Minority Mindset

On The Rich Eisen Show, Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan discussed the show’s lasting impact and playfully imagined where the characters are now. While fans have shared many theories, it’s particularly interesting to hear the creator’s own thoughts. Gilligan started with Bob Odenkirk’s character, Saul Goodman. Although Better Call Saul ended with Jimmy McGill in prison, Gilligan joked that he’d likely be a free man today, saying he imagines Donald Trump would have pardoned him, adding, “That kinda tracks, doesn’t it?”

Despite our complaints about lackluster film festivals and disappointing awards seasons, it turns out there were actually a lot of excellent movies released this year. I could easily create a top-twenty – or even top-thirty – list, and I will be sharing a longer one on social media. I was particularly pleased to see a return to beautifully crafted storytelling and directors willing to take risks. Most importantly, these films were genuinely enjoyable, even the ones dealing with difficult and heartbreaking topics like loss and political turmoil. That’s the power of good storytelling – it allows us to process difficult emotions.

When choosing the best film performances of the year, I decided to highlight only one actor per movie. Even with that rule, I still couldn’t find space for anyone from Sentimental Value, despite being completely captivated by the entire cast – Stellan Skarsgård, Renate Reinsve, Elle Fanning, and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas. I also didn’t include Emma Stone or Jesse Plemons, who delivered incredible performances in a tense and gripping Bugonia. And despite their strong work, George Clooney, Adam Sandler, and Billy Crudup – as the complex and troubled friends of Jay Kelly – were left off the list, hoping for recognition from the Academy instead.

Before Law & Order: SVU even began, Florek was part of the original Law & Order series. Although his character had retired from police work years ago – which allowed Olivia Benson to lead the team – he continued to appear on the show and even in Chris Meloni’s later series, Law & Order: Organized Crime.