actor.  Other top nominees include MOONLIGHT with six nominations and HELL OR HIGH WATER with five nominations and one win for Jeff Bridges as Best Supporting Actor.   20th CENTURY WOMEN had four nominations with two wins – all in acting categories. The big winner is LA LA LAND with five nominations and four winners – Best Picture, Director, Actress, and Screenplay.  See full results below by clicking READ MORE.
 

Today the Detroit Film Critics Society announced their official Nominations for 2016!  Winners will be announced on Monday, December 19th.

Here are the nominees in each of the ten categories:

 
1.  BEST PICTURE

• THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN
• HELL OR HIGH WATER

• MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
• MOONLIGHT
• LA LA LAND

 
2.  BEST DIRECTOR

• DAMIEN CHAZELLE – LA LA LAND

• BARRY JENKINS - MOONLIGHT
• KENNETH LONERGAN – MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
• DAVID MACKENZIE – HELL OR HIGH WATER
• DENZEL WASHINGTON - FENCES

 
3.  BEST ACTOR

• CASEY AFFLECK – MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
• JOEL EDGERTON - LOVING
• ANDREW GARFIELD – HACKSAW RIDGE
• RYAN GOSLING – LA LA LAND
• DENZEL WASHINGTON - FENCES

 
4.  BEST ACTRESS

• AMY ADAMS - ARRIVAL
• ANNETTE BENING – 20TH CENTURY WOMEN
• REBECCA HALL - CHRISTINE
• RUTH NEGGA – LOVING
• NATALIE PORTMAN - JACKIE

• EMMA STONE – LA LA LAND

 
5.  BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

• MAHERSHALA ALI - MOONLIGHT
• JEFF BRIDGES – HELL OR HIGH WATER
• ALDEN EHRENREICH – HAIL, CAESAR!
• RALPH FIENNES – A BIGGER SPLASH
• LUCAS HEDGES – MANCHESTER BY THE SEA

 
6.  BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

• VIOLA DAVIS - FENCES
• ELLE FANNING – 20TH CENTURY WOMEN
• GRETA GERWIG – 20TH CENTURY WOMEN
• FELICITY JONES – A MONSTER CALLS
• MICHELLE WILLIAMS – MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
  
  

7.  BEST ENSEMBLE

• 20TH CENTURY WOMEN
• EVERYBODY WANTS SOME!!

• HELL OR HIGH WATER
• MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
• MOONLIGHT

 
8.  BEST BREAKTHROUGH

• MAHERSHALA ALI – MOONLIGHT, HIDDEN FIGURES - ACTOR
• KELLY FREMON CRAIG – EDGE OF SEVENTEEN – DIRECTOR/WRITER
• LUCAS HEDGES – MANCHESTER BY THE SEA - ACTOR
• BARRY JENKINS – MOONLIGHT – DIRECTOR/WRITER
• TREVANTE RHODES – MOONLIGHT - ACTOR
• TREY EDWARD SHULTS – KRISHA – DIRECTOR/WRITER

 
9.  BEST SCREENPLAY

• DAMIEN CHAZELLE – LA LA LAND
• ERIC HEISSERER - ARRIVAL
• BARRY JENKINS – MOONLIGHT
• KENNETH LONERGAN – MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
• TAYLOR SHERIDAN – HELL OR HIGH WATER

 
10.  BEST DOCUMENTARY

• 13TH
• GLEASON
• LIFE, ANIMATED
• O.J.: MADE IN AMERICA
• TICKLED
• WEINER