By Matt Neglia 

For Episode 136, Will Mavity, Michael Schwartz, DeAnn Knighton, Nicole Ackman, Josh Parham & myself discuss our favorite films and performances of 2019 so far, the polls (including the winners of our 2015 retrospective), the trailers for "Dora And The Lost City Of Gold," "Scary Stories We Tell In The Dark" and more! 
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Thank you so much for listening. You can subscribe to the Next Best Picture Podcast on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, PlayerFM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous and you enjoy what you hear and want more, please help to support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Matt Neglia 

For this week's main podcast review, Celia Schelekewey, Daniel Howat, Jacey Aldredge, Nicole Ackman & Tom O'Brien and myself discuss Tim Burton's remake of the "Dumbo." We talk about his style matching with the material, the visual effects used to bring everyone's favorite elephant to life, the performances, ties to the recent Disney/Fox merger and more. But did we enjoy it? Listen below to find out!

Thank you so much for listening. You can subscribe to the Next Best Picture Podcast on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, PlayerFM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous and you enjoy what you hear and want more, please help to support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Tom O'Brien ​

Walt Disney's live-action version of the animated 1941 classic "Dumbo" is now open in theaters and it has prompted many of us to revisit that original film and relive some of its many pleasures. Who among us was not been upset when we first saw Mrs. Jumbo being separated from little Dumbo and taken away being labeled a "mad elephant"? Or cried when mother and son are momentarily reunited in "Baby Mine"?

How strange to think that the feature film we know and love, however, might not have even made it to theaters.

By Nicole Ackman 

For this month's episode of Next Best Theatre the original trio of Michael Schwartz, Dan Bayer and myself take a look at the musical "Heathers" due to the new cast album which came out this month. We also talk about its ties to the original film which inspired it, the off-broadway productions and more!

Thank you so much for listening. You can subscribe to the Next Best Theatre Podcast on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, PlayerFM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous and you enjoy what you hear and want more, please help to support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Kt Schaefer

With the rise of streaming services, it is easier than ever to find good documentaries. 2018 brought us some fascinating films from the Oscar award winning "Free Solo" to Netflix’s in-depth Orson Welles documentary "They'll Love Me When I’m Dead." Already in 2019, we have seen "Apollo 11," "Maiden," "Surviving R. Kelly," "Lorena," “Leaving Neverland” and two separate films about the ill-fated Fyre festival. A few of these have had real-world effects as a result of their airing and have been watched by several million people. In 2019 we can expect to see even more great films about unique topics and I’ve listed 5 of the upcoming documentaries that are guaranteed to make you think and one you can watch right now!

By Daniel Howat 
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Tim Burton’s “Dumbo” releases to theaters today, marking the first of (at least) four remakes of Disney animated features debuting in 2019. This new era of Disney mining through their catalog for revamped versions of old films largely kicked off in 2010 with the success of Burton’s own “Alice In Wonderland” reimagining. That film, though critically mixed, went on to gross over a billion dollars. Disney saw a goldmine and pounced, and has released six more live-action remakes since. Could “Dumbo” and the other 2019 remakes score at next year’s Oscar? Let’s take a look at the history of Disney remakes at the Academy Awards.

​By Dan Bayer 

​When MoviePass announced in August 2017 that it would be offering a new subscription of $9.99 per month for which you could see a film a day, I was shaken to my core. It was the first time that I seriously considered subscribing to MoviePass since moving to New York City in September 2014. The service had been around since around 2012, and I knew a few movie-loving friends who had it. But it was a bit expensive ($40-$50 per month), it didn't work at every theater, and most importantly, I had heard that you had to use it at the box office, which meant waiting in very long lines. That didn't vibe with my moviegoing habits, which tended to involve seeing what was playing around when I felt like seeing a movie and getting to the theater with just enough time to get a decent seat at the self-serve ticket kiosks available in most theaters. I also was a fan of the city's many repertory houses, not all of which accepted MoviePass (or so I thought).

By Josh Parham 

​The is an enormous amount of credit I give Tim Burton for kickstarting my love of movies. I vividly remember being six-years-old and seeing “Mars Attacks!” for the first time and feeling absolutely transported into a crazy and wonderful cinematic world. From that moment on, my passion for the art form was ignited, and he has remained a filmmaker I hold very close to my heart. In anticipation for Burton’s remake of the Disney classic “Dumbo”, I decided to look back at his filmography and celebrate some of the finest performances that have been featured in his films. Burton may be known for his visual flair, but there are a number of actors who provide great performances to treasure as well.

By DeAnn Knighton 

​Jordan Peele has had little to say about what the more detailed elements of his recent film “Us” were intended to say as far as social commentary is concerned. We know there is an episode of “The Twilight Zone” that influenced some of the storytelling but for a film full of nuance, there are many questions about what is coincidence and what his ultimate intentions were with his latest horror film.

By Ryan C. Showers ​​

​I’m about to suggest something a few weeks ago I was dismissing right and left: Lupita Nyong’o could earn a Best Actress nomination for “Us.” As a disclaimer, I’m writing this piece before seeing “Us,” as to not bias myself and instincts based on an objective case that can be made for Nyong’o’s Best Actress chances. I’m writing this purely because I see potential in a possible staying power with this performance.

By Cody Dericks 

Tim Burton's career has admittedly had some ups and downs. He started strong in the late 80s and all through the 90s, but once his "Planet of the Apes" was released in 2001, the quality of his films started to vary wildly (and I say this as a defender of "Sweeney Todd"). However, for a lot of us who grew up in the 90s and went on to become film buffs in our adulthood, I would argue that his movies, especially his early work, had a great impact on us in terms of recognizing what exactly a director does. His bold style, specific narrative themes, and preferred acting choices all point to a strong directorial hand that practically served as an introduction to auteur theory for young millennials.

By Matt Neglia 

For Episode 135, we were supposed to have more people on, but due to a delay, it turned out to just be Michael Schwartz and me (just like old times). Together, the two of us give our first preview of the 92nd Academy Awards. We also talk about the Disney/Fox deal, the trailers for "The Last Black Man In San Francisco," "Lucy In The Sky," "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood," go over the polls, answer the fan-submitted questions and more!
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Thank you so much for listening. You can subscribe to the Next Best Picture Podcast on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, PlayerFM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous and you enjoy what you hear and want more, please help to support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Matt Neglia 

For this week's main podcast review, DeAnn Knighton, Danilo Castro, Tom O'Brien and myself give you a SPOILER filled review of Jordan Peele's follow up to "Get Out," titled "Us" starring Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss and a few others. There is so much to talk about with Peele's latest horror film, with many memorable moments, hints of symbolism, thematic intent and more! We'll definitely be re-visiting this one again but for now, listen below to find out exactly what our initial thoughts are!

Thank you so much for listening. You can subscribe to the Next Best Picture Podcast on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, PlayerFM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous and you enjoy what you hear and want more, please help to support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Will Mavity 

Jeff Tremaine has made his directing career working with the "Jackass" crew on all of their theatrical films. Now, with Netflix's "The Dirt," he is working for the first time with a plot, telling a musical biopic of one of the world's most popular rock bands: Mötley Crüe. Jeff was kind enough to sit down with us to tell us about the experience of making the film, what a departure it was for him, the film's suggestive content and more!

Thank you so much for listening. You can subscribe to the Next Best Picture Podcast on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, PlayerFM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous and you enjoy what you hear and want more, please help to support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Josh Williams 

​I firmly believe that we are currently living within a horror renaissance. Each year we are graced with another groundbreaking horror film that elevates the genre to new heights. The streak has been pretty consistent lately and it seems like it is not going to slow down anytime soon with 2019 which should cap off an amazing decade for the genre. Whether it be art-house horror like "mother!" or a bit more mainstream horror like "A Quiet Place," this is truly the best time to be a horror fanatic.

2019 looks as if it won't be so different so we here at NBP decided to take a look at some horror films releasing this year that will keep that trend alive. So without further ado, here are some horror films to look forward to in 2019.

By Danilo Castro ​

​There’s no place like home. It’s where we go to relax, secure our cherished belongings, and spend time with the ones we love. It’s where we feel safest, and most removed from the evils of the outside world. Unless, of course,  evil decides to kick in the front door, and turn our very existences upside down. 

The breakdown between private and public is what makes the home invasion such an effective subgenre. By preying on what we know to be safe, these films hit upon primal fears, and force us to consider how we would act in the same situation. Jordan Peele’s “Us” is the latest release to tackles these fears, so with that in mind, we’ve retreated to the attic and compiled our list for the Best Home Invasion Movies. 

By Matt Neglia 

For this month's Patreon Throwback review on the Next Best Picture Podcast, I am joined by Ryan C. Showers & DeAnn Knighton. Together, the three of us go back to 1996 to watch Wes Craven's horror masterpiece that flipped the genre on its head and ushered in a new era, "Scream." With Jordan Peele's "Us" opening this weekend, the timing could not have been more appropriate for the NBP Community to choose this film as our final themed throwback review before we start diving into the year 2015 next month until Oscar season. Filled with memorable characters, important themes, clever writing, exciting twists and more, "Scream" has managed to hold up for more than two decades. Tune in to find out what we all think about this horror classic.
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This is a preview of the podcast, the full version of which is only available to those who subscribe to us on Patreon. For the small price of $1 a month, you can receive this review along with other exclusive podcast content, so be sure to subscribe here.
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Thank you so much for listening. You can subscribe to the Next Best Picture Podcast on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, PlayerFM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. ​​

By Matt Neglia 

For Episode 134, we discuss the final films to screen at SXSW, James Gunn being re-hired by Disney to direct "Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3," the polls, the new trailers for "Avengers: Endgame," "Aladdin," "Brightburn," and we also answer the fan submitted questions! Joining me for this episode I have Will Mavity, Michael Schwartz, DeAnn Knighton, Nicole Ackman & Tom O'Brien.
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Thank you so much for listening. You can subscribe to the Next Best Picture Podcast on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, PlayerFM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous and you enjoy what you hear and want more, please help to support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Matt Neglia 

For this week's main podcast review, the choices were slim between "Five Feet Apart," "Triple Frontier" and what we ultimately settled on, the mysterious sci-fi film from the director of "Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes" starring John Goodman ("10 Cloverfield Lane"), Ashton Sanders ("Moonlight") and a few others titled "Captive State." Sounds intriguing enough, right? Well, Josh Parham and I went into this one completely blind, with no critics reviews to help guide on us on if this was even going to be worth our time or not and we do have some thoughts on it. Listen below to find out exactly what those thoughts are!

Thank you so much for listening. You can subscribe to the Next Best Picture Podcast on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, PlayerFM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous and you enjoy what you hear and want more, please help to support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Will Mavity ​

​Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre's debut feature film "The Mustang" premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival. We were lucky enough to chat with her about the film which can be read below.

By Josh Williams 

​​Oh. My. God. 

The Russo brothers dropped the final "Avengers: Endgame" trailer by total surprise yesterday morning and it was a bit of a doozy. Clocking in at two minutes and twenty-seven seconds, the trailer covers a lot of ground. The first half is mainly black and white flashbacks of the main heroes (Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor) from their earlier movies. Once the flashbacks end however, we see our heroes in a number of different situations that offer up quite a few questions and very little answers. There are several things to unpack so let's go through some of the key things revealed in the trailer that we should be seeing in "Avengers: Endgame." 

Warning: Spoilers for just about every Marvel film, ever. 

​By Edward Douglas 

Director James Kent spent almost thirty years directing television and TV documentaries before venturing into the film world with 2014’s “Testament of Youth.” Now, he has a new film called “The Aftermath,” based on Rhidian Brook’s novel set just as World War II is coming to an end.

Keira Knightley plays Rachel Morgan, a British woman who has moved to Hamburg, Germany with her husband Lewis, a British officer who is cleaning up loose ends including an underground Nazi insurrection. They move into a gorgeous mansion owned by Alexander Skarsgard’s Stephan Lubert, a German doctor who is recovering from the death of his wife in the British bombing. Rachel and Lewis have had their own loss, as their son was killed in the British bombings, but Lewis allows Stephan and his teen daughter to move upstairs rather than kicking them out. As Lewis tries to quell the German revolt against the British occupation, Rachel tries to deal with her loss by bonding with Stephan and his daughter. It’s another great historic drama from Kent that includes a mix of timely politics amidst the romance and grief.  

Next Best Picture spoke with Kent about the film over the phone from the film’s London junket a few weeks back, and we got a nice history lesson in the bargain.

​By Nicole Ackman ​​

​With "The Aftermath" coming out this month, it’s a good time to look back over Keira Knightley’s best performances. Her latest film falls into a pattern of her movies that could almost be its own genre: period dramas in which Keira Knightley’s character has an affair. There certainly was a wide variety of choices for this list because even though Knightley is frequently in period films, her roles show substantial range from the hysteria-riddled Sabina in "A Dangerous Method" to the fiery Elizabeth Swan in "The Pirates of the Caribbean" films.

These are my personal five picks for Keira Knightley’s best performances in a period drama.

By Matt Neglia 

For Episode 133, we discuss the latest development in the Steven Spielberg/Netflix debate and the first films to have screened at this year's South by Southwest including "Us." We also go over the polls, answer fan questions and give our reactions to the trailers for "Midsommar" and "Late Night." Joining me for this episode I have Michael Schwartz, Dan Bayer, DeAnn Knighton & Cody Dericks.

Thank you so much for listening. You can subscribe to the Next Best Picture Podcast on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, PlayerFM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous and you enjoy what you hear and want more, please help to support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Matt Neglia 

For this week's main podcast review, I am joined by Jacey Aldredge, Cody Dericks, DeAnn Knighton & Danilo Castro. Together, we discuss Masrvel's latest addition to the MCU, "Captain Marvel" starring Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Jude Law and more! How does this lead into "Avengers: Endgam?" How does it function as a standalone film and as an origin film? What about the film's recent controversy surrounding the toxic online fandom? We discuss all of this and more with an additional spoiler section towards the end of the show to talk about the film's twists.

Thank you so much for listening. You can subscribe to the Next Best Picture Podcast on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, PlayerFM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous and you enjoy what you hear and want more, please help to support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.