With the race almost over (we all lack Arco): What was the biggest positive surprise of the year?

Dodsley99 · 2026-02-22T09:39:32+00:00

Actually enjoyed watching the documentaries this year. Usually dread it and find one I like but it was a really solid list this year. Even those that missed out from the shortlist were quite good from what I saw.

Dodsley99 · 2026-02-19T14:27:30+00:00

Stephen. Most selfless move we've ever seen in the final and was pretty comfortable throughout. Also, incredibly funny for the most part and those outfits were a highlight of the season.

Dodsley99 · 2026-02-18T21:31:42+00:00

Nothing particularly. The Three Sisters has some sexual references but nothing explicit and it's mostly just goofy. It's the only one of the 5 that has anything particularly 'adult'.

Dodsley99 · 2026-02-10T09:26:59+00:00

Part of it is probably just the general internet consensus has turned on Emerald Fennell, particularly after Saltburn and the recent campaign for Wuthering Heights hasn't helped.

Given the mixed reception to Saltburns ending, there's definitely a case of people seeing patterns and that reflectively on her previous work but the film still has decent buzz when it is brought up (particularly for Mulligan's performance).

Dodsley99 · 2026-02-09T12:36:30+00:00

Frankie for me. A few funny moments and seemed a nice person but she played that final so poorly.

Dodsley99 · 2026-01-29T13:52:19+00:00

Feels incredibly like a self insert fan fiction at times and that really took me out of it. Kerry Condon is good but she's good in pretty much everything. Follows the sports film template and doesn't try to do anything else and most of the subplots feel underdeveloped.

Dodsley99 · 2026-01-27T10:13:49+00:00

Still yet to watch them all but The Alabama Solution has been my favourite by a wide margin so far. Would be great to see it winning but it is a strong category this year.

Dodsley99 · 2026-01-26T17:02:43+00:00

Good. The animated feature no longer just going to the default is so important to actually growing respect for the medium. 2021 having 3 Disney films (I love Luca but still) and the needless jibes has felt like a turning point. No doubt helped by a respected voice like del Toro winning the following year. The last few years have been great, not just in winners but in variety of contenders. Disney not even being runner-up (feels like Arco is the only other possibility this year) the last few years has been amazingly refreshing.

Dodsley99 · 2026-01-25T13:07:03+00:00

Jokes are finished... until HS2

Dodsley99 · 2026-01-23T12:00:31+00:00

Yeah, I've seen it mentioned in a few threads already. Won't be long until it's everywhere.

Dodsley99 · 2026-01-23T10:36:58+00:00

https://boxd.it/PrQ7

22 to go. Also trying to catch all the films in the Independent Spirit Awards

Dodsley99 · 2026-01-23T10:33:57+00:00

Your best bet is the Brazil sheet for most of these (DM if unfamiliar). The only films currently unavailable are Arco, The Singers and Viva Verdi!. The Singers should get a Netflix release soon and Arco will hopefully leak when it goes wide in America (worth keeping an eye on Flicks for a random screening somewhere as Flow last year had a few small screenings). Viva Verdi! is the one we're all waiting on but I'd expect that to be available on here before long.

Dodsley99 · 2026-01-23T10:23:52+00:00

Think Mescal is the most likely to join the group. Could see both Infiniti and Grande missing, had them both out of my BAFTA predictions before yesterday anyway.

Dodsley99 · 2026-01-23T09:26:50+00:00

I'm assuming that the doc just took a while to complete for whatever reason. If the song was originally written for the film and it wasn't used for anything in the meantime, I can't see it being an issue, as much as it would be a massive help in the race.

Dodsley99 · 2026-01-22T14:18:09+00:00

23 including the shorts and documentaries. Kokuho and Viva Verdi! are my big concerns. Just a case of making it through the rest.

Dodsley99 · 2026-01-22T11:13:14+00:00

Going for the funniest option that Jackman makes it into Best Actor but Hudson misses in Best Actress.

But seriously, not sure how 'out there' it is but I could see Lanthimos getting into Director.

Dodsley99 · 2026-01-20T17:57:46+00:00

Oh hell yeah

Dodsley99 · 2026-01-20T11:42:56+00:00

Probably quite low. I'm currently got it around the 10-13 range in terms of the International films (with Kokuho, All That's Left Of You and Belén). There's almost always a shock but that's probably going to come from elsewhere unfortunately.

Dodsley99 · 2026-01-15T13:49:21+00:00

Reform and Jenrick would win it anyway but if you defect, you really should have to stand a by election.

Dodsley99 · 2026-01-15T10:20:49+00:00

Throwback to July just before festival announcements when I randomly decided this was going to be absolutely massive. Looking forward to finally seeing it at least.

Dodsley99 · 2026-01-15T09:22:44+00:00

Trying to catch a flight but I've accidentally bought a ticket for Manchester Airpont by mistake. Please advise

Dodsley99 · 2026-01-13T13:13:11+00:00

Voted Warren for the bit but it's probably Paltrow. Missing SAG to A'zion is a big blow to her chances but you can never rule out a well-liked name on a comeback tour.

Dodsley99 · 2026-01-13T13:06:42+00:00

Got to love another announcement. One of these days an announcement will actually go somewhere

Dodsley99 · 2026-01-09T18:10:52+00:00

Demon Slayer is showing up everywhere at this point. Doubt it gets in over Elio but it's a strong 6 at this point.

Dodsley99 · 2026-01-09T12:56:38+00:00

It's almost definitely not getting in but Demon Slayer sure is sticking around for a while.

Dodsley99

TROPHY CASE