It's a two "Really?!" episode as Dylan, Rob and Glenys discuss the movies of 2007 that were nominated for Best Picture at the 80th Academy Awards. Did the Academy get it right when they awarded No Country for Old Men the best picture honors? While Atonement brought us lush period scenes and solid acting, was that enough to make it a serious contender? Was Juno’s plucky title character and quirky dialogue something that should have gone down in the books as “best?” Or did you love the complex plotting and award-winning acting in Michael Clayton? And lastly, there was There Will be Blood, a movie that matched the winner in filming locations (Marfa, TX!) and grim tone – and should the Oscar gone to it instead? We’ll find out all about how our hosts felt about the Academy’s choice, and if they agreed!

Best Picture Nominees

No Country for Old Men – winner
Atonement
Juno
Michael Clayton
There Will be Blood

2007 – There Will Be…Old Men

In this follow-up episode, Rob, Dylan, and Glenys continue their spirited discussion of the 2025 Academy Awards Best Picture race, turning their attention to the remaining 2024 contenders.

Dune: Part Two continued Denis Villeneuve's sweeping sci-fi saga — but does a sequel deserve to win when its first part didn't? Emilia Pérez blurred genre lines with its musical crime drama twist, earning critical acclaim and plenty of Oscar attention. Nickel Boys adapted Colson Whitehead’s powerful novel, portraying the horrors of a corrupt reform school using a novel cinematic technique – but did it obscure the emotion of the story? A Complete Unknown offered a magnetic Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan, but what did we actually learn about the man himself? I'm Still Here, Brazil’s stirring real-life family drama, delivered emotional resonance against political upheaval. And finally, Anora, the modern Cinderella story that ultimately claimed Best Picture — but was it truly the best of the bunch?

Join us as we dissect these films, their performances, and their cultural relevance — and ask the big question: did the Academy get it right, or was another nominee more deserving of the top prize?

Best Picture Nominees

Anora - winner
The Brutalist
A Complete Unknown
Conclave
Dune: Part Two
Emilia Pérez
I’m Still Here
Nickel Boys
The Substance
Wicked

2024 Part 2 - Epic Battles and Emotional Gut-Punches: Who Really Deserved Best Picture?

In this episode, our hosts Rob, Dylan, and Glenys dive into the first half of the 2025 Academy Awards Best Picture nominees, breaking down the biggest stories behind 2024’s most talked-about films.

Was Wicked’s dazzling adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical the cultural moment everyone anticipated — or did it fall short of expectations? Did The Substance, with its provocative body horror and Demi Moore’s fearless performance, push genre filmmaking into new territory? The Brutalist challenged audiences with its stark portrayal of architectural ambition and human isolation — but did its cold precision and length cost it emotional resonance? Meanwhile, Conclave offered a taut, suspenseful look inside the Vatican’s secretive corridors of power — but was it gripping enough to contend for Best Picture glory?

Join us as we explore the performances, direction, and cultural impact of these nominees, and debate whether the Academy might have overlooked deeper, riskier achievements in favor of crowd-pleasers.

Best Picture Nominees

Anora - winner
The Brutalist
A Complete Unknown
Conclave
Dune: Part Two
Emilia Pérez
I’m Still Here
Nickel Boys
The Substance
Wicked

2024 Part 1 - Spectacle, Secrets, and Shocks: Breaking Down the First Half of the Best Picture Race

In this episode, Dylan, Rob and Glenys dive into the 1983 movies nominated for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences Best Picture and debate whether Terms of Endearment truly earned its Best Picture win — or if one of its formidable contenders deserved the golden statue instead.

Was The Big Chill's ensemble of old friends and bittersweet nostalgia the real cultural touchstone of the year? Did The Right Stuff's epic portrayal of the space race soar higher? Could Tender Mercies' quiet tale of redemption have made a bigger emotional impact? Or was The Dresser’s poignant study of theater life an underappreciated gem?

Join us as we rewatch, reanalyze, and reconsider the stories that defined 1983. Expect deep dives into filmmaking choices and friendly arguments. Did the Academy get this Oscar pick right? You be the judge. We know we will!

Best Picture Nominees

Terms of Endearment (winner)The Big Chill
The Dresser
The Right Stuff
Tender Mercies

1983 - A Clear Winner?

Welcome to season 2 of And the Oscar Should Have Gone To… We hope you are as excited for Oscar season as we are, and while we’re all waiting to hear who will win Best Picture this year, we start off this season with a controversial year in Oscars – 1998. It was a year where three movies were about World War II and two movies were set in the Elizabethan era. Shakespeare in Love was the winner that year over some other heavy hitters and beloved movies. Saving Private Ryan jerked the tears out of all of us, while Elizabeth launched Cate Blanchett’s career and taught us about history without making us work hard.  Roberto Benigni turned darkness into light with humor in a Nazi concentration camp in Life is Beautiful, and let’s not forget the stark imagery, star power and cameos of The Thin Red Line. Do you think that the Academy picked the right movie with Shakespeare in Love? Dylan, Rob and Glenys hash out their favorites for who should have won in a year of (mostly great) nominees.

Best Picture Nominees

Shakespeare in Love - winner
Elizabeth
Life Is Beautiful
Saving Private Ryan
The Thin Red Line

1998 - War is Hell

In part 2 of the Best Picture great debate of 2013 movies, Dylan, Rob and Glenys may never agree, but you'll enjoy hearing their reasons why!

Best Picture Nominees

12 Years a Slave - winner
American Hustle
Captain Phillips
Dallas Buyers Club
Gravity
Her
Nebraska
Philomena
The Wolf of Wall Street

2013 Part 2 - Season Finale 

Dylan, Rob and Glenys were excited to argue over every single one of these 2013 Best Picture-nominated movies, which ran the gamut from characters noble to depraved and everything in between. Were you enchanted by the long, artful shots of 12 Years a Slave, or disgusted by the shamelessness of the Wolf of Wall Street? Won over by the virtuosity of Philomena or the bravery of Captain Phillips? As always we debate one of the biggest questions of all: should the importance of a movie trump the artistic integrity? Our spirited discussion won't leave you *bored*, that's for sure!

Best Picture Nominees

12 Years a Slave - winner
American Hustle
Captain Phillips
Dallas Buyers Club
Gravity
Her
Nebraska
Philomena
The Wolf of Wall Street

2013 Part 1 - Season Finale Throwdown!

Chariots of Fire won best picture at the 54thAcademy Awards…but who actually remembers anything about this movie besides the ubiquitous Vangelis title track? In this episode, Dylan, Rob and Glenys discuss and debate the merits of three great and two not-so-stellar nominees. It was a gametime decision (again!) for at least one of us with one surprise pick. If you haven’t seen these movies from 1981, we highly recommend you watch and tell us what you think! Or if you don’t feel like watching all those movies, just watch these [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xh4j-fAJHw] impressions [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26pvv0NuAE4] of Burt Lancaster [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn34MUI8k_s] and consider yourself educated!

Best Picture Nominees

Atlantic City
Chariots of Fire
On Golden Pond
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Reds

1981 – Redders of the Lost Pond

1996 was the year that independent films broke through to the Oscars, but should they actually have been nominated, or did Hollywood just want to believe they were intellectuals that year? And was The English Patient even that good? Do we agree with Elaine Benis when she said “Those sex scenes. I mean, please. Give me something I can use! [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5VluH1BeXo]” or do we think it’s on par with Lawrence of Arabia? After this episode, you’ll probably want to go get some pancakes and get laid [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY5NspwaVgk]…and maybe watch a few movies to see if you agree.

Best Picture Nominees

The English Patient - winner
Fargo
Jerry Maguire
Secrets & Lies
Shine

1996 – Show me the Movie! (that should have won)

Are the sequels ever as good as the first one? Find out with Part II of our 2009 podcast! We promise no prequels...this time.

2009 Best Picture Nominees

Avatar
The Blind Side
District 9
An Education
The Hurt Locker – winner
Inglorious Bastards
Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire
A Serious Man
Up
Up in the Air

2009 Part 2 – Yeah, Ten was too Many

Welcome to “And The Oscar Shoulda Gone To…”, the podcast where Best Picture races are discussed, debated and decided to reveal who should have been awarded the Best Picture Oscar.

Dylan, Rob and Glenys will review the most controversial best picture races from 1970 on, with comprehensive explanations for why they picked the films they did. Maybe their Best Picture pick was clearly the movie everybody loved that year, maybe it was an influential work that film-makers still discuss years later, or maybe it’s just the movie that everyone loves to re-watch year after year.

Watch along with the podcast so you can make your own determination and then let Dylan, Rob and Glenys know how wrong they are!

And the OSCAR shoulda gone to...