OscarWatch Podcast

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 [email protected] and be sure to follow on social media @oscarwatchpod.

See you next time.

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 [email protected] and find us on iTunes. Follow us on social media @oscarwatchpod.

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 [email protected].

This week, the boys of OscarWatch celebrate the movies with one of the most celebratory movies about movies: Francois Truffaut's 1973 Best Foreign Language Film winner, Day For Night. We discuss the very real and accurate drama and bulls*** that happens on every set, the charm and wit of these characters and that even though you're making a bad movie, at the end of the day, you're still making a movie! And isn't that wonderful?

All this and more, this week on the podcast. Be sure to drop a line at [email protected], and find us on social media @oscarwatchpod. Subscribe and review on iTunes! We appreciate it!

Next week, we Connect our little French theme a bit more!

This week, the boys of OscarWatch celebrate the movies with one of the most celebratory movies about movies: Francois Truffaut's 1973 Best Foreign Language Film winner, Day For Night. We discuss the very real and accurate drama and bulls*** that happens on every set, the charm and wit of these characters and that even though you're making a bad movie, at the end of the day, you're still making a movie! And isn't that wonderful?

All this and more, this week on the podcast. Be sure to drop a line at [email protected], and find us on social media @oscarwatchpod. Subscribe and review on iTunes! We appreciate it!

Next week, we Connect our little French theme a bit more!

We think of the Academy as some infallible ruling order that doles out awards based on merit, but that is hardly the case. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences is comprised of men and women - mostly men - and they are as flawed as anyone else. Recently, the Academy invited over 750 new members into its fold and so we are taking a quick dive into just what the Academy is and who gets to be a part of it.

Thanks for listening! Our regularly scheduled program will return next week. Drop us a line at [email protected] and be sure to follow us on social @oscarwatchpod.

For Your REconsideration: The boys of OscarWatch head out on a mission: to find what may have been the actual best picture of 1998 among the five nominees. After much searching, they may have found it in Steven Spielberg's World War 2 opus, Saving Private Ryan. This week, we discuss the philosophical value of a single life, what a movie can look like when everyone working on it is the top of their field, the enduring legacy of the film and how it still hits you, even almost twenty years later.

And remember, if nothing else, we got Band of Brothers because of this.

All that and more, this week. Write us in at [email protected], and be sure to find us on social media @oscarwatchpod. Subscribe and review on iTunes!

The 1998 Academy Awards race is one of the most legendary in history. While a case can be made for every film nominated that year, it came down to two: Saving Private Ryan and eventual winner, Shakespeare In Love. Join Matt and Steve as they re-examine the Elizabethan comedy (written by the great Tom Stoppard) and discuss why its the side characters who are best, why 'really good' shouldn't get you the win, the politicking of the Oscar season and just what in the hell is Ben Affleck doing here anyway? All that and more, and none of it in iambic pentameter!

This is part one of our 1998 Retrospective; next week, we'll look at Spielberg's World War II opus.

Email us at [email protected]; find us on social media (@oscarwatchpod) and be sure to like, subscribe and review on iTunes.

For our 50th episode, OscarWatch decides to try everything and travels to the far away metropolis, Zootopia, 2016's Best Animated Feature! Just because the movie is meant for kids doesn't mean the conversation plays it safe: Matt and Steve open discussions by admitting to living in a racially polarized and privileged system. And it goes from there! We tackle the artistic merit of ambition versus execution, just what makes 'Flash, Flash, Hundred Yard Dash!' one of the best scenes of the year and ponder just why this may have been the movie we all desperately needed in 2016.

And you will believe a stern man can laugh, this week on the podcast.

Drop us a line at [email protected] and be sure to find us on all the social media @oscarwatchpod. Like, subscribe and review on iTunes!

Next week: we come to it at last, the great war...of 1998.

This week, the guys at OscarWatch invite you to rock alongside them to 'history's' greatest rivalry in the one and only Amadeus. Sure, Antonio Salieri and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart were good friends in real life, but never let the truth get in the way of a good story! Joined by special guest Greg from This Was Rad! Podcast, the gang discusses the pettiness and envy of Salieri - and how it's intimately relatable - the musical revolution that Mozart put forth, the exquisite costumes and make-up and just how great of a year 1984 was.

Plus, we get to drop a Last Action Hero reference, and so you know we're in for a good time!

Find This Was Rad at thiswasrad.podbean.com! Find us on the social media @oscarwatchpod and drop us a line at [email protected], and like, subscribe and leave a review on iTunes.

Until next time, rock me!