Remember the Awards Season Fantasy Draft? Well, Nick and Sophia are bringing it back with some new and returning guests ready to get in on the action. Let the competition ensue as they discuss all of the big films slated for upcoming fall festivals and debate their potential in taking home the gold this awards season. Which team do you think has the upper hand? Which movies are you most excited to see? Will any of these films be delayed (again)?

If you’d like to watch along, check out the extended version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzmhwKVt4qeNGnsCncMc7Q

Guests:

Erik Anderson: @awards_watch

Joyce Eng: @joyceeng61

Kevin Jacobsen: @kevin_jacobsen @OscarRunnerUp

The Oscar Expert & Brother Bro: @expert_oscar & @withbrotherbro

Matt Neglia: @NextBestPicture

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @oscarwildpod

Sophia Ciminello: @sophia_cim

Nick Ruhrkraut: @sauerkraut27

2021 Awards Season Fantasy Draft: https://oscarwild.squarespace.com/episodes/the-awards-season-fantasy-draft

Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

This week, Sophia and Nick answer all of your submitted questions to get you ready for the start of festival season. Find out all about what the lineups at Venice, Toronto, and New York say about the upcoming Oscars race, what they’re most (and least) excited for, how influential festival buzz can be, and much more!

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Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

This week’s episode is all about Frank Capra and his grand success and influence at the Academy Awards. Before diving into his three Best Director wins, Nick and Sophia share their relationships with Capra’s films growing up and a history of how Capra’s own pursuit of the American Dream as an immigrant led him to becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest stars (3:29). Then, they discuss his first Oscar-winning film and first Big Five winner (Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and Screenplay), “It Happened One Night” (19:55). Capra then went on to win again for “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town” (31:08) and “You Can’t Take It With You” (38:36), each two years apart. What do these movies have in common and what contributed to Capra’s mass appeal? Listen to find out all of this and more about the beloved director!

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Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

Sophia and Nick are back to talk about a few new August releases that showcase memorable musical performances from their leading ladies. In ‘Respect’ you’ll find Jennifer Hudson’s soulful transformation as Aretha Franklin (1:16). Then, it’s another fun round of Nom or Bomb with biopics about musicians (15:31). The final two movies include the heartwarming coming-of-age tale of a musically gifted Child Of Deaf Adults at a crossroads in ‘CODA’ (18:31) and the spectacular rock opera ‘Annette’ that’s Out of this World! (30:53). So may we start?

Jennifer Hudson on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHQy5wu18uI&ab_channel=TheLateShowwithStephenColbert

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Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

Nick and Sophia are back with another movie trade to discuss the contentious 1998 Best Picture race between 'Saving Private Ryan' and 'Shakespeare in Love.' Did Spielberg's epic patriotic WWII film (1:13) deserve to win over the fictionalized tale of Shakespeare writing "Romeo and Juliet" whilst simultaneously living out its romance IRL? (30:47) After discussing the films separately, they answer some listener questions and decide if The Academy got it right (47:22).

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Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

Sophia and Nick are back to discuss some late July releases that have audiences flocking back to the theaters. After reacting to some new trailers and films delayed until 2022, they dive into Nicolas Cage’s daring rescue mission in “Pig” (13:45). Then, they try to decode the time-bending mystery to keep them from becoming too “Old” (22:44) before discussing the Matt Damon international crime thriller “Stillwater” (no, this is nothing like “The Bourne Identity”) (31:45). They finish by marveling at “The Green Knight,” David Lowery’s adaptation of the original 14th Century poem, and break down their many interpretations (41:12). To skip past the original poem’s ending and spoilers, go to (48:14).

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Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

Guest star Ryan Man-Of-The-People Lamb is back for another round of awarding the Best Popular Oscar to films from the 2000s. After a discussion of MCU’s latest, “Black Widow” (1:08), Ryan, Sophia, and Nick share their thoughts on the proposed Best Popular Oscar as they speculate the logistics of this added category (7:54). Then, by going through each year from 2000 to 2009, they each reveal five nominees and deliberate in choosing a mutual winner (13:02). They also list some of their favorite films by year that were ineligible but wish could have been nominated. Lastly, find out who they bestow as The Ultimate Popular Film of the 2000s.

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Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

Nick and Sophia celebrate the Cannes Film Festival this episode before discussing the two unanimous winners of the Palme d’Or that went on to also win Best Picture at the Oscars: ”Marty” (1955) and “Parasite” (2019). Find out some history of the prestigious fête including its original name, what a Palme d’Or is, and all about the 74th Festival this year. Plus, Sophia recaps her whirlwind experience going to Cannes this year, sharing her favorite films, answering questions about what it’s like to be at the Festival, and if any of the films that she saw have Oscar potential (1:45).

Then, they question how “Marty,” the first ever Palme d’Or winner and shortest ever Best Picture winner won both of these awards (32:56). And lastly, they finally get to share their love for the Korean masterpiece “Parasite” by visualizing some of their favorite moments (43:38).

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Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

Parasite’s Perfect Montage: https://youtu.be/ma1rD2OP85c

Sophia and Nick are back to discuss the Oscars’ most-nominated director, William Wyler! They’ll discuss his fascinating history and rise through Hollywood (1:03) before discussing his three Best Picture & Director winners which were all record-setting films: Mrs. Miniver, The Best Years of Our Lives, and Ben-Hur.

Wyler channeled his experiences serving during WWII to craft a successful propaganda film in “Mrs. Miniver” (11:04) and followed that up by exploring the hardships of veterans returning home in “The Best Years Of Our Lives” (35:29). Lastly, “Ben-Hur” seemed like nothing he had made before but became a roaring epic that dazzled audiences and kept MGM from going bankrupt (1:01:26).

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Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

Like, Follow, and Retweet this week’s episode as Nick and Sophia discuss the newly released Twitter-adapted film, “Zola.” After listing off some recent changes made by The Academy and other guilds, find out why A24 has been a defining film distribution company for the past decade and what they love about it so much (6:59). Then they dive into their reactions and breakdown of “Zola,” highlighting how Janicza Bravo and Jeremy O. Harris’ adapted the 148-tweet story and how the stellar cast brought this wild stripper road trip to life (14:02). Finally, play along with some A24 superlative games based on films and characters from the company’s decade-long filmography (38:02) before they give recommendations of some of their favorite A24 movies.

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Zola trailer: https://youtu.be/24KbaKlCDDI

Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich