The Next Best Picture Podcast

Our 2010 retrospective continues with our penultimate review of Darren Aronofsky's psychological horror film "Black Swan" starring Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey & Winona Ryder. Acting as almost a companion piece with Aronofsky's previous film, "The Wrestler" (2008), the film examines the demands of perfection, the physical and emotional toll it takes on us, and the repression Nina experiences from her overbearing mother. It was a success at the box office, with critics, and during awards season, winning Natalie Portman the Academy Award for Best Actress. How does it hold up today? Join Josh Parham, Alyssa Christian, Dan Bayer, and me as we discuss our thoughts on the performances, writing, direction, cinematography, sound work, its awards season run, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. We appreciate your support and hope you enjoy our discussion!Check out more on NextBestPicture.comPlease subscribe on...Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jTYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOwAnd be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Good One" had its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it received very positive reviews for India Donaldson's writing, direction, and the performances from Lily Collias, James Le Gros, and Danny McCarthy. Donaldson, making her feature directorial debut with this film, was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about her feature directorial debut, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which will be released in theaters on August 9th from Metrograph Pictures. Thank you, and enjoy!Check out more on NextBestPicture.comPlease subscribe on...Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jTYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOwAnd be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"War Game" had its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it received solid reviews for orchestrating a simulation of a coup after a disputed election. Insurgents take capitals, questioning the President's military control. Countering disinformation is vital, highlighting bipartisan defense of democracy. With a sense of urgency in its storytelling and taut filmmaking, the documentary film might very well be the most terrifying one you see all year. Directors Jesse Moss & Tony Gerber were both kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their experience making the documentary, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in New York at the Film Forum and expanding to additional markets, including Los Angeles and Chicago, on August 9th from Submarine Entertainment. Thank you, and enjoy!Check out more on NextBestPicture.comPlease subscribe on...Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jTYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOwAnd be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie" is based on the famous animated television series "SpongeBob SquarePants," and it combines CGI animation with live-action, starring the series' regular voice cast along with new characters. The plot follows Sandy and SpongeBob as they venture to Sandy's home state of Texas to save Bikini Bottom from the hands of an evil CEO. It is the first in a series of SpongeBob character spin-off films. Director Liza Johnson and star Carolyn Lawrence, who voices Sandy Cheeks, were kind enough to talk with us about their experiences making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now available to stream on Netflix. Thank you, and enjoy!Check out more on NextBestPicture.comPlease subscribe on...Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jTYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOwAnd be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Episode 404, Josh Parham & Dan Bayer, and I talk about what we believe will be announced this week for the 62nd New York Film Festival's (NYFF) Main Slate; we also discuss the recent BAFTA rule changes and other film festival news. We also react to the trailers for "Slingshot," Greedy People," and "Spellbound," reveal the winners of last week's poll asking "Which Films Are You Most Looking Forward To Seeing From The 2024 Venice International Film Festival?" ask this week's poll question, "Which World Premieres Are You Most Looking Forward To From The 2024 Toronto International Film Festival?" announce the nominations for the 2010 NBP Film Awards, answer your fan-submitted questions and more. Your feedback and support are essential, and we're grateful for your participation. Your vote will determine the winners of the 2010 retrospective, so please take a moment to cast your vote before August 17th for the 2010 NBP Film Community Awards here. Thank you, and enjoy!Check out more on NextBestPicture.comPlease subscribe on...Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jTYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOwAnd be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this week's main podcast review, Giovanni Lago, Sara Clements, Josh Parham, & Tom O'Brien are reviewing the latest film from M. Night Shyamalan, "Trap," starring Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Shyamalan, Hayley Mills & Alison Pill. Shyamalan is one of the world's most polarizing yet fascinating filmmakers, and his latest is no different as it has divided audiences everywhere. Is it the taut thriller its trailers made it out to be, or is it a terribly plotted catastrophe with silly dialogue that writes itself into a trap by the time it reaches the third act? Tune in as the team discusses the writing, performances, suspense, the craziness of the third act, Shyamalan's direction, and more in their SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy!Check out more on NextBestPicture.comPlease subscribe on...Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jTYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOwAnd be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Kneecap" had its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it received strong reviews and won the NEXT Audience Award. It has since gone on to be selected as Ireland's submission for Best International Feature Film at the upcoming Academy Awards. Feature debut writer and director Rich Peppiatt, along with Kneecap members Liam Óg "Mo Chara" Ó Hannaidh, Naoise "Móglaí Bap" Ó Cairealláin & JJ "DJ Próvaí" Ó Dochartaigh were all kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their experiences making the musical biopic, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Sony Pictures Classics. Thank you, and enjoy!Check out more on NextBestPicture.comPlease subscribe on...Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jTYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOwAnd be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Coup!" is a dark comedy film set against the backdrop of the 1918 flu pandemic and centers on a rebellious servant (Peter Sarsgaard) who incites a revolt against his affluent employer (Billy Magnussen). The film, written and directed by Austin Stark and Joseph Schuman, received positive reviews after its world premiere at last year's Venice Film Festival. Besides starring, Sarsgaard and Magnussen also took on roles as executive producers. Stars Peter Sarsgaard, Billy Magnussen, and writers/directors Austin Stark and Joseph Schuman were all kind enough to lend us a few minutes of their time to talk about the film, which you can listen to or watch below. Please be sure to check out the film, which will be shown in theaters by Greenwich Entertainment on August 2nd. Thank you, and enjoy!Check out more on NextBestPicture.comPlease subscribe on...Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jTYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOwAnd be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Dìdi" had its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it received positive reviews and won the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Best Ensemble Cast and the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award. Writer and director Sean Wang and stars Izaac Wang & Joan Chen were all kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their experiences making the personal coming-of-age story, which you can listen to, read, or watch below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Focus Features. Thank you, and enjoy!Check out more on NextBestPicture.comPlease subscribe on...Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jTYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOwAnd be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this week's second podcast review, Dan Bayer, Daniel Howat, Danilo Castro, and I are reviewing the feature directorial debut from Academy Award-nominee Sean Wang, "Dìdi," starring Izaac Wang, Joan Chen, Shirley Chen & Chang Li Hua. After making its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, the independent Focus Features film went on to win the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Best Ensemble Cast and the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award. What did we think of this personal coming-of-age story of a 13-year-old Taiwanese-American kid going through adolescence? Tune in as we discuss the writing, performances, painfully cringeworthy and heartwarming bits of nostalgia, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy!Check out more on NextBestPicture.comPlease subscribe on...Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jTYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOwAnd be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices