The Next Best Picture Podcast

Latest Episodes:

"The Color Purple" Dec 23, 2023

Show notes

For this week's main podcast review, I am joined by Lauren LaMagna, Josh Parham, Dan Bayer & Tom O'Brien. Today, we are reviewing "The Color Purple" starring Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey & Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor. Based on the stage musical of the same name, which in turn was based on the 1982 novel of the same name by Alice Walker and made into an Oscar-nominated film by Steven Spielberg in 1985, the latest version is directed by Blitz Bazawule and features one of the best ensembles of the year. What did we think of the performances, the differences between this and the 1985 version, and how the musical version translated from the stage to the screen? Tune in as we discuss these elements, its awards season chances, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you, and enjoy!

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Interview With "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." Director/Writer Kelly Fremon Craig Dec 22, 2023

Show notes

After wowing audiences with her feature directorial debut "The Edge Of Seventeen" in 2016, writer/director Kelly Fremon Craig turned her eye toward Judy Blume's influential coming-of-age book and adapted it into the critically beloved "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." The film had its world premiere in Los Angeles in April and has been picking up several wins throughout this awards season, including most recently, Best Supporting Performance from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association for Rachel McAdams, Gotham and Critics Choice Award nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay for Kelly Fremon Craig and a Best Young Actress nomination for Abby Fortson Ryder from the Critics Choice Awards. Kelly was kind enough to spend a few minutes talking with us about her work on the film, what it has meant to her, the enduring legacy of the 1970 novel, and more. Please be sure to check out the film, which is up for your consideration in all eligible categories at the 96th Academy Awards. Thank you, and enjoy!

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Interviews With "Migration" Director Benjamin Renner & Composer John Powell Dec 22, 2023

Show notes

"Migration" is the latest animated film from Illumination, the animation studio responsible for the "Despicable Me" films, "Sing," "The Secret Life Of Pets," and most recently, "The Super Mario Bros. Movie." Director Benjamin Renner was tasked with bringing his experience working in traditionally hand-drawn animated films to deliver something different for the studio. Teaming with "The White Lotus" writer Mike White and composer John Powell, they've all given us an animated film that feels both unique and familiar at the same time. Renner and Powell were kind enough to spend a few minutes speaking with us about their work on the film, which you can listen to below. Be sure to check out the film, now playing in theaters from Universal Pictures, which is up for your consideration at the 96th Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature. Thank you, and enjoy!

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"Maestro" Dec 21, 2023

Show notes

For this week's third podcast review, I am joined by Josh Parham, Dan Bayer, Alyssa Christian & Danilo Castro. Today, we are reviewing the second directorial effort from Academy Award-nominee Bradley Cooper with "Maestro," starring Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Sarah Silverman, Matt Bomer, Josh Hamilton & Maya Hawke. A Netflix biopic less about the music of world-renowned conductor Leonardo Bernstein and more about his marriage with Felicia Montealegre, the film marks an artistic leap for Cooper both in front and behind the camera as he deploys many classical filmmaking tricks to take us through decades of an artists life. What did we think of the story, writing, performances, cinematography, sound, and makeup used to age the characters? Tune in as we discuss these elements, its awards season chances, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you, and enjoy!

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"The Zone Of Interest" Dec 20, 2023

Show notes

For this week's second podcast review, I am joined by Josh Parham, Dan Bayer & Tom O'Brien. Today, we are reviewing the newest film from director Jonathan Glazer, "The Zone Of Interest," starring Christian Friedel and Sandra Hüller. Already hailed as a masterpiece since its world premiere at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, the film is the British entry for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards. What do we think of the direction from Glazer, how he adapted the 2014 Martin Amis novel of the same name, the film's themes, its performances, cinematography, and sound work? Tune in as we discuss these elements, its awards season chances, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you, and enjoy!

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"American Fiction" Dec 19, 2023

Show notes

For this week's second podcast review, I am joined by Josh Parham, Dan Bayer & Cody Dericks. Today, we are reviewing the feature directorial debut from Cord Jefferson, "American Fiction," starring Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae & Sterling K. Brown. What do we think of the story, the writing, performances, and widespread tone of the satire-comedy and how it balances the familial drama at its center? Tune in as we discuss these elements, its awards season chances, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you, and enjoy!

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Interview With "The Monk And The Gun" Director/Writer Pawo Choyning Dorji Dec 18, 2023

Show notes

"The Monk And The Gun" had its world premiere at the 2023 Telluride Film Festival, where it received strong reviews for its visuals and tone and look back on Bhutan's transition to democracy in 2006. Following up on the Oscar-nominated "Lunana: A Yak In The Classroom," director, writer, and producer Pawo Choyning Dorji has established himself as a force on the international filmmaking scene with two directorial efforts in his career. Pawo was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his latest film, which can be listened to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is the Bhutanese entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards and is up for your consideration in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy!

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A Behind The Scenes Look At "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" Dec 18, 2023

Show notes

One of 2023's most thrilling films, "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One," finds director Christopher McQuarrie, Tom Cruise, and their collaborators continually pushing the franchise higher, harder, and faster than it has ever gone before, dazzling audiences in the process. Visual effects supervisor Alex Wuttke and editor Eddie Hamilton were kind enough to spend time speaking with us about what goes into crafting a "Mission" movie and the challenges they faced on this latest film. Please check out the interviews below and be sure to catch the film, which is up for your consideration in all eligible categories for this year's Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects. Thank you, and enjoy!

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Interview With "The After" Star David Oyelowo & Director/Writer Misan Harriman Dec 18, 2023

Show notes

"The After" is a short film from filmmaker Misan Harriman that looks at grief profoundly and movingly, with a powerful leading performance from David Oyelowo. In 18 short minutes, Harriman and Oyelowo take audiences through a man's tortured past trauma, and the result is a live-action short with all the ingredients to be a contender for Best Live-Action Short at this year's Academy Awards. Harriman and Oyelowo were kind enough to spend a few minutes speaking with us about working on the short film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now streaming on Netflix. Thank you, and enjoy!

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A Behind The Scenes Look At "The Zone Of Interest" Dec 18, 2023

Show notes

"The Zone Of Interest" had its world premiere at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Grand Prix and FIPRESCI Prizes, receiving some of the best reviews of the year, with many proclaiming it to be the best film of 2023. Stars Christian Friedel and Sandra Hüller were kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their experience working with filmmaker Jonathan Glazer on such a unique Holocaust film. Then cinematographer Łukasz Żal and supervising sound designer Johnnie Burn spoke with Dan Bayer about their contributions to the film's haunting visuals and sound, creating a haunting, memorable experience. Please be sure to check out the film, which is currently playing in theaters from A24 and is the entry for the British entry for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards. The film is also up for your consideration in all eligible categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Sound. Thank you, and enjoy!

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