Matthias Schoenaerts – This Had Oscar Buzz

379 – Amsterdam

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

323 – Rust and Bone

For New Years week, the auld acquaintance that won’t be forgot on our show is… a grim French drama about broken bodies. In 2012, Jacques Audiard returned to Cannes with Rust and Bone starring Marion Cotillard and Matthias Schoenaerts as reluctant lovers healing through personal tragedies. The film left Cannes with no prizes but with a lot of buzz for Cotillard, which came on strong throughout the precursor season. But with a Best Actress field in flux, a few surprise ascendant nominations left an early contender like Cotillard in the dust.

This episode, we talk about our experience of liking the film less on rewatch and the trend of Cannes films becoming Oscar players in the past decade. We also talk about our issues with Emilia Perez, the film missing out on being the French International Feature submission, and the season that led to Cotillard’s Best Actress win for La Vie En Rose.

Topics also include Katy Perry, the 2012 Cannes lineup, and Audiard’s Palme for Dheepan.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

285 – A Bigger Splash

We’re stoked for Challengers this week, so naturally we’re talking about one of our favorites in the Luca Guadagnino resume, 2016’s underdiscussed and hot as hell A Bigger Splash. Premiering at the 2015 Venice Film Festival and playing internationally in 2015, but opening late spring 2016 in the States, A Bigger Splash is a rock-and-roll-inflected tale of sex and ego that loosely remakes La Piscine. With a foursome of stellar performances by Tilda Swinton, Ralph Fiennes, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Dakota Johnson, the film earned strong notices especially for Fiennes’ bawdy dance moves, but category confusion and the spring release hindered his chances.

This week, we talk about the film’s portrayal of desire and deception, and how slyly the film weaves in themes of morality. We also discuss Tilda’s vocal acting choice, Johnson’s career emerging from 50 Shades, and the 2015 Venice jury. And we reveal the topic for the coming May miniseries!!

Topics also include poolside etiquette, adult braces, and Regina King being edited out of Beastly.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS