The Oscars Got It Wrong

We are on Round 2 of our 1992 16-film bracket! We'll discuss the losers from the quarterfinals this week.

The nominees were: The Crying Game, A Few Good Men, Howards End, Scent of a Woman, and Unforgiven

The films we added were: The Player, Glengarry Glen Ross, Daughters of the Dust, Mississippi Masala, Reservoir Dogs, Delicatessan, Malcolm X, My Cousin Vinny, and Chaplin

Our two fun winners were: A League of Their Own and Sister Act

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

...

It's been a while, but we're doing another 16 movie tournament - this time for 1992. We took the Academy's nominees, added our two fun Oscars winners, and 9 other films. Why have we done this?!?!? In this episode, we discuss the losers from Round 1.

The nominees were: The Crying Game, A Few Good Men, Howards End, Scent of a Woman, and Unforgiven

The films we added were: The Player, Glengarry Glen Ross, Daughters of the Dust, Mississippi Masala, Reservoir Dogs, Delicatessan, Malcolm X, My Cousin Vinny, and Chaplin

Our two fun winners were: A League...

We have another "Fun Oscars'" episode for 1992. We'll once again consider the following: What if this were a universe where what was fun was good? Instead of covering the best picture nominees plus other critically acclaimed films, we’ll be looking at films that are just fun from 1992.

So please, join us, as we enter an alternate reality where fun is good.

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

Timestamps are approximate:

10:20 - 3 Ninjas

17:10 - Wayne's World

23:50 - Aladdin

We're covering the winners from our 90th Academy Awards bracket.

The nominees were: Call Me By Your Name; Darkest Hour; Dunkirk; Get Out; Lady Bird; Phantom Thread; The Post; The Shape of Water; and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

The films we added were: Coco; The Florida Project; and I, Tonya

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

2:20 - Lady Bird

13:45 - I, Tonya

26:05 - The Florida Project

37:05 - Phantom Thread

49:35 - Get Out

It's the 90th Academy Awards or the films of 2017. This was a 9 nominee year so we had to add at least one additional film and that would have been reasonable. However, we decided to add 3 films instead for a 12-movie mini-tournament. We'll be talking about the losers from the matchups in this episode.

The nominees were: Call Me By Your Name; Darkest Hour; Dunkirk; Get Out; Lady Bird; Phantom Thread; The Post; The Shape of Water; and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

The films we added were: Coco; The Florida Project; and I, Tonya

We're wrapping up our discussion of the 58th Academy Awards or the films of 1985 with the winners from our 10-film bracket.

The nominees were: The Color Purple, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Out of Africa, Prizzi's Honor, and Witness.

The films we added were: After Hours, Back to the Future, Blood Simple, Desert Hearts and Ran.

Note: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

2:20 - Ran

13:20 - Back to the Future

23:05 - Witness

29:50 - After Hours

40:20...

We're covering the 58th Academy Awards or the films of 1985. We added five films to the five nominees for another 10 movie mini tournament. We'll be talking about the losers from the matchups in this episode.

The nominees were: The Color Purple, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Out of Africa, Prizzi's Honor, and Witness.

The films we added were: After Hours, Back to the Future, Blood Simple, Desert Hearts and Ran.

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

Timestamps are approximate:

6:40...

We're back in the 80s, so it's time for another "Fun Oscars'" episode. We'll once again consider the following: What if this were a universe where what was fun was good? Instead of covering the best picture nominees plus other critically acclaimed films, we’ll be looking at films that are just fun from 1984.

So please, join us, as we enter an alternate reality where fun is good.

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

Timestamps are approximate:

8:05 - The Peanut Butter Solution

This episode is actually EXTRA special because it is our 100th episode AND we've completed our first decade! We'll be doing some movie watching clean up, taking a look back at our experience of the decade, and chatting about what we've learned about the early days of cinema.

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

Timestamps are approximate:

2:00 - Movies we missed

We appreciated Metropolis. We adored Nosferatu. Before we bid adieu to the 1920's we want to spend a little more time exploring German Expressionism. So we did.

We review the films in chronological order.

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

Timestamps are approximate:

2:00 - The Golem: How He Came Into the World (1920)

12:30 - The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1921)

24:10 - Greed (1924)

39:35 - The Last Laugh (1925)

52:05 - Waxworks (1926)

1:03:35 - Faust (1926)

1:20:10 - The...

We're covering our last Academy Awards of the 20's! The nominees were: Alibi, The Broadway Melody, The Hollywood Review of 1929, In Old Arizona, and The Patriot*. We also discuss the non-nominees The Cameraman and The Wild Party and briefly touch on Steamboat Willie.

*The Patriot is the only lost Best Picture nominee, so we did not cover it. Because we couldn't. So...there's that.

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

Timestamps are approximate:

16:30 - Alibi

22:55 - The Hollywood Review of 1929<...

This episode we're covering the 50th Academy Awards or the films of 1977. The nominees were: Annie Hall, The Goodbye Girl, Julia, Star Wars, and The Turning Point. We also watch the non-nominees Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Sorcerer.

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

Timestamps are approximate:

11:45 - The Goodbye Girl

18:00 - Julia

28:05 - The Turning Point

39:05 - Annie Hall

55:00 - Star Wars

1:11:45 - Should something else have been nominated?

We're finishing up our discussion of the 57th Academy Awards or the films of 1984 with the winners from our 10-film bracket.

The nominees were: Amadeus, The Killing Fields, A Passage to India, Places in the Heart, and A Soldier's Story.

The films we added were: Ghostbusters, This is Spinal Tap, and The Cotton Club.

Our two Fun Oscars winners are: Footloose and The NeverEnding Story.

Note: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

2:45 - This is Spinal Tap

11:00 - The...

We're covering the 57th Academy Awards or the films of 1984. This was another 5 nominee year, but we've added 3 additional films and our two Fun Oscars winners. We'll be talking about the losers from the matchups in this episode.

The nominees were: Amadeus, The Killing Fields, A Passage to India, Places in the Heart, and A Soldier's Story.

The films we added were: Ghostbusters, This is Spinal Tap, and The Cotton Club.

Our two Fun Oscars winners are: Footloose and The NeverEnding Story.

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots...

Since we're about to cover 1984, we've got to do another "Fun Oscars'" episode. We'll once again consider the following: What if this were a universe where what was fun was good? Instead of covering the best picture nominees plus other critically acclaimed films, we’ll be looking at films that are just fun from 1984.

So please, join us, as we enter an alternate reality where fun is good.

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

Timestamps are approximate:

8:40 - Purple Rain

14:30...

We're wrapping up our discussion of the 38th Academy Awards or the films of 1965 with the winners from our bracket.

The nominees were: Darling, Doctor Zhivago, Ship of Fools, The Sound of Music, and A Thousand Clowns

The films we added were: The Nanny, The Pawnbroker, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, and Woman in the Dunes

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

1:55 - Woman in the Dunes

12:00 - A Thousand Clowns

25:05...

We're covering the 38th Academy Awards or the films of 1965. This was a 5 nominee year, but we've added 5 additional film for a 10 movie mini-tournaments. We'll be talking about the losers from the matchups in this episode.

The nominees were: Darling, Doctor Zhivago, Ship of Fools, The Sound of Music, and A Thousand Clowns

The films we added were: The Nanny, The Pawnbroker, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, and Woman in the Dunes

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we...

We're wrapping up our discussion of the films nominated for the upcoming 98th Academy Awards. The nominees this year were: Bugonia, F1, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, Sentimental Value, Sinners, The Secret Agent, and Train Dreams.

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

Timestamps are approximate:

2:15 - The Secret Agent

12:35 - Sinners

31:00 - Sentimental Value

38:55 - Bugonia

48:30 - One Battle After Another

Best Picture Discussion

We're covering the films for the upcoming 98th Academy Awards. Maybe we're losing it guys, but we had a tough time for the most part this year, so, uh, fair warning. The nominees this year were: Bugonia, F1, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, Sentimental Value, Sinners, The Secret Agent, and Train Dreams.

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

Timestamps are approximate:

4:05 - Round 1 Match-Ups and Deciding Winners and Losers

Losers Discussion

We're back to kick off Season 5! In this episode we're covering the 31st Academy Awards or the films of 1958. The nominees were: Auntie Mame, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Defiant Ones, Gigi, and Separate Tables. We also talk about non-nominees Grease and Halloween.

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

Timestamps are approximate:

7:55 - Auntie Mame

16:00 - Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

31:20 - Separate Tables

42:25 - Gigi

53:05 - The Defiant Ones

1:08:15...

Another year gone! That's right, it's time for our Season 4 Stats episode. 0

After this episode we'll be taking our usual holiday break, but we'll be back in February 2026!

NOTE: This episode contains spoilers for some previously discussed films. All time stamps are approximate.

1:00 - Section 1: Overview of Season 4

3:35 - Section 2: Things we're tracking

24:55 - Section 3: Our ratings (nominees only)

51:25 - Section 4: A qualitative discussion

1:14:40 - Next Time

--------------------------

Want to know...

We're wrapping up our coverage of the 69th Academy Awards or the films of 1996 with the losers from our 10-film bracket.

The nominees were: The English Patient, Fargo, Jerry Maguire, Secrets & Lies, and Shine

The films we added were: Big Night, Chungking Express, and Lone Star.

Our two Fun Oscars winners are: The Rock and That Thing You Do!.

Note: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

2:10 - The Rock

13:15 - Jerry Maguire

24:40 - Lone Star

40:25...

We're covering the 69th Academy Awards (nice) or the films of 1996. This was a 5 nominee year, but we've added 3 additional films and our two Fun Oscars winners. We'll be talking about the losers from the matchups in this episode.

The nominees were: The English Patient, Fargo, Jerry Maguire, Secrets & Lies, and Shine

The films we added were: Big Night, Chungking Express, and Lone Star.

Our two Fun Oscars winners are: The Rock and That Thing You Do!.

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we...

90's again, so we're doing another "Fun Oscars'" episode where we consider the following: What if this were a universe where what was fun was good? Instead of covering the best picture nominees plus other critically acclaimed films, we’ll be looking at films that are just fun from 1996. 

So please, join us, as we enter an alternate reality where fun is good.

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

Timestamps are approximate:

8:10 - Bottle Rocket

17:15 - Swingers

23:45 - Mis...

We're covering the winners from our 10-movie bracket for the 79th Academy Awards or the films of 2006.

The nominees were: Babel, The Departed, Letters from Iwo Jima, Little Miss Sunshine, and the Queen.

The films we added were: Children of Men, Half Nelson, The Last King of Scotland, The Lives of Others, and Pan's Labyrinth.

Note: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

2:15 - The Queen

11:25 - Pan's Labyrinth

22:40 - The Lives of Others

35:45 - The Departed

We're covering the 79th Academy Awards or the films of 2006. This was a 5 nominee year, but we've added 5 additional film for a 10 movie mini-tournaments. We'll be talking about the losers from the matchups in this episode.

The nominees were: Babel, The Departed, Letters from Iwo Jima, Little Miss Sunshine, and the Queen.

The films we added were: Children of Men, Half Nelson, The Last King of Scotland, The Lives of Others, and Pan's Labyrinth.

Wa wa wee wa we also talk about Borat.

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full...

This week we're covering the 20th Academy Awards or the films of 1947. The nominees were: The Bishop's Wife, Crossfire, Gentleman's Agreement, Great Expectations, and Miracle on 34th Street. We did no additional movies this year. Weird.

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

Timestamps are approximate:

10:55 - The Bishop's Wife

22:20 - Crossfire

33:25 - Great Expectations

46:55 - Miracle on 34th Street

58:00 - Gentleman's Agreement

1:18:10 - Did the Oscars get it wrong?

1:18:30 - Jake Gyllenhaal...

We're back in a split year for the 3rd Academy Awards. Films that premiered between August 1, 1929 and July 31, 1930 were eligible for this one. The nominees were: All Quiet on the Western Front, The Big House, Disraeli, The Divorcee, and The Love Parade. We also cover Hallelujah, which is one of the earliest studio films with an all-black cast.

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

Timestamps are approximate:

11:05 - The Big House

20:10 - Disraeli

29:55 - The Divorcee

39:55 - The...

We're finishing up the 66th Academy Awards or the films of 1993. We did another 10 movie mini-tournament and will be talking about the winners this episode.

The nominees were: The Fugitive, In the Name of the Father, The Piano, Remains of the Day, Schindler's List

The films we added were: Philadelphia, Jurassic Park, What's Eating Gilbert Grape

Our fun winners were: Groundhog Day and Mrs. Doubtfire

Note: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

2:10 - Philadelphia

17:10 - Remains of the Day<...

We're covering the 66th Academy Awards or the films of 1993. There were 5 nominees this year, but we added three more and brought in our two fun winners from the last episode to make this a 10 film 2-parter. We'll discuss the losers from the bracket this episode.

The nominees were: The Fugitive, In the Name of the Father, The Piano, Remains of the Day, Schindler's List

The films we added were: Philadelphia, Jurassic Park, What's Eating Gilbert Grape

Our fun winners were: Groundhog Day and Mrs. Doubtfire

Note: SPOILERS - we talk...

We're back in the 90s so it's time for another "Fun Oscars'" episode, where we consider the following: What if this were a universe where what was fun was good? Instead of covering the best picture nominees plus other critically acclaimed films, we’ll be looking at films that are just fun from 1993. 

So please, join us, as we enter an alternate reality where fun is good.

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

Timestamps are approximate:

8:10 - Addams Family Values

14:45 - S...

We are finishing up our discussion of the 5th Academy Awards or the films of 1931/32. We cover the winners from our 10-movie mini-tournament in this episode.

The nominees were: Arrowsmith, Bad Girl, The Champ, Five Star Final, Grand Hotel, One Hour With You, Shanghai Express, The Smiling Lieutenant

The films we added were: Scarface and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Note: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

Timestamps are approximate:

1:50 - Bad Girl

12:00 - Shanghai Express

21:05...

We are covering the 5th Academy Awards or the films of 1931/32. There were 8 nominees this year so we added 2 more to make a 10 movie 2-parter. We cover the losers in this episode. We also chat about a short film: Laurel and Hardy's "The Music Box."

The nominees were: Arrowsmith, Bad Girl, The Champ, Five Star Final, Grand Hotel, One Hour With You, Shanghai Express, The Smiling Lieutenant

The films we added were: Scarface and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Note: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we...

We're really getting into it with the 71st Academy Awards or the films of 1998 in this episode. This is probably one of the most controversial Oscar years and (fair warning) maybe our most controversial opinion? Either way, we're wrapping up the expanded 10-film tournament this episode.

The nominees were: Elizabeth, Life is Beautiful, Saving Private Ryan, Shakespeare in Love, and The Thin Red Line.

The films we added were: The Big Lebowski, The Truman Show, and Waking Ned Devine.

Our fun winners were: Rushmore and Ever After.

Note: SPOILERS - we...

We're wading into one of the most controversial Oscar years with the 71st Academy Awards or the films of 1998. There were 5 nominees this year, but we added three more and brought in our two fun winners from the last episode to make this a 10 film 2-parter.

The nominees were: Elizabeth, Life is Beautiful, Saving Private Ryan, Shakespeare in Love, and The Thin Red Line.

The films we added were: The Big Lebowski, The Truman Show, and Waking Ned Devine.

Our fun winners were: Rushmore and Ever After.

Note: SPOILERS - we...

Consider the following: What if this were a universe where what was fun was good? That’s what we’ll be exploring in this episode. Instead of covering the best picture nominees plus other critically acclaimed films, we’ll be looking at films that are just fun from 1998. 

So please, join us, as we enter an alternate reality where fun is good.

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

Timestamps are approximate:

8:15 - Armageddon (+ Deep Impact)

We're finishing our coverage of the 37th Academy Awards or the films of 1964. We're talking about the winners from our 10 movie mini-tournament.

The nominees were: Becket; Dr. Strangelove, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb; Mary Poppins; My Fair Lady; and Zorba the Greek.

The films we added were: The Americanization of Emily; A Hard Day's Night; Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte; Seven Days in May; and Topkapi

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.

Timestamps are approximate:

2:40...

We're covering the 37th Academy Awards or the films of 1964. This was a 5 nominee year, but we've added 5 additional films (for 1964?!?) to make this one of our 10 movie mini-tournaments. We'll be talking about the losers from the matchups in this episode.

The nominees were: Becket; Dr. Strangelove, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb; Mary Poppins; My Fair Lady; and Zorba the Greek.

The films we added were: The Americanization of Emily; A Hard Day's Night; Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte; Seven Days in May; and Topkapi

Notes: SPOILERS - we...

We're wrapping up our discussion of the 11th Academy Awards or the films of 1938. There were 10 nominees this year and we added two more for a 12-movie mini-tournament. We'll be talking about the winners this episode.

The nominees were: The Adventures of Robin Hood, Alexander's Ragtime Band, Boys Town, The Citadel, Four Daughters, Grand Illusion, Jezebel, Pygmalion, Test Pilot, You Can't Take it With You.

The films we added were: Bringing Up Baby and Angels with Dirty Faces

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.<...

We're back in the 30's covering the 11th Academy Awards or the films of 1938. There were 10 nominees this year and we added two more for a 12-movie mini-tournament. We'll be talking about the losers this episode.

The nominees were: The Adventures of Robin Hood, Alexander's Ragtime Band, Boys Town, The Citadel, Four Daughters, Grand Illusion, Jezebel, Pygmalion, Test Pilot, You Can't Take it With You.

The films we added were: Bringing Up Baby and Angels with Dirty Faces

Notes: SPOILERS - we talk through the full plots of all the movies we cover.<...