Episode 420 - Gotham, NYFCC, NBR, EFA Winners, AFI 10, Spirit Award Nominations, Golden Globe & CCA Nomination Predictions, "The Gorge" & "Snow White" Trailers
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Deep Dive
Why did 'Conclave' resonate so strongly with Lauren despite her non-religious background?
Lauren found 'Conclave' fascinating due to its exploration of the Catholic world, which she didn't grow up in. She loved the screenplay, production design, editing, performances, and score, which all contributed to its impact on her.
What did Dan find unique about the documentary 'Obsessed with Light'?
The documentary focused on Loie Fuller, a pioneering dancer and theatrical artist from the turn of the 19th century. It highlighted her development of the serpentine dance and her innovations in theatrical lighting, which were groundbreaking for her time.
Why did Matt find 'The Glassworker' extraordinary?
Matt was impressed by the director, Usman Riaz, who started working on the film at 23 and spent 10 years pitching and raising funds for it. Riaz built Pakistan's first 2D animation studio and taught animators how to create 2D animation, making the film a significant milestone for the country.
What was the big takeaway from the Gotham Awards for Matt?
Matt noted that A24 had a strong showing at the Gotham Awards, with 'A Different Man' winning Best Feature and 'Sing Sing' receiving multiple awards, including a tribute to its cast. This reinforced A24's reputation as a smart indie campaigner.
How did the New York Film Critics Circle surprise the panel?
The NYFCC surprised the panel by awarding Carol Kane for 'Between the Temples,' which was considered a non-awards player. This pick was seen as very New York-centric and a nod to Kane's New York roots.
What did the National Board of Review do that was unexpected?
The NBR made several unexpected choices, including awarding Elle Fanning for 'A Complete Unknown' and recognizing 'Wicked' with multiple awards, which was seen as a populist move by the group.
Why did the panel think 'Wicked' might not get an Oscar nomination for director?
The panel believes that populist films like 'Wicked' often see their directors overlooked by the director's branch at the Oscars. Examples like John Krasinski for 'Top Gun: Maverick' and James Cameron for 'Avatar: The Way of Water' support this trend.
What did the Spirit Award nominations reveal about 'The Apprentice'?
The Spirit Awards nominated 'The Apprentice' for Best Director, Sebastian Stan for Best Actor, and Editing. This recognition suggests that the film and Stan's performance are still in the awards conversation, despite earlier doubts.
Why did the AFI Top 10 list cause concern for Matt?
Matt was concerned because the AFI list closely mirrored what the Academy might choose, and AFI has never matched 10 for 10 with the Oscars. This left him unsure about which films to drop from his predictions.
How did the European Film Awards impact the conversation around 'Emilia Perez'?
The European Film Awards swept 'Emilia Perez' with wins for Best Film, Director, Actress, and Screenplay. This reinforced the idea that the film has strong industry support, despite critical mixed reviews.
- Lauren loved Conclave and Flow, but found the latter stressful.
- Dan watched Obsessed with Light, Armand (praising Roda's performance), and Queer (again).
- Matt rewatched several animated films and Queer, highlighting Daniel Craig's performance in the latter.
- The Glassworker is Pakistan's first 2D animated film, directed by Usman Riaz, who is praised for his dedication and talent.
Shownotes Transcript