2025 Oscar Nominations: Snubs, Surprises, and WTFs
Jan 23, 2025
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Gints Zilbalodis, a Latvian animation director known for his film 'Flow,' shares insights into his unique journey and animation style. He highlights the unexpected mass appeal of his work and discusses the challenges of solo filmmaking versus leading a collaborative team. The conversation also delves into the art of dialogue-free storytelling, showcasing how animation can convey deep emotions and invite interpretation. Plus, the hosts react to the latest Oscar nominations, dissecting surprises and snubs that have caught everyone off guard.
The podcast analyzes the recent Oscar nominations, focusing on standout films like Emilia Pérez and their historical significance in the industry.
Discussion includes the impact of emerging technologies, such as AI and animation, on evolving filmmaking techniques and narrative styles.
Hosts reflect on the polarized reception of films like Emilia Pérez, highlighting the complex relationship between critical acclaim and audience enthusiasm.
Deep dives
Inside Hollywood Dynamics
The conversation delves into the intricate dynamics of Hollywood's financial and decision-making processes. Insights are provided on why favorite shows might get canceled unexpectedly and which streaming services are struggling financially. The speakers share details about Hollywood executives facing scrutiny and the shifting landscape of major companies like Disney and Netflix, highlighting the competitive and volatile nature of the industry. This perspective helps audiences understand the behind-the-scenes pressures that influence the entertainment content they consume.
Academy Award Nominations Overview
A discussion centers around the 2025 Academy Award nominations, with a focus on standout films and their historical significance. The episode mentions that Amelia Perez received 13 nominations, marking a notable milestone in Academy history. Comparisons are drawn with other films that have achieved similar nomination totals, underscoring the importance of this achievement for international cinema. The host and guest analyze the impact of these nominations on the films' reception and potential for future success.
Artistic and Technical Innovations
The podcast also highlights the evolution of filmmaking techniques and the artistic innovations that films like The Brutalist and The Substance showcase. Insights shared about the use of technology, particularly artificial intelligence and animation, signal a transformative moment in the industry. The conversation emphasizes the importance of combining tradition with new storytelling approaches and how these methods can elevate narratives. The speakers advocate for the need to continuously adapt to new tools while maintaining creative integrity.
Controversial Reception and Audience Response
The episode discusses the polarized reactions to certain films, particularly Amelia Perez, which has received mixed critical and public responses. Despite some skepticism, the film still garners significant praise from certain filmmakers and artists, creating a dichotomy between critical reception and popular enthusiasm. This discussion sheds light on the complex relationship between audiences and the films they engage with. The hosts reflect on the implications for future award nominations based on the changing sentiments within the entertainment community.
Emerging Trends in Filmmaking
Emerging trends in the filmmaking landscape are examined, particularly regarding the growing influence of international stories and filmmakers. The discussion includes the notable success of films from non-traditional superpowers, reflecting broader cultural shifts within Hollywood. The conversation suggests that this trend could lead to more diverse storytelling in future projects, enriching the film landscape as a whole. Observations about the changing demographics of Academy voters hint at potential long-term changes in the types of films that receive recognition.
The Future of Oscar Presentations
The discussions finish by weighing the future of Oscar presentations in light of recent criticisms about their format and messaging. The podcast highlights the need for the Academy to evolve while still acknowledging cinematic history through its awards. Upcoming adjustments to the show, including the presentation format and the decision to omit certain live performances, spark debate about balancing tradition with audience engagement. These thoughts prompt reflections on how such choices might influence viewership and the perception of the awards ceremony moving forward.
Sean and Amanda give their instant reactions to the Oscar nominations announced this morning, including their takes on what films are running hot and which ones seem to have cooled off over the past few months (1:00). Is ‘Emilia Pérez’ the full-on front-runner? Will recent stories about the use of AI in ‘The Brutalist’ sour its chances in the big categories? Plus: They check in on the state of the Big Oscar Bet from September, when they attempted to predict the nominations and winners in 11 categories (1:07:00). Then, Sean is joined by the director of ‘Flow,’ Gints Zilbalodis, to discuss his nontraditional path to the director’s chair, the unexpected mass appeal of the film, how he found his particular animation style, and more (1:16:00).