The Film Comment Podcast
Oscars 2025 Preview with The Los Angeles Review of Books
Feb 27, 2025
Join Eric Newman, editor of the Los Angeles Review of Books, and senior editor Paul Thompson as they dissect the buzzing Academy Awards landscape. Expect lively predictions on Best Actor contenders, including Timothée Chalamet and Adrien Brody. They tackle the film industry's future amid AI and recent guild strikes, explore the controversial rise of 'Wicked', and reflect on compelling films like 'Nickel Boys' and 'Anora'. Their discussions offer keen insights into the ever-evolving world of awards and cinematic excellence.
43:16
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Quick takeaways
- This year's Oscars exhibit a surprising array of genre film nominations, raising questions about the evolving standards of 'prestige' cinema.
- The contentious role of AI in filmmaking presents ethical dilemmas about creativity, sparking debate on its impact on artistic authenticity.
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Trends and Themes in Film
The discussion highlights biopics as perennial contenders for the Oscars, with many feeling that recent offerings are often designed purely to capture award attention. This year has seen an unusual influx of genre films receiving nominations, which surprised some critics, particularly with titles like 'The Substance' gaining recognition despite its bizarre and gross-out themes. The panelists note an overall incoherence in the nominated films, attributing this to industry changes and the ongoing search for what constitutes a 'prestige' film in a rapidly evolving film landscape. This reflects broader uncertainties within Hollywood, as filmmakers experiment with genres while grappling with shifting audience expectations.
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