Blank Check with Griffin & David Critical Darlings: One Battle After Another And Oscar Predictions with David Sims
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Mar 12, 2026 
David Sims, film critic and writer known as David “Rocketman” Sims, returns to dissect Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another. They debate its political allegory, generational revolutions, satirical details, and Leonardo DiCaprio’s weary lead. The conversation ends with tight Oscar predictions and surprises to watch for on awards night.
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Late Oscar Narratives Rarely Change Actual Votes
- Oscar season discourse often morphs into personality controversies late in voting, which may not change actual ballots.
- Hosts argue late narratives about Chalamet or others ignited after voting closed and mainly fuel online drama.
MUBI Spotlighted My Father's Shadow In Theaters
- MUBI screened My Father's Shadow in theaters as a notable international pick and the hosts recommend seeing it on the big screen.
- Alison highlights its BAFTA nomination and Nigerian setting (1993 Lagos) co-written by brothers Akinola Davis Jr. and Wally Davis.
Revolution Is A Multigenerational Spectrum
- One Battle After Another frames revolution as a multigenerational, messy spectrum rather than a single righteous model.
- Hosts highlight PTA's portrayal of different resistance modes (French 75, nuns, Benicio's group) and how ideals mutate across time and characters.