Shea Cinema: The Best Picture Project

In this episode we wrap up the 4th Academy Awards, giving a quick rundown of all 5 films nominated for the top award, Outstanding Production. Including our two bonus films, we give our personal favorites and personal worsts . And finally, we view the nominees as Oscar Bridesmaids, and bestow runner-up awards. You don't want to miss it! Please leave us a review wherever you are listening! Emai...

After a quick one week hiatus, we are back with our final review of the season, covering the controversial film Trader Horn. The first non-documentary movie filmed on location in Africa, Trader Horn is based on the memoirs of Aloysius Horn. While there are many amazing real sequences featuring the diverse wildlife to be found in Africa, most of the plot is contrived and over-the-top (read: absolut...

That’s right! Today we have ANOTHER special BONUS episode, covering William Wellman's The Public Enemy . This "gangster" classic was released on April 23, 1931, so  it fits right in with our regular Oscar timeline, but this movie wasn’t nominated for Outstanding Production (but it was nominated for Best Original Story--although it didn't win).  So why are we discussing it? Beca...

Today we are covering Skippy , which was adapted from a hugely popular comic strip. This is our first "kids' movie," and features Jackie Cooper in the title role. His performance in this film (at nine years old) garnered him a nomination for Best Actor. What might seem like a frivolous premise actually carries some significant emotional weight. Unexpected connections we make during...

It's another (Lewis) Milestone milestone film! In this episode we take a look at Outstanding Production nominee The Front Page , which was famously adapted into the screwball comedy classic His Girl Friday.  Please leave us a review wherever you are listening! Email us rants as well as raves: sheacinema@gmail.com You can also find us on Instagram (and now Twitter/X): @sheacinema Please leave...

In our second film review for Season 4, we take a look at Outstanding Production nominee East Lynne , based on Ellen Wood's best-selling 1861 novel. This is nearly a lost film, since the single copy in existence is only available for viewing via appointment at UCLA. We had to resort to watching a low-quality pirated version on YouTube. You're going to have to listen to find out what we t...

That’s right! Today we have a special BONUS episode, covering Tod Browning’s Dracula . This horror classic actually had its general release on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1931…93 years ago today! It fits right in with our regular Oscar timeline, but this movie is different…it wasn’t nominated for Outstanding Production, and, in fact, wasn’t nominated for any Academy Awards at all. So why are we...

In our first film review for Season 4, we take a look at Outstanding Production winner Cimarron , based on Edna Ferber’s best-selling novel. For modern audiences, this polarizing film often jockeys for position with other notorious Best Oscar winner The Broadway Melody as potentially the worst awarded movie. What do Sara and Dad think? You’ll have to listen to find out! Our history timeline introd...

Welcome to our Season 4 Premiere! Sara and Dad cover the 4th Academy Awards ceremony (honoring the best in films between August 1, 1930 and July 31, 1931).  Although the eligibility timeline covers 12 months, all five nominees are from the first half of 1931, and we speculate on some iconic films that were skipped over. Indeed, we discuss the possibility of doing some bonus episodes this season in...

In this episode we wrap up the 3rd Academy Awards, giving a quick rundown of all 5 films nominated for the top award, Outstanding Production. In addition to revisiting some of the historical context of the time, Sara provides insight into the novel Ex-Wife, on which nominee The Divorcee was based. We give our personal favorites and personal worsts, which might surprise you considering our effusive...

In our final film review for Season 3, we  explore The Big House, a stark look inside an overcrowded prison. With an Oscar-nominated performance by Wallace Beery as Butch, this movie explores friendship, betrayal, and what happens when thousands of men are pushed to the breaking point while serving their sentences for various crimes. Please leave us a review wherever you are listening! Email us ra...

In our fifth film review for Season 3, we cover The Divorcee , which was released on April 30, 1930. Based on the shocking novel Ex-Wife , this film is the epitome of pre-code indulgence. Infidelity, sexual escapades, double-standards, and (perhaps?) sexual liberation.  Norma Shearer won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Jerry. After a brief rundown of sexual politics and div...

This is a tough one. We cover Lewis Milestone’s All Quiet on the Western Front , released on April 21, 1930. This is an adaptation of the critically acclaimed (and highly controversial) WWI novel. This is our first film that we are intimately familiar with: Sara has seen it dozens of times. That being said, because Sara lost her brother (and, therefore, Dad his son) in the Iraq war, this review wi...

In our second film review for Season 3, we cover The Love Parade , which was released on November 19, 1929. The light-hearted musical received six nominations, and perfectly engenders all of the quips and titillations of a pre-code film, while exposing some of the pratfalls of traditional gender roles. Do you like racy innuendo and lacy, low-cut gowns? Then this film is for you!  Our history lesso...

This is our first film review for Season 3, covering Disraeli , which was released on November 1, 1929. The movie follows English Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli as he navigates the world of espionage (yes, spies!), manipulates information, and races against time to secure the purchase of the Suez Canal. George Arliss stars as Disraeli, and went on to earn the Academy Award for Best Actor.  We at...

Welcome to our Season 3 Premiere! Sara and Dad cover the 3rd Academy Awards ceremony (honoring the best in films between August 1, 1929 and July 31, 30). This awards was held only seven months after the 2nd awards. Movies during this era are considered “Pre-Code,” so we delve a bit into the Hays Production Code and the upcoming censorship challenges faced by filmmakers. Somehow we manage to discus...

This is our Season Two finale, closing out our examination of the films nominated for Outstanding Picture at the Second Academy Awards. Join us as we do a deep dive into the transition to sound in the film industry – there are lots of challenges and successes during this tumultuous time! Plus, our personal rankings, and Oscar Bridesmaids. Link to beginning of LA Times Annual Preview (requires subs...

This is it, our last review of Season Two! While reviewing a (Hollywood) revue, Sara and Dad realized they don't agree on what's good and what's bad, but they also admit how astounded they are that this movie is absolutely NOT the worst choice this season. The Hollywood Revue stars (nearly) everyone under contract to MGM, including appearances by fabled stars Joan Crawford and Jack...

We looked for every excuse in the book while watching this fourth movie nominated for the 2nd Academy Award for Best Picture...This week we are covering Roland West's Alibi , which was released on April 20, 1929. This gangster/crime drama has something of an identity crisis as it features three musical numbers! We also discuss ASMR, science galore, mining and minerals, some Frankenstein-like...

It's our highly anticipated coverage of the allegedly most hated Best Picture Oscar winner... The Broadway Melody , which was released on February 1, 1929. This all talking, all singing, all dancing production was so successful in its day that it inspired studios to scramble to cash on its fame by producing 75 musicals within the following  year. Yes, SEVENTY-FIVE. How can something so contro...

In our second review this season, we cover In Old Arizona , which was released on Christmas Day in 1928. The first talkie filmed out doors, this Western was considered for 5 out of 7 possible Academy Awards. We have some fun sports history coverage as well! Find us on Instagram! @sheacinema Email us rants, raves, reviews: sheacinema@gmail.com Please leave us a review wherever you are listening! Em...

In our first review in this, our second season, Sara and Dad find themselves in quite a conundrum, because...well... We attempt to discuss The Patriot , which was released on August 17, 1928. The problem? This movie is unwatchable...because it doesn't exist. It is a lost film.  A historical drama (and the last silent film to be nominated for Best Picture until The Artist) , The Patriot docume...

In our Season 2 Premiere episode Sara and Dad cover the 2nd Academy Awards ceremony (honoring the best in films between August 1, 1928 and July 31, 1929), and give an overview of the five films nominated for the top honor.  We also discuss the (somewhat painful) transition from silent film to this newfangled sound business, and perhaps reveal a little award chaos behind the scenes. The Movies: The...

Join Sara and Dad as they recap Season One! Enjoy bonus footage, musical interludes, and, of course, personal rankings of the six films from the 1st Academy Awards  nominated for Best Picture (or, Outstanding Picture and Best Unique and Artistic Picture). Rankings may even reveal a shock or two! Please leave us a review wherever you are listening! Email us rants as well as raves: sheacinema@gmail....

In our sixth and final review this season, Sara and Dad watch and analyze the "newest" of the nominees, The Racket. Released on November 1, 1928, The Racket was thought lost forever, and it's still not readily available online. This is a curious "gangster" romp based on a Broadway play. Dad and Sara speculate on its influence on the many famous gangster movies that follow...