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The AwardsWatch Podcast

AwardsWatch

Podcasts from AwardsWatch on the Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes, SAG and more.

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September 3 · 2 hr 42 min
Director Watch Podcast Ep. 171: 'The Power of the Dog' (Jane Campion, 2021)
On episode 171 of the Director Watch Podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter are joined by AwardsWatch Associate Editor Sophia Ciminello discuss the final film in their Jane Campion series, The Power of the Dog (2021). Welcome back to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, the boys attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema's greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you've got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. Reaching the end of a series doesn't always mean that you will be talking about a director's best work, but with Campion, The Power of the Dog challenges The Piano has her defining masterpiece as she examines the toxicity within masculinity and within the western genre. While it created a wildfire of conversations and discourse, Campion delivered a masterpiece that is still one of the best films of the 2020s so far, while also cementing her legendary status with an Oscar win for Best Director. Ryan, Jay, and Sophia discuss their thoughts on the film, the magnificent quartet of performances at the core of the film, the gorgeous cinematography of Ari Wegner, the magnificent score from Jonny Greenwood, the power dynamics between Phil and Peter, the lasting implications of Bronco Henry's actions of the past, and how the film was at the same time both the best film of the year and most divisive film of the year, mirroring the same problems Brokeback Mountain and other queer films have faced throughout the years. You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more. You can also listen on the AW YouTube page. This podcast runs 2h42m. The guys will be back next week to begin their new series on the films of Edward Yang with a review of his film, Taipei Story. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let's get into it. Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and "B-3" from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).
August 31 · 25 min
Director Adam Wingard on Super Soldiers, Government Conspiracies, and the Kinky Villains of 'Onslaught' [AUDIO INTERVIEW]
In the early 2010s, no one showed more promise as a filmmaker than writer-director Adam Wingard. The young genre filmmaker from Tennessee had made a name for himself after the success of his break out films You're Next (2011) and The Guest (2014, one of the best films of that year). But much like many modern directors, Wingard took his talents to the cinematic worlds of big budget, existing IP, which saw him make Blair Witch, the third film in the franchise, the live-action Death Note, based on the popular Japanese manga. In this decade, he's explored the thrills and spectacle of two Godzilla vs. Kong films, making his mark within two of the biggest characters in the history of cinema, showcasing ridiculous action mixed with even more outrageous world building. After nearly a decade of being inside the studio machine, Wingard, alongside his screenwriting partner Simon Barrett, have returned to form with his latest film, Onslaught, an action-packed, kinky, bloody, paranoid driven machine within the same universe as The Guest; a full display of the promise he once showed us, just more mature now, speaking on themes of how our government and institutions want to harm us more than hurt us, and see humans as collateral damage more than as assists. Starring Adria Arjona, Drew Starkey, Reginald VelJohnson, Rebecca Hall, and Dan Stevens, Onslaught is one of the best action movies of the year, proving that Wingard is still a highly original voice that is needed in creating perfect, throwback action-horror flicks we just don't get anymore, and also showcasing why Arjona is a badass movie star. In my conversation with Wingard, we spoke about his journey to make Onslaught, what he learned about himself when making studio films, and why this was the right time to head back into the previous cinematic universe he and Barrett worked in before. We also discussed his research into cults, super soldiers, lack of institutional trust, and how the power-hungry characters in the film explore and exploit their own kinks. In speaking with him about every aspect of the film, working with his cast, and looking at his place in the world of independent filmmaking, a joyous energy shined out of him, much like the night before when he introduced the film before a packed audience at the Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar in Austin, Texas. It's nice to tell that the writer-director is back making movies in his comfort zone, and we are lucky to see Adam Wingard back to working in a sandbox he created, all the while waiting to see how he's going to blow it up with some killer needle drops along the way. You can listen to The AwardsWatch Podcast and interviews wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more. You can also listen on the AW YouTube page. Let's get into it.
August 31 · 1 hr 25 min
AwardsWatch Podcast Ep. 361: Reviewing Ridley Scott's 'The Dog Stars'
On episode 361 of The AwardsWatch Podcast, Executive Editor Ryan McQuade is joined by AwardsWatch Associate Editor Sophia Ciminello to review the latest film from director Ridley Scott, The Dog Stars. You can listen to The AwardsWatch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more. You can also listen on the AW YouTube page. This podcast runs 1h26m. We will be back next week with a recap of the 2026 Telluride Film Festival. Till then, let's get into it. Music: "Modern Fashion" from AShamaleuvmusic (intro), "B-3" from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).
August 28 · 1 hr 21 min
Talking Madonna with Erik and Abdi: Episode 17 'CONFESSIONS II' (2026) Part 2
It's time for part 2 of Talking Madonna with Erik and Abdi, as one episode covering 'Confessions II' wasn't nearly enough. After part 1 covered the first seven songs: "I Feel So Free," "Good For the Soul," "One Step Away," "Bring Your Love," Danceteria" and "Everything," part 2 is where Madonna, and we, go deeper. While the rescue and release of the dancefloor is still in full effect on the second half of 'Confessions II,' Madonna begins excavating and reclaiming her past, especially her relationships, as she talks about Sean Penn, her stepmother, her brother Christopher and, maybe most emotionally, a duet with her eldest daughter Lola and the price Madonna's fame and public persona has cost her. In this episode, famed author and producer Abdi Nazemian and I pour through "Love Sensation," "Love Without Words," "Bizarre," "School," "Fragile," "My Sins are My Savior," "Betrayal," "The Test" and "L.E.S. Girl," in hopes of understanding the record and where Madonna is at this point in her life, as well and how much her music and experiences have either echoed or informed our own, sometimes on a very personal level. This episode runs 1h21m. You can listen to this review wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, and more. You can also watch the video review on the AW YouTube page.
August 27 · 2 hr 10 min
Director Watch Podcast Ep. 170: 'Bright Star' (Jane Campion, 2009)
On episode 170 of the Director Watch Podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter are joined by AwardsWatch contributor Josh Parham discuss the next film in their Jane Campion series, Bright Star (2009). Welcome back to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, the boys attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema's greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you've got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. It was six years between the reception for In the Cut and her next big screen project, and with it, Jane Campion went back to her comfort zone, making a period piece about a famous writer. This time the film focused on the last three years of the life of poet John Keats, and his relationship with Fanny Brawn, and their off and on courtship of each other. While Campion had worked on a documentary in the time between, her return to narrative filmmaking was a breath of fresh air, exploring the heartbreaking nature of these two people's lives mixed with their fascination with the written word; also featuring some of Campion's most gorgeous visuals. Ryan, Jay, and Josh break down their thoughts on the film, Campion's interest in period pieces, how tender this love story is while at the same time devastating, the career choices of Abbie Cornish, and why Ben Whishaw is an "important person" for Josh. You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more. You can also listen on the AW YouTube page. This podcast runs 2h10m. The guys will be back next week to conclude their series on the films of Jane Campion with a review of her next film, The Power of the Dog (2021). You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let's get into it. Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and "B-3" from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).
August 25 · 1 hr 4 min
Talking Madonna with Erik and Abdi: Episode 16 'CONFESSIONS II' (2026) Part I
"One of the most controversial things I've done is stick around." It's been seven years since the Queen of Pop released 'Madame X,' the longest time between studio albums in her 40+ year career, and a lot's happened since then. A worldwide pandemic, of course, but for Madonna herself, a sudden and life-threatening experience in June 2023 when she contracted a severe bacterial infection that developed into sepsis and acute septic shock. She was hospitalized in the ICU, placed on a ventilator, and spent four days in a medically induced coma. And no one even knew until it was over. All just as she was about to embark on a world tour in support of her landmark 50 #1s on Billboard and the release of 'Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones,' the now best-selling album celebrating those 50 dance hits. A handful of shows were postponed but the tour, originally set to begin July 15, kicked off on October 14. But struggle wasn't finished with Madonna. Her eldest brother, Anthony, had died in February 2023 then in 2024 her stepmother Joan, who had raised Madonna since she was eight years old and her younger brother Christopher, art director on The Blonde Ambition tour and more, died within 10 days of each other in the fall. That means it's also been six years since the last episode of Talking Madonna with Erik and Abdi, a series where celebrated author and producer Abdi Nazemian and I broke down all 14 of her studio albums and even curated our own 'greatest hits' album where we each chose one song from each album (with a few cheats) to create the perfect Madonna record. Now it's time to talk 'Confessions II.' Please enjoy this new conversation between Abdi and myself, where we talk about the build up to the album and its first seven songs: "I Feel So Free," "Good For the Soul," "One Step Away," "Bring Your Love," "Danceteria," and "Everything." This episode runs 1h4m. Keep and eye out for part two soon. Confessions II by the numbers Released on July 3, 2026 Peaked at #1 on Billboard 200 album chart Length: 63:52 First week sales: 134,000 (currently at approximately 500K)
August 24 · 1 hr 1 min
Ep. 360: Previewing the 53rd Telluride Film Festival
We're less than two weeks before the 53nd Telluride Film Festival kicks off on Labor Day weekend and we have a packed show. On episode 360 AwardsWatch Executive Editor Ryan McQuade is joined by Editor-In-chief Erik Anderson Associate Editor Sophia Ciminello, contributors Jay Ledbetter, Mark Johnson, and Jorge Tenreiro, and Christina Birro of Pop Culture Confidential to break down what we think will be at Telluride this season, who might be getting the Silver Medallion festival tributes, and much more. You can listen to The AwardsWatch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more. This podcast runs 1h01m. We will be back next week with a review of the latest film from director Ridley Scott, The Dog Stars. Till then, let's get into it. Music: "Modern Fashion" from AShamaleuvmusic (intro), "B-3" from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).
August 21 · 53 min
Andrew Patterson on the Journey to Harvest the Singular World of 'The Rivals of Amziah King,' and Collaborating with Matthew McConaughey [AUDIO INTERVIEW]
Director Andrew Patterson's big screen journey has been unconventional to say the least. With his debut feature film, The Vast of Night, Patterson patiently watched as his film was shopped around the festival circuit, landed a spot at the 2019 Slamdance Film Festival, going on to win the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature. It was then acquired by Amazon Studios, where they were going to give it a proper release in 2020, but then the pandemic happened, and most audiences had to discover this bright new talent from the comfort of his own home. In this time, where we were all locked away in our homes, Patterson went back to an old script he was developing, one about an eccentric, beloved, blue grass-playing beekeeper and his estranged former foster daughter, their reconnection, and the passing of a touch between a business and the bloodlines you make along the way; The Rivals of Amziah King. In writing a draft that was close to 360 pages long, Patterson, a former editor before he turned writer-director, slowly stripped his epic down to the version that he wanted to put on the big screen; a sprawling tale that features people, a town, a culture, an environment he grew up around in a small town in rural Oklahoma. This baked in familiarity and personality resulted in his script impressing many, including the actor who plays the titular Amziah King, Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey, who is a revelation in the film, as well as his co-star Angelina LookingGlass, one of the best discoveries of the year. Together, this acting duo brought to life the unique, brilliant vision of Patterson's expansive second feature and in result, was a rousing success at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival, with buzz building from the moment it screened. After being acquired by Black Bear Pictures, the world finally gets to see an Andrew Patterson film on the big screen, which, per my review from SXSW, is still "one of the best films of the year so far," and announced the director as "a serious name to be reckoned with in the world of cinematic storytelling," as well as high praise for McConaughey, who delivers "one of the best performances of his career and his best work in over a decade." In a recent conversation, Patterson and I spoke about the process of getting the film to the big screen, the patience it took to trust the studio, and his work as an editor shapes new role as a writer-director. We also spoke about recreating the world of Oklahoma in Alabama (where the film was mostly shot), his collaborative process with his crew and two lead actors, as well as his thoughts on the state of independent cinema, and the stories he wants to tell going forward, no matter how big or small they might be. Insightful doesn't begin to describe Patterson, a growing voice in modern cinema that's open to unknown possibilities that lie ahead, willing to still look optimistically at this business after an atypical start to one's cinematic career; humming along to his next project much like bees in his latest film, waiting for his chance to deliver something special yet singular like his first two features. The Rivals of Amziah King is currently in theaters from Black Bear Pictures. You can listen to this interview wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more. You can also listen on the AW YouTube page. Music: "Quill" from Matthew McConaughey and Ben Hardesty (intro) and "B-3" from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).
August 20 · 1 hr 43 min
Director Watch Podcast Ep. 169: 'In the Cut' (Jane Campion, 2003)
On episode 169 of the Director Watch Podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter are joined by AwardsWatch contributor Cody Dericks discuss the next film in their Jane Campion series, In the Cut (2003). Welcome back to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, the boys attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema's greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you've got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. After making a couple of period pieces, Jane Campion took a massive left turn, and went to make the riskiest film of her career, a modern, psychological, sexual thriller about a English teacher that gets involved in a personal entanglement with a shady police detective who is solving the grisly murders of young women. The film was a departure for not only the director, but the film's star, and a signature "America's sweetheart" Meg Ryan, and given its mixed reception and under performance at the box office, was deemed a flop. But time also shines brightest on the bold, as In the Cut has become a cut classic, as well as a vital look at the city of New York post September 11th; it's visually also unlike anything Campions ever done with two maximalist, brilliant performances from Meg Ryan and Mark Ruffalo. Ryan, Jay, and Cody break down their thoughts on the film, Meg Ryan's persona as an actress, the differences in the two cuts of the film, how wild this movie was for the time, how sex is weaponized throughout the plot, and why this works now but didn't in 2003. You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more. You can also listen on the AW YouTube page. This podcast runs 1h43m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Jane Campion with a review of her next film, Bright Star. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let's get into it. Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and "B-3" from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).
August 17 · 1 hr 22 min
Ep. 359: Reviewing 'The End of Oak Street'
On episode 359 of The AwardsWatch Podcast, Executive Editor Ryan McQuade is joined by AwardsWatch contributor (and his Director Watch co-host) Jay Ledbetter to give their thoughts on the latest film from director David Robert Mitchell, The End of Oak Street, as well brief thoughts on the D23 announcements from this past weekend. You can listen to The AwardsWatch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more. This podcast runs 1h23m. We will be back next week with our preview of the 2026 Telluride Film Festival. Till then, let's get into it. Music: "Modern Fashion" from AShamaleuvmusic (intro), "B-3" from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).
August 14 · 2 hr 12 min
AwardsWatch Podcast Ep. 358: NYFF and TIFF Lineups and Oscar Predictions in the Acting Categories
On episode 358 of The AwardsWatch Podcast, Editor-In-Chief Erik Anderson is joined by Executive Editor Ryan McQuade, Associate Editor Sophia Ciminello and AwardsWatch contributor Josh Parham to look at the final announcements from the New York Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival and our Oscar predictions in the acting categories. You can listen to The AwardsWatch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more. You can also listen on the AW YouTube page. This podcast runs 2h12m. We will be back next week to talk about the latest film from the director David Robert Mitchell, The End of Oak Street. Till then, let's get into it.
August 13 · 1 hr 33 min
Director Watch Podcast Ep. 168: 'The Portrait of a Lady' (Jane Campion, 1996)
On episode 168 of the Director Watch Podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter discuss the next film in their Jane Campion series, The Portrait of a Lady (1996). Welcome back to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, the boys attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema's greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision-making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you've got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. After making a masterpiece, and what many consider to be the defining work of her career, Jane Campion took on the literary classic by Henry James about an innocent young woman of independent means who is manipulated by all of those around her for her money and her heart. It's the strangest films in Campion's filmography, as it has the hallmarks of her previous three films, and plenty of style and flare that she's become known for after breaking out with The Piano. But unlike adapting Janet Frame's work for An Angel at My Table, the guys felt there isn't much personal connection with this material, and therefore, Campion's film is rather distant and uninspired, with a central performance from its lead actress that leaves a lot to be desired. Ryan and Jay break down their thoughts on the film, what makes a good period piece adaptation, the films and novels they thought about while watching The Portrait of a Lady, why Kidman is not right for this role, how great Barbara Hershey and John Malkovich in their villainous roles, how Mary-Louise Parker gives maybe one of the worst performances ever put to screen, and just how stupid Tom Brady is. You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more. You can also listen on the AW YouTube page. This podcast runs 1h34m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Jane Campion with a review of her next film, In the Cut. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let's get into it. Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and "B-3" from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).
August 10 · 2 hr 26 min
Ep. 357: Oscars Retrospective of the 44th Academy Awards
On episode 357 of The AwardsWatch Podcast, Executive Editor Ryan McQuade is joined by AwardsWatch contributors Josh Parham and Karen Peterson to go back 55 years and take a look at the 44th Academy Awards, covering the films of 1971. In another Oscar retrospective, the team go back this week to the start of the 1970s, where Hollywood was in a transition period within the films of the past; costume dramas and period pieces, and the films that would dominate the decade; auteur, original filmmaking from new voices in cinema. One of those voices was director William Friedkin, who broke big in 1971 with The French Connection, a neo-noir, action thriller about a narcotics detective trying to take down a big-time, connected drug dealer. The film was a massive success for the director and its star Gene Hackman, with the Academy awarding them Oscar gold. But will the team let Friedkin and company keep their Oscars? The Best Picture winner, alongside A Clockwork Orange, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, McCabe and Mrs. Miller, The Devils, A New Leaf, Dirty Harry, The Last Picture Show, Nicholas and Alexandra, Fiddler on the Roof, Harold and Maude, and more were mentioned on the show. In their in-depth discussion, the AW team talked about the film year of 1971, briefly discuss talk about The French Connection as a Best Picture winner, and how that speaks to the legacy of their nominates and or wins, do an extensive conversation over the below the line categories and nominees for the year, and then the new version of the AW Shoulda Woulda Coulda game, where instead of individual replacements, they must decide as a group who the nominees and winners should be in the top eight categories. The rules of the game state they can only replace two of the nominees that year from each category, except in Best Picture, where the group could replace up to three films to make up the final set of five nominated films. Like past retrospective episodes, it was a fascinating, fun conversation including spirited debates, alliances, vote swinging, celebrating various movies, performances that aren't normally talked about and more that we all hope you enjoy. You can listen to The AwardsWatch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more. You can also listen on the AW YouTube page. This podcast runs 2h26m. We will be back next week to talk about the latest film from the director David Robert Mitchell, The End of Oak Street. Till then, let's get into it. Music: "Modern Fashion" from AShamaleuvmusic (intro), "B-3" from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).
August 6 · 1 hr 58 min
Director Watch Podcast Ep. 167: 'The Piano' (Jane Campion, 1993) with Special Guest Nadia Daliamonte
On episode 167 of the Director Watch Podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter are joined by film critic Nadia Dalimonte to discuss the next film in their Jane Campion series, The Piano (1993). Welcome back to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, the boys attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema's greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you've got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. The Director Watch duo have reached the crown jewel of Campion's career with The Piano, a titanic epic about a mute Scottish woman who travels to a remote part of New Zealand with her young daughter after her arranged marriage to a settler and begins an affair with another man. In doing this, the woman manipulates both men, using her silence as a tool to gain power in a time of struggle, in an environment that's not of her choosing or familiarity. Campion creates a defining, thorny masterpiece of its time, exploring the ideas of identity, control, and lust within her biggest hit to date. Ryan, Jay, and Nadia break down their thoughts on the film, Hunter's magnificent performance, The Piano's connection to a pervious film series the guys covered, the film's gorgeous ending, the embrace of Campion's vision by audiences, and all the reasons why this is such a special film. You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more. You can also listen on the AW YouTube page. This podcast runs 1h59m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Jane Campion with a review of her next film, The Portrait of a Lady. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let's get into it. Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and "B-3" from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).
August 3 · 1 hr 47 min
Ep. 356 - Reviewing 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' and Our Favorite Films of 2026 So Far
On episode 356 of The AwardsWatch Podcast, Executive Editor Ryan McQuade is joined by AwardsWatch contributors Mark Johnson and Karen Peterson to give their thoughts on the latest film MCU, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, as well as discuss their favorite films of 2026 so far. You can listen to The AwardsWatch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more. This podcast runs 1h48m. We will be back next week with an Oscar retrospective of the 44th Academy Awards, covering the films of 1971. Till then, let's get into it. Music: "Modern Fashion" from AShamaleuvmusic (intro), "B-3" from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).
July 30 · 1 hr 37 min
Director Watch Ep. 166: 'An Angel at My Table' (Jane Campion, 1990)
On episode 166 of the Director Watch Podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter to discuss the second film in their Jane Campion series, An Angel at My Table (1990). Welcome back to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, the boys attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema's greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you've got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. With her second feature, director Jane Campion made herself a staple of New Zealand cinema as she explored the world of author Janet Frame, and three of her most vital texts. In diving deeper into her works, Campion looked inward at the life of Frame, her troubled adolescence, her complex diagnoses inside mental institutions, and her awakening as a young woman. By touch on these important moments in her life, Campion gives Frame as empathetic of a examination into the life of an artist that you will ever find on screen. Ryan and Jay break down their thoughts on the film, which section of the film works best for them, the themes of Frame's work and how it relates to Campion, Campion's confidence in the material shining brighter here than her debut, the reverence to Frame's work the country and how it is sprinkled and hinted at within the narrative of her life. You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more. You can also listen on the AW YouTube page. This podcast runs 1h39m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Jane Campion with a review of her next film, The Piano. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let's get into it. Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and "B-3" from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).
July 27 · 37 min
12 Years Later: Richard Linklater on Adolescence, Parenthood, Generational Optimism, and Everlasting Memories of 'Boyhood' [AUDIO INTERVIEW]
Over the course of his career, no other director has documented the passage of time better on screen than writer-director Richard Linklater. The Texas filmmaker, synonymous with being one of the vital voices of the independent film movement of the 1990s, has used his filmography to record the most vital parts of our lives, and how those moments from our past and present can shape our future. Whether it's our first love and the long romantic journey with that person (the Before Trilogy), the magic of his childhood (School of Rock, Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood), the glory of high school and college (Dazed and Confused, Everybody Wants Some!!), the evolution of artistic expression (Me and Orson Welles, Blue Moon, Nouvelle Vague), Linklater has looked inward at the human condition expertly for close to forty years, but none more so perfectly than he did with his 2014 masterpiece, Boyhood. Originating as an idea in his mind over two and a half decades ago, Linklater assembled a cast and crew to go on a twelve-year journey of filming that would chronicle the life of a young boy from the age of six all the way to eighteen, from kindergarten to the end of high school. From the early 2000s to the mid-2010s, Linklater tinkered in the editing room with footage from limited days to shooting with his actors, sometimes even without a finish script, and sprung out a one-of-a-kind film that serves as a memory box for generation within its specific look at a boy growing up in South Texas as he's discovering who he wants to be, living with his mother and sister and occasionally spending time with his father when he is in town. In symbolic nod to the years, it took to make Boyhood, it returns to theaters for a run of anniversary screenings nationwide for its twelve-year celebration to re-explore the evolving yet universal themes Linklater concluded about adolescence, parenthood, siblings, and learning that the road to becoming the person we want to be takes exactly one thing Linklater has become known for, time. In a recent conversation, Linklater and I spoke about the origins of the project, collecting the music that made up the character's world, the evolving nature of the project, and retooling the film's narrative to fit the film's star Ellar Coltrane's life and interests. We also spoke about working with Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, their growth within these characters as parents and how Arquette's role mirrored the life of Linklater's mother. Our discussion continued with what it was like to film eight other films while creating Boyhood, why San Marcos, TX was a great location to shoot the majority of the film (he continued to use this location for Everybody Wants Some!!), his optimism about the future generations on the whole as well as within the confines of artistic expression. In our final moments, Linklater teased his latest expansive project he's doing right now, an adaptation of the musical Merrily We Roll Along, this time with the film commencing over the course of twenty years to complete the time period of this celebrated work from Stephen Sondheim. While it seems like a daunting task, only Linklater would have the trust from audiences to deliver again once we are able to see the film in the years to come. But until then, the director, much like when he was making Boyhood, will continue to create great work that reminds us of his artistic super power; that by looking inward, we discover the value of our place, our time, and the skin we live in. Boyhood will receive a 12th anniversary theatrical re-release from Independent Film Company (IFC) on July 31.
July 27 · 2 hr 43 min
Ep. 355: Oscars Retrospective of the 79th Academy Awards
On episode 355 of The AwardsWatch Podcast, Executive Editor Ryan McQuade is joined by AwardsWatch Editor-In-Chief Erik Anderson and AwardsWatch contributors Josh Parham and Karen Peterson to go back 20 years and take a look at the 79th Academy Awards, covering the films of 2006. The AW team goes back twenty years to take a look back on a time that was a nail biter of a season that resulted in Martin Scorsese coming out on time, winning his long awaited Oscar for the crime, gangster thriller The Departed. Alongside that, it was a fascinating five films in the Best Picture line-up that made up a pretty deep year of films that rank as some of the best of the decade of the 2010s upon retrospective. Films like Notes on a Scandal, Pan's Labyrinth, The Devil Wears Prada, United 93, Little Children, Half Nelson, and more from the nominations are talked about in-depth on this week's episode alongside Maria Antoinette, The Prestige, Miami Vice, Casino Royale, Children of Men, Inside Man, The Holiday get more attention from the group than their original award season run or get more nominations past their original snubs. It's a stacked conversation, and it makes for a fun episode of deliberation amongst the group. In their in-depth discussion, the AW team talked about the film year of 2006, briefly discuss talk about The Departed as a Best Picture winner, and how that speaks to the legacy of their nominates and or wins, do an extensive conversation over the below the line categories and nominees for the year, and then the new version of the AW Shoulda Woulda Coulda game, where instead of individual replacements, they must decide as a group who the nominees and winners should be in the top eight categories. The rules of the game state they can only replace two of the nominees that year from each category, except in Best Picture, where the group could replace up to three films to make up the final set of five nominated films. Like past retrospective episodes, it was a fascinating, fun conversation including spirited debates, alliances, vote swinging, celebrating various movies, performances that aren't normally talked about and more that we all hope you enjoy. You can listen to The AwardsWatch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more. You can also listen on the AW YouTube page. This podcast runs 2h44m. We will be back in next week to talk about the latest film from the MCU, Spider-Man: Brand New Day and talk about the best films of 2026 so far. Till then, let's get into it. Music: "Modern Fashion" from AShamaleuvmusic (intro), "B-3" from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).
July 24 · 2 hr 4 min
Director Watch Ep. 165: 'Sweetie' (Jane Campion, 1989)
On episode 165 of the Director Watch Podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter to discuss the first film in their Jane Campion series, Sweetie (1989). Welcome back to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, the boys attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema's greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you've got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. In the same week the boys say goodbye to the Christopher Nolan series, their next adventure begins as they make their way back to New Zealand to cover the films of a singular voice in cinema, Jane Campion. Known for make films about female expression, rebellion, awakenings, and how women's roles change over time, Campion is an essential director the guys knew they had to talk about, and all her themes come to form one way or another in Sweetie, which covers two sisters that are polar opposite of one another, with the titular character going through their own emotional breakdown due to the siblings' family dynamics. Ryan and Jay break down their thoughts on the film, their relationship with Campion's filmography, the point of view as a storyteller, and how this all relates to her promising, haunting first film. You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more. You can also listen on the AW YouTube page. This podcast runs 2h04m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Jane Campion with a review of her next film, An Angel at My Table. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let's get into it. Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and "B-3" from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).
July 23 · 1 hr 35 min
Ep. 354: Breaking Down the Venice Film Festival Lineup and Early Oscar Predictions
On episode 354 of The AwardsWatch Podcast, Associate Editor Sophia Ciminello is joined by Editor-In-Chief Erik Anderson, Executive Editor Ryan McQuade, and Mark Johnson, aka The Awards Alchemist, to chat about the lineup for the 83rd Venice International Film Festival and to share their first Oscar podcast predictions for Adapted and Original Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture. First, they dive into Venice's world premieres, including Wild Horse Nine, Primetime, and Bucking Fastard. Does this lineup look a little bit lackluster compared to previous editions? The group gives an overview of how they think this lineup (plus early announcements for TIFF and NYFF) could shape the Telluride lineup and the rest of the season. Then, they take a look at four major Oscar categories, the likely nominees, and early possible winners. They discuss the dominance of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, contenders from the Cannes Film Festival, potential lone writing nominees, and other unseen films that could crash the party. Other films mentioned include Dune: Part Three, Project Hail Mary, La Bola Negra, Fjord, Minotaur, The Invite, Club Kid and more. You can listen to The AwardsWatch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube, and more. This podcast runs 1 hr and 35 min. We will be back next week with an Oscar retrospective of the 79th Academy Awards. Until then, let's get into it. Music: "Modern Fashion" from AShamaleuvmusic (intro), "B-3" from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

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