Lights, Camera, Oscars: Navigating the 97th Academy Awards Buzz

**Host:** Alex First**Guest Critics:** Sandy Kaye, Peter Krause**Episode Summary:**In this lively episode of First on Film & Entertainment, host Alex First is joined by critics Sandy Kaye and Peter Krause for a spirited conversation leading up to the 97th Academy Awards. With excitement in the air, the trio discusses the nominations and their predictions for the big night. The episode kicks off with a humorous exchange about the Oscars and the quirky happenings surrounding the event, setting the tone for a fun-filled discussion. The critics delve into the standout films nominated for Best Picture, including *Conclave*, *The Brutalist*, and *Emilia Perez*, sharing their insights on storytelling, performance, and cinematic artistry. Alex challenges Sandy and Peter to a trivia quiz about the longest films in Oscar history, leading to surprising revelations and friendly banter. As the conversation unfolds, they explore the significance of inclusivity in this year's nominations and highlight the contributions of Australian talent in various categories. Listeners can expect a blend of insightful critiques, engaging trivia, and a passionate celebration of film as the Oscars approach.**Highlights:**- **Oscar Predictions:** A spirited debate on the Best Picture nominees, with *Conclave* and *The Brutalist* emerging as frontrunners.- **Trivia Fun:** A light-hearted quiz on the longest films in Oscar history, showcasing the hosts' knowledge and camaraderie.- **Australian Talent:** Acknowledgment of the significant contributions from Australian filmmakers and actors in this year's nominations.00:00:00 - Sandy Kay and Peter Kraus discuss the Oscars ahead of time00:02:52 - There are 10 nominations for best picture this year, Sandy. What have been the longest00:05:34 - Alex asks some trivia questions about the Oscar nominations for best picture00:08:03 - Three films received 10 or more nominations in this year's Oscars00:12:20 - Timothee Chalamet is 12th person to portray Oscar nominee00:13:23 - We haven't talked about Australians. We gotta talk about Australians, don't we00:15:31 - Porcelain War is nominated for documentary feature Oscar00:16:53 - Nominations for best picture go to Conclave, Dune Part 200:21:11 - Sandy says Conclave will win best film00:23:29 - So let's go to Best Director. Who do you think will win00:26:27 - Peter Howell picks his favourites for best actor and best actress00:30:13 - Sandy: I'm rooting for Demi Moore. I think she did a sensational job00:32:45 - Peter Sheridan: Excellent film. I think it works extremely well00:34:13 - Sandy thinks Kieran Culkin will win Best Supporting Actor00:36:01 - Best Supporting Actress, Monica Barbaro for A Complete Unknown00:37:26 - Okay, let's go for the next category being Best Original Screenplay00:40:08 - We haven't seen a lot of the best animated feature films yet00:41:27 - This is Best International Feature. Of international features. Amelia Perez from France nominated in Spanish00:42:21 - Dan: I think Seed of the Sacred Fig will win cinematography Oscar00:46:39 - Peter Howell gives odds for the Oscars in various categories00:49:18 - Best Actor is short priced favourite for Adrian Brody00:52:48 - Do you think the host will do a decent job at the Oscars00:53:20 - Gene Hackman died at 95 from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning00:55:18 - We got to go. Let's, uh, circle the wagons and see how we did at Oscar ceremonyJoin the First on Film & Entertainment team for this engaging episode, and stay tuned for more film insights and reviews in the weeks to come!https://www.bitesz.com/show/first-on-film-entertainment/