Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! That phrase, let alone many, many others, is instantly and universally recognized from the 1939 classic, The Wizard of Oz. Nick and Sophia are excited to share their in depth discussion of this inspirational gem and shocking facts from its production, how the Emerald City has fascinated (and scared) them since they were kids, and their favorite scenes and songs that truly remind them that there’s no place like home. Of course, they also chat about its two Oscar wins and debate if they think it should’ve won or been nominated for more, even while being up against Gone with the Wind.

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More content including updated nomination predictions @ oscarwild.squarespace.com

Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

Sophia and Nick return for an historic episode to discuss the director with the most Oscar wins and the first to win consecutively: John Ford. Revered by many filmmakers throughout history and known for his Westerns, Ford blazed a trail that also showcased his Irish background, his actors- many of whom also won Oscars- and the fractured American Dream.

They begin with a thorough history of his illustrious career before reviewing The Informer, the 1935 film for which he won his first Oscar. Even though he didn’t win for Stagecoach four years later, he was successful the following year with The Grapes of Wrath (28:34). Steinbeck’s classic novel created a perfect tapestry for his next directorial feat. (Check out their previous episode on How Green Was My Valley here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oscar-rewind-the-1941-oscars-how-green-was-my-valley/id1502773822?i=1000560735448).

Lastly, enjoy their breakdown of The Quiet Man, which also earned him a Best Picture nomination, before they answer some creative listener questions (53:46). Would you have awarded him any other Director wins?

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Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

More content including updated nomination predictions @ oscarwild.squarespace.com

“The secret lies with Charlotte.” So begins an unforgettable treasure hunt to some of America’s most historic monuments and beyond. This week, Nick and Sophia join Nicolas Cage and his motley crew in their search for gold in National Treasure. This adventure has remained a staple for them after all these years, so listen to find out why it’s one of their favorite Disney live-action films. Even though it wasn’t nominated at the Oscars, they honor the award ceremonies that did celebrate it and its team which accounted for over 75 Oscar nominations and wins!

If you would like to hear the rest of the episode as they discuss some of their favorite scenes and quotes along with playing another round of Smash or Pass, check out www.patreon.com/OscarWild and contribute at the ‘Oscar Wild: After Dark’ tier or higher. We appreciate your support!

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Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

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Sophia and Nick are excited to celebrate Halloween with their devilish review of The Omen. They share their thoughts on both the recent prequel, The First Omen, and the original classic along with exalting its winning performance at the Academy Awards. (They promise there’s no chanting of “Ave Satani.”) Listen to find out their favorite scenes, performances, and kills before they debate what was snubbed and which one Oscar they’d award the film!

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Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

More content including updated nomination predictions @ oscarwild.squarespace.com

The second half of this year’s New York Film Festival brought other previous festival favorites, like the Sundance hit A Real Pain, featuring Kieran Culkin and writer-director Jesse Eisenberg, and highly-anticipated auteur releases, like Luca Guadagnino’s Queer, Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths, and Pedro Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door. Nick and Sophia densely pack this week’s episode with reviews of all of these and more, including chatting Oscar buzz and potential in multiple categories, like Costume Design, Actress, and International Feature.

Then, enjoy a spoiler-free review of Sean Baker’s latest and 2024 Palme d’Or winner, Anora (37:43). In the best screwball comedy of the year, Mikey Madison stuns as the titular sex worker on her own rollercoaster of a fairy tale. Go experience the spectacle for yourself in theaters this weekend!

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Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

More content including updated nomination predictions @ oscarwild.squarespace.com

Audiences have been flooding Lincoln Center for this year’s exciting 62nd edition of the New York Film Festival and Sophia and Nick are here to highlight its exceptional first week. They begin with reactions to some hits and award winners from Cannes and Telluride, like The Seed of the Sacred Fig, Emilia Pérez, Maria, and Nickel Boys. Then, they showcase a special architect double feature with Megalopolis and The Brutalist, more distant cousins than siblings (28:03). They wrap up by sharing some memorable #NYFF62 moments, superlatives for favorite shots and quotes from anything they’ve seen, and what one Oscar they would award!

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Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

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Megalopolis clips: https://youtu.be/tNybhMsO5ew?si=A6rVuGogNC4P34Mh

“Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself? Younger, more beautiful, more perfect.” This simple, yet expansive idea frames the timely new release, The Substance, a hyper-stylized modern fairy tale that heavily satirizes Hollywood and the beauty industry. Nick and Sophia thoroughly break down this wildly thrilling body horror award winner from Cannes, including: Demi Moore’s daring performance, the gruesome prosthetic and makeup effects, the meaning behind its many movie references, and its continued awards potential. If you haven’t seen the film yet (we definitely recommend finding a packed screening), there’s a spoiler warning mid-episode (22:54) in case you decide to revisit later.

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Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

More content including updated nomination predictions @ oscarwild.squarespace.com

Now that all of the Big Five film festivals (Berlin, Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, and Venice) have ended and handed out their awards, it’s time for Sophia and Nick to recap how their premieres will influence the rest of awards season. Listen as they discuss initial reactions from Venice, Telluride (18:31), and TIFF (37:21), and preview some releases coming at the New York Film Festival (46:21). Afterwards, they answer some fun listener questions related to buzzy performances and their chances at competing on Survivor, older films that would pair well with recent releases, and some category specific possibilities, like in Screenplay or Picture. If you’re curious about what audiences think of Anora, Conclave, Saturday Night, The End, Nightbitch, The Brutalist, Maria, Hard Truths, or The Last Showgirl (with Pamela Anderson and Jamie Lee Curtis), or want to learn more about these movies, then this is the episode for you!

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More content including updated nomination predictions @ oscarwild.squarespace.com

Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

Even though the yearly transition from the dog days of summer into sweater weather always feels too abrupt, it also means that there’s an exciting crop of new releases on its way! To talk about over 40 of these movies headed to the big screen and on streaming, Nick and Sophia are joined by Benjamin VanHoose, @People’s Associate Editor, Movies. Listen as they highlight blockbusters and indie films alike being released in September, October (27:34), November (44:42), and December (1:04:50). Are you a fan of horror? Then The Substance, Heretic, or Nosferatu might be for you. Looking for a family night at the theater? Check out showtimes for The Wild Robot, Transformers One, Moana 2, or Mufasa: The Lion King. Let us know what your most anticipated movie of the fall is!

Follow Benjamin at https://people.com/author/benjamin-vanhoose/ or on Instagram @benjamin_vanhoose and Twitter @BenVanHoose

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Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

Sophia and Nick are looking back on 1974 once more, this time to a wonderful comedy double feature: both Oscar nominees and both made by the same director! Here’s to Mel Brooks’ odd couple, the unforgettable Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein (22:09). Listen as they uncover behind the scenes facts and share their favorite quotes and scenes alike. Gene Wilder and Madeline Kahn aren’t the only ones seeing double! Do you think either of these classics deserved to win at least one Oscar?

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Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

More content including updated nomination predictions @ oscarwild.squarespace.com

Fall festivals are about to begin which means it’s time for Oscar Wild’s biggest episode of the year! Nick and Sophia are excited to invite back eight extraordinary guests to compete in their fifth Awards Season Fantasy Draft: All-Stars Edition. Part competition, part movie madness, the draft showcases what they believe to be the biggest players throughout the coming awards season, possibly even taking home some Oscar gold come March.

Each of their teams select films, cast and crew, and some fun creative picks that could earn them the most points via critics prizes, multiple guilds, and the biggest award ceremonies. Tune in for a lively, hilarious, enlightening, and all together unforgettable insider look at the year’s biggest movies!

Which team do you think will take home the win: Team Berger Kings or Team New Rochelle Bi-Coastal Champions?

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Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich