COSTUME DESIGNERS GUILD CHIMES IN WITH ITS 2016 NOMINATIONS

Those Silence fans hoping that it might be onto something of a mini-streak with the guilds, following its nomination yesterday at the American Society of Cinematographers, will be rather disappointed by its undeserving snub from the Costume Designers Guild. Still, there's a lot to love in the CDG's picks this year, which include fare as diverse as Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie and, of all things, Kubo and the Two Strings! Save the date for the most fashionable film awards of the year: the 21st of February.

Excellence in Period Film

Marion Boyce and Margot Wilson (The Dressmaker)

Consolata Boyle (Florence Foster Jenkins)

Renee Ehrlich Kalfus (Hidden Figures)

Madeline Fontaine (Jackie)

Mary Zophres (Hail, Caesar!)

Excellence in Fantasy Film

Colleen Atwood (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them)

Colleen Atwood (Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children)

Alexandra Byrne (Doctor Strange)

Deborah Cook (Kubo and the Two Strings)

David Crossman and Glyn Dillon (Rogue One)

Excellence in Contemporary Film

Rebecca Hale (Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie)

Courtney Hoffman (Captain Fantastic)

Cappi Ireland (Lion)

Arianne Phillips (Nocturnal Animals)

Mary Zophres (La La Land)

Career Achievement Award

Jeffrey Kurland

Distinguished Collaborator Award

Meryl Streep

REVIEW - ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS: THE MOVIE (MANDIE FLETCHER)

There's an art to creating the perfect sitcom, believe it or not. Happen upon an example of a horrible misunderstanding of that art and you'd surely agree. It's an art that resolutely does not translate to the big screen, whereas the reverse is a far more seamless affair, however. Absolutely Fabulous normally nails that art, and in a manner that makes the transition to film a lot simpler: it's a sitcom that knows it's a sitcom, thus freeing it from the stodginess of most of its brethren. A 30-minute episode forgives its flaws, its brevity and the promise of redemption next time around making the awkward patches that bit more palatable. If Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie cannot, by definition, boast such forgiving features, it is at least aided by the series' aforementioned self-awareness. In concept, too, there were indeed multiple potential scenarios to mould into a movie for these most vibrant, prepossessing, extroverted characters. Jennifer Saunders has evidently toiled to maintain everything that worked best about these iconic creations on the small screen, though their already-established longevity ought to have been a fairly reliable indicator. Between her writing and Mandie Fletcher's directing, the laugh track is never missed, with many jokes, both visual and verbal, landing as squarely as they ever did. The broadened scope of the film's aesthetic design thus never betrays the essential Ab Fab feeling, even as the musical score strives too hard to emphasize its newfound difference. Saunders' genius, not to mention Joanna Lumley's, shines throughout, no matter the quality of the comedy, which is brilliant at best and a little bit racist at worst. Alas, if the sitcom was near perfect, Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie is not. But it's as good as it needs to be, and that's good enough for me.

TRAILER #1 FOR ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS: THE MOVIE

The only as-yet unseen film of 2016 that I can claim to being genuinely excited to see. Contrary to my initial expectations, Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie looks to be every bit as good as the TV series, which, btw, is rly fucking good, in case you didn't already know. Released in the UK on the 1st of July and in the US on the 22nd.