OscarWatch Podcast

We let our imaginations run wild with this week's entry into our Christmas canon, Ingmar Bergman's Fanny And Alexander! Our trio is divided at the start of this one; while everyone likes what's happening, at least one is unsure where it's all heading. We discuss the 'fun' in 'dysfunctional' family (or is it really that?), tackle the impressiveness of the acting - despite not speaking the language!, Shakespearean overtones and of course, it wouldn't be a Bergman film if we didn't talk about, or to, God himself. Matt proposes an interesting thesis topic regarding Bergman...for someone else to write!

Yep! Nothing says holiday cheer like Swedish esoteric, quasi-supernatural coming of age drama!

Send us your thoughts at [email protected], and find us on social media. Thanks for listening!

Next week, our Christmas marathon wraps up with a little Capra-corn...

Just because a Christmas movie never won Best Picture doesn't mean we can't talk about Christmas movies on this show. Join us as we take a look at the cult classic Yuletide slasher, Christmas Evil! A film that borrows its cues not from Halloween or other holiday themed horror shows, but a very OscarWatch friendly source: Taxi Driver. This is a story of a man driven over the edge, and he must become something else to fix the world. It just so happens, our hero becomes Santa Claus. What follows next is a very interesting character study. Join Amy, Matt and Steve for a discussion on the themes, the gore, the music and where our sympathies should lie. What is the true meaning of Christmas? Just listen!

Thanks for tuning in. Drop us a line at [email protected] and be sure to find us on social media @oscarwatchpod

Next week, a very Swedish Christmas!

We kick off our holiday season with the ultimate Christmastime family battle: The Lion In Winter (1968). Some families talk politics, this family IS politics. Amy and Steve discuss the near infinte quotability of the film, the performances of its leads, just how much scenery Peter O'Toole chews (hint: all of it) and Steve lends us a particular family insight of his own. Plus: James Bond made his debut! But which Bond? Listen in!

We welcome Amy officially to the OscarWatch family. Huzzah!

Director Anthony Harvey passed away today, November 30th at the age of 87. We would love to say that we recorded this in his memory, but it was already in the can when the news broke. Our thoughts to his family, and thank you Mr. Harvey for giving us such an enduring, endearing film.

Next week, Matt returns with the next episode of our UnOscar edition. So, You Better Watch Out!

For the first time in forever...we're talking about a Disney princess movie! Frozen shattered box office records and melted the hearts of millions - while simultaneously destroying parents with its incessant and catchy soundtrack. Amy and Steve look back at the biggest animated phenomenon in years to see what all the fuss is about. Is Elsa really a good role model for young girls, what with all the running away from her feelings? And doesn't Let It Go kinda sound like it was written for a bad guy (hint: it was)? Plus, let's be real: Hans is the best character, because Hans is the only person who has a plan - a desire - during this entire thing. And of course, we discuss why Olaf is not only not funny, but entirely useless.

All that and more, this week on the podcast.

I'm sure you're mad just reading this description, so be sure to send us your hate to [email protected] and find us on social media @oscarwatchpod

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

For the first time in forever...we're talking about a Disney princess movie! Frozen shattered box office records and melted the hearts of millions - while simultaneously destroying parents with its incessant and catchy soundtrack. Amy and Steve look back at the biggest animated phenomenon in years to see what all the fuss is about. Is Elsa really a good role model for young girls, what with all the running away from her feelings? And doesn't Let It Go kinda sound like it was written for a bad guy (hint: it was)? Plus, let's be real: Hans is the best character, because Hans is the only person who has a plan - a desire - during this entire thing. And of course, we discuss why Olaf is not only not funny, but entirely useless.

All that and more, this week on the podcast.

I'm sure you're mad just reading this description, so be sure to send us your hate to [email protected] and find us on social media @oscarwatchpod

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

The film never answers exactly how green the valley was, but that didn't stop John Ford from taking home gold at the Oscars! The slice of life film about a 19th century Welsh mining town has something of everything - love, workers rights, coming of age - and that may be its major problem. Joining the show once again is Amy Thomasson, who has some choice opinions on the Oscar race that year - and how there were some very, very, VERY heavy hitters nominated. Does the love story work? And what to make of our main character, does he exist simply to observe while others do the heavy lifting? And in a film with such great women, why aren't they front and center? All those questions are answered...though as to the greeness, we sadly cannot comment.

Send us a message with your thoughts and questions to [email protected] and be sure to find us on social media @oscarwatchpod

Next week, we...let it GOOOOOOO!

So what do you want to do tonight? I don't know, what do you want to do? Why don't we discuss Marty, the 1955 Best Picture winner!? A small little film that one would call 'indie' today, the movie made a big splash at the time. But is it "the best" Steve and guest host Amy Thomasson - avowed classic film lover - discuss the social mores of the time, what does and does not hold up. how we all have 'that' friend and the universality (and quaintness) of "an ordinary love story". One that's about you and me, and all of us regular, podcast listening folk.

We hope you enjoy listening! Let us know what you think of Amy, she'll probably be chiming in from time to time. Drop us an email at [email protected], and find us on social media @oscarwatchpod

Next week, we find out just how damn green my valley is anyways!

We finish our Halloween festival with the first horror film to ever be nominated for Best Picture, 1973's The Exorcist. We are joined by very special guest and longtime co-host Alex Riviello to discuss the legacy and influence of William Friedkin's supernatural tale, examine why it has - and has not - held up, the controversy surrounding one of the movie's nominations and just why did Tubular Bells become as big as it did? Steve confesses that he always assumed Max von Sydow was old because of this movie. Plus, Matt reloads his gun for the film's director as we talk about all the crap Friedkin put his actors through.

We're excited to have Alex back! If you are, too, then tell us about it in an email to [email protected], and be sure to find us on social media @oscarwatchpod

Next week, we return to our regularly scheduled programming.

Welcome back to the UnOscars, our cinematic sorbet of dumb, fun delight! This week, we tackle the most Halloween movie ever - yes, even more Halloween than the movie that is actually titled 'Halloween', it's the DTV cult favorite, Trick 'r Treat (2009)! Matt gets to wax poetic about his favorite genre, Steve gets bowled over by the joy on display and we all have a gory good time with this spooktacular little anthology film. It's good family entertainment; and remember, the family that slays together, stays together!

Drop us a note at [email protected] and find us on social media @oscarwatchpod

Next week: it is time to turn our heads and vomit, for we are exorcising some demons.

Hi, hi, hi there internet! Join your humble narrators, alongside our guest droog Justin Clark as they take on Stanley Kubrick's 1971 bit of the old-ultra-violence, A Clockwork Orange. A film about human nature and the future, and the future is always right here, right now. We discuss the twisted morality of the film and how it indicts not only its characters, but the audience as well. We learn that Justin's version of hell would be the Ludovico technique, only instead of The Triumph of the Will, it'd be Baby Geniuses. And just why is Matt so damn angry at Katherine Heigl? We may never know, but it sure is fun listening to him go off.

All this and a discussion about why we shouldn't trust the Man to fix our nature.

Thanks for listening! Be sure to drop a letter to us at [email protected] and find us on social media.

Next week, the UnOscars are back!