Cream of the crop? Hot takes on movies, filmmakers, actors featured at Palm Springs film fest

Award season officially is in full swing after some of the most coveted stars touched down in the desert for the Palm Springs International Film Awards on Thursday.

The star-studded event kicks off the new year with plenty of glitz and glam and begins the months-long awards campaign to the Academy Awards, which are set for March 10. The 2024 Film Awards will spotlight many of the buzziest performers and creatives whose films hooked in audiences and made them laugh, cry and left them speechless.

Before the awards are handed out, The Desert Sun's reporters Brian Blueskye and Ema Sasic share their thoughts on the films and performances receiving awards this week.

'Killers of the Flower Moon'

Recipient of the Vanguard Award

"Killers of the Flower Moon" is a epic film in many regards, but its cast and crew elevate this story to a whole new level. Adapted from David Grann's nonfiction book of the same name, the film, directed by Martin Scorsese, focuses on a series of murders of Osage members after oil was discovered on their tribal land and the greedy men behind the crimes. Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) returns from World War I to live with his uncle William King Hale (Robert De Niro), and Hale suggests he court Mollie Kyle (Lily Gladstone), one of the members of the Osage tribe whose family owns oil headrights. Soon after, Mollie's loved ones and other Osage members die in orchestrated contract killings, until eventually the Bureau of Investigation comes in to put those accountable away.

Scorsese has long cemented himself as a master filmmaker, and "Killers of the Flower Moon" is another crowning achievement in his career. As both the director and co-writer of the film, he takes viewers on a devastating journey through American history, and likely exposes them to this story for the first time ever, which is even more heartbreaking. The entire cast delivers a masterclass in performances, especially Gladstone, who channels so much strength and resilience as Mollie's world falls apart. The film has rightfully been nominated for several Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, and it'll be one of this year's contenders vying for best picture at the Academy Awards. − ES

How to watch: The film will be screened at the Palm Springs International Film Festival as part of "Talking Pictures" featuring screenwriter Eric Roth at 10 a.m. on Jan. 6 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Tickets are on standby, $25. psfilmfest.org. It is also available to stream on Apple TV or Amazon Prime.

Emma Stone in 'Poor Things'

Recipient of the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress

Emma Stone has shown her comedy chops in films like "Easy A" and "Crazy, Stupid, Love," but I guarantee she'll surprise you in "Poor Things." In the latest collaboration between her and Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos, Stone plays Bella Baxter, a woman who looks like she's in her 20s or 30s, but acts like a child. The reason for that is simple: A pregnant woman named Victoria (also Stone in quick flashbacks) jumped to her death, and Dr. Godwin Baxter, (Willem Dafoe), found her body and placed her child’s brain into her head, thus creating Bella. When Bella wants adventures outside the confines of his science experiment home, she seeks the company of womanizer Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo) and goes on a sexual exploration and journey through womanhood.

The physical work that Stone does in this film is simply amazing. She has to channel her inner child, literally, as she wobbles her way through life on her unsteady two feet, and look at everything with wide eyes. When she leaves Baxter's home, she becomes more carefree as she discovers new places and people, but she always remains in control of any situation. Her sexual exploration as a woman is among the more important and exciting aspects of the film, particularly in the way that she doesn’t have any inhibitions. It's the best performance of Stone's career thus far, and she gives life to one of the most fascinating characters ever seen on screen. − ES

How to watch: The film will be screened as part of "Talking Pictures" featuring director Yorgos Lanthimos and actors Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo and Willem Dafoe during the Palm Springs International Film Festival at 11:15 a.m. on Jan. 5 at the Annenberg Theater. Tickets are on standby, $30. psfilmfest.org. It is also now playing in the Coachella Valley at Mary Pickford is D'Place and Cinemark at the River and XD.

Cillian Murphy in 'Oppenheimer'

Recipient of the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor

It was obvious that Irish actor Cillian Murphy would receive an honor at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards such as the Desert Palm Achievement Award for his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer in the biopic "Oppenheimer." The Christopher Nolan-directed biopic was one of the most acclaimed films of the year. Murphy has received a Golden Globes nomination and is a tenable selection for the Academy Awards, too.

During a recent interview with The Desert Sun, Murphy described the many complexities of the real Oppenheimer, such as being "flawed, brilliant, contradictory, complex, arrogant and naïve," which he said was a "glorious combination to play." Murphy is a paragon of the stage and screen and has built his career over the past two decades on the skill and artistry he's brought to every role, and his performance in "Oppenheimer" was tremendous. – BB

How to watch: Available on DVD, Blu-Ray, and 4K-UHD formats.

Da'Vine Joy Randolph, 'The Holdovers'

Recipient of the Breakthrough Performance Award

Director and writer Alexander Payne channels his inner '70s child with his latest film "The Holdovers." Stuck within the confines of the all-boys Barton Academy during Christmas break, a lonely trio consisting of grieving head school cook Mary Lamb (Da'Vine Joy Randolph), cranky history teacher Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti) and troubled student Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa) have to survive the holidays, and each other, while grappling with their own struggles. Mary, in particular, experiences a difficult holiday season following the loss of her son, a soldier deployed during the Vietnam War.

Randolph has made her comedy talents known in various films and television series, but she gets to show a nuanced and gentler side to her acting chops as Mary. She is devastating in so many scenes, particularly the way she tries to hold back her tears and sadness from everyone, and yet she remains hopeful for better days. You can't help but smile as she spends more time with Paul and Angus and gives them a piece of her mind when they're getting on her nerves, which is always fun to see. The ensemble is wonderful together, but Randolph really shines. − ES

How to watch: Now showing at Regal Rancho Mirage and streaming on Peacock.

Greta Gerwig, 'Barbie'

Recipient of the Director of the Year Award

Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" was a cinematic force in 2023. The movie follows Barbie (Margot Robbie) as she lives her perfectly pink life in Barbie Land with other Barbies and Kens, including Ryan Gosling's beach-blond Ken. One day, everything in Barbie's life changes, and she has to visit the real world to get back to normal. But she and Ken get quite a lesson in humanity when they step foot outside their world.

In a year when so many legendary filmmakers released films, Gerwig is a worthy recipient of the Director of the Year Award. Her vision can be found in every frame of this film − from its smart and witty script, which she cowrote with Noah Baumbach, to its heartwarming story about what it means to be a human. Gerwig delighted audiences with her coming-of-age solo directorial film debut "Lady Bird" and her take on the classic story "Little Women." What she achieved with "Barbie," which includes more than $1 billion in the global box office, shows she's one of our most exciting modern filmmakers. − ES

I went into "Barbie" with no expectations other than I wanted to be entertained by a "stupid-fun film." Instead, I was astonished by the visual presentation, the performances by Robbie and Gosling and the cultural influence of the doll worked into the story. Gerwig and Baumbach not only brought a lot of imagination to the script, but also quirky and insightful reflections on patriarchy, empathy and self-love.

There are many other directors in Hollywood who could have made this film, but it probably wouldn't have been as successful or as Ken would say, "sublime," without Gerwig – BB

How to watch: The film will be screened at the film festival as part of "Talking Pictures" featuring Greta Gerwig at 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 4 at Palm Springs High School. Tickets $25. psfilmfest.org. It is also streaming on MAX and available on DVD, Blu-Ray and 4K-UHD formats.

Jeffrey Wright, 'American Fiction'

Recipient of the Career Achievement Award

"American Fiction" is a hysterically funny film on a culturally controversial subject of reducing people to stereotypes. A Black professor and writer, Thelonious "Monk" Ellison (Jeffrey Wright), is at a boiling point when another novelist finds success with a novel he views as unimaginative and preposterous. To make a point and motivated by his own unsociable frame of mind, he pens an offensive novel of his own under a pseudonym. Monk becomes conflicted when the book becomes a bestseller and realizes his inability to connect with others.

Wright's performance portraying such a distinct character with authentic and humorous curmudgeonry, moments of vulnerability and graceful soul-searching is outstanding. He's come a long way since his first leading role in 1996 as the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat in the 1996 biopic, "Basquiat." He's also appeared in the Wes Anderson films "The French Dispatch" and "Asteroid City" and played Felix Leiter in the James Bond films "Casino Royale," "Quantum of Solace" and "No Time To Die." But his work in "American Fiction" is magnificent from beginning to end and worthy of the Career Achievement Award. – BB

How to watch: The film will be screened as part of "Talking Pictures" featuring Jeffrey Wright during the Palm Springs International Film Festival at 10 a.m. on Jan. 4 at Palm Canyon Theatre. Tickets are on standby, $25. psfilmfest.org

Carey Mulligan, 'Maestro'

Recipient of the International Star Award, Actress

Those who have seen "Maestro" know it wasn't easy for Felicia Montealegre to be married to composer Leonard Bernstein. It's hard to imagine anyone other than British actress Carey Mulligan in that role. She had perfect on-screen chemistry with Bradley Cooper in portrayals of the couple's tender moments, quarrels and delicate moments. That's why Mulligan earned her second International Star Award, Actress since 2021 for her performance.

But Mulligan has shown strength in past intricate and edgier roles such as "Poor Dear" Pamela in "Saltburn," Cassie in "Promising Young Woman," Laura McAllan in "Mudbound" and more. There's unquestionably more to come from this accomplished actress in the future. ‒ BB

How to watch: The film will be screened as part of "Talking Pictures" featuring Carey Mulligan during the Palm Springs International Film Festival at 11 a.m. on Jan. 4 at the Annenberg Theater. Tickets are on standby, $30. psfilmfest.org. It is also available to stream on Netflix.

Colman Domingo, 'Rustin'

Recipient of the Spotlight Award, Actor

Anyone who has seen "Rustin" would agree that it would be difficult to imagine anyone but Colman Domingo portraying the late civil rights activist, Bayard Rustin. The film not only celebrated and depicted an important figure written out of the history books, but Domingo's performance brought Rustin's spirit to the screen and presented his detailed persona down to his invented mid-Atlantic accent.

Domingo has appeared in films such as "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" and "Zola." He also won Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series at the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2022 for his role as Ali Muhammed in the HBO series "Euphoria." His 2011 performance in “The Scottsboro Boys” on Broadway received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical, and he won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical for his work in the 2014 West End shows. With those accolades, it's hard to believe "Rustin" is his first leading role. – BB

How to watch: The film will be screened as part of "Talking Pictures" featuring Colman Domingo during the Palm Springs International Film Festival at 9:30 a.m., Jan. 5, at Mary Pickford Is D'Place. Tickets are on standby, $30. psfilmfest.org. It is also available to stream on Netflix.

Danielle Brooks, 'The Color Purple'

Recipient of the Spotlight Award, Actress

Blitz Bazawule's take on Alice Walker's novel "The Color Purple" puts a musical spin on the classic tale. Celie (Phylicia Pearl Mpasi and later Fantasia Barrino) is a young woman who has faced many hardships in her short life, but the one shining light she has is her sister Nettie (Halle Bailey). But certain circumstances keep the two sisters apart, and Celie has to find the strength to keep going in life. It's not easy for her, especially with the vile Mister (Colman Domingo) as her husband, but Celie finds hope through a found sisterhood, which includes singer Shug Avery (Taraji P. Henson) and friend Sofia (Danielle Brooks).

Brooks made her Broadway debut by playing Sofia in "The Color Purple," which earned her a Tony Award nomination. In Bazawule's adaption, the actress proves why she was born for the role. She steals every scene as the no-nonsense Sofia who doesn't bow down to or change for any man. Brooks' voice is powerful as well, as she fully enjoys herself in the film's colorful musical numbers. It's a performance that has garnered a lot of awards attention and rightfully so. − ES

How to watch: The film will be screened as part of "Talking Pictures" featuring Danielle Brooks, actress Taraji P. Henson, director Blitz Bazawule and producer Scott Sanders during the Palm Springs International Film Festival at 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 4 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Tickets $30. psfilmfest.org. It is also now playing at Regal Palm Springs, Regal Rancho Mirage, Cinemark Century at the River and XD and Cinemark Century La Quinta and XD.

Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, 'Barbie'

Recipients of the Chairman's Award

The "Barbie" soundtrack is packed with bangers and colorful pop songs. Lizzo's "Pink" and Ryan Gosling singing "I'm Just Ken" were probably stuck in everyone's heads for days after watching the film. Billie Eilish's "What Was I Made For?" isn't one of those songs and represents a more melancholy moment in "Barbie," still, it's absorbing and connects with the scene. Co-written and performed with her brother Finneas O’Connell, this song exemplifies the creative power the siblings have.

Eilish's first career milestone was performing a highly anticipated set at the 2019 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on the Outdoor Theatre stage. Her Weekend 1 set was troubled by technical difficulties but her Weekend 2 performance was more polished and more confident. When she returned in 2022 to headline on the Coachella Stage, she lived up to her status, and her dark and uplifting songs resonated with music lovers. Receiving the Chairman's Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival builds on the success Eilish and O'Connell have achieved in the local area. ‒ BB

Paul Giamatti, 'The Holdovers'

Recipient of the Icon Award, Actor

Giamatti and Payne create magic whenever they team up, as seen in "Sideways" in 2004, and now with "The Holdovers." The veteran actor plays his moody history teacher character to a T, screaming and rolling his eyes (although you're never sure which one to look at) at his snooty students. I could watch him and Sessa's Angus bicker back and forth all day long. But he also brings a lot of heart to his performance, particularly in scenes he shares with Randolph's Mary, who tries to get him to soften up a little. Giamatti deserves all the recognition he's received for this role, which has included several award nominations, and I fully expect him to receive a best actor nomination at the Oscars. − ES

How to watch: Now showing at Regal Rancho Mirage and streaming on Peacock.

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic. Desert Sun reporter Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment. He can be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com or on Twitter at @bblueskye.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Who will be at the Palm Springs Film Festival Awards ceremony?