SAG Awards: Kathy Bates to Headline Women in Entertainment Summit

Breaking the Mold: Can “Anora” Challenge the Traditional Favorites?

The 28th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG) is shaping up to be a showdown between some of Hollywood’s biggest comeback stories and the next generation of breakout stars. On one side are the resurgence narratives — like lead contenders Adrien Brody (“The Brutalist”) and Demi Moore (“The Substance”).

They’re joined by supporting nominees Edward Norton (“A Complete Unknown”) and Zoe Saldaña (“Emilia Pérez”), who many feel are overdue for recognition. On the other side are Hollywood’s rising stars — the fresh faces poised to define the industry’s future. Think Timothée Chalamet and Mikey Madison in the lead races, with Kieran Culkin and Ariana Grande gaining traction in supporting roles.

Brody, now 51, became the youngest best actor Oscar winner for his tour de force performance in “The Pianist” (2002). But after that early triumph, his career took an uneven path, and he didn’t ride the momentum to further Oscar glory. Now, his critically acclaimed turn as architect László Tóth in Brady Corbet’s historical epic “The Brutalist” is the kind of second act Hollywood swoons for: the comeback.

Moore, 62, knows that storyline well. Despite a storied career that began with the Brat Pack and led to hits like “Ghost” (1990), she never landed in Oscar territory. Enter “The Substance,” where she plays an actress-turned-exercise guru in a meta role that mirrors her real-life trajectory (minus the fearsome monster at the end).

The Momentum of Indie Films: A New Era in Hollywood

Hollywood may have counted her out, but as recent Oscar wins for Brendan Fraser (“The Whale”) and Ke Huy Quan (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”) prove, the comeback narrative is one of the strongest an awards campaign arsenal can have. Of course, the Oscars also love an up-and-comer, particularly one on the cusp of superstardom.

Just ask Jennifer Lawrence, who won in 2013 for “Silver Linings Playbook” at 22, beating French screen legend Emmanuelle Riva (“Amour”), or then-32-year-old Eddie Redmayne, whose transformative turn in “The Theory of Everything” pushed him past veteran Michael Keaton (best picture winner “Birdman”) in 2015.

Chalamet, who channels Bob Dylan in James Mangold’s “A Complete Unknown,” has already shown his range — from “Call Me by Your Name” (2017), which yielded his first Oscar nomination, to blockbuster franchise “Dune.” His career is the dream scenario for hopeful actors doggedly sending out self-tapes: indie cred, commercial success and now, a serious shot at awards glory.

The SAG Voters’ Taste: A History of Surprises

Since the inception of the SAG Awards in 1994, only six actors have won the Oscar with SAG as their sole major precursor — and none of them were in lead actor. The exclusive club includes Susan Sarandon (“Dead Man Walking”), Robin Williams (“Good Will Hunting”), Michael Caine (“The Cider House Rules”), Halle Berry (“Monster’s Ball”), Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”) and Jamie Lee Curtis (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”).

Breaking Down the SAG-Oscar Connection

While it’s true that some SAG winners have gone on to take home the Oscar, it’s not a guarantee. In fact, the statistics show that only about 30% of SAG winners have also won the Oscar. This might be due to the fact that SAG voters tend to favor performances that are more grounded in reality, whereas Oscar voters often prefer more traditional, Hollywood-style blockbusters.

Take, for example, the case of “Parasite” (2019), which won the SAG ensemble award but didn’t take home the Oscar for best picture. Similarly, “CODA” (2022) won the SAG ensemble award but was snubbed by the Academy for best picture.

However, there have been some notable exceptions. In 2019, “The Favourite” won the SAG ensemble award and went on to take home the Oscar for best picture. In 2022, “Nomadland” won the SAG ensemble award and took home the Oscar for best picture.

The Unexpected Rise of “Anora”: A Story to Watch

One film that has been generating a lot of buzz is “Anora,” a low-budget indie film that features a largely Russian and Armenian cast. The film has been praised for its raw, unflinching portrayal of life in the post-Soviet era, and its cast has been earning critical acclaim for their performances.

The Making of “Anora”

“Anora” was made on a shoestring budget of just $50,000, but its impact has been anything but small. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2023 and went on to win several awards at the festival, including the Grand Jury Prize for Best International Narrative Feature.

The film’s cast, which includes several Russian and Armenian actors, has been earning critical acclaim for their performances. Mikey Madison, who plays the lead role of Anora, has been praised for her nuanced and raw portrayal of the character, and has been earning comparisons to some of the greatest actresses of all time.

With its unique blend of gritty realism and poetic beauty, “Anora” is a film that is sure to leave audiences talking. Whether it will take home the SAG award for best actor is anyone’s guess, but one thing is certain: this is a film that is not to be missed.

Fall TV 2023: A Tsunami of New Shows and Returning Favorites

This fall, Gamestanza is looking forward to a packed TV schedule that includes a slew of new shows and returning favorites. From the return of beloved shows like “What We Do in the Shadow” and “Somebody Somewhere” to the premiere of new shows like “Anora” and “The Penguin,” there’s something for everyone.

The Return of the Broadcast Networks: A Full Slate After the Strikes

This fall, the broadcast networks are back in full force, with a slate of new shows and returning favorites that’s sure to keep viewers entertained. After a year of writers and actors strikes, the networks are ready to make up for lost time, and we’re excited to see what they have in store.

From the return of “9-1-1” and “9-1-1: Lone Star” to the premiere of new shows like “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” and “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” there’s something for everyone. We’re particularly excited to see what Ryan Murphy has in store for us this fall, with six new shows premiering in September alone.

The Ryan Murphy Effect: A Media Empire Premiering Six New Shows in September

Ryan Murphy is one of the most prolific producers in Hollywood, with a slew of successful shows under his belt. This fall, he’s premiering six new shows, including “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez,” “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” “Grotesquerie,” and “Doctor Odyssey.” We’re excited to see what he has in store for us.

The Diverse Range of Projects Under the Ryan Murphy Banner

Murphy’s productions are known for their diversity and range, and this fall is no exception. From the true-crime drama “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” to the supernatural thriller “Grotesquerie,” Murphy’s shows are always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on television.

We’re particularly excited to see what Murphy has in store for us with his new show “Doctor Odyssey,” which follows the life of a brilliant but troubled doctor. With its unique blend of medical drama and psychological thriller, “Doctor Odyssey” is sure to be a hit with audiences.

Beyond the Murphy-verse: Standout Shows and Notable Final Seasons

While Ryan Murphy’s shows are always a highlight of the fall TV schedule, there are plenty of other great shows to look forward to this season. From the highly anticipated spinoff shows “Agatha All Along” and “The Penguin” to the final seasons of beloved shows like “What We Do in the Shadow” and “Somebody Somewhere,” there’s something for everyone.

Notable Final Seasons

We’re particularly sad to see the final season of “What We Do in the Shadow” come to an end. This hilarious and heartwarming show has been a staple of the FX schedule for years, and we’re going to miss it dearly.

We’re also excited to see the final season of “Somebody Somewhere,” which is sure to be a wild ride. With its unique blend of humor and heart, this show has been a standout of the HBO schedule for years.

The Highly Anticipated Return of “Yellowstone” and the Resolution of Kevin Costner’s Storyline

Finally, we’re excited to see the return of “Yellowstone” this fall. After a year of hiatus, the show is back and better than ever, with a slew of new plot twists and character developments that are sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

The Resolution of Kevin Costner’s Storyline

One of the most exciting aspects of the return of “Yellowstone” is the resolution of Kevin Costner’s storyline. After a year of speculation, we finally get to see how his character’s story arc comes to a close.

We’re particularly excited to see how the show handles the resolution of Costner’s storyline, which has been building throughout the series. With its unique blend of drama and action, “Yellowstone” is always a must-watch, and we’re excited to see what’s in store for us this fall.