"Wicked" is undoubtedly one of 2024's biggest films. The film adaptation of the Tony Award-winning smash hit Broadway musical fans have been waiting for over twenty years for is finally here, and we have a slew of interviews taking you behind the scenes on what went into making this dream become a reality. First up, we have my interview with original show creator Stephen Schwartz and screenwriter Winnie Holzman, followed by my joint interview with cinematographer Alice Brooks, editor Myron Kerstein, and visual effects supervisor Pablo Helman. Then we have Dan Bayer's interviews with costume designer Paul Tazewell, production designer Nathan Crowley and sound mixer Simon Hayes. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Universal Pictures and is up for your consideration at this year's Academy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy!

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Introducing Blind Drug Mules: Framed By Cartels, The Mass X-odus to BlueSky, & Why Are Dating Apps Dying? from NEWSGIRLS.

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In this episode, a NEWSGIRLS original investigation into Mexican cartels hiding drugs on unsuspecting Americans crossing the border (00:49). These victims are called blind mules and cases have been increasing, even reaching the Supreme Court. 

Then Wren & Mabel explore why millions of users are deactivating their X accounts and soaring into BlueSky (13:18). Is Elon Musk the “free speech absolutist” he claims to be? 

Finally, the newsgirls sit down with dating expert Ilana Dunn to learn why singles are shifting back to meeting IRL (25:15). Formerly at Hinge, Ilana gives the inside scoop on dating app’s true motivations and whether they’re here to stay. 

SOURCES: https://publuu.com/flip-book/685660/1608020

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DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

"Bread & Roses" had its world premiere at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, where it received positive reviews for its examination of women in Afghanistan under the rule of the Taliban. Director and producer Sahra Mani was kind enough to spend some time with us to discuss her work on the film. Please be sure to check out the film, which will open theatrically in NYC, LA & select cities on November 22nd and will be available to stream on Apple TV+ at a later date. The film is up for your consideration at this year's Academy Awards for Best Documentary Feature Film. Thank you, and enjoy!

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"In Her Place" had its world premiere at the 2024 San Sebastián International Film Festival and has been selected as the Chilean entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards. Following her two Oscar nominations for her acclaimed documentaries "The Mole Agent" and "The Eternal Memory," director Maite Alberdi returned to the podcast to discuss her work on her latest film with us. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now available to stream on Netflix and is up for your consideration at this year's Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film. Thank you, and enjoy!

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"Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" had its world premiere as the opening night film at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, where it received positive reviews and was heralded as a return to form for Tim Burton as his long-awaited sequel to 1988's "Beetlejuice" once again highlighted his use of practical effects, striking designs, and makeup work. The hair and makeup team, which consists of Christine Blundell, Lesa Warrner, and Neal Scanlan, were kind enough to spend a few minutes speaking with Dan Bayer about their work on the film, followed by Ema Sasic's conversation with Production Designer Mark Scruton and Set Decorator David Morison who also had much to say about their work on Burton's latest. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now available to watch at home on physical, digital, and streaming on Max from Warner Bros. Pictures and is up for your consideration for all eligible categories at this year's Academy Awards including Best Makeup & Hairstyling and Best Production Design. Thank you, and enjoy!

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"Piece By Piece" had its world premiere at the 2024 Telluride Film Festival, where it received positive reviews for its animation, vibrancy, and music in telling the life of American musician Pharrell Williams. Academy Award-winning director Morgan Neville was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about the painstaking process of making a LEGO animated film, how it was different than any other documentary he had ever worked on, and more. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now available to rent digitally and on VOD. It is up for your consideration for this year's Academy Awards for Best Animated, Documentary Feature, and Original Song. Thank you, and enjoy!

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For Episode 417, Josh Parham, Dan Bayer, Lauren LaMagna, and I are here this week to discuss the various news in awards season this week (including Conan O'Brien being announced as the upcoming host of the 97th Academy Awards) and what we think will perform well at the precursors in the next couple of weeks as we embrace the calm before the storm that is about to hit. We reveal the winners of last week's poll, asking, "Which Netflix Film Awards Season Contender Has Been Your Favorite?" and ask this week's poll question, "Which Is Your Favorite Best Picture Oscar-Nominated Musical Film?" We also give our reactions to the trailers for "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning," "The Amateur," "The Return" & "The Last Showgirl," answer your fan-submitted questions and more. Thank you all so very much for listening, supporting, and subscribing. We hope you enjoy it!

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For this week's main podcast review, I am joined by Alyssa Christian, Dan Bayer, Giovanni Lago & returning guest Zoe Rose Bryant to review and discuss the newest film from Jacques Audiard, "Emilia Pérez" starring Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz & Édgar Ramírez. A genre mashup that tells the unique story of a drug crime lord who desires to undergo gender-affirming surgery, the Netflix film has polarized audiences since its world premiere at Cannes, garnering festival prizes, critical praise, and criticism while dazzling audiences. What did we think of it? Tune in as we discuss the performances, writing, direction, musical numbers, its awards season chances, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy!

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"Ultraman: Rising" is a Japanese-American co-production between Netflix Animation and Tsuburaya Productions, with animation by Industrial Light & Magic; it is the 44th film in the franchise with Shannon Tindle making his feature directorial debut. The film stars Christopher Sean as Ken Sato/Ultraman, along with the voices of Gedde Watanabe, Tamlyn Tomita, Keone Young, and Julia Harriman. The film was released worldwide on Netflix over the summer and received positive reviews for its animation, writing, and voice performances. Next Best Picture was invited to Industrial Light & Magic to interview Tindle, Co-Director John Aoshima, Composer Scot Stafford, and Visual Effects Supervisor Hayden Jones, which you can listen to below. The film is up for your consideration in all eligible categories at the 97th Academy Awards, including Best Animated Feature. Thank you, and enjoy!

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"A Real Pain" had its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it won positive reviews for Jesse Eisenberg's direction, screenplay, and performances from him and Kieran Culkin. The film, only the actor's second directorial feature, is already being talked about as a potential awards season player, and we were lucky enough to chat with Eisenberg for a few minutes during the theatrical promotion of the film to gather his thoughts on the reception toward the movie, hear interesting tidbits from behind-the-scenes in working with Culkin, what he learned from his last film " When You Finish Saving The World," and more. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Searchlight Pictures and is eligible in all categories for the upcoming 97th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Eisenberg), Best Supporting Actor (Culkin) and Best Original Screenplay. Thank you, and enjoy!

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"Flow" had its world premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section, where it received positive reviews for its animation, dialogue-free story, and score. It is now the the Latvian entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards. Director, Writer, Producer, and Composer Gints Zilbalodis was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work on the film, which you can listen to or watch below. Please be sure to check out the film, which will be opening in theaters on November 22nd at the Angelika Film Center in New York City from Janus Films and Sideshow. It is up for your consideration for this year's Academy Awards for Best Animated and International Feature Film. Thank you, and enjoy!

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