Oscar Bait Reborn: 'Hustlers' Cashes In, 'The Goldfinch' Flops Hard, and 'Jojo Rabbit' Hops into the Best Picture Race | The Oscars Show
Sep 17, 2019
auto_awesome
'Jojo Rabbit' is discussed as a potential Oscar winner after its TIFF win. 'Hustlers' success and 'The Goldfinch' flop reevaluate 'Oscar Bait'. Matt Tyrnauer, filmmaker, joins to talk 'Where's My Roy Cohn?' and the controversial lawyer's connections to McCarthy and Trump.
'Jojo Rabbit' is likely to be a strong contender for the Oscars based on its audience award at TIFF and comparisons to past winners like 'Green Book' and 'Three Billboards'.
'Hustlers' has been a box office success, highlighting the disconnect between commercial success and the traditional idea of 'Oscar Bait'.
'The Goldfinch' failed as an adaptation of a Pulitzer-winning novel, lacking depth and coherence in conveying the themes of grief and art.
The documentary 'Where's My Roy Cohn?' explores the life and impact of the controversial lawyer and political operator, shedding light on his connections to figures like Joseph McCarthy and Donald Trump.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of uncovering hidden histories and counter narratives, such as those explored in 'Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood', to challenge traditional Hollywood narratives and understand the industry better.
Deep dives
The Goldfinch: A Misshapen Adaptation of a Beloved Book
The Goldfinch is a disappointing adaptation of Donna Tartt's Pulitzer-winning novel. The plot, which revolves around a young boy's quest to find himself after his mother's death, is poorly conveyed and lacks depth. The movie struggles to connect the episodic events and fails to capture the themes of grief and art that made the book compelling. Despite its talented cast, including Nicole Kidman and Ansel Elgort, the film falls flat and fails to live up to its potential.
Joker: A Polarizing Film with Uncertain Awards Potential
Joker is a divisive film that has received mixed reactions. Its box office success and Joaquin Phoenix's performance have garnered attention, but its dark and controversial themes may make it a challenging contender for awards. The film's impact on the superhero genre and its unconventional approach to comic book storytelling could make it an interesting player in this year's awards season.
Parasite: A Critically Acclaimed South Korean Sensation
Parasite, a South Korean film directed by Bong Joon-ho, has been praised for its unique storytelling and social commentary. With its positive reception at film festivals and strong word-of-mouth, it has established itself as a potential contender for Best Picture. The film explores themes of social class and inequality in a captivating and thought-provoking way.
The Irishman: Scorsese's Epic Gangster Film
The Irishman, directed by Martin Scorsese, is highly anticipated due to its star-studded cast, including Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci. The film, which explores the life of a hitman over several decades, has generated buzz for its epic storytelling and Scorsese's signature style. While no one has seen the film yet, its pedigree and the director's reputation make it a strong contender for awards.
Ford v Ferrari and The Two Popes: Underdog Stories to Watch
Ford v Ferrari, a film about the rivalry between car manufacturers Ford and Ferrari, has garnered attention for its thrilling race scenes and strong performances by Matt Damon and Christian Bale. Meanwhile, The Two Popes explores the relationship between Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, providing a character-driven story with powerful performances by Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins. While both films have yet to be released, their intriguing premises and talented casts make them worth keeping an eye on in this year's awards race.
The Story of Roy Cohn
The podcast episode explores the life and legacy of Roy Cohn, a powerful and controversial figure in American politics and law. Cohn, known for his role as Senator Joseph McCarthy's chief counsel during the McCarthy era, was a major figure in the Lavender Scare, a campaign to target and persecute gay people in government positions. The episode delves into his hypocritical stance on homosexuality, his connection to Donald Trump, and his lasting impact on American politics.
Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood
The podcast episode discusses the documentary film 'Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood' which explores the secret lives of several Hollywood stars during the golden age of Hollywood. The film focuses on Scotty Bowers, a former gas station attendant who claims to have arranged sexual encounters for numerous celebrities, including Cary Grant and Rock Hudson. The film raises questions about the hidden truths and double lives of these stars, shedding light on a lesser-known aspect of Hollywood history.
The Importance of Hidden Histories
The podcast episode highlights the significance of uncovering and examining hidden histories and counter narratives. It emphasizes the importance of taking Hollywood and its historical figures seriously, regardless of sexual orientation, in order to fully understand and appreciate the complex and often secretive nature of the industry. The episode explores how films like 'Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood' reveal the suppressed and repressed history of Hollywood, shedding light on the lives of influential figures and challenging traditional narratives.
The Noir Film 'Green for Danger'
The podcast episode briefly mentions the noir film 'Green for Danger', a British mystery film set during World War II. The film, directed by Sydney Gilliat, is praised for its claustrophobic atmosphere, high contrast black and white cinematography, and tight storytelling. It is described as a tense and engaging example of a 90-minute noir film from that period, and is recommended for its strong performances and unexpected ending.
After winning the Audience Award at TIFF, 'Jojo Rabbit' is likely to follow in the footsteps of past winners like 'Green Book' and 'Three Billboards,' straight to the Oscars. Sean and Amanda break down its chances and the post-festival discourse (0:51) before examining the box office success of 'Hustlers' and the failure of 'The Goldfinch' to reassess what we talk about when we talk about "Oscar Bait" (9:55). Then, documentary filmmaker Matt Tyrnauer joins to discuss his latest, 'Where's My Roy Cohn?,' a close look at the controversial lawyer and political operator who brokered power for everyone from Joseph McCarthy to Donald Trump (62:31).
