The Lorehounds

Elysia and guest Logan take a tour that begins with this year's five Oscar-animated features before turning to other highlights from the surprisingly short eligibility list, the most surprising exclusions from the eligibility list, and Logan's thoughts on this year's animated shorts and a few final recommendations and general Oscar picks and predictions.Origin and rules (00:03:49)The five nominees (00:11:57)The biggest snubs (01:17:34)Beyond the eligibility list (01:46:43)Note: All film discussion in this episode is spoiler-free.Links discussed:This year's 35 Oscar-eligible featuresKingdom of the Planet of the Apes (with Logan)Last year's Tech categories (with Logan)Animated Feature nominees:KPop Demon Hunters (USA) – info (Netflix)Zootopia 2 (USA) – info (to rent, later Disney+)Elio (USA) – info (Disney+)Arco (France, USA) – info (to rent)Little Amélie or the Character of Rain (Belgium, Japan) – info (to rent)Other films discussed: Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2021, USA, Plex / to rent), Hoppers (2026, USA, in theaters)Lost in Starlight (Korea, Netflix), The Bad Guys 2 (USA, Peacock / SkyShowtime), Scarlet (Japan, to rent soon), The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006, Japan, HBO Max), Belle (2021, Japan, HBO Max), In Your Dreams (USA, Netflix), Boys Go to Jupiter (USA, HBO Max), Endless Cookie (Canada, to rent), Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle (Japan, to rent soon), Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc (Japan, to rent), 100 Meters (Japan, Netflix)Ne Zha 2 (China, HBO Max), Lesbian Space Princess (Australia, various streamers), The Colors Within (Japan, HBO Max), Predator: Killer of Killers (USA, Disney+/Hulu, our coverage [subscriber bonus]), Predator: Badlands (live action, USA, Disney+/Hulu, our coverage [public]), Prey (2022, live-action, USA, Disney+/Hulu, our coverage [subscriber bonus])“The Three Sisters”* (Russia/”Cyprus” [no spoken language], trailer), “Butterfly”* (France, YouTube), “Forevergreen”* (USA, YouTube), “Retirement Plan”* (Ireland, YouTube [US] / Disney+ [NL]), “The Girl Who Cried Pearls”* (Canada, YouTube: English, French), “Snow Bear” (USA, YouTube), “Playing God” (Italian / French, Vimeo), “Hurikán” (Czechia, Vimeo)The Girl Who Stole Time (China, trailer, our coverage [subscriber bonus]), Another World (Hong Kong, trailer, our coverage [subscriber bonus]), The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep (USA, Netflix)*Nominated in the Animated Shorts category.The 98th Academy Awards will air Sunday, March 15, 2025 at 7 pm ET (on ABC/Hulu in the US) – where it's aired around the worldCheck how many Oscar nominees you've seen at OscarsDeathRace.com – or with extended stats and access to the animated shorts via DeathRaceTracking.comOscars 2026 coverageNominations + Best Picture previewLive-Action, Animated, & Documentary Shorts Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & HairInternational FeaturesDocumentary FeaturesAnimated Features (this episode)Score & Original SongCinematography, VFX, Editing, SoundAdapted & Original Screenplay, DirectorLead & Supporting Actor & Actress, CastingCeremony reactions + Best Picture rankingsDeep dives into 2026 Oscar nomineesSinnersOne Battle After Another – pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3FrankensteinWeaponsShorts: “Two People Exchanging Saliva,” “Jane Austen’s Period Drama,” “The Singers,” “Retirement Plan,” and “The Girl Who Cried Pearls”For subscribers: Leiden IFF – WhachaWachin (Sentimental Value, If I Had Legs I Would Kick You, Arco)Additional awards coverageBAFTAs shortsBAFTAs featuresIndependent Spirit AwardsRevisit Oscars 2024 & 2025: links in these show notesContact UsQuestions or comments? Visit us at our website where you can use the contact form or use the voicemail feature. Or, send an email to lorehounds@thelorehounds.com.Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliateslinktr.ee/thelorehoundsAny opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.Our Sponsors:* Check out Peace Corps: https://peacecorps.gov/serveAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

John and Elysia set sail on the East Blue and recap One Piece Season 1 before the live action Season 2 premieres on March 10. They discuss the Hope-Punk of Luffy, the theme of found family, and the absurdity of the production.Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: onepiece@thelorehounds.comOr, send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address.Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliateshttps://linktr.ee/thelorehoundsAny opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.Our Sponsors:* Check out Peace Corps: https://peacecorps.gov/serveAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

David welcomes Ian from The Captain's Pod and John from the Dune Minute podcast for a wide-ranging mid-season conversation about The Pitt Season 2. The discussion explores Langdon's recovery journey and the spectrum of forgiveness he encounters from colleagues, the authenticity of addiction representation on screen, and why Dr. Robbie's guilt over failing his mentee creates such powerful tension. They compare the emotional intensity of Season 1 versus the more sustainable pacing of Season 2, debate whether Ogilvy will ever get the three-dimensional character treatment that Joy recently received, and wrap up with a spirited "Baby Jane Doe" accent challenge from Lorehounds community members.View our Free Show Guide Onlinehttps://thelorehounds.notion.site/the-pitt-show-guideReferenced in This EpisodeThe Helm's Deep comparison video John mentions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lsc8mGKkP5IGuest InformationIan hosts The Captain's Pod with Danae, currently covering Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Find the show at: https://redcircle.com/shows/5f72ad75-deb6-4dc7-a031-27c333355883 And support them on PatreonFollow Ian on Bluesky at @captainspod.bsky.socialJohn co-hosts the Dune Minute podcast, a minute-by-minute deep dive into Denis Villeneuve's Dune films and the 2000 Sci-Fi Channel miniseries. With over 400 episodes exploring lore, behind-the-scenes details, and technical filmmaking, it's essential listening for Dune enthusiasts. Find all their links at https://linktr.ee/theduneminute and follow them on BlueskyContact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: lorehounds@thelorehounds.comOr, send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address.Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates https://linktr.ee/thelorehoundsAny opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.Our Sponsors:* Check out Peace Corps: https://peacecorps.gov/serveAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Elysia is joined by documentary and TV editor Rebecca June Lane (IMDb) to break down highlight's from the year in documentary filmmaking, starting with this year's Oscar nominees and expanding to recommendations (or anti-recommendations) for more of the most talked about 2025 documentaries and beyond.The five nominees, and related docs (00:06:58)More recommendations (01:11:21)More fun docs (01:29:43)Note: All film discussion in this episode is spoiler-free.Documentary Feature nominees:Come See Me in the Good Light (USA) – trailer, info (Apple TV)Cutting Through Rocks (Iran) – trailer, info (DocPlay in June)Mr. Nobody Against Putin (Russia) – trailer, info (to rent)The Perfect Neighbor (USA) – trailer, info (Netflix)The Alabama Solution (USA) – trailer, info (HBO Max)Other films discussed: André Is an Idiot (USA, in theaters: Mar 6 [US]), Viva Verdi! (Italy, Jolt.film), Prime Minister (New Zealand, HBO Max), My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow* (Russia, Mubi: Apr 3), 2000 Meters to Andriivka* (Ukraine, to rent), Coexistence, My Ass!* (Israel/Palestine, on tour), Holding Liat* (Israel/USA, NPO [NL] / select theaters [US]), The House I Live In (2012, USA, to buy), “Classroom 4” (USA, PBS), “Armed with Only a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud” (USA/global, HBO Max), Apocalypse in the Tropics* (Brazil, Netflix), Yanuni* (Brazil, to rent: Eventive), Predators (USA, Paramount+), The Librarians (USA, PBS), “The ABCs of Book Banning” (2023, USA, Paramount+ / Roku), I’m Not Everything I Want to Be (Czechoslovakia/Japan, Metrograph), Cover-Up* (USA/global, Netflix), Vice Is Broke (USA/global, Mubi), Riefenstahl (Germany, Hoopla / Kanopy / Kino / to rent), The Propagandist (The Netherlands, NPO [NL] / to rent: OVD [US]), Afternoons of Solitude (Spain, Mubi / to rent), “Marion” (2024, Spain, Vimeo), Grand Theft Hamlet (USA, Mubi), Diane Warren: Relentless (USA, Hoopla / Kanopy / to rent), The Life Ahead (2020, fiction, Italy, Netflix), Tell it Like a Woman (2022, fiction, various countries, YouTube / etc.), Sally (USA/space, Disney+/Hulu), Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore (USA, Kanopy / Kino / to rent), Deaf President Now! (USA, Apple), My Mom Jayne (USA [mostly], HBO Max), LIZA: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story (USA, NPO [NL] / Hoopla / Kino / to rent), Secret Mall Apartment (USA, Netflix), Unknown Number: The Highschool Catfish (USA, Netflix)*Other shortlisted doc features: Folktales (Norway, Kanopy / to rent), Mistress Dispeller (China, Kanopy / to rent), Seeds (USA, on tour)The 98th Academy Awards will air Sunday, March 15, 2025 at 7 pm ET (on ABC/Hulu in the US) – where it's aired around the worldCheck how many Oscar nominees you've seen at OscarsDeathRace.com – or with extended stats and access to the animated shorts via DeathRaceTracking.comOscars 2026 coverageNominations + Best Picture previewLive-Action, Animated, & Documentary Shorts Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & HairInternational FeaturesDocumentary Features (this episode)Score & Original SongAnimated FeaturesCinematography, VFX, Editing, SoundAdapted & Original Screenplay, DirectorLead & Supporting Actor & Actress, CastingCeremony reactions + Best Picture rankingsDeep dives into 2026 Oscar nomineesSinnersOne Battle After Another – pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3FrankensteinWeaponsShorts: “Two People Exchanging Saliva,” “Jane Austen’s Period Drama,” “The Singers,” “Retirement Plan,” and “The Girl Who Cried Pearls”For subscribers: Leiden IFF – WhachaWachin (Sentimental Value, If I Had Legs I Would Kick You, Arco + Rental Family, Left-Handed Girl)Imagine Fantastic FF – WhachaWachin (The Last Viking)Additional awards coverageBAFTAs shortsBAFTAs featuresIndependent Spirit AwardsRevisit Oscars 2024 & 2025: links in these show notesContact UsQuestions or comments? Visit us at our website where you can use the contact form or use the voicemail feature. Or, send an email to lorehounds@thelorehounds.com.Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliateslinktr.ee/thelorehoundsAny opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.Our Sponsors:* Check out Peace Corps: https://peacecorps.gov/serveAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

David and John recap another emotional episode of The Pitt. The system is down, the whiteboards are up, and the Olgilvies are Olgilvie-ing.View our Free Show Guide Online:https://thelorehounds.notion.site/the-pitt-show-guideContact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: lorehounds@thelorehounds.comOr, send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address.Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliateshttps://linktr.ee/thelorehoundsAny opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.Our Sponsors:* Check out Peace Corps: https://peacecorps.gov/serveAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Elysia is joined by Mexican film critic Héctor Serrano to tour the best cinema of the year from around the world, from this year's five Oscar nominees to highlights from the shortlist and beyond:Best International Film – history & rules (0:04:02)The 5 nominees (0:16:54)Shortlisted films (01:02:55)Other awards & more recs (01:26:16)Note: All film discussion in this episode is spoiler-free.Find Héctor Serrano at: El Cinéfilo LatinoNominees Discussed:International Film nominees:It Was Just an Accident (France [Iran]) – trailer, info (VoD)The Secret Agent (Brazil) – trailer, info (VoD, theaters)Sentimental Value (Norway) – trailer, info (VoD)Sirāt (Spain) – trailer, info (theaters, VoD likely March)The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia [Palestine]) – trailer, info (theaters, VoD March 10)Other films discussed: A Useful Ghost (Thailand; to rent), The Sea (Israel; to rent), No Other Choice (South Korea; to rent), “Close Your Eyes, Hind” (The Netherlands [Palestine]; NPO [NL only]), Four Daughters (2023, Tunisia; Hoopla, Kanpoy, Kino), The President’s Cake (Iraq), Sound of Falling (Germany), Left-Handed Girl (Taiwan; Netflix), Kokuho (Japan), Homebound (India; Netflix), All That’s Left of You (Jordan [Palestine]; to rent), Nouvelle Vague (France; Netflix), On Becoming a Guinea Fowl (Zambia; HBO Max), A Poet (Colombia), Rietland (The Netherlands; to rent [NL]; Elysia’s review), The Propagandist (The Netherlands; NPO [NL]), We Shall Not Be Moved (Mexico; Disney/Hulu, Kanopy), The Things You Kill (Canada [Turkey]; Hoopla, Filo), Banzo (Portugal), Sore: Wife from the Future (Indonesia), The Ugly Stepsister (Norway; Hulu, AMC+, Shudder, Mubi, Philo), The Last Viking (Denmark), Resurrection (China; Elysia’s review), Magellan (The Phillippines [Portugal])  The 98th Academy Awards will air Sunday, March 15, 2025 at 7 pm ET (on ABC/Hulu in the US) – where it's aired around the worldCheck how many Oscar nominees you've seen at OscarsDeathRace.com – or with extended stats and access to the animated shorts via DeathRaceTracking.comOscars 2026 coverageNominations + Best Picture previewLive-Action, Animated, & Documentary Shorts Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & HairInternational Features (this episode)Documentary FeaturesScore & Original SongCinematography, VFX, Editing, SoundAnimated FeaturesAdapted & Original Screenplay, DirectorLead & Supporting Actor & Actress, CastingCeremony reactions + Best Picture rankingsDeep dives into 2026 Oscar nomineesSinnersOne Battle After Another – pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3FrankensteinWeaponsShorts: “Two People Exchanging Saliva,” “Jane Austen’s Period Drama,” “The Singers,” “Retirement Plan,” and “The Girl Who Cried Pearls”For subscribers: Leiden IFF – WhachaWachin (Sentimental Value, If I Had Legs I Would Kick You, Arco + Rental Family, Left-Handed Girl)Imagine Fantastic FF – WhachaWachin (The Last Viking)Additional awards coverageBAFTAs shortsBAFTAs featuresIndependent Spirit AwardsRevisit Oscars 2024 & 2025: links in these show notesContact UsQuestions or comments? Visit us at our website where you can use the contact form or use the voicemail feature. Or, send an email to lorehounds@thelorehounds.com.Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliateslinktr.ee/thelorehoundsAny opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.Our Sponsors:* Check out Peace Corps: https://peacecorps.gov/serveAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

John is joined by Marilyn R. Pukkila to discuss Of Túrin Turambar, the twenty-fourth portion of The Silmarillion. They discuss the Norse origins of Túrin, the effects of curses and expectations, and the changes in Thingol.Marilyn's WebsiteMarilyn R. Pukkila, Research & Instruction Librarian Emerita, Colby CollegeLinks to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliateslinktr.ee/thelorehoundsDeep lore questions, comments and/or thoughts to share? Send us an email at lotr@thelorehounds.comAny opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.Our Sponsors:* Check out Peace Corps: https://peacecorps.gov/serveAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Triarchy of John, Elysia, and David are briefly joined by Anthony to recap the finale of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. They discuss anachronistic music, cold but kind fathers, and subtle digs are George Martin.Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: smallcouncil@thelorehounds.comLinks to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates: linktr.ee/thelorehoundsAny opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.Our Sponsors:* Check out Peace Corps: https://peacecorps.gov/serveAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Elysia is joined by Lisa (aka RedZippy) to put her theater and costume expertise to work evaluating this year's line-up in the 2026 Oscars' three art-direction categories: Production Design, Costume Design, and Makeup & Hairstyling – the last of which especially is secretly one of the most exciting list of nominees in the race.Note: All film discussion in this episode is spoiler-free.Nominees Discussed:Production Design (00:04:35)Marty Supreme – Production Design: Jack Fisk; Set Decoration: Adam Willis – trailer – to rent, later HBO Max Sinners – Production Design: Hannah Beachler; Set Decoration: Monique Champagne – trailer – HBO Max Frankenstein – Production Design: Tamara Deverell; Set Decoration: Shane Vieau – trailer – Netflix Hamnet – Production Design: Fiona Crombie; Set Decoration: Alice Felton – trailer – to rent, later Peacock  One Battle After Another – Production Design: Florencia Martin; Set Decoration: Anthony Carlino – trailer – HBO Max Other films discussed: The Fantastic 4: First Steps (our coverage), Tron: Ares, Wicked: For Good (our coverage), Hedda, The Testament of Ann Lee, Kiss of the Spider Woman  Costume Design (00:50:13)Avatar: Fire and Ash – Deborah L. Scott – trailer – in theaters, eventually Disney+ Sinners – Ruth E. Carter – trailer – HBO Max  Frankenstein – Kate Hawley – trailer – Netflix Marty Supreme – Miyako Bellizzi – trailer – to rent, later HBO Max Hamnet – Malgosia Turzanska – trailer – to rent, later Peacock Makeup & Hairstyling (01:12:19)Sinners – Ken Diaz, Mike Fontaine, and Shunika Terry – trailer – HBO MaxFrankenstein – Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel, and Cliona Furey – trailer – Netflix The Smashing Machine – Kazu Hiro, Glen Griffin, and Bjoern Rehbein – trailer – HBO Max Kokuho – Kyoko Toyokawa, Naomi Hibino, and Tadashi Nishimatsu – trailer – in theaters The Ugly Stepsister – Thomas Foldberg and Anne Cathrine Sauerberg –  trailer – Hulu, Shudder, Mubi, AMC+  The 98th Academy Awards will air Sunday, March 15, 2025 at 7 pm ET (on ABC/Hulu in the US) – where it's aired around the world (last year's link)Check how many Oscar nominees you've seen at OscarsDeathRace.com – or with extended stats and access to the animated shorts via DeathRaceTracking.comOscars 2026 coverageNominations + Best Picture previewLive-Action, Animated, & Documentary Shorts Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & Hair (this episode)International FeaturesDocumentary FeaturesScore & Original SongAnimated FeaturesCinematography, VFX, Editing, Sound Adapted & Original Screenplay, DirectorLead & Supporting Actor & Actress, CastingCeremony reactions + Best Picture rankingsDeep dives into 2026 Oscar nomineesSinnersOne Battle After Another – pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3FrankensteinWeaponsShorts: “Two People Exchanging Saliva,” “Jane Austen’s Period Drama,” “The Singers,” “Retirement Plan,” and “The Girl Who Cried Pearls”For subscribers: Leiden IFF – WhachaWachin (Sentimental Value, If I Had Legs I Would Kick You, and Arco)Additional awards coverageBAFTAs shortsBAFTAs featuresIndependent Spirit AwardsRevisit Oscars 2024 & 2025: links in these show notesContact UsQuestions or comments? Visit us at our website where you can use the contact form or use the voicemail feature. Or, send an email to lorehounds@thelorehounds.com.Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliateslinktr.ee/thelorehoundsAny opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.Our Sponsors:* Check out Peace Corps: https://peacecorps.gov/serveAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

David and John recap a somber episode of The Pitt.Contact UsQuestions or comments? Send emails to: ptmc@thelorehounds.comLinks to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliateslinktr.ee/thelorehoundsAny opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.Our Sponsors:* Check out Peace Corps: https://peacecorps.gov/serveAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy