October 2024 – This Had Oscar Buzz

With Saturday Night currently in theaters, we are revisiting the films of Jason Reitman for one of his biggest flops. Adapted from the novel by Joyce Maynard, 2013’s Labor Day casts Kate Winslet as a grieving mother who falls in love with the escaped convict (played by Josh Brolin) who hides out in her and her son’s home. The melodrama was something of a creative pivot for Reitman, but received poor reviews at festivals before stumbling towards a qualifying release. A Golden Globe nomination for Winslet was the end of the awards road for the film.

This episode, we talk about what makes the film so frustrating and Reitman’s recent output. We also talk about Brolin after his Oscar nomination for Milk, Winslet between her win for The Reader and nomination for Steve Jobs, and the 2013 Golden Globes.

Topics also include Friendly’s, No Country for Old Men supporting performances, and Golden Globe predictions.

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We wanted to take this week’s episode to tribute the recently departed Dame Maggie Smith and finally take a look at one of her final awards contenders, 2015’s The Lady in the Van. Reprising the role she played on the stage, Smith stars as the titular lady, who lives in a van that just so happens to take up residence near the home of playwright Alan Bennett. Alex Jennings stars as Bennett, and the film examines both his evolving relationship with his neighbor and, in metatextual ways, Bennett’s conflicted feelings about telling her story.

This episode, we talk about Dame Maggie Smith’s late career resurgence and she joins our Six Timers Club! We also talk about the film’s cameo lineup from the cast of The History Boys, tributes posted after Smith’s passing, and our first Halloween watches of this season.

Topics also include director Nicholas Hytner, 2015 Best Actress, and Philo-mania.

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Month: October 2024

312 – Labor Day

311 – The Lady in the Van