Welcome to Reel Talk! Over the next four weeks, we will be discussing all things Academy Awards. We’ll break down every category, place our predictions and discuss all the Oscars buzz leading up to the big ceremony on March 27.

This week we’re talking snubs, the new fan favorite category and the categories that won’t air during the telecast. That means passionate arguments for snubs like Denis Villeneuve (Dune), Bradley Cooper (Nightmare Alley), and Nicolas Cage (Pig); lots of Spider-Man: No Way Home; and a long discussion about the visual and technical prowess of Dune.

We also discuss the tension between the Academy and blockbuster movies. Why is it harder for some genres to get nominated? When do big movies deserve Oscar recognition? And will the new fan favorite category have any impact on future nominations?

And make sure to tune in next where we’ll discuss the remaining technical and design categories plus all the acting nominees (and Riley’s obsession with Andrew Garfield).

Reel Talk: Animated feature films, directors and Best Picture predictions

Reel TalkBy Riley Utley and Katherine KiesslingMar 23, 2022