Oscar Wild

Sophia and Nick are excited to chat about some buzzy films that have delighted festival audiences throughout the year and now have had wider releases for more to enjoy. But first, they mention some industry updates, including the Gotham Awards nominations and tribute winners and if these are a barometer for what’s to come. Then, they share their spoiler-free opinions on Bugonia, Frankenstein, Die My Love, and Jay Kelly (streaming on Netflix December 5th) and see what Oscar potential they might have. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok @oscarwildpodFollow Sophia @sophia_cimFollow Nick @sauerkraut27Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan AdamichMore content including updated predictions and merch @ oscarwild.squarespace.com

Old Hollywood is full of hot gossip and today, Nick and Sophia are here to spill all of the piping hot tea between Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart. Their romance began as a Warner Bros. production on the set of their first collaboration, To Have and Have Not, and continued until Bogart’s passing 13 years later. Listen to this juicy episode to hear all about their secret affair, how Bacall almost lost her contract way before she became a household name, and a discussion of the other three films on which they worked together, including: The Big Sleep, Dark Passage, and Key Largo. Comment if you think they deserved to earn Oscar nominations for any of these films! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok @oscarwildpodFollow Nick @sauerkraut27Follow Sophia @sophia_cimMusic: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan AdamichMore content including updated predictions and merch @ oscarwild.squarespace.com

Welcome to the first purgatory of awards season: the period after fall festivals have ended and before the first set of major nominations and awards have been announced (except for the Gotham Film Awards nominations which came out last week). Since Sophia and Nick haven’t shared their Oscar predictions on the show since June and collectively they’ve seen most of the remaining 2025 releases, they figured it’s time to share their updated picks on air. Remember, you can always find them including more categories here! Listen to find out how they think Picture, Director, and all Acting categories will shake out. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok @oscarwildpodFollow Sophia @sophia_cimFollow Nick @sauerkraut27Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

As another Halloween approaches, Sophia and Nick are excited to celebrate Hitchcock-tober once again! This time, they marvel at the outstanding collaboration between the famed director and the costume designer with the most Oscar nominations and wins, Edith Head. Their eleven films together spanned three decades, multiple studios, and the transition from B/W to color. Listen to find out how Head uses different materials and colors to create looks that accentuate an actor’s figure, develop a character’s identity, and provide narrative function, all the while dazzling audience with unforgettable designs. Should she have been nominated for more than just To Catch a Thief? From Notorious (1946) to Topaz (1976), which is your favorite collaboration between them? *Note: If you’ve never seen Vertigo and do NOT want it spoiled, skip ahead from (36:46) to (38:55) for a more general appreciation of the film’s costumes.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok @oscarwildpodFollow Sophia @sophia_cimFollow Nick @sauerkraut27Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan AdamichMore content including updated predictions and merch @ oscarwild.squarespace.com

This year’s NYFF may have concluded but Nick and Sophia are back to chat about many of the other films that made up this year’s incredible slate! From documentaries such as Cover-Up, another riveting portrait made by Laura Poitras and Mark Obenhaus, to international dramas, like Jafar Panahi’s Palme d’Or winning It Was Just an Accident or Oliver Laxe’s divisive and hellish rave, Sirāt, there’s always a vast array of filmmaking styles on display. Listen for more titles, what they think will show up during this year’s Oscar race, and what secret screening turned out to be Chalam-azing! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok @oscarwildpodFollow Nick @sauerkraut27 Follow Sophia @sophia_cimMusic: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan AdamichMore content including updated predictions and merch @ oscarwild.squarespace.com

The return of pumpkin spice lattes on every corner might be the biggest sign that fall has returned, but for Sophia and Nick, the crisp air and earlier sunsets can only mean one thing: the New York Film Festival is back! They are excited to recap their first week of the festival on this week’s spoiler-free episode, discussing multiple premieres like Amazon MGM’s After the Hunt and Netflix’s A House of Dynamite and Jay Kelly. They also discuss Oscar potential for the many films they opine, including Park Chan-wook’s upcoming release and TIFF International People's Choice Award winner, No Other Choice. Stay tuned for some fun festival sightings and another recap on the rest of the fest next week! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok @oscarwildpodFollow Sophia @sophia_cimFollow Nick @sauerkraut27Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan AdamichMore content including updated predictions and merch @ oscarwild.squarespace.com

The most anticipated release of the year for many has finally arrived! Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest work, One Battle After Another, kept mostly under wraps until recently, is a feat of a true artist and lives up to its many expectations. Nick and Sophia are back to review the film and talk through some of its highlights, including what makes it such a critical release with bold perspectives on current affairs that have plagued generations. A short discussion with spoilers comes at (34:31) before a run through of many possible Oscar nominations (46:13). They’re excited to see how this changes the awards conversation which will continue to evolve in the coming weeks. What did you think of One Battle After Another?Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok @oscarwildpodFollow Nick @sauerkraut27Follow Sophia @sophia_cimMusic: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan AdamichMore content including updated predictions and merch @ oscarwild.squarespace.com

Happy TIFFty! With festival season in full swing, Sophia and Nick are back to share updates about big award winners and plenty of first-hand insights from multiple festivals. Bennett Prosser joins them to discuss Venice, Telluride, and TIFF, especially since they were all together at Toronto’s golden jubilee! Listen as they discuss their experiences and reactions at each festival, which films will most likely sustain Oscar buzz and which may peter out, and what’s to come that may shake all of this up even more. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok @oscarwildpodFollow Bennett on Letterboxd and Bluesky @bennettprosserFollow Sophia @sophia_cimFollow Nick @sauerkraut27Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan AdamichMore content including updated predictions and merch @ oscarwild.squarespace.com

The best time of year is quickly approaching and you know what Sophia and Nick are counting down to… Fall festival slates have been (mostly) revealed and with trailers and release dates also being shared, it’s time to figure out which films will become each studio’s big players. Listen as they list a number of films premiering or being shown at Venice, Telluride, Toronto, and New York and debating which may rise to the top before the next Academy Awards. Will Timothee reign “supreme” this time around? It’s surely no “accident” that Neon and Mubi each collected a stacked roster out of the Cannes Film Festival. Which films are you most excited to see this fall? Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok @oscarwildpodFollow Sophia @sophia_cimFollow Nick @sauerkraut27Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan AdamichMore content including updated predictions and merch @ oscarwild.squarespace.com

Sixty years later and the hills are still very much alive with the sound of music! In fact, Maria helped the Trapp Family (yes, based on a real singing family) live on through her memoir which was adapted into the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical and Oscar-winning film widely loved today. Nick and Sophia share the tumultuous history behind what would become a memorable Best Picture winner along with their favorite songs and scenes. Then, they open up their discussion about the 38th Academy Awards to figure out how Julie Andrews lost Best Actress, which other big players affected the race, and why certain other films from the year weren’t nominated (35:25). Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok @oscarwildpodFollow Nick @sauerkraut27Follow Sophia @sophia_cimMusic: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

From Pedro Pascal stretching his limbs to blue cartoon creatures wreaking havoc in their worlds, movies this summer have provided audiences some much needed relief from the intense heat and some hope for the future of theater releases thanks to multiple healthy box office returns. Sophia and Nick are back to discuss many of this summer’s biggest releases, including blockbusters like Superman, Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning, and F1, summer scares (15:08), and other films including a few future releases they’re excited for (25:42). Listen to find out whether they would Nom or Bomb each movie and if any have what it takes to make it to the 98th Academy Awards. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok @oscarwildpodFollow Sophia @sophia_cimFollow Nick @sauerkraut27Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

If you’re an action, adventure, or adrenaline junkie, then surely you’ve heard of or seen the insanity that is Mad Max: Fury Road. George Miller ratchets the dial well past its maximum setting in his fourth installment of a saga he hadn’t touched in thirty years. Or so you think…Kyle Buchanan, pop culture reporter and awards season columnist at the New York Times, captures over 130 perspectives from cast and crew while detailing the film's decades long development and production in his book, “Blood, Sweat & Chrome: The Wild and True Story of Mad Max: Fury Road.” Listen as Kyle joins Nick and Sophia to celebrate the movie's 10th anniversary in a high octane conversation about his book and their favorite moments onscreen, including: Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy’s tense relationship on set, the magnificently constructed set pieces including all of the monstrous vehicles, the eye-popping practical visual effects, and many more! Follow Kyle @nytimes and on socials @kylebuchananFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok @oscarwildpodFollow Nick @sauerkraut27Follow Sophia @sophia_cimMusic: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

Sophia and Nick celebrate five years of the podcast and being halfway through the 2020s by awarding the Oscar Wild Oscars of the Decade So Far! Play along in traditional categories like Supporting and Lead Acting, Director, and Picture, when they also mention some unforgettable telecast moments and other favorite wins. Then they make up some very fun categories, nominating the biggest snubs, best child performance, forgotten awards magnets, and so much more. It wouldn’t be an unhinged episode without mentioning RuPaul and also…a spin on Smash or Pass! Enjoy and let us know what your picks would be! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok @oscarwildpodFollow Sophia @sophia_cimFollow Nick @sauerkraut27Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

Even though the midway point of this decade passed when the ball dropped on New Year’s Day (yeah, a chill went down my spine, too), Nick and Sophia spend today’s new episode honoring some of the best films of the 21st Century (so far) after crossing the halfway point of 2025. They chat about the recently released lists from The New York Times and Rolling Stone and debate which may have the best selection. Check out the lists they discuss below:New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/movies/best-movies-21st-century.htmlRolling Stone: https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/best-movies-of-the-21st-century-1235200512/ If you would like to hear their totally cool discussion of Clueless and celebrate its 30th anniversary, check out www.patreon.com/OscarWild and contribute at the ‘Oscar Wild: After Dark’ tier or higher. We greatly appreciate your support!Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @oscarwildpodFollow Nick @sauerkraut27Follow Sophia @sophia_cimMusic: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

After 20 years, the shock of Brokeback Mountain losing Best Picture still stings just as much. Ang Lee’s beautiful and affecting western about finding love in a hopeless place is grounded by expert craftsmanship and nuanced performances. Listen as Sophia and Nick detail their love for the film, share some of their favorite shots and scenes, and thank the movie theater gods for rereleasing it in theaters worldwide.Despite its remarkable awards run, there’s no forgetting that Crash went home with the big prize instead at the 2006 Academy Awards (42:43). Find out how they’d rank these two movies on their ballots and if they think history could repeat itself with a similar showdown! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok @oscarwildpodFollow Sophia @sophia_cimFollow Nick @sauerkraut27Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

Is it true that “Love don’t cost a thing” or could J.Lo just have been jaded by a materialistic lover? Nick and Sophia ponder this question as they review and react to Celine Song’s latest feature, Materialists, before diving into spoilers at (12:27). If you haven’t seen the movie yet, don’t worry! Skip ahead to the next segment and come back for all of their steamy, love triangle thoughts. Then they share their very early Oscar predictions in all acting categories, Director, Picture, and for the first time ever, Casting! (29:22) Enjoy their fun banter as they mention a wide range of picks, from buzzy Cannes performances to previous Oscar winners and the ever-present biopic roles. Have fun listening and comment with some Oscar contenders that you hope will have nomination potential! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok @oscarwildpodFollow Nick @sauerkraut27Follow Sophia @sophia_cimMusic: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

This cinematic collaboration may be one of the most beloved, well-known pairings in all of Hollywood history. From the instantly recognizable two- actually three!- notes Sophia and Nick discuss in depth later on to the far off lands you’ll discover in every adventurous theme, there’s no doubt that a Steven Spielberg-John Williams film is much more than the sum of its parts. After a detailed examination of their tightly bound careers, enjoy a fun review of Jaws to celebrate its 50th anniversary (15:02). They also discussed the film five (!) years ago during their first season, so check out that early episode for some extra takes on the always timely blockbuster that changed movies forever. Oscar Rewind: 1975’s Best Picture Nominees: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oscar-rewind-the-best-picture-nominees-of-the-1975-oscars/id1502773822?i=1000486602444Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok @oscarwildpodFollow Sophia @sophia_cimFollow Nick @sauerkraut27Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

“I love limes. They’re so great, I love them so much.” [insert your favorite Dakota Johnson quote here] This week’s new episode began as a celebration of Dakota Johnson’s career in preparation for Materialists opening next week, but shifted to showcase the artistic collaborations between her, Luca Guadagnino, and Tilda Swinton. Suspiria highlights the unique talents of each of these artists while expanding the supernatural world Dario Argento created in his 1970’s giallo classic. Listen to hear Nick and Sophia’s thoughts on the film and why they think this was an important step in all of their careers.If you would like to hear the rest of the episode as they continue their discussion about the actors and the unforgettable ending, along with a full review of A Bigger Splash (2015), check out www.patreon.com/OscarWild and contribute at the ‘Oscar Wild: After Dark’ tier or higher. We appreciate your support!Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @oscarwildpodFollow Nick @sauerkraut27Follow Sophia @sophia_cimMusic: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

Another awards season has begun in the most elegant of fashions with some of cinema’s finest (no small thanks to Jury President Juliette Binoche). Sophia and Nick are excited to recap this 78th rendition of the Cannes Film Festival including the big winners, some highlights and disappointments, and just how this could start to shape the 2026 Oscars. Listen to Sophia’s firsthand experience on the ground to find out what could end up on your Best of 2025 list at the end of the year! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok @oscarwildpodFollow Sophia @sophia_cimFollow Nick @sauerkraut27Music: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich

With another great season comes great responsibility…to craft an entertaining theme that showcases a new crop of Oscar nominees and winners. For season six, Nick and Sophia are excited to announce a series on frequent cinematic collaborators, between directors and actors, cinematographers, costume designers, writers, and more! This inaugural episode features a look into the decades-long working relationship between two of cinema’s most talented artists: Akira Kurosawa and Toshiro Mifune.Listen to find out why they are so widely beloved and remembered as two of the greats, including memorable scenes, shots, and quotes. Both films discussed today, Rashomon (10:31) and High and Low (24:45), continue to be studied and appreciated for their resounding themes and timeless messages and surely will be for many years to come. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok @oscarwildpodFollow Nick @sauerkraut27Follow Sophia @sophia_cimMusic: “The Greatest Adventure” by Jonathan Adamich