This Had Oscar Buzz

390 – Les Miserables (1998) 01.06.2026 1sa 46dk

We’re back after our May Miniseries and it’s Tonys week! Rather than a musical, we’re talking about a movie that disappointed in part because it wasn’t a big screen version of the Broadway smash… In 1998, director Bille August brought a condensed version of Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables to the screen. With Liam Neeson headlining as the legendary man imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread, Jean Valjean, the film is a hyper focused version of Hugo’s sprawl that is nevertheless a droning bore. This episode, we talk about August’s two Palme d’Or wins and what this story loses by focusing so closely on only the Valjean/Javert storyline. We also talk about Neeson’s period between his sole Oscar nomination and becoming an action star, Geoffrey Rush cementing his typecast here, and Uma Thurman back-to-back misfires in Batman and Robin and The Avengers. Topics also include this year’s Cannes, Shine as forgotten Oscar winner, and Claire Danes backbackback again.

CATEGORY IS… – Stunts 25.05.2026 2sa 3dk

CATEGORY IS… comes to a close this week and we’re ending this May Miniseries by looking to the future. Next year’s 100th Academy Awards will bring the Academy’s first award to Stunts! This episode, we go into the decades-long effort to make the category happen, how we want to see the category presented on the monumental telecast, how the 1970s’ craze of disaster movies might have influenced the category, Tom Cruise and the influence of the Mission: Impossible franchise, and of course, our picks for ten films in movie history that we would award with a Stunts Oscar.

CATEGORY IS… – Choreography 18.05.2026 2sa 4dk

The May miniseries CATEGORY IS… chugs along this week with Choreography! You know we love talking about dance on film, so this was a category we couldn’t pass up discussing. We’re talking about the three (early) years that Oscar once awarded Dance Direction, when the lines might blur between choreography and fight choreography, iconic musical numbers throughout movie history, when there might have been showdowns between dueling worthy dance movies, “Shipoopi,” So You Think You Can Dance, and the ten films we would retroactively honor with a choreography Oscar.

CATEGORY IS… – Voice Acting 11.05.2026 2sa 9dk

Our 2026 May Miniseries CATEGORY IS… continues this week with a discussion about a dreamed-for category that stirred a lot of conversation, particularly in the 2000s. We’re talking about Voice Acting! This episode, we dive into a Disney-centric history of celebrated Disney performances and which of them might have been Oscar frontrunners, from Robin Williams to Ellen DeGeneres. We also talk about voice performances that earned major precursor nominations, Andy Serkis making waves in motion capture as Gollum, and how narration and documentary work might also be considered. And of course: the ten voice acting performances we would hand a retroactive Oscar!

CATEGORY IS… – Casting 04.05.2026 2sa 18dk

It’s May Miniseries time!! Presenting CATEGORY IS…! We’re in a moment of the Academy Awards introducing new categories for the first time in many years, and we’ll be spending the whole month discussing the categories already announced and a few we think should be! First up: Best Casting! This episode, we discuss the Oscar’s newest category and how we felt about the nominees for 2025, how we would like to see the category evolve in the years to come, what shortlisted films we think might have deserved the nomination, and we close the episode with the most important part: we name 10 films in movie history that we would retroactively award with a Casting Oscar.

389 – The Manchurian Candidate 27.04.2026 1sa 34dk

If you make a remake to a cinema classic (and Oscar nominee), chances are the buzz starts there. But in revamping The Manchurian Candidate to the post-9/11 culture, Oscar winning director also added the pedigree of recent winner Denzel Washington and then-recent nomination record breaker Meryl Streep, the buzz multiplied. But this version of a paranoia thriller about a political candidate whose brain has been hijacked was a mild summer success, kept only in the race by Streep in villain mode. This episode, we talk about whether or not the material comfortably fits in with the era’s concerns and the period after Washington won his second Oscar. We also discuss Liev Schreiber breaking out of Cotton Weary mold, the film’s pseudo-incestuous bath scene, and a double Six Timer hottie quiz for Washington and Schreiber. Topics also include surprise Ann Dowd, the 2004 Supporting Actress race, and sleeper cell activation phrases.

388 – La Chimera 20.04.2026 2sa 2dk

We’re talking about one of our favorite films of the 2020’s this week with Alice Rohrwacher’s La Chimera. Told with magical realism and an earthy bespoke quality, the 2023 film follows Josh O’Connor as a British archaeologist in Italy who belongs to a crew of tombaroli, grave robbers who sells off their findings. With O’Connor speaking mostly in Italian, the film launched to strong reviews at Cannes but had its fate sealed when Italy chose not to select the film for International Feature. This episode, we talk about the film’s qualifying release that left it underdiscussed in 2023 and it’s surprisingly long run at New York’s IFC Center. We also talk about Anatomy of a Fall‘s Oscar success despite not being its country’s submission either, Neon’s 2023 Cannes lineup, and O’Connor as king of the last day of Cannes. Topics also include the linen suit in the film, Rohrwacher’s previous films, and Palme Dog.

387 – Ain’t Them Bodies Saints 13.04.2026 2sa 6dk

As maverick director David Lowery returns to theatres this week with Mother Mary, we’re looking back at his 2013 film Ain’t Them Bodies Saints. The film follows two Texas lovers played by Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara torn apart by a showdown with local police, where he accepts guilt and jail time when she shoots a police officer. The film is an unpacking of romantic outlaw myths that caused a stir at the Sundance Film Festival and helped establish Lowery as one of the most unpredictable directors working today. This episode, we talk about the influence of Terrence Malick’s Badlands on the film and Lowery’s subversion of story expectations. We also discuss Mara’s filmography between Oscar nominations, Ben Foster’s emergence into character roles, and beloved cinematographer Bradford Young. Topics also include the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, Santa’s WikiFeet rating, and Chris’s favorite Huppert performance.

386 – Contagion 06.04.2026 2sa 13dk

With The Christophers finally arriving in theatres, we are returning to the ever-evolving filmography of director Steven Soderbergh. In the period of his one-for-you-one-for-me jostling between micro budgets and mainstream fare, 2011 offered his paranoid eco-thriller Contagion about a virus that overtakes the world. Though the film was an early fall box office success with major Oscar winners as Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, and Marion Cotillard, Warner Bros. only launched the film’s campaign at the end of the season. A decade later, the film would become a major mass rewatch for… totally normal, everyday reasons! This episode, we talk about Soderbergh’s period between Oscar and “retirement” and Paltrow joins our Ten Timers club. We also talk about Laurence Fishburne and Jennifer Ehle as best in show, our reticence to watch the film during COVID, and Soderbergh’s current underrated era. Topics also include Paltrow’s terrifying death scene, the 2011 Venice Film Festival, and the Saturn Awards.

385 – Billy Bathgate 30.03.2026 2sa

We’re journeying back to the early 1990s this week to discuss the forgotten failure Billy Bathgate. Adapted from E.L. Doctorow’s Pulitzer finalist, the film cast Dustin Hoffman as real-life mobster Dutch Schultz opposite a Loren Dean as the fictionalized street kid who falls under his wing. With Bruce Willis in a supporting role at the peak of his fame and Oscar-winning director Robert Benton at the helm, the film ultimately bombed at the box office but earned Nicole Kidman her first Golden Globe nomination. This episode, we talk about the much publicized clashing between Hoffman’s ego and his reunited director and we have a (gasp) triple Six Timers quiz for Hoffman, Dean, and Stanley Tucci. We also talk about the film’s mild approach to crime material, the 1991 Supporting Actress race, and Benton’s somewhat forgotten Oscar comeback Places in the Heart. Topics also include Highlander 2: The Quickening, Hook‘s surprising Oscar nominations, and surprise Frances Conroy.

384 – Jarhead 23.03.2026 2sa 19dk

We’re tackling Sam Mendes’ third feature this week, 2005’s war adaptation Jarhead. The film followed Jake Gyllenhaal as Gulf War marine Anthony Swofford trapped in an existential wartime malaise. With a supporting cast that included recent Oscar winner Jamie Foxx and Peter Sarsgaard, expectations were sky high for the film before it received a muted critical reaction and the season proved more positive for Gyllenhaal’s turn in Brokeback Mountain. This episode, we talk about the film’s craft pedigree that made its on-paper potential sky high, from Mendes to cinematographer Roger Deakins to composer Thomas Newman to editor Walter Murch. We also discuss Gyllenhaal joining our TEN Timers Club, Sarsgaard’s early aught supporting actor run, and how the film cracked the lid on post-9/11 political THOB cinema. Topics also include Jake thirst gifs, John Krasinski Six Timers, and Oscar winners’ Zodiac signs.

383 – Joker: Folie à Deux 16.03.2026 1sa 59dk

Continuing our Oscar hangover tradition, we’re cracking the seal on the previous Oscar season’s lineup and have we got a doozy of a Class of 2024 title for you! After Joker walked away from the 2019 season with a Golden Lion and an Oscar for Joaquin Phoenix, souring opinions kicked into high gear when follow-up Joker: Folie à Deux was announced. Yes, the sequel would not only be a musical but it would star Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, and the results were an immediate critical and box office bomb. This episode, we talk about director Todd Phillips’ middle-finger approach to this sequel and why the original film works against making his case for genre divergence here. We also discuss Phoenix facing the heat for backing out on Todd Haynes, the film’s non-canonical take on the characters, and its off-putting musical stylings. Topics also include the 2024 Venice Film Festival, The Bride!, and Connor Storrie’s small role in the finale.

382 – Get Low 09.03.2026 2sa 1dk

We keep losing movie legends, but this week we wanted to memorialize the great Robert Duvall. In 2010, the actor entered the race with Get Low, a tale (based on regional legend) of a town outcast who decides to throw his own funeral. With Bill Murray, Sissy Spacek, and Lucas Black filling out the ensemble, the film is a forgiveness and guilt fable that has its humble charms, but ultimately was unable to net the career honors for Duvall that would come a few years later with (eek) The Judge. This episode, we talk about Duvall’s Oscar history and his place in some of the most important films of the 1970s. We also discuss Spacek’s post-2000s run of brilliant supporting turns, hostile Today Show appearances, and Sony Classics many 2010 Oscar nominees. Topics also include Murray Six Timers, video games, and the 2010 Best Actor race.

381 – Happy Endings 02.03.2026 2sa 10dk

After the edgy sexual comedy The Opposite of Sex made Don Roos a hot indie name and the drowsy romance of Bouncedampened the vibe, Roos returned in 2005 with ensemble dramedy Happy Endings. With a cast of Lisa Kudrow, Steve Coogan, and Laura Dern, the film looks at the secrets and sexual boundaries of a group of Los Angelenos. But it was the wayward and musical performance by Maggie Gyllenhaal that earned the biggest raves and an Independent Spirit Award nomination. This episode, we talk about Gyllenhaal’s road to her first nomination for Crazy Heart and she joins our Six Timers Club. We also talk about Kudrow’s upcoming return in The Comeback, Tom Arnold’s critically praised performance, and the film being released in the same summer as LA ensemble Best Picture winner, Crash. Topics also include Dern in the TEN Timers Club, aughts-y onscreen homophobia, and The Bride!.

380 – The Company 23.02.2026 1sa 43dk

After the tremendous success and Oscar comeback for Robert Altman with 2001’s Gosford Park, the idiosyncratic director delivered a more understated work for what would become his second-to-last film, 2003’s The Company. Set within Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet, the film follows a dance company both on and offstage, all in their sometimes less than glamour pursuit of artistry. With Neve Campbell as the star ballerina and Malcolm McDowell as the company’s boisterous artistic director, the film earned positive reviews but its subtleties make for minor Altman that seldom earned enthusiastic consensus. This episode, we talk about Altman’s possible second place in Director for Gosford Park and his honorary Oscar in 2006. We also discuss Campbell developing the project and pursuing Altman, the payoff from the film casting real dancers, and the film’s shoehorned romance with James Franco. Topics also include “Maloja Snake,” Diane Warren: Relentless, and dancing in the rain. 

379 – Amsterdam 16.02.2026 1sa 47dk

2022’s Amsterdam was a high profile box office dud from disgraced director David O. Russell with timely themes, a big budget, and a ton of stars. The film tells a (partly true) story about fascist maneuverings in America, with Christian Bale, John David Washington, and Margot as a friendship trio who sets out to thwart them after being reunited post-WWII. Though the film earned some fans like critic Richard Brody, it received a somewhat indifferent release by 20th Century Studios and was quickly out of theatres. This episode, we talk about the film’s scattered look at timely themes and it’s very quiet release. We also discuss Robbie’s high wire performance in Babylon in the same year, Taylor Swift’s brief (and much memed) role, and Robert De Niro joins our Six Timers Club. Topics also include Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Emmanuel Lubezki’s light resume after winning 3 Oscars, and Drunk History.

378 – Being Flynn 09.02.2026 1sa 45dk

Is the “buzzy literary adaptation to Oscar bonafide” pipeline kaput? This week, we’ve got a forgotten, pre-production-buzzy title on deck: 2012’s Being Flynn! Based on Nick Flynn’s memoir Another Bullshit Night in Suck City, the film follows Paul Dano as the author grappling with addiction, grief, and an absent, addict father played by Robert De Niro. While critics praised De Niro’s work as a return to form, the film quickly died at the box office without strong reviews or the noise of a festival launch. This episode, we talk about De Niro’s eventual Silver Linings Playbook nomination in the same year and his connection to the film’s director Paul Weitz. We also discuss post-Little Miss Sunshine Dano, Julianne Moore gets the rare Ten Timers Club, and the film’s Weitz-ian approach to heavier material. Topics also include early aughts icon Olivia Thirlby, the film’s title downgrade, and Judd Hirsch’s The Fablemansnomination.

377 – The Iron Claw (w/ Roxana Hadadi!) 02.02.2026 2sa 32dk

After our Class of 2025 episode last week, we’re doing one of the most requested from the Class of 2023! After his COVID-stunted release (and beloved THOB title) The Nest, Sean Durkin’s next film would be the true and tragic story of the Von Erich wrestling family. With Zac Efron headlining the film as Kevin Von Erich, The Iron Claw compassionately details the family’s legacy of loss and became one of A24’s biggest hits. Naturally, we had to bring Vulture critic Roxana Hadadi back on to help us unpack this story of masculinity, brotherhood, and grief. This episode, we talk about how A24 skipped the festivals for the film and made it one of the final films seen that season. We also discuss the film’s secret powerhouse Holt McCallany as the Von Erich patriarch, Harris Dickinson and Jeremy Allen White taking different position in the modern hunk hierarchy, and Durkin’s underloved work on Dead Ringers. Topics also include reality television, The Smashing Machine, and giant onscreen breakfast.

Class of 2025 26.01.2026 2sa 43dk

It’s the biggest This Had Oscar Buzz episode every year! Now that we have this year’s crop of Oscar nominations, that means it’s time to welcome a whole year’s worth of films to the THOB fold. We unpack the Class of 2025 in all its glory, from the films that deserved better to the ones that didn’t, from the narratives we fell for and didn’t, from the most forgotten to the close calls. And, of course, we call it for the Valedictorian, the film that will get the first THOB episode from 2025.

376 – Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. 19.01.2026 2sa 17dk

As Rachel McAdams returns to movie screens with Sam Raimy’s horror film Send Help, we thought it a good time to look back at one of her most beloved performances to date. In 2023, Kelly Freeman Craig adapted a book beloved by (and controversial for) generations: Judy Blume’s Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret. With Abby Ryder Fortson as the titular Margaret and McAdams as her doting mother, the film is the story of a young woman’s coming of age, including puberty, social dynamics, and religious questioning. This episode, we talk about McAdams’ subtle and powerful performance and the film’s struggle at the box office. We also discuss Kathy Bates as a Jewish grandmother, the film’s talented young performers, and Fremon Craig’s debut film The Edge of Seventeen. Topics also include book fairs, our past YA reading favs, and Benny Sadie as father.