Psychology In Seattle Podcast Oscar Movies Review
Mar 18, 2026
Colin Miller, screenwriter and director known for incisive film analysis, joins to unpack this year’s Oscar contenders. They debate stylized adaptations versus fidelity, how studios and franchises dilute art, and where visuals outshine weak screenwriting. Conversations range from Lanthimos and del Toro to F1, Safdie energy, animation sequels, and Oscar eligibility quirks.
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Del Toro Prioritizes Visual Worldbuilding Over Seamless Plot
- Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein is visually rich but narratively uneven, trading deeper character work for striking images.
- Colin and Kirk both praise design and memorable visuals yet criticize pacing and abrupt tonal shifts.
Great Scenes Still Need Narrative Scaffolding
- Strong filmmaking balances striking scenes with audience needs for coherent transitions and character motivation.
- Colin contrasts Del Toro's scene-focused approach with Spielberg's structuring in Jaws to explain when artistry needs clearer narrative scaffolding.
Hamnet Shows Performance Without Deepening Source Material
- Hamnet is a performance-led film that many viewers find emotionally muted despite strong acting.
- Colin praises Jessie Buckley's work but says the film plays what's on the page without deepening Hamlet's meaning.