‘Alpha’ Review: Julia Ducournau’s AIDS Allegory Crumbles Under the Weight of its Repetitive Self-Importance [D-] Cannes
Four years ago, a tidal wave hit cinema with Julia Ducournau’s second feature film, Titane. Winner of the Palme d’Or at the 2021 Cannes Film... Read More
Ryan McQuade
Ryan McQuade is the AwardsWatch Executive Editor and a film-obsessed writer in San Antonio, Texas. Raised on musicals, westerns, and James Bond, his taste in cinema is extremely versatile. He’s extremely fond of independent releases and director’s passion projects. Engrossed with all things Oscars, he hosts the AwardsWatch Podcast. He also is co-host of the Director Watch podcast. When he’s not watching movies, he’s rooting on all his favorite sports teams, including his beloved Texas Longhorns. You can follow him on Twitter at @ryanmcquade77.
Director Watch Podcast Ep. 100 – ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers’ (Peter Jackson, 2002)
Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of... Read More
Light the Fuse: Ranking the ‘Mission: Impossible’ Franchise
For nearly thirty years, audiences around the world have watched one man accept impossible missions while performing ridiculous stunts to save the world from a... Read More
‘The Phoenician Scheme’ Review: Wes Anderson’s Latest Explores the Meaning of Legacy and Features a Superb Breakthrough Performance from Mia Threapleton [A-] Cannes
Wes Anderson’s latest film, The Phoenician Scheme, starts off with a bang. No literally it does, as we find Anatole “Zsa-zsa” Korda (Benicio del Toro),... Read More
Director Watch Podcast Ep. 99 – ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’ (Peter Jackson, 2001)
Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of... Read More
AwardsWatch Podcast Ep. 287 – 78th Cannes Film Festival Preview with Special Guest Christina Birro
On episode 287 of The AwardsWatch Podcast, Executive Editor Ryan McQuade is joined by Editor-In-Chief Erik Anderson, Associate Editor Sophia Ciminello, and special guest Christina... Read More
Directors Watch Podcast Ep. 98 – ‘The Frighteners’ (Peter Jackson, 1996) with Special Guest Brian Tallerico
Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of... Read More
AwardsWatch Podcast Ep. 286 – ‘Thunderbolts*’ Review
On episode 286 of The AwardsWatch Podcast, Executive Editor Ryan McQuade is joined by AwardsWatch contributor Karen Peterson to review the latest film from the... Read More
Director Watch Podcast Ep. 97 – ‘Heavenly Creatures’ (Peter Jackson, 1994) with Special Guest Jesse Nussman
Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of... Read More
Criterion Collection May 2025 Brings 4K Upgrades for ‘Withnail and I,’ ‘The Umbrellas of Cherbourg,’ Two ‘Musketeers’ from Richard Lester and Much More
One of the busiest months of Criterion additions in some time, as six films get their introduction in the famed physical media collection, while two... Read More
Producers Guild Awards Nominations for Sports, Children’s and Short-Form Programs 
Wim Wenders to Lead 76th Berlin International Film Festival Jury 
2026 Oscar Predictions: ADAPTED SCREENPLAY and ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY (December) 
San Diego Film Critics Society (SDFCS) Nominations: ‘One Battle After Another,’ ‘Sinners’ Lead