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TitlePub. DateDuration
The Drama (2026) – the wildest wedding of the year11 Apr 202601:50:31

Elysia is joined by Lisa to spill all the tea on everything that went down in Kristoffer Borgli's The Drama (2026). After giving their spoiler-free takes and general thoughts on the power of dark humor to unlock uncomfortable discussions, they talk about the film's opening sequence (00:21:14) without spoiling the twist, and then finally launch into a full-spoiler discussion of the rest of the film (00:37:40).

Warning: This film (and thus this podcast episode) will not be for everyone. Heed the (spoiler-free, and then later spoiler-filled) content warnings within.


Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates: linktr.ee/thelorehounds

Send your questions and feedback to lorehounds@thelorehounds.com.


Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

Hamlet (2025) – the Asian prince of London10 Apr 202601:54:56

David and Elysia dive into Shakespeare's Hamlet, opening with a discussion of the play itself and some of the most classic film and stage adaptations, not to mention the whole sub-genre of films loosely adapting and referencing the Bard's longest work.

With that foundation laid, they turn their attention to the new adaptation starring Riz Ahmed, directed by Aneil Karia, that debuted at Telluride last year and is opening in theaters across North America today, April 10. How faithful is this new incarnation of the story, set in London's Asian community in the modern day? And what does and doesn't work when breaking down the source material to create what they call "the boldest adaptation to date"?


Links discussed:


Hamlet adaptations discussed:

  • Hamlet (1948) – Directed by Laurence Olivier, starring Laurence Olivier
  • Hamlet (1990) – Directed by Franco Zeffirelli, starring Mel Gibson
  • Hamlet (1996) – Directed by Kenneth Branagh, starring Kenneth Branagh
  • Hamlet (2009) – Directed by Gregory Doran, starring David Tennant
  • Hamlet (2018) – Directed by Rhodri Huw and Robert Icke, starring Andrew Scott
  • Hamlet (2024) – Directed by Sean Mathias, starring Ian McKellen
  • Hamlet (2025) – Directed by Aneil Karia, starring Riz Ahmed
  • Hamlet: National Theatre Live (2026) – Directed by Robert Hastie, starring Hiran Abeysekera


Other films discussed:

  • Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (1990) – Directed by Tom Stoppard
  • The Lion King (1994) – Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff
  • In the Bleak Midwinter (1995) – Directed by Kenneth Branagh
  • Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead (2009) – Directed by Jordan Galland
  • Ophelia (2018) – Directed by Claire McCarthy
  • The Northman (2022) – Directed by Robert Eggers
  • Grand Theft Hamlet (2024) – Directed by Sam Crane and Pinny Grylls
  • King Hamlet (2025) – Directed by Elvira Lind
  • Scarlet (2026) – Directed by Mamoru Hosoda


Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates: linktr.ee/thelorehounds

Send your questions and feedback to lorehounds@thelorehounds.com.


Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities

Oscars 2026 – International Film – Nominees and beyond28 Feb 202602:09:50

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 Latino


Nominees Discussed:

International Film nominees:


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 world

Check how many Oscar nominees you've seen at OscarsDeathRace.com – or with extended stats and access to the animated shorts via DeathRaceTracking.com


Oscars 2026 coverage

Nominations + Best Picture preview

Live-Action, Animated, & Documentary Shorts 

Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & Hair

International Features (this episode)

Documentary Features

Score & Original Song

Cinematography, VFX, Editing, Sound

Animated Features

Adapted & Original Screenplay, Director

Lead & Supporting Actor & Actress, Casting

Ceremony reactions + Best Picture rankings


Deep dives into 2026 Oscar nominees

Sinners

One Battle After Another – pt. 1pt. 2pt. 3

Frankenstein

Weapons

Shorts: “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 coverage

BAFTAs shorts

BAFTAs features

Independent Spirit Awards


Revisit Oscars 2024 & 2025links in these show notes


Contact Us

Questions 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 Affiliates

linktr.ee/thelorehounds


Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.


Oscars 2026 – Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & Hair24 Feb 202601:54:19

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 SupremeProduction Design: Jack Fisk; Set Decoration: Adam Willistrailer – to rent, later HBO Max 
  • SinnersProduction Design: Hannah Beachler; Set Decoration: Monique Champagnetrailer – HBO Max 
  • FrankensteinProduction Design: Tamara Deverell; Set Decoration: Shane Vieautrailer – Netflix 
  • HamnetProduction Design: Fiona Crombie; Set Decoration: Alice Feltontrailer – to rent, later Peacock  
  • One Battle After AnotherProduction Design: Florencia Martin; Set Decoration: Anthony Carlinotrailer – 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)


Makeup & Hairstyling (01:12:19)


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.com


Oscars 2026 coverage

Nominations + Best Picture preview

Live-Action, Animated, & Documentary Shorts 

Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & Hair (this episode)

International Features

Documentary Features

Score & Original Song

Animated Features

Cinematography, VFX, Editing, Sound

Adapted & Original Screenplay, Director

Lead & Supporting Actor & Actress, Casting

Ceremony reactions + Best Picture rankings


Deep dives into 2026 Oscar nominees

Sinners

One Battle After Another – pt. 1pt. 2pt. 3

Frankenstein

Weapons

Shorts: “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 coverage

BAFTAs shorts

BAFTAs features

Independent Spirit Awards


Revisit Oscars 2024 & 2025links in these show notes


Contact Us

Questions 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 Affiliates

linktr.ee/thelorehounds


Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

British Academy Film Awards 2026 preview – BAFTAs Bonus21 Feb 202602:35:49

The 2026 British Academy Film Awards (better known as the BAFTAs) are airing this Sunday, February 22nd at 5 pm GMT (11 am ET) – and, in this episode, Elysia will ensure that you recognize all of the nominees so you can make your own picks and predictions as to who will win, and how that will affect the Oscar voting that begins four days later.

Or just listen along to find out what's been dubbed the best British (and international) films of the year and discover which titles you need to add to your own watchlist.


Chapters

  • Rising Star award: voted by public (00:06:50)
  • Best Film (00:19:54)
  • Outstanding British Film (00:26:29) 
  • Outstanding Debut (00:48:07)
  • Film Not in English (00:57.18)
  • Acting & Casting awards: (01:05:50) 
  • Directing & Screenplay awards (01:25:09)
  • Score & Production Design awards (01:33:46)
  • Tech awards (01:45:39)
  • Documentary award (02:01:18)
  • Animation & Family awards (02:13:05)
  • Top 10 (non-Oscar) films (02:26:08)


Elysia's top 10 BAFTA-only films for Lorehounds

  1. 28 Years Later (Netflix)
  2. Left-Handed Girl* (LL) & No Other Choice* (VoD)
  3. Wicked: For Good (VoD)
  4. Apocalypse in the Tropics (Netflix)
  5. Superman* (HBO)
  6. The Ballad of Wallis Island (Prime, VoD) & Mickey 17 (HBO)
  7. Pillion (UK: VoD)
  8. I Swear (UK: VoD)
  9. Steve (Netflix)
  10. Tie: Rental Family* (Hulu, VoD) & Hedda* (Prime)
  11. Honorable mention on behalf of Marilyn: The Choral* (VoD) + the similar(ish) Mr. Burton (iPlayer)


*From the longlists / not nominated.


Find the full list of 2026 BAFTA nominees here

The 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) will air Sunday, February 22, 2025 at 5 pm GMT (11 am ET) – check where you can watch in your country!

Check your extended stats (including the BAFTA nominees and longlists) on DeathRaceTracking.com


BAFTA films covered

One Battle After Another (pt. 1pt. 2pt. 3), Sinners, Frankenstein, Wicked: For Good, 28 Years Later, Weapons*, The Fantastic 4: First Steps*, Superman*


For subscribers: 

Leiden IFF – WhachaWachin: Sentimental Value, Arco, Left-Handed Girl*, Rental Family*


*From the longlists / not nominated.


Non-Oscars awards coverage

BAFTA longlisted shorts

Independent Spirit Awards preview

BAFTAs preview (this episode)


Oscars 2026 coverage

Nominations + Best Picture preview

Live-Action, Animated, & Documentary Shorts

Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & Hair

International Features

Documentary Features

Animated Features

Score & Original Song

Cinematography, Editing, Sound, VFX

Director, Original & Adapted Screenplay

Lead & Supporting Actor & Actress, Casting

Ceremony reactions + Best Picture rankings


Deep dives into 2026 Oscar nominees

Sinners

One Battle After Another – pt. 1pt. 2pt. 3

Frankenstein

Weapons

Shorts: “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)


Revisit Oscars 2024 & 2025links in these show notes


Contact Us

Questions 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 Affiliates

linktr.ee/thelorehounds


Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

Independent Spirit Awards 2026 preview – Awards Season Bonus14 Feb 202602:07:44

Whether or not you plan to watch along when the 2026 Spirit Awards air this Sunday, February 15 (or later), Elysia will walk you through everything you need to know: what's nominated in what categories, what overlaps are there with the Oscars, and what hidden gems might you want to check out.


Chapters

  • Emerging Filmmaker Awards jury prizes (00:02:40)
  • Special Awards jury prizes (00:18:44)
  • Best Feature categories (00:31:10)
  • First Feature categories (00:53:48)
  • Acting categories for film (01:05:38)  
  • Technical categories (01:19:50)
  • Documentary (01:31:10) 
  • International (01:40:18)
  • TV awards (01:47:00)
  • Top 10 films (01:54:44)


Elysia's top 10 Spirit Awards films for Lorehounds

  1. Twinless (Hulu, VoD)
  2. Lurker (Mubi, VoD)
  3. The Long Walk (Starz, VoD)
  4. Fucktoys
  5. Splitsville (Hulu, VoD)
  6. The Baltimorons (AMC+, VoD)
  7. One of Them Days (Netflix)
  8. Hedda (Prime)
  9. A Poet
  10. Tie: The Plague (VoD) & On Becoming a Guinea Fowl (HBO, VoD)


Find the full list of Spirit Award nominees here

The 41st Independent Spirit Awards will air Sunday, February 15, 2025 at 5 pm ET – watch on YouTube as it airs and join us in the Lorehounds Discord (see linktree) for a live-watch chat!

Check your extended stats (including the Spirit Awards and jury prize nominees) on DeathRaceTracking.com


Spirit Award nominees covered

The Baltimorons (ContraZoom blog)

Friendship (Properly Howard podcast)


For subscribers: 

If I Had Legs I Would Kick You (Leiden IFF – WhachaWachin)

Fucktoys (Imagine Fantastic FF – WhachaWachin)


Non-Oscars awards coverage

BAFTA longlisted shorts

Independent Spirit Awards preview (this episode)

BAFTAs preview


Oscars 2026 coverage

Nominations + Best Picture preview

Live-Action, Animated, & Documentary Shorts

Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & Hair

International Features

Documentary Features

Animated Features

Score & Original Song

Cinematography, Editing, Sound, VFX

Director, Original & Adapted Screenplay

Lead & Supporting Actor & Actress, Casting

Ceremony reactions + Best Picture rankings


Deep dives into 2026 Oscar nominees

Sinners

One Battle After Another – pt. 1pt. 2pt. 3

Frankenstein

Weapons

Shorts: “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)


Revisit Oscars 2024 & 2025links in these show notes


Contact Us

Questions 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 Affiliates

linktr.ee/thelorehounds


Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

Oscars 2026 – Animated, Documentary, & Live-Action Shorts06 Feb 202601:34:01

Elysia is joined by Brandon from ShortStick blog and podcast for a look at the five nominees for each of the three short-film Oscar categories: Animated Shorts (00:08:29), Documentary Shorts (00:29:07), and Live-Action Shorts (00:54:48).

They lay out what each short film is, what makes it stand out, and where you can see them (when possible), as they discuss how short films works differently from feature films and the more difficult path to nomination, and also call out other top shorts from this awards season that they think Lorehounds listeners will also love.


Find Brandon at: Shortstick Films blog & podcast (on Spotify)

ShortStick's Top 75 Short Films of 2025


Nominated Shorts:

Animated Shorts


Other shorts mentioned: Snow Bear (full film*), Playing God, The Night Boots, Hurikán, The Shyness of Trees (full film*), Autokar (to rent*), Two Ships, Ovary-Acting (previous film: Night of the Living Dread; full film)


Note: All nominated (and shortlisted) animated films are available on Animation Showcase, available to (free) members of DeathRaceTracking.com


Documentary Shorts


Other shorts mentioned: Bad Hostage, All the Walls Came Down (LA Times Docs), Classroom 4 (PBS, US only), We Were the Scenery (on FestivalScope until Feb 22), Neil Armstrong and the Langholmites, Shanti Rides Shotgun (Vimeo) Confession


Live-Action Shorts


Other shorts mentioned: Beyond Silence, Dad’s Not Home, Extremist (full film*), The Pearl Comb (Disney+), Pantyhose, Blondi, Wonderwall, One Day This Kid (Criterion), A Bear Remembers, Nervous Energy, The Second Time Around 


*Watch quickly! May be taken offline without warning.


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.com


Oscars 2026 coverage

Nominations + Best Picture preview

Live-Action, Animated, & Documentary Shorts (this episode)

Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & Hair

International Features

Documentary Features

Animated Features

Score & Original Song

Cinematography, Editing, Sound, VFX

Director, Original & Adapted Screenplay

Lead & Supporting Actor & Actress, Casting

Ceremony reactions + Best Picture rankings


Deep dives into 2026 Oscar nominees

Sinners

One Battle After Another – pt. 1pt. 2pt. 3

Frankenstein

Weapons

Shorts: “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 coverage

BAFTA longlisted shorts

Independent Spirit Awards preview

BAFTAs preview


Revisit Oscars 2024 & 2025links in these show notes


Contact Us

Questions 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 Affiliates

linktr.ee/thelorehounds


Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

The evolution of practical VFX – An interview w/ Lee Romaire28 Jan 202600:53:02

Elysia talks to practical VFX artist Lee Romaire about everything he's learned from a 25-year career covering everything from Emmy-winning special-effects makeup and Frankenstein animal gore to Disney park animatronics and robotic red-carpet accessories.


Links from the discussion:


Contact Us

Questions 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 Affiliates

linktr.ee/thelorehounds


Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

Oscars 2026 – Nominations: the Best Picture 10, surprises, & stats26 Jan 202602:11:58

David and Elysia officially kick of this year's awards-season coverage with their reactions to the 2026 Oscar nominees, including all the new records set by this year's crop. After talking through the headlines (00:11:40), they preview this year's 10 Best Picture nominees (00:30:30) before discussing the biggest surprises and snubs (01:29:19) and the four acting categories (01:49:33). Stick around until the end for a preview of the rest of the coverage plans.


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.com


Oscars 2026 coverage

Nominations + Best Picture preview (this episode)

Live-Action, Animated, & Documentary Shorts

Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & Hair

International Features

Animated Features

Documentary Features

Score & Original Song

Cinematography, Editing, Sound, VFX

Lead & Supporting Actor & Actress, Casting

Director, Original & Adapted Screenplay

Ceremony reactions + Best Picture rankings


Deep dives into 2026 Oscar nominees

Sinners

One Battle After Another – pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3

Frankenstein

Weapons

Shorts: “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 coverage

BAFTA longlisted shorts

Independent Spirit Awards preview

BAFTAs preview


Revisit Oscars 2024 & 2025: links in these show notes


Contact Us

Questions 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 Affiliates

linktr.ee/thelorehounds


Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.


28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026) – Hope-punk heavy metal01 Apr 202601:53:20

Elysia and Riley kneel at the alter of Ralph Fiennes' Iron Maiden, discuss why Jimmy Crystal is scarier than Sinners' vampire Remmick, and glean hope from this film's not-so-hidden messages of humanity, sacrifice, and teasings of radical forgiveness in the second film in the game-changing 28 Years Later zoombie trilogy.


Previous coverage: 28 Days & Weeks Later (subscribers) & 28 Years Later (2025)

Find Riley online: YouTube – Bluesky


Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates: linktr.ee/thelorehounds

Send your questions and feedback to lorehounds@thelorehounds.com.


Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities

Oscars 2026 – Ceremony, Winners, & Best Picture rankings19 Mar 202601:56:39

David joins Elysia for their now traditional Oscars' season wrap! After talking through the highs and lows of the show itself, they share their own rankings of the Best Picture nominees, and discuss where some other high-profile awards-season snubs and other nominees would fit into that list.

  • Ceremony reactions (00:01:43)
  • Winner reactions (00:30:19)
  • Best Picture rankings (01:00:26) – full spoilers, this section only
  • Ranking recap & extra movies (01:38:40) – back to spoiler-free


Links discussed:

Conan O’Brien’s Aunt Gladys opening

It’s a tie! Watch “The Singers” (Netflix) & ”Two People Exchanging Saliva” (YouTube)

Doug Orleans’s Best Picture commentary


Best Picture nominees: Bugonia, F1, Frankenstein (our coverage), Hamnet (our coverage [subscribers]), Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another (our coverage:  pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3), Sentimental Value (our coverage [subscribers]), Sinners (our coverage), The Secret Agent, Train Dreams


Other films discussed: No Other Choice, The Blue Trail, Manas, The Smashing Machine, Jay Kelly, Weapons (our coverage), If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, It Was Just an Accident, Sirāt, Project Hail Mary (2026, coverage soon), Hoppers (aka Jumpers [EU], 2026), 28 Years Later (our coverage), 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026, coverage next week)


Check how many Oscar nominees you've seen at OscarsDeathRace.com – or with extended stats via DeathRaceTracking.com


Oscars 2026 coverage

Nominations + Best Picture preview

Live-Action, Animated, & Documentary Shorts 

Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & Hair

International Features

Documentary Features

Animated Features

Score & Original Song

Cinematography, VFX, Editing, Sound

Adapted & Original Screenplay, Director

Lead & Supporting Actor & Actress, Casting

Ceremony reactions + Best Picture rankings (this episode)


Deep dives into 2026 Oscar nominees

Sinners

One Battle After Another – pt. 1pt. 2pt. 3

Frankenstein

Weapons

Shorts: “Two People Exchanging Saliva,” “Jane Austen’s Period Drama,” “The Singers,” “Retirement Plan,” and “The Girl Who Cried Pearls”

For subscribers: 

Hamnet – WhachaWachin (with spoilers)

Leiden IFF – WhachaWachin (Sentimental Value, If I Had Legs I Would Kick You, Arco)


Additional awards coverage

BAFTA shorts

BAFTA features

Independent Spirit Awards


Revisit Oscars 2024 & 2025links in these show notes


Contact Us

Questions 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 Affiliates

linktr.ee/thelorehounds


Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

Oscars 2026 – Acting (Lead & Supporting) + Casting14 Mar 202602:37:54

Elysia wraps up the CinemaHounds pre-Oscars prep series with special guest Paulo from the Oscar's Death Race Podcast and a deep dive into the acting categories: Best Actress, Best Actor, Supporting Actor, and Supporting Actress. Who's nominated, who should have been nominated, and who will win?

And then they conclude with a look at this year's brand new category: Casting. What is it, why is it here, and who will take home the first statue?


Join us on the Lorehounds Discord (see link.tree below) to discuss all this and more in the #awards-season channel – plus a live chat while the ceremony is airing!

And send your hot takes about the ceremony to lorehounds@thelorehounds.com to be included in the wrap-up discussion!


Note: All film discussion in this episode is spoiler-free.


Check out the Oscars Death Race Podcast w/ Paulo!


The nominees:

Best Actress (00:16:37)


Best Actor (01:05:52)


Best Supporting Actor (01:40:53)


Best Supporting Actress (01:58:26)


Best Casting (02:14:46)


Other performances discussed: 





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

Check how many Oscar nominees you've seen at OscarsDeathRace.com – or with extended stats via DeathRaceTracking.com


Oscars 2026 coverage

Nominations + Best Picture preview

Live-Action, Animated, & Documentary Shorts 

Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & Hair

International Features

Documentary Features

Animated Features

Score & Original Song

Cinematography, VFX, Editing, Sound

Adapted & Original Screenplay, Director

Lead & Supporting Actor & Actress, Casting (this episode)

Ceremony reactions + Best Picture rankings


Deep dives into 2026 Oscar nominees

Sinners

One Battle After Another – pt. 1pt. 2pt. 3

Frankenstein

Weapons

Shorts: “Two People Exchanging Saliva,” “Jane Austen’s Period Drama,” “The Singers,” “Retirement Plan,” and “The Girl Who Cried Pearls”

For subscribers: 

Hamnet – WhachaWachin (with spoilers)

Leiden IFF – WhachaWachin (Sentimental Value, If I Had Legs I Would Kick You, Arco)


Additional awards coverage

BAFTA shorts

BAFTA features

Independent Spirit Awards


Revisit Oscars 2024 & 2025links in these show notes


Contact Us

Questions 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 Affiliates

linktr.ee/thelorehounds


Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

Oscars 2026 – Original & Adapted Screenplay + Best Director13 Mar 202602:21:15

Writer and photographer Katherine Oktober Matthews joins Elysia to discuss this year's writing and directing nominees for the 2026 Academy Awards. After they each unleash some of their hottest takes breaking down the three categories, they reconvene after the credits for a separate spoiler-filled discussion of eight of the nominees (01:47:05).


Note: All film discussion in this episode is spoiler-free (until the separate post-credits spoiler section)!


Links discussed:


Subscriber bonuses:


The nominees:

Best Original Screenplay (00:10:37.453)


Best Adapted Screenplay (00:45:19.607)


Best Director (01:25:21)


Other films mentioned: Fruitvale Station (2013, Starz), Creed (2015, to rent), Uncut Gems (2019, Netflix), The Smashing Machine (Prime), The Worst Person in the World (2021, Kanopy / Tubi / etc.), Me and Orson Welles (2008, Plex / to rent), Twinless (Hulu), No Other Choice (to rent), The Long Walk (Starz, to rent), Civil War (2024, Prime / Hulu, our coverage), Shakespeare in Love  (1998, Paramount+ / etc.), Frankenstein & Bride of Frankenstein (1931 & 1935, YouTube, our coverage), Sing Sing (2024, Prime), CODA (2021 [BP winner], Apple), La Familie Bélier (2014, YouTube), Phantom Thread (2017, Mubi [NL] / to rent), Nonnas (Netflix); hive minds (TV): Star Trek: The Next Generation (Paramount+) & Pluribus (Apple)


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

Check how many Oscar nominees you've seen at OscarsDeathRace.com – or with extended stats via DeathRaceTracking.com


Oscars 2026 coverage

Nominations + Best Picture preview

Live-Action, Animated, & Documentary Shorts 

Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & Hair

International Features

Documentary Features

Animated Features

Score & Original Song

Cinematography, VFX, Editing, Sound

Adapted & Original Screenplay, Director (this episode)

Lead & Supporting Actor & Actress, Casting

Ceremony reactions + Best Picture rankings


Deep dives into 2026 Oscar nominees

Sinners

One Battle After Another – pt. 1pt. 2pt. 3

Frankenstein

Weapons

Shorts: “Two People Exchanging Saliva,” “Jane Austen’s Period Drama,” “The Singers,” “Retirement Plan,” and “The Girl Who Cried Pearls”

For subscribers: 

Hamnet – WhachaWachin (with spoilers)

Leiden IFF – WhachaWachin (Sentimental Value, If I Had Legs I Would Kick You, Arco)


Additional awards coverage

BAFTA shorts

BAFTA features

Independent Spirit Awards


Revisit Oscars 2024 & 2025links in these show notes


Contact Us

Questions 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 Affiliates

linktr.ee/thelorehounds


Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

Oscars 2026 – Tech awards: Cinematography, VFX, Editing, & Sound12 Mar 202602:24:06

Assistant directing and lighting industry professional, and the host of the ContraZoom podcast, Dakota Arsenault joins Elysia to get into the technical details behind this year's Oscar nominees for Cinematography, Visual Effects, Film Editing, and Sound. They look at why a movie is nominated, what makes it special, and others they would have liked to see make the cut. Stick around after their conversation for updates (02:17:37) on these races!


Note: All film discussion in this episode is spoiler-free.


Links discussed:


Cinematography nominees (00:05:01)


Other films mentioned: The French Connection (1971, Disney+ [EU] / to rent, our coverage [subscribers]), Sound of Falling (eventually Mubi), Ballad of a Small Player (Netflix), Resurrection (to rent), No Other Choice (to rent / Netflix [Korea] / later Hulu [US]), The Long Walk (Starz / to rent), Materialists (Netflix) 


Visual Effects nominees (00:51:46)

  • Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, Daniel Barrett – Avatar: Fire and Ashtrailer (in theaters, eventually Disney+)
  • Michael Ralla, Espen Nordahl, Guido Wolter, Donnie Dean – Sinnerstrailer (HBO Max, our coverage)
  • Charlie Noble, David Zaretti, Russell Bowen, Brandon K. McLaughlin – The Lost Bustrailer (Apple TV)
  • David Vickery, Stephen Aplin, Charmaine Chan, Neil Corbould – Jurassic World Rebirthtrailer (Netflix [US], Skyshowtime [NL])
  • Ryan Tudhope, Nicolas Chevallier, Robert Harrington, Keith Dawson – F1trailer (Apple TV)


Other films mentioned: Tron: Ares (Disney+), The Creator (2023, Prime, our coverage), Monsters (2010, Prime / Tubi / etc.), The Electric State (Netflix), Superman (HBO Max, our coverage), Predator: Badlands (Disney+, our coverage), Thunderbolts* (Disney+, our coverage), The Fantastic 4: First Steps (Disney+, our coverage), Warfare (Prime), Mickey 17 (HBO Max)  


Film Editing nominees (01:29:57)


Other films mentioned: If I Had Legs I Would Kick You (HBO Max, our coverage [subscribers]), Better Man (2024, Prime / Paramount+), Black Bag (Prime [USA] / Skyshowtime [EU]), 28 Years Later (Netflix, our coverage), Good Boy (AMC+ / Shudder / etc.), Sore: A Wife from the Future (YouTube)  


Sound nominees (01:55:54)


Other films mentioned: Wicked: For Good (to rent, our coverage), Superman (HBO Max, our coverage), Predator: Badlands (Disney+, our coverage), Warfare (Prime)    


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

Check how many Oscar nominees you've seen at OscarsDeathRace.com – or with extended stats and access to the animated shorts via DeathRaceTracking.com


Oscars 2026 coverage

Nominations + Best Picture preview

Live-Action, Animated, & Documentary Shorts 

Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & Hair

International Features

Documentary Features

Animated Features

Score & Original Song

Cinematography, VFX, Editing, Sound (this episode)

Adapted & Original Screenplay, Director

Lead & Supporting Actor & Actress, Casting

Ceremony reactions + Best Picture rankings


Deep dives into 2026 Oscar nominees

Sinners

One Battle After Another – pt. 1pt. 2pt. 3

Frankenstein

Weapons

Shorts: “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 coverage

BAFTAs shorts

BAFTAs features

Independent Spirit Awards


Revisit Oscars 2024 & 2025links in these show notes


Contact Us

Questions 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 Affiliates

linktr.ee/thelorehounds


Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

Oscars 2026 – Best Original Song & Score – Nevermind the Oscars Music10 Mar 202602:17:41

Mark returns to the CinemaHounds Oscars coverage series for the second annual "Nevermind the Oscars Music" crossover special discussing not only this year's crop of Original Song and Original Score nominees but also their musical influences, lookalikes, and others they would have liked to have seen on the ballot. Expect plenty of clips from an eclectic collection of genre with deep-digging analysis of their role in this year's nominated films.

  • Best Original Song (00:10:11) 
  • Best Original Score (01:24:36)


Note: All film discussion in this episode is spoiler-free.


Links discussed:

Nevermind the Music:


Max Richter's "Undiscovered Country" and Hamnet / Arrival (AV Club)

The Hamnet Rihanna dance take


Best Original Song nominees:


Also discussed:  


Best Original Score nominees:

  

Also discussed: Tron: Ares (Disney+) – soundtrackfrom the shortlist


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

Check how many Oscar nominees you've seen at OscarsDeathRace.com – or with extended stats and access to the animated shorts via DeathRaceTracking.com


Oscars 2026 coverage

Nominations + Best Picture preview

Live-Action, Animated, & Documentary Shorts 

Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & Hair

International Features

Documentary Features

Animated Features

Score & Original Song (this episode)

Cinematography, VFX, Editing, Sound

Adapted & Original Screenplay, Director

Lead & Supporting Actor & Actress, Casting

Ceremony reactions + Best Picture rankings


Deep dives into 2026 Oscar nominees

Sinners

One Battle After Another – pt. 1pt. 2pt. 3

Frankenstein

Weapons

Shorts: “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 coverage

BAFTAs shorts

BAFTAs features

Independent Spirit Awards


Revisit Oscars 2024 & 2025links in these show notes


Contact Us

Questions 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 Affiliates

linktr.ee/thelorehounds


Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

Oscars 2026 – Animated Features – the year 2025 in animation08 Mar 202602:28:33

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 features

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (with Logan)

Last year's Tech categories (with Logan)


Animated Feature nominees:


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 world

Check how many Oscar nominees you've seen at OscarsDeathRace.com – or with extended stats and access to the animated shorts via DeathRaceTracking.com


Oscars 2026 coverage

Nominations + Best Picture preview

Live-Action, Animated, & Documentary Shorts 

Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & Hair

International Features

Documentary Features

Animated Features (this episode)

Score & Original Song

Cinematography, VFX, Editing, Sound

Adapted & Original Screenplay, Director

Lead & Supporting Actor & Actress, Casting

Ceremony reactions + Best Picture rankings


Deep dives into 2026 Oscar nominees

Sinners

One Battle After Another – pt. 1pt. 2pt. 3

Frankenstein

Weapons

Shorts: “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 coverage

BAFTAs shorts

BAFTAs features

Independent Spirit Awards


Revisit Oscars 2024 & 2025links in these show notes


Contact Us

Questions 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 Affiliates

linktr.ee/thelorehounds


Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

Oscars 2026 – Documentary Features – All the year's best docs05 Mar 202601:53:49

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:


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 world

Check how many Oscar nominees you've seen at OscarsDeathRace.com – or with extended stats and access to the animated shorts via DeathRaceTracking.com


Oscars 2026 coverage

Nominations + Best Picture preview

Live-Action, Animated, & Documentary Shorts 

Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & Hair

International Features

Documentary Features (this episode)

Score & Original Song

Animated Features

Cinematography, VFX, Editing, Sound

Adapted & Original Screenplay, Director

Lead & Supporting Actor & Actress, Casting

Ceremony reactions + Best Picture rankings


Deep dives into 2026 Oscar nominees

Sinners

One Battle After Another – pt. 1pt. 2pt. 3

Frankenstein

Weapons

Shorts: “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 FamilyLeft-Handed Girl)

Imagine Fantastic FF – WhachaWachin (The Last Viking)


Additional awards coverage

BAFTAs shorts

BAFTAs features

Independent Spirit Awards


Revisit Oscars 2024 & 2025links in these show notes


Contact Us

Questions 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 Affiliates

linktr.ee/thelorehounds


Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities.

© My Podcast Data