The Next Best Picture Podcast

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Interview With "Blue Moon" Star Ethan Hawke Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

"Blue Moon" is an American biographical comedy-drama film directed by Richard Linklater and written by Robert Kaplow. The film follows songwriter Lorenz Hart (Ethan Hawke) as he reflects on himself and his work on the opening night of "Oklahoma!," the iconic musical by his former colleague Richard Rodgers (Andrew Scott). It also stars Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale, and Jonah Lees. The film had its world premiere at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, where it won the Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance for Scott and received positive reviews for Kaplow's writing, Linklater's focused direction, and Hawke's multi-layered performance, with many calling it one of the best of his career. Hawke was kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about his experience working on the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which will be released in theaters on October 17th from Sony Pictures Classics. Thank you, and enjoy!

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Interview With "The Smashing Machine" Filmmaker Benny Safdie Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

"The Smashing Machine" is a biographical sports drama film written, directed, produced, and edited by Benny Safdie. It stars Dwayne Johnson as former amateur wrestler and MMA fighter Mark Kerr, alongside Emily Blunt as Kerr's girlfriend Dawn Staples, with Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and Oleksandr Usyk in supporting roles. The film had its world premiere in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, where it won the Silver Lion and received positive reviews for the performances, notably Johnson's committed and transformational work and Safdie's re-creation of the world of MMA and the UFC during its early days. Filmmaker Safdie was kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about his experience working on the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from A24. Thank you, and enjoy!

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Interview With "John Candy: I Like Me" Director Colin Hanks, Co-Executive Producers Chris Candy & Jennifer Candy-Sullivan Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

"John Candy: I Like Me" is a celebrity biopic documentary film directed by Colin Hanks about Canadian actor John Candy. The documentary premiered as the opening night film of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where it received positive reviews. Hanks, who also produced the film, along with film participants and Co-Executive Producers Chris Candy & Jennifer Candy-Sullivan, were all kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about their work and experience on making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. Thank you, and enjoy!

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"Kiss Of The Spider Woman" Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL REVIEW. Please check out the full podcast review on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture

For this week's second podcast review, Ema Sasic, Josh Parham, Lauren LaMagna, Dan Bayer, and Cody Dericks join me to review and discuss the latest film from Bill Condon, "Kiss Of The Spider Woman," starring Diego Luna, Tonatiuh, and Jennifer Lopez. It is an American musical drama that is a film adaptation of the 1992 stage musical, itself based on the 1976 novel. It is the second film adaptation, following the Oscar-winning 1985 adaptation. It premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival to positive reviews for its performances, craftsmanship, and musical fantasy sequences. But what did we think of it? Please tune in as we discuss these elements, the themes, songs, its awards season chances, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy!

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Interview With "Urchin" Filmmaker Harris Dickinson & Star Frank Dillane Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

"Urchin" is a British independent drama film written and directed by Harris Dickinson, in his feature-length directorial debut, that stars Frank Dillane as a homeless young man in London, struggling with addiction and poverty. The film had its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section, where Dickinson won the FIPRESCI Prize and Dillane won the section's Best Actor award. Dickinson and Daillane were both kind enough to spendsome time speaking with us about their work and experience working on the film, which you can listen to below.Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in limited release from 1-2 Special. Thank you, and enjoy!

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Interview With "The Woman In Cabin 10" Filmmaker Simon Stone Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

"The Woman In Cabin 10" is a psychological thriller film directed by Simon Stone, who co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse. It is based on the 2016 novel by Ruth Ware. The film stars Keira Knightley, Guy Pearce, David Ajala, Art Malik, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Kaya Scodelario, David Morrissey, Daniel Ings, and Hannah Waddingham. Filmmaker Stone was kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about his experience working on the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now available to stream on Netflix. Thank you, and enjoy!

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Episode 461 - The 2025 New York Film Festival Ends, "Hamnet," "Die My Love" & "Mercy" Trailers Oct 12, 2025

Show notes

For Episode 461, Lauren LaMagna, Giovanni Lago, Alyssa Christian, Tom O'Brien, and I are here to talk about the end of the 2025 New York Film Festival (NYFF63), including the "secret screening" world premiere of Josh Safdie's "Marty Supreme," the Closing Night world premiere of Bradley Cooper's "Is This Thing On?." For this week's poll, for the release of "After The Hunt" this weekend, we're asking, "Which Is Your Favorite Luca Guadagnino Film?" We also reveal the winner of last week's poll, where we asked "Which Is Your Favorite Channing Tatum Performance?" for the release of "Roofman." We also share our reactions to the trailers for "Hamnet, "Die, My Love," "Father Mother Sister Brother," "Nuremberg," "Mercy," answer your fan-submitted questions, and more! Thank you all for listening, supporting, subscribing, and voting. Enjoy!

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"Roofman" Oct 11, 2025

Show notes

For this week's main podcast review, Katie Johnson, Dan Bayer, Sara Clements, Daniel Howat, and Tom O'Brien join me to review and discuss the latest film from Derek Cianfrance, "Roofman," starring Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst, Ben Mendelsohn, LaKeith Stanfield, Juno Temple, Melonie Diaz, Uzo Aduba, Lily Collias, Jimmy O. Yang, and Peter Dinklage. Based on the real-life story of robber Jeffrey Manchester, who hid out in a toy store from law enforcement, the film had its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where it received positive reviews for Tatum and Dunst's performances, as well as Cianfrance's writing and direction. Please tune in as we discuss these elements, its balance of drama and comedy, its awards season chances, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy!

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Interview With "Mussolini: Son Of The Century" Director Joe Wright Oct 11, 2025

Show notes

"Mussolini: Son of the Century" is a biographical historical drama television series directed by Joe Wright, based on the 2018 novel "M: Son of the Century" by Antonio Scurati. Starring Luca Marinelli as Benito Mussolini, the series centers on Mussolini's early political career in the 1920s. It premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival to positive reviews for its direction, score, and Marinelli's performance. Wright was kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about his experience working on the series, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the series, which is now available to stream in full on MUBI. Thank you, and enjoy!

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"Anemone" Oct 11, 2025

Show notes

THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL REVIEW. Please check out the full podcast review on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture

For this week's second podcast review, Josh Parham and Dan Bayer join me to review and discuss the directorial debut of Ronan Day-Lewis, "Anemone," starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Sean Bean, and Samantha Morton. Co-written with his son, the 3-time Academy Award-winning legendary actor Daniel Day-Lewis came out of "retirement" to star in his son's first feature film. The film tells the original story of a troubled recluse whose estranged brother arrives to convince him to come home and reunite with his family. It premiered at the New York Film Festival to mixed reviews, but what did we think of it? Please tune in as we discuss the performances, direction, writing, cinematography, soundscape, its awards season chances, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy!

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