The OSCARS: What Were They Thinking?!
- Episodes
- 74
- Released
- every two weeks
- Latest episode
- Nov 2, 2026
About the podcast
Ever watched the Academy Awards and thought, What were they thinking? You’re not alone. Join legendary comedian and writer of over 25 Oscar telecasts, Bruce Vilanch, and screenwriter/film nerd Adam “Tex” Davis (Just Friends) as they dive into Oscar history, unpacking the flubs, snubs, and surprises from Hollywood’s biggest night. From behind-the-scenes stories of A-list stars to insider insights on how the nominations and winners are really chosen, Bruce and Tex break down each Oscar ceremony year by year to reveal what the Academy got right—and what they didn’t. If you’ve ever questioned why your favorite movie or actor got overlooked, this podcast is for you. The Oscars: What Were They Thinking? Did you know that two of the Top 100 American Films of All-Time came out the same year but weren’t even nominated for an Academy Award? Or that the film often cited as the ‘Greatest Film of All Time’ didn’t win the Oscar in its year? Or that Cuba Gooding Jr. has the same number of acting Oscars as Al Pacino? Look, stuff happens. But if you’ve ever watched or read about the Academy Awards, you’ve probably been left scratching your head over which movies and performers won – and how many beloved films weren’t even considered. Why do so many Best Picture winners become some of the least remembered movies? How is it that legendary directors like Stanley Kubrick never won an Oscar? And why do great actors miss out on their best performances, only to win later for less impressive work? Sure, the Oscars aren’t sports – there’s no scoreboard to show the winners. But with so many Academy members voting, you’d think they’d get it right. Spoiler alert: They often don’t. On The Oscars: What Were They Thinking?, Bruce Vilanch and Adam “Tex” Davis take a deep dive into Oscar history, looking back at the biggest mistakes, controversies, and snubs. From Shakespeare in Love beating Saving Private Ryan to Dances with Wolves winning over Goodfellas, we’ll examine where the Academy went wrong. Along the way, you’ll hear incredible behind-the-scenes stories and never-before-told moments from Hollywood’s biggest night. We’re re-examining each Oscar ceremony, year-by-year, award-by-award, to see what the Academy got right, what they missed, and how we would “fix” the Oscars. Whether you’re a dedicated movie buff or just a casual fan, this is the podcast for you. Join us for The Oscars: What Were They Thinking?, where we break down the flubs, snubs, and forgotten gems of Oscar history.
Episodes 74
2001 - Oscars to the Maximus!
Hey Oscar fans, today Bruce and “Tex” are checking out the 2001 Oscars for films of 2000 and we must say, this century got off to a great start! All five Best Picture candidates are not only worthy, but still …
Show notes
Hey Oscar fans, today Bruce and “Tex” are checking out the 2001 Oscars for films of 2000 and we must say, this century got off to a great start! All five Best Picture candidates are not only worthy, but still stand the test of time as do many of the other contenders or would-be contenders. And while this year isn’t perfect, it’s a lot better than most in terms of what was nominated and what actually won. But alas, just because they came close, doesn’t mean there aren’t some curious things worth debating and talking about. So, join as we do just that for this incredible year of movies. If nothing else, ‘you will be entertained!’ (Especially by Bruce’s backstage stories as he worked on this year!) As always, thanks for listening and being part of the fun!
2000 Movies Discussed
*Gladiator
(Gladiator II)
*Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
*Chocolat
*Erin Brockovich
*Traffic
*Almost Famous
*Billy Elliot
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
*The Patriot
*Quills
*Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai
*Wonder Boys
*Cast Away
*The Contender
*Malena
*O Brother, Where Art Thou?
*The Perfect Storm
*Pollock
*Shadow of the Vampire
*U-571
*You Can Count on Me
*Before Night Falls
*Memento
*Requiem for a Dream
*The Virgin Suicides
The Emperor's New Groove
*Dancer in the Dark
*Meet the Parents
*In the Mood for Love
*Werckmeister Harmonies
Battlefield Earth
The Next Best Thing
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Bonus Episode - The Oscars vs Sci-Fi Movies
Hey Oscar fans! One thing we’ve noticed in making this show is how few Science Fiction Films win Oscars. In fact, only ONE indisputable Sci-Fi film has ever won Best Picture! And it took over 42 years for the …
Show notes
Hey Oscar fans! One thing we’ve noticed in making this show is how few Science Fiction Films win Oscars. In fact, only ONE indisputable Sci-Fi film has ever won Best Picture! And it took over 42 years for the Academy to even nominate a Sci-Fi film! In this bonus episode, “Tex” and Mark run down the science fiction films that were nominated (for BP and Best Director) and lost; and more importantly which great Sci-Fi films were overlooked completely. Along the way, we make the case whether or not there is genre bias against Sci-Fi and if the Oscars have finally come around on recognizing science fiction for more than just technical awards. Either way, we discuss a ton of movies (listed below) for you to check out or revisit. Enjoy and thanks for listening!
Sci-Fi Films Mentioned
Everything, Everywhere, All at Once
The Shape of Water
Star Wars
Frankenstein
Ex-Machina
Annihilation
Them!
Godzilla
Mad Max: Fury Road
Dune Pt. One
Dune Pt. Two
Terminator
Terminator 2
Alien
Aliens
The Matrix
Blade Runner
Blade Runner 2049
A Clockwork Orange
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
ET
Jurassic Park
Avatar
District 9
Inception
Gravity
Her
The Martian
Interstellar
Arrival
Black Panther
Avatar: The Way of Water
Don’t Look Up
Poor Things
Metropolis
The Day the Earth Stood Still
2001 A Space Odyssey
Planet of the Apes
The Empire Strikes Back
Back to the Future
Brazil
12 Monkeys
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Children of Men
Tenet
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Charley
Starman
Cocoon
The Fly
Moon
Edge of Tomorrow
Melancholia
Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Kahn
Galaxy Quest
Primer
Coherence
Time Crimes
The Man From Earth
Safety Not Guaranteed
The One I Love
Gattaca
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1937 - The Great Oscar (and Plenty of Follies!)
Hey Oscar fans, welcome to just the 9th Academy Awards, AKA the 1937 Oscars for the films of 1936. Believe it or not, despite being nearly a decade ago, many of the movies from this year are still well known …
Show notes
Hey Oscar fans, welcome to just the 9th Academy Awards, AKA the 1937 Oscars for the films of 1936. Believe it or not, despite being nearly a decade ago, many of the movies from this year are still well known and have stood the test of time. And some of them even won Academy Awards. This is another one of those great early years for movies filled with hidden gems, some ‘must-see’ classics, and a host of smart, meaningful films that deserve to be seen and talked about today. There’s also some great historical context as this was the first year they gave out ‘Supporting Acting’ award. So of course, they made some crazy and curious choices right off the bat! Join Bruce Vilanch and “Tex” Davis as we have fun breaking down this surprisingly interesting year of movies. As always, thanks for joining us at the Oscars!
1936 Films Mentioned
The Great Ziegfeld
Anthony Adverse
Dodsworth
Libeled Lady
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
Romeo and Juliet
San Francisco
The Story of Louis Pasteur
A Tale of Two Cities
Three Smart Girls
My Man Godfrey
Modern Times
Fury
The Secret Agent
Come and Get It
Pigskin Parade
The General Died at Dawn
Theodora Goes Wild
Valiant is the Word for Carrie
The Gorgeous Hussy
These Three
Swing Time
After the Thin Man
The Crime of Monsieur Lange
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1975 - I Knew it was You, Oscar. You broke my heart!
1975 Films Mentioned The Towering Inferno Blazing Saddles Young Frankenstein Earthquake Airport 1975 Chinatown The Godfather Part II Lenny Murder on the Orient Express Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore The …
Show notes
1975 Films Mentioned
The Towering Inferno
Blazing Saddles
Young Frankenstein
Earthquake
Airport 1975
Chinatown
The Godfather Part II
Lenny
Murder on the Orient Express
Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore
The Conversation
Day for Night
Woman Under the Influence
Harry and Tonto
Claudine
The Great Gatsby
Ali: Fear Eats the Soul
Thunderbolt and Lightfoot
The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz
Amarcord
Shanks
The Longest Yard
Hearts and Minds (doc.)
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BONUS - Disorder in the Court!
Hey Oscar fans! Based on the past few episodes which featured some outstanding films set in courtrooms, we decided to take a closer look at The Oscars long-standing relationship with courtroom movies! From the …
Show notes
Hey Oscar fans! Based on the past few episodes which featured some outstanding films set in courtrooms, we decided to take a closer look at The Oscars long-standing relationship with courtroom movies! From the curious collection of courtroom movies that won Best Picture, to the outstanding nominees that didn’t win, to our favorite court (or court adjacent) films that received no love from The Academy. Join us as we litigate our case and determine whether The Academy delivered a just verdict or whether the whole Oscars is ‘out of order!’
Court Movies Mentioned
To Kill a Mockingbird
And Justice for All
The Verdict
Inherit the Wind
12 Angry Men
Witness for the Prosecution
A Few Good Men
Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)
The Life of Emile Zola
A Man For All Seasons
Kramer Vs. Kramer
Gandhi
Chicago
Mutiny on the Bounty (1962)
The Caine Mutiny
Anatomy of a Murder
A Soldier’s Story
JFK
In the Name of the Father
Erin Brockovich
Michael Clayton
The Trial of the Chicago 7
The Social Network
Anatomy of a Fall
The Accused
Philadelphia
A Time to Kill
The People vs. Larry Flynt
The Rainmaker
Amistad
The Hurricane
The Wrong Man
Paths of Glory
Breaker Morant
Young Mr. Lincoln
Roman J. Israel, Esq.
A Matter of Life and Death
The Ox-Bow Incident
Fury
Phil Spector
Malice
The Devil’s Advocate
Presumed Innocent
The Firm
Defending Your Life
My Cousin Vinny
Legally Blond
Primal Fear
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1960 - Ben Hur, Won That!
Hey Oscar fans! Today we’re looking back at the 1960 Oscars for the films of 1959! In the end, just like with the famous chariot race, Ben Hur demolished his opponents — but what made it a glorious victory was …
Show notes
Hey Oscar fans! Today we’re looking back at the 1960 Oscars for the films of 1959! In the end, just like with the famous chariot race, Ben Hur demolished his opponents — but what made it a glorious victory was the sheer quality of his competition. From devastating historical dramas to scandalous courtroom battles, from one of the all-time greatest comedy films not even securing a nomination to foreign classics from some of cinema’s masters, this was a year when Hollywood was beginning to head in a new direction. Add in a few lesser-remembered hidden gems and genre pics and you’ve got a year that not only stands the test of time — it aces it. Join Bruce Vilanch and “Tex” as they take a deep dive into swords, sandals, attics and cannibals! As always, thanks for listening!
FILMS DISCUSSED
Ben Hur
The Diary of Anne Frank
The Nun’s Story
Anatomy of a Murder
Room at the Top
Some Like it Hot
Pillow Talk
Porgy and Bess
North by Northwest
Suddenly Last Summer
The Young Philadelphians
Imitation of Life
The Last Angry Man
The Apartment
Compulsion
Carmen Jones
Rio Bravo
The 400 Blows
Wild Strawberries
Pickpocket
Hiroshima Mon Amour
Mrs. Miniver
The Best Years of Our Lives
The Lost Weekend
The Apartment
Double Indemnity
Sunset Boulevard
Stalag 17
Sabrina
Witness for the Prosecution
Giant
Shane
A Place in the Sun
The Ten CommandmentsThe Story of Louis Pasteur
Operation Petticoat
Ship of Fools
Black Orpheus
Dr. Strangelove
The Poseidon Adventure
Imitation of Life (1934)
Lolita
On the Beach
Sleeping Beauty
Stay One for Me
Lil’ bAner
The Five Pennies
A Hole in the Head
(The Apu Trilogy)
The World of Apu
Pather Panchali
Aparajito
(The Human Condition Trilogy)
The Human Condition Part 1: No Greater Love
Last Year at Marienbad
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1983 - Oscars, Phone Home!
Hey Oscars fans! What a year 1982 was for movies! Besides having mostly one word titles: Gandhi, E.T., Missing, Tootsie, and (The) Verdict, this group of films are all Oscar worthy in multiple categories and …
Show notes
Hey Oscars fans! What a year 1982 was for movies! Besides having mostly one word titles: Gandhi, E.T., Missing, Tootsie, and (The) Verdict, this group of films are all Oscar worthy in multiple categories and they almost all win for something or other! And those are just the nominees battling it out! Strap in as Bruce Vilanch and Adam “Tex” Davis take a fun look back at a year full of fascinating films that have a Noah’s Ark, two-by-two quality. There’s two of the best sci-fi films ever made; two films about pretending to be the opposite gender; two military films about Naval officers; two acting nominations for the same actress; and the two most nominated actors to NEVER win an Oscar, both nominated this year! It’s peak Oscar’s insanity! Enjoy, and thanks for listening!
FiLMS MENTIONED
Just Friends
The Odyssey
Arthur
Gandhi
Tootsie
E.T.
Victor/Victoria
Das Boot
An Officer and a Gentleman
Sophie’s Choice
The Verdict
Missing
Poltergeist
Annie
Blade Runner
Francis
Tron
The World According to Garp
Lawrence of Arabia
Dr. Zhivago
A Man for All Seasons
The Great Ziegfeld
The Life of Emile Zola
Patton
Out of Africa
The Last Emperor
Schindler’s List
My Favorite Year
Get Him to the Greek
Diner
King of Comedy
Z
Jurassic Park
Fitzcarraldo
First Blood
Cat People
The Thing
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
The Dark Crystal
Bugsy
Kramer vs. Kramer
The Deer Hunter
The French Lieutenant’s Woman
Shoot the Moon
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
The Tempest
Full Metal Jacket
It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas
Network
Precious
Rocky 3
Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Kahn
Nigh Shift
All That Jazz
King Kong (1976)
Pulp Fiction
Quest for Fire
Yes, Giorgio!
Begin the Beguine
Clean Slate
Veronika Voss
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1984 Redux - Oscars of Endearment
Hey Oscar fans, join us for another look back at the 1984 Oscars for the amazing films of 1983. A time when all the big stars, big directors and top talent were putting out great films to satisfy every film …
Show notes
Hey Oscar fans, join us for another look back at the 1984 Oscars for the amazing films of 1983. A time when all the big stars, big directors and top talent were putting out great films to satisfy every film urge and scratch every movie itch!
With so many objectively great movies in every genre to choose from, it's hard for even the Academy to get it wrong. And yet, using the test of time, there are still some curious choices and omissions worth looking into.
And please note, we'll be back with new episodes, fresh complaints and satisfying explanations in a few weeks. Hope everyone is beating the heat by staying in and watching great movies!
For more info, go to www.Oscars.wtf
email us at [email protected]
Oscars: What Were They Thinking is edited by Kelley Marcano
Movies Mentioned (*Recommended)
*Terms of Endearment
*The Right Stuff
*Fanny & Alexander
*The Dresser
*Silkwood
*Tender Mercies
Yentl
*Cross Creek
*The Big Chill
*Educating Rita
*Reuben, Reuben
*War Games
*Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
*Trading Places
*The Outsiders
Flashdance
*Risky Business
*Sudden Impact
*The China Syndrome
*The Insider
*Norma Rae
*Breaking Away
*Bullitt
Krull
Mother, Jugs & Speed
*The Friends of Eddie Coyle
Face to Face
*The Graduate
*Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolfe
*Working Girl
*Raiders of the Lost Ark
Henry & June
*Unbearable Lightness of Being
The Mirror Has Two Faces
*The Prince of Tides
Rhinestone
*Dr. Zhivago
*Tom Jones
*Murder on the Orient Express
*The Godfather
*Apocalypse Now
*The Great Santini
*Ray
*Crazy Heart
*Testament
Melvin and Howard
*To Be or Not to Be (1984 & 1942)
*One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
*Easy Rider
*Five Easy Pieces
*Reds
*The World According to Garp
Precious
*Network
*To Kill a Mockingbird
Betrayal
Octopussy
Striptease
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1940 - Gone With the Oscars!
Hey Oscars WWTT? fans -- we're going way, way back to perhaps the first truly epic year of movies! And while it all took place over 80 years ago -- when you have this many timeless classics that are still …
Show notes
Hey Oscars WWTT? fans -- we're going way, way back to perhaps the first truly epic year of movies! And while it all took place over 80 years ago -- when you have this many timeless classics that are still relevant, watched & enjoyed today -- it may as well be 8 years ago. Between Gone With the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Stagecoach, Of Mice and Men, and Ninotchka we're talking about some of the biggest and best movies, directed by luminaries and starring some of the all-time greats. So join us for a year like few others; add some films to your watch list; and enjoy some behind the scenes trivia & stories you won't hear anywhere else!
FILMS DISCUSSED
(*) Recommended
*Gone With the Wind
*Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
*Wuthering Heights
Goodbye Mr. Chips
*Stagecoach
Love Affair
*The Wizard of Oz
*Ninotchka
*Of Mice and Men
*Dark Victory
*Babes in Arms
*Beau Geste
*The Hunchback of Notre Dame
An Affair to Remember
Sleepless in Seattle
*A Stolen Life
*Now Voyager
*Jezebel
*The Letter
*Only Angels Have Wings
Dodsworth
*Mrs. Miniver
*Best Years of Our lives
*The Women
*It Happened One Night
*Mutiny on the Bounty
*The Roaring Twenties
*Juarez
*(The Scarlett O’Hara Wars - Mini-series)
*A Streetcar Named Desire
*Notorious
The Last Remake of Beau Geste
Drums Along the Mohawk
*Young Mr. Lincoln
Bachelor Mother
*The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex
*The Rains Came
*The Hurricane
Union Station
Topper Takes a Trip
*Hattie McDaniel Acceptance Speech: https://youtu.be/gPJVFLv3_v8?t=852
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1998 - A Titanic Year for Movies & the Oscars!
Hey Oscars WWTT? Fans — come take a fateful trip with us as we break down the highest-rated Oscars telecast in history! And because Bruce was there, he can regale you with some behind-the-scenes fun! Of course …
Show notes
Hey Oscars WWTT? Fans — come take a fateful trip with us as we break down the highest-rated Oscars telecast in history! And because Bruce was there, he can regale you with some behind-the-scenes fun! Of course, it was a big night for Titanic, which became the highest grossing film of all-tine, But while James Cameron might’ve been ‘The King of the Oscars’ that night — not everything broke his way. Find out all the interesting stories, as well as the snubs, flubs, oversights and WTF moments as Bruce and “Tex” walk & talk their way through this night to remember. Most of all, celebrate a year jam-packed with quality movies and hidden gems — some Oscar-worthy, others not so much — but all great films by solid filmmakers!
FILMS DISCUSSED
Titanic
As Good as it Gets
The Full Monty
Good Will Hunting
LA Confidential
Amistad
Kundun
The Wings of the Dove
Boogie Nights
Donnie Brasco
Jackie Brown
Deconstructing Harry
The Boxer
The Ice Storm
The Sweet Hereafter
Mrs. Brown
Wag the Dog
The Game
Career Girls
Hard Eight
Contact
Rosewood
Lost Highway
Ulee’s Gold
The Apostle
In & Out
Afterglow
Anastasia
Men in Black
Starship Troopers
Con Air
Air Force One
Liar, Liar
Citizen Kane
Gone with the Wind
Bridge on the River Kwai
Lawrence of Arabia
Ben-Hur
Schindler’s List
The Poseidon Adventure
Avatar
Four Little Girls
Happy Together
Get Bruce!
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Bonus - No Competitive Oscars for Sidney Lumet Makes us ‘Mad as Hell!’
It also makes us 2 Angry Men spending a Dog Day Afternoon grousing about an unfair Verdict. Yes, these are all ham-fisted references to Sidney Lumet films that were nominated for Best Picture and Best Director …
Show notes
It also makes us 2 Angry Men spending a Dog Day Afternoon grousing about an unfair Verdict. Yes, these are all ham-fisted references to Sidney Lumet films that were nominated for Best Picture and Best Director. And despite being beloved classics, all four films (12 Angry Men, Dog Day Afternoon, Network & The Verdict) failed to win Oscars for esteemed director Sidney Lumet. But that’s just part of the story! On this bonus episode we dive into the films and filmmaking of a true cinematic master that will have you appreciating Lumet’s genius and leave you wanting to watch or re-watch most of his filmography! Enjoy and thanks for listening!
FILMS MENTIONED
12 Angry Men
Dog Day Afternoon
NetworkThe Verdict
Stage Struck
Long Day’s Journey Into Night
Fail Safe
The Offence
The Hill
The Iceman Cometh
The Seagull
Equus
The Pawnbroker
The Anderson Tapes
Murder on the Orient Express
Serpico
Deathtrap
Prince of the City
The Morning After
Q&A
The Wiz
Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead
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1963 - Oscar of Arabia
Hello! We at Oscars WWTT? believe the beauty of this podcast comes from three things. 1. Looking back at the Oscars of the past to see which winners & nominees have stood the test of time, or not. 2. Trying to …
Show notes
Hello! We at Oscars WWTT? believe the beauty of this podcast comes from three things. 1. Looking back at the Oscars of the past to see which winners & nominees have stood the test of time, or not. 2. Trying to understand how or why the Academy voters chose that year’s winners and nominees, and 3) Putting hidden gems and/or movies you haven’t heard of on your radar. For this episode, the 1963 Oscars for the films of 1962 — we get plenty of all three. There are some legendary wins, some historically curious losses and lots of great movies you’ll want to add to your watch list. So join us on an epic adventure as Bruce and “Tex” sift through the sands of time to discover WTF the Oscars were thinking! As always, thanks for joining us!
FILMS MENTIONED
The Longest Day
Lawrence of Arabia
The Music Man
That Touch of Mink
Mutiny on the Bounty
To Kill a Mockingbird
Days of Wine and Roses
The Miracle Worker
Whatever Happened to Baby Jane
The Birdman of Alcatraz
The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm
Divorce, Italian Style
Gypsy
Sweet Bird of Youth
Billy Budd
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Long Day’s Journey into Night
Lonely Are the Brave
The Manchurian candidate
Through a Glass Darkly
The Bridge on the River Kwai
David and Lisa
Bonnie and Clyde
Brief Encounter
Dr. Zhivago
Auntie Mame
Elmer Gantry
Some Like it Hot
The Apartment
The Gunfighter
The Omen
Dr. No
Hatari!
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Superman 2
Lolita
Freud: The Secret Passion
Last Year at Marienbad
Seesaw
Taras Bulba
Gigot
Jumbo
Tender is the Night
Walk on the Wild Side
Sundays and Cybele
Jules and Jim
Harikari
Le Eclipse
Autumn Afternoon
Cleo From 5 to 7
Vivre Se Vie (My Life to Live)
Childhood
Sanjuro
Yojimbo
The Exterminating Angel
Midnight in Paris
Knife in the Water
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2009 - The Curious Case of the Slumdog Oscar
Hey Oscar fans, Bruce and “Tex” are back with the 2009 Oscars for the films of 2008. This was an interesting year for many reasons: controversial winners; new formats, a singing & dancing Wolverine as host; and …
Show notes
Hey Oscar fans, Bruce and “Tex” are back with the 2009 Oscars for the films of 2008. This was an interesting year for many reasons: controversial winners; new formats, a singing & dancing Wolverine as host; and most notably, the reaction to The Dark Knight being snubbed causing the Academy to expand the number of Best Picture nominees from 5 to (up to) 10. As for the movies that were nominated, it’s a curious mix of decent films that really only need to be seen once — and some possibly better movies that have stood the test of time and are even more relevant now! Join us as we break it all down and get behind the scenes stories from Bruce Vilanch who got paid to spend an evening with Hugh Jackman. Thanks for listening!.
Movies Mentioned
*The Dark Knight
**Wall-E
*The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Slumdog Millionaire
*Milk
*Frost/Nixon
*Changeling
*Revolutionary Road
*The Wrestler
*Frozen River
*Iron Man
*The Reader
**In Bruges
*The Visitor
*Happy-Go-Lucky
*Hunger
Shame
Billy Elliott
**Good Will Hunting
*A Beautiful Mind
**The Social Network
*Doubt
*Shallow Grave
*Trainspotting
*28 Days Later
The Beach
*Chicago
*Mystic River
**Vicky Cristina Barcelona
*Gran Torino
W
Rachel Getting Married
*The Fighter
*Tropic Thunder
Che
*In the Bedroom
*My Cousin Vinny
Red Belt
**Idiocracy
*Forrest Gump
*Bolt
*Kung Fu Panda
Departures
**Bader Meinhof Complex
Australia
*The Nutty Professor
Maverick: Top Gun Part 2
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Encore 1999 - Love vs War
Hey Oscar fans. Bruce and "Tex" are on a slight hiatus, so we're doing an encore presentation of one of Oscar's most controversial years. A year that pit 'Love' VS 'War.' Of course we’re talking about the 1999 …
Show notes
Hey Oscar fans. Bruce and "Tex" are on a slight hiatus, so we're doing an encore presentation of one of Oscar's most controversial years. A year that pit 'Love' VS 'War.'
Of course we’re talking about the 1999 Oscars, for the films of 1998 in which Shakespeare in Love won the Oscar over Saving Private Ryan.
This is known as the year that changed everything thanks to a guy you may have heard of named Harvey Weinstein. In a shocking upset, a brash, shameless, indie upstart managed to out-campaign the Hollywood elite and take home a best picture Oscar for an artsy film about love and Shakespeare. Using the test of time, many people look back at this year as a complete miscarriage of justice. But was it really? And what other controversies and unbelievable moments took place that evening? Bruce was there and is more than happy to share them.. What do you think? Did Shakespeare deserve Oscar love? Or did Saving Private Ryan “Earn it?”
MOVIES MENTIONED
From Russia With Love
Shakespeare in Love
Elizabeth
Saving Private Ryan
The African Queen
Life is Beautiful
The Thin Red Line
Armageddon
A Simple Plan
The Truman Show
Affliction
Civil Action
Apollo 13
Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid
In Like Flint
Shine
Rushmore
The Big Lebowski
Rocky Horror Picture Show
A Fish Called Wanda
Gods and Monsters
Hillary and Jackie
Little Voice
Primary Colors
Mrs. Brown
Schindler’s List
Amistad
Warhorse
Lincoln
West Side Story
Munich
The Mask of Zorro
Out of Sight
The Big Chill
Mighty Joe Young
King Kong
What Dreams May Come
Pleasantville
Velvet Goldmine
Beloved
The Last Days
Dance Maker
The Farm Angola USA
Lenny Bruce: Swear to Tell the Truth
Regret to Inform
Prince of Egypt
Patch Adams
Mulan
A Bug’s Life
The Horse Whisperer
Babe: Pig in the City
Skyfall
Barbie
Quest From Camelot
Wicked
Tango
The Grandfather
Children of Heaven
Central Station
Frankenstein
Bride of Frankenstein
American History X
Two Women
Lord of the Rings
One True Thing
Gia
Bulworth
The Best Years of our Lives
E.T.
The Day the Clown Cried
Guilty By Suspicion
On the Waterfront
Streetcar Named Desire
East of Eden
A Face in the Crowd
Splendor in the Grass
America, America
Gentleman’s Agreement
Viva Zapata
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1943 - Minvers, Ambersons & The Pride of the Yankees Doodle Dandy
Welcome Oscar fans. Bruce is back to help break down the 1943 Oscars for the films of 1942. It’s another stacked year with 10 Outstanding Picture nominees (most of which are very deserving) and yet, there are …
Show notes
Welcome Oscar fans. Bruce is back to help break down the 1943 Oscars for the films of 1942. It’s another stacked year with 10 Outstanding Picture nominees (most of which are very deserving) and yet, there are still several other great films left out in the cold. And while there are a few curious decisions and omissions, most of the winners in all the categories are surprisingly and refreshingly solid. Instead of controversy — this is definitely an episode you’ll want to take notes during, because there are a lot of hidden gems to go with the classics. Either way, you’re going to want to update your ‘Watch List!’ As always for joining us for another look back at the Oscars of the past, through the lens of today!
Movies Mentioned
*Mrs. Miniver
*The Magnificent Ambersons
*Yankee Doodle Dandy
*The Pride of the Yankees
*The Talk of the Town
*The Invaders AKA The 49th Parallel
*King’s Row
The Pied Piper
*Random Harvest
Wake Island
*Now Voyager
*To Be or Not To Be
*The Palm Beach Story
*Johnny Eager
Around the World in 80 Days
*The Letter
*The Little Foxes
Wuthering Heights
Doddsworth
*Angels With Dirty Faces
*My Sister Eileen
Woman of the Year
*I Married a Witch
*This Gun for Hire
*Tortilla Flat
*The Affairs of Cellini
*The Wizard of Oz
*Shadow of a Doubt
Holiday inn
White Christmas
*Road to Morocco
One of Our Aircraft is Missing
The Black Swan
Jungle Book
Bambi
Arabian Nights
The Shanghai Gesture
The Corsican Brothers
The Battle of Midway (first Documentary Winner)
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Bonus - The Freakishly Fantastic Films of 1995
1995, an objectively incredible year for movies, doesn’t get talked about enough…until now! Having done the research for our 1996 Oscars, “Tex” And Mark were amazed at just how many outstanding, Oscar-worthy …
Show notes
1995, an objectively incredible year for movies, doesn’t get talked about enough…until now! Having done the research for our 1996 Oscars, “Tex” And Mark were amazed at just how many outstanding, Oscar-worthy films came out this year — so many in fact, that we could hold an ‘Alternate Oscars’ and only include non-nominated films, directors and performances. So… That’s we did! Join us as we have some fun discussing the freakishly fantastic films of 1995 and offer our picks for an Oscars that didn’t happen — but certainly could have! We’ll be back with a regular episode next week. (The 1943 Oscars for anyone who wants to do some homework and watch some of the films of 1942!)
Movies Mentioned
(*) Recommended
**Braveheart
*Apollo 13
*Babe
*Sense & Sensibility
*Il Postino: The Postman
**The Usual Suspects
**Leaving Las Vegas
*Dead Man Walking
*Toy Story
*Casino
**Heat
**Twelve Monkeys
**Se7en
*Crimson Tide
*The American President
Goldeneye
*Mr. Holland’s Opus
*To Die For
**Zone of Interest
**Anatomy of a Fall
*Past Lives
*I’m Still Here
Emilia Pérez
**Sentimental Value
*The Secret Agent
**Parasite
**Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
*Life is Beautiful
*Cries and Whispers
**The Lives of Others
**A Separation
**City of God
**Ran
**81/2
**La Dolce Vita
Showgirls
*Clueless
*Kids
*Devil in a Blue Dress
*The Crossing Guard
Panther
*The Quick and the Dead
Nixon
*Bridges of Madison County
*Get Shorty
*Living in Oblivion
*Safe
Dangerous Minds
*Dolores Claiborne
Georgia
Rob Roy
Funny Bones
*Kiss of Death
Walking Dead
Boys on the Side
Circle of Friends
Exotica
*Before Sunrise
*The Secret of Roan Inish
The Brothers McMullen
*Clockers
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1996 - They May Take Our Lives…But They'll Never Take Our Oscars!
Hey Oscar fans — for this episode, Bruce Vilanch and “Tex” Davis dive into the 1996 Oscars—the year Braveheart took the crown, beating out an oddly charming mix that includes Apollo 13 and Babe. But here’s the …
Show notes
Hey Oscar fans — for this episode, Bruce Vilanch and “Tex” Davis dive into the 1996 Oscars—the year Braveheart took the crown, beating out an oddly charming mix that includes Apollo 13 and Babe. But here’s the real question: how did a year packed with some all-time classics end up with this lineup? From snubbed fan favorites to the Academy’s love of big, bold spectacle, we’re breaking down what got nominated, what got ignored, and what the Oscars might have been thinking… if anything.
Films Mentioned
**Babe
**Braveheart
**Apollo 13
**Sense and Sensibility
*Il Postino: The Postman
*Dead Man Walking
**Leaving Las Vegas
Nixon
**Toy Story
*Crimson Tide
*Batman Forever
Waterworld
Showgirls
**The Usual Suspects
*Mr. Holland’s Opus
*Casino
**The American President
*Rob Roy
Bridges of Madison County
**12 Monkeys
Hacksaw Ridge
**Apocalypto
Man Without a Face
**Heat
**Devil in a Blue Dress
**The Goodbye Girl
**Adaptation
*Dances with Wolves
*The Crossing Guard
*Get Shorty
**Thelma and Louise
**Lorenzo’s Oil
**Atlantic City
**Howard’s End
**Remains of the Day
*Safe
**Se7en
Georgia
Mighty Aphrodite
*Butterflies are Free
Shakespeare in Love
*My Cousin Vinny
**La Jette’
Sabrina
Pocahontas
Restoration
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ENCORE 1961 - A Boy's Best Friend is his Oscar!
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we don't have a new episode for you this week -- so we decided to rerun an older one you may not have hear. This is a classic one that started the whole premise of the show …
Show notes
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we don't have a new episode for you this week -- so we decided to rerun an older one you may not have hear. This is a classic one that started the whole premise of the show. That's because in 1960, three films came out that are all sitting on the AFI's Top 100 American Films of All-Time List. Yet, only ONE of them was actually nominated for an Oscar the year it came out! Join us as we debate whether or not this is a travesty or if it made sense at the time. As always, thanks for listening and we'll be back with a new episode next week!
Movies Mentioned
Just Friends
The Apartment
Elmer Gantry
The Alamo
Sons and Lovers
Lady Chatterley’s Lover
The Sundowners
From Here to Eternity
Oklahoma
Never on Sunday
Rarfifi
Night in the City
Psycho
Psycho (Gus Van Sant remake)
Sweet Smell of Success
The Killers
Kiss the Blood Off my Hands
The Entertainer
Inherit the Wind
Sands of Iwo Jima
Friendly Persuasion
Mr. Roberts
Teen Sympathy
The Life and Times of Colonel Blimp
Elenor Roosevelt
Butterfield Eight
Cleopatra
Double Indemnity
Pushover
Exodus
Murder, Inc.
Spartacus
All About Eve
Yankee Doodle Dandy
The Dark at the Top of the Stairs
Miranda
Fear Strikes Out
Jaws
Homicidal
The Angry Silence
The Facts of Life
Hiroshima, My Love / Hiroshima, Mon Amour
Tunes of Glory
Oceans 11
Little Shop of Horrors
The Magnificent Seven
Swiss Family Robinson
La Dolce Vita
Sergeant York
High Noon
The Naked Edge
Killer’s Kiss
The Killing
Lolita
Paths of Glory
The Ten Commandments
Ben Hur
Solomon & Sheba
Land of the Pharaohs
The Life of Brian
Trumbo
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BONUS 1952 - The Fantastic Films Noir of 1952!
Hey Oscar fans - “Tex” and Mark are back with another standout year of films noir. We kind of teased this episode during our 1953 Oscars episode — when four noirs (The Bad and the Beautiful, Sudden Fear, The …
Show notes
Hey Oscar fans - “Tex” and Mark are back with another standout year of films noir. We kind of teased this episode during our 1953 Oscars episode — when four noirs (The Bad and the Beautiful, Sudden Fear, The Narrow Margin, and The Sniper) were nominated for various Oscars. But as we soon discovered, that was just the tip of the iceberg! 1952 was an absolute banger of a year for films noir and we are all too happy to walk you through at least a dozen more of our favorites, as well as introduce you to some hidden gem talent both in front of and behind the camera! So sit back and take note of some films that expose both the bad and beautiful sides of life as seen through the dark lens of film noir. Thanks for listening!
Films Mentioned
The Bad and the Beautiful
Sudden Fear
The Narrow Margin
Narrow Margin (1990)
The Sniper
M (1931 & 1951)
Kansas City Confidential
Angel Face
Laura
Fallen Angel
The Man with the Golden Arm
Don’t Bother to Knock
Inferno
Clash by Night
Affair in Trinidad
Gilda
The Turning Point
Strange Fascination
Pickup
The Girl on the Bridge
Bait
Hit and Run
One Girl’s Confession
This Woman is Dangerous
The Thief
Man Bait
Tread Softly Stranger
Yield to the Night
Passport to Shame
Scandal Sheet
The Phenix City Story
Hell’s Island
99 River Street
All the King’s Men
Deadline USA
The Boy with the Green Hair
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1953 - The Not-So-Greatest Oscar on Earth!
Hey Oscar fans — Bruce and “Tex” find themselves under the big top for an Oscar year that’s… well… not exactly the greatest show on Earth. While The Greatest Show on Earth somehow walks away with Best Picture …
Show notes
Hey Oscar fans — Bruce and “Tex” find themselves under the big top for an Oscar year that’s… well… not exactly the greatest show on Earth. While The Greatest Show on Earth somehow walks away with Best Picture, a lineup of stronger, more enduring classics is left juggling in the background (including an all-time classic that wasn’t even nominated!) So, who were the clowns that let this spectacle steal the spotlight — and which films actually deserved center ring? Step right up for a lively debate, a few raised eyebrows, and one of the biggest Oscar head-scratchers of the decade! As always, thanks for listening!
Films Mentioned
*Recommended
The Greatest Show on Earth
**High Noon
*Ivanhoe
*Moulin Rouge
The Quiet Man
**Singin’ in the Rain
**The Bad and the Beautiful
*Come Back Little Sheeba
*The Star
*Five Fingers
*Viva Zapata
Melania
*The Lavender Hill Mob
**Sudden Fear
The Member of the Wedding
With a Song in My Heart
*My Cousin Rachel
The Big Sky
**Angel Face
*The Narrow Margin
*The Man in the White Suit
*Ruby Gentry
*The Sound Barrier
The Pride of St. Louis
*The Sniper
*The Atomic City
Pat and Mike
Navajo
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Bonus - 2026 Oscars Reaction!
Hello Oscars Fans! Join "Tex" and Mark for an "entirely too soon to be having this conversation" conversation about the 2026 Oscars. As you probably know, it goes entirely against the premise of our show to …
Show notes
Hello Oscars Fans! Join "Tex" and Mark for an "entirely too soon to be having this conversation" conversation about the 2026 Oscars. As you probably know, it goes entirely against the premise of our show to discuss the recent Oscars -- since we rely on the 'test of time' to judge and score the winners & non-winners. At the same time, good luck keeping these certified film nerds from giving their takes on the proceedings. Some you might agree with, others not so much -- but isn't that the joy of movies? Either way, thanks for listening and being part of the fun!
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1974 Bonus - The Worst Sequels to the Best Movies
Hey Oscar fans, welcome to a fun Bonus Episode that looks at a strange thing that happened following the 1974 Oscars (which we recently covered). 3 of the Best Picture Nominees (The Exorcist, American Graffiti …
Show notes
Hey Oscar fans, welcome to a fun Bonus Episode that looks at a strange thing that happened following the 1974 Oscars (which we recently covered). 3 of the Best Picture Nominees (The Exorcist, American Graffiti & The Sting) went on to have sequels that were… less than successful. This led us to looking back at all the Oscar BP nominated or winning films that had sequels. It turns out, prior to 1970 there were only a handful. Why was that? And why did this year have so many? What film set the bar for the prestige sequel and how come none of these films from 1973 were able to come close to crossing it? And what were some planned sequels to classic films that (thankfully) never got made? Join us as we go sequel crazy at the Oscars!
FILMS MENTIONED
**The Exorcist
The Exorcist II: The Heretic
*American Graffiti
More American Graffiti
**The Sting
The Sting 2
The Birth of a Nation
The Fall of a Nation
The Broadway Melody
The Broadway Melody of (1936, 1938, 1940)
**The Thin Man
*After the Thin Man
*Going My Way
*The Bells of St. Mary’s
**King Kong
Son of Kong
Airport
Airport 1975
Airport 1977
Concorde: Airport 1979
**The Godfather
**The Godfather II
**Deliverance
Halloween III
Caddyshack 2
*Exorcist III
*The Great Waldo Pepper
*Slap Shot
**The French Connection
*The French Connection 2
*Chinatown
The Two Jakes
*Roger Dodger
Into the Wild
*The Hustler
*The Color of Money
*Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins Returns
**Psycho
*Psycho II
**Blade Runner
*Blade Runner 2049
*Top Gun
Top Gun: Maverick
Tron
Tron Legacy
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1974 - Get the Butter, this Oscar is Going to Sting!
Hey Oscar fans, Bruce and “Tex” are back with another outstanding year for movies (you really can’t go wrong in the ’70s). And yet, they still found a way to include some head-scratchers while leaving some …
Show notes
Hey Oscar fans, Bruce and “Tex” are back with another outstanding year for movies (you really can’t go wrong in the ’70s). And yet, they still found a way to include some head-scratchers while leaving some ‘time-tested’ film classics out in the cold. Or not. It all depends on whether you think certain movies are more cult classics, than classic-classics. Or something like that. But in a year when you have films like Serpico, Papillon, Save the Tiger, Paper Moon, The Paper Chase and the The Last Detail on the outside looking in — then you know it’s a banger of a year. Enjoy a spirited debate over what we think should or shouldn’t have made the cut and whether the winner was the right choice or just a con job! As always, thanks for Oscar-ing with us!
Films Mentioned
**The Exorcist
**The Sting
*American Graffiti
**Papillon
The Way We Were
*Magnum Force
Last Tango in Paris
**Paper Moon
*Live and Let Die
**Serpico
*Cinderella Liberty
*The Last Detail
*The Paper Chase
**Save the Tiger
**Cries and Whispers
A Touch of Class
*Badlands
*Don’t Look Now
*Day for Night
*Amarcord
*Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
**The Offence
Tom Sawyer
*Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams
*Dirty Harry
*Sudden Impact
The Long Goodbye
*Day of the Jackal
*Bang the Drum Slowly
**The Wicker Man
*Sisters
*Soylent Green
*Sleeper
*Scenes From a Marriage
*Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Email us: [email protected]
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Bonus - The Incredible Indie Explosion of 1996
Hey Oscar Fans -- after last episode's look at the 1997 Oscars for the films of 1996, "Tex" and Mark were compelled to take a deeper dive into the world of independent cinema that exploded onto screens that …
Show notes
Hey Oscar Fans -- after last episode's look at the 1997 Oscars for the films of 1996, "Tex" and Mark were compelled to take a deeper dive into the world of independent cinema that exploded onto screens that year. Some of the films were mentioned already, many were not. Along the way we also break down what makes a film an "indie" and "Tex" draws from his experiences having written both a studio and an indie film But most of all, you'll listen in awe at the sheer number of great indie films & the talented filmmakers (including some notable first-timers) who made them. Enjoy!
Films Mentioned
*Fargo
*Secrets & Lies
*Shine
*The English Patient
*Sling Blade
*Bottle Rocket
*Rushmore
*Swingers
*Go
*Flirting With Disaster
*Spanking the Monkey
She's the One
*The Brothers McMullen
*Trainspotting
*Trees Lounge
*Big Night
*Romeo & Juliet
*Basquiat
*Citizen Ruth
*Hard Eight
*Lone Star
*Bound
*American Buffalo
*I Shot Andy Warhol
*Dead Man
*Down By Law
*Stranger Than Paradise
Crash (Cronenberg's)
*SubUrbia
*Slackers
*Walking and Talking
*Stealing Beauty
Girl Six
*Scream
*Gardener of Eden (written by "Tex")
CONTACT US: [email protected]
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The Oscar Goes to The English Patient. “Just Die, Already!”
Hey Oscar fans, Bruce and “Tex” are back with a brand new episode looking at the Academy Awards of 1997 for the films of 1996. As you may or may not remember, 1996 was a GOOD year for movies, but a GREAT year …
Show notes
Hey Oscar fans, Bruce and “Tex” are back with a brand new episode looking at the Academy Awards of 1997 for the films of 1996. As you may or may not remember, 1996 was a GOOD year for movies, but a GREAT year for Indie films! In fact, 4 of the 5 Best Picture nominees are considered independent films — or as Bruce calls them, Tom Cruise and everybody else. And while Elaine Benes from Seinfeld famously hated The English Patient, the Academy loved it — bestowing it with 12 nominations and 9 wins! But did the right movie win? And who got snubbed and why? This is a great episode to stress-test our ‘test of time’ theory on — as this year was chock full of curious decisions and plenty of second (or third) guessing. Let us know what you think and as always thanks for listening!
MOVIE LIST
(*Recommendations)
*The English Patient
*Fargo
*Shine
Evita
*Jerry Maguire
*Secrets and Lies
Hamlet
Twister
Independence Day
*Flirting with Disaster
*Trainspotting
*Big Night
*Sling Blade
*Swingers
*Bound
*Walking & Talking
*Bottle Rocket
Dead Man
*Breaking the Waves
*The People vs. Larry Flynt
*One Flew Over the Cuckoo Nest
*Amadeus
*Say Anything
*Schindler’s List
*The Birdcage
*The Nutty Professor
*Born on the Fourth of July
Marvin’s Room
*First Wives Club
*Terms of Endearment
Ghosts of Mississippi
*Primal Fear
*Boyz in the Hood
Radio
Men of Honor
Boat Trip
*As Good as it Gets
Pearl Harbor
*Kingpin
*The Crucible
The Portrait of a Lady
The Mirror Has Two Faces
*The Accidental Tourist
Yentl
The Prince of Tides
*Lone Star
*Raising Arizona
*Blood Simple
*When We Were Kings
*The Celluloid Closet
*Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills
Truth or Dare
One Fine Day
*That Thing You Do!
Up Close & Personal
*The Ghost and the Darkness
*Once Upon a Time When we Were Colored
*White Squall
*Michael Collins
The Island of Doctor Moreau
*Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley’s Island of Doctor Moreau
Hardware
Email: [email protected]
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ENCORE 1986 - Back to the Oscars (Again)
Due to a scheduling snafu - we don't have a new episode ready for you today! So, we're replaying one of our favorites (and an early one many of you may have missed!) While Out of Africa and The Color Purple …
Show notes
Due to a scheduling snafu - we don't have a new episode ready for you today! So, we're replaying one of our favorites (and an early one many of you may have missed!) While Out of Africa and The Color Purple were battling it out (22 nominations between them) for Oscar glory -- another film was all but ignored in all the major categories -- despite dominating the box office that year. But if we could jump into a Delorean and go back in time -- would we perhaps bestow this beloved action/comedy with some Oscar love? We'll be back with the 1997 Oscars later this week! Thanks!
Movies Mentioned
Recommended
*Out of Africa
*The Color Purple
*Kiss of the Spider Woman
*Prizzi’s Honor
*Witness
**Back to the Future
Rambo: First Blood Pt. 2
Ladyhawke
The English Patient
Evita
Butterfly
Trip to Bountiful
*Agnes of God
Sweet Dreams
**Tootsie
*Cocoon
Twice in a Lifetime
Ice Pirates
Murphy’s Romance
*Runaway Train
Jagged Edge
Things Change
*Trading Places
The Story of Alexander Graham Bell
Cocoon 2
The Way We Were
*Absence of Malice
*Three Days of the Condor
**They Shoot Horses Don’t They?
*Ran
C.H.U.D.
C.H.U.D. 2: Bud the C.H.U.D.
The Official Story
*Parasite
*Mask
The Phantom of the Opera
*The Mask
*Remo Williams: the Adventure Begins
A Chorus Line
*White Nights
*Silverado
*Young Sherlock Holmes
Return to Oz
The Black Hole
**The Sting
**Quiz Show
*Ordinary People
*Save the Tiger
Last Tango in Paris
*The Last Detail
**Serpico
**The Natural
*Barefoot in the Park
*Butch Cassidy & Sundance Kid
*The Candidate
*Purple Rose of Cairo
*Brazil
Rifkin’s Festival
*Midnight in Paris
*Radio Days
*Crimes and Misdemeanors
*Bananas
*Take the Money and Run
*Manhattan
*Stardust Memories
12 Years a Slave
*Do the Right Thing
**Boyz in the Hood
*Malcolm X
*Glory
*Training Day
*A Beautiful Mind
Scent of a Woman
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BONUS - 2026 Oscars: Conversations about the Nominations
Hey Oscar fans — with the recent Oscar nominations we felt it was only fitting for our Oscars podcast to talk about them... Even though it goes against the theme of our show which uses the ‘test of time’ to see …
Show notes
Hey Oscar fans — with the recent Oscar nominations we felt it was only fitting for our Oscars podcast to talk about them... Even though it goes against the theme of our show which uses the ‘test of time’ to see what really deserved to win or be nominated. Despite that, we still have thoughts and hot takes! Join “Tex” and Mark as we discuss the nominees, make predictions, point out snubs and use everything we’ve learned making this show to try and understand what the Academy was thinking! As always thanks for listening!
Contact us: [email protected]
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BONUS - The Fabulous Films Noir of 1946!
1946 was an extraordinary year for film noir—so much so, even the Academy had to take notice. As Hollywood plunged into the shadows, moral ambiguity, and hard-boiled despair, the Oscars recognized standouts …
Show notes
1946 was an extraordinary year for film noir—so much so, even the Academy had to take notice. As Hollywood plunged into the shadows, moral ambiguity, and hard-boiled despair, the Oscars recognized standouts like Notorious, The Killers, and The Stranger. But with so much darkness flooding the screen, plenty of essential classics were left behind. Films like Gilda, The Postman Always Rings Twice, and The Big Sleep—now pillars of the noir canon—went largely unnoticed at the time. In this bonus episode, we celebrate a truly great year for film noir, revisiting fourteen unforgettable films and exploring what the Academy saw, what it missed, and why 1946 remains a defining moment for one of cinema’s most enduring styles.
Films Mentioned
*Recommended
**It’s a Matter of Life and Death (not noir)
**The Killers
**Notorious
**The Stranger
*The Spiral Staircase
*The Blue Dahlia
*The 7th Veil (not considered noir)
**Gilda
**The Postman Always Rings Twice
*The Big Sleep
*The Dark Mirror
*The Strange Love of Martha Ivers
**The Locket
*Shock!
*The Strange Woman
*The Glass Key
**This Gun For Hire
Saigon
**Double Indemnity
**Too Late for Tears
**To Have and Have Not
Confidential Agent
*The Lady From Shanghai
**The Magnificent Ambersons (not noir)
**Citizen Kane (not noir)
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1947 - It’s a “Wonderful” VS. “Best” Oscar
Hey there Oscar fans — Bruce is back and we are excited to bring you a super fun episode that looks back at the 1947 Oscars for the films of 1946 — yet another simply outstanding year of movies. And while this …
Show notes
Hey there Oscar fans — Bruce is back and we are excited to bring you a super fun episode that looks back at the 1947 Oscars for the films of 1946 — yet another simply outstanding year of movies. And while this year is highlighted by a heavyweight battle between ‘The Best Years of Our Lives’ and ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’… You can pretty much name any genre and find an incredible movie to suit your taste — many of which are still talked about today. But with so many great movies this year, it’s remarkable how many A+ films didn’t make the cut. So, did the right films win? Were the right actors & actresses nominated? And what classic films from Hollywood’s golden era should you be adding to your watch-list? Get ready to find all that out and more. And remember, every time you leave us a 5-star review — Bruce eats some wings! Thanks for listening!
Films Mentioned - (*Recommended)
**Duel in the Sun
**The Best Years of our Lives
The Jolson Story
Blue Skies
Saratoga Trunk
*The Razor’s Edge
Night and Day
*Notorious
*The Yearling
Till the Clouds Roll By
**It’s a Wonderful Life
Anna and the King of Siam
*The King and I
*Henry V
**The Killers
**Brief Encounter
*The Big Sleep
**My Darling Clementine
**The Stranger
*The Spiral Staircase
*The Dark Mirror
*The Human Comedy
*National Velvet
**The Postman Always Rings Twice
*To Each His Own
*Sister Kenny
**Gilda
*The Seventh Veil
*The Blue Dahlia
**Children of Paradise
*Road to Utopia
**Rome, Open City
Vacation From Marriage
*The Strange Love of Martha Ivers
**Shoe Shine
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Bonus - Golden Globes 2026 Reaction
Hey Oscars fans -- before recording earlier this week, Bruce, "Tex" and Mark had a brief conversation about the recent Golden Globe Awards. Here is our theorizing on how this bodes for the upcoming Oscar …
Show notes
Hey Oscars fans -- before recording earlier this week, Bruce, "Tex" and Mark had a brief conversation about the recent Golden Globe Awards. Here is our theorizing on how this bodes for the upcoming Oscar nominations as well as some thoughts on the movies we've seen (so far) from 2025. Enjoy.
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