AwardsWatch Oscar Podcast #82: ‘West Side Story,’ crowdpleasers and the case for late breakers

On today’s Oscar podcast, recorded November 30, I’m joined by Ryan McQuade where we talk about the Gotham Awards and their potential impact on the awards race with The Lost Daughter sweep and Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of West Side Story, which both of us had just seen the night before.

This takes us to a conversation about ‘crowdpleasers’ as potential Best Picture frontrunners with contenders like Belfast and King Richard winning festival audience awards and how West Side Story could factor into that as well. That opens the door for how the several late-breakers and non-festival films this season – WSS, Licorice Pizza, House of Gucci, Nightmare Alley and Don’t Look Up – could win or lose the race with other films already establishing buzz and momentum.

Today’s podcast is supported by Amazon Studios presenting A HERO, from Asghar Farhadi, writer/director of the Academy Award®-winning films A Separation and The Salesman, and winner of the Grand Prix at Cannes Film Festival. A HERO is Iran’s selection for Best International Feature Film. The Hollywood Reporter calls it “one of the best films of the year.” For your consideration in all categories including Best International Feature Film. A HERO is in theaters January 7th, and streaming January 21st on Prime Video.

Today’s podcast is also supported by Amazon Studios presenting MY NAME IS PAULI MURRAY, from the directors of RBG. A documentary chronicling both the personal path and tireless advocacy of the social justice warrior whose work foreshadowed some of the most politically consequential issues of our time. The San Francisco Chronicle calls the film “Jaw-dropping…an extraordinary documentary.” For your consideration in all categories including Best Documentary Feature. MY NAME IS PAULI MURRAY is streaming now on Prime Video.

And finally, today’s podcast is also supported by Amazon Studios presenting VAL. For over 40 years, Val Kilmer documented his own life and craft through thousands of hours of footage, from 16mm home movies to time spent in iconic roles for blockbuster movies. Winner of 3 Critics’ Choice Documentary Association Awards and praised by the Associated Press as “a remarkably intimate film a lifetime in the making.” For your consideration in all categories including Best Documentary Feature. VAL is streaming now on Prime Video. 

This podcast runs 55m 50s with intros, music and sponsored content.

Music credit: AShamaluevMusic and B-3