We celebrate the movement towards Hollywood reform after the Academy statement, we talk about what it’ll take for us to feel safe enough to head back to movie theaters, and then there’s the 2020 Cannes Film Festival Selections to break down. It’s another Oscar Race Checkpoint.

What’s In This Episode? - Top of Show

HOLLYWOOD/THE ACADEMY CONTINUE TO SUPPORT BLM:

Academy Makes Statement Supporting BLM - 1:52

Ava DuVernay, David Oyelowo Spotlight Academy Hypocrisy/Change - 4:43

DuVernay is a Saint/Launches LEAP Initiative - 9:54

Michael B Jordan Also Speaks Out - 12:13

Spike Lee’s 3 Brothers Plays on Fallon - 15:13

MOVIE THEATER REOPENING/TENET UPDATES:

CA Gov Says Theaters Can Open w/ Restrictions Friday - 21:04

(With More Implications About AMC/WB/Movie Going)

CADPH Suggested Theater Cleaning Guidelines + Feasibility - 25:20

FILM FESTIVAL UPDATES:

Cannes Official Selections Announced - 30:40

(And Their Inability to Truly Progress)

Big Name Films Selected/Skipping - 32:55

Highlighting Lesser Known Cannes Selections - 36:06

OSCAR TRAILER REVIEW:

Another Round Trailer 1 - 37:10

Our Socials/Your Homework - 40:20

What’s Next From MMO - 41:14

It’s likely this will be the first of two shorter news shows this week as the Academy is meeting this Thursday, where we think they’re likely to postpone the Oscars ceremony date. But in the meantime, we have several major topics in the film world to break down in this Oscar Race Checkpoint.

Our lead story continues to be Hollywood’s role in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. As usual, we have some mixed feelings about the Academy. They did offer a statement of support to BLM in lieu of some forthcoming initiatives, but Ava Duvernay, Michael B. Jordan, and Spike Lee point out some long overdue reforms for the industry at large.

California movie theaters got the go ahead to reopen sooner than expected, which could allow Tenet to stick to its mid-July release. So we discuss many of the required safety measures, our listeners poll, the alternative of drive-ins, and when we all might feel safe to go back.

Finally, we discuss the Cannes Film Festival selections. Which films were expected? Which filmmakers have awards season track records? Which selections made us the happiest? Which big name films pushed to 2021? Plus, we also discuss an Oscar Trailer of Another Round.

Stay tuned for at least one more episode this week, possibly two. We’ll be waiting on the Academy’s Board of Governors meeting this thursday, and we’ll record if any big news drops. Then we have plans to review Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods this weekend.

As always, we want to hear your thoughts. We’re at MMandOscar on Twitter, and we are on Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, and Gmail. You can subscribe / rate / review / like / share / & listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Google Play, Tune In, Spotify, and just about wherever you might listen. We’re Mike, Mike, & Oscar, and we’re making awards season year round, without the stuffiness. Thanks for listening.