Episodes

  • Encore 1999 - Love vs War

    Encore 1999 - Love vs War
    May 11 2026
    Hey Oscar fans. Bruce and "Tex" are on a slight hiatus, so we're doing an encore presentation of one of Oscar's most controversial years. A year that pit 'Love' VS 'War.' Of course we’re talking about the 1999 Oscars, for the films of 1998 in which Shakespeare in Love won the Oscar over Saving Private Ryan. This is known as the year that changed everything thanks to a guy you may have heard of named Harvey Weinstein. In a shocking upset, a brash, shameless, indie upstart managed to out-campaign the Hollywood elite and take home a best picture Oscar for an artsy film about love and Shakespeare. Using the test of time, many people look back at this year as a complete miscarriage of justice. But was it really? And what other controversies and unbelievable moments took place that evening? Bruce was there and is more than happy to share them.. What do you think? Did Shakespeare deserve Oscar love? Or did Saving Private Ryan “Earn it?” MOVIES MENTIONED From Russia With Love Shakespeare in Love Elizabeth Saving Private Ryan The African Queen Life is Beautiful The Thin Red Line Armageddon A Simple Plan The Truman Show Affliction Civil Action Apollo 13 Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid In Like Flint Shine Rushmore The Big Lebowski Rocky Horror Picture Show A Fish Called Wanda Gods and Monsters Hillary and Jackie Little Voice Primary Colors Mrs. Brown Schindler’s List Amistad Warhorse Lincoln West Side Story Munich The Mask of Zorro Out of Sight The Big Chill Mighty Joe Young King Kong What Dreams May Come Pleasantville Velvet Goldmine Beloved The Last Days Dance Maker The Farm Angola USA Lenny Bruce: Swear to Tell the Truth Regret to Inform Prince of Egypt Patch Adams Mulan A Bug’s Life The Horse Whisperer Babe: Pig in the City Skyfall Barbie Quest From Camelot Wicked Tango The Grandfather Children of Heaven Central Station Frankenstein Bride of Frankenstein American History X Two Women Lord of the Rings One True Thing Gia Bulworth The Best Years of our Lives E.T. The Day the Clown Cried Guilty By Suspicion On the Waterfront Streetcar Named Desire East of Eden A Face in the Crowd Splendor in the Grass America, America Gentleman’s Agreement Viva Zapata Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 16 mins
  • 1943 - Minvers, Ambersons & The Pride of the Yankees Doodle Dandy

    1943 - Minvers, Ambersons & The Pride of the Yankees Doodle Dandy
    May 4 2026
    Welcome Oscar fans. Bruce is back to help break down the 1943 Oscars for the films of 1942. It’s another stacked year with 10 Outstanding Picture nominees (most of which are very deserving) and yet, there are still several other great films left out in the cold. And while there are a few curious decisions and omissions, most of the winners in all the categories are surprisingly and refreshingly solid. Instead of controversy — this is definitely an episode you’ll want to take notes during, because there are a lot of hidden gems to go with the classics. Either way, you’re going to want to update your ‘Watch List!’ As always for joining us for another look back at the Oscars of the past, through the lens of today! Movies Mentioned *Mrs. Miniver *The Magnificent Ambersons *Yankee Doodle Dandy *The Pride of the Yankees *The Talk of the Town *The Invaders AKA The 49th Parallel *King’s Row The Pied Piper *Random Harvest Wake Island *Now Voyager *To Be or Not To Be *The Palm Beach Story *Johnny Eager Around the World in 80 Days *The Letter *The Little Foxes Wuthering Heights Doddsworth *Angels With Dirty Faces *My Sister Eileen Woman of the Year *I Married a Witch *This Gun for Hire *Tortilla Flat *The Affairs of Cellini *The Wizard of Oz *Shadow of a Doubt Holiday inn White Christmas *Road to Morocco One of Our Aircraft is Missing The Black Swan Jungle Book Bambi Arabian Nights The Shanghai Gesture The Corsican Brothers The Battle of Midway (first Documentary Winner) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Bonus - The Freakishly Fantastic Films of 1995

    Bonus - The Freakishly Fantastic Films of 1995
    Apr 27 2026
    1995, an objectively incredible year for movies, doesn’t get talked about enough…until now! Having done the research for our 1996 Oscars, “Tex” And Mark were amazed at just how many outstanding, Oscar-worthy films came out this year — so many in fact, that we could hold an ‘Alternate Oscars’ and only include non-nominated films, directors and performances. So… That’s we did! Join us as we have some fun discussing the freakishly fantastic films of 1995 and offer our picks for an Oscars that didn’t happen — but certainly could have! We’ll be back with a regular episode next week. (The 1943 Oscars for anyone who wants to do some homework and watch some of the films of 1942!) Movies Mentioned (*) Recommended **Braveheart *Apollo 13 *Babe *Sense & Sensibility *Il Postino: The Postman **The Usual Suspects **Leaving Las Vegas *Dead Man Walking *Toy Story *Casino **Heat **Twelve Monkeys **Se7en *Crimson Tide *The American President Goldeneye *Mr. Holland’s Opus *To Die For **Zone of Interest **Anatomy of a Fall *Past Lives *I’m Still Here Emilia Pérez **Sentimental Value *The Secret Agent **Parasite **Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon *Life is Beautiful *Cries and Whispers **The Lives of Others **A Separation **City of God **Ran **81/2 **La Dolce Vita Showgirls *Clueless *Kids *Devil in a Blue Dress *The Crossing Guard Panther *The Quick and the Dead Nixon *Bridges of Madison County *Get Shorty *Living in Oblivion *Safe Dangerous Minds *Dolores Claiborne Georgia Rob Roy Funny Bones *Kiss of Death Walking Dead Boys on the Side Circle of Friends Exotica *Before Sunrise *The Secret of Roan Inish The Brothers McMullen *Clockers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 2 mins
  • 1996 - They May Take Our Lives…But They'll Never Take Our Oscars!

    1996 - They May Take Our Lives…But They'll Never Take Our Oscars!
    Apr 14 2026
    Hey Oscar fans — for this episode, Bruce Vilanch and “Tex” Davis dive into the 1996 Oscars—the year Braveheart took the crown, beating out an oddly charming mix that includes Apollo 13 and Babe. But here’s the real question: how did a year packed with some all-time classics end up with this lineup? From snubbed fan favorites to the Academy’s love of big, bold spectacle, we’re breaking down what got nominated, what got ignored, and what the Oscars might have been thinking… if anything. Films Mentioned **Babe **Braveheart **Apollo 13 **Sense and Sensibility *Il Postino: The Postman *Dead Man Walking **Leaving Las Vegas Nixon **Toy Story *Crimson Tide *Batman Forever Waterworld Showgirls **The Usual Suspects *Mr. Holland’s Opus *Casino **The American President *Rob Roy Bridges of Madison County **12 Monkeys Hacksaw Ridge **Apocalypto Man Without a Face **Heat **Devil in a Blue Dress **The Goodbye Girl **Adaptation *Dances with Wolves *The Crossing Guard *Get Shorty **Thelma and Louise **Lorenzo’s Oil **Atlantic City **Howard’s End **Remains of the Day *Safe **Se7en Georgia Mighty Aphrodite *Butterflies are Free Shakespeare in Love *My Cousin Vinny **La Jette’ Sabrina Pocahontas Restoration Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 14 mins
  • ENCORE 1961 - A Boy's Best Friend is his Oscar!

    ENCORE 1961 - A Boy's Best Friend is his Oscar!
    Apr 7 2026
    Due to unforeseen circumstances, we don't have a new episode for you this week -- so we decided to rerun an older one you may not have hear. This is a classic one that started the whole premise of the show. That's because in 1960, three films came out that are all sitting on the AFI's Top 100 American Films of All-Time List. Yet, only ONE of them was actually nominated for an Oscar the year it came out! Join us as we debate whether or not this is a travesty or if it made sense at the time. As always, thanks for listening and we'll be back with a new episode next week! Movies Mentioned Just Friends The Apartment Elmer Gantry The Alamo Sons and Lovers Lady Chatterley’s Lover The Sundowners From Here to Eternity Oklahoma Never on Sunday Rarfifi Night in the City Psycho Psycho (Gus Van Sant remake) Sweet Smell of Success The Killers Kiss the Blood Off my Hands The Entertainer Inherit the Wind Sands of Iwo Jima Friendly Persuasion Mr. Roberts Teen Sympathy The Life and Times of Colonel Blimp Elenor Roosevelt Butterfield Eight Cleopatra Double Indemnity Pushover Exodus Murder, Inc. Spartacus All About Eve Yankee Doodle Dandy The Dark at the Top of the Stairs Miranda Fear Strikes Out Jaws Homicidal The Angry Silence The Facts of Life Hiroshima, My Love / Hiroshima, Mon Amour Tunes of Glory Oceans 11 Little Shop of Horrors The Magnificent Seven Swiss Family Robinson La Dolce Vita Sergeant York High Noon The Naked Edge Killer’s Kiss The Killing Lolita Paths of Glory The Ten Commandments Ben Hur Solomon & Sheba Land of the Pharaohs The Life of Brian Trumbo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    57 mins
  • BONUS 1952 - The Fantastic Films Noir of 1952!

    BONUS 1952 - The Fantastic Films Noir of 1952!
    Mar 30 2026
    Hey Oscar fans - “Tex” and Mark are back with another standout year of films noir. We kind of teased this episode during our 1953 Oscars episode — when four noirs (The Bad and the Beautiful, Sudden Fear, The Narrow Margin, and The Sniper) were nominated for various Oscars. But as we soon discovered, that was just the tip of the iceberg! 1952 was an absolute banger of a year for films noir and we are all too happy to walk you through at least a dozen more of our favorites, as well as introduce you to some hidden gem talent both in front of and behind the camera! So sit back and take note of some films that expose both the bad and beautiful sides of life as seen through the dark lens of film noir. Thanks for listening! Films Mentioned The Bad and the Beautiful Sudden Fear The Narrow Margin Narrow Margin (1990) The Sniper M (1931 & 1951) Kansas City Confidential Angel Face Laura Fallen Angel The Man with the Golden Arm Don’t Bother to Knock Inferno Clash by Night Affair in Trinidad Gilda The Turning Point Strange Fascination Pickup The Girl on the Bridge Bait Hit and Run One Girl’s Confession This Woman is Dangerous The Thief Man Bait Tread Softly Stranger Yield to the Night Passport to Shame Scandal Sheet The Phenix City Story Hell’s Island 99 River Street All the King’s Men Deadline USA The Boy with the Green Hair Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 7 mins
  • 1953 - The Not-So-Greatest Oscar on Earth!

    1953 - The Not-So-Greatest Oscar on Earth!
    Mar 23 2026
    Hey Oscar fans — Bruce and “Tex” find themselves under the big top for an Oscar year that’s… well… not exactly the greatest show on Earth. While The Greatest Show on Earth somehow walks away with Best Picture, a lineup of stronger, more enduring classics is left juggling in the background (including an all-time classic that wasn’t even nominated!) So, who were the clowns that let this spectacle steal the spotlight — and which films actually deserved center ring? Step right up for a lively debate, a few raised eyebrows, and one of the biggest Oscar head-scratchers of the decade! As always, thanks for listening! Films Mentioned *Recommended The Greatest Show on Earth **High Noon *Ivanhoe *Moulin Rouge The Quiet Man **Singin’ in the Rain **The Bad and the Beautiful *Come Back Little Sheeba *The Star *Five Fingers *Viva Zapata Melania *The Lavender Hill Mob **Sudden Fear The Member of the Wedding With a Song in My Heart *My Cousin Rachel The Big Sky **Angel Face *The Narrow Margin *The Man in the White Suit *Ruby Gentry *The Sound Barrier The Pride of St. Louis *The Sniper *The Atomic City Pat and Mike Navajo Email us at: info@oscars.wtf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Bonus - 2026 Oscars Reaction!

    Bonus - 2026 Oscars Reaction!
    Mar 17 2026
    Hello Oscars Fans! Join "Tex" and Mark for an "entirely too soon to be having this conversation" conversation about the 2026 Oscars. As you probably know, it goes entirely against the premise of our show to discuss the recent Oscars -- since we rely on the 'test of time' to judge and score the winners & non-winners. At the same time, good luck keeping these certified film nerds from giving their takes on the proceedings. Some you might agree with, others not so much -- but isn't that the joy of movies? Either way, thanks for listening and being part of the fun! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    51 mins