There are several people I interact with online that I wished lived closer. These are people I wish I could grab a beer with and argue about film, and people who I could call up and say “Hey, let’s go see this movie tonight!”.

My guest on Episode 104 is just such a person.

I don’t just say this because she’s a good sport and super-smart. I say this because the lass has fan-fucking-tastic taste in film, and her taste is infectious.

As has become the tradition around the joint, she drops by to discuss Oscar nominees. And what a discussion it is! Spike Jonze, Leo DiCaprio, Matthew McConaughey, Cate Blanchett, Lupita Nyong’o, Sally Hawkins, and that’s just for starters. There were few surprises in the nomination stage, but it didn’t make for any sort of shortage in discussion.

Speaking of that discussion, once or twice, you’ll hear me mention an Oscar preview post. The post and all its crazy theories can be found here if you’re curious.

So get comfy (this episode is long), but we don’t waste a single second.

Here’s what’s in store in episode one-hundred-and-four…

Runtime
84 minutes

Up for Discussion

1. Introduction
2. KNOW YOUR ENEMY – Q & A with this episode’s guest, Marya Gates from Cinema Fanatic. (2:30)
3. Rundown of the nominees for all acting categories, screenplay, directing and best picture (14:35)
4. Omissions and trends (60:02)
5. Early predictions (77:38)

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Comments and feedback are welcome, and thank-you very much for listening.

Enjoy!

10 Replies to “Episode 104 – 86TH OSCAR NOMINEES

  1. “her taste is infectious”. Sorry, I just can’t agree with this.
    I was a little saddened to hear several movies I liked a lot getting a lot of negativity here, films such as Philomena and Captain Phillips, actors like Jennifer Lawrence. Just to pick a few examples. Our tastes just don’t seem to overlap all that much and I was a bit frustrated at times wanting to talk back when it got negative again. It appeared to me as if movies with older actors got particularly much negativity here.

    This aside, it was – as always – a perfectly enjoyable episode. It was great that both of you had managed to see so many of the nominated films!

    There are ever so many podcasts that talk about Oscar-nominations, but Matinee is always one of my top choices thanks to… I can’t pinpoint it, but there’s something about the atmosphere I think. You always feel as if you’re at home with friends. Either you agree or not.

    1. I should have specified – Marya’s taste overall is infectious. Where new releases are concerned she and I disagree now and then (listen for my amusement at her AMERICAN HUSTLE dislike), but few people have pointed me towards more classics that I’ve flat-out *loved* than Marya.

      Somewhat ironic that I continually turn to someone younger than me for recommendations on films on=lder than both of us.

      As for the films you love, I actually don’t dislike any of those films. I liked Philomena, loved Captain Phillips, and adore Jennifer Lawrence. What I was trying to focus on here was each film’s chances in this race and how they got here. That’s what fascinates me most – regardless of my take on each of the films, as autumn turns to spring they slide up and down the chart like stocks. Heck, even in the three days since Marya and I recorded, certain actors and films are sitting in better position to win.

      Sorry – didn’t mean to make ya grumpy!

  2. This is the first matinee I tuned into and really enjoyed it haha. Been following Marya on Tumblr for a looong time and these kind of conversations are great to hear. I definitely am going to be trying to keep up to date on these since this is the first Oscar race I have been tracking… I haven’t been able to catch all the nominees though unfortunately.

    1. Welcome to The Matinee, Scott!

      One of these days, I’ll have to get Marya on for a “normal episode”, one where we review a new release and talk other associated films. As for this year’s Oscar race, you’re coming in at a great moment because for the first time in a l-o-o-o-n-n-n-g time, it’s wide open. “How wide open?” you ask? This weekend, the Producer’s Guild handed out their awards. The PGA are a signpost for what could happen at Oscar since many members of the PGA also have an Oscar vote. What’s more, the PGA uses the same balloting system that Oscar does (where second place votes, third place votes, etc play a factor in the final tally).

      Back to the question of “how wide open”, the PGA Awards turned in A TIE for best picture between Gravity and 12 Years a Slave!

      This Oscar race is gonna go down to the wire!

    2. Oh, I know! I’ve been following Gold Derby lately so I definitely know the significance… not to mention American Hustle taking SAG… anyways, I’m super stoked with how close it is, especially since I was able to catch both Gravity and 12 Years a Slave, both being on my radar for a while is just icing on the cake (I remember reading articles about Angelina Jolie and Robert Downey Jr. being attached to Gravity haha).

      American Hustle isn’t showing at my theater anymore so I probably won’t get in the top three in the race thus far but I’m hopefully seeing Her later today.

    3. That seems sorta nutty that your theatre would cough up Hustle in the run-up to the Oscars. Not only would one assume it would get a bump in business because of the noms, but what the hell else is playing right now that’s a better draw?

      The only weird thing about this year’s race is the gap in-between the precursors and Oscar night. Almost all of the guild awards have been handed out already, but we still have over a month to cool our heels and see how this all plays out!

      PS – If you’re interested, new episode drops on Monday where we discuss August: Osage County

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