Podcast Summary
Exploring the Best Picture Nominees at the Oscars: Make time for films that resonate deeply, like 'Killers of the Flower Moon' and 'The Fable of the Marsh Queen'. The Oscars celebrate artistic excellence with a diverse range of nominated titles, offering something for every film fan.
Despite being busy with multiple jobs and personal commitments, it's important to make time for films that resonate deeply, such as "Killers of the Flower Moon" and "The Fable of the Marsh Queen," which offer unique perspectives and exceptional storytelling. These films, along with the other nominated titles, showcase the rich diversity and depth of cinema, making the Oscars a celebration of artistic excellence worth exploring. Whether you're a fan of horror and murder or prefer more intimate, character-driven stories, there's something for everyone in this year's Best Picture nominees.
Expanding Best Picture nominees for greater inclusivity: The Academy expanded Best Picture nominees from five to ten to ensure blockbusters had a better chance, leading to more diverse and inclusive nominations, such as 'Black Panther' and 'Top Gun: Maverick'.
The expansion of the Best Picture nominees from five to ten at the Academy Awards was primarily done to ensure that well-crafted blockbusters had a better chance of being recognized. This change came around the time when films like "The Dark Knight" were overlooked, and smaller films dominated the nominations. However, this shift has led to the recognition of more diverse films, including "Black Panther," "Top Gun: Maverick," and potentially "Oppenheimer" and "Barbie." Previously, movies that did well at the box office, such as "Titanic," "American Beauty," "Lord of the Rings," and "Brokeback Mountain," were often considered Oscar contenders. Now, with ten nominees, it's more likely that such films will be included in the Best Picture category, making the awards more inclusive and representative of various genres and audiences.
The Role of Social Media in the Oscars: A Changing Landscape: The Oscars are adapting to a post-Twitter era, with less emphasis on chaotic fan-voted categories and a focus on more controlled moments.
The role of social media in the Oscars and award seasons as a whole is evolving, with Twitter being less central as it once was. Christopher Nolan's films, known for their grand scale, add to the intrigue of this year's ceremony, which marks a "post-Twitter" era. The academy has attempted to appeal to social media in the past with fan-voted categories, but the results were chaotic. It remains to be seen how the absence of Twitter as a dominant water cooler discussion platform will impact the Oscars' drama and viewership. The academy might still be interested in dramatic moments, but a slap like Will Smith's might be less likely. Instead, they might prefer more controlled moments, like Jennifer Lawrence's infamous fall. Ultimately, the Oscars are adapting to the changing social media landscape, and it will be intriguing to see how this plays out in the years to come.
Oscars Embrace International Films: The Oscars have seen a surge in recognition for non-English films, with nominations for 'Anatomy of a Fall' and 'Zone of Interest', and all documentary feature nominees being international. This trend reflects a more open-minded US audience and increased accessibility to international content.
This year's Oscars have seen a significant increase in recognition for international films. With nominees like "Anatomy of a Fall" and "Zone of Interest," both of which are primarily non-English films, and all documentary feature nominees being international, the trend of embracing diverse cinematic perspectives continues. This shift could be a reflection of a more open-minded US audience, willing to engage with subtitled films, and the increased accessibility of international content through streaming platforms. It's a positive sign for the expansion of viewers' horizons and the recognition of a rich and diverse global film industry. Additionally, films that might have previously been relegated to the best international film category now have a chance to compete in the best picture race, as seen with "Anatomy of a Fall."
Unexpectedly complex films in this year's discussions: Films like 'Barbie' and 'The Holdovers' show that depth and impact matter, not just awards or box office success.
This year's film discussions have highlighted unexpectedly thoughtful and emotionally complex films, such as "Barbie" directed by Greta Gerwig, and "The Holdovers," which surprised viewers with their balance of sentimentality and wit. Notable snubs in the Oscars include Greta Gerwig for best director and Margot Robbie for best actress in "Barbie," as well as Greta Lee and Celine Song for their respective roles in the film. Despite the hype surrounding some movies, it's essential to remember that the value of a film lies not only in its box office success or awards recognition but also in the depth of its storytelling and the impact it leaves on viewers.
Surprising Oscars Snubs: 'A Wrinkle in Time' and 'May December': Despite progress towards inclusivity, notable films and performances like 'A Wrinkle in Time' and 'May December' were overlooked, but the Academy's recognition of diverse and non-English language films continues to bring excitement.
This year's Oscars saw some surprising snubs, with notable films and performances receiving little recognition. Ava DuVernay's "A Wrinkle in Time" and "May December" with its leads Julianne Moore, Natalie Portman, and Charles Martin were among the most disappointing omissions. While the Academy often overlooks genres like horror and action films, the wins for "Parasite" and "Moonlight" in recent years brought excitement as underdog victories. The Academy's recognition of diverse and non-English language films represents growth, making the Oscars more inclusive and invigorating for movie lovers.
Predictions for uncertain Oscars categories: Ayesha and Linda support Lily Gladstone for Best Actress, but acknowledge Emma Stone's exceptional performance. They expect Oppenheimer to win Best Picture, but keep a close eye on unpredictable categories.
While there are clear front-runners in many categories at the Oscars this year, there are still some categories, like Best Actress, where the outcome is uncertain. Ayesha and Linda both expressed their support for Lily Gladstone in this category, but acknowledged that Emma Stone's performance in "The Favourite" is also exceptional. Overall, they expect the Oppenheimer film to take home the Best Picture award, but are keeping a close eye on other categories with less predictable outcomes. The anticipation is high, and the predictions will be put to the test as the Oscars approach.
