If you asked a critic: Oscar desires, returns to form and ‘Send Help’

The late great film critic Roger Ebert used to answer cinema queries from readers in his regular column, “Movie Answer Man.”

The Coeur d’Alene Press circulation doesn’t quite measure up against 1990s Chicago Sun Times circulation, so we unfortunately don’t field as many questions.

No worries! I just make up “reader” submitted questions and cover whatever I feel like writing about!

How would you rank the Best Picture nominees at this year’s Oscars? And who do you want to win? I bet you LOVE that little Timothee Chalamet! — Pat Calhoun, Post Falls

Chalamet is apparently taller than me, so I take offense to that “little” remark. I do think Timmy is the frontrunner to win in Best Actor, and, as a fan of “Marty Supreme” and the actor’s recent work, I wouldn’t mind the win. It’d be nice to see Ethan Hawke finally snag an Oscar too, but the buzz seems to be focused on Chalamet.

I think this is one of the stronger Best Picture lineups in several years, as even my least favorite titles of the 10 have merit (“F1” has some spectacular racing sequences, for instance).

My personal ranking would go: A virtual tie for No. 1 with “Sinners” and “One Battle After Another;” 3. “Marty Supreme;” 4. “Sentimental Value;” 5. “Train Dreams;" 6. “Bugonia;” 7. “The Secret Agent;” 8. “Hamnet;” 9. “Frankenstein;” and 10. “F1.”

As for winners I want to see: I hope the Academy can find space to reward both Ryan Coogler and Paul Thomas Anderson in different categories (they are in different screenwriting categories, eliminating the risk of “One Battle” sweeping “Sinners” out of virtually everything, as what seems to be the narrative).

It’s not going to happen, but I’d love to see surprise nominee Delroy Lindo win in Best Supporting Actor. The guy has been great in so many things for decades now. I also want Rose Byrne to win Best Actress for “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” but that one seems to be a lock for Jesse Buckley in “Hamnet.”

I just saw “Send Help,” the island survival/comedy/thriller from director Sam Raimi and starring Rachel McAdams. I really enjoyed how it was a return to form for Raimi, a filmmaker I love for his pulpy genre work with “Evil Dead” and “Spider-Man.” What are some other directors who you hope “return to form,” just as Raimi did after making a disappointing Marvel movie. — Bob Ferguson, Athol

Wow, Bob, thanks for that detailed setup, I mean, totally spontaneous question!

You aren’t the first person I hear talking about “Send Help” being a “return to form” for Sam Raimi. Certainly, I prefer he make something like it rather than straining to show brief flashes of creativity in the otherwise misguided “Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness.”

However, I also might be in the slight minority when I say that “Send Help” still feels like a watered-down studio version of what could have been a gnarly, darkly hilarious thriller. McAdams is basically good in everything, and I appreciate her full-throttle performance here. Still, I thought the movie followed too much of the typical playbook for this kind of movie.

A “return to form” for Raimi, for me, would be something closer to “A Simple Plan” or “The Gift.” Or I’d be down if someone wants to let him make another “Spider-Man” movie with Tobey Maguire, just so long as they keep the supervillain count at one.

As for other directors in need of a “return to form,” I didn’t think “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” quite fit the bill for Tim Burton, though it was certainly better than it had any right to be (shoutout to the late Catherine O’Hara as the MVP of that film). I’ve long been waiting for Burton to be the filmmaker he was back in the '80s and '90s.

If you had one pop culture-related wish for 2026, what would it be? — Sergio St. Carlos, Worley

Ooh, I actually love this “question,” and I am very happy you conveniently wrote it as “pop culture” rather than limiting me to movies.

My answer is almost always the same thing every year, but this year, there’s a chance it might actually happen!

I want a season full of new episodes of “The Muppet Show” that follows the faux behind-the-scenes variety show format of the original. It’s the best way to utilize all the amazing characters while also keeping things fresh with modern-skewing celebrity appearances and musical performances.

And behold! Disney Plus is currently offering a “Muppet Show” “special” featuring Sabrina Carpenter that serves as a backdoor pilot to a potential new run of episodes. Rather than greenlight an entire season, Disney seems to be testing out whether enough people will watch it.

Do me a favor and watch it. It’s funny, charming and family-friendly! Play it in the background of your house for 24 hours.

The world is a dumpster fire. “The Muppet Show” is hope.

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Tyler Wilson can be reached at [email protected].

    This image released by A24 shows Timothée Chalamet, right, in a scene from "Marty Supreme."
  

    This image released by Apple TV+ shows Brad Pitt, left, and Javier Bardem in a scene from "F1 The Movie."