OscarWatch Podcast

OscarWatch

Join hosts Amy Thomasson and Steve Buja as they take a look back at the very small number of films to have been named the Academy Awards' Best Picture and ask the important question: did it deserve to win? We'll take a look at the other contenders, the politics of awards season, the world events that shaped the year, and of course, reviewing the big winner and how it has withstood the test of time. Hopefully while having a spirited conversation that will, in some cases, be more entertaining than the movie! OscarWatch: truly determining the best of the Best.

  • 4 minutes 40 seconds
    One Last Thing...
    In which to say 'Thank you' to those who walked this path alongside.
    15 January 2019, 6:41 pm
  • 56 minutes 55 seconds
    Shoulda Been A Contenda: City Lights (1931)
    We say farewell with a look back at one of the finest works ever produced, Charlie Chaplin's City Lights (1931), a film that is sure to make you fall in love all over again. Steve tears up, Amy laughs and we all stare in awe at how well this little film where no words are ever said can still hold up to this day. Not to spoil anything, but this movie is absolutely hilarious and as charming as the day is long. We thank you for listening to us for all these episodes. Like the Tramp at the end, you make us smile and perhaps, we'll meet again on the street. Our eyes no longer blind.
    31 December 2018, 11:00 am
  • 58 minutes 33 seconds
    Closely Watched Trains (1967)
    All aboard to ride that (Czech New) wave with a look at the Best Foreign Language film of 1967, Closely Watched Trains. This episode, Amy and Steve reveal some sordid histories of theirs, Steve admits to some "funny" feelings during a particular scene and the two discuss how boys and girls' "coming of age" narratives are very different (and awfully skewed towards the former). And who knew a Czech film that takes place during the Nazi occupation could be so damn funny? Plus, Steve cheers the ending that finally does what he wants it do...right? All that and a butchering of Czech names, this week on the podcast. Thank you for listening. Drop us a line at [email protected] and find us on social media @oscarwatchpod . Happy New Year!
    29 December 2018, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 6 minutes
    Listener Request: The Player (1992)
    Our pitch, in 25 words or less: This week, we talk Altfans, making movies, murder, underrated Robbins, Scacchi, Gallagher (and those eyebrows!) and of a time before meta was meta. We guarantee! Thanks for listening!
    27 December 2018, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 8 minutes
    Shoulda Been A Contenda: Stalag 17 (1953)
    Amy and Steve get captured and thrown in the brig with our Christmas gift to ourselves: Billy Wilder's Stalag 17. A film with a special place in Amy's heart! We discuss the great William Holden (in his only Oscar winning role...and was it actually for something else?) and Steve realizes that yes, there is such a thing as "too much comedy" in an otherwise very serious film. Some films are hung around a great performance and no one does it better than Holden! And a question to you: which is better, this, The Great Escape or River Kwai? All that and more, this week. A very merry holidays to all of you. Thank you all for listening. We cannot do this without you. Thanks for listening, and be sure to chime in with your thoughts to [email protected] and find us on social media @oscarwatchpod
    25 December 2018, 11:00 am
  • 2 minutes 25 seconds
    A Special Message From OscarWatch
    "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." A brief message on the future, and fare thee well.
    24 December 2018, 7:30 pm
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    Listener Request: The Prestige (2006)
    Are you listening closely? This week, as part of our all request Christmas Giftathon, we take a very close look back at the ultimate superhero showdown: Batman vs Wolverine, The Prestige (2006), a film that Steve simply cannot stop watching. And yes, don't worry folks, it is superior to The Illusionist in every single way. But what makes this Christopher Nolan film so appealing so many years later? And how great a screenplay is this? And why wasn't Bowie nominated?! For that matter, why wasn't this nominated for more. It has only grown in esteem in the years. We talk magic, suspense, the nature of Causality (and how Nolan may actually really hate it) and Amy definitely shows off her skills by pointing out how 'hey! isn't that this other guy in a beard?' All this and more, this week on the podcast! And thank you for listening!
    20 December 2018, 11:00 am
  • 58 minutes 43 seconds
    Listener Request: Shadow of the Vampire (2000)
    A dominating narcissist destroys everyone around him in an attempt at immortality, and also there's a vampire! Hey-o! As part of the Christmas Gift month of requests, Amy (or should I say, Herr Direktor?) and Steve take a look back at the underloved 2000 film, Shadow of the Vampire. What is it about art as destruction that we find so compelling? And why, through all the blood, is this actually rather funny? Plus, we all definitely agree: John Malkovich brought his own costumes. Film history, the eternal life of film and a stern reminder, if it's not in frame, it doesn't exist! on the podcast. Thank you so much for listening!
    13 December 2018, 6:11 pm
  • 1 hour 4 minutes
    Listener Request: Avalon (1990)
    We begin our Christmas Gift month with a trip to America...through the eyes of those who came here. Avalon is little remembered these days but as Amy and Steve both discover, it is both a little timeless and also very timely. We thrill over the much underappreciated Armin Mueller-Stahl and marvel at watching America as only immigrants can. And when the bitter thesis drops, it's a stab to the gut. Plus, Amy is clearly team Sam in the great turkey carving fight: be punctual people. Life is too short to be holding up other people, dammit. All that and so much more with this, our first listener request in December. Thank you all for writing in. I'm sorry we can't get to all of them this month but I assure you, we will get to all of them. If you have a request of your own, or want to side with Gabriel in the turkey fight, drop us a line at [email protected] and be sure to find us on social media @oscarwatchpod Next week, if it's not in frame, it doesn't exist!
    6 December 2018, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 4 minutes
    For Your ReConsideration: The Last Picture Show (1971)
    Whether it's 1951, 1971 or 2018, there are some things that exist outside of time. Anarene may not be real but there are towns like it all over the country. Amy and Steve look at how the more things change, the more they stay the same in Peter Bogdanovich's transcendent film, The Last Picture Show. Is it a post-apocalyptic film? It sure starts that way and is somehow even bleaker than more traditional fare. Plus, nobody respects Shepherd or Bottoms here, but the awards heaped on Ben Johnson and Cloris Leachman are well earned (even if Steve thinks Leachman was on a different tv show in the 80s). Never has hopelessness and ennui been more effective and nuanced than here, and we talk all that, Hank Williams and more. Like what you hear? Write us an email at [email protected] and find us on social media @oscarwatchpod Stay tuned! December is upon us!
    29 November 2018, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 11 minutes
    Shoulda Been A Contenda: The Princess Bride (1987)
    We mourn the passing of screenwriter William Goldman this week with a look back at the beloved fantasy, The Princess Bride. A film that was not that well known in its day, but has since become a cultural favorite. Joining Amy and Steve to talk fencing, fighting and true love is guest co-host Brian Hartz who is back to drop trivia bombs and love of swords into the mix. Just what makes this such a classic? And how have the lines been adopted into pop culture? Steve has some issues with plotholes, but as he is rightly shouted down, do they really matter? Plus, a question: who is prettier - Robin Wright, or Cary Elwes? All this and so much more on this very special, somewhat somber and very INCONCEIVABLE episode. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! And thank you for listening. Write in with your thoughts to [email protected] and find us on social media @oscarwatchpod Til next time...as you wish.
    22 November 2018, 11:00 am
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