'The Boys' leads TV nominees at the Critics Choice Super Awards

I promised to resume my coverage of the Critics Choice Super Awards twice, so I'm quoting the relevant passage from the press release.

“The Boys” leads this year’s television nominees with five nominations overall including Best Superhero Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie. Antony Starr earned a nod for Best Actor in a Superhero Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie, in addition to Best Villain in a Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie, while Valorie Curry and Colby Minifie were both nominated for Best Actress in a Superhero Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie.
...
“Fallout,” “House of the Dragon,” and “Paradise” each earned four nominations apiece in the television categories.

Now for the nominees.

Best Superhero Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie

The Boys
Daredevil: Born Again
Fallout
Gen V
Invincible
Peacemaker
Spider-Noir
Wonder Man

This is a three-way contest among The Boys, Fallout, and Spider-Noir, all of which have multiple Emmy nominations. Peacemaker may have won the equivalent Saturn Award, but it wasn't contending against any of these three.

Follow over the jump for the acting nominees and what these nominations might mean for the Saturn Awards.

Artemis III for National Moon Day

Happy National Moon Day, the 57th anniversary of Apollo 11 landing on the Moon! Yesterday, I asked "Artemis III, anyone?" Not reading any objection, I'm kicking off today's celebration with NASA Introducing Artemis III.

In 2027, the Artemis III mission will practice docking the Orion spacecraft with two lunar landers in low Earth orbit. On future Artemis missions, landers will bring astronauts to the lunar surface. While Artemis III will not land on the Moon, it will test the complex capabilities we need to return humanity there — this time to stay.

NASA astronauts Randy Bresnik, Frank Rubio, and Andre Douglas will join European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano on this historic mission.

As if that's not enough, NASA also compiled Artemis III Announcement Recap: Crew, Mission Details, and What’s Next.

Another step toward one of the most complex spaceflight missions in history, NASA provided updates on Artemis III and announced crew members for the test flight. Planned to launch in 2027, the mission will practice docking the Orion spacecraft with two lunar landers in low Earth orbit.

On future missions, including Artemis IV in 2028, landers will bring astronauts to the lunar surface. While Artemis III will not land on the Moon, it will test the complex capabilities we need to return humanity there — this time to stay.

Crew assignments are as follows:
• NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik, commander
• ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano, pilot
• NASA astronaut Andre Douglas, mission specialist
• NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, mission specialist
• NASA astronaut Bob Hines, backup crew member

Both of those look good, as expected for successfull PR, but it's not all smooth flying. Artemis III depends on launches by SpaceX and Blue Origin and both are having their issues, as PBS NewHour explained in How a Blue Origin rocket explosion could impact NASA's moon mission.

Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket exploded on the launchpad during a test in Cape Canaveral on Thursday. The company, owned by Jeff Bezos, said no one was injured and all personnel were accounted for. But the rocket has a crucial role in NASA’s Artemis program to return American astronauts to the surface of the moon. Amna Nawaz discussed its significance with science correspondent Miles O’Brien.

Early this January, I wrote, "Starship is running behind schedule and holding up a lunar landing, so I'm rooting for Blue Origin to either win the contract or inspire SpaceX to get its act together in time." Looks like Blue Origin has to get its act together, too.

I close with National Day Calendar's NATIONAL MOON DAY | July 20.

If possible, would you tour the moon one day? Let us know in the comments!

Not what I was expecting, but worthwhile just the same.

That's a wrap for today's holiday. Stay tuned for the television nominees at the Critics Choice Super Awards.

Drink to the action movie nominees at the Critics Choice Super Awards on National Daiquiri Day

As I wrote yesterday, "Stay tuned for the action movie nominees on National Daiquiri Day as the Sunday entertainment feature." Here are the nominees.

Best Action Movie

The Furious
Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice
Motor City
The Naked Gun
Normal
The Rip
Sisu: Road to Revenge

The Furious leads with three nominations; the rest of the field is tied at two apiece. I'll go with The Furious based on its three nominations here and its Astra Midseason Movie Award for Best Stunts, although The Rip has an Emmy nomination and Sisu: Road to Revenge won a Saturn Award.

Follow over the jump for the acting nominations and my analysis of what these nominations might mean for the Saturn Awards.

'Project Hail Mary' leads Science Fiction/Fantasy nominees at the Critics Choice Super Awards

The last movie nominee with four nominations is Project Hail Mary, so I'm examining the science fiction and fantasy nominees today.

Best Science Fiction/Fantasy Movie

Bugonia
Disclosure Day
Frankenstein
Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die
I Love Boosters
Predator: Badlands
Project Hail Mary

Out of this field, I'm picking Project Hail Mary, and not just because it has the most nominations. My wife and I paid money to stream it, which we almost never do, and thought it was worth every penny. That the Astra Awards crowned it the best movie of the first half of the year just cements my choice.

As for the rest of the nominees, Bugonia has three nominations, while Disclosure Day, Frankenstein, Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die, I Love Boosters, and Predator: Badlands each have two, which confirms my intuition that Bugonia and Disclosure Day are the dark horses that could upset Project Hail Mary.

I noticed two snubs, Avatar: Fire and Ash, which led movie nominations at the Saturn Awards and The Mandalorian and Grogu. The former won five Saturn Awards, including Best Science Fiction Film and I expect the latter will earn nominations at the next Saturn Awards. Here, both are shut out of Best Science Fiction/Fantasy Movie. Once again, welcome to the critics vs. the fans!

That written, the Critics Choice Association didn't completely shut out Avatar: Fire and Ash, as it earned two acting nominations. Follow over the jump for those.

'Obsession' vs. 'Weapons' for Best Horror Movie at the Critics Choice Super Awards

I'm using the relevant sentence from the press release to determine which genre to examine next: "'Masters of the Universe,' 'Obsession,' 'Project Hail Mary,' 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps,' and 'Weapons' followed closely behind 'Superman' with four film category nominations each." I covered Superman, Masters of the Universe, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps yesterday, leaving Obsession and Weapons in horror and Project Hail Mary in science fiction and fantasy, so I'm writing about horror today.

Best Horror Movie

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
Backrooms
The Long Walk
Obsession
Send Help
Weapons

Five of the six nominees also earned nominations for Best Wide-Release Movie at the 2026 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards, Obsession and Weapons tied at four nominations, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and Backrooms tied at three nominations, and Send Help with two nominations. The Long Walk has only one nomination at the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards for Best Supporting Performance, but two nominations here. Although I voted for Weapons, I think Obsession is more likely to win Best Wide-Release Movie at the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards. On the other hand, I think Weapons is more likely to win this category here. Once again, welcome to the critics vs. the fans.

Follow over the jump for the acting categories, where three more horror movies earned nominations.

'Superman' leads film nominees at the 2026 Critics Choice Super Awards

I concluded 'Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse: Give the Man a Prize' plus the Emmy nominees for Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special by telling my readers, "Stay tuned for more tomorrow, although I expect the Critics Choice Super Awards nominees will be announced later today, so stay tuned to see if I shift to them." That's what I'm doing, so time for the relevant paragraph from the press release.

“Superman” leads this year’s film nominees, having earned six nominations including Best Superhero Movie. David Corenswet, Edi Gathegi, and Nicholas Hoult all received nominations for Best Actor in a Superhero Movie, while Nicholas Hoult received an additional nod for Best Villain in a Movie. Rachel Brosnahan is also up for Best Actress in a Superhero Movie.

I'm repeating the nominees from the preview image.

Best Superhero Movie*

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle
Exit 8
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Masters of the Universe
Mortal Kombat II
Supergirl
Superman

The two top nominees are, of course, Superman with six nominations and Fantastic Four: First Steps with four. This sets up a rematch of Fantastic Four: First Steps vs. Superman from the Saturn Awards. Fantastic Four: First Steps won that match, but I expect Superman will win this one. Welcome to the critics vs. the fans.

Masters of the Universe also has four nominations, but I doubt it is as strong as Fantastic Four: First Steps. It's followed by Exit 8, Mortal Kombat II, and Supergirl with two and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle with just this one.

What does this mean for the Saturn Awards? Not much. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and Superman were already recognized. Exit 8 would likely be nominated for International Film or Horror Film and Masters of the Universe would work better as a Fantasy Film, leaving Mortal Kombat II and Supergirl. I suspect the latter will earn at least one Razzie nomination for Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-Off or Sequel, but probably won't "win." Whew. Instead, I think the contest will be between two movies not yet released, Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday. Other films that could join them would be Resident Evil and Street Fighter. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and the upcoming The Angry Birds Movie 3 could be nominated, but they're more likely to be recognized under animation.

Follow over the jump for the acting nominations.

'Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse: Give the Man a Prize' plus the Emmy nominees for Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special

I'm returning to the Creative Arts Emmy nominees today with Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse: Give the Man a Prize | The Daily Show, a nominee for Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special.

Donald Trump can’t stop talking about how he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, and no, the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize doesn’t count. Jordan Klepper travels to a JD Vance event, the “burning hellhole” city of Portland, and home of the peace prize, Norway, to find out if the president actually deserves to be given this prestigious award.

That was even more hilarious than last year's 'The Daily Show Presents: Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse: MAGA: The Next Generation' plus the Emmy nominees for Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special — and more violent.

Like last year, this special earned two Emmy nominations. Follow over the jump for them, the nominations for its competition, and their Gold Derby odds.

Drink to who performed 'Debussy's Clair de Lune' best for a drum corps Bastille Day

Happy Bastille Day! Once again, I'm celebrating today as one of my trademark drum corps holidays. Watch and listen as Drum Corps International asks Who Did It Best? | Debussy's Clair de Lune.

Claude Debussy's magnificent "Clair de Lune" performed by four different corps over 21 years ... Who did it best?

0:00 - Introduction
0:09 - 1994 Phantom Regiment
3:31 - 2006 Southwind
5:10 - 2008 Carolina Crown
7:47 - 2015 Phantom Regiment

2015 Phantom Regiment should look familiar, as I featured the corps in 'City of Light' for Bastille Day, although neither of the clips I embedded included "Clair de Lune," so this was new to this blog, just like last year's inclusion of An American in Paris. I probably now have the entire show scattered over ten years of this blog. Maybe one day I will find a video of the entire show.

As for who played it best, the commenters say 1994 Phantom Regiment, and I agree. G bugles still rule.

Today is also National Grand Marnier Day, so I close with Archive of Disney Done Differently's DAY 37:EPCOT'S France Pavilion The Grand Marnier Orange Slush.

To recycle what I wrote last year, 2023 and 2021, "Vive la France (Pavilion)! Liberté, Egaliteé, Fraternité!"

'Desi Lydic Foxsplains Trump's Big Beautiful Ballroom' plus the short form nominees at the Emmy Awards

I told my readers to "stay tuned for coverage of the Emmy Awards...nominees," so I'm following through with one of the nominees, Desi Lydic Foxsplains Trump's Big Beautiful Ballroom | The Daily Show.

Desi Lydic Foxsplains why Donald Trump's golden palace of dance is great for all Americans... even if they can't actually see, touch, or use it.

On the one hand, HAHAHAHA! On the other, I'm recycling what I wrote in Meyers, 'The Daily Show,' Kimmel, and the Marsh Family take closer looks at the royal visit.

I'm repeating what I wrote yesterday.

Donald "Hoover Harding Cleveland" Trump doubling down on his ballroom and going after Kimmel and James Comey is just him pursuing his pet projects. It's also an example of "never let a good crisis go to waste." It's just a shame that the projects being pursued are so petty.

Even more of a shame that he's getting so many to go along with him, including shifting its funding from private donors to the taxpayers. Ugh.

That's not the most recent video in the Desi Lydic Foxsplains playlist. Desi Lydic on How "Foxsplains" Came to Be - After the Cut | The Daily Show is.

Desi Lydic describes how her Emmy-winning Foxsplains segment was born out of necessity during the early days of the Covid pandemic[.]

"I'm not either." I second that emotion!

Follow over the jump for the short form nominees.

Vote for the 2026 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards, if you dare

I concluded Drink to smartphones lowering birth rates for World Population Day and National Mojito Day by telling my readers, "Stay tuned for the Sunday entertainment feature. I have an awards show my readers can vote in for free, as long as they are interested in horror and horror-adjacent science fiction movies and television." Those are the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards for horror movies, podcasts, series, and video games. I'm letting PVD Horror list and discuss the nominees along with their votes in Fangoria Chainsaw Awards 2026 Nominees.

It's that time again, Fangoria Chainsaw Award nominees have been announced and the ballots are out! Join us as we go through the categories and pick our winners from a very strong 12 month span that featured films such as Obsession, Backrooms, Weapons, Frankenstein, and many more!

Vote for your favorites, Voting closes July 15 at 11:59 PM PT.

If that's too long, watch Fangoria Chainsaw Awards by Scarah Damsel of the Doomed.

The scream of the crop has arrived!
The nominations for the 2026 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards are officially LIVE! @fangoria gathered 35 of the best new horror films across 14 categories to celebrate the very best in the genre.
Now it’s YOUR turn to decide the winners.
IMPORTANT: The voting window is open for a limited time!
Deadline: July 15th, 2026
Vote Now: Head to Fangoria.com and let your horror-loving voice be heard!

Voting link.

Follow over the jump for my votes and PVD Horror's.