289 – Don’t Look Now (with David Sims) (70s Spectacular – 1973)

In 1973, the Academy embraced horror in a big way by slapping cultural phenomenon The Exorcist with 10 nominations – but then The Sting would triumph over its success on Oscar night. Critic David Sims returns to the show to talk about a different iconic and formative horror title, Nicolas Rouge’s Don’t Look Now. With prestige stars Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie, the film follows a married couple grieving the loss of a child while working overseas in Venice. Clairvoyance, a serial killer, and disturbing visions all amount to a unique horror film that would influence many to come, but nevertheless one that the Academy was not ready to embrace.

This episode, we talk about the film’s notorious sex scene and the film as an odd middle ground between The Exorcist and Last Tango in Paris. We also talk about how the reputation of the film’s twist ending, Christie’s Oscar legacy, and how Sutherland was never nominated for an Oscar ahead of his honorary win.

Topics also include David’s favorites of 1973, Jefferson Mays on Broadway, and the Oscar streaker.

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226 – The Leisure Seeker

When the 2017 Golden Globe nominations were announce, the question on everyone’s mind was “What the hell is The Leisure Seeker?!” Starring Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland as an aging couple having one last getaway in their eponymous Winnebago, the film debuted in competition at Venice before also playing a TIFF gala and went entirely under the radar. Sony Classics quietly gave the film a qualifying release, successfully netting Mirren a Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy Golden Globe nomination despite so few seeing the film. The nomination was a head-scratcher to most, but was predicted by none other than our Joe Reid.

This episode, we discuss Helen Mirren’s vast history with the Golden Globes and assess the current diagnosis on the Globes and their often amusing nomination history. We also talk about Sutherland’s famously surprising lack of an acting Oscar nomination, other possible comedy leading actress contenders from 2017, and another round of Alter Egos.

Topics also include what famous festival jurors think of the movies they have to watch, the film’s half-baked look at the 2016 election, and surprise Danielle Deadwyler.

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Joe: @joereid
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