The Oscar Project Podcast

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Today's episode is my conversation about the 1929 film The Leatherneck. I'm joined by Gareth Bradwick from the "Popped" newsletter and we talk about the uneasy balance in the film between comedy and drama, how the film effectively uses the framing device of a military trial to tell its story, and how both filmmakers and theaters were dealing with the transition from silent to sound films.

You can watch The Leatherneck on YouTube and be sure to check out Gareth's newsletter.

Other films mentioned in this episode include:

• The Great Dictator directed by Charlie Chaplin
• Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace directed by George Lucas
• Skyscraper directed by Howard Higgin
• Sal of Singapore directed by Howard Higgin (unavailable)
• The Cop directed by Directed by Donald Crisp (unavailable)
• The Wizard of Oz directed by Victor Fleming
• The Jazz Singer directed by Alan Crosland
• Flow directed by Gints Zilbalodis
• Only Murders in the Building (series)
• King Kong directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack
• A Few Good Men directed by Rob Reiner
• All Quiet on the Western Front directed by Lewis Milestone
• American Sniper directed by Clint Eastwood
• Warfare directed by Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland
• Jarhead directed by Sam Mendes
• The Patriot directed by Ernst Lubitsch (lost film)

Other referenced topics:

• The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends
• "Further Viewing: The Talkies" by Gareth Bradwick
• All Quiet on the Western Front (novel) by Erich Maria Remarque
• Kinematograph review
• Cin-Eater blog review
• Letterboxd review from @joeythebrit
• Motion Picture News review

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In today's episode, I interview Aaron Blaise, director of the animated short film "Snow Bear," a story of a lonely polar bear navigating a rapidly changing Arctic in search of connection. 

Listen to hear about how Aaron found his way into animation, what he learned from his many years as an animator at Disney, and the emotional inspiration for the story of this new film.

Books mentioned in this episode include:

• Lullaby by Chuck Palahniuk
• Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk

Films and TV shows mentioned in this episode include:

• "Snow Bear" directed by Aaron Blaise
• The Lion King directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff
• Beauty and the Beast directed by Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale
• Mulan directed by Tony Bancroft
• Brother Bear directed by Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker
• Bambi directed by David D. Hand
• Moana directed by Ron Clements and John Musker
• Moana 2 directed by David Derrick Jr.
• Mufasa: The Lion King directed by Barry Jenkins
• Back to the Future directed by Robert Zemeckis
• E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial directed by Steven Spielberg
• Aladdin directed by John Musker and Ron Clements
• Oh Brother, Where Art Thou directed by Joel & Ethan Coen
• The Big Lebowski directed by Joel Coen
• Close Encounters of the Third Kind directed by Steven Spielberg
• Jaws directed by Steven Spielberg
• The Little Mermaid directed by Ron Clements and John Musker
• Tarzan directed by Chris Buck and Kevin Lima
• Pocahontas directed by Eric Goldberg and Mike Gabriel
• "Dear Basketball" directed by Glen Keane
• The Wild Robot directed by Chris Sanders
• Lilo & Stitch (2002) directed by Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders
• Lilo & Stitch (2025) directed by Dean Fleischer Camp
• How to Train Your Dragon (2010) directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois
• How to Train Your Dragon (2025) directed by Dean DeBlois
• Polar written by Aaron Blaise
• The Hidden written by Aaron Blaise

Follow Aaron on Instagram @aaronblaiseart, check out his work at www.creatureartteacher.com and be sure to check out the film at Tribeca this June.

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Today's episode is my conversation about the 1929 film Weary River. Director Jonathan Hammond returns to the podcast to discuss the film and we talk about possibly the most compassionate prison warden character in film history, a theme song that gets played way too much in one film, and whether or not the film works as a part silent and part talking film.

You can watch Weary River on YouTube or purchase a copy for your collection and be sure to follow Jonathan on Instagram @jonohamm and keep an eye out for his latest film "Fireflies in the Dusk" at film festivals this summer. You can also listen to the previous interview with Jonathan on the podcast here.

Other films mentioned in this episode include:

• "Fireflies in the Dusk" directed by Jonathan Hammond
• The Shawshank Redemption directed by Frank Darabont
• Our Dancing Daughters directed by Harry Beaumont (listen to the episode about that film)
• Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans directed by F. W. Murnau (listen to the episode about that film)
• The Jazz Singer directed by Alan Crosland (listen to the episode about that film)
• Singin' in the Rain directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen
• The Broadway Melody directed by Harry Beaumont (listen to the episode about that film)
• The Room directed by Tommy Wiseau
• Drag directed by Frank Lloyd (lost film)
• The Divine Lady directed by Frank Lloyd
• Mutiny on the Bounty directed by Frank Lloyd
• Cavalcade directed by Frank Lloyd
• The Barker directed by George Fitzmaurice (lost film)
• Sunset Boulevard directed by Billy Wilder
• Network directed by Sidney Lumet
• Babylon directed by Damien Chazelle
• The Patent Leather Kid directed by Alfred Santell
• The Deer Hunter directed by Michael Cimino
• Wizard of Oz directed by Victor Fleming
• Showgirls directed by Paul Verhoeven

Other referenced topics:

• Hollywood Babylon: The Legendary Underground Classic of Hollywood's Darkest and Best Kept Secrets by Kenneth Anger
• "Awkward Early Talkie Theatre: 'Weary River'" by David Inman

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In today's episode, I interview Ida Melum and Laura Jayne Tunbridge, the director and writer of the animated short film "Ovary-Acting," a look at the complex decision of whether or not to have children facing many people in the world today.

Listen to hear about the personal inspiration for the story, the importance of finding humor even in the darkest moment in life, and the ambitious musical number that pops up in the middle of the film that has to be seen and heard to be believed!

Books mentioned in this episode include:

• Overspill by Charlotte Paradise

Films and TV shows mentioned in this episode include:

• "Ovary-Acting" directed by Ida Melum
• The Broadway Melody directed by Harry Beaumont
• Forrest Gump directed by Robert Zemeckis
• Almost Famous directed by Cameron Crowe
• The Emperor's New Groove directed by Mark Dindal
• Booksmart directed by Olivia Wilde
• Portrait of a Lady on Fire directed by Céline Sciamma
• A Matter of Life and Death directed by Emeric Pressburger and Michael Powell
• Lilo & Stitch directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois
• Beetlejuice directed by Tim Burton
• Hocus Pocus directed by Kenny Ortega
• Death Becomes Her directed by Robert Zemeckis
• "Night of the Living Dread" directed by Ida Melum

Podcasts mentioned in this episode include:

• Radiolab

Follow Ida on Instagram @iidamelum and at www.idamelum.com, Laura @lauratunbridge and be sure to check out the film at Tribeca this June.

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Today's episode is my conversation about the 1929 film The Broadway Melody. My friend Kevin Pettit from the See You at the Movies newsletter joins me to discuss the film and we talk about whether the film was there just to support the music being played, the degree to which this film is was considered scandalous at the time, and whether or not the film earns the love triangle (quadrangle?) that serves as the centerpiece to the "action."

You can watch The Broadway Melody on YouTube or purchase a copy for your collection and be sure to check out Kevin's newsletter.

Other films mentioned in this episode include:

• Glorious Betsy directed by Alan Crosland and Gordon Hollingshead (listen to the episode discussing the film)
• Tombstone directed by George P. Cosmatos and Kevin Jarre
• My Darling Clementine directed by John Ford
• All Quiet on the Western Front directed by Lewis Milestone
• Wings directed by William A. Wellman
• Sinners directed by Ryan Coogler
• Anora directed by Sean Baker
• Police Story directed by Jackie Chan
• Old Boy directed by Park Chan-wook
• Our Dancing Daughters directed by Harry Beaumont
• The Artist directed by Michel Hazanavicius
• Y tu mamá también directed by Alfonso Cuaron
• Singin' in the Rain directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen
• Avatar directed by James Cameron
• Pocahontas directed by Eric Goldberg and Mike Gabriel
• The Wizard of Oz directed by Victor Fleming
• Gone with the Wind directed by Victor Fleming
• The White Lotus (series)
• Intolerance directed by D. W. Griffith
• Wicked directed by Jon M. Chu
• Emilia Pérez directed by Jacques Audiard
• La La Land directed by Damien Chazelle
• West Side Story directed by Stephen Spielberg

Other referenced topics:

• All Quiet on the Western Front (novel) by Erich Maria Remarque
• Motion Picture News review
• Variety review
• Gone with the Twins review

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In today's episode, I interview Sarah Goeke and Julia Sears, the writer and director of the web series "Forked," a story of a woman recovering from the purity culture of the Bible Belt through sobriety and dragon fantasy erotica.

Listen to hear about Sarah trusting her director on the shoot for And Through the Portal We Go, keeping the cast of "Forked" very much in the family, and finding humor in some of life's most serious moments.

Books mentioned in this episode include:

• The Lilies by Quinn Diacon-Furtado
• The Chromatic Fantasy by H. A.
• Big Swiss by Jen Beagin
• Wolfsong by TJ Klune 

Films and TV shows mentioned in this episode include:

• "Forked" directed by Julia Sears and Carolyn Braver
• And Through the Portal We Go directed by Mike Hayhurst
• Practical Magic directed by Griffin Dunne
• Drop Dead Gorgeous directed by Michael Patrick Jann
• Spice World directed by Barnaby Thompson and Bob Spiers
• Little Miss Sunshine directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris
• Sunshine Cleaning directed by Christine Jeffs
• The Big Lebowski directed by Joel Coen
• Waiting for Guffman directed by Christopher Guest
• Sinners directed by Ryan Coogler
• Severance (series)
• Wicked directed by Jon M. Chu
• Fleabag (series)

Follow Sarah on Instagram @sgerk, Julia @juliacsears and the series @forkedwebseries.

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Today's episode is my conversation about the 1928 film In Old Arizona. My friend Joanne Thornborough from the POP! Goes My Brain newsletter joins me to discuss the film and we talk about how some traditional western stereotypes are turned on their heads in this film, the ingenious uses of sound in the film at the dawn of the talkie, and yet another love triangle in late 1920s film.

You can watch In Old Arizona on YouTube or purchase a copy for your collection and be sure to check out Joanne's newsletter.

Other films mentioned in this episode include:

• The Wizard of Oz directed by Victor Fleming
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone directed by Chris Columbus
• Three Amigos directed by John Landis
• The Big Trail directed by Louis R. Loeffler and Raoul Walsh
• Armageddon directed by Michael Bay
• Arthur directed by Steve Gordon
• The Birth of a Nation directed by D. W. Griffith
• Back to the Future directed by Robert Zemeckis
• The Valiant directed by William K. Howard
• The Great Gatsby (1926-lost) directed by Herbert Brenon
• 42nd Street directed by Lloyd Bacon
• Dinner at Eight directed by George Cukor
• I Love You Again directed by W.S. Van Dyke II

Other referenced topics:

•  "The Caballero's Way" (short story) by O. Henry available on Project Gutenberg
• "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion
• "Don't Wanna Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith
• "Arthur's Theme" by Christopher Cross
• The Cisco Kid comics
• Variety review of In Old Arizona
• Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
• Mad Men (series)
• Breaking Bad (series)
• The Sopranos (series)

Find out more information about the Barrymore Theatre.

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In today's episode, I interview Jessica J. Rowlands, the director of the short film "Rise," a heartwarming story of resilience and determination set in Zimbabwe. The film will make its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival this June.

Listen to hear about the individual who inspired the film, the importance of using local talent both in front of and behind the camera to tell the story, and how the film uses local music to help establish an authentic local identity.

Books mentioned in this episode include:

• Rotten Row by Petina Gappah
• The Book of Memory by Petina Gappah
• An Elegy for Easterly: Faber Stories by Petina Gappah

Films and TV shows mentioned in this episode include:

• "Rise" directed by Jessica J. Rowlands
• Mayfair Witches (series)
• Transformers: Rise of the Beasts directed by Steven Caple Jr.
• Mr. Bones directed by Gray Hofmeyr
• City of God directed by Ktia Lund and Fernando Meirelles
• It's a Wonderful Life directed by Frank Capra
• Billy Elliot directed by Stephen Daldry
• Shawshank Redemption directed by Frank Darabont
• The Big Lebowski directed by Joel Coen
• Mad Max: Fury Road directed by George Miller

Musical Artists mentioned in this episode include:

• Hope Masike
• Flying Bantu

Follow Jessica on Instagram @jessiejrowlands and the film @rise.zimbabwe. And if you're in the New York in June, check out the film at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 8th at 12 PM, June 14 at 8:30 PM and June 15th at 2:30 PM.

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Today's episode is my conversation about the 1928 film A Woman of Affairs. My friend Amanda Kusek from the The 90-Minute Movie newsletter joins me to discuss the film and we talk about a complex web of love triangles, the expressive, over-the-top performance of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. as Jeffry, and whether or not the source material truly was as scandalous as history has made it out to be.

You can watch A Woman of Affairs on YouTube or purchase a copy for your collection and be sure to check out Amanda's newsletter.

Other films mentioned in this episode include:

• "Steamboat Willie" directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks
• Tempest directed by Sam Taylor
• The Patriot directed by Ernst Lubitsch
• Wonder of Women directed by Clarence Brown
• Madame X directed by Lionel Barrymore
• The Count of Monte Cristo directed by Tom Persons and Francis Boggs

Other referenced topics:

• The Green Hat (novel) by Michael Arlen (also available on Project Gutenberg)
• An American in Paris by George Gerswhin
• The Great Gatsby (novel) by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Variety review of A Woman of Affairs
• New York Times review of A Woman of Affairs
• A Woman of Affairs on silentsaregolden.com

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In today's episode, I interview Madison Hatfield, the director and star of the short film "I Could Dom," a laugh a minute sex comedy about a young woman trying to figure out what exactly she wants in a relationship.

Listen to hear about how the film was a bit of self discovery for Madison when it came to her people-pleasing personality, the importance of getting her male lead just right, and how important it is to help other artists whenever possible as we are all on our own journeys.

Books mentioned in this episode include:

• A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life by George Saunders
• Tenth of December: Stories by George Saunders
• Lincoln in the Bardo: A Novel by George Saunders
• The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden (first book in the Winternight Trilogy)

Films and TV shows mentioned in this episode include:

• "I Could Dom" directed by Madison Hatfield
• Singin' in the Rain directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen
• Amelie directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet
• When Harry Met Sally directed by Rob Reiner
• My Cousin Vinny directed by Jonathan Lynn
• Moonstruck directed by Norman Jewison
• Twisters directed by Lee Isaac Chung
• Twister directed by Jan de Bont
• "Bob's Funeral" directed by Jack Dunphy
• "Holiday House" directed by Alex Heller
• "Debaters" directed by Alex Heller
• "Make Me a Pizza" directed by Talia Shea Levin

Other media mentioned:

• "Kiss From a Rose" by Seal
• What Am I Making Podcast-Episode #85 w/guest Beth Lisogorsky

Follow Madison on Instagram @madhat31 and the film @icoulddom. And if you're in the Atlanta area, check out Banshee where the opening and closing scenes of the film were shot.

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