Tim Gray
Variety
Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Past articles by Tim:
The Year in Review: Variety Editors and Critics Weigh In on 2022 Films
From 'Everything Everywhere' to 'Top Gun: Mavericl,' Variety editors and critics review the past year in film and discuss its standout moments. → Read More
Oscar Contender Breaks Ground By Casting Deafblind Actor
Writer-director Doug Roland is Oscar-nominated for his live-action short “Feeling Through,” which features a deafblind character — played by a deafblind actor, a first for moviemaking. The 18-minute film depicts homeless youth Tereek (Steven Prescod) encountering deafblind Artie (Robert Tarango), who holds a sign saying he needs help getting to a bus stop. In a […] → Read More
Denzel Washington on Fulfilling His Promise With ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’
Netflix’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” fulfills an idea that was nearly 40 years in the making: a film version of August Wilson’s play. In October 1984, Variety’s Richard Hummler reviewed its Broadway debut, praising Wilson as “a new writer of talent and power.” He added “The play will likely have a healthy production life elsewhere […] → Read More
Oscar & Box-Office: Once a Happy Couple, They’re Now Living Apart
Nominees for the 93rd Academy Awards are a reminder that Oscar is like a Rorschach test: It means different things to different people. And in the 21st century, there is a growing gap between awards and the public. For decades, Oscar’s best picture winner was often the year’s top box office hit, including “Gone With […] → Read More
AARP Awards Hail George Clooney as a ‘Slam Dunk Argument Against Ageism’
When the 20th annual Movies for Grownups Awards air March 28 on PBS, the winners will include career achievement honoree George Clooney, who turns 60 this year and whom AARP exec Tim Appelo described as “a slam dunk argument against ageism.” Hoda Kotb will host the event on “Great Performances,” the fourth time that the […] → Read More
Below the Line Artisans Help Boost Best Picture Nominees
When Oscar nominations were announced March 15, mainstream-media headlines focused on the usual topics: best picture, the four acting categories and Hollywood’s current obsession, inclusion. These are all worth talking about, but the MSM virtually ignores one key element every year: The artisans. Those individuals are key to a movie’s success, as everyone in the […] → Read More
What Will Oscar Ceremony Look Like? Like It Did in the 1950s (but in Color)
Some pundits worry that the Oscar ceremony won’t feel like the real thing, because the late date (April 25) is disorienting and because the show will be divided between two venues, L.A.’s Union Station and the traditional Dolby Theatre. In truth, a fluid date and multiple locations go back to Oscar’s earliest days. The first […] → Read More
Chloe Zhao's 'Nomadland,' Scott Frank's 'Queen's Gambit' Win Scripters
"Nomadland" and "Queen's Gambit" took top prizes at USC's annual Scripter Awards, which honor screenwriters and original author. → Read More
Do Political Speeches at Award Shows Upset You? Blame the U.S. Government
Presenters and honorees at the April 4 SAG Awards are likely to air political views, which inevitably will inspire public indignation: “Why should anybody listen to you people?” Naysayers often see this as a 21st-century liberal conspiracy, but actually, it was the U.S. government that first encouraged Hollywood folks to speak out on issues. Before […] → Read More
Inside ‘Nomadland’s’ Unique Production Challenges
Every film presents unique production problems, and Searchlight’s “Nomadland” had a high degree of difficulty. → Read More
‘Billie Holiday’ Named Top Film by AARP; Aaron Sorkin Is a Double Winner
AARP's annual Movies for Grownups awards announces its winners. → Read More
Theatrical Viewing Adds Tangible Benefits to Awards Hopefuls
Hollywood has always adapted to world changes, and Oscar campaigning this year has effectively adjusted to COVID. But one part of the awards season is missed more than the others: seeing a contender on the big screen. Studios have delayed several big-scale films, including “Dune” and “West Side Story,” until later in 2021. So “small” […] → Read More
Awards Voters’ Love of Biopics Extends to Hollywood’s Early Days
When Oscars are handed out, it’s possible best picture, director, writing and all four acting wins will be for films about real people. The odds of this sweep seem slim. But this past year has been all about unexpected events, so anything is possible. Certainly, there are a wealth of contenders: This year’s Oscar race […] → Read More
Mads Mikkelsen Talks About the Dancing Scene in ‘Another Round’
'Another Round' star Mads Mikkelsen talks about dancing and acting drunk → Read More
Pixar's Unique Process Helped 'Soul' Screenwriters Interact Daily
Moviegoers think they understand the life of a screenwriter. Thanks to “Sunset Boulevard,” “In a Lonely Place,” “Barton Fink,” “The Player,” “The Muse,” “Seven Psychopaths,” “Adaptation,” “Trumbo,” “Mank” and others, the image is clear: Scripters are friendless, cynical people hunched over… → Read More
Liv Ullmann Life Lessons: Never Turn Away, Never Kill Somebody’s Dream
Liv Ullmann has been an international star since 1966’s Ingmar Bergman’s arthouse hit “Persona”; indeed, she is best-known for her collaborations with Bergman, acting in 10 of his films, and directing two of his screenplays; he was also the father of her daughter, author Lin Ullmann. But there’s more to her than that: She’s written […] → Read More
‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ Counters Decades of Lies About Black Panthers
Aside from being well-made and effective as a movie, Warner Bros.’ “Judas and the Black Messiah” has a goal: to counter decades of government lies about the Black Panther Party. The party was founded by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale in 1966, and ceased operations in 1982. The film, which started streaming Feb. 12, centers […] → Read More
2020 Oscar Hopefuls Dig Into Issues of Past 18 Months
Filmmakers need to be a bit psychic. They work on projects for years, not knowing if the fickle audience will connect with the themes and topics when the film eventually opens. In 2020, the movie gods have smiled: A number of awards contenders are centered on health and work — concerns that are especially crucial […] → Read More
Morgan Freeman Salutes Cicely Tyson as an ‘Icon’ and ‘Pioneer’ at AFI Awards
In a video toast, Morgan Freeman praises Cicely Tyson as an “icon, a pioneer whose life and work tell the story of America, bravely and boldly.” His tribute was part of AFI’s 21-day salute to the best film and TV work of 2020, with the build-up starting Feb. 5. As Freeman notes in his intro, […] → Read More
Elizabeth Taylor, ‘Cleopatra’ Star and Oscar Winner, Was a Pioneering AIDs Activist
Elizabeth Taylor, who would have turned 89 on Feb. 27, lived multiple lives. She was a movie mega-star, a tabloid mega-celebrity (which are not always the same thing), an innovator in creating herself as a brand — and a tireless and effective philanthropist and activist. She was adored, admired, denounced, scandal-ridden and unpredictable, and the […] → Read More