Next Best Picture Podcast

Over the past several decades, Jia Zhangke has emerged as China's foremost cinematic chronicler, capturing the nation's rapid 21st-century transformation and its impact on everyday lives with a uniquely expressive, ethnographic lens. His first fiction film in six years, "Caught by the Tides" (which premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival to positive reviews), is the purest distillation of his work, a grand, impressionistic mosaic blending two decades of footage, behind-the-scenes reels, and fictionalized elements to reflect on cultural and emotional shifts. Though narratively abstract and best appreciated by those familiar with his oeuvre, the film's patient, almost hypnotic structure, culminating in a poignant love story centered on longtime collaborator Zhao Tao, offers a moving, cosmic meditation on time, place, and the digital age's effect on human experience. Zhangke was kind enough to spend some time speaking with us over Zoom about his work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in New York theaters and will expand next week from Janus Films and Sideshow. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And 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

THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL REVIEW. Please check out the full podcast review on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture Our 2009 retrospective continues with the first animated Best Picture nominee since 1991's "Beauty And The Beast," Disney Pixar's "Up," starring Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai & Bob Peterson. Hot off the heels of "Wall-E"the year prior, Pete Docter's film about an elderly man who gets reconnected with life in the aftermath of his wife's passing continued Pixar's hot streak with critics, audiences, and the Academy. Did this one float to the top of our favorite Pixar films? Please join Alyssa Christian, Josh Parham, Dan Bayer, Cody Dericks, guest Nick Spake and me as we discuss our thoughts on the story, characters, animation, score, iconic opening montage, its awards season run, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. We appreciate your support and hope you enjoy our review! Thank you! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And 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

"Clown In A Cornfield" had its world premiere at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival, where it received positive reviews for its adaptation of the 2020 novel by Adam Cesare, the performances from the cast, and the bloody fun direction from filmmaker Eli Craig. Craig and stars Katie Douglas and Kevin Durand were all kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about their work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which will open in theaters on May 9th from RLJE Films and Shudder. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And 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

Few shows face the criticism from all sides that “The Oscars” do. Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan know that better than most. They’ve produced the last two Academy Awards, facing the challenge head-on and boosting ratings along the way. The Academy and ABC have taken notice, quickly announcing Kapoor and Mullan as the producers of next year’s Oscars, along with returning host Conan O’Brien. In an exclusive conversation with Daniel Howat from Next Best Picture, Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan discuss their approach to producing “The Oscars,” honoring the crafts behind the films, and the challenge of the time crunch. Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And 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

"Adolescence" is quite possibly the buzziest and best show of 2025. A cultural phenomenon all over the world, particularly within the UK (it was the first streaming show to place at the top of the Barb Audiences weekly television ratings), the series has received universal critical acclaim for its directing, writing, one-take cinematography, and performances. Director Philip Barantini was kind enough to spend some time speaking with Daniel Howat about his work on all four episodes of the series while star Erin Doherty spoke with Nadia Dalimonte about her haunting work in Episode 3, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the series, which is now available to stream in full on Netflix. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And 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

"Mid-Century Modern" is a new American comedy television series created by Max Mutchnick and David Kohan that stars Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, Linda Lavin, and Nathan Lee Graham. It tells the story of three gay best friends of a certain age, after an unexpected death, who move in together in Palm Springs, California. Living with the wealthiest friend's mother, they navigate their golden years as a chosen family, supporting each other through life's challenges. It has received positive reviews, and the first ten episodes are now available to stream. Nathan Lee Graham was kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about his work and experience making the series, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is now available to stream on Hulu and Disney+. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And 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

THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL EPISODE. Please check out the full podcast episode on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture The nominations for the 78th annual Tony Awards were announced earlier this week and were led by "Buena Vista Social Club," "Death Becomes Her," and "Maybe Happy Ending," with ten nominations each. "Dead Outlaw," "The Hills of California," "John Proctor Is the Villain" and "Sunset Boulevard" followed with seven nominations each. What did Cody Dericks, Lauren LaMagna & Dan Bayer think of this year's nominees? Which nominations surprised them, made them happy, and left them feeling the most disappointed? Please tune in below to listen to their thoughts and find out. NBT will return with a winner predictions episode shortly before the 2025 Tony Awards on June 8th. Thank you for all of your support. Enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And 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 440, I am joined by Josh Parham, Nadia Dalimonte, Dan Bayer & Giovanni Lago as we preview the 2025 Summer Movie Season with the films we're most excited to see. This is also the theme of this week's poll as we ask, "Which 2025 Summer Movie Are You Most Looking Forward To Seeing?" and we reveal the winner of last week's poll for the release of "Thunderbolts*" asking, "What Is Your Favorite Movie About A Ragtag Group Of Misfits?" We also give our reactions to the trailers for "The Smashing Machine," "Weapons," "Sorry, Baby," "Now You See Me: Now You Don't," answer your fan-submitted questions, and more! Thank you all for listening, supporting, and subscribing. We hope you enjoy this episode, and we will see you all next week. Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And 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, Lauren LaMagna, Cody Dericks, Tom O'Brien, and I are reviewing and discussing the latest film from Marvel Studios, "Thunderbolts*," starring Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Lewis Pullman, Geraldine Viswanathan, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen & Julia Louis-Dreyfus. At a time when the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) needs a shot in the arm, this ragtag group of antiheroes has come together under the direction of "Beef" filmmaker Jake Schreier to deliver one of the franchise's freshest films in years as it tackles themes of loneliness, depression, and camaraderie. What did we think of the story, performances, action, humor, score, and how it sets up the future of the MCU? Please tune in as we touch upon these points and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And 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

THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL EPISODE. Please check out the full podcast episode on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture The Next Best Series Podcast is back to discuss the latest television shows, including the season finale of "The White Lotus," and the returns of "The Last Of Us," "Andor," and reigning Outstanding Comedy Series champion "Hacks." We also go over the second annual Gotham TV Award nominations, the trailers for "Wednesday" Season Two, "Duster," "Sirens," and "The Better Sister." Please tune in as Megan Lachinski, Daniel Howat, and Giovanni Lago join me to discuss these topics and shows such as "Dying For Sex," "Paradise," "Say Nothing," "Your Friends & Neighbors," "The Rehearsal," "The Four Seasons" and more! Please tune in as we examine which ones might receive Emmy nominations and more as Emmy season continues! We'll be back with another new episode later this month. Thank you for your continued support. We hope you enjoy it! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And 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