The OSCARS: What Were They Thinking?!

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: info@oscars.wtf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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) Contact us: info@oscars.wtf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Email us at: info@oscars.wtf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey Oscar fans, we’ve got a special treat for you — another episode on yet another luminary director, responsible for some of the greatest movies of all time — only to have the Academy shrug and vote for something/someone else.  Granted a lot of Stanley Kubrick’s movies may have felt ahead of their time, or were in stiff competition with other great movies.  But the fact that you can go to Stanley Kubrick’s estate (or museum) and not see an Oscar for Best Director (or Best Picture) among his possessions feels like an Oscar hate crime.  Sit back and enjoy as “Tex” and Mark examine Kubrick’s legendary filmography with an eye on finding a path to giving Kubrick his much deserved Oscar glory.  A must-listen for film nerds and casual film fans alike! Films Mentioned (*Recommended ) *Day of the Fight (doc short) *Day of the Fight (feature) Flying Padre (doc short) The Seafarers (doc short) Fear and Desire Killer’s Kiss *The Killing Around the World in 80 Days *Giant The King and I The Ten Commandments Friendly Persuasion *Paths of Glory *Bridge on the River Kwai *12 Angry Men Peyton Place Sayonara *Witness for the Prosecution *Spartacus *Ben-Hur *The Apartment *Elmer Gantry The Alamo Sons and Lovers The Sundowners *Psycho Lolita *Lawrence of Arabia *To Kill a Mockingbird *Dr. Strangelove, or:  How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb My Fair Lady *Becket *Mary Poppins *Zorba the Greek *2001:  A Space Odyssey Oliver! Funny Girl *The Lion in Winter Rachel, Rachel Romeo and Juliet *The Producers *A Clockwork Orange *The French Connection Fiddler on the Roof *The Last Picture Show Nicholas and Alexandria Sunday Bloody Sunday *Barry Lyndon *One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest *Dog Day Afternoon *Jaws *Nashville *Amarcord *Amadeus *The Fireman’s Ball *The Shining The Shining (Stephen King version) *Full Metal Jacket The Last Emperor *Broadcast News *Fatal Attraction Hope and Glory *Moonstruck *My Life as a Dog *Wall Street *Eyes Wide Shut Contact The Oscars: WWTT?:   info@oscars.wtf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey Oscar WWTT? Fans — as we all know, Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle were brutally taken from us on Dec. 14th, 2025.  This episode is a tribute to the amazing films & legendary career he left behind. We mostly concentrate on his first 10 films — 9 of which range from very good to excellent.  And while Mr. Reiner never seemed to get the love he deserved from The Academy, his films stand the test of time by being some of our all-time favorite films.  From Spinal Tap to The Princess Bride to Harry Met Sally & A Few Good Men - Rob Reiner’s work was imbued with his love of humor, relatability and character of conviction.  And while he might not have an Oscar — he has our enduring love and admiration. He will be missed.  As always, thanks for listening. Films Mentioned  (*)Recommended *This is Spinal Tap *The Princess Bride *When Harry Met Sally *Misery *Stand By Me *A Few Good Men *Best in Show *Waiting for Guffman *For Your Consideration *The Sure Thing Porky’s *The Shawshank Redemption *Apt Pupil *The Green Mile Winter People *Just Friends *Carrie *The Dead Zone Cujo *Goodfellas *Dances With Wolves *12 Angry Men *Witness For the Prosecution *Unforgiven *The Crying Game *Howard’s End Scent of a Woman The Player Enchanted April A River Runs Through It North *The American President *Mr. Smith Goes to Washington *Ghosts of Mississippi The Bucket List *LBJ Spinal Tap 2:  The End Continues Contact us: info@oscars.wtf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey Oscar fans, Bruce is back and we’re taking on one of the greatest, unsung years in movie history.  The nominees are mostly great.  The non-nominees are also pretty great.  And the test of time needs to be graded on a curve because so many of these films continue to resonate today. This episode is a treat for anyone who loves and appreciates truly classic films.  And if you’re not already a classic film lover, these are the films that will make you one!  And with two of the greatest courtroom dramas in movie history vying for best picture against one of the all-time greatest war epics — one could deliberate for years to try and get it right. Luckily we rest our case in just over an hour!  Enjoy and as always, thanks for listening!   Films Mentioned (* Recommended) 1/2* Sayonara 1/2* Peyton Place **Bridge on the River Kwai **12 Angry Men **Witness for the Prosecution The Teahouse of the August Moon *Viva Zapata *The King and I Return to Peyton Place **A Face in the Crowd **Paths of Glory *The Sweet Smell of Success *The Seventh Seal *What’s Up Tiger Lily? *A Hatful of Rain *The Cranes are Flying *Wild is the Wind Raintree County *Gone With the Wind *A Place in the Sun *Valley of the Dolls *Lawrence of Arabia *Oliver Twist *Great Expectations *Brief Encounter *Summertime **Double Indemnity *The Lost Weekend **Stalag 17 *Sabrina  **Sunset Boulevard *The Spirit of St. Louis *Love in the Afternoon *The Tin Star *3:10 to Yuma *Forty Guns *Gunfight at the OK Coral **Star Wars *The Great Escape Man of a Thousand Faces *Jamaica Inn Heaven Knows Mr. Allison September Where Love Has Gone The Rose Tattoo *The Three Faces of Eve *Kind Hearts and Coronets *Rome, Open City *Funny Face Nights of Cabiria  **The Bicycle Thieves *The Bachelor Party A Farewell to Arms For Whom the Bell Tolls Designing Woman *I, Vitelloni *The Gunfighter *Duel in the Sun *Gentleman’s Agreement *To Kill a Mockingbird *The Omen *The Enemy Below *The Little Foxes *The Turning Point *The Color Purple The Joker is Wild *The Bride of Frankenstein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Holidays Oscar fans! This week's episode is an encore performance of our previous holiday episode -- where Bruce and "Tex" discuss their favorite holiday movies and explore which ones got some holiday cheer from The Academy and which ones received a lump of coal. Enjoy! Movies mentioned: Just Friends (written by "Tex") It Nearly Wasn't Christmas (starring Bruce!) White Christmas A Christmas Story Gremlins Krampus Bad Santa Trading Places Silent Night, Deadly Night Black Christmas Die Hard (*Deck the Halls-referenced) Jingle All the Way Christmas with the Kranks It's a Wonderful Life Miracle on 34th Street Holiday Land  The Night Before Christmas Toy Tinkers Scrooge Scrooged Home Alone The Nightmare Before Christmas The Preacher's Wife The Bishop's Wife How the Grinch Stole Christmas The Polar Express The Holdovers 8 Crazy Nights An American Tail The Night Before Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey Oscar fans, this week’s bonus episode covers the Director nearest & dearest to our hearts — Mr. Martin Scorsese!  After discussing his breakthrough Oscar win (finally!) on the previous show (The 2007 Oscars) — we're looking back at Scorsese’s film career prior to The Departed and discussing which of his films could’ve/should’ve been nominated or won.  Along the way we give our thoughts, recommendations and disclaimers on tons of Scorsese films as well as behind the scenes stories, including the time Adam’s wife shoved Scorsese at the premiere of The Aviator.  If you love pure cinema — you will love this episode!  As always thanks for listening! Films Mentioned (*Recommended)   *The Big Shave (short) Who’s That Knocking at my Door? *American Boy (Doc) *Pulp Fiction Boxcar Bertha Bonnie & Clyde Obsessions (on Youtube) *Mean Streets *Blackmail! *Murder! *Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore *Mr. Scorsese (Doc) *Taxi Driver *Rocky *All the President’s Men *Network Face to Face Seven Beauties *Pickpocket New York, New York *Cabaret One From the Heart *Raging Bull *The King of Comedy *Tootsie  *ET *Missing *Das Boot Gandhi *After Hours *The Color of Money *The Hustler *The Last Temptation of Christ *Goodfellas *Dances With Wolves *Cape Fear *Cape Fear (1962) The Age of Innocence *Casino *Bugsy The Last Emperor Empire of the Sun Kundun Seven Years in Tibet Bringing Out the Dead Light Sleeper American Gigolo Gangs of New York *Titanic The Aviator *The Departed *Shutter Island *Wolf of Wall Street The Irishman *Killers of the Flower Moon *Hugo 12 Years a Slave *Silence *Oppenheimer *The Last Waltz Contact us at: info@oscars.wtf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finally!  After leaving empty handed with 5 Best Director (and 4 Best Picture) nominations… one of the greatest film directors of all-time, the God of pure cinema, Martin Scorsese, finally gets to go home with Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director.  The Departed, his 2006 crime epic starring half of Hollywood seemed like the perfect vehicle to get him to the finish line… But at the same time, it’s a little bittersweet because in many people’s minds because The Departed might not have been the best movie of the year — and is nowhere near the best film Scorsese has ever made over his long and storied career.  In fact, as we inspect this year’s Oscar awards — we discover a lot of nominations rewarding good people for their not best work.  (And a few who deliver career benchmark performances!)  Join us as we hash through a year that is equal parts rewarding and confounding and try to discover whether there was a ‘rat’ in the Academy who had it in the bag for a legend.  As always, thanks for listening and supporting the show! Movies Mentioned   (*Recommended) Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest *Night at the Museum Cars X-Men: The Last Stand The DaVinci Code Superman Returns Happy Feet Ice Age: The Meltdown *Casino Royale *The Pursuit of Happiness *Dreamgirls Babel  *Pan’s Labyrinth *The Queen Blood Diamond *The Departed *Letters From Iwo Jima *Little Miss Sunshine *Notes on a Scandal *Flags of Our Fathers **Children of Men *Apocalypto *Inside Man *The Prestige The Illusionist *United 93 *Little Children *Volver *The Last King of Scotland Half Nelson *Venus *The Devil Wears Prada *Borat *An Inconvenient Truth *1917 **The Lives of Others Contact us at: info@oscars.wtf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey Oscars WWTT? Fans — for this bonus episode, a companion piece to our recent 1938 Oscars episode, “Tex” and Mark take a fun look back at an acting legend — the incomparable Humphrey Bogart. However, rather than do a full retrospective of Bogart’s entire career in front of the camera (70+ films) — instead we’re focusing on the 7 films Bogart acted in, in 1937. Two of these films received Oscar nominations (DEAD END and BLACK LEGION) while the other five showcased an actor on the rise trying to turn the corner from a bit player in the ‘Also Starring’ section of the credits — to a well-rounded actor capable of playing more than just mobsters and wise-guys. This was a breakthrough year for Bogie and a chance to learn about some great hidden gem films for anyone who is a fan of movies, great acting and the rise of one of America’s greatest acting treasures.  Thanks for listening!  Movies Mentioned (*Recommended) *Casablanca *High Sierra *The Maltese Falcon *Key Largo *The African Queen *Treasure of the Sierra Madre *Black Legion *The Great O’Malley *Marked Woman San Quentin *Kid Galahad *Dead End Stand In *To Have and Have Not *In a Lonely Place *Beat the Devil *The Caine Mutiny *The Petrified Forest *The Roaring 20’s *The Harder They Fall Contact us: info@oscars.wtf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I know, I know, another old Oscars ceremony from over 85 years ago. It can’t possibly be interesting!  You can think that… but you’d be wrong!  This year had 10 best picture nominees, covering a wide range of interesting topics — from the rise of fascism, the great Chicago fire and a love affair with Napoleon to the struggles of making it as an actress or Broadway star, the pitfalls of divorce and the plight of ancient Chinese farmers (played by non-Chinese actors.) Plus the first of four versions of A Star is Born. It’s an amazing year featuring the rising stars of the industry (Bogart, Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, Greta Garbo, Barbara Stanwyck, Paul Muni and more!) Trust us, if you love movies, (and adding movies you've never heard of to your watch list) you’re gonna love this episode.  As always, thanks for listening! Films Mentioned (* recommended) *The Awful Truth *The Life of Emile Zola *A Star is Born *Dead End *One Hundred Men and a Girl *Stage Door *The Good Earth *Lost Horizon *In Old Chicago *Captains Courageous *Conquest *Night Must Fall *Hurricane *The Black Legion Topper *Camille *Stella Dallas *Angel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Few filmmakers achieve the level of notoriety and legendary status of Sam Peckinpah. He didn’t just direct movies — he detonated them. And while he never received any love from the Oscars, that was never his goal. Unflinching, uncompromising, and unrelenting, Peckinpah existed to turn on-screen violence into an art form… often in slow motion. Join us as we break down the bruised beauty of his short but lasting filmography — and pay homage to the man whose balletic violence and broken heroes changed the language of film forever. Films Mentioned *Recommended    (P) Peckinpah directed *The Ballad of Cable Hogue  (P) Airport Noon Wine (P) **The Wild Bunch (P) *Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (P) **Straw Dogs (P) *The Getaway (P) *Convoy (P) The Other Side of the Wind *The Deadly Companions (P) *How Green Was My Valley *The Quiet Man McLintock *Ride the High Country (P) *Lawrence of Arabia *The Music Man *To Kill a Mockingbird *The Longest Day *Major Dundee (P) *Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid *Midnight Cowboy A Clockwork Orange *The French Connection *Fiddler on the Roof *The Last Picture Show Sunday Bloody Sunday Junior Bonner (P) The Last Straighter Smokey and the Bandit Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (P) The Killing of a Chinese Bookie *The Godfather The Killer Elite (P) *Cross of Iron  (P) *Inglorious Basterds *Saving Private Ryan The Osterman Weekend (P) Straw Dogs (2011) The Killer Elite (2011) The Getaway (1994) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey Oscar fans, welcome to the 1971 Oscars for the films of 1970.  The title of the episode refers to the opening line of this year’s Best Picture Winner — Patton — a movie driven by one of the most powerful performances in film history.  In fact, George C. Scott’s portrayal of General George S. Patton was so acclaimed that despite telling the Academy not to vote for him and that he wouldn’t show up to the Oscars; wouldn’t accept the award; and thought the entire concept of actors competing for awards was a stupid ‘meat parade’ — he still won for Best Actor!  Yep, this was a strange year full of strange movies, bizarre choices and enough ‘WTF?’ to make you wonder if George C. Scott had the right idea!  As always, thanks for listening! Movies Mentioned (*Recommended) Love Story  Airport *M*A*S*H *Patton *Woodstock *Little Big Man *Tora! Tora! Tora! *Ryan’s Daughter Catch-22 The Owl and the Pussycat *The Haunting (1963) *Citizen Kane *Five Easy Pieces  *The Ballad of Cable Hogue *The Great White Hope *The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes *Joe *Rocky *The Karate Kid Lovers and Other Strangers The Landlord Women in Love Fellini’s Satyricon  *Planet of the Apes *The Country Girl *Miracle on 34th Street *Diary of a Mad Housewife *Barry Lyndon *Easy Rider *I Never Sang For My Father *Hud *Being There *Ninotchka *The Hustler *The Getaway *The Godfather *Hobson’s Choice *Pollyanna *The Hours *Lawrence of Arabia *Bridge on the River Kwai *Doctor Zhivago *A Raisin in the Sun *My Night At Maud’s *Wanda Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello Oscar lovers, we are back with a very special bonus episode that celebrates the fabulous films from the year 1986.  In fact, “Tex” and Mark think there were so many great films released that year, that we could have an ALTERNATE OSCARS where we nominate and select completely different movies and performances and still have an amazing Oscar show.  And to prove it — that’s exactly what we did!   So enjoy (and play along) with our ‘Alternate 1987 Oscars’ for the non-nominated films of 1986 — one of the greatest years in movie history!  As always, thanks for listening!   FILMS MENTIONED (* Highly Recommended) (The Room) *Wizard of Oz *Gone With the Wind *Stagecoach *Mr. Smith Goes to Washington *Ninotchka *The Matrix *Fight Club *The Sixth Sense  *Being John Malkovich *Magnolia  The Talented Mr. Ripley *The Green Mile *Toy Story 2 *Platoon *Children of a Lesser God *The Mission *A Room With a View *Hannah & Her Sisters *The Color of Money *Top Gun *Ferris Bueller’s Day Off *Hoosiers *Aliens *Blue Velvet *Peggy Sue Got Married *Heartburn *The Mosquito Coast *Stand By Me *Alien Jaws 2 *Jaws *Raging Bull *Rocky 3 *Mulholland Drive *The Hustler *The Fly *Labyrinth *Little Shop of Horrors *A Few Good Men *The Breakfast Club *The Verdict *Manhunter *Lucas *Carnal Knowledge *Witness Hot Shots Part Deux The Morning After Crimes of the Heart *Something Wild Sid and Nancy 9 1/2 Weeks *Working Girl Nothing in Common *Highlander *Ruthless People About Last Night *Crocodile Dundee *Silkwood Iron Eagle At Close Range Absolute Beginners *The Dark Knight *Nickel Boys *Round Midnight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oscars fans, movie fans and especially horror movie fans — you are in for a treat.  Just in time for Halloween, we’ve got a special bonus episode exploring the complicated history of horror movies and the Oscars!   Well, for some people it’s not complicated — the Oscars seem to HATE horror films. But is that true? And what even IS a horror film? We’ll answer those questions and more by looking at objective horror films that were nominated, or won (it’s not a long list); look at some horror movies that should/could have been nominated — and explore some movies that were nominated that may have been secret horror films.  Plus we’ve got some hidden gems for you to watch this spooky season!  As always, thanks for listening!    Horror Films Mentioned (* Recommended) *Crash (1996) *Friday the 13th Friday the 13th Pt.V *Halloween *Don’t Go in the House Don’t Go in the Woods *Don’t Look in the Basement *Don’t Go Near the Park  *Don’t Torture a Duckling *Frankenstein (2025) Manos:  The Hands of Fate Snuff Boogeyman 2 *The Blair Witch Project *Psycho *Night of the Living Dead *The Birds *Henry Portrait of a Serial Killer *Dracula *Wolfman *Frankenstein *The Mummy *Creature From the Black Lagoon Eraserhead *The Texas Chainsaw Massacre *Child’s Play   *Candyman Barbarian *Midsommar *The Lighthouse *Frozen (2010) *Fight Club *No Country For Old Men *Nightcrawler *A Clockwork Orange *Requiem for a Dream *Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory The Hound of the Baskervilles *Thirteen (2003) *The Exorcist *Jaws *The Silence of the Lambs *The Sixth Sense *The Green Mile *The Shawshank Redemption *The Black Swan *Room *Get Out The Shape of Water The Substance *M (1931 & 1951) *Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (1931) *Freaks (1932) *King Kong (1933) *Cat People (1942 & 1982) *Isle of the Dead *Suspicion *Strangers on a Train *Shadow of a Doubt *Rear Window *The Birds *Rosemary’s Baby Apartment 7A *Dawn of the Dead *Land of the Dead *The Omen (1976) *Alien *Aliens *Alien 3 Prometheus Sasquatch Halloween 3 *The Shining *American Werewolf in London *The Thing *Poltergeist *Misery *Stand By Me *Scream *The Others *Zodiac *Se7en *Ex-Machina *Hereditary *Rebecca *Gaslight *The Towering Inferno *Deliverance *Wrong Turn *The Hills Have Eyes *Carrie *No Country For Old Men *The Hitcher *Parasite *Don’t Breathe *It Follows *2001 A Space Odyssey *The Body Snatcher *Invasion of the Body Snatchers *The Seventh Victim *The Old Dark House *I Walked With a Zombie *Ghost Ship (2002) *Bride of Frankenstein *Obsession *Dressed To Kill *Body Double *Blow Out Sisters Raising Cane *Funny Games  *Benny’s Video *The Piano Teacher *Knife in the Water *Repulsion *The Tenant *The Fearless Vampire Killers *Nope *What Lies Beneath Innocent Blood Hour of the Wolf *The Virgin Spring *Last House on the Last *The Bay *Antichrist *mother! *Panic Room *Near Dark *Dracula (Francis Ford Copolla) *Dementia 13 *Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans *Nosferatu:  A Symphony of Horror (1922) *Frailty *Skeleton Key *Triangle *Sightseers *The Invitation *Saint Maud *Oculus *Hush *Wait Until Dark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the 1987 Oscars for the films of 1986 — arguably one of the greatest years for movies…ever!  Nearly every category is stacked with worthy entries, but as always, there are a few Oscar oddities, snubs and things to make you go ‘Hmm.’ Mostly, this Oscars has everything — from a born writer/filmmaker spinning his most harrowing wartime experiences into Oscar gold; to a deaf newbie beating out a string of 80’s acting legends; to an aging legend finally getting their Oscar due. In a year when nearly all the top talent in Hollywood was creating art — it helps you appreciate how movies can tell diverse, complex stories with the power to stay with you forever.  Oh, and you’ll also hear Bruce's behind the scenes stories about working on Hollywood Squares and Sidney Lumet's 'The Morning After!' As always, thanks for listening!  FILMS REFERENCED (* Recommended) *Top Gun *Crocodile Dundee **Platoon Karate Kid 2 *Star Trek 4:  The Voyage Home *Back to School **Aliens **Alien The Golden Child **Ruthless People **Ferris Bueller’s Day Off *Something Wild *Down & Out in Beverly Hills **Mosquito Coast **The Color of Money **Hoosiers *Salvador *Peggy Sue Got Married *In the Name of the Rose *Foul Play *Seems Like Old Times *A Room With a View **Children of a Lesser God **The Mission *Hannah and her Sisters *Caged **The Deer Hunter **Apocalypse Now Gandhi  Chariots of Fire Empire of the Sun *She’s Gotta Have It **Stand By Me **Blue Velvet **‘Round Midnight *Born on the Fourth of July **JFK The Doctor Wrestling Ernest Hemmingway Dance With Me **The Hustler *Mona Lisa **Who Framed Roger Rabbit *Hud **Cool Hand Luke *Absence of Malice **The Verdict Heartburn Sid & Nancy Jaws 4:  The Revenge Poltergeist 2 Crimes of the Heart The Morning After *Carrie *Monsters Ball Catwoman *My Beautiful Launderette At Close Range Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know one of, if not THE, greatest film directors of all time never won an Oscar for Best Director?  Yep. That is the premise for this bonus episode…  Join Adam “Tex” and Mark as we examine the glorious career of the legendary Sir Alfred Hitchcock and discuss how the Motion Picture Academy just never got around to awarding him its top prize.   Along the way we’ll dissect Hitchcock’s greatest known films, tell little-known behind the scenes stories, and identify some lesser-known, hidden gems among the 53 films he directed. And we’ll discover how even when the Academy did nominate him (including his one Best Picture win) they still got it wrong! Hitchcock may have had a long and storied career telling crime stories — but the greatest crime of all may be the one the Academy committed against him!  As always, thanks for listening!   Films Mentioned (* Recommended) *Dial M for Murder *Rear Window Three Coins in a Fountain *The Lodger *Blackmail The Ring *Murder! *Rebecca *Foreign Correspondent *Grapes of Wrath *The Letter *Lifeboat *Rope *Double Indemnity *Laura Wilson Going My Way *The Lost Weekend Anchors Aweigh The Bells of St. Mary’s *Mildred Pierce Spellbound *Rear Window *Sabrina The High and the Mighty *The Country Girl *On the Waterfront *Gentleman’s Agreement *The Graduate *The Miracle Worker *Psycho *The Apartment *Never on Sunday Sons and Lovers The Sundowners *The Birds *Jaws *Notorious *Suspicion *To Catch a Thief *Strangers on a Train *The Lady Vanishes *Shadow of a Doubt *North by Northwest *Vertigo *The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934) *The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) *The Wrong Man *Marnie *1941 *Birdman *The Trouble With Harry *Casablanca *The 39 Steps *Secret Agent *Sabotage The Paradine Case Torn Curtain *M *Goodbye Mr. Chips *Jamaica Inn *The Best Years of our Lives *Mrs. Miniver I* Confess *The Offence *The Hill Saboteur Under Capricorn Frenzy *Topaz Family Plot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey Oscar fans — welcome to the 1955 Oscars for the films of 1954.  In case you weren’t aware, 1954 was an absolutely outstanding year full of great movies…some of which even got nominated for Academy Awards!  Which means some of the best movies that are still beloved, rewatched, referenced and remade today did NOT get any Oscar love.  This includes a few shockingly egregious omissions that we’re pretty sure will have you scratching your head.  So join us down on the waterfront as Bruce and “Tex” attempt to solve the mystery of “What they were thinking?” when the Academy looked out their rear window and saw…nothing.  As always, thanks for listening and joining us at The Oscars!    Films Referenced (* Recommended) **On the Waterfront **The Caine Mutiny **The Country Girl Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Three Coins in a Fountain **Rear Window *A Star is Bron **Dial M For Murder **Notorious Robinson Crusoe The High and the Mighty The Zero Hour The Barefoot Contessa *Carmen Jones **Sabrina **The Glenn Miller Story *Magnificent Obsession **Executive Suite Broken Lance *Genevieve Knock on Wood Rogue Cop The Egyptian The Silver Chalice *Gate of Hell *Le Plaisir **The Earrings of Madame de Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey Oscars & Movie Fans — we’re proud to present a Bonus Episode that explores 3 great, HIDDEN GEM films from 1964 that we briefly mentioned during our 1965 - MY FAIR OSCAR episode.   Each film was nominated for something — but we really didn’t talk much about them…until now.  If you’re anything like us — we guarantee you’ll dig at least one if not more of these films which include:  TOPKAPI - the inspiration for the most iconic scene in the Mission Impossible franchise.  SEANCE ON A WET AFTERNOON - a creepy, psychological thriller that will stay with you long after it’s over.  And THE VISIT, a twisted little movie starring Ingrid Bergman and Anthony Quinn that takes a turn we guarantee you won’t see coming.   Enjoy our discussion on these movies and more and we’ll be back with another full OSCARS episode next week! Oscars What Were They Thinking? Is edited by Kelley Marcano Films Referenced Topkapi Seance on a Wet Afternoon The Visit Riffi Night and the City Never on a Sunday Spartacus Ocean’s 11 Mission Impossible Heist The Asphalt Jungle Body Double Rear Window Vertigo Obsession Frances Zorba My Fair Lady Gandhi  Jurassic Park One Night in Soho All is Lost Jeremiah Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices