Advertise on podcast: The Oscar Project Podcast

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Ray Morton, author of the book, King Kong: The History of a Movie Icon –Revised and Updated Edition. Listen to hear about why King Kong has endured in popular culture for nearly a century, what the future of King Kong may look like, and Ray's own King Kong sculpture made out of snow. Books mentioned in this episode include: King Kong: The History of a Movie Icon –Revised and Updated Edition by Ray MortonFinal Cut: Art, Money, and Ego in the Making of Heaven's Gate, the Film that Sank United Artists – A Witty Insider Account of Epic Hollywood Disaster and Human Absurdity by Steven BachFever: The Complete History of Saturday Night Fever by Margo DonohueSonny Boy by Al PacinoFay Wray and Robert Riskin: A Hollywood Memoir by Victoria RiskinFilms and TV shows mentioned in this episode include: King Kong (1933) directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. SchoedsackKing Kong (1976) directed by John GuillerminKing Kong (2005) directed by Peter JacksonKong: Skull Island directed by Jordan Vogt-RobertsGodzilla vs. Kong directed by Adam WingardGodzilla x Kong: The New Empire directed by Adam WingardSkull Island (series)Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (series)Close Encounters of the Third Kind directed by Steven SpielbergLocal Hero directed by Bill ForsythThe Apartment directed by Billy WilderJames Bond (series)Superman, The Movie directed by Richard DonnerYou can follow Ray on Instagram @raymorton1 and you can find his website at raymorton.com. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Vanessa Esteves, director of the short film "Christopher & the Bug," a heartwarming animated short about a reclusive owl whose solitary world is upended by an unexpected visitor, evolving into a touching story about loneliness, empathy, and the courage to connect. Listen to hear about the origin of the story in her own experience, the challenge of finding the balance between animal and human in animation, and the storybook feel of the film. Books mentioned in this episode include: The Correspondent by Virginia EvansThe Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn BarnesFilms and TV shows mentioned in this episode include: "Christopher & the Bug" directed by Vanessa Esteves and Kevin Micallef"How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" directed by Chuck JonesStar Wars directed by George LucasWonderboys directed by Curtis HansonToy Story directed by John LasseterBack to the Future directed by Robert ZemeckisUncle Buck directed by John Hughes"We Were Here" directed by Pranav BhasinFollow the film on Instagram @christopherandthebug and Vanessa @vanesteves_animation. You can also check out the film's website at www.addthedog.com/catb. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film Holiday. I'm joined by Swabreen Bakr who writes the Anti-Brain Rot newsletter, and we talk about the variations between the play, this version of the film and the 1938 film adaptation, the strategies the Seton children have learned in dealing with their father, and an exploration of the difference between various characters and their relationship to wealth. You can watch Romance on YouTube or Tubi for free or rent it on Amazon Prime, and be sure to check out Swabreen's newsletter. Other films mentioned in this episode include: Holiday (1938 version) directed by George CukorThe Materialists directed by Celine SongThe Philadelphia Story directed by George CukorLove Story directed by Arthur HillerOther referenced topics: Holiday (play) by Philip BarryThe Philadelphia Story (play) by Philip BarryThe New Masses reviewErin Snyder writing on Mainlining Christmas.comJ. B. Kaufman writing on jbkaufman.comSupport the show

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Paul Fischer, author of the new book, The Last Kings of Hollywood: Coppola, Lucas, Spielberg―and the Battle for the Soul of American Cinema. Listen to hear about tackling three of the titans of the film industry, how each of his three protagonists changed filmmaking in their own way, and some of the key contributors that helped influence these three men through their journey over the last 60 years. Books mentioned in this episode include: The Last Kings of Hollywood: Coppola, Lucas, Spielberg―and the Battle for the Soul of American Cinema by Paul FischerWhat Makes Sammy Run? by Budd SchulbergThe Director by Daniel KehlmannFilms and TV shows mentioned in this episode include: The Godfather directed by Francis Ford CoppolaJaws directed by Steven SpielbergStar Wars directed by George LucasAvatar directed by James CameronRaging Bull directed by Martin ScorseseThe 400 Blows directed by François TruffautClose Encounters of the Third Kind directed by Steven SpielbergYou can find Paul's website at www.paulfischerauthor.com and follow him on Instagram @pfischerbooks. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is the beginning of my conversations about the films nominated at the 4th Academy Awards. I'm joined by Kevin Pettit who writes the See You at the Movies newsletter and we break down some of the history of the 4th Academy Awards, a minor change to the writing categories, and all of the nominees. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get all the news episodes delivered to your device every Friday from now through early September 2026 and if you want to be a guest for a film from the 5th Academy Awards, send me a message replying to this episode and let me know you're interested. Nominees of the 4th Academy Awards (linked films will take you to where you can watch the film online as of the recording of this episode): HolidayThe Dawn PatrolLaughterWhoopee!The Doorway to HellMoroccoJust ImagineMin and BillThe Royal Family of BroadwayThe Criminal CodeLittle CaesarTrader HornCimarronTabuEast LynneThe Front PageSkippyThe Public EnemySvengaliA Free SoulSmart MoneyCheck out Oscar Wars by Michael Schulman that Kevin mentioned in the episode. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is a special between Oscars conversation about the 1922 film Nosferatu. This was another suggestion from my son Joshua who came on last year between seasons to talk about The General with me and is another classic film that came along too early to be recognized by The Academy. Listen to hear about some of the early the visual effects the film used quite effectively, the stark reality of certain German actors in the 1930s, and how this film has served as the basis for vampire films for over a century. Don't forget to check out the film for yourself on YouTube, Amazon Prime, or buy a copy of the remastered Kino Lorber disc for your collection. Other films mentioned in this episode include: Nosferatu the Vampyre directed by Werner HerzogNosferatu (2024) directed by Robert EggersThe Cabinet of Dr. Caligari directed by Robert WieneTwilight directed by Catherine HardwickeSinners directed by Ryan CooglerBram Stoker's Dracula directed by Francis Ford CoppolaOther referenced topics: Dracula by Bram StokerVampire in the Garden (series)Variety reviewstevepulaski.com reviewNosferatu episode on the Dead Meat YouTube channelSupport the show

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Philip Clyde-Smith and Eliza Power, director and writer of the short film "A Hand to Hold." The film is a darkly funny body horror look at love and dealing with loss. Listen to hear about the single day writing process, the tricky balancing act between comedy and grotesque horror, and some advice to directors when casting a film. Books mentioned in this episode include: A Beginner's Guide to Dying by Simon BoasDracula by Bram StokerTender is the Flesh by Agustina BazterricaLilyFilms and TV shows mentioned in this episode include: "A Hand to Hold" directed by Philip Clyde-SmithThe Young Offenders (series)Possession directed by Andrzej ŻuławskiKinski: My Best Fiend directed by Werner HerzogFright Night directed by Tom HollandThe Exorcist directed by William FriedkinThe Goonies directed by Richard DonnerGhostbusters directed by Ivan ReitmanThe Good, the Bad and the Ugly directed by Clint EastwoodThe Lord of the Rings directed by Peter JacksonMary Poppins directed by Robert StevensonAmerican Psycho directed by Mary HarronThe Big Lebowski directed by Joel CoenDonny Darko directed by Richard KellyFollow the film on Instagram @ahandtoholdfilm, Philip @philipclydesmith, and Eliza @mselizapower. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is a special between Oscars conversation about the 1933 film King Kong. Podcast regular Kevin Pettit from the See You At The Movies newsletter recommended this film and even though it's out of order, the film was never nominated for an Oscar which made it a perfect candidate to fill in some of these in between weeks. Kevin had a chance to watch King Kong on the big screen recently, but you can check out some lesser quality prints online or buy a copy for your collection, and be sure to check out Kevin's newsletter. Other films mentioned in this episode include: King Kong directed by Peter JacksonKong: Skull Island directed by Jordan Vogt-RobertsJurassic Park directed by Steven SpielbergChang: A Drama of the Wilderness directed by Ernest B. Schoedsack and Merian C. CooperForrest Gump directed by Robert ZemeckisThe Lord of the Rings directed by Peter JacksonStar Wars directed by George LucasGodzilla (film series)The Hobbit directed by Peter JacksonRoom directed by Leonard AbrahamsonE.T. The Extra-Terrestrial directed by Steven SpielbergInglourious Basterds directed by Quentin TarantinoJaws directed by Steven SpielbergOther referenced topics: The Soundtrack Show Podcast Interview with David Farmer (Part 1, Part 2)The Lost World (novel) by Arthur Conan DoyleMotion Picture Herald reviewChicago Tribune reviewFilm Daily reviewRoger Ebert reviewSupport the show

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Blake Sherwyn, director of the short film "Chet Bond: License to Chill," a hilarious mockumentary about James Bond's nepobaby son. Listen to hear about he identified a gap in the market for action comedy mockumentaries, the difficulty of finding the right actors to play the supporting roles in the film, and an on set incident that could have been much worse. Books mentioned in this episode include: Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You'll Ever Need by Jessica BrodyFilms and TV shows mentioned in this episode include: "Chet Bond: License to Chill" directed by Blake Sherwyn"Lil Brick Answers the Web's Most Searched Questions" directed by Blake SherwynJames Bond franchiseThe Social Network directed by David FincherThe Hangover directed by Todd PhillipsEverybody Wants Some directed by Richard LinklaterMarty Supreme directed by Josh SafdieBilly Madison directed by Tamra DavisFollow Blake on Instagram @blakesherwynofficial. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail The 98th Academy Awards are over and today I'm joined by Beth Lisogorsky from the You Need To Watch This! newsletter to recap everything that happened at last night's ceremony. Listen to hear us talk about the biggest winners and losers of the evening, some of the beautiful style we got to see, and anything that caught us by surprise. Other topics: Whatever Nevermind newsletterSupport the show

Send us Fan Mail Today is the final episode in my preview of the 98th Academy Awards where I will have broken down every category over the course of this week. Today I am joined by Enrico Banson from the Director's Notes newsletter, Janelle Lathrop from the Right Now, You Like Me newsletter, and Kevin Pettit from the See You At the Movies newsletter to break down all ten films nominated for Best Picture. I've listed the nominees below along with a few other films mentioned throughout the episode. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get all the preview episodes this week, and head over to my Substack to submit your guesses for my annual Oscar prediction contest. The nominees for each category are listed below. Best Picture: BugoniaF1FrankensteinHamnetMarty SupremeOne Battle After AnotherThe Secret AgentSentimental ValueSinnersTrain DreamsOther media mentioned in this episode include: Killing of the Sacred Deer directed by Yorgos LanthimosKinds of Kindness directed by Yorgos LanthimosPoor Things directed by Yorgos LanthimosThe Favourite directed by Yorgos LanthimosEddington directed by Ari AsterWeapons directed by Zach CreggerTop Gun: Maverick directed by Joseph KosinskiAvatar: Fire and Ash directed by James CameronCrimson Peak directed by Guillermo del ToroHellboy directed by Guillermo del ToroGuillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio directed by Guillermo del Toro and Mark GustafsonHamlet by William ShakespeareBalls of Fury directed by Robert Ben GarantGood Time directed by Ben Safdie and Joshua SafdieUncut Gems directed by Ben Safdie and Joshua SafdieThere Will Be Blood directed by Paul Thomas AndersonThe Battle of Algiers directed by Gillo PotecorvoHard Eight directed by Paul Thomas AndersonMagnolia directed by Paul Thomas AndersonBoogie Nights directed by Paul Thomas AndersonI'm Still Here directed by Walter SallesThe Conversation directed by Francis Ford CoppolaThe Worst Person in the World directed by Joachim TrierThe Wizard of Oz directed by Victor FlemingThe Thin Red Line directed by Terrence MalickThe Tree of Life directed by Terrence MalickMagellan directed by Lav DiazNo Other Choice directed by Park Chan-wookSirât directed by Oliver LaxeCaught By the Tides directed by Jia ZhangkeOn Becoming a Guinea Fowl directed by Rungano NyoniSorry, Baby directed by Eva VictorWake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery directed by Rian JohnsonSupport the show

Send us Fan Mail Today is the third of a five episode preview of the 98th Academy Awards where I have been breaking down every category throughout the week. Today I am joined by Swabreen Bakr from the Anti-Brain Rot newsletter and Maria Banson from the Brunello Bombshell newsletter to break down all four acting categories, both screenplay categories, Best Director and the new Best Casting category. I've listed the nominees below along with a few other films mentioned throughout the episode. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get all the preview episodes this week, and head over to my Substack to submit your guesses for my annual Oscar prediction contest. The nominees for each category are listed below. Best Original Screenplay: Blue MoonIt Was Just an AccidentMarty SupremeSentimental ValueSinnersBest Adapted Screenplay: BugoniaFrankensteinHamnetOne Battle After AnotherTrain DreamsBest Casting: HamnetMarty SupremeOne Battle After AnotherThe Secret AgentSinnersBest Supporting Actor: Benicio Del Toro – One Battle After Another as Sergio St. CarlosJacob Elordi – Frankenstein as The CreatureDelroy Lindo – Sinners as Delta SlimSean Penn – One Battle After Another as Steven J. LockjawStellan Skarsgård – Sentimental Value as Gustav BorgBest Supporting Actress: Elle Fanning – Sentimental Value as Rachel KempInga Ibsdotter Lilleaas – Sentimental Value as Agnes BorgAmy Madigan – Weapons as GladysWunmi Mosaku – Sinners as AnnieTeyana Taylor – One Battle After Another as Perfidia Beverly HillsBest Actress: Jessie Buckley – Hamnet as Agnes ShakespeareRose Byrne – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You as LindaKate Hudson – Song Sung Blue as Claire CartwrightRenate Reinsve – Sentimental Value as Nora BorgEmma Stone – Bugonia as Michelle FullerBest Actor: Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme as Marty MauserLeonardo DiCaprio – One Battle After Another as Bob FergusonEthan Hawke – Blue Moon as Lorenz HartMichael B. Jordan – Sinners as Smoke and StackWagner Moura – The Secret Agent as Marcelo AlvesBest Director: Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After AnotherRyan Coogler – SinnersJosh Safdie – Marty SupremeJoachim Trier – Sentimental ValueCloé Zhao – HamnetOther media mentioned in this episode include: Casablanca directed by Michael CurtizJay Kelly directed by Noah BaumbachSilence of the Lambs directed by Jonathan DemmeGet Out directed by Jordan PeeleParasite directed by Bong Joon-hoWake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery directed by RiaSupport the show

Send us Fan Mail Today is the third of a five episode preview of the 98th Academy Awards where I will be breaking down each and every category throughout the week. Today I am joined by Shawna Carroll from the Notes From Post newsletter to break down Best Animated Short Film, Best Live Action Short Film, and Best Documentary Short Film. I've listed the nominees below along with a few other films mentioned throughout the episode. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get all the preview episodes this week, and head over to my Substack to submit your guesses for my annual Oscar prediction contest. The nominees for each category are listed below. Best Animated Short Film: “Butterfly”“Forevergreen”“The Girl Who Cried Pearls” (podcast interview)“Retirement Plan” (podcast interview)“The Three Sisters”Best Live Action Short Film: “Butcher’s Stain”“A Friend of Dorothy”“Jane Austen’s Period Drama” (podcast interview)“The Singers” (podcast interview)“Two People Exchanging Saliva”Best Documentary Short Film: “All the Empty Rooms”“Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud”“Children No More: “Were and Are Gone””“The Devil Is Busy”“Perfectly a Strangeness”Other films mentioned in this episode include: Harry Potter (film series)"The Only Girl in the Orchestra" directed by Molly O'Brien"Instruments of a Beating Heart" directed by Ema Ryan Yamazaki"Death by Numbers" directed by Kim A. Snyder"I Am Ready, Warden" directed by Smriti Mundhra"Incident" directed by Bill MorrisonEO directed by Jerzy SkolimowskiSupport the show

Send us Fan Mail Today is the second of five episode previewing the 98th Academy Awards where I will be breaking down each and every category throughout the week. Today I am joined by Dan Pal from the PalCinema, Television, and Music newsletter to break down Best Animated Feature, Best International Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best Original Score, and Best Original Song. I've listed the nominees below along with other films mentioned throughout the episode. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get all the preview episodes this week, and head over to my Substack to submit your guesses for my annual Oscar prediction contest. The nominees for each category are listed below. Best Animated Feature: ArcoElioKPop Demon HuntersLittle Amélie or the Character of RainZootopia 2Best International Feature: The Secret Agent (Brazil)It Was Just an Accident (France)Sentimental Value (Norway)Sirât (Spain)The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia)Best Documentary Feature: The Alabama SolutionCome See Me in the Good LightCutting through RocksMr. Nobody against PutinThe Perfect NeighborBest Original Score: BugoniaFrankensteinHamnetOne Battle after AnotherSinnersBest Original Song: “Dear Me” from Diane Warren: Relentless“Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters“I Lied To You” from Sinners“Sweet Dreams Of Joy” from Viva Verdi!“Train Dreams” from Train DreamsOther films mentioned in this episode include: Flow directed by Gints ZilbalodisZootopia directed by Rich Moore and Byron HowardToy Story 3 directed by Lee UnkrichRango directed by Gore VerbinskiBrave directed by Brenda Chapman and Mark AndrewsFrozen directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris BuckBig Hero 6 directed by Don Hall and Chris WilliamsInside Out directed by Pete DocterCoco directed by Adrian Molina and Lee UnkrichSpider-Man: Into the Spiderverse directed by Peter Ramsey, Bob Persichetti, and Rodney RothmanGuillermo del Toro's Pinocchio directed by Guillermo del Toro and Mark GustafsonThe Boy and the Heron directed by Hayao MiyazakiDemon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba The Movie: Infinity Castle directed by Haruo SotozakiChainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc directed by Tatsuya YoshiharaLittle Miss Sunshine directed by Valerie Faris and Jonathan DaytonI'm Still Here directed by Walter SallesParasite directed by Bong Joon HoNavalny directed by Daniel Roher20 Days in Mariupol directed by Mstyslav ChernovAmerican Symphony directed by Matthew HeinemanStar Wars directed by George LucasJurassic Park directed by Steven SpielbergPsycho directed by Alfred HitchcockOppenheimer directed by Christopher NolanThe King's Speech directed by Tom HooperOther media mentioned in this episode include: "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Diane Warren, performed by Aerosmith"How Do I Live Without You" by Diane Warren, performed by Leann Rimes or Tricia YearwoodSupport the show

Send us Fan Mail Today's is the first of a five episode preview of the 98th Academy Awards where I will be breaking down each and every category throughout the week. Helping me through that process is Murray Mintz from the CineVibez Fanzine newsletter and Rob Thomas from the Not That Rob Thomas newsletter and we break down all of the technical categories. I've listed the nominees below along with a few other films mentioned throughout the episode. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get all the preview episodes this week, and head over to my Substack to submit your guesses for my annual Oscar prediction contest. The nominees for each category are listed below. Best Sound: F1FrankensteinOne Battle after AnotherSinnersSirâtBest Production Design: FrankensteinHamnetMarty SupremeOne Battle after AnotherSinnersBest Cinematography: FrankensteinMarty SupremeOne Battle after AnotherSinnersTrain DreamsBest Makeup and Hairstyling: FrankensteinKokuhoSinnersThe Smashing MachineThe Ugly StepsisterBest Costume Design: Avatar: Fire and AshFrankensteinHamnetMarty SupremeSinnersBest Film Editing: F1Marty SupremeOne Battle After AnotherSentimental ValueSinnersBest Visual Effects: Avatar: Fire and AshF1Jurassic World RebirthThe Lost BusSinnersOther topics mentioned in this episode include: Formula 1: Drive to Survive (series)Without Limits directed by Robert TowneSinners exhibit at Warner Bros. Studio TourJurassic Park directed by Steven SpielbergJurassic World directed by Colin TrevorrowAvatar directed by James CameronAvatar: The Way of Water directed by James CameronTitanic directed by James CameronTerminator 2: Judgement Day directed by James CameronSupport the show