The Next Best Picture Podcast

Sarah Friedland is a filmmaker and choreographer whose acclaimed film *Familiar Touch* delves into the complexities of aging. Kathleen Chalfant, a veteran actress, delivers a powerful performance as Ruth, drawing on personal experiences. The duo explores how Friedland's choreography background influenced the film's movement and emotion. They discuss the importance of empathy, confronting ageism, and the real-life interactions with care facility residents. Their reflections on the Venice premiere reveal the project's profound impact and shared journey.

Giovanni Lago, a film and TV commentator dishing out bold critiques, shares his harsh thoughts on the decline of 'Stranger Things' in its final season. Amy Kim, an entertainment critic known for her balanced analyses, expresses mixed feelings, praising certain episodes while critiquing others. Daniel Howitt, a detailed critic, reflects on the series' pacing and character arcs, yet acknowledges the emotional highs of the finale. Together, they explore the show's legacy and whether it met long-time fans' expectations.

Lauren LaMagna, a film commentator with a keen eye for awards season, joins film critic Dan Bayer and film journalist Cody Derricks to discuss the upcoming Critics' Choice Awards. They share their predictions for SAG/PGA/DGA nominations and dive into their most anticipated films of 2026. The trio also reflects on the community poll revealing favorites from 2025. Their lively banter highlights controversies surrounding Best Actress and Actor races, along with potential dark horses in the awards landscape.

In this conversation, guests Sara Clements, a film critic known for her keen analysis of indie films, Josh Parham, a film journalist with insightful takes on awards season, and Cody Derricks, a horror podcast host, delve into the psychological horror of 'The Plague.' They explore themes of childhood trauma, body horror, and social dynamics at a water polo camp. Sara discusses puberty's portrayal as horror, while Cody connects personal experiences to the film's unsettling metaphor. Their critiques of filmmaking and standout performances add depth to the discussion.

Daisy Ridley, known for her iconic roles in film, dives into her latest project, *We Bury The Dead*, where she portrays Ava, a woman on a desperate search for her husband amidst a zombie apocalypse. She discusses the script's powerful themes of grief and determination, and how personal experiences influenced her character's authenticity. Ridley also shares her unique insights on maintaining focus amid trauma and reflects humorously on survival strategies in a zombie apocalypse. This engaging conversation reveals the emotional depth behind her performance.

In a captivating conversation, filmmaker Mike Flanagan, known for his gripping horror adaptations and Netflix series, discusses his latest project, *The Life of Chuck*. He shares how the story, inspired by Stephen King, emerged as a beacon of hope during lockdown. Flanagan explores existential themes, blending horror with humanism, and reflects on how television shaped his storytelling approach. He also recounts the unique experience of casting his son and the trust built with his familiar crew, revealing the emotional depth behind his filmmaking.

THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL REVIEW. Please check out the full podcast review on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture For this week's second podcast review, Ema Sasic and Dan Bayer join me to discuss the latest film from Craig Brewer, "Song Sung Blue" starring Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hensley & John Beckwith. Based on the 2008 documentary film of the same name by Greg Kohs, the film follows Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson as Mike and Claire Sardina, who performed as the Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning & Thunder before their lives took an unexpected turn for the worse. The film premiered at the 2025 AFI Festival to positive reviews, but what did we think of it? Please tune in as we discuss the performances, the tone, music, story, craftsmanship, its awards season chances, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The Smashing Machine" is a biographical sports drama film written, directed, produced, and edited by Benny Safdie, starring Golden Globe nominee Dwayne Johnson as former amateur wrestler and MMA fighter Mark Kerr, alongside Academy Award nominee Emily Blunt as Kerr's girlfriend Dawn Staples. The film had its world premiere in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, where it won the Silver Lion and received positive reviews for the performances, notably for Johnson's transformational work, brought to life by multi Academy Award-winning prosthetics designer Kazu Hiro. Johnson, Blunt, and Hiro were all kind enough to spend some time speaking with me, Cody Dericks, and Dan Bayer, respectively, about their work and experiences making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now available to rent or own digitally from A24 and is up for your consideration in all eligible categories for this year's Academy Awards. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nadia Dalimonte, a keen film critic and podcaster, joins fellow critics Josh Parham and Dan Bayer to unwrap their favorite cinematic moments from 2025. They delve into standout performances and breakout stars, highlighting Rich Byrne and Jacob Elordi. The trio also shares thoughts on the best films seen at festivals while debating which trailers are making waves, including Nolan's tantalizing "The Odyssey." With fan questions buzzing, they explore award season dynamics and predict which films will leave a lasting impact!

Dive into the whirlwind of 'Marty Supreme,' where Timothée Chalamet shines in a tale inspired by table tennis legend Marty Reisman. The electrifying New York Film Festival premiere left audiences buzzing over Josh Safdie's polished direction. The hosts explore Chalamet's potential career-best performance and the film's themes of ambition and identity. With memorable comedic moments and striking cinematography, they also debate its awards prospects and what winning truly costs. A compelling blend of hustle, humor, and heart awaits!