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The OSCARS: What Were They Thinking?!: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Atomic Entertainment
Ever watched the Academy Awards and thought, What were they thinking? You’re not alone. Join legendary comedian and writer of over 25 Oscar telecasts, Bruce Vilanch, and screenwriter/film nerd Adam “Tex” Davis ( Just Friends ) as they dive into Oscar history, unpacking the flubs, snubs, and surprises from Hollywood’s biggest night. From behind-the-scenes stories of A-list stars to insider insights on how the nominations and winners are really chosen, Bruce and Tex break down each Oscar ceremony year by year to reveal what the Academy got right—and what they didn’t. If you’ve ever questioned why your favorite movie or actor got overlooked, this podcast is for you. The Oscars: What Were They Thinking? Did you know that two of the Top 100 American Films of All-Time came out the same year but weren’t even nominated for an Academy Award? Or that the film often cited as the ‘Greatest Film of All-Time’ didn’t win the Oscar in its year? Or that Cuba
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- 1 weeks ago1h 15m
2001 - Oscars to the Maximus!
Hey Oscar fans, today Bruce and “Tex” are checking out the 2001 Oscars for films of 2000 and we must say, this century got off to a great start! All five Best Picture candidates are not only worthy, but still stand the test of time as do many of the other contenders or would-be contenders. And while this year isn’t perfect, it’s a lot better than most in terms of what was nominated and what actually won. But alas, just because they came close, doesn’t mean there aren’t some curious things worth debating and talking about. So, join as we do just that for this incredible year of movies. If nothing else, ‘you will be entertained!’ (Especially by Bruce’s backstage stories as he worked on this year!) As always, thanks for listening and being part of the fun! 2000 Movies Discussed *Gladiator (Gladiator II) *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon *Chocolat *Erin Brockovich *Traffic *Almost Famous *Billy Elliot How the Grinch Stole Christmas *The Patriot *Quills *Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai *Wonder Boys *Cast Away *The Contender *Malena *O Brother, Where Art Thou? *The Perfect Storm *Pollock *Shadow of the Vampire *U-571 *You Can Count on Me *Before Night Falls *Memento *Requiem for a Dream *The Virgin Suicides The Emperor's New Groove *Dancer in the Dark *Meet the Parents *In the Mood for Love *Werckmeister Harmonies Battlefield Earth The Next Best Thing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 3 weeks ago1h 5m
Bonus Episode - The Oscars vs Sci-Fi Movies
Hey Oscar fans! One thing we’ve noticed in making this show is how few Science Fiction Films win Oscars. In fact, only ONE indisputable Sci-Fi film has ever won Best Picture! And it took over 42 years for the Academy to even nominate a Sci-Fi film! In this bonus episode, “Tex” and Mark run down the science fiction films that were nominated (for BP and Best Director) and lost; and more importantly which great Sci-Fi films were overlooked completely. Along the way, we make the case whether or not there is genre bias against Sci-Fi and if the Oscars have finally come around on recognizing science fiction for more than just technical awards. Either way, we discuss a ton of movies (listed below) for you to check out or revisit. Enjoy and thanks for listening! Sci-Fi Films Mentioned Everything, Everywhere, All at Once The Shape of Water Star Wars Frankenstein Ex-Machina Annihilation Them! Godzilla Mad Max: Fury Road Dune Pt. One Dune Pt. Two Terminator Terminator 2 Alien Aliens The Matrix Blade Runner Blade Runner 2049 A Clockwork Orange Close Encounters of the Third Kind ET Jurassic Park Avatar District 9 Inception Gravity Her The Martian Interstellar Arrival Black Panther Avatar: The Way of Water Don’t Look Up Poor Things Metropolis The Day the Earth Stood Still 2001 A Space Odyssey Planet of the Apes The Empire Strikes Back Back to the Future Brazil 12 Monkeys Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Children of Men Tenet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Charley Starman Cocoon The Fly Moon Edge of Tomorrow Melancholia Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Kahn Galaxy Quest Primer Coherence Time Crimes The Man From Earth Safety Not Guaranteed The One I Love Gattaca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Oct 5, 20261h 10m
1937 - The Great Oscar (and Plenty of Follies!)
Hey Oscar fans, welcome to just the 9th Academy Awards, AKA the 1937 Oscars for the films of 1936. Believe it or not, despite being nearly a decade ago, many of the movies from this year are still well known and have stood the test of time. And some of them even won Academy Awards. This is another one of those great early years for movies filled with hidden gems, some ‘must-see’ classics, and a host of smart, meaningful films that deserve to be seen and talked about today. There’s also some great historical context as this was the first year they gave out ‘Supporting Acting’ award. So of course, they made some crazy and curious choices right off the bat! Join Bruce Vilanch and “Tex” Davis as we have fun breaking down this surprisingly interesting year of movies. As always, thanks for joining us at the Oscars! 1936 Films Mentioned The Great Ziegfeld Anthony Adverse Dodsworth Libeled Lady Mr. Deeds Goes to Town Romeo and Juliet San Francisco The Story of Louis Pasteur A Tale of Two Cities Three Smart Girls My Man Godfrey Modern Times Fury The Secret Agent Come and Get It Pigskin Parade The General Died at Dawn Theodora Goes Wild Valiant is the Word for Carrie The Gorgeous Hussy These Three Swing Time After the Thin Man The Crime of Monsieur Lange Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Sep 21, 20261h 7m
1975 - I Knew it was You, Oscar. You broke my heart!
1975 Films Mentioned The Towering Inferno Blazing Saddles Young Frankenstein Earthquake Airport 1975 Chinatown The Godfather Part II Lenny Murder on the Orient Express Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore The Conversation Day for Night Woman Under the Influence Harry and Tonto Claudine The Great Gatsby Ali: Fear Eats the Soul Thunderbolt and Lightfoot The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz Amarcord Shanks The Longest Yard Hearts and Minds (doc.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Sep 7, 202658 min
BONUS - Disorder in the Court!
Hey Oscar fans! Based on the past few episodes which featured some outstanding films set in courtrooms, we decided to take a closer look at The Oscars long-standing relationship with courtroom movies! From the curious collection of courtroom movies that won Best Picture, to the outstanding nominees that didn’t win, to our favorite court (or court adjacent) films that received no love from The Academy. Join us as we litigate our case and determine whether The Academy delivered a just verdict or whether the whole Oscars is ‘out of order!’ Court Movies Mentioned To Kill a Mockingbird And Justice for All The Verdict Inherit the Wind 12 Angry Men Witness for the Prosecution A Few Good Men Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) The Life of Emile Zola A Man For All Seasons Kramer Vs. Kramer Gandhi Chicago Mutiny on the Bounty (1962) The Caine Mutiny Anatomy of a Murder A Soldier’s Story JFK In the Name of the Father Erin Brockovich Michael Clayton The Trial of the Chicago 7 The Social Network Anatomy of a Fall The Accused Philadelphia A Time to Kill The People vs. Larry Flynt The Rainmaker Amistad The Hurricane The Wrong Man Paths of Glory Breaker Morant Young Mr. Lincoln Roman J. Israel, Esq. A Matter of Life and Death The Ox-Bow Incident Fury Phil Spector Malice The Devil’s Advocate Presumed Innocent The Firm Defending Your Life My Cousin Vinny Legally Blond Primal Fear Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Aug 24, 20261h 15m
1960 - Ben Hur, Won That!
Hey Oscar fans! Today we’re looking back at the 1960 Oscars for the films of 1959! In the end, just like with the famous chariot race, Ben Hur demolished his opponents — but what made it a glorious victory was the sheer quality of his competition. From devastating historical dramas to scandalous courtroom battles, from one of the all-time greatest comedy films not even securing a nomination to foreign classics from some of cinema’s masters, this was a year when Hollywood was beginning to head in a new direction. Add in a few lesser-remembered hidden gems and genre pics and you’ve got a year that not only stands the test of time — it aces it. Join Bruce Vilanch and “Tex” as they take a deep dive into swords, sandals, attics and cannibals! As always, thanks for listening! FILMS DISCUSSED Ben Hur The Diary of Anne Frank The Nun’s Story Anatomy of a Murder Room at the Top Some Like it Hot Pillow Talk Porgy and Bess North by Northwest Suddenly Last Summer The Young Philadelphians Imitation of Life The Last Angry Man The Apartment Compulsion Carmen Jones Rio Bravo The 400 Blows Wild Strawberries Pickpocket Hiroshima Mon Amour Mrs. Miniver The Best Years of Our Lives The Lost Weekend The Apartment Double Indemnity Sunset Boulevard Stalag 17 Sabrina Witness for the Prosecution Giant Shane A Place in the Sun The Ten Commandments The Story of Louis Pasteur Operation Petticoat Ship of Fools Black Orpheus Dr. Strangelove The Poseidon Adventure Imitation of Life (1934) Lolita On the Beach Sleeping Beauty Stay One for Me Lil’ bAner The Five Pennies A Hole in the Head (The Apu Trilogy) The World of Apu Pather Panchali Aparajito (The Human Condition Trilogy) The Human Condition Part 1: No Greater Love Last Year at Marienbad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Aug 10, 20261h 10m
1983 - Oscars, Phone Home!
Hey Oscars fans! What a year 1982 was for movies! Besides having mostly one word titles: Gandhi, E.T., Missing, Tootsie, and (The) Verdict, this group of films are all Oscar worthy in multiple categories and they almost all win for something or other! And those are just the nominees battling it out! Strap in as Bruce Vilanch and Adam “Tex” Davis take a fun look back at a year full of fascinating films that have a Noah’s Ark, two-by-two quality. There’s two of the best sci-fi films ever made; two films about pretending to be the opposite gender; two military films about Naval officers; two acting nominations for the same actress; and the two most nominated actors to NEVER win an Oscar, both nominated this year! It’s peak Oscar’s insanity! Enjoy, and thanks for listening! FiLMS MENTIONED Just Friends The Odyssey Arthur Gandhi Tootsie E.T. Victor/Victoria Das Boot An Officer and a Gentleman Sophie’s Choice The Verdict Missing Poltergeist Annie Blade Runner Francis Tron The World According to Garp Lawrence of Arabia Dr. Zhivago A Man for All Seasons The Great Ziegfeld The Life of Emile Zola Patton Out of Africa The Last Emperor Schindler’s List My Favorite Year Get Him to the Greek Diner King of Comedy Z Jurassic Park Fitzcarraldo First Blood Cat People The Thing Fast Times at Ridgemont High The Dark Crystal Bugsy Kramer vs. Kramer The Deer Hunter The French Lieutenant’s Woman Shoot the Moon The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas The Tempest Full Metal Jacket It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas Network Precious Rocky 3 Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Kahn Nigh Shift All That Jazz King Kong (1976) Pulp Fiction Quest for Fire Yes, Giorgio! Begin the Beguine Clean Slate Veronika Voss Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jul 27, 20261h 15m
1984 Redux - Oscars of Endearment
Hey Oscar fans, join us for another look back at the 1984 Oscars for the amazing films of 1983. A time when all the big stars, big directors and top talent were putting out great films to satisfy every film urge and scratch every movie itch! With so many objectively great movies in every genre to choose from, it's hard for even the Academy to get it wrong. And yet, using the test of time, there are still some curious choices and omissions worth looking into. And please note, we'll be back with new episodes, fresh complaints and satisfying explanations in a few weeks. Hope everyone is beating the heat by staying in and watching great movies! For more info, go to www.Oscars.wtf email us at Info@Oscars.wtf Oscars: What Were They Thinking is edited by Kelley Marcano Movies Mentioned (*Recommended) *Terms of Endearment *The Right Stuff *Fanny & Alexander *The Dresser *Silkwood *Tender Mercies Yentl *Cross Creek *The Big Chill *Educating Rita *Reuben, Reuben *War Games *Star Wars: Return of the Jedi *Trading Places *The Outsiders Flashdance *Risky Business *Sudden Impact *The China Syndrome *The Insider *Norma Rae *Breaking Away *Bullitt Krull Mother, Jugs & Speed *The Friends of Eddie Coyle Face to Face *The Graduate *Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolfe *Working Girl *Raiders of the Lost Ark Henry & June *Unbearable Lightness of Being The Mirror Has Two Faces *The Prince of Tides Rhinestone *Dr. Zhivago *Tom Jones *Murder on the Orient Express *The Godfather *Apocalypse Now *The Great Santini *Ray *Crazy Heart *Testament Melvin and Howard *To Be or Not to Be (1984 & 1942) *One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest *Easy Rider *Five Easy Pieces *Reds *The World According to Garp Precious *Network *To Kill a Mockingbird Betrayal Octopussy Striptease Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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About The OSCARS: What Were They Thinking?!
Ever watched the Academy Awards and thought, What were they thinking? You’re not alone. Join legendary comedian and writer of over 25 Oscar telecasts, Bruce Vilanch, and screenwriter/film nerd Adam “Tex” Davis ( Just Friends ) as they dive into Oscar history, unpacking the flubs, snubs, and surprises from Hollywood’s biggest night. From behind-the-scenes stories of A-list stars to insider insights on how the nominations and winners are really chosen, Bruce and Tex break down each Oscar ceremony year by year to reveal what the Academy got right—and what they didn’t. If you’ve ever questioned why your favorite movie or actor got overlooked, this podcast is for you. The Oscars: What Were They Thinking? Did you know that two of the Top 100 American Films of All-Time came out the same year but weren’t even nominated for an Academy Award? Or that the film often cited as the ‘Greatest Film of All-Time’ didn’t win the Oscar in its year? Or that Cuba
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