Oscar Wild

The 15 nominees Sophia and Nick discuss in this week’s episode may range from only 7 to 39 minutes, but they exude an endless amount of imagination with ideas that are larger than life and worthy of being seen on the big screen. Listen along as they share their reactions and break down the three short films categories, including: Animated, Live Action (10:45), and Documentary (21:15). Check out th...

Less than one month remains until the Oscars so Nick and Sophia are back to discuss three more exciting categories. Like always, they share their write-in votes and which film they think should win for: International Feature, Documentary Feature (19:40), and Animated Feature (31:02). Check out a selection of the nominated short films available online (listed here including our predictions by categ...

You heard Sophia and Nick talk about him and his nomination on the first Contenders episode, but now hear from Frank Petzold himself, the Visual Effects Supervisor from “All Quiet on the Western Front”! He elaborates on how collaborative and rewarding the shoot was, which elements helped contribute to the naturalism of the film while still showcasing the actors, and even shares one of his biggest...

Nick and Sophia are back with another Oscar Contenders episode, this time wrapping up the technical categories. From turning a Soviet era airfield into a WWI war zone in ‘ All Quiet on the Western Front ’ to the many lenses, wigs, and costumes that styled the King of Rock and Roll in ‘Elvis,’ they discuss all of the fascinating details that bring these nominated films to life. Also listen to find...

Now that the nominations for the 95th Academy Awards have been announced, it's time to kick off the Oscar Contenders series! Sophia and Nick go through each category, discussing every nominee including their previous wins, facts from production, and fascinating details that showcase the craftwork. They also share their write-in votes and who they think should win for the following categories: Orig...

The official countdown of 44 days until the Oscars begins after Girls’ co-stars Allison Williams and Academy Award winner Riz Ahmed recently announced this year’s nominees! Bennett Prosser joins Nick and Sophia to break down the big winners, surprises, and misses from the announcement. 16 first-time acting nominees! Two Best Picture nominees for which their entire top cast are nominated! Find out...

It’s that time again for Sophia and Nick to announce their 2023 Oscar Nomination Predictions! First, they recap the Golden Globes ceremony, the highs and lows, heartwarming speeches, and surprising wins as awards season tumbles forward. Then, listen as they share their ever-changing nomination predictions (10:34). Since recording, the Critics Choice Awards surprised audiences, multiple guilds have...

Nick and Sophia are back with one of the biggest episodes of the year, where they list nearly 65 films slated for release in 2023! They start with some fun movies coming out soon, like ‘80 For Brady,’ ‘Cocaine Bear,’ and ‘65.’ Then, onto other major studio movies with potential blockbuster status, like ‘Magic Mike’s Last Dance,’ ‘Fast X,’ ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,’ and ‘The Marvels.’...

It’s time for Sophia and Nick to celebrate the past year in film and share their top 5 films from 2022! From international films to summer blockbusters and every genre in between, follow along as they recap what they loved about moviegoing this year and also give superlatives like Favorite Non-2022 First-Time Watch and Movie You Wish You Could Push into the Oscar Race. Then, in commemoration of th...

The shortlists for 10 of the 24 categories recognized at the Oscars have arrived and Nick and Sophia are here to break them down with returning guest, Bennett Prosser! They answer listener questions, explain how the shortlists work and who selects the 10-15 films, and share why the bake-off is one of the most exciting insider events that determines some of the final nominees. After a brief chat on...

Never underestimate Nancy Meyers' ability to turn relationship woes and an all-star cast into the most charming holiday romcom, because that's exactly what she's done with 'The Holiday.' On a preview of this festive episode, Nick and Sophia discuss why they love revisiting this movie, including sharing: the cast and crew's many Oscar connections, multiple serendipitous fun facts from filming, why...

Sophia and Nick are back this week with a mega episode to discuss more recent releases with awards potential in another awards season release round-up. First up is Sam Mendes' latest ode to cinema and his nostalgia for the theater-going experience in 1980's Britain in 'Empire of Light.' Then, they dive into Darren Aronofsky's newest polarizing film and Brendan Fraser’s comeback, ‘The Whale’ (18:16...

"There is only the desert for you." Nick and Sophia are back to weather the sweltering heat to admire how David Lean took an extraordinary tale and made one of the most epic films in 'Lawrence of Arabia.' From its stunning cinematography and sprawling panoramas to the iconic editing (the unparalleled matchstick cut) and Peter O'Toole's sensitive yet powerful acting, there is way more to this adapt...

It’s December which means it’s officially time to start watching holiday movies! Sophia and Nick are back to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the ultimate Santa film, ‘Miracle on 34th Street.’ With a fun production history and a number of actors, including a very young Natalie Wood, that are sure to have you believing in Kris Kringle, this is a classic you won’t want to miss. They also compare th...

There are only 60 days until Oscar nominations are announced so Sophia and Nick are back to talk about some other recently released and critically-acclaimed films that they love that will be vying for those top awards. First is Luca Guadagnino's latest film, his sensitive and beautiful yet violent coming-of-age fable, ‘Bones and All.' Then, a magical and personal ode to movies, family, and growing...

Sophia and Nick are so excited to welcome back Connor and Dylan MacDowell of the DRAMA podcast to discuss the Best Picture winning musical, Chicago. In breaking down how its shocking real-life history paved the way for multiple shows and movies to come, they showcase the razzle dazzle in both Fosse’s original 1975 production and the record-holding revival. Bravo lovers will enjoy all of the tea sp...

And just like that we’re knee deep in another awards season. With the Gotham Awards nominations recently announced, Sophia and Nick go through the top nominees and some of their favorites before discussing how they feel about the Oscar host news update. Then onto some recently released films that have gotten the attention of critics and audiences alike. First is one of Netflix’s latest, 'All Quiet...

Mariah Carey may already be getting out her stocking but here at Oscar Wild, it’s time for Noir-vember. With so many titles to choose from in this fatalistic genre/style of femme fatales, crime, and sharp lighting, Sophia and Nick decided to cover two of Billy Wilder’s shining noir films: Double Indemnity and Sunset Blvd. In the former, Phyllis and Walter come up with the perfect plan to defraud a...

With Halloween upon us, what better way to celebrate the best of the horror genre than to host our very own Horror Oscars! It's no secret that scary movies and performances aren't usually recognized at The Oscars, so Nick and Sophia decided to right some wrongs and share their own picks. The only rule is that you can only choose a movie three times among the six major categories. First are all fou...

The 60th New York Film Festival has just finished another thought-provoking run of award-worthy films and Sophia and Nick can’t wait to share their reviews on all the movies they saw. They cover everything from some of A24’s slate (Aftersun, The Eternal Daughter, Showing Up, and Stars at Noon) to films already or soon-to-be released in theaters (Armageddon Time, Decision to Leave, Till, and Triang...

It’s time to honor one of Hollywood’s most talked about feuds with the 60th anniversary of the Oscar-winning ‘What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?’ Joan Crawford and Bette Davis lead this macabre duet late in their careers, but nonetheless sparked an entirely new genre of psychological thrillers. From production background to the legacy of the film (especially an iconic Drag Race sketch ), Nick and So...

Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome! Travel back to 1930s Berlin with Sophia and Nick to revisit and discuss Bob Fosse’s Oscar-winning ‘Cabaret.’ First, they share their experiences seeing the current West End revival in the high security, burlesque Kit Kat Club. Then, a deep analysis of Fosse’s film adaptation, including an extended conversation on Liza Minnelli’s desperate and refined portrayal of Sa...

Some of the big fall festival premieres look to dazzle audiences as they hit a wide release this month. Reactions on the first movie that Nick and Sophia discuss, ‘The Woman King,’ are overwhelmingly positive and consistent with its A+ CinemaScore. Gina Prince-Bythewood delivers an epic warrior drama with Viola Davis at the helm and one that has already garnered great awards potential (3:37). Next...

With the first big fall festivals wrapped up and more heading our way soon, Nick and Sophia are back to recap all of the good, bad, and the ugly out of Venice, Telluride, and TIFF. Joining them is returning guest, Bennett Prosser, to share his experiences (and hold Nick accountable for all of his post-screening hot takes) from the second week of the 79th Venice Film Festival. Listen for spoiler-fr...

A kid in a red hoodie, a flying bike, and an alien pointing, repeating, “Phone home.” Forty years later, even just these three images conjure up shots from the instantly recognizable, ‘E.T.’ This week, Sophia and Nick celebrate this successful film’s anniversary and consider why, as one of Steven Spielberg’s most successful films, it deserves to be called an enduring classic. After discussing the...