No subway passenger would’ve deemed Daniel Penny guilty 40 years ago.
Job well done: Subway vigilantes can ride freely again
Four decades ago, the Subway Vigilante made headlines. At that time, no subway commuter would have condemned Marine Daniel Penny for the chokehold incident involving a dangerous individual who should have been behind bars. Where were the police? What about the Good Samaritans? Are we really supposed to allow someone to threaten innocent passengers just trying to enjoy their commute?
Attorney Barry Slotnick famously defended Bernie Goetz in a highly publicized case. The verdict then—and now—remains: well done.
Results are in: awards announced
It’s that time of year again—crabgrass awards are here. I haven’t felt this much anticipation since a Boy Scout in my seventh-grade gym class unexpectedly tried to grab me. I wouldn’t have minded back then, but he had no clue how to play jacks.
The National Board of Review, established in 1909, is the first awards body to announce winners. The ceremony is scheduled for January 7 at Cipriani 42nd Street.
The winners are already public. Best picture goes to “Wicked,” with its best director Jon M. Chu. Best actor honors go to Daniel Craig for “Queer,” while Nicole Kidman wins best actress for “Babygirl.”
Supporting actor award goes to Kieran Culkin for “A Real Pain,” and supporting actress is Elle Fanning for “A Complete Unknown.” Best ensemble cast is from “Conclave.” Breakthrough performance is awarded to Mikey Madison for “Anora,” and best directorial debut goes to India Donaldson for “Good One.”
Best documentary is “Sugarcane,” while the best international film award goes to “The Seed of the Sacred Fig.” The best animated feature is “Flow.”
Best original screenplay goes to Mike Leigh for “Hard Truths,” and the best adapted screenplay is from Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar for “Sing Sing.”
The spotlight award (whatever that entails) has been awarded to Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande for “Wicked.” The Freedom of Expression Award goes to “No Other Land.”
For stunt artistry, the award goes to “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.” Jarin Blaschke wins for cinematography with “Nosferatu.”
The top 10 films overall include: “Anora,” “Babygirl,” “A Complete Unknown,” “Conclave,” “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” “Gladiator II,” “Juror #2,” “Queer,” “A Real Pain,” and “Sing Sing.”
Top 10 independent films are: “Bird,” “A Different Man,” “Didi,” “Ghostlight,” “Good One,” “Hard Truths,” “His Three Daughters,” “Love Lies Bleeding,” “My Old Ass,” and “Thelma.”
Top five international films include: “All We Imagine as Light,” “The Girl With the Needle,” “I’m Still Here,” “Santosh,” and “Universal Language.”
Top five documentaries are: “Black Box Diaries,” “Dahomey,” “Look Into My Eyes,” “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story,” and “Will & Harper.”
And honestly, the last great film I remember seeing was “The Jazz Singer” featuring Al Jolson.
The gold rush begins
More movies are on their way, plus television offerings. Golden Globe nominations are being announced for both big and small screens. “Wicked” leads the pack, having transitioned from Broadway to London and now to Hollywood. Frenchie “Emilia Pérez,” featuring Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldana, secures an impressive 10 nominations.
Additionally, the Golden Globes Foundation, like many others, continues to praise “The Bear” and its culinary star Jeremy Allen White.
Also nominated—perhaps something your chiropractor might appreciate—“Squid Game.” The awards ceremony will take place on January 5 in Los Angeles.
