Podcasts about nextbestpicture

For this week's main podcast review, Dan Bayer and Tom O'Brien join me to discuss the latest film from Óliver Laxe, "Sirāt," starring Sergi López, Bruno Núñez Arjona, Richard Bellamy, Stefania Gadda, Joshua Liam Henderson, Tonin Janvier, and Jade Oukid. Co-written with Santiago Fillol, Laxe's film had its world premiere in the main competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize. It has been nominated at the 98th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film (Spain) and Best Sound, with Amanda Villavieja, Laia Casanovas, and Yasmina Praderas becoming the first all-female sound team nominated. After months of festival screenings, the film is finally out officially from NEON. What did we think of it? Please tune in as we discuss Laxe's direction, the crazy directions the story takes, the music and overall soundscape, the performances led by López, its awards season run, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The President's Cake" is a drama film written and directed by Hasan Hadi, starring Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Sajad Mohamad Qasem, Waheed Thabet Khreibat and Rahim AlHaj. The film had its world premiere at the Directors' Fortnight section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the section's Audience Award and the Caméra d'Or. It was selected as the Iraqi entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, making the December shortlist. Hadi was kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about his work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Sony Pictures Classics. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The Love That Remains" is a comedy-drama written and directed by Hlynur Pálmason, starring Saga Garðarsdóttir and Sverrir Guðnason. It had its world premiere in the Cannes Premiere section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where the lead animal actor, Panda, won the Palm Dog Award. It was selected as the Icelandic entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated. Pálmason was kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about his work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Janus Films. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"My Father's Shadow" is a 2025 drama film directed by Akinola Davies Jr. in his feature-length debut, from a screenplay he co-wrote with his brother, Wale Davies, and starring Gotham Award winner Sope Dirisu. It follows a family reunion during the 1993 Nigerian election. The film had its world premiere at the Un Certain Regard section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first Nigerian film to be selected for the festival's Official Selection. It won the Special Mention for the Caméra d'Or and was critically acclaimed, receiving numerous awards and nominations, including a British Independent Film Award and two Gotham Independent Film Awards. It was also selected as the UK's entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated. Akinola Davies Jr. was kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about his work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from MUBI. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Kokuho" It is a 2025 Japanese historical drama film directed by Lee Sang-il and written by Satoko Okudera, based on the 2018 novel of the same name by Shuichi Yoshida, starring Ryo Yoshizawa, Ryusei Yokohama, Mitsuki Takahata, Shinobu Terajima, Min Tanaka, and Ken Watanabe. It had its world premiere in the Directors' Fortnight section of the 78th Cannes Film Festival, where it received positive reviews, particularly for its acting, directing, cinematography, makeup, and hairstyling. It has grossed $125 million in Japan, becoming the all-time highest-grossing Japanese live-action film. It was selected as the Japanese entry for Best International Feature Film, making the December shortlist, and was nominated for Best Makeup and Hairstyling at the 98th Academy Awards. Oscar-nominated actor Ken Watanabe was kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about his work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from GKIDS. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's that time of the year! It's our annual Sundance Film Festival recap podcast. For the 2026 film festival, and the final one in Park City, Utah, we have Ema Sasic, Cody Dericks, Sara Clements, and Daniel Howat joining me from Next Best Picture. Please take a listen as we reveal our favorite films from the festival and give you all a preview of the best that's to come in 2026. Thank you for listening, as always, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL REVIEW. Please check out the full podcast review on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture For this week's second podcast review, Sara Clements, Dan Bayer, Lauren LaMagna, and Giovanni Lago join me to discuss the latest film from Park Chan-wook, "No Other Choice" starring Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran, and Cha Seung-won. Based on "The Ax" by Donald Westlake, the film premiered in the main competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, where it garnered critical acclaim. At the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, it was nominated for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Foreign Language Film, and Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Lee Byung-hun). It was also selected as South Korea's entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards, making the December shortlist, though it was not nominated. What did we think of it though? Please tune in as we discuss the direction, performances, writing, camerawork, editing, its awards season chances (this was recorded before the Oscar nominations--Sorry!), and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Send Help" is an American survival horror film produced and directed by Sam Raimi and written by Mark Swift and Damian Shannon. The film stars Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien as an employee and her boss, respectively, who become stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash and attempt to survive while tension rises between them. It is Sam Raimi's first conventional horror/thriller film since 2009's "Drag Me To Hell" and has received positive reviews from critics, and grossed $28 million so far against its $40 million production budget. Raimi was kind enough to spend some time speaking with me during the Sundance Film Festival (while I was sitting on the floor of a hotel hallway trying to avoid the noise of the many people who were around me in attendance) about his work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from 20th Century Studios. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Episode 477, Amy Kim, Josh Parham, Dan Bayer, and Ben Langford join me to discuss the 2026 BAFTA, WGA, and ACE nominations, which we received after this year's Oscar nominations. We also give our predictions for what we believe will win the DGA Awards later this week. For last week's poll, for the Oscar nominations we asked, "Which Oscar Nomination For The 98th Academy Awards Made You The Happiest?" And for this week's poll, with the conclusion of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, we're asking, "Which Film From The 2026 Sundance Film Festival Are You Most Looking Forward To?" We also give our reactions to the trailer for Boots Riley's "I Love Boosters," answer your fan-submitted questions, and more. Thank you all for listening, supporting, and subscribing. Enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this week's main podcast review, Katie Johnson, Josh Parham, and Cody Dericks join me to discuss the latest film from Sam Raimi, "Send Help," starring Rachel McAdams, Dylan O'Brien, Edyll Ismail, Xavier Samuel, Chris Pang, and Dennis Haysbert. Written by writers Damian Shannon and Mark Swift, the film finds Raimi back in his wheelhouse for the first time since "Drag Me To Hell," embellishing on the gore, horror and shock value of this two-hander survivor premise. What did we think of it, though? Please tune in as we discuss Raimi's direction, the two performances from McAdams and O'Brien, the practical effects, the wild directions the story takes, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"A Poet" is a tragicomedy film written, co-produced, and directed by Simón Mesa Soto. An international co-production between Colombia, Germany, and Sweden, the film had its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the section's Jury Prize. The film stars Ubeimar Rios as an obsessed poet who has achieved no glory, is aging, erratic, and has become the cliche of the poet in the shadows. When he meets Yurlady (Rebeca Andrade), a teenage girl, he helps cultivate her talent. It was selected as the Colombian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated. Simón Mesa Soto was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from 1-2 Special. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The Testament Of Ann Lee" had its world premiere in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, where it received positive reviews from critics, with Amanda Seyfried receiving acclaim for her performance (often described as "career-best" and earning nominations from the Golden Globe Award and the Critics' Choice Award for Best Actress. Directed and co-written by Mona Fastvold (with "The Brutalist" filmmaking and real-life partner, Brady Corbet), the historical musical drama follows the founder of the Shaker religious sect in the 18th century with a supporting cast that includes Thomasin McKenzie, Lewis Pullman, Stacy Martin, Tim Blake Nelson, and Christopher Abbott. Fastvold was kind enough to spend some time speaking with Next Best Picture Owner & Editor In Chief Matt Neglia, while Academy Award-winning composer Daniel Blumberg spoke with Dan Bayer, and Cody Dericks had the opportunity to speak with production designer Sam Bader, costume designer Gosia Karpiuk, and hair, makeup, and prosthetics designer Stephanie Pasicov. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Searchlight Pictures. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first of Pixar's two films this year, "Hoppers," hits theaters on March 6th. This sci-fi, spy-thriller-influenced nature flick could be considered a major departure for the famed animation studio. While previous Pixar films are plentiful in humor, "Hoppers" is their first truly comedy-first film. Ahead of the film's release in just over a month, Pixar invited Next Best Picture to the studio to check out "Hoppers," along with an extensive look behind the scenes at how they brought this hilarious new adventure to life. We were lucky enough to get to spend some time speaking with Director Daniel Chong and Producer Nicole Grindle, Production Designer Bryan Imagire, Visual Effects Supervisor Beth Albright, and Character Art Director Anna Scott. We hope you enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at Pixar's newest film. Thank you and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Episode 476, Ema Sasic, Nadia Dalimonte, Dan Bayer, Megan Lachinski, and Alyssa Christian join me to discuss the 2026 Oscar nominations for the 98th Academy Awards after they were unable to do so for our live reaction video to the nominations. It's been a few days since the initial announcement, and already we're looking at potential shifts in momentum, who got in vs. who was left off, and what will happen with BAFTA and WGA nominations this week? For last week's poll, for the Oscar nominations we asked, "Which Film Do You Think Will Be The Next Best Picture Oscar Winner?" And for this week's poll, with the announcement of the Oscar nominations, we're asking, "Which Oscar Nomination For The 98th Academy Awards Made You The Happiest?" We also give our reactions to the trailers for "Masters Of The Universe" and "Tuner," answer your fan-submitted questions, and more. Thank you all for listening, supporting, and subscribing. Daniel Howat, Cody Dericks, and I are still in Sundance and will be back next week with a recap of the festive; as this year's awards season continues. Enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this week's main podcast review, Megan Lachinski, Josh Parham, and Dan Bayer join me to discuss the latest film from Mona Fasvold, "The Testament Of Ann Lee," starring Amanda Seyfried, Thomasin McKenzie, Lewis Pullman, Stacy Martin, Tim Blake Nelson & Christopher Abbott. Co-written with her partner in work and in life, Brady Corbet, and following up the monumental success of last year's "The Brutalist," the duo is back with another $10 million indie film, this time about the founding leader of the Shakers religious sect in the 18th century that, unfortunately, never quite caught on after its world premiere at the 2025 Venice International Film Festival, resulting in zero Oscar nominations. This recording was done before that announcement, and there's plenty to discuss besides the film's awards season run, including Amanda Seyfried's career-best performance, the jaw-dropping cinematography, production, and costume design, the ungodly score and songs by Daniel Blumberg (inspired by real-life Shaker hymns), Fastvold's singular direction, and more! Please tune in as we discuss these elements, the writing, and yes, our Oscar hopes for it before the Lord God tooketh away, in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Praise be! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Episode 475, Nadia Dalimonte, Josh Parham, Dan Bayer, Giovanni Lago, Daniel Howat, and Tom O'Brien join me for the year's biggest and most exciting episode to endlessly discuss what we think will be nominated for the 98th Academy Awards. Yes, it's our famous, comprehensive, epic annual final Oscar nomination predictions episode! We recommend you listen to this mammoth-sized episode in three parts: the Shorts categories (4:13), the Below the line categories (1:15:43), and the Above the line categories (3:29:29). There are no fan questions this week and only one trailer discussion for Baz Luhrmann's "EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert." For last week's poll, for the release of "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple," we asked, "Which Is Your Favorite Ralph Fiennes Performance?" And for this week's poll, for the upcoming Oscar nominations, we ask, "Which Film Do You Think Will Be The Next Best Picture Oscar Winner?" Thank you all for listening (no matter what the runtime says), supporting (our Patreon keeps so much of this operation running and could always use your help), and subscribing (every person matters for an independent outlet such as our's). You are the lifeblood that allows us to do what we do, and we cannot thank you enough. Enjoy the nominations this week. Daniel Howat, Cody Dericks, and I will be in Sundance when they drop, but we'll keep you updated with more to come as this year's awards season rolls on. Enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Dead Man's Wire" is an American crime thriller film directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Austin Kolodney, about the 1977 hostage standoff involving Tony Kiritsis and Richard Hall. It stars Bill Skarsgård as Kiritsis, alongside an ensemble cast including Dacre Montgomery as Hall, Cary Elwes, Myha'la, Colman Domingo, and Al Pacino. The film premiered out of competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival and received positive reviews for its performances, direction, and writing. Skarsgård, Montgomery, Elwes, Van Sant and Kolodney were all kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about their work and experiences making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Row K Entertainment. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this week's main podcast review, Katie Johnson, Josh Parham, Dan Bayer, and Giovanni Lago join me to discuss the latest in the "28 Days" franchise, "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple," starring Ralph Fiennes, Jack O'Connell, Alfie Williams, Erin Kellyman & Chi Lewis-Parry. Directed this time by Nia DaCosta with another screenplay in the franchise by Alex Garland (And Danny Boyle serving as a Producer), this is a direct sequel to last year's "28 Years Later,"continuing the stories of Spike and Dr. Ian Kelson in a post-apocalyptic world infected by the rage virus. There is a lot of gore and humanity to be found in this one, with plenty of shocks and surprises. But what did we think of it? Please tune in as we discuss the performances, writing, themes, direction, makeup effects, the needle drops, its awards season potential, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" is a 2026 post-apocalyptic horror film directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Alex Garland. It was shot back-to-back with its predecessor, "28 Years Later," and is the fourth installment in the "28 Days Later" film series. The film stars Ralph Fiennes, Jack O'Connell, Alfie Williams, Erin Kellyman, and Chi Lewis-Parry. Much like "28 Years Later," the film has received acclaim from critics, with praise for Fiennes' and O'Connell's performances, Garland's writing, and DaCosta's direction, with some believing it to be superior to its predecessor. DaCosta and O'Connell were both kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about their work and experiences making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Sony Pictures. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"F1" (marketed as "F1: The Movie") is an American sports drama film starring Brad Pitt as Formula One (F1) racing driver Sonny Hayes, who returns after a 30-year absence to save his former teammate's underdog team, APXGP, from collapse. The film was directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer with a screenplay by Ehren Kruger, following their previous collaboration on "Top Gun: Maverick." The film received positive reviews from critics, became the ninth-highest-grossing film of 2025, and grossed $631.5 million worldwide against a $200–300 million budget. As of 2025, the film is also the highest-grossing auto racing film of all time, the highest-grossing film by Apple Studios, and the highest-grossing film of Pitt's career. The Next Best Picture team was lucky enough to spend some time speaking with various members of the production over the last couple of weeks, including editor Stephen Mirrione, the sound team, which consists of Supervising sound editors Al Nelson and Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Re-recording mixers Gary Rizzo, and Juan Peralta, Production sound mixer Gareth John, and Visual Effects Supervisor Ryan Tudhope. You can listen to the interviews below, and be sure to check out the film, now available to stream on Apple TV and up for your consideration in all eligible categories for the 98th Academy Awards. Thank you and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Sound Of Falling" is a German drama film co-written and directed by Mascha Schilinski. Starring Hanna Heckt, Lena Urzendowsky, Laeni Geiseler, Susanne Wuest, Luise Heyer, and Lea Drinda, it follows four generations of girls connected by a farm in the Altmark region of Germany. The film premiered in competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize. It has been selected as the German entry for Best International Feature Film at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards, making the Oscar shortlist for that category, as well as for Best Cinematography by Fabian Gamper. Mascha Schilinski was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about her work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from MUBI and is up for your consideration for the 98th Academy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Sirāt" is the new film from filmmaker Óliver Laxe, starring Sergi López as a father in search of his missing daughter, along with his son and a group of ravers in the deserts of southern Morocco. The film had its world premiere in the main competition of the 78th Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize. At the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, it was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Original Score. It was also selected as the Spanish submission for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, making the shortlist alongside Best Casting, Cinematography, Original Score, and Sound. Sound Designer Laia Casanovas and Composer Kangding Ray were both kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from NEON and is up for your consideration for the 98th Academy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The Ugly Stepsister" is a 2025 satirical black comedy, body horror film written and directed by Emilie Blichfeldt in her directorial debut. Drawing on the fairy tale "Cinderella," it retells a twisted tale of Elvira, who competes with her beautiful stepsister in a bloody battle for beauty. The film had its world premiere as the opening film of the Midnight section of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and has been shortlisted for Best Makeup & Hairstyling at the 98th Academy Awards. Hair & Makeup Designer Anne Catherine Sauerberg and Prosthetic Makeup Effects Designer Thomas Foldberg were both kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now available to stream on Shudder from Independent Film Company. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Wicked: For Good" is a musical fantasy sequel directed by Jon M. Chu that adapts the second act of the "Wicked" stage musical, itself inspired by Gregory Maguire's reimagining of "The Wizard of Oz." Starring returning cast members Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, and others, the film follows Elphaba and Glinda as they embrace their identities as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. Developed over a decade and split into two films to preserve the story's depth, production faced delays due to the pandemic and the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Released by Universal Pictures in November 2025, the film grossed $523 million worldwide, earned awards recognition from the Critics' Choice Awards and the Golden Globes, and was named one of the top ten films of the year by both the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute. Ever since its release, the Next Best Picture team has been conducting a series of interviews with many people involved in the making of the film, which we're proud to share with you below. First up, we have my interview with the film's director Jon M. Chu, followed Cody Dericks's interview with casting directors Tiffany Little Canfield & Bernard Telsey, then we have my intervew with the film's editor Myron Kerstein, followed by Cody's interview with makeup & hair designer Frances Hannon, then Dan Bayer's interview with sound mixer Simon Hayes, and then we end with Cody's interview with visual effects supervisor Pablo Helman. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now available to rent or own digitally or on physical media from Universal Pictures, and is up for your consideration for this year's Academy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Song Sung Blue" is an American biographical musical drama film written, co-produced, and directed by Craig Brewer. It is based on the 2008 documentary film of the same name by Greg Kohs and stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson as Mike and Claire Sardina, who performed as the Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning & Thunder. The film had its world premiere at the AFI Film Festival, where it received positive reviews, especially for Kate Hudson's performance, with many calling it the best of her career. She has been nominated for the Golden Globe Award and the Actor Award for Best Lead Actress for her performance in the film. Hudson was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about her work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Focus Features. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL EPISODE. Please check out the full podcast episode on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture Following the airing of the 3rd annual Golden Globe Awards on CBS, Daniel Howat, Ema Sasic & Dan Bayer hopped on the podcast to deliver their immediate reactions to the winners from the evening, celebrating the best in film and television for 2025. How did the wins and speeches help shape the Oscar race? What did they think of Nikki Glazer's return to hosting the ceremony? There's plenty to discuss as awards season continues and Oscar voting begins today, with the nominations announcement looming 10 days away. Please tune in as they discuss these points and more in this special, exclusive Patreon episode. Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Episode 474, Katie Johnson, Cody Dericks, Megan Lachinski, and Tom O'Brien join me for this exciting episode to discuss the Critics' Choice Award winners, give our predictions for the Golden Globe Awards, and discuss the fallout of the Actor/PGA/DGA nominations and the BAFTA Longlists as we get closer to the Oscar nominations. For last week's poll, we asked "Which Film Are You Most Looking Forward To In 2026?" And for this week's poll, for the release of "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple," we ask, "Which Is Your Favorite Ralph Fiennes Performance?" We also give our reactions to the trailers for "The Death Of Robin Hood" and "Undertone," answer your fan-submitted questions, and more. Thank you all for listening, supporting, and subscribing. Enjoy as this year's awards season continues. Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this week's main podcast review, Dan Bayer, Giovanni Lago, and Tom O'Brien join me to discuss the killer monkey horror movie "Primate," starring Johnny Sequoyah, Jessica Alexander, and Academy Award winner Troy Kotsur. Directed by Johannes Roberts, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Ernest Riera, the film had its world premiere at Fantastic Fest 2025, where it received positive reviews for its gore effects, the decision to have the rabid chimpanzee portrayed by an actor in a costume rather than created through CGI, and its effective handling of tone with a brisk runtime. What did we think of it though? Please tune in as we discuss these elements and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The Voice Of Hind Rajab" is a docudrama film written and directed by Kaouther Ben Hania. It follows the Red Crescent response to the killing of Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl, by the Israel Defense Forces during the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip. It stars Saja Kilani, Motaz Malhees, Amer Hlehel, and Clara Khoury. The film had its world premiere in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize and other six parallel prizes. It has been selected as the Tunisian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, earning a spot on the Oscar shortlist. At the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, it was nominated for Best Non-English Language Film. Ben Hania was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about her work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Willa. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Familiar Touch" is an independent drama film, written and directed by Sarah Friedland, that stars Kathleen Chalfant as an octogenarian woman transitioning to assisted living, contending with her relationship to herself and her caregivers as she navigates cognitive decline. Billed as a coming of (old) age film, it had its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival in 2024, where it won the Lion of the Future and the Orizzonti section Best Director and Best Actress prizes. Friedland and Chalfant were both kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now available to rent and own from Music Box Films. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL REVIEW. Please check out the full podcast review on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture It's been many years since our last review for "Stranger Things" on the Next Best Picture Podcast. Our Season 4 review went up on July 6th, 2022, and we are here now, all these years later, to discuss the entirety of the final season of Netflix's flagship, global phenomenon of a show. Tune is as we break down Vol I, Vol II, and the still-discussed finale of one of the biggest shows on the planet. Did the ending meet our expectations? What do we think of the performances, the visual effects, the storytelling, and the character arcs for these beloved characters we've been following for nearly a decade? For this epic, final deep dive into the Duffer Brothers' creation, I have Amy Kim, Giovanni Lago, and Daniel Howat joining me to discuss these elements, its Emmy awards season chances, and more in our review. Please take a listen below as we share our full, SPOILER-FILLED thoughts on "Stranger Things" one last time. Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Episode 473, Cody Dericks, Lauren LaMagna, and Dan Bayer join me for this very quick episode on the morning of the Critics' Choice Awards, to give our predictions for what we feel is going to win at tonight's awards ceremony, and what will be nominated for the SAG/PGA/DGA awards this week. We also discuss our most anticipated films of 2026, which is this week's poll: "Which Film Are You Most Looking Forward To In 2026?" We also reveal the winner of last week's poll, for the end of the 2025 film year, "Which Is Your Favorite Film Of 2025?" There are no trailers to discuss this week, but we do answer your fan-submitted questions, and more. Thank you all for listening, supporting, and subscribing. We really appreciate it, even with a breezier episode than usual this week! We'll see you next week to discuss all of these awards, BAFTA Longlists, Golden Globes, and more! Enjoy as this year's awards season continues. Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this week's main podcast review, Sara Clements, Josh Parham, and Cody Dericks join me to discuss the feature directorial debut from Charlie Polinger, "The Plague" starring Everett Blunck, Kayo Martin, Kenny Rasmussen & Joel Edgerton. The film follows a socially anxious 12-year-old boy, who is pulled into a cruel tradition at an all-boys water polo camp. The film had its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it received positive reviews for its writing, direction, performances, and psychologically horrifying craftsmanship. What did we think of this independent film? Please tune in as we discuss these elements, how it brought back a flood of traumatic childhood memories for all of us, its awards season chances, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"We Bury The Dead" is a zombie-survival thriller written and directed by Zak Hilditch, starring Daisy Ridley as a desperate woman searching for her husband in the aftermath of a catastrophic military experiment. Hoping to find him alive, Ava joins a "body retrieval unit," but her search takes a chilling turn when the corpses she's burying start showing signs of life. The film had its world premiere at the 2025 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival and received positive reviews for its premise and Ridley's performance. Ridley was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about her work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Vertical Entertainment. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Flanagan knows horror. Any fan of the genre will tell you that he's one of the most exciting directors working today, creating haunting and uniquely terrifying films like "Oculus," "Gerald's Game," and "Doctor Sleep," not to mention his many Netflix series, including "The Haunting of Hill House" and "The Fall of the House of Usher." His latest film, "The Life of Chuck," may therefore seem like a bit of a departure. It doesn't explicitly aim to scare viewers in the ways that they might expect from a Flanagan production. But as the filmmaker himself would explain, it's a logical continuation of the kinds of stories he likes to explore. Namely, it concerns itself with big thematic topics, like the impact of one person on others and the peculiarities of living a finite existence. It's a moving, expansive film that has the capacity to horrify, stun, and affect its audience just as much as anything he's made before, even if it has no broken-neck ghosts or bathtub-dwelling ghouls. Mike Flanagan was kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about the details of how the Stephen King story that inspired the film came to him at exactly the right time. He also talks about the differences and similarities of telling stories on TV and film, what it's like to adapt King's work, and how he came to work with his son for the very first time. You can listen to this interview below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now available to rent and own through NEON and is up for your consideration at this year's Academy Awards in all eligible categories. Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL REVIEW. Please check out the full podcast review on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture For this week's second podcast review, Ema Sasic and Dan Bayer join me to discuss the latest film from Craig Brewer, "Song Sung Blue" starring Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hensley & John Beckwith. Based on the 2008 documentary film of the same name by Greg Kohs, the film follows Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson as Mike and Claire Sardina, who performed as the Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning & Thunder before their lives took an unexpected turn for the worse. The film premiered at the 2025 AFI Festival to positive reviews, but what did we think of it? Please tune in as we discuss the performances, the tone, music, story, craftsmanship, its awards season chances, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Episode 472, Nadia Dalimonte, Josh Parham, and Dan Bayer join me to say goodbye to the year 2025 at the movies as we discuss our favorite films, performances, moments, scenes, and experiences in this special recap episode ahead of the New Year. For this week's poll, for the end of the year, we're asking everyone: "Which Is Your Favorite Film Of 2025?" We also reveal the winner of last week's poll, for the release of Mona Fastvold's "The Testament Of Ann Lee," where we asked "Which Is Your Favorite Amanda Seyfried Performance?" In addition, we share our reactions to the trailers for "The Odyssey," "Apex," "Nirvanna The Band The Show The Movie," answer your fan-submitted questions, and more. Thank you all for listening, supporting, and subscribing. We really appreciate it and wish you all a happy New Year this week with your family, friends, and loved ones! Enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The Smashing Machine" is a biographical sports drama film written, directed, produced, and edited by Benny Safdie, starring Golden Globe nominee Dwayne Johnson as former amateur wrestler and MMA fighter Mark Kerr, alongside Academy Award nominee Emily Blunt as Kerr's girlfriend Dawn Staples. The film had its world premiere in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, where it won the Silver Lion and received positive reviews for the performances, notably for Johnson's transformational work, brought to life by multi Academy Award-winning prosthetics designer Kazu Hiro. Johnson, Blunt, and Hiro were all kind enough to spend some time speaking with me, Cody Dericks, and Dan Bayer, respectively, about their work and experiences making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now available to rent or own digitally from A24 and is up for your consideration in all eligible categories for this year's Academy Awards. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this week's main podcast review, Katie Johnson, Dan Bayer, and Giovanni Lago join me to discuss the latest film from Josh Safdie, "Marty Supreme" starring Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A'zion, Kevin O'Leary, Tyler Okonma, Abel Ferrara & Fran Drescher. His first solo directing effort since his debut with "The Pleasure of Being Robbed," Josh Safdie delivers a true American sports comedy-drama loosely inspired by the life and career of American table tennis player Marty Reisman. The film had its world premiere as a surprise screening at the New York Film Festival to rave reviews and reactions for its performances, direction, writing, casting, editing, and score, with many hailing it as one of the greatest sports and New York films ever made. What did we think of it? Please tune in as we discuss these elements, its awards season chances, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Marty Supreme" is an American sports comedy-drama film that had its world premiere at the 2025 New York Film Festival as a surprise screening, where it received widespread critical acclaim for its direction, screenplay, performances, casting, score, production design, and editing. Ever since then, the Next Best Picture team has been conducting a series of interviews with nearly everyone associated with the film, which we're proud to share with you below. First up, we have my interview with the film's co-producer, director, co-writer, and co-editor, Josh Safdie, followed by Giovanni Lago's interview with co-producer, co-writer, and co-editor Ronald Bronstein, then we have Cody Dericks's interview with one of the film's stars, Gwyneth Paltrow, followed by Giovanni's interview with another one of the film's stars, Odessa A'zion. Then we have my interview with the film's casting director, Jennifer Venditti. Next, we have Giovanni's series of interviews with cinematographer Darius Khondji, production designer Jack Fisk, and composer Daniel Lopatin. And then we finish with my interview with the film's supervising sound editor, re-recording mixer, and sound designer, Skip Lievsay. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from A24, and is up for your consideration for this year's Academy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The Choral" is a British historical drama film co-produced and directed by Nicholas Hytner and written by Alan Bennett. Set in 1916, during World War I, in the fictional town of Ramsden, Yorkshire, the film follows the members of the local choral society, which recruits a group of teenage boys and girls for a performance of Edward Elgar's "The Dream of Gerontius," a work chosen because a German did not write it. It stars Ralph Fiennes, Roger Allam, Mark Addy, Alun Armstrong, Robert Emms, and Simon Russell Beale. The film had its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where it received positive reviews for its feel-good story and performances. Hytner and Fiennes were both kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about their work and experiences making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Sony Pictures Classics. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The Plague" is a psychological drama-thriller film written and directed by Charlie Polinger in his directorial debut, starring Everett Blunck, Kayo Martin, Kenny Rasmussen, and Joel Edgerton, who is also a producer. The film follows a socially anxious 12-year-old boy who is pulled into a cruel tradition at an all-boys water polo camp. The film had its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it received positive reviews for its direction, writing, and performances from its young stars, receiving three Film Independent Spirit Award nominations for Best Feature, Best Lead Performance (Everett Blunck), and Best Breakthrough Performance (Kayo Martin). Poling, Blunck, and Martin were all kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about their work and experiences making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, now playing in New York and Los Angeles and expanding nationwide on January 2nd, from Independent Film Company. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL REVIEW. Please check out the full podcast review on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture For this week's second podcast review, Ema Sasic, Josh Parham, and Dan Bayer join me to discuss the latest film from Academy Award-nominee Bradley Cooper, "Is This Thing On?" starring Will Arnett, Laura Dern, Andra Day, Amy Sedaris, Sean Hayes, Christine Ebersole, Ciarán Hinds, and Cooper. Loosely inspired by the life of British comedian John Bishop, the film had its world premiere as the closing-night film at the New York Film Festival, receiving positive reviews for Cooper's restrained direction, the writing alongside co-writers Arnett and Mark Chappell, and the performances from Arnett and Dern. What did we think of it? Please tune in as we discuss these elements: the cinematography by Matthew Libatique, the stand-up comedy, Cooper's career trajectory as a director, its awards season chances, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Belushi is an American actor and comedian who has been working in show business since the late 1970's, with many acclaimed roles and projects, and this year may be his proudest yet, as he landed supporting roles in Craig Brewer's "Song Sung Blue" and Kristen Stewart's "The Chronology Of Water." Both films have been seen by festival audiences, with Stewart's film now playing in limited release from The Forge, and Brewer's film set to release on Christmas Day from Focus Features. Belushi is feeling lucky and proud to be a part of two outstanding projects that showcase his range for drama and comedy. Belushi was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making both films, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the films, which are both up for your consideration for this year's awards season in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Avatar: Fire And Ash" is, like the previous two, an incredible technical accomplishment from the sound, visuals, and score; the amazingly talented men and women behind the scenes have once again transported audiences back to Pandora through James Cameron's epic vision. The Next Best Picture team was lucky enough to spend time with a few key people in charge of bringing that vision to life. First up, we have Brendan Hodges's interview with composer Simon Franglen, then we have my interview with production sound mixer Julian Howarth, and then we circle back to Brendan one more time for his discussion with the visual effects team, including EP/Visual Effects Supervisor Richard Baneham, Visual Effects Supervisor Eric Saindon, and Animation Supervisor Dan Barrett. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from 20th Century Studios and is up for your consideration at the 98th Academy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Pillion" is a romantic comedy drama film written and directed by Harry Lighton, based on the 2020 novel Box Hill by Adam Mars-Jones. The film stars Harry Melling as a timid gay man and Alexander Skarsgård as an enigmatic biker who starts a BDSM relationship. The film had its premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the section's Best Screenplay prize and the Palm Dog for Mutt Moment, alongside nominations for the Caméra d'Or and the Queer Palm. The film received further critical acclaim after screening at the Telluride and New York Film Festivals, receiving several nominations and awards, including two British Independent Film Award wins for Best British Independent Film and Best Debut Screenwriter, and a Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Melling was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is playing in the UK from Picturehouse and Warner Bros. Pictures UK and will be released in the US by A24 on February 6th, 2026. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Episode 471, Nadia Dalimonte, Josh Parham, and Tom O'Brien join me for another packed episode of awards season news and developments. This week, we go over the Oscar Shortlists, the USC Scripter Award Nominations, and the major news of the Oscars moving away from ABC and over to YouTube, starting with the 101st ceremony. We also briefly touch upon the tragic passing of legendary filmmaker Rob Reiner. For this week's poll, for the release of Mona Fastvold's "The Testament Of Ann Lee," we're asking everyone: "Which Is Your Favorite Amanda Seyfried Performance?" We also reveal the winner of last week's poll, for the release of James Cameron's "Avatar: Fire And Ash," where we asked "Which Is Your Favorite James Cameron Film?" In addition, we share our reactions to the trailers for "Disclosure Day," "Alpha," "Dreams," "The Sheep Detectives," answer your fan-submitted questions, and more. Thank you all for listening, supporting, and subscribing. We really appreciate it and wish you all happy holidays this week with your family and loved ones! Enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this week's main podcast review, Lauren LaMagna, Josh Parham, Giovanni Lago, Cody Dericks, and Brendan Hodges join me to discuss the latest film from Academy Award-winning filmmaker James Cameron, "Avatar: Fire And Ash" starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Oona Chaplin, Stephen Lang, Sigourney Weaver, Kate Winslet, Jack Chapmion & Britain Dalton. The third film in the multi-billion dollar grossing, global and beloved "Avatar" franchise, this epic, darker film acts as a direct sequel to "Avatar: The Way Of Water" and continues the story of the Sully family and the Na'vi as their conflict with Quaritch and the RDA continues on the alien planet of Pandora. What did we think of it? Please tune in as we discuss the story, performances, character arcs, and payoffs, the action, visual effects, the future of the franchise, its awards season chances, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Avatar: Fire And Ash" is the third entry in the "Avatar" franchise from Academy Award-winning director James Cameron, that continues the story of Jake Sully, Neytiri and their children as they continue to face opposition from Quaritch and the RDA on Pandora. The film utilizes state of the art technology, visual effects and performance capture to bring the world and its characters to life in a way that has so far amassed over $5.2 billion worldwide, becoming a global phenomenon and further solidifying Cameron as the kind of not only Hollywood, but of the world. Cameron was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the third film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from 20th Century Studios. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Cover-Up" is an American documentary film produced and directed by Laura Poitras and Mark Obenhaus. It explores the investigative journalism career of Seymour Hersh, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who covered the U.S. Army torture scandals during the Vietnam War and the Iraq War. The film had its world premiere out of competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival and later screened at the Telluride, Toronto, and New York Film Festivals, where it continued to receive praise, resulting in nominations for Best Documentary Feature at the Critics' Choice, PGA, and Cinema Eye Honors. Poitras and Obenhaus were both kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which will be released in select theaters on December 19th before arriving on Netflix on December 26th. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices