OscarWatch Podcast

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TV & Film
**OscarWatch Podcast**

Join hosts Amy Thomasson and Steve Buja as they take a look back at the very small number of films to have been named the Academy Awards’ Best Picture and ask the important question: did it deserve to win? We’ll take a look at the other contenders, the politics of awards season, the world events that shaped the year, and of course, reviewing the big winner and how it has withstood the test of time. Hopefully while having a spirited conversation that will, in some cases, be more entertaining than the movie! OscarWatch: truly determining the best of the Best.

Latest Episodes:

One Last Thing... Jan 15, 2019

Show notes

In which to say 'Thank you' to those who walked this path alongside.

Shoulda Been A Contenda: City Lights (1931) Dec 31, 2018

Show notes

We say farewell with a look back at one of the finest works ever produced, Charlie Chaplin's City Lights (1931), a film that is sure to make you fall in love all over again. Steve tears up, Amy laughs and we all stare in awe at how well this little film where no words are ever said can still hold up to this day. Not to spoil anything, but this movie is absolutely hilarious and as charming as the day is long. We thank you for listening to us for all these episodes. Like the Tramp at the end, you make us smile and perhaps, we'll meet again on the street. Our eyes no longer blind.

Closely Watched Trains (1967) Dec 29, 2018

Show notes

All aboard to ride that (Czech New) wave with a look at the Best Foreign Language film of 1967, Closely Watched Trains. This episode, Amy and Steve reveal some sordid histories of theirs, Steve admits to some "funny" feelings during a particular scene and the two discuss how boys and girls' "coming of age" narratives are very different (and awfully skewed towards the former). And who knew a Czech film that takes place during the Nazi occupation could be so damn funny? Plus, Steve cheers the ending that finally does what he wants it do...right? All that and a butchering of Czech names, this week on the podcast. Thank you for listening. Drop us a line at oscarwatchpodcast@gmail.com and find us on social media @oscarwatchpod . Happy New Year!

Listener Request: The Player (1992) Dec 27, 2018

Show notes

Our pitch, in 25 words or less: This week, we talk Altfans, making movies, murder, underrated Robbins, Scacchi, Gallagher (and those eyebrows!) and of a time before meta was meta. We guarantee! Thanks for listening!

Shoulda Been A Contenda: Stalag 17 (1953) Dec 25, 2018

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Amy and Steve get captured and thrown in the brig with our Christmas gift to ourselves: Billy Wilder's Stalag 17. A film with a special place in Amy's heart! We discuss the great William Holden (in his only Oscar winning role...and was it actually for something else?) and Steve realizes that yes, there is such a thing as "too much comedy" in an otherwise very serious film. Some films are hung around a great performance and no one does it better than Holden! And a question to you: which is better, this, The Great Escape or River Kwai? All that and more, this week. A very merry holidays to all of you. Thank you all for listening. We cannot do this without you. Thanks for listening, and be sure to chime in with your thoughts to oscarwatchpodcast@gmail.com and find us on social media @oscarwatchpod

A Special Message From OscarWatch Dec 24, 2018

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"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." A brief message on the future, and fare thee well.

Listener Request: The Prestige (2006) Dec 20, 2018

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Are you listening closely? This week, as part of our all request Christmas Giftathon, we take a very close look back at the ultimate superhero showdown: Batman vs Wolverine, The Prestige (2006), a film that Steve simply cannot stop watching. And yes, don't worry folks, it is superior to The Illusionist in every single way. But what makes this Christopher Nolan film so appealing so many years later? And how great a screenplay is this? And why wasn't Bowie nominated?! For that matter, why wasn't this nominated for more. It has only grown in esteem in the years. We talk magic, suspense, the nature of Causality (and how Nolan may actually really hate it) and Amy definitely shows off her skills by pointing out how 'hey! isn't that this other guy in a beard?' All this and more, this week on the podcast! And thank you for listening!

Listener Request: Shadow of the Vampire (2000) Dec 13, 2018

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A dominating narcissist destroys everyone around him in an attempt at immortality, and also there's a vampire! Hey-o! As part of the Christmas Gift month of requests, Amy (or should I say, Herr Direktor?) and Steve take a look back at the underloved 2000 film, Shadow of the Vampire. What is it about art as destruction that we find so compelling? And why, through all the blood, is this actually rather funny? Plus, we all definitely agree: John Malkovich brought his own costumes. Film history, the eternal life of film and a stern reminder, if it's not in frame, it doesn't exist! on the podcast. Thank you so much for listening!

Listener Request: Avalon (1990) Dec 06, 2018

Show notes

We begin our Christmas Gift month with a trip to America...through the eyes of those who came here. Avalon is little remembered these days but as Amy and Steve both discover, it is both a little timeless and also very timely. We thrill over the much underappreciated Armin Mueller-Stahl and marvel at watching America as only immigrants can. And when the bitter thesis drops, it's a stab to the gut. Plus, Amy is clearly team Sam in the great turkey carving fight: be punctual people. Life is too short to be holding up other people, dammit. All that and so much more with this, our first listener request in December. Thank you all for writing in. I'm sorry we can't get to all of them this month but I assure you, we will get to all of them. If you have a request of your own, or want to side with Gabriel in the turkey fight, drop us a line at oscarwatchpodcast@gmail.com and be sure to find us on social media @oscarwatchpod Next week, if it's not in frame, it doesn't exist!

For Your ReConsideration: The Last Picture Show (1971) Nov 29, 2018

Show notes

Whether it's 1951, 1971 or 2018, there are some things that exist outside of time. Anarene may not be real but there are towns like it all over the country. Amy and Steve look at how the more things change, the more they stay the same in Peter Bogdanovich's transcendent film, The Last Picture Show. Is it a post-apocalyptic film? It sure starts that way and is somehow even bleaker than more traditional fare. Plus, nobody respects Shepherd or Bottoms here, but the awards heaped on Ben Johnson and Cloris Leachman are well earned (even if Steve thinks Leachman was on a different tv show in the 80s). Never has hopelessness and ennui been more effective and nuanced than here, and we talk all that, Hank Williams and more. Like what you hear? Write us an email at oscarwatchpodcast@gmail.com and find us on social media @oscarwatchpod Stay tuned! December is upon us!

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