Episode 172: Oscars countdown with 2024's Anora and 1990's Pretty Woman

Kicking off International Women's Month with a look at two female-written films starring two Oscar-winning actresses! Writer-director Nicole Holofcener once said, "What's the trick to writing a great female character? Make her human." And Sandra Bullock and Anne Hathaway bring on the humanity as multi-dimensional women in two dramadies about addiction, rehabilitation, family dynamics, and autonomy. Plus, behind-the-scenes fun facts, poll results, interactive trivia, and listener shout-outs!

The countdown to the 97th Academy Awards is winding down, and props to both Kieran Culkin, presumed frontrunner for Supporting Actor, and the criminally snubbed Jesse Eisenberg, whose directing and own acting hit the mark. At least he got an Original Screenplay nod. Meanwhile, 2004's Garden State also has likeable but emotionally complicated protagonists and a quirky blend of eccentric comedy and a powerhouse of dramatic emotion. Plus, behind-the-scenes fun facts, poll results, interactive trivia, and listener shout-outs!

Return guests Brendan Manning and Zak Tauscher, both former high school film student of mine and now film industry entrepreneurs in their own right, return for our annual breakdown of the Academy Award nominees! In this second of a two-parter, we discuss Best Director, Adapted and Original Screenplays, Animated and International Features, Visual Effects, Sound, Makeup and Hairstyling, Costume Design, Production Design, Cinematography, Editing, Score and Song, and, of course, the four acting categories!

Return guests Brendan Manning and Zak Tauscher, both former high school film student of mine and now film industry entrepreneurs in their own right, return for our annual breakdown of the Academy Award nominees! In this first of a two-parter, we look at the 10 contenders for Best Picture.

A hard-drinking, self-absorbed, kid-hating guy is put on probation and has to perform community service by coaching a group of scrappy underdog kids to a championship. And through it all, they bond in this ice hockey version of The Bad News Bears. Emilio Estevez leads this franchise from one hat trick to the next. Return guests Stu & Al of the Stu & Al Pod join me for a look at this fan-favorite franchise from the 90s. Plus, poll results, trivia, and listener shout-outs!

Newly-minted Golden Globe winner Sebastian Stan is the man of the hour in this episode that revisits his portrayal of Jeff Gillooly in I, Tonya and explores his performance as 'Edward Lemuel' in A Different Man, for which he nabbed the trophy. There may be cheeky references to connections to Nancy Kerrigan and I Tonya's Julianne Nicholson as well. Plus, behind-the-scenes fun facts, poll results, interactive trivia, and listener shout-outs - let's hit the ice!

What will it take to get Amy Adams her long-overdue Academy Award? After being goose-egged each of the six times she's been nominated, this talented actress deserves it more than ever. A look back at her Golden Globe-winning performance in 2013's crime caper American Hustle and her most recent Golden Globe-nominated role in the surreal Nightbitch. Plus, behind-the-scenes fun facts, poll results, interactive trivia, and listener shout-outs!

The film that launched a thousand parodies from Carol Burnett to The Simpsons, Gone with the Wind is firmly entrenched in cinema history as one of the most influential, recognized, and quotable motion pictures ever made. Lecturer and convention regular Kathleen joins me to commemorate its 85th anniversary. Plus, poll results, interactive trivia, and listener shout-outs!

The film adaptation of the 1985 children's book gets the spotlight as podcaster DaveyA of DaveyATalks and blogger/YouTuber Stephen J. Holloran guest for a look at the Tom Hanks-drenched holiday favorite. So grab some hot chocolate and enjoy. Plus, poll results, interactive trivia, listener shout-outs!

'Tis the season for Bing Crosby, as Going My Way turns 80 and White Christmas blows out 70 candles! An affectionate look at both holiday classics that'll make you want to sing with Bing about glistening treetops. Plus, behind-the-scenes fun facts, poll results, interactive trivia, and listener shout-outs!