Reel Talk: Looking at animation and directors while procrastinating Best Picture predictions

Welcome back to Reel Talk! Over the course of four episodes we will be discussing all things Academy Awards. We’ll break down every category, place our predictions, and discuss all the Oscars buzz leading up to (and after) the big ceremony  this Sunday.

This week we kick things off with some of our most anticipated Oscar moments from the red carpet to entertaining acceptance speeches. Then, we dive into the final big categories, which devolved into us gushing about The Mitchells v. the Machines, marveling at how Steven Spielberg managed to create what is arguably the definitive interpretation of West Side Story and procrastinating choosing our Best Picture predictions by diving into each one. Spoilers, we do pick our “Will Wins” and “Want to Wins,” and Don’t Look Up made neither of our lists.

Hit play to follow along with our (occasionally explicit) cinematic discussion. Full disclosure, our mic check included live first-reaction commentary to the new trailer for The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent starring Nicolas Cage which set a delightfully chaotic tone for our discussion. Also note this episode was recorded on March 10, so we don’t hit on the latest Oscar drama like Jane Campion placing her foot squarely into her mouth during her Critics Choice Awards acceptance speech or the Oscar’s decision to initially not invite West Side Story star Rachel Zegler.