By Ryan C. Showers ​

The recent trend in awards seasons has seen very few films with late release dates make it through to a high amount of nominations. There are some obvious examples, like “American Hustle” and “Vice,” which both skipped the festival circuit and went straight to theatrical release in late December. But these are few and far between. The flip side of that is “Selma” and “The Post,” which were released too late in the game to gain the traction those films deserved. Over the past ten years, I would say this has been the overall trend. Festival exposure and pre-ordinated campaigns have become more essential than having a big release very close to Oscar voting. For example: In the early 2000s, mid- to late-December was considered to be the prime time for release. Take 2002 for example: all five Best Picture nominees were all released in December, 4/5 of them hit theaters in the second half of December, and 4/5 of them debuted in limited release for the first month in theaters. That’s a rule from the playbook of yesterday.

By Matt Neglia 

Tom Eagles has been the editor on three of filmmaker Taika Waititi's films including "What We Do In The Shadows," "Hunt For The Wilderpeople" and now "Jojo Rabbit." Tom was kind enough to sit down and talk to us about his collaboration with Taika, striking a balance with the film's difficult tone, what his favorite scene was to edit and more! Be sure to give it a listen, see the film in theaters and be on the lookout for our own podcast review of the film soon!

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 

With "Parasite," this year's Cannes winner of the Palme d'Or, now opening in American theaters, a significant number of U.S. moviegoers will be introduced for the first time to the great South Korean director Bong Joon Ho. Next Best Picture readers are, of course, familiar with Bong, but how many of his films have they actually seen? And what would be the best way to get up to speed?

​Luckily, I'm here to offer you Bong-101.

By Matt Neglia 

​The Critics Choice Association (CCA) In a press release earlier today, The Critics Choice Association (CCA) announced the nominees for the fourth annual Critics' Choice Documentary Awards (CCDA). "The Biggest Little Farm" leads with 7 nominations followed by "Apollo 11" and "They Shall Not Grow Old" with 6 each. The winners will be announced on November 10th 2019.

Click below to see the nominees.

By Matt Neglia 

​​The 2019 New York Film Festival has now come and gone. There was a major premiere with Martin Scorsese's "The Irishman." There was the secret screening of the Safdie Brothers' "Uncut Gems." There were a number of foreign language film celebrating the best in world cinema including the Palme d'Or winner "Parasite." There was even a special screening and Q&A for "Joker" before its official release with heavy security from New York's finest. Suffice to say, it was a few weeks worthy of remembrance as always.

I saw 18 films in total this year at the festival which was a new record for me (crazy considering I thought this year would be my lowest output yet due to new day job commitments). Overall, I saw some films I loved, some films I enjoyed and some films that weren't for me. And that's the most important thing to remember with this ranking: even the lowest ranked film, might not have worked for me, but I have no doubt it worked for someone else. There is a degree of unpredictability with any film festival, of not know what it is you're going to walk into that is always exciting. This year's pleasant and unpleasant surprises were no different.

​Click below to see my ranking of the NYFF57 films I saw this year.

By Matt Neglia 

For Episode 163, Michael Schwartz, Casey Lee Clark, Josh Parham, Tom O'Brien & I discuss where things stand with the Animated, Documentary & International Film races. We also talk about the trailers for "Dolittle," (which is our first ever live reaction to a trailer) Disney Pixar's "Onward" & "Jungle Cruise." We also go over the polls, answer your fan questions 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 Matt Neglia 

For this week's main podcast review, myself, Josh Parham and guest Kolby Mac (from kolbytoldme.com) review the latest Ang Lee technological experiment "Gemini Man," starring two Will Smiths, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen and Benedict Wong. Shot in high frame rate and showcasing some stunning visual effects to duplicate Will Smith, this film finds the Academy Award winning director pushing boundaries once again but does it all come together? Find out on this week's podcast review. Enjoy!

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 Cody Dericks 

It’s no secret that 1999 was one of the better years for film we’ve had in at least the last half-century. And while plenty of films have either increased in recognition or remained relevant to the cultural conversation, no film has made quite an impact and also grown in relevance and depth quite like the Wachowski Sisters’ “The Matrix.” Ground-breaking both for its visual effects and boundary-pushing sci-fi storytelling, the film was a critical and commercial sensation when it was released. It finished the year as the fifth ranking film on the domestic box office and also managed to win all four of the Oscars it was nominated for, an astonishing feat considering how averse the Academy tends to be towards genre films and blockbusters. Given its success, it’s no wonder that sequels were produced not long after, with both “The Matrix Reloaded” and “The Matrix Revolutions” opening in 2003. However, the sequels were not received with anything close to the warmth of the first film, with both critics and fans being left disappointed. In honor of its 20th anniversary, let’s take a look at how “The Matrix” has managed to stay relevant across two decades, and we’ll also explore the sequels and see if they truly deserve the derision they received.

By Matt Neglia 

For this week's second podcast review, Josh Parham, guest Audrey Fox (from Awards Circuit) and I review the directorial debut from television director Noah Hawley titled "Lucy In The Sky" starring Natalie Portman, Jon Hamm & Dan Stevens. The film premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival to a polarizing response from audiences but what did we ultimately think of it? Tune in 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 Kt Schaefer 

Sergio Leone is a giant of cinema, and while he worked on dozens and dozens of films in various capacities (an influential film director as a father sure helps with that), he only directed 8 of them, most of which deserve high spots on ‘best of’ lists. His 2nd film, "A Fistful of Dollars," was his first to cause a serious splash in the world of cinema. A remake of Akira Kurosawa’s "Yojimbo," Leone adapted the story to the American West some time post-Civil War, with up and coming star Clint Eastwood as his terse antihero gunslinger Joe. Leone went on to make two more westerns, each a different type of story but both have Eastwood at the center. "A Fistful of Dollars" is incredibly well done and shows signs of Leone’s greatness to come with its artful camerawork and willingness to tell stories unique stories that kept audiences guessing. However, it doesn’t reach the highs of the other two films, "For a Few Dollars More" and especially "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly."

By Matt Neglia 

For Episode 162, Josh Parham, Dan Bayer and I discuss a lot of trailers for 2020 movies this week including: "Birds Of Prey," "The King's Man," "The Gentlemen" & "The Personal History Of David Copperfield." However, the Oscar race received a last minute surprise with a new Clint Eastwood film called "Richard Jewell" which also received a trailer as well. We also go over some news, the polls, answer your fan questions 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 Matt Neglia 

For this week's main podcast review, we have a full lineup of people eager to talk about the year's most controversial film. I'm joined by Josh Parham, Kt Schaefer, Dan Bayer, Lauren LaMagna, Cody Dericks & Danilo Castro. Together, we all give our wide range of thoughts, opinions and criticisms on Todd Phillips' latest film "Joker" starring Joaquin Phoenix as the Clown Prince of Gotham City. There is so much to discuss with this one that we even provided a spoiler section at 1:30:51. As a side-note, I'm very proud and happy with everyone's contributions towards this particular review in an age where tensions are high and the discussion may not always be as civil. My hope is despite how you may feel about the movie, that you will appreciate the conversation and respect our feelings towards the film as well. Enjoy!

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 Bianca Garner 
​
“Why’d ya spill yer beans?” If anyone is aware of Robert Eggers’ surreal black comedy/horror film “The Lighthouse” then they’ll most certainly get this reference. As I found myself standing in line at 7:30 am for the press screening of “The Lighthouse” I was wondering just what had I gotten myself into. Is this film really as bizarre as everyone claims it is? Would I find it a challenge to watch and a film that would leave me frustrated, and dissatisfied as a result? Well, “The Lighthouse" is most certainly bizarre and at times, it’s a real challenge to watch, but it was the most fun I have had in the cinema this year so far. Perhaps, fun isn’t the right word because this isn’t exactly a laugh-out-loud comedy, but the surrealness of the events taking place manage to evoke laughter. I wonder whether this was just an involuntary reaction that I had little control over. Even so, I found the film frightfully funny to watch, I also found it frightening and disturbing to watch, and the imagery that Eggers has created has burned its way into my skull.

By Bianca Garner 

On the 7th December 1978, the world lost an auteur and visionary in the form of Edward Davis Wood Jr. He was a penniless alcoholic who had recently been evicted from his Hollywood apartment. Wood was the mastermind behind such cult classics as “Glen or Glenda” (1953), “Jail Bait” (1954), “Bride of the Monster” (1955), “Plan 9 from Outer Space” (1959)- all films which are notorious for one thing, and one thing only...they’re bad. They are Tommy Wiseau’s “The Room” levels of bad. Wood was known for his over-reliance on stock footage, bad special effects, wobbling sets and wooden performances from D-list actors.

​By Josh Williams 

"Let the past die, kill it if you have to."

This phrase from Kylo Ren, or Rian Johnson technically, constantly echoes in my head during the current era of filmmaking. Whether that be for big-screen blockbusters or even television shows. Re-makes of every single nostalgic property from our past, or expansions on already completed universes seem to be bursting at the preverbal edges. Sometimes this approach can be successful. Think "Blade Runner 2049" or the resurrection of "Star Wars." Other times it can be not so successful, such as this year's "The Lion King" or "Aladdin." Sometimes things should just be left alone and other times the fresh approach to a once perfectly wrapped up property can work brilliantly. 

A perfect example of this working when it probably shouldn't have worked at all, along with being one of the reasons you're reading this article today is, "Breaking Bad." The Emmy winning AMC show is often hailed as one of the greatest television dramas of all time. One of the many reasons this claim gets shouted from the rooftops is due to the program's ending. Vince Gilligan, the creator of "Breaking Bad," and his team had always discussed that the show should not go on any longer than it needed to. They had an end goal in mind and they knew how to reach it. In case you're unaware of how the show ends, allow me to give a brief recap. Spoilers ahead, yo. ​

By Bianca Garner 

I know they say don't believe the festival hype, but there are some films that are worth the hype. “Bacurau” is one of those films. It’s hard to explain what the film is about without revealing too much. It’s a film that needs to be experienced and absorbed. Whereas, “Monos” had a narrative that left me puzzled and frustrated, “Bacurau's” narrative is such an intriguing puzzle that the viewer can’t second guess what will happen next. Writers and directors, Kleber Mendonça Filho, and Juliano Dornelles manage to weave together a complex plot that slowly unfolds in a bloody showdown that the likes of Quentin Tarantino and Sam Peckinpah would be jealous of. Google classes “Bacurau's” genre as a ‘weird Western’ which it is, but it is also so much more. ​

By Matt Neglia 

For this month's second Patreon Throwback review on the Next Best Picture Podcast, I am joined by Josh Parham, Dan Bayer, and Patreon contributor Sooz Kempner. Together, the four of us are reviewing a Martin Scorsese film which has been widely reported is a direct influence on "Joker." It's "The King Of Comedy" starring Robert De Niro. We talk about the aspects of the film which still work today and which ones do not, the performances, writing and its influence on other movies today. Tune in to find out what we all think.
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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 Michael Schwartz 

As the New York Film Festival is underway and Telluride and Toronto have come and gone, the 2019 Best Picture lineup is beginning to take shape. After nearly claiming victory last year with Roma, Netflix is back with a vengeance in the form of three top tier contenders. Noah Baumbach’s "Marriage Story," Martin Scorsese’s "The Irishman" and Fernando Meirelles’ "The Two Popes," make up a lineup that seems to have something for everyone, at least if you’re an Academy member. Between a brilliant publicity team and star power enough to make the old studio system jealous, the big prize this year could be Netflix’s for the taking.

By Bianca Garner 
​
Even before I had started to watch “Monos” I had already been experiencing a surreal nightmare of my own. Being a traveling film critic is not all fun and games, I’ll have you know! I won’t go into details but long story short- never judge a hostel by their photos. It’s officially my first day at LFF and the films I have caught today have made me laugh, grimace, gasp and cry. Each film has been unique in their own sense, and have been an interesting watch although I’m still not sure if I like “Monos."

By Kt Schaefer 

With Halloween on the horizon and the fall weather starting up (for some of us anyway), it’s the traditional time for spooky movies and thankfully there is a wealth of options on the streaming services in October.

While there is Shudder, a well-curated streaming service devoted entirely to horror films, I tried to focus on the more general services in this list for those who may not be regular watchers of the scarier side of films. However, I did include a couple of gems only available on there for those who may be interested in seeing what they have to offer. Below you will find a wide selection of movies from classics to indie films and even a horror-comedy for those nights when you want to laugh and feel spooky.

By Matt Neglia 

For this week's second podcast review, Daniel Howat, Tom O'Brien, guest Kevin Lee (from Film Inquiry) and I review the 2019 Palme d'Or winner "Parasite." Hailed as South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho's masterpiece, the film has gone on to become one of the most critically acclaimed films of the year (and probably of the decade), playing at various film festivals in the lead up to its October 11th theatrical release from NEON and being selected as South Korea's pick for the Best International Feature Film category at this year's Oscars. Some of us have had the opportunity to see the film early at a film festival and we will not be holding back on spoilers so, I urge you...if you have not already seen the film, DO NOT LISTEN IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO BE SPOILED. Otherwise, enjoy!

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.