OscarWatch Podcast

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Investigation Of A Citizen Above Suspicion (1970) Sep 21, 2017

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Matt and Steve head over to Italy for a film that sums up the awfulness of the 70s pretty well: 1970's Best Foreign Language Winner, Investigation Of A Citizen Above Suspicion, a crime drama where we follow the killer as he investigates, well, himself. A scathing satire of police corruption and what it means to be powerful, Elio Petri's film is as relevant today as it was nearly fifty years ago - if not moreso. With a command performance by Gian Maria Volante and a score by the great Ennio Morricone, the boys have a fun time getting to the universal themes, drama and tragedy of this one. Fun AND police corruption? Together? Oh yes! Thanks for listening. Be sure to write us at oscarwatchpodcast@gmail.com and find us on social media @oscarwatchpod Next week, we begin our Octoberfestival of horror a little early...

For Your ReConsideration: Network (1976) Sep 15, 2017

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This week, we're as mad as hell and we aren't going to take it any more! So, naturally, we're going to discuss the 1976 Best Picture nominee (and winner of Best Original Screenplay), Network, a film that is called a satire but in the forty years since its release, has become something more akin to prophecy. Joining Steve is Shahir Daud from The Only Podcast About Movies to discuss Paddy Chayefsky's brilliant, award winning script; one full of passion, fury, anger, ideas and maybe one too many monologues. What does the movie have to say about us - the audience - and the world at large? Nothing good, really, but it's one hell of a ride. Drop us a line on our own little network at oscarwatchpodcast@gmail.com and be sure to find us on social media @oscarwatchpod Thanks for listening!

A Separation (2011) Sep 07, 2017

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At long last, the boys of OscarWatch finally get to tackle Asghar Farhadi's stunning 2011 Best Foreign Language Film winner, A Separation. Bravura filmmaking and a dynamite script drives this story relentlessly forward, forcing Steve to consider it alongside another modern masterpiece...Mad Max? Plus, though the language and cultures are different, there are some problems that all people feel. We answer your questions and get down to the business of dismantling the patriarchy! Also, we name drop Shahir Daud of the Only Podcast About Movies at least a dozen times. So that's cool. Thanks for listening. Drop us a line at oscarwatchpodcast@gmail.com and find us on social media. Next week, we're mad as hell and we aren't going to take it anymore.

Platoon (1986) Aug 31, 2017

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This week, Matt and Steve travel to the jungles of Vietnam for the intense and personal experience that is Oliver Stone's Platoon, the 1986 Best Picture Winner. A sobering look at the lives of infantrymen during that conflict, the film pulls no punches and has as much to say now as it did then. We talk the frenetic feel to the violence and how you never feel safe out there in the jungles of Nam. And ask, is that Barber piece used just a bit too much? (Yes, and no) Finally: just what does Platoon and Star Wars have in common? All this and more in our latest episode! Drop us a line at oscarwatchpodcast@gmail.com and find us on social media, Subscribe and review us on iTunes! Thank you for listening.

Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) Aug 24, 2017

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This week, Matt and Steve say 'Cheese!' and take a look at the last non-CGI Best Animated Picture winner, 2005's Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit! Just what makes these two characters so delightful? Is it the animation? The voice work? There is a timelessness to the setting and stories of Were-Rabbit, and Matt gets to mine his considerable knowledge of Hammer and Universal horror films to dissect this loving homage to both. Which, despite its boundless joy and comedy, has some great 'scary movie' tropes to it. Plus, we answer your questions about animated films and this year's Oscar race! Drop us a line at oscarwatchpodcast@gmail.com and find us on social media @oscarwatchpod. Next week, we travel from the idyllic English countryside to the jungles of Nam. Oh yes, it's time for Platoon.

Pool Party Massacre (2017) Aug 17, 2017

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We're taking a break from the IMPORTANT things in life for a little fun in the sun with our UNOscar Edition of OscarWatch! First up, it's the ultra-low budget indie horror film Pool Party Massacre, that perhaps like Jaws, may make you never want to get in the water again! Not that anyone at this pool party spends that much time in the, you know, pool. But that's besides the point. What's on display is love and fun and blood and gore, all under the clear blue American skies. But is there something else, some bigger message underneath the cleavage and the intestines? Steve thinks so, though he's having a hard time figuring out what! So if you're tired of us going on about the "Best" movies, then tune in! We had fun, and so will you! Got a recommendation for an UNOscar episode? Want to appear and talk about your own movie? Drop us a line at oscarwatchpodcast@gmail.com and be sure to follow us on social media (@oscarwatchpod). Subscribe and review on iTunes. Next week...Wallace & Gromit!

Going My Way (1944) Aug 10, 2017

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The soft velvety tones of the one and only Bing Crosby sings to us as we head our own way in this week's film, Going My Way. The feel good film of 1944, the year America most certainly needed to feel good...but does that really qualify a film to be called Best? The boys of OscarWatch talk the immortal Bing, just whether this is a "musical", and Steve reveals a dark secret about Hallmark movies. All this and a curious tangent about an altrock 90s band, this week on the podcast. Thanks for listening. Drop us a line at oscarwatchpodcast@gmail.com and find us on social media @oscarwatchpod

Lawrence of Arabia (1962) Aug 04, 2017

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Join the boys of OscarWatch as they travel under those Arabian Nights for a discussion of one of the most beloved films of all time, David Lean's Lawrence of Arabia. Defining the word 'epic' may be difficult, but surely if any film qualifies, it is this one. From questionable outrage inducing choices - brownface? really? - to stunning cinematography, one of the most recognizable scores in history, this film has it all and more. Plus, one of the great lead performance debuts of any actor in history: Peter O'Toole. Such sounds! Such sights! Such wonder await us all as we saddle up our camels and discuss El Aurens. Plus, why don't they bring back intermissions? Michael Bay could really use them in his flicks. Thanks for listening. Next week we're going your way. I mean, going my way. Someone's way. Drop us a line at oscarwatchpodcast@gmail.com and be sure to follow on social media @oscarwatchpod. See you next time.

Pelle The Conqueror (1988) Jul 27, 2017

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This week's film is not about a famous Brazilian soccer player nor does it feature any conquering whatsoever. Instead, strap in for a discussion on 19th century working conditions in rural Denmark, it's Pelle the Conqueror. Featuring a stunning and Academy Award nominated performance from the great Max von Sydow, Steve and Matt follow young Pelle and his father as they try to make it in a new land. It's like any immigrant story, and though the setting may change, its lessons never do. Though it could definitely use a little tighter editing. But hey, that's life? And life is never what you want it to be (that's another lesson you learn here, too!). Thanks for listening! Next week, we head from the frozen lakes of Denmark to the burning sands of Arabia. Be sure to drop a line at oscarwatchpodcast@gmail.com and find us on iTunes. Follow us on social media @oscarwatchpod.

The French Connection (1971) Jul 20, 2017

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This week, the guys pick their toes in Poughkeepsie as they discuss one of the seminal car chase films in cinema history, 1971's The French Connection. In it, we go all 'trigger warning' on Popeye Doyle, one of the most uncouth heroes of any film ever and learn why Matt carries a pistol with director William Friedkin's name on it. And just how good is that car chase sequence? We analyze the heck out of it! All this and more, this week on the Podcast. Thanks for listening! Be sure to find us on social media @oscarwatchpod and drop us a line anytime at oscarwatchpodcast@gmail.com.

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