Mon, 3 February 2025
On episode 273 of The AwardsWatch Podcast, Executive Editor Ryan McQuade is joined by AwardsWatch contributors Jay Ledbetter and Josh Parham to go back 25 years and take a look at the 73rd Academy Awards, covering the films of 2000.
The state of the new millennium say the Oscar get nostalgic as Ridley Scott’s swords and sandals epic, Gladiator, took home the top prize of the night, alongside Best Actor and a couple wins in the technical categories. A giant hit from the summer, the film took down an international film sensation in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, two films from Steven Soderbergh in Traffic and Erin Brockovich, and the sleeper, delightful indie film Chocolat. Overall, it was a descent list of nominees and winners that represented a shift from the indie films that dominated the 1990s, and the more populist films that would become winners in the early 2000s.
In their in-depth discussion, the AW team talked about the film year of 2000, briefly discuss talk about Gladiator as a Best Picture winner, do an extensive conversation over the below the line categories and nominees for the year, and then the new version of the AW Shoulda Woulda Coulda game, where instead of individual replacements, they must decide as a group who the nominees and winners should be in the top eight categories. The rules of the game state they can only replace two of the nominees that year from each category, except in Best Picture, where the group could replace up to three films to make up the final set of five nominated films. Like past retrospective episodes, it was a fascinating, fun conversation including spirited debates, alliances, vote swinging, celebrating various movies, performances that aren’t normally talked about and more that we all hope you enjoy.
You can listen to The AwardsWatch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.
This podcast runs 2h14m. We will be back next week for a recap the winners from Critics Choice, DGA and PGA as the Oscar race starts to narrow before final winner voting begins. Till then, let’s get into it.
Music: “Modern Fashion” from AShamaleuvmusic (intro), “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro). |
Thu, 30 January 2025
![]() Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 83 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by Awards Connection writer Andrew Carden to discuss the next film in their Mike Nichols series, Carnal Knowledge (1971).
After starting off on a hot streak with his first two films, Mike Nichols hit a bit of bad luck for his third film, with an adaptation of the renowned novel Catch-22. Considering it was released after the smash hit that was Robert Altman’s M*A*S*H, audiences didn’t respond to the film at all, but the following year, audience did discuss Nichols’ fourth film, the controversial Carnal Knowledge. Focusing on the troubled relationship between two men who meet in college, become friends, and their journey through the sexual relationships they have and share along the way. Might sound like a simple summary but the film is far thornier with the way these men and their relationship with each other and others evolve as the film plays out; making for a fascinating film. Ryan, Jay, and Andrew break down their thoughts on the film, Nicholson’s unhinged performance, the idea of an unlikeable protagonist, Ann-Margret’s vulnerable work, the film’s battle with censorship, the final, controversial scene of the movie, and more.
You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.
This podcast runs 1h45m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Mike Nichols with a review of his next film, Silkwood. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.
Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro). |
Mon, 27 January 2025
On episode 272 of The AwardsWatch Podcast, Executive Editor Ryan McQuade is joined by AwardsWatch contributor Trace Sauveur to talk about the latest film from Steven Soderbergh, Presence, and discuss the Top 5 film from the acclaimed director. Some of the films covered in the Top 5 range from Ocean’s Eleven, Contagion, Magic Mike, Kimi, Out of Sight, and more.
You can listen to The AwardsWatch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.
This podcast runs 1h23m. We will be back next week with an Oscar retrospective on the 73rd Academy Awards, covering the films of 2000. Till then, let’s get into it.
Music: “Modern Fashion” from AShamaleuvmusic (intro), “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro). |
Fri, 24 January 2025
Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision-making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 82 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch contributor Cody Dericks to discuss the final film in their Mike Nichols series, The Graduate (1967).
Just a year after his impressive, celebrated debut film, Mike Nichols returned with one of the most important American films of all time; an era defining feature film that is still as vital, thorny, and thematically rich as it was in the late 1960s. The Graduate was a signature film that ushered in what would become the “New Hollywood,” and showcased a generational anxiety of growing up and growing beyond the ease of one’s college life, and the refusal to want to accept your place in the world. It also is a hilarious comedy featuring sexy, memorable performances anchored by the most confident, boundary-pushing directorial work from Nichols in his career. Simply put, it is a masterpiece. Ryan, Jay, and Cody break down their thoughts on the film, Nichol’s camera work, their favorite moments of hilarity, the iconic soundtrack, the film’s remarkable ending, the films of 1967, the relationship dynamics found in the film and share where they were at in their life post their time in school.
You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.
This podcast runs 1h52m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Mike Nichols with a review of his next film, Carnal Knowledge. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.
Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro). |
Fri, 24 January 2025
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Thu, 23 January 2025
2025 Oscar nominations for the 97th Academy Awards have been revealed and on episode 271 of the AwardsWatch podcast Editor-In-Chief Erik Anderson is joined by Executive Editor Ryan McQuade and Associate Editor Sophia Ciminello to break down everything that went down.
From the field best 13 nominations for Emilia Pérez (is this finally their Oscar Best Picture win?) to how The Brutalist, Wicked and Anora played out, the gang look at who is the frontrunner as we enter the second phase of awards season, who falls and our favorite nominations of the day. We try and crack some of those '5th spot' nominations like Fernanda Torres over Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Sebastian Stan over Daniel Craig and much more.
For ways to donate or help with the ongoing fires in Los Angeles and their aftermath, go here.
You can listen to The AwardsWatch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.
This podcast runs 57m. We'll be back next week to talk about our favorite Steven Soderbergh films and our thoughts on his newest, Presence. |
Thu, 16 January 2025
![]() Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 81 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by 'Keep It' cohost and 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' writer Emmy nominee Louis Virtel (for writing the Oscars, no less), to discuss the first film in their Mike Nichols series, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966).
New year, new series, as the guys take a stroll down the career of one of the most famous, influential directors of the last sixty years, Mike Nichols. Known for his excellent reputation with actors and his work on the stage, Nichols first came on the film scene with one of the best debuts in cinema history with the explosive adaptation of the great American play, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Following the events of one evening spent with two couples, one being much more naive than the other, we watch a thrilling chess match of devilish wit, psychological damage, and imploding relationships bubble to incendiary results, with four incredible performances at the center of it. Ryan, Jay, and Louis break down their thoughts on the film, Nichols’ rise to becoming a director, Burton and Taylor’s relationship on and off screen, the historical relevance of this film, the importance of going to sleep, and more.
You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.
This podcast runs 1h35m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Mike Nichols with a review of his next film, 1967's The Graduate. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.
Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro). |
Mon, 13 January 2025
On episode 270 of The AwardsWatch Podcast, Executive Editor Ryan McQuade is joined by Editor-In-Chief Erik Anderson and AwardsWatch contributors Karen Peterson and Mark Johnson to give out their final Oscar nomination predictions for the 97th Academy Awards.
You can listen to The AwardsWatch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.
This podcast runs 3h23m. We will be back next week with a brand new episode. Till then, let’s get into it.
Music: “Modern Fashion” from AShamaleuvmusic (intro), “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro). |
Fri, 10 January 2025
Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 80 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by film critic Ema Sasic to discuss the final film in their Nancy Meyers series, The Intern (2015).
It’s hard to imagine that the Nancy Meyers’ series is already coming to an end, as the director feels like she has so many stories to tell, but alas here the boys are with the (for now) final film in the director’s filmography. Six years after her last film, Meyers returned with a workplace dramedy about a retired widower that signs up to becoming a ‘senior intern’ for an up and coming, online clothing company. Over the course of the film, we see generations collide and a true friendship arise, making for one of the most delightful, heartwarming entries in the series so far, and one of Meyers’ best films to date. Ryan, Jay, and Ema break down their thoughts on the film, if Meyers is a fan of Workaholics, how genuine these characters are, riding a bike in the office, Robert De Niro’s incredible performance, why people need to stop hating on the great Anne Hathaway, and why the world needs more Nancy Meyers movies. They boys also give their personal ranking of Meyers’ filmography and announce the next director movie series they will be covering.
You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.
This podcast runs 1h48m. The guys will be back next week to begin their series on the films of Mike Nichols with a review of his first film, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.
Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro). |
Mon, 6 January 2025
On episode 269 of The AwardsWatch Podcast, Editor-In-Chief Erik Anderson, Executive Editor Ryan McQuade and Associate Editor Sophia Ciminello discuss the winners of the 2025 Golden Globes and how they will impact the Oscar race.
You can listen to The AwardsWatch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.
This podcast is brought to you by Orion Pictures’ Nickel Boys, from director RaMell Ross. Nominated for five Critics Choice Awards; Best Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor for Supporting Actress, Best Director and Best Picture. Named “The best film of the year” by The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Indiewire, Boston Globe, and The New York Times. For Your Consideration in all categories including Best Picture.
This podcast runs 1h45m. We will be back next week to announce our final Oscar nomination predictions.
Music: “Modern Fashion” from AShamaleuvmusic (intro), “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro). |
Thu, 2 January 2025
Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 79 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly Content Update Editor and host of the And the Runner Up Is podcast, to discuss the latest film in their Nancy Meyers series, It’s Complicated (2009).
Divorce can be really tough, but getting back with your ex while he is married to the woman he left you for…sounds complicated. This is the premise to the latest film from Nancy Meyers, about a successful bakery owner who starts an affair with her ex-husband while also becoming romantically involved with her architect that is building her the kitchen she’s always wanted. If you are thinking this is the ultimate Nancy Meyers fever dream of a film, well you would be one hundred percent correct, and it’s a lot of fun. Ryan, Jay, Kevin break down their thoughts on the film, just how complicated this movie is, how this narrative could connect to Meyer’s own life, smoking in the guest bathroom, Streep’s killer comedic performance, how Baldwin and Martin work alongside her in the film, the elegant kitchen at the center of this film and how it doesn’t need to be replaced.
You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.
This podcast runs 1h36m. The guys will be back next week to finish their series on the films of Nancy Meyers with a review of her film, The Intern. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.
Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).
Direct download: Director_Watch_ItsComplicated.mp3
Category:Director Watch -- posted at: 12:21pm PST |